Follow the River

So as I was reading this book, i kept wondering if this was CE Ricci's first book. And i was right, and I think that says a lot. 

Lots to unpack here. (🚨Light SPOILERS for a few plot points 🚨)

Firstly the author makes it abundantly clear that this is a book she intends you to go in completely blind, and gives a very vague trigger warning while also requesting readers to not post anything online. That is very dangerous obviously, since this book deals with VERY graphic sexual abuse of a minor. I think it's really important to know that when you're getting into this, especially if you're sensitive to it and I think authors need to understand that. 

Also there is a lot of dub con situations here, which I don't usually mind but here it was quite disturbing to read honestly. I mean, one of the characters is literally begging him to stop. 

Which brings me to River Lennox. This man is a walking sexual harrassment report. I can tell that the author was trying to create an enemies to lovers dynamic by using a bickering, arguing dynamic with these two but oh god it failed miserably, atleast for me. If these two aren't immaturely punching and slamming each other into walls they're exchanging one sexual inneundo for a homophobic slur. 
Yeah, Ciaráin pretty much throws around homophobic slurs like confetti. All the while River is forcing himself on him when he's CLEARLY told him no. Dozens of times. Catch a hint, dude!


Also a shit ton of plot holes. I don't understand why Rain keeps insisting that he isn't gay but then has a shit experience with a woman (which, why is there an MF scene in an MM book?!) he decides to conclude that he might be ASEXUAL. Certainly not gay. 
Also why is the coach sending his all star players on a 4 week getaway to a random cabin to “bond” without any practice? And that Thanksgiving scene, what is going on?

And the third act miscommunication makes no sense. These two are so toxic. Don't get me wrong, I love me a good toxic couple but these two are toxic for no reason. 
I think the book is just a tad bit too poorly executed.