1.62k reviews for:

Shallow River

H.D. Carlton

4.05 AVERAGE

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
challenging dark slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I went into this with completely different expectations, and unfortunately, it just didn’t deliver. Having read Haunting and Hunting Adeline, I knew H.D. Carlton’s style, and while those weren’t favorites, they still sat firmly in the dark romance genre. Shallow River, though, was the slowest, most predictable, and honestly the most boring read I’ve picked up this year.

The premise centers around DV, which I respect as an important theme, and I can see how it might feel healing for readers who’ve been through it. There were even moments that resonated personally for me, recognizing signs and patterns that hit close to home. But beyond that, the execution wasn’t there. The pacing dragged, descriptions were repetitive, and the few moments that could have carried emotional weight were either skipped over or rushed. Meanwhile, sections that didn’t need to be so detailed were dragged out.

I didn’t buy romance either. I found zero chemistry between Mako and River. The relationship felt forced, no real build-up, no satisfying emotional payoff. If the intention was to show River saving herself, I can appreciate that, but narratively it didn’t land for me.

Overall, this was a disappointment. Not a complete loss, there were small moments I enjoyed, which is why it’s not one star but at the end of the day, it didn’t grip me, surprise me, or move me the way I want dark romance (or even trauma-focused romance) to.
dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Frighteningly Beautiful 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark emotional reflective sad tense

This book felt incredibly real. I felt very close to River’s story because it reflects reality — this is truly what abusers do to their victims.

I’d say Mako could have done more, but it’s still a book… not everyone can be Zade Meadows, I guess 🙈. River, at times, felt a bit… lunatic, but it’s understandable — that’s exactly the effect abusers have on their victims.

Aside from that, H.D. Carlton continues to do an amazing job. Her books feel raw, honest, and real.

Woooo doggy. If you are scared of domestic violence sit this one out. I love that the author provided an inside look at domestic violence from someone actively going through it. A lot of times, an author will describe DV as something that happened in the past or apply it to a background/unimportant character.
River had self several enemies, but only a few she knows about. Her mom, her boyfriend, her boyfriends brother, her father…and herself. I think if she had listened to her friends who told her to stay away from her boyfriend she might’ve left that relationship for something much healthier. I’m not sure her suitor/boyfriends/brother/detective/man she grinded in two years prior was the best choice but she at least learned healthier boundaries and coping mechanisms.. well, at least until the two of them murdered her boyfriend.

All in all, a good book :)
challenging dark lighthearted mysterious sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No

I don't know why I keep trying books by this author. Abuse isn't Romance. Why the fuck is she so obsessed with getting fucked by a knife, it's not realistic. This book sucked. 
dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes