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Making the Match: A River Rain Novel Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 1,770 ratings

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes the new book in her River Rain Series, Making the Match.

Decades ago, tennis superstar Tom Pierce and “It Girl” Mika Stowe met at a party.

Mika fell in love. Tom was already in love with his wife. As badly as Tom wanted Mika as a friend, Mika knew it would hurt too much to be attracted to this amazing man and never be able to have him.

They parted ways for what they thought would be forever, only to reconnect just once, when unspeakable tragedy darkens Mika’s life.

Years later, the impossible happens.

A time comes when they’re both unattached.

But now Tom has made a terrible mistake. A mistake so damaging to the ones he loves, he feels he’ll never be redeemed.

Mika has never forgotten how far and how fast she fell when she met him, but Tom’s transgression is holding her distant from reaching out.

There are matchmakers in their midst, however.

And when the plot has been unleashed to make that match, Tom and Mika are thrown into an international intrigue that pits them against a Goliath of the sports industry.

Now they face a massive battle at the same time they’re navigating friendship, attraction, love, family, grief, redemption, two very different lives lived on two opposite sides of a continent and a box full of kittens.

Reviews for Making the Match:

“This book has it ALL - all the drama, all the feels and all the love. Delicious outcome, smooth page turning writing ... don't expect to get much of anything done until you turn the very last page!” ~ Ruthie, Wicked Reads

“Kristen Ashley doesn't do anything less than fabulous and epic. Making The Match is the most epic level of second chance romance with complex characters, rich feels and angst overload.” ~ PP’s Bookshelf

“MAKING THE MATCH is a detailed, complex and dramatic tale of betrayal, second chances, acceptance and love. The premise is impassioned and captivating; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined, edgy and moving forward.” ~ Sandy, The Reading Cafe

“Making the Match has joined the ranks as another wonderful addition to the epic books by Kristen Ashley.” ~ Trish, Beautiful Chaos Reviews

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From the Publisher

Can they both move on from the secrets and scandals from their pasts...

Fresh Fiction review

Tropes/Themes

RT Book Reviews

After the Climb
Chasing Serenity
Taking the Leap
Making the Match
Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars 4,542
4.5 out of 5 stars 3,537
4.6 out of 5 stars 3,260
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,770
Price $5.99 $5.99 $5.99 $5.99
Second Chance Romance no data no data
Opposites Attract no data no data no data
Workplace Romance no data no data no data
Over 40 Couple no data no data
Fake Relationship no data no data no data
Single Dad no data no data
Off the charts chemistry
Grab the tissues, this one is going to hurt, then heal
Steam steam steam
Redemption and Forgiveness no data

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Heroes, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation and Honey series along with several standalone novels.

Kristen, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, was a fourth generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and she now resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She now writes full-time.

Although romance is her genre, the prevailing themes running through all of Kristen’s novels are friendship, family and a strong sisterhood. To this end, and as a way to thank her readers for their support, Kristen has created the Rock Chick Nation, a series of programs that are designed to give back to her readers and promote a strong female community.

You can learn more about Kristen and the Rock Chick Nation on her website: www.KristenAshley.net

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QJ1D4RZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Box Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 20, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 452 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1957568003
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 4 of 7 ‏ : ‎ River Rain
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,770 ratings

About the author

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Kristen Ashley
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Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over eighty romance novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold millions of books.

In December 2022, Kristen published the second in her Wild West MC series, SMOKE AND STEEL, the love story of Hellen and Core. In March, she'll release the THE GIRL IN THE WOODS, the second in her romantic thriller series, Misted Pines. She'll also publish her first-ever murder mystery romance in an episodic format on Kindle Vella.

Kristen, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana and was a fourth generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and she now resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She now writes full-time.

Although romance is her genre, the prevailing themes running through all of Kristen’s novels are friendship, family and a strong sisterhood. To this end, and as a way to thank her readers for their support, Kristen has created the Rock Chick Nation, a series of programs that are designed to give back to her readers and promote a strong female community.

You can learn more about Kristen and the Rock Chick Nation on her website: www.KristenAshley.net

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,770 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an outstanding addition to the series, with a beautiful storyline that weaves multiple generations seamlessly. The characters are sincere and well-developed, with one customer noting how the author manages to make her heroines strong. Customers describe the book as poetically beautiful and intense, with one review highlighting how it gives a glimpse into the past. However, some customers find the book boring and difficult to follow.

