Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

The Grayton River is nothing but HEARTBREAK RIVER to Alex Landon. The river claimed her father the previous summer, and she also blames the river for her breakup with Sean Kenley. She can't bring her father back, but she could've apologized to Sean, if only he hadn't had to move to Denver with his recently divorced mom for the school year.

So when Sean walks into Cooley Mountain Rafting to start his summer job, Alex is stunned. Her grandparents failed to warn her that they hired Sean on again. Alex still has feelings for Sean, and wants nothing more to apologize to him for how she acted the previous summer, and resume their romance.

But life won't be that simple for Alex. She's constantly fighting with her cousin and best friend, Mala. She's struggling with her grief over her father's death and her fear of the river. And Sean always seems to come into the office when one cute British employee, Tommy, is in full flirt mode.

As the summer plays out, Alex has to figure out how to approach each and every one of these issues. Some are harder to deal with than others, and some are downright tragic. By the end, will Alex have the summer she expected, or something even better?

If you're a fan of Hailey Abbott, then HEARTBREAK RIVER is right up your alley. This story might be a bit "heavier" than an Abbott book, but it still has the feel of a great beach read. The story contains romance, heartbreak, tears, and rebirth. This novel contains the perfect combination for a summer read. ( )

Like “Cracked Up to Be”, “Heartbreak River” has a mystery in it as well. It gives you a small tidbit about her father’s death, why and how, and the reason behind Alex’s grievance with what she said to Sean a little every chapter. It all comes out at the end that you fully understand why she had felt so guilty about her father’s death and how it isn’t as simple as it seemed in the very beginning.

Some little scenes throughout the novel were very well done as well. The part where Sean tries to help Alex conquer her fear of the river was very believable. None of the bologna of overcoming it in on the first try, it took time and a baggage load of emotions.

I would’ve liked to see the relationship developed a little more. There wasn’t enough interactions between the two the two of them, Sean and Alex. Well, the part where she and Sean did the deed *coughcough* was very odd. All I can really say is wow…

However, both characters are people I just wanted to jump in the story and have a heart to heart with. As self-reliant as she is, Alex’s nervousness to confront Sean seemed all too real. I just wished she slapped/attacked Mala when she made out with Sean instead of bottling up the angry. Sean to me could have been developed more. Some of his past or background would have been nice.

Mala wasn’t one of my favorites, Alex’s cousin/best friend in the beginning, but she grew on me at the end. She was too flirtatious, too over the top at the start, but I liked how she mellowed out. Like Mala, Tommy was almost the same, just in guy form. I guess his redeeming qualities would have to be a) he’s British and b) he’s kind of almost funny.

A bittersweet ending to me. I am trying not to spoil it...but I guess it had to happen. A very strong ending overall.

Overall: I love the way it was centered on the river, the past, the present, and the future. It was a very quick read that I stayed up an extra hour just to finish. An emotional roller coaster, up, down, loop-de-loop. Something that is definitely staying in my bookshelf and for a possible re-read. Am eagerly waiting for her next book! ( )

Alex know the river better than anyone, but after her father death last year she fears everything about the river she has always loved. Alex is looking toward a future free and clear of this town and the river that has cost her everything, but when Sean shows up for work on the first day of rafting season she finds herself uncertain.

Heartbreak river was a entertaining read, and a quick little junt down lovers lane. Very innocent and heart felt writing that is a pleasure to read. ( )

Heartbreak River swept me away! Sorry, I couldn’t resist.I won’t say that I had high expectations going into this novel, because I really didn’t. Not saying that I thought the book was going to be, I just didn’t know what to expect. I’d never read any of Tricia’s other novels, so it was open on that end. From the summary, I wanted to love this book. I just love books about love!So while we are on the topic of love lets, talk about the things I loved! The writing. Tricia, has an alluring style that sucks you into the story, I can say that it didn’t take me long to read this book as a result. The plot moved along quickly. Which is always nice, there isn’t anything worse than a story that drags on and you feel like the last one hundred pages you read were a waste of rainforest. And lastly, Alex. She was a unique protagonist, not only battling the death of her father( pretty much alone), but also trying to ensue the remains of her first love.Alex’s cousin Mala... ah, the girl drove me crazy. If she was my cousin, I would probably never talk to her again, although to be fair, she did sort of grow on me toward the end of the novel when she removed her head from her ass.What I really needed from this story was more of an explanation of what happened with Sean and Alex! Alex periodically would have flashbacks of her and Sean, when they first got together, when they were little kids, but I never got the flashback I wanted! I wanted to know what exactly happened... what did she say! How did they get to this point. It really didn’t matter to be who she ended up with, whether it be Tommy or Sean because I never felt like I got the story of Alex and Sean, the one that would make me want them to get together.That was really my biggest complaint, I just wanted to know more of their history. Despite that, I thought the story was pretty impressive. I would love to see more YA novels by Mills. ( )

Ooooh. This was almost exactly the kind of story I hope for when I find out a book has a romantic element. I loved it! A romantic summer with a bunch of cute boys who happen to be coworkers, and specifically two that catch the main character's attention, one because of her past with him and another for his flirty personality and British accent (although personally I would have gone for the bookish boy!). A cousin with a polar opposite personality and also a family tragedy, involving the death of a parent and a family that's trying to hold themselves together. It was a great set up and for the most part didn't disappoint.

I'm not one for sports in general and frankly the idea of rafting kind of scares me but it allowed for a beautiful backdrop for this story. Parties in the woods, swimming, a drive-in movie, a fun summer. It just worked and I loved it. I loved the yearning and the should I or shouldn't I say somethings. The flirting and the looks. I loved everything about it.

And then the events of the last 30 pages sort of put a mini-storm cloud over the book for me. It just went a little too far for my taste. I understood why the author did it but it still made me kind of sad. I guess I'm not really sure how else the book would have ended but that wasn't what I was hoping for. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the rest of the book and the ending didn't really ruin it for me, just changed it a bit. ( )