The next installment in the River Rain series features Blake and Alasdair. Their parents are friends so they spent their entire childhoods together. Blake thought Dair was an obnoxious bully and Dair thought Blake was spoiled and prissy. They meet again as adults and deal with sad romantic past....

Love Blake and Dair together. Lots of explosive chemistry. Terrific dialogue and plot. Of course it was great seeing other characters from earlier novels too.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Finding the One by bestselling author Kristen Ashley, published by Blue Box Press, is book seven in the River Rain Series. Every book in this series is about another couple and can easily be read as a stand alone.
This is Dair and Blake's story. Blake is a 34 year old single woman, wealthy, and just now she's planning the wedding of her sister Alex and Rix. Yes Alex and Rix from book three in the series.
What riles her up is the attendance of Dair and his family.
They know each other since childhood and they love to bicker and banter. He loives pulling her pigtails, she loves informing him of her opinion who's the right one of course.
When Dair has an eye-opening moment he decides he wants to be with Blake. But they're living in different parts of the world.
A lot is happening in this fast paced, complex, exquisitely written book. I fell hook, line and sinker for characters and storyline. Their story made me do an re-read of the whole series.
I recommend the book and the series, 5+ stars.

I wasn’t sure Blake could be redeemed after being such a twat in Alex’s book. But it’s been 4 years, a good amount of time to work on herself and her relationship with her sister and Dad.

There’s a long cast of characters and couples from previous books in the series. It does help if you’ve read some of the series to understand Blake’s arc.

We start this one at her sister’s wedding, which Blake has planned to ensure Alex has the day she wants. Blake is upset her mom invited her affair partner and his family (messy). They all grew up together, and Dair was the older boy, rough house of the bunch that teased Blake. She is still kinda snotty to him, but Dair sees through to her stress about the wedding day and helps her out. After a big scene with their parents, Blake and Dair are pretty much together. Kristen Ashley has been doing this more with her books lately, putting the couple together pretty quickly and then they deal with adversity together.

There is family drama, ex drama and Blakes past comes back to haunt her. I was actually crying in parts of this book, thank you KA for making me feel feelings.

I really enjoyed this one and seeing a former villain get an HEA. Note, Dair and his family are Scottish. Ashley included a note about his accent and how she wrote it. I LOVE an accent so I had zero issue with the dialogue, but others might make a fuss.

Also CW death of a parent on page, but that parent is a see you next Tuesday.

I've been a Kristen Ashley fan for many years and I always tend to devour her books. The same happened with FINDING THE ONE. While the River Rain series has been half a hit, half a miss for me (I loved the first 3 books the most), I was a little hesitant about this one. I hadn't re-read Alex's book therefore it came as a pleasant surprise that Blake is Alex's sister and what all went down with them.

Regardless, FINDING THE ONE started wonderfully well for me! I liked how the lead couple had history of being family friends and how Blake was wary of Dair because of him being a bully to her. The first half of the book was quite refreshing for me in regards to the usual things expected in the River Rain saga. I always love how KA sets up the family drama, intensity, how amazing and bitter the characters can be and it came across well in this book. So well that I thought the whole family drama took away the attention from Blake and Dair's third-act breakup and I thought it fell quite short and the resolution happened very quickly. But Blake and Dair's banter and chemistry was like a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed this couple!

Overall, this is still a classic KA read for me, and I had a wonderful time reading this. I really enjoyed Dair's character and his family (mom and sis) and it was lovely to read about the previous characters from the novels. I already look forward to KA's next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not going to lie, the third act break-up in this one gutted me! Dair and Blake fit together so perfectly, they yinged and yanged like no other, and they had wild chemistry that they simply couldn’t contain. They clashed, they melded, they had good times, and they were in sync almost always. All the things they worried about fell away, whether with others or the other, and understanding came easy. I guess that is why that crater that befell them hurt so bad, hurt them, hurt those around them, hurt me. It wasn’t simple or easy to come back from, it took a leap of faith on both their parts, but what they had was too special to not give into it. They truly were The One for the other, it just took them the right time, the right circumstances, and the right mindset, to see it and act upon it <3

Kristen Ashley returns to her Rain River series with her latest release, Finding the One. Blake Sharp, first introduced in book 3 (Taking the Leap) of the series, is a strong, smart, talented woman who meets her match in Scottish rugby player Alasdair “Dair” Wallace. Blake and Dair grew up together but always butted heads because they were so different. Years pass and they reconnect at Blake’s sister’s wedding and sparks fly. Before they can ride off into the sunset, they must first deal with some very real, life-changing events that will alter everything around them in irrevocable ways.