27 customers mention "Readability"20 positive7 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an outstanding series that gets better with each installment.

"...Kristen your readers are not the 1%. While it is nice to read your books and escape, it becomes o!d and wearing when we are reminded of how we are..." Read more

"...to distraction, but the family/found family scenes are the really good bits, as always...." Read more

"Making the Match is a fantastic read. I loved this one so much. I loved seeing Tom finally find his happy. I adore Mika and her daughter so much...." Read more

"...It’s so incredibly disappointing and jarring to be immersed in the fantasy of blooming love, silly friends and the fiction of an impending HEA, to..." Read more

25 customers mention "Character development"18 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with sincere and distinct personalities, and one customer notes the realistic dialogue.

"This is a great addition to This River Rain series. Different characters' develop and storyline is almost identical to.number one but not at the..." Read more

"...This story is jam-packed with fully developed and realized and self aware characters that worm their way into your heart, your imagination, your life..." Read more

"...Once the book got past that I was hooked. KA's characters are often perfectly flawed. But Tom and Mika are so much more than that...." Read more

"...Since reading book one of this series, I have fallen in love with all the characters...." Read more

25 customers mention "Storyline"18 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, appreciating its drama and beautiful narrative, with one customer noting how seamlessly multiple generations are interwoven throughout the story.

"...Brilliant because we fifty- year olds and empty nesters are worthy of good storylines!..." Read more

"...It's magnificent. There's mystery, intrigue, Iots of drama, and I mean a ton of drama (it's delicious!), and so much more!..." Read more

"...and pacing in a serial is different and the storyline beats always feel a little repetitive...." Read more

"...❤️ Tom & Mika's installment is full of love, forgiveness, family... I love the way this series continues to give multiple POVs in..." Read more

9 customers mention "Thought provoking"7 positive2 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer noting how it gives a glimpse into the past, while another mentions how it navigates complex themes.

"...Believable characters with distinct personalities. Thought-provoking, memorable and, most importantly, realistic dialogue. “Pedestal city...." Read more

"...and coming to terms with it, to raising children and navigating that minefield while also trying to find yourself as an individual...to dealing with..." Read more

"...This is complex and layered and emotional and will stretch your EQ. It is messy in the best way...." Read more

"..."in" references, and far too much introspection, repetition and soul searching. I don't like many of her main characters...." Read more

8 customers mention "Poetry style"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the poetic style of the book, describing it as beautiful, sexy, and thoughtful.

"...Their story is second chances, is growth, is acceptance. It's magnificent...." Read more

"...Tom is all alpha, but he’s a sweet, sensitive, loving one. I enjoyed all subplots and ancillary characters. I am really enjoying this book...." Read more

"...As always, Kristen Ashley has always given me thoughtful, loving, protective, dedicated and sincere characters...." Read more

"...The second book was charming and delightful. The third book touched my heart deeply. This book had moments of all of the above...." Read more

5 customers mention "Emotion level"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as an epic story that is intense and deep.

"...The feeling is of an epic story, not just interconnected books, but a saga worthy of Dynasty - or, more recently, Yellowstone...." Read more

"...So many feels in this book...I can’t even describe them all. Definitely a book that couldn’t be put down...." Read more

"What an emotion filled story! I laughed, I cried, and I was caught off guard...." Read more

"...creates her stories with enough drama to make them interesting, but so deep and thoughtful that you learn new things and notice new perspective...." Read more

4 customers mention "Love"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the love portrayed in the book, with one customer highlighting its grace and dedication.

"...Tom and Mika. Both so strong. Both so loving. So giving. Their story is second chances, is growth, is acceptance. It's magnificent...." Read more

"...emotional subjects are dealt with and Ms. Ashley uses compassion, grace, strength and humor to lead one through them...." Read more

"...Tom is all alpha, but he’s a sweet, sensitive, loving one. I enjoyed all subplots and ancillary characters. I am really enjoying this book...." Read more

"...As always, Kristen Ashley has always given me thoughtful, loving, protective, dedicated and sincere characters...." Read more

11 customers mention "Boredom"0 positive11 negative

Customers find the book boring and difficult to follow, describing it as a jumbled mess with little sense.

