This was not a bad book, but is not a good one either. It felt rushed and there are so many characters you loose track of who is who. I do have to say that the first kiss scene between Bennet and Court was nice and that Blake and Margie are the up side of this story. I know it is difficult to write as many books as Radclyffe and keep them all great, but this one was not a good one.

I absolutely adore the Rivers series, but this one fell a little flat for me. The timeline felt odd and the chemistry between the MCs wasn't the usual Radclyffe chemistry. Fans of the Rivers series shouldn't skip it, because it's nice to catch up with some of the regular cast of characters, but just know it's not the best of the series.

No connection. I did not believe the chemistry and honestly I was trying so hard to keep my interest.

Received a free eBook from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

This is the 7th book in the River's Community Romance series, but I haven't read any of the other books. I may have enjoyed it more if I had.

I felt the romance between the two main characters was too rushed and underdeveloped, we barely got to see them interact together due to all the other characters and the sub-plots (which are also underdeveloped). It was over ⅓ of the way through the book before the 2 main characters actually spend 1 moment alone together.

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This is book 7 n the Rivers Community series. I really enjoy this series an always pre-order and re-read the series beforehand. Doing that re-enforced how this book pales into comparison with the others.
However, it wouldn’t be a Rivers book without a sex scene with Fran and Abby, the must be Radclyffes favourites as they have one in every book!
That being said the format is different to the other books with the majority of the book is about one day and I’m still trying to work out how I feel about that!
The main charters, Courtney (who has been politely and subtlety slut shamed in previous books) now gets her chance at love with the incoming sexy smart Doctor Ben. I still would have liked better character background.
The story starts with a vehicle accident with a Subaru; which with a town of less than 3,000 and a high density of lesbians, you know it’s going to be someone you know! Surprisingly even though it’s deemed a major event and the catalyst to our lovers getting to spend time together, the injuries party is just a prop in the book.
Maybe the next book could check in with all the characters to see where they are at. I did enjoy the Blake sub-plot, I, rooting for that guy!
I do enjoy the series and Radclyffes work in general but this one does pale compared to the others. That being said, I’ll still buy the next one!

I received an ARC fan NetGallery and able Strokes Books, thanks!

To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. Just to put in perspective, I have read every single full-length book Rad has written, and I have always filled in at least 4 stars for them all. Yes, I still gave this book three stars, which for me means ‘okay’, but to only think a story by Rad is just ‘okay’ has never happened to me before and I’m having trouble processing it. And to be honest, I considered putting this somewhere in the 2.50, 2.75 star range, but Rad writes medical scenes so well that it was just enough to put this book in 3 star territory instead. It sucks when you don’t really enjoy a book by a favorite author, and I’m not looking forward to writing this review.

I was really excited to be back in the Rivers universe. This series has really grown on me and there are characters in it that I absolutely love. I have mentioned this before in other reviews but I wish Rad would write a Rivers book that is about the already existing characters. As much as I was looking forward to Courtney’s story, there are so many characters already that you really need a character bible next to you to even follow along. There are also so many characters whose stories feel like they were just beginning and I would love more page time with them. Plus, there are teenage characters that are very important to this series so that every new character that is introduced, every new romance added, seems to be more and more rushed for lack of time. It is to the point that I’m not caring about the new main character’s story and the new romance that comes with it.

I really struggled with the flow of the book and how it was laid out. I hate to say this but it felt disjointed. This is a book that has a long beginning, no middle, and a rushed ending. The first 75% of the book take place in about a 24 hour timeline, and then all of a sudden, we are a whole month later! There was no preparation for this time jump and it was super jarring. All of a sudden a doctor is talking to a patient and they mention how their surgery was a month ago. That is how us readers find out that we have lost a whole month of the romance, and a month of other storylines that were started but never finished. Margie and Blake, two of the teenagers and some of the best characters in the whole book, had some big storylines going on. We get the lead up but then because the book jumped 30 days ahead we have no idea what happened. We don’t even know if they made the basketball team or not. Why would you make that such an important storyline and not even let us know? I honestly thought my review copy was missing the whole middle of the book.

I don’t even really feel like talking about the big angst moment that was after the 90% mark and so forced and ridiculous that I just did not even understand why it was part of the story. The ending is so rushed that the angst goes nowhere so at least it was over quickly. Do I think these two characters in this romance make a cute couple? Sure they are nice together. Do I believe in a Happily Ever After with real I love yous for these two? No way! 24 hours together and a few rushed angsty minutes is not enough to convince me of love.

