After River: A Novel

A family becomes estranged by secrets in a novel that for fans of “psychological, plot-driven fiction by writers such as Sue Miller or Anita Shreve” (School Library Journal).

Growing up on a dairy farm in the mountains of British Columbia, fifteen-year-old Natalie Ward knows little of the outside world. But she knows family. A family so close and loving that they are the envy of the nearby town of Atwood. Natalie cherishes her position as the only daughter of the beautiful Nettie Ward and the town's beloved milkman, Gus Ward. She adores her three brothers, especially the eldest, Boyer, whom she idolizes. Like her mother, Natalie believes their lives are blessed, as rich and as sweet as the fresh milk that is their livelihood.

Everything changes one hot July afternoon in 1966 when a stranger appears at their door. The arrival of this soft-spoken American, a Vietnam War resister, will test the morals and beliefs of the Ward family and their close-knit community. The catastrophic events that are set in motion will leave relationships shattered and Natalie separated from the family she loves.

Thirty-five years later, Natalie receives a phone call from her now-estranged brother Boyer. Their mother is dying. Natalie returns to the town she has spent her adult life avoiding, steeling herself against the bittersweet memories of that summer day in 1966 and the tragedy that followed. But before Natalie can find redemption, she must confront the secrets and horrors of a past she has desperately tried to forget.

“Solidly crafted settings and characters, blended with optimism . . . charming.” —Publishers Weekly

“Expect to hear more from this talented newcomer.” —Booklist

© 2023 HarperCollins e-books (Ebook): 9780061856488

Release date

Ebook: December 15, 2023