"...yet it's very peripheral and while it's an important topic, it felt extraneous, at best...." Read more

"This book started off a bit rough for me. It felt chaotic and disjointed...." Read more

"...It just doesnt make sense and it makes me dislike Tom and Mika...." Read more

"...The operative word being moments. Engaging but not cohesive. It felt disjointed. That’s not to say it wasn’t enjoyable...." Read more

Exceptional story filled with hope, healing, and love! I loved every second!
5 out of 5 stars
Exceptional story filled with hope, healing, and love! I loved every second!
I absolutely loved Making the Match. LOVED! I loved the characters, the conflicts, the different families, and how all the amazing scenes and moments played out like a movie in my head. This story was emotional and raw, and more times than I could count, I got choked up. I love a story that makes me feel and this one definitely did! I loved Tom, he was sweet and caring and I felt for him despite the wrong choice he previously made. I loved learning his thoughts and feelings about the guilt he carried and the responsibility he took. It was a complicated situation but I liked how it played out in this fictional story. I adored Mika, she was strong and resilient, like a shining light I was drawn to. I liked Tom and Mika meeting and learning about their friendship. There were a lot of feelings and emotions happening for Mika and I hung on every word as I learned her history and pain, about her daughter and her art. I loved Tom and Mika reconnecting, how they opened up and shared, laid it all out with no games, and how supportive they were of one another. I loved their chemistry, the explosive heat between them, and the deep love they developed for one another. There were so many poignant, beautiful moments, I could not get enough. There was an incredible cast involved. I love how the River Rain world continues to grow, more people are brought into the fold, and the connections and bonds between them. I like how the storylines for Matt and Sasha were involved and how it played out, that made me happy. I loved Cadence, Mika’s daughter, and the relationship she was forming with Tom. It was so sweet! I really loved getting more Hale and what's been set up for him and Elsa. I enjoyed their interactions and am thrilled they are paired together in Fighting the Pull. I really liked how Genny was woven in and how she was revisiting some complicated feelings from her past. I loved learning more about Corey and seeing the depths of his love and how far he went to protect his family. Every time the fascinating Rhys showed up on the page I was beyond excited, his mentions of Sasha have me intrigued. I adored, loved, and was delighted by all the character connections to other stories and series. Each one had me smiling! This story was spot on for me, from the characters to the hope, healing, and love. There were some adorable kittens in the mix that made me melt too. I enjoyed the smaller storyline that initially brought Tom and Mika back together, I liked the extra drama it created. I loved the layers and descriptions, and I was always looking forward to what was going to happen next. This was an exceptional addition to the series!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2024
    This is a great addition to This River Rain series. Different characters' develop and storyline is almost identical to.number one but not at the same time. We see new posts emerge that will roll into more stoeylines. We get a healthy taste of Chloe and.Saga and finally Matt. Fiery is not the evil.bastard in this bok which is nice in itself. Developing Tom was a smart move on Kristen's move. I waa drawn to him. Mika and Cadence are beauty and light.
    As norm, Kristen recycled storylines and sex scenes and bedroom speak. So roll your eyes now if you've already read thirty or so of her other books. But the magnetism Tom has is well written and received and can stand alone.
    I am well info around fifty dollars spent so I might as well get the next book since this one redeemed itself after her Rix and Alex book.
    Excited for Hale and Elsa to be honest!! But my all time favorite are the mature couples of Gen, Tom, Duncan, and Mika. Brilliant because we fifty- year olds and empty nesters are worthy of good storylines! Also, I would love to see but sure I will not in this series, some realistic non rich people who a t max make 60,000-100,000 gross a year with NO trust funds and NO inheritance large enough to buy a small island. Kristen your readers are not the 1%. While it is nice to read your books and escape, it becomes o!d and wearing when we are reminded of how we are the lower class 'middle class and will never have it at easy as these silver spoon and perfect beauty characters have it.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2023
    Making the Match by Kristen Ashley is the fourth book in the River Rain series, and my heart, my emotions, they got one HECK of a workout!