TLDR: While I love the Rivers community and Rad is one of my all-time favorite authors, I cannot recommend this one. This was disjointed, rushed, and didn’t even feel like a Rad book to me. I could have done without the new romance and I would have been happier as it was not convincing. The medical scenes were very well done like always, and Margie and Blake were great, but their story was cut-off and we are left hanging with no answers to important storylines that dominated the book. This book has a good beginning, and a rushed ending, but the middle is just missing. I still love this series, but I hope Rad will either really concentrate on the next new romance or skip it and just let us spend time with this giant cast of characters we already know and love. I’m very disappointed but I think it says a lot about how great an author Rad is that this is her first full-length book that I had real issues with. If you are interested in this series I would highly recommend reading these books in order since it has a very big cast of characters.

This is the seventh installment in the Rivers Community Romance series, while this could be read as a standalone, I would suggest reading the previous installments (in order) before reading this one. You just get a better understanding of the community and all of the secondary characters.

I don't like instalove stories, instalust I can understand, but not love. This one borderlines both and I am not sure how I feel about it. Dr. Bennett Anderson comes to the Rivers to head the new sports medicine department. She went to med school with Flann and Harper, that's how she ends up in a small town instead of a big city. Also needing a change, of course. Dr. Courtney Valentine is a first-year resident at the Rivers who is on top of everything. On Ben's first day in town and at the hospital Court just happens to be the one she sees everywhere and ends up teaching in the hospital. Most of this story takes place over one intense, very long day. I'd say a good two-thirds of the story. The attraction between our mains is instant, Ben has more misgivings about the situation than Court. While being thrown together for an entire intense day, things just happen. The last third of the book takes place over a bit longer time period, but their feelings are intense and spoken about pretty quickly. While they aren't U-hauling quite yet, it does feel like it and didn't like that much.

I liked the medical parts of this story best, Radclyffe really knows how to write compelling medical stories without getting too technical, but also not dumbing it down too much. I just didn't feel the romance part of this book. I ended up being more interested in Blake and Margie's stories than our mains, and in my opinion, we don't get enough of trans kid Blake and Margie. Overall this book just left me a little disappointed and while writing this review I noticed I forgot about a lot of the book already, and it's only been about 12 hours since I finished it.
Not one for the ages, but it's Rad, so it's well-written, cool medical angle.

A medical drama with a little sports thrown in. A mix of previous characters and their side development. All in all, I can only say it was an okay read. I have read several of Radcyffes novels and I can't truly say I am crazy about them. I try and try but always draw the same conclusion. I am reading basically the same book with the same character. It's little things like physical descriptions and character depth. I don't mind so much the butch/femme dynamic or even slight stereotypes. I have always believed they are sexy. BUT are all Radclyffes butch characters carbon copies?? Why can't any have buzzed haircuts, fades, undercuts, ponytails, hell even a a pompadour! Its always "collar length". What is that even? I'm not sure I'll read another unless the description absolutely resonates with me.

I received this ARC from NetGalley via the author for an honest review.

This read takes place over one busy day and night. The medical and surgery details were very interesting and informative. In this seventh Rivers romance, we get updates on Margie and Blake which provides more insight into their thinking. The main characters are former WNBA player now surgeon, Dr. Bennett Anderson. Bennett plans to stay at the Rivers for a year and she processes a failed relationship. she is not looking for a relationship and she does not want to talk about her short WNBA career. And, Dr. Courtney Valentine, first year surgical resident. Courtney is not looking for a long term relationship but often times, that is when a relationship finds you.

This read has low angst which was a nice change. Communication is the key.

When I was given this book to read I felt like a kid on christmas morning. I absolutely love Radclyffe's writing. Her descriptions of her surroundings put you right there. I can feel the sun on my face and wishing for an escalator because that walk is a killer up to the hospital. Hope you smiled there. For those who aren't English escalator is a moving walkway like at an airport.

Now I missed the book before this one but I don't feel I missed out too much because I am aware of the Rivers hospital and its beginnings. However, if you've never read any of this series it may get a little confusing because there are references to previous books.

This instalment is about Dr Bennett Anderson who is hired to develop a Sports Medicine Department at the Rivers. She is an ex professional basketball player and her intentions are only to stay for the year.
Dr Courtney Valentine is in her first year as a surgical resident. She is into short term relationships. Love them and leave them type.

But the attraction is immediate.

