Embracing The Change by Kristen Ashley | Book Review • Ana's Attic Book Blog

Embracing the Change (River Rain Book 6) by Kristen Ashley

Contemporary Romance. The romance stands alone, but it’s DEEPLY connected to the previous books.

If you know me or my blog, you know Kristen Ashley has been a top 3 author for me for over 12 years. That said, The River Rain Series has been a mixed bag for me. At 57 and post-menopausal, I can barely remember my own family’s names, let alone the vast array of characters in this series. But in true Kristen Ashley fashion, in Embracing The Change, we’re treated to a story featuring an older couple with grown kids, and I love that.

“Baby, when we’re done, you won’t give a shit about your hair.”
“Jameson, there has never been a day in my life I didn’t give a shit about my hair.”

If you’re a fashionista or brand diva, you’ll adore Embracing the Change. We are finally getting the story of Jamie and Nora, two millionaires who have been friends and companions for years even though they’ve secretly wanted more. After Jamie lost his first two wives to tragedy, he just wasn’t ready to open his heart again. So they remained best friends and each other’s plus-one for events, but never let it go past that. Until they shared one reckless kiss.

And everything changed.

Nora isn’t one of those rich-but-practical ladies. She is wealthy and a total fashion plate. If you know Kristen Ashley’s style, you know she loves detailed descriptions, and this book is filled with designer brands galore.

“Nora was a firebrand. She lived life no-holds-barred. She was rich, and she flaunted it. She had opinions, and she spoke them. She had attitude, and she didn’t dilute it. And if she cared about you, she’d do anything for you if it was within her power, and if it wasn’t, she’d find a way regardless.”

You might think you’d dislike Nora for her wealthy arrogance, but you can’t help but root for her. She and Jamie, however, felt a little too perfect, and they got together early in the book. The rest of the story was about blending their extended, complicated families, stepfamilies, and friends—SO MANY people. We didn’t get enough alone time with Jamie and Nora.

“I’m going to let you be bossy in this bed this once, darlin’. I suggest you don’t get used to it.”

I loved seeing a middle-aged couple with a healthy, hot sex drive. But there was so much other drama! Kristen Ashley is the queen of writing friendships and family dynamics. There were some fantastic connections (when I could remember who she was talking about), and lots of side stories. I just wanted more focus on the romance.

“I’ll let you blow me, baby, but Nora Ellington does not get down on her knees.”

I have to admit, by the last third of the book, I gave up trying to keep track of who was who and just let Kristen’s storytelling sweep me away—and I’m glad I did. Even when I was lost, I still loved the way her books make me feel.

Likes:

The magic of Kristen’s writing.
An older couple.
Middle-aged couples still having hot sex!
Lots of emotion.
Big blended family.
The flashbacks to Nora helping Jamie with both late wives.
The way Nora handled the memory of his late wife.

Dislikes:

I have no idea who half of the people mentioned in this book are. Just their kids and stepkids and partners are a lot, but add in all of the previous characters and their friends, plus characters we’ve seen in passing and it was truly overwhelming.
I’m tired of the uber-rich theme.
The two late wives’ names, Rosalind and Belinda, kept tripping me up for the first third of the book-why do both names lead to LINDY?

The Down & Dirty:

The River Rain Series has been hit-or-miss for me. I tend to prefer the books where at least one of the couple isn’t a billionaire. But Embracing the Change (and yes, maybe it is a nod to menopause) won me over with its older couple. With an older couple comes baggage, lots of family to blend, and a bit of confusion over who’s who. A character tree would have been SO helpful—or maybe a full reread of the series. Still, it’s a Kristen Ashley book, and I love her characters and storytelling, so I still enjoyed being in her world. But seriously, are we ever going to get Rhys Vaughan’s story?