GO AS A RIVER: A Novel

Written by Shelley Read

Narrated by Cynthia Farrell

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

Set amid Colorado’s wild beauty, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story of a resilient young woman whose life is changed forever by one chance encounter. A tragic and uplifting novel of love and loss, family and survival—and hope—for readers of Great Circle, The Four Winds, and Where the Crawdads Sing.

Seventeen-year-old Victoria Nash runs the household on her family’s peach farm in the small ranch town of Iola, Colorado—the sole surviving female in a family of troubled men. Wilson Moon is a young drifter with a mysterious past, displaced from his tribal land and determined to live as he chooses.

Victoria encounters Will by chance on a street corner, a meeting that profoundly alters both of their young lives, unknowingly igniting as much passion as danger. When tragedy strikes, Victoria leaves the only life she has ever known. She flees into the surrounding mountains where she struggles to survive in the wilderness with no clear notion of what her future will bring. As the seasons change, she also charts the changes in herself, finding in the beautiful but harsh landscape the meaning and strength to move forward and rebuild all that she has lost, even as the Gunnison River threatens to submerge her homeland—its ranches, farms, and the beloved peach orchard that has been in her family for generations.

Inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of the town of Iola in the 1960s, Go as a River is a story of deeply held love in the face of hardship and loss, but also of finding courage, resilience, friendship, and, finally, home—where least expected. This stunning debut explores what it means to lead your life as if it were a river—gathering and flowing, finding a way forward even when a river is dammed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667076171

Reviews for GO AS A RIVER

[Gene Campilongo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lovely story. The last few chapters were heart wrenching & heart lifting

[Tamara Walters · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! I really wanted to give it a
One star because of the ending!!!! Left me hanging!!!!
Loved the book tho

[B R · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stunning debut with an absolute heartbreaking and simultaneously heart mending story about love, loss, and the impossible choices we are forced to make as mothers.

[Laura Gutierrez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was such a beautiful and emotional journey. The descriptions were amazing, the narration was well done, and the book was both thought-provoking and a story I will not soon forget. This was my book club's first read, I wish we could have the author in the room to discuss It with us, fantastic!

[samantha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous on audio. I felt transported to the story due to the elegant, descriptive prose. Highly recommend.

[Linda McDevitt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written. It brings back memories of a lifetime.

[Leah Barton Tew · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story of heartbreak and resilience, and I truly enjoyed it. It really captured my interest and was a very capable distraction from my grief after losing my father - even though the father’s death is a plot point. It drew me in but wasn’t overly sentimental. And while it’s geared towards a female audience it avoids the spoon fed, IQ-reducing themes that plague a majority of “chick lit” novels and nearly all Lifetime movies. I look forward to more from this author.

[Benjamin Clarke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heart wrenching grit woven with hopeful determination. A beautifully landscaped novel.

[Carol Cohen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The beautiful descriptive writing and the story. Thank you Shelly

[Ryann Press · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very good book. I really like it.

[Kathryn Arnold · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Plot was a little contrived, but characters were well developed.

[Judy Dyer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story and the masterful writing were both powerful and moving. Bravo!

[Darla Willett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written. Attention to detail of farming and lost ❤️

[aaliyahmjlive.com · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was great from beginning to end. Loved it!!

[cheri · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Instagram love and one-dimensional characters.The plot was unbelievable, but the writing was beautiful.

[Daryl Wilkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the characters and the sincerity of the story. Being born in ‘53, I lived through some of those decades. I disliked the ending, but it was because I wanted it to go on and on.

[Mary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book. Beautifully written and great to listen to.

[Marion Terry · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Exquisite writing! Overwrought storyline. Will look for the next book just for the writing.

[Mary E. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Powerful story of love, loss, pain, and strength. Well written. Must read!

[Cathy Kepley · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have to say I wish I had these hours back! I almost gave up about chapter 13 right when I thought it would be worth it at the end it just ended! Left you just hanging. Don’t waste your time.

[nrbish · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book! A story about life, loss, forgiveness, and a mother’s love.

[Midge Cole · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartbreaking but oh so beautiful. The story of sacrifice and love.

[Jeff · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the story. The reader was too dry. Pretty good though.

[Ephraim Tsalik · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a beautiful book. Wasn’t sure what to expect but definitely recommend listening.

[Amy Michele Wallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a tragic story so beautifully written. I wish I could know more about the ending.