Along the River (Book 1)
A Coming of Age Tale
Summer should mean freedom, but for Carter, it’s just another season lived under the weight of his father’s alcohol fueled rages. The neighborhood isn’t much of a haven either. There is the trio of bullies who seem to take perverse pleasure in tormenting him, their sneers and taunts a constant threat. His only escape is the sanctuary of the woods and the quiet murmur of the river, a place where he can almost forget the fear that clings to him like a second skin.
But this summer, everything shifts with the arrival of the new family in the long-empty Gable house. They are an anomaly on their street, with their sleek car and an air of polished perfection that feels unsettlingly out of place. Among them is April. With her quiet eyes and a kind smile, April is a light in the darkness, a mystery Carter can’t ignore. He finds himself drawn to her, to the way she seems to see past his carefully constructed walls, to the quiet strength he glimpses beneath her reserved exterior.
As Carter navigates the complexities of new friendships and the simmering tensions at home, April becomes a beacon, offering a glimpse of a world beyond his own. But her father is fiercely protective, and April herself seems to guard secrets as closely as Carter guards his own. Their tentative connection blossoms amidst stolen moments and whispered conversations, a fragile flame in a summer filled with uncertainties
“Along the River” is a tender and evocative coming-of-age romance about first love, finding your voice, and the courage to reach for happiness even when the world feels like it’s crumbling around you. It’s a story about the quiet moments that change everything, the unexpected connections that offer solace, and the realization that sometimes, the greatest sanctuaries are found not in the woods, but in the eyes of another. It’s also a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can flicker, and love can find a way.
Coming 2026!
Shaun McGregor's Author Page 