The part I loved the best and which saved this book for me was Margie and Blake. I feel Radclyffe showed immense passion, understanding and empathy for these two young people. Especially Blake who is a teen trans boy in a small town.

I loved this book but parts didn't ring right with me. The romance between Bennett and Courtney was signed and sealed in what ? two days. Plans were changed in a matter of days. Then it sprang forward and happily ever after. That's why I am giving this book 4 stars and not my usual 5. I feel Blake and Margie saved it. I just found the romance a little too perfect to be believed. Sorry.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Another River's Community romance will introduce you to Dr. Courtney Valentine and Dr. Bennet Anderson while keeping you updated on the lives of some of the characters from the previous books like Flann and Abby, Brody and Val, or Margie and Blake. Looking for different things in a relationship, or looking for no relationship at all, the wills of these women come to a clash that will take some adapting to when unexpected feelings make themselves known.
With strong independent women as leads, this book takes us on another journey of falling in love that for me lacks in the development of the relationship. Developed in a short time span, there are some sweet moments between the characters but everything happens too fast for me to feel like a real connection was developed between the protagonists. Nonetheless, it's another good book for those who are into medical romances and appreciate the medical part of the story.

I love myself a good medical romance and Radclyffe is by far my go to author for that fix. I jumped on the chance to read this 7th book in the Rivers Community series and it doesn't disappoint. Unfortunately it doesn't completely excite me either. The medical stuff is great, as always. Being in the medical field myself I tend to get annoyed with glaring inconsistencies or even mistakes in that aspect of the story, but that has never happened with Radclyffe's books. Ben and Courtney are good characters and I liked their romance, but it was too short and too fast to get sucked into the story. Maybe because a lot of the storyline was also about the secondary characters and as fun as it was to read about the previous couples, it took away from the developing romance between Ben and Courtney. In my opinion the book should have been longer to avoid the feeling of the relationship being rushed the reader gets left with as it is.

Nevertheless, for all the medical romance lovers out there, every Radclyffe book about the Rivers Hospital is worth reading.

Thank you Netgalley and Bold Stroke Books for giving a copy to review.

Pathway to Love is classic Radclyffe. If it is a bit formulaic at least it is a very good formula. I am a big fan of the Rivers Community series and this is the seventh and welcome addition. I will not get into the specifics of the story too much but if you are a Radclyffe fan you know what to expect.

Dr. Bennett (Ben) Anderson is a sports medicine specialist, orthopedic surgeon, and is new to the Rivers. She is there to start up the new department and then leave for a new future elsewhere. She went to medical school with Flann and Harper Rivers who talked her into coming. She was also one of the best college basketball players in the country and was off to play in the WNBA. She left the team in her first year.

Dr. Courtney (Court) Valentine is a local girl made good – she is a first-year surgical resident at the Rivers. She was a very minor but unfriendly character in Love to the Rescue, but she has since made up with her cousin Val. She is happy taking solace by casually dating and makes sure those she dates know their relationships are going to be short-term.

There is an immediate attraction between the two and they follow the usual course of a Radclyffe romance.

The reoccurring supporting characters are what brings a Rivers book to life. Ida Rivers is a mother to everyone and the best cook ever, but the real stars of the series are Margie Rivers, the youngest of the siblings, and Blake Remy, who is transgender. Their stories have been intertwined since the second book, Prescription for Love. While it is not necessary to read the other books to understand their relationship (which they are trying to figure out themselves) I suggest that you do. I have become very invested in these two characters, and I hope that they get their own books soon.

If you are a fan of Radclyffe you will enjoy this book as well. I do wish there were more of a slow-burn romance to her last few books and this one ended very abruptly. I guess there are more stories to come, and I will read those as well.

Pathway to love is number seven in this doctor series. What if you haven't read any of the others? Should you spend your money on this book? The answer is yes and yes ! This books not only works as a stand alone it peaks my interest in reading the other 6. I recommend this book. Read it and enjoy.

I was so glad to see Ms. Radclyffe continue with this series, so fair warning you may want to read the other books in the series (6 prior) to know about the other characters she writes in this new one. The newest characters in this story are Ben and Courtney and they do take center stage but just know established characters are in and out of the story line.