    All I can say about Tom and Mika is WOWZER. What a doozy! This story is jam-packed with fully developed and realized and self aware characters that worm their way into your heart, your imagination, your life. Teeth are sunk in and it's a ride of a lifetime that holds on. And it's so worth it.

    Layered and dynamic characters, new and old, have you struggling as they hurt, have you cheering as they exalt, and everything between. Tom and Mika. Both so strong. Both so loving. So giving. Their story is second chances, is growth, is acceptance. It's magnificent.

    There's mystery, intrigue, Iots of drama, and I mean a ton of drama (it's delicious!), and so much more! It's a KA story to a T, with a lot of everything you expect from her, and more. She delivers once again, and I simply cannot wait to devour more River Rain!

    P. S. Nora is a HOOT!

    P. P. S. I. Need. More. Rhys.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2022
    We've all read series where it follows along with a family or a certain group of friends, but this is the first series I have read where an ex gets their happily ever after.

    If you have read any of the River Rain Series, you know how Tom is and what he did. I was amongst the skeptics who weren't even sure they wanted to read this book for that reason alone. Only Kristen Ashley could make me second guess my thought process on something like this. Does one mistake in a time of grief and loss mean you are forever going to be that person who did wrong? What Tom did wasn't right, and he never claimed it was. The choices he made were indeed made in a time of grief. Not all grief or loss is when someone dies. It can be for the loss of something that could have been great or in this case a marriage. A marriage that was falling apart long before Tom did what he did. That was just the final nail in the coffin. Keep all of that in mind before you automatically disregard Tom's book.

    Since reading book one of this series, I have fallen in love with all the characters. Some were faster than others like Bowie and Chloe where others like Tom and Matt took time. Kristen Ashley has given us this series about a family that is learning what it means to form a new bond after one decision or in this case several imploded everything.

    Tom and Mika's story was more than I could have hoped for. All those years ago they met and while there was a connection immediately nothing ever happened. As life tends to do it goes on and now so many years later, they are both in a very new way. When fate or in this case a nosey family member decides to thrust these two back into one another's orbit it is explosive. All those feelings from years ago came rearing back and the only thing to do was go with it or fight the possibility of these two people finding their new happy ending.

    Gods I know this is longer than I wanted it to be, but I had so much to say. I hope this series is just getting started and we get so many more stories from Matt, Jamie, Nora, and others. If you have enjoyed the River Rain Series give this book a chance. Don't let your preconceived notions about what is right and wrong ruin this book for you.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Gaylin Chev
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on December 18, 2023
    Another good read from Kristen Ashley.
    I appreciate how she builds characters and lets them be good/bad/realistic.

    I had things to do today, did I do them? No. I read this book. Really enjoyed it!
  • Sophie Henderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a Story!!!
    Reviewed in Australia on September 20, 2022
    I hope you get a chance to feel this story, whether it’s through laughter, tears or love. The author takes you by the hand and leads you on through the lives of her characters.
  • Liz
    5.0 out of 5 stars this series just keeps getting better
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on September 29, 2022
    I absolutely adore reading about mature characters. The road they’ve travelled that has brought them where they are now. Reflecting on their life and the choices they’ve made. Learning to do better, be better, love better.
    Whilst this could make this book heavy and sad, the author manages to tell the story of Tom, Mika and their families with a brightness that shines through every page. I’m going to reread this book soon.
  • Sue D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fab-u-lous - loved it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2022
    Best book I've read in quite a while, in fact I enjoyed some paragraphs so much I had to keep 're-reading them. We can always rely on KA. This was book 4 in the River Rain series and I think the most enjoyable so far.
    Isobel' s ex-husband Tom still feels guilty about the divorce from his wife and mother of his three children; and although he has a full life he is lonely, and when he gets a message from a woman he felt an affinity with many years previously, he starts to wonder if he may deserve happiness again!
    There are so many back characters and so much intrigue in these books the potential for more in the series are endless.
    I do agree as a personal opinion we tend to judge people, especially women without knowing anything about them; and I admit I'm just as guilty of this as the next person. I must try harder.
  • Becca
    4.0 out of 5 stars is it sept yet
    Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2023
    Ineed the next book. Stat. I still don’t know how I feel about this one. I’m back and forth and that’s all I’ve got!

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