Taking the Leap (River Rain #3) by Kristen Ashley

A Review by Wendy

3.5 Glass Half Full Stars
* * * 1/2 

Spoiler Free-Maybe A Quick Review?

So when it comes to Kristen Ashley, I am kinda addicted. She routinely gives me more good than not in every book I read by her. It has already been a stated fact I Love Her Vintage Series like Colorado Mountain, The Burgs, and others. So when she created River Rain, I jumped in full throttle from the start.

Taking The Leap really starts with characters we met in the last book, Chasing Serenity. It opens up with the newly promoted friends/co-workers celebrating the creation of a stronger and fully funded non-profit where all will become top executives. They are at the local bar and something unusual is happening.

Rix is flirting with Alex. Like, seriously flirting, and she has no idea how to handle it. You see she has had a major crush on him, him blind to it and her until this very moment.

Overwhelmed by all that is happening, Alex excuses herself from the table, goes to the ladies' room to do self-talk, meets a gal who encourages her to go for it, and then when Alex comes back to the table, Rix is over at the bar...flirting someone else.

Alex should have known better, what was she thinking. Rix has never had any issues getting a woman, and even after the traumatic loss of his lower legs due to his time as a firefighter, he was known to be a bit of a player.

Alex is so not. She comes from a life that she hated, wealth, society, cold people, and no feeling of family, except her father's grandmother. So when she was old enough to leave, she ran to the place where the air was open, the land welcoming, and used her talents to help those kids who needed a chance. She left all those responsibilities, let her trust fund accrue interest, and lived her life away from the drama.

What Rix and Alex have in common, though, besides the love of the outdoors and wanting better for others, are their mutual friends. These people know Rix and Alex are perfect for each other and think there just needs a little push to get them to see it.

It is Alex's sister's society NYC wedding that becomes the push. In a moment of frustration, Alex tells her sister she has a date and it is Rix. This news takes on a life of its own due to the "small world of Society/Money" people. Now her friends have a way to push a few buttons, and soon Rix is on board to do the fake engagement for the wedding.

That is the premise but boy, oh boy, there is so much more.

We have an in-depth look at what happens when a firefighter loses the lower part of both legs, how he fights to regain a new life, and what he had to deal with in the beginning and then...on a continuing basis.

I liked Alex, someone who was happy, well adjusted when she knew what was happening around her. Smart, more than capable, just shy, and not assertive with men. Rix was macho, alpha, smart, and mentally dealing with a lot. This causes him to make some decisions that are not the coolest but also has a way with Alex that has swoon-worthy moments.

This book gives a lot about personal challenges of all kinds, humanizes disabilities, and talks about families. Yes, there were parts that seemed a bit slow or drawn out, and yes, I had an inkling as to what the big climax was going to be...

But I also got some KA social moments, too. So for me, I was glad to have had the experience.  

About Kristen Ashley

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched). 

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.