I have found Ms. Radclyffe to be the Grey's Anatomy writer for books, she knows her medical drama along with romance. This story line picks up at The Rivers (regional hospital run by the Rivers family), with Ben coming to town to start a sports medical department at the hospital. She crosses paths with Courtney, a doctor at the hospital. There is plenty of past hurts from both MC so both have commitment issues but I felt invested in both characters right away. The only item I had a hard time getting my head around is that the first half of the book took place within one day-I am a believer in love at first site, but what was going on and the MCs falling into each other arms by end of night was just a bit to much for me to really buy in to. Don't get me wrong, Ms. Radclyffe spins a great story, it was just the time-line I was struggling with.

I loved the story, and was so glad Val and Court are getting closer given their past family issues (cousins), and I assume the series will continue since we have a few new characters introduced (Jane) so I look forward to more drama at The Rivers (just please never bring COVID into the story, we all just want to forget 2020-2021).

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.

To see my Amazon review, it is under CC-Great Medical/Small town Drama

It's funny how things that I don't tolerate very well in other books, in Radclyffe's they seem very normal to me. This ability that she has in developing a complex story over the course of a week or less never ceases to amaze me. And every time I read one of her books, I see that she has done it again. In this one, even a few hours are enough time for the two protagonists to go from being strangers to thinking about a stable relationship. And I already said that for me that is usually a source of joke and disbelief, but with her books I don't even have time to see the nonsense, because immediately a lateral plot arises in the story that completely distracts me.

So, what does it matter if the story is set in a hospital or in the White House? If the protagonists are femme or butch, if they have traumas and insecurities, if this or that protagonist of another of her stories appears in the book. It is the rhythm of the story that invariably grabs you and leads you to an end that most of the time comes too fast. It's her modus operandi, fast and to the point.

Either you like it or you don't, but this is what it is.

One early morning on her way to hospital, resident Dr. Courtney Valentine, is mesmerized by someone she recognizes shooting hoops at a local basketball court. She watches Bennett (Ben) Anderson for a bit before she is discovered by Ben. A short time later Court runs into Ben at Rivers Community hospital and discovers she is the new head of the Ortho department. Several emergencies ensue that morning and the hospital, especially the emergency department, is overwhelmed with patients. Court and Ben get to spend a lot of quality time together over the course of that very long day which encompasses about two-thirds of the book.

Although this Rivers Community Romance focuses on Court and Ben, Margie and Blake's friendship is furthered in this seventh installment. Even though Court and Ben fell for each other rather quickly that part didn't bother me, but I would have liked to have seen a little slower pacing at the conclusion of the book. The final chapters seemed to rush the story along to meet a page number cutoff. All in all though, I can't wait for the next installment. 4 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy Radclyffe's books, the storytelling is always engaging and draws you right in from the first page, she is wonderful at creating light, easy to read books with depth. This is the 7th in the Rivers Community series and I really enjoyed seeing the development of characters that we've already grown to love. The timing was a little distracting in this one, the beginning is a slow exploration of 24 hours of a hospital response to major traumas, written with skill and care of a surgeon. Then there is also the usual meeting of two women who are attracted and begin their relationship unbelievably fast. I enjoyed the initial slow pace, so the sudden whizzing through a month in a page, was a little strange. I also felt the book ended abruptly, the storyline between the two central teenagers was being explored and then suddenly stopped. Perhaps for the next book? A book focussing on the characters of this community would be welcome, there are so many potential interesting storylines, that I'd really enjoy. In the same way that I enjoy seeing so many lesbians in such a small town! Lol! You can't go wrong with Radclyffe if you want to be entertained.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC inn exchange for an honest review.

This isn't a bad book...just not one of my favorites. It felt rushed at times and drawn out at others. While I love a long running series about a town or group, there seemed to be so much going on elsewhere that the main characters got lost in the shuffle at times and then rushed to finish catch up. Overall an enjoyable read, but nothing earth-shattering.

The structure of this book is a bit odd, the first 60% takes place on one day and everything else seemed a bit rushed. I know this book is part of a series but for the first half I wasn’t sure who the main characters are meant to be. And then all those secondary characters stop showing up and we rush through what is maybe weeks of relationship between Court and Ben. I’m a big fan of TV medical drama and the first 60% of the book is just that and that’s great but then it doesn’t match the rest of the book. It may be because I didn’t read the previous instalments of the Rivers medical drama but then again there isn’t anything that made me think that this book shouldn’t be read unless you did so and I think that’s something to take into consideration because the previous characters take so much of this story. It would be good for the blurb to include the fact that this book is part of a series and that it uses so much of the previous story lines. In any case, the book is well written and the story is flowing easily.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.