It's 1875 in De Moines, Iowa...the prequel novella to The Letters series. This is the love story of Tilly Rabel and Landon Lockwood, the son of one of the wealthiest men in America. Will Landon go against his parents wishes and have the life he wants with a young woman they disapprove of. Will he be able to prove to Tilly that he no longer has any interest in her beloved cove?

I thought this was a sweet yet short love story. It was so sad that everyone was after Tilly's tiny parcel of land, that she didn't know who she could trust. I felt really bad when Landon tried to show her affection or give her gift she would think that he was trying to use her to get her cove. This was a heartfelt, beautiful, love story. ( )

Tilly Rabel proudly tends to the mussel beds in her family's cove in 1875 Des Moines. Tilly lives by herself since her parents death and lives off of her commissions from the one of a kind mother of pearl pieces she creates. Landon Lockwood has something to prove to his father. Landon wants to earn his father's approval by building his own business and Landon has his sights on mother of pearl buttons. When Landon comes crashing into Tilly's cove, he doesn't expect to find someone strong, smart and capable. Tilly can not be bought, she is proud of her heritage, upbringing and ability to live off the land. This is an unforeseen issue for Landon, money has always solved the problems in his life; however, as he spends time with Tilly, Landon realizes that there is more to life than his father's approval. Landon soon finds himself defending the cove that he wanted to seize and falling in love with the woman that he tried to buy it from.
The River Jewel is the fifth book in The Letter series and serves as a prequel; so it is a great place to start. Landon and Tilly's story is an unlikely, sweeping historical romance. Told from alternating points of view between Tilly and Landon, The River Jewel is fast paced and engaging. I fell in love with Tilly's character from the beginning. Her tenacious and caring nature was a perfect balance with Landon's need for affection and hard working attitude. The romance in the story was perfect with many sweet moments, ups and downs and tension created after Landon's father shows up. I enjoyed the description of the land that Tilly tended and the care and procedures for tending her muscles and making special items with the mother of pearl. Overall, a wonderful beginning to The Letter series.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )

The River Jewel is a novella, rather than a book coming in at 174 pages. From what I can glean it’s a side story from other books written by the author. I can tell you that I felt no loss of backstory from knowing absolutely nothing about the series or characters. It was a really engaging way to spend a couple of hours. In fact, I rather liked the concept – especially at this very busy time of year when I’m drowing in whatever the husband brings in from the garden. To be able to escape into another world without a huge time commitment was just what I didn’t know I needed.

Landon Lockwood thinks he is all that because he comes from a well to do family in New York. He gets to Des Moines in search of an investor for an idea he has and finds that all of the social rules he has followed all of his life suddenly don’t matter, nor does his supposed station in life. He has an idea, he thinks it is great and he is going tget the financing he needs so that he can prove himself to his cold, unloving father. He longs for his father to approve of him and thinks that becoming a financial success is the way to that love.

To acheive his end he needs to buy land owned by a young woman named Tilly and he thinks she will just fall at the feet of his money. Landon doesn’t understand that money is not the be all and end all for everyone. Tilly makes beautiful mother of pearl items from the mussels that live in the river where her land lies. She was taught by her mother. She is happy in her life and doesn’t need much. Landon has great difficulty comprehending this mindset but he is also very intrigued by Tilly. Tilly originally runs from Landon but there is something about him that captures her attention.

The River Jewel was a delightfully diverting way to get away from the world for a short while for an engaging romance with an engaging couple. The writing was crisp and the story moved right along. I think I might need more novellas in my life. ( )

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. The tension and emotions run high, and once I started I couldn't put it down. Tilly is a brilliant heroine, strong and independent in a time when women were expected to settle down and rely on a man. Landon isn't your typical rich boy - unspoiled but extremely ambitious, you question his motives with Tilly from the start. A great read for anyone who enjoys historical romance. ( )

Landon Lockwood would do anything to make his father proud of him, but no matter what he did, his father never praised him. Nothing he did was ever enough. Landon then happens upon a treasure map and an idea that would make him successful enough that his family would have to acknowledge him. The map leads him to a cove filled with the mussels he is looking for. He quickly finds that the cove is owned by Tilly Rabel and she has no interest in selling it.

Tilly and Landon were complete opposites but so right for each other. Their chemistry pulled me in and gave them persona. Of course this love story leads into Ms. Shoop’s other books of The Last Letter series, but is easily read as a stand-alone. It was a very enjoyable read. ( )