I love Kristen Ashley’s River Rain series, and I have been wondering how she would redeem Blake Sharp after bringing her into the fold as a mean girl who acted petulant and childish. Ashley does a good job of exploring Blake’s transformation, and I found I could really identify with her issues regarding her self-worth. Dair is a great hero for Blake; he knows who he is and what he wants. With Dair, Blake can be her truest self and be appreciated for who that is. Their story is a great addition to a wonderful, interesting, and captivating series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for sharing this advanced review copy with me in exchange for my honest feedback!

I loved this one (as I have loved each of the books in the River Rain series). It was a great redemption story, given the history of Blake in this series. I appreciated that her growth wasn't rushed and thought book #7 was a great spot for her, so time has passed between Alex's story and Blake's. Dair was a great MC who knew who he was and what he wanted. The 3rd act breakup was a doozy but all came together in the end, as Kristen Ashley always does. I laughed at Blake's binders. This book was fast paced and well written. I was immediately invested and couldn't put this down.

Overall, easily a 5 star read for me. I always look forward to this series and can't wait for the next! I'm hoping we get some insight to another character's happy ending just to see how it all played out.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Blue Box Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Book review: Kristen Ashley’s Finding the One, A River Rain Novel. Thank you to Blue Box Press and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

I’ve been a fan of Kristen Ashley’s work for years, and the River Rain series has been a reliable mix of emotional depth, complicated family ties, and messy, beautiful romance. But Finding the One, book seven in the series, might just be one of the most emotionally satisfying reads yet. It’s not flashy. It’s not overly dramatic. It’s real—and it hits hard in all the right ways.

When I first met Blake Sharp in Taking the Leap, I wasn’t exactly her biggest fan. She was polished, icy, controlling, and let’s be honest—kind of awful to her sister Alex. So I was skeptical going into this book, wondering how on earth Kristen Ashley was going to turn Blake into a heroine I could root for. And then I read the first chapter. By the time I reached the halfway point, I realized: not only had I changed my opinion about Blake, I wanted her to win. I wanted her to find the love she didn’t believe she deserved. I wanted her to be chosen, not because she’d curated a perfect life, but because someone saw her chaos, her scars, and loved her harder for them.

Enter Alasdair “Dair” Wallace, a Scottish rugby player who has been in Blake’s life since childhood. Their relationship has always been thorny. He was the wild, rough-edged kid who pulled her pigtails. She was the too-perfect, too-prissy girl who rolled her eyes at his antics. They annoyed each other endlessly. But as adults, that history morphs into something else—something heavier, sharper, and undeniably magnetic. Dair is exactly the kind of hero I love in a Kristen Ashley novel: grounded, mature, emotionally intuitive, and totally smitten with the heroine from the start. He sees Blake’s perfectionism for what it is—a defense mechanism—and he never tries to break her down. He simply stays. He listens. And when the time comes, he fights.

Their romance unfolds naturally, and I appreciated that Ashley didn’t rely on manufactured drama to keep the plot moving. The conflict here isn’t about games or miscommunication—it’s about real wounds. Blake is reeling from a broken engagement that shattered her self-image. Dair is still recovering from a failed marriage to a woman who deceived him. When they come together, it’s with an understanding that love can be both a risk and a salvation. Their chemistry crackles, but the emotional intimacy is what sets this story apart. It’s in the way he sees through her defenses, the way she softens around him, the way they allow themselves to be vulnerable, even when it’s terrifying.

Still, this is a Kristen Ashley book, and she’s never content with just a sweet love story. There’s drama—oh yes, there’s drama. Long-buried family secrets explode, threatening to upend everything Blake thought she knew. The third-act breakup? Absolutely brutal. It gutted me. I felt every sharp edge of their separation, and I wasn’t sure they’d recover. But that’s the brilliance of this book: it doesn’t offer easy answers. It demands that its characters earn their happiness. And when they do? It’s beautiful.

One of my favorite quotes in the book comes from Dair: “You make me believe in forever, even when I’ve seen how fast forever can fall apart.” That line encapsulates the entire emotional arc of the story—two people who’ve been hurt deeply, learning how to love bravely.

Beyond the central romance, Finding the One also gives us meaningful moments with characters from earlier books. It was a joy to see Alex and Rix again, and I loved how seamlessly their world wove into this one without stealing the spotlight. Dair’s family—especially his sister and mother—brought warmth and humor, and yes, his dog might be one of the most unexpectedly charming characters in the entire book.

And let’s talk about the writing itself. Kristen Ashley has such a distinct voice—bold, intimate, occasionally meandering, but always deliberate. She knows how to build a scene emotionally so that when the payoff hits, it hits hard. Her characters talk like real people. They ramble. They hesitate. They repeat themselves when they’re trying to make a point. It all feels natural, unfiltered, and human.

If I had one small critique, it’s that some of the family drama nearly overshadowed Blake and Dair’s story at times. But even then, it served a purpose: showing us where these characters came from, and why it’s so miraculous that they still choose love anyway.

In the end, Finding the One is about second chances—not just in romance, but in identity, in family, in how we see ourselves. Blake Sharp’s journey from brittle perfectionist to fully realized, fiercely loved woman is one of the most satisfying arcs in the entire River Rain series. And Dair? He’s the kind of hero who doesn’t just fall in love—he stands in it, unwavering.

Five stars. No hesitation. This is Kristen Ashley at her best.

Kristen Ashley does it again! Super spice, but even better chemistry and building a relationship of respect. I loved Dair and Blake. I can't wait for this series to continue!

Finding the One has that classic KA vibe: a strong, relatable heroine, a hot alpha male with a soft side, and a community of side characters you kind of wish were your real-life friends.

The story flows at a nice pace—it doesn’t rush the romance, but you’re never bored either. There are some emotional moments, a bit of tension, and lots of heart. You can expect the usual mix of banter, steamy scenes, and heartfelt conversations that make you fall in love with the characters.

Thank you for the ARC xx

I have been reading Kristen Ashley on and off for years, more off than on in the last few years if I'm honest, but I read the blurb for this book and I was intrigued to see how she would portray a Scottish MMC and I decided to ask for the ARC.
All I can say is thank you, this is in my opinion the best book she has ever written. Alasadir is a grown up educated, emotionally mature man who knows how to communicate and how to apologise. Some of her "heroes" in her other books , well personally I would have run then over with a truck and backed over then a few times, But I adored Alasdair or Dair as he is in the book. He grew up with Blake through their somewhat twisted family connection and when they meet again at a family function he is drawn to her and she sees him a new light . The book follows their relationship and the ups and downs as Blake learns that while childhood shapes us, it doesn't have to define who we ultimately become and everyone can change and grow if they want to. it is a wonderful book and I recommend it to anyone, including those, like myself who may have not picked up her books in a while you will not be disappointed.

Dair Wallace a famous Scottish rugby player has known Blake Sharp since childhood their families being friends. Blake always felt Dair bullied her and Dair had no time for the pretentious girl.
Growing up with an unloving critical narcissistic mother Blake became the sarcastic attention seeking mean girl even to her younger sister Alex. Realising how unhappy she is Blake resolves to become a better person and make amends for her past behaviour. She becomes wedding planner for Alex determined to make it the best day ever for her.
On the wedding day Blake is working her socks off ensuring all goes well, enter Dair who ends up helping her and they work well together, both realising there is attraction between them.
As their relationship progresses we have the sparkling fabulous dialogue and depth of emotions this author is famous for. With great scenes where emotions jump off the pages we have beautiful uplifting scenes and some heartbreaking moments.
Ultimately this is a romance that grips you from the start as you become totally invested in the characters who have depth that is breathtaking in its authenticity. Gripping and emotional this is a fabulous read.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Blake is her sister's wedding planner, willing to do anything for her since they've reconnected after a strained relationship. At the pre-drinks party, her mum invites a family she doesn't want there, bringing back memories of how Dair bullied her in their youth. Dair, however, can't take his eyes off her and ends up helping her in every way throughout the wedding. This is their story—an emotional journey that I absolutely loved.

This is an amazing story! I had a really hard time putting it down when real lives got in the way!
Yes, it’s a typical KA love story, but it had some fun factors not seen in every story. Of her newer stories, I can definitely say it’s my absolute favorite!

Blake and Dair have known each other their whole lives. Blake has had a crush on him for as long as she can remember, but she’s hoping that’s gone away when she sees him and his family showing up to her sister’s wedding events even though she knows they were not on the invite list. It’s worth repeating - they were not invited. Her sister wanted a small wedding! But when Dair’s married dad walks away with her mom to continue their affair, he’s there to help her make sure no scene is made. Because she wants today to be perfect for her sister.

So now Dair decides they are gonna become a couple.
I just gotta say, I love how many chapters of this story from his POV. We get to see how his mind works!
I’m not gonna ruin this one for you…. But I already know you’ll love it!!!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Review: 4.5 stars

Thank you to @blueboxpress for the eARC via Netgalley.

I have been reading Kristen Ashley’s books for years. The River Rain series is such a comfort read with diverse characters, a complicated family tree and wonderful romance full of heart and emotions.

Finding the One is the 7th book in the River Rain series. The female lead is Blake Sharp and she was introduced in Taking the Leap where she was an unlikeable character to start off as she was an awful person. She has since redeemed herself over the course of the series and I was so very much looking forward to her HEA.

Blake has found herself but still has deep insecurities and trauma due to her relationship with her unloving mother. She is always ready to lend a helping hand to others but would rarely put herself first. We are introduced to Dair Wallace, a childhood “friend” who she has a thorny relationship with given that his family is a family friend of her mum’s. Given that they have history there, their relationship starts off at a very interesting note.

It is not lost on Dair that Blake has changed and he is more attracted to her than ever. Their relationship is sweet where Dair made it clear that he wants to be with her. Given Blake’s insecurities, it took her a while! When they finally got together, their relationship was sweet, cute and lovely. Dair is exactly the perfect male lead to ground Blake’s nature and give her the stability that she needs and he is willing to listen and support her in every way. Their relationship is one of mature adults where they understand each other's vulnerabilities and take pains to care for each other.

I love that they got together early in the book with minimal drama and fuss. But as this is a classic Kristen Ashley book, things come into light where the later half of the plot focuses more on Blake’s growth as she is forced to come to terms with some things as unexpected circumstances happen, leaving her to deal with the afteraffects. This leads to a 3rd act break-up which was so painful to read but so worth it when they got back together and overcame the issues they faced.

I also love that we got peeks into the previous characters lives we know and love such as Alex and Rix. It’s always a joy to read about how the characters are doing after their HEA.

I would always be a fan of Kristen Ashley’s books - she knows how to bring the emotions, the feels and humanize her characters to make them so relatable and this book absolutely does this and more. Can’t wait for the next one and am super excited to see who she will feature next.

This is the latest installment of the River Rain series, titled "Finding the One." This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that you
won’t forget!

In this story, we delve deeper into Blake’s character than ever before. While she made her first appearance as a “mean girl,” this book provides a complete understanding of her backstory and the reasons behind her behavior. It really makes you ponder how many other so-called "mean girls" out there might have their own complex stories.

The plot thickens during her sister's rehearsal dinner when some unexpected guests—childhood family friends from Scotland—arrive. They were anticipated for the wedding but not for this special occasion, adding an exciting twist to the narrative!

Enter Dair, a charming former rugby player turned sports announcer, who is the perfect opposite to Blake. He brings humor and life to the table,
encapsulating everything you'd expect from a ruggedly sexy athlete. The dynamics during the rehearsal dinner unfold quickly, leading to
surprising developments that affect family relationships and romantic interests.

Throughout the book, we experience a whirlwind of tragedy, romance, and heartache. Blake finds her voice for the first time, standing up to her mother and fiercely protecting her sister. It’s a captivating journey from start to finish, and I found myself sad when it was over. To my surprise, I ended up loving Blake's character more than I expected, and I’m thrilled about it!

I believe you'll really enjoy the depth and emotion of this story, just as I did!

Beautifully written love story! A favorite book for the year, with its wonderful mix of drama, suspense, powerful emotions and romance and steam. It hit all the heartstrings. Really enjoyed from beginning to end!

So I’ve read ALL of Kristen Ashley’s books, which means I have read all of the River Rain series. I had doubts going into this book because the way Blake had treated Alex in Taking the Leap was absolutely horrible.

Let me just say, she has redeemed herself. Admitting her faults and accepting them was such a profound thing. She turned herself around and definitely became who she was meant to be.

Dair was, of course, swoon worthy. Obviously, as with every KA book, there was a dilemma, but he redeemed himself as well, as they always do.

I still believe I love Alex’s book a bit more, but I believe that’s because Rix was an A+ hero.

This was an excellent installment in the River Rain series and I am sincerely hoping we get a book about Rhys. 🤞🏻

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of Finding the One. Sweet love story of childhood friends that reunite and find love.