What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Rivers #1
Into The Light
Does redemption flow in small towns like Three Rivers?
I spent a decade in prison for a crime I didn’t commit.
Before I was released on parole, I was part of a work-release program in a little town in Michigan called Three Rivers. So, when I’m finally paroled, there’s nowhere else I want to be but here in Three Rivers, rebuilding my life from scratch.
I expect life to be hard; it always has been, for me.
What I don’t expect?
Noelle Harper. Short, curvy, gorgeous, and way too sweet and innocent for the likes of me. She's full of light, love, understanding, compassion, and affection—things I know nothing about.
I don’t expect her to crash into the new life I’m building, turn everything upside down, and see things in me I’ve never seen in myself.
I don’t expect her to save me. To see beyond my past and show me how to reach for more—how to love.
* * *
My life has not gone the way I thought it would.
I’m a small-town girl next door, Three Rivers born and raised. I’m a good girl from a conservative home—I didn’t date my high school sweetheart, I courted him…with chaperones. I didn’t so much as hold his hand until we married right out of high school.
I expected to be a pastor’s wife, a mom, and a member of the only community I’ve ever known. I expected my life to be simple and predictable.
What I don’t expect?
To discover that my husband was cheating on me with not one, not two, but three church skanks, while acting like my eager desire for a healthy marital sex life was something I should be ashamed of.
I don’t expect a man like Bear. A veritable mountain of a man with an unlikely name, long red hair, and a giant red beard. A man with a criminal record. A man who sees a side of me no one, not my family, and certainly not my husband ever saw. A man who brings the real Noelle Harper to life.
I never expected to fall in love with a gigantic, quiet, rough-around-the-edges man with a gentle spirit and a misunderstood past.
But in Three Rivers, the unexpected seems to travel faster than the town gossip.
I spent a decade in prison for a crime I didn’t commit.
Before I was released on parole, I was part of a work-release program in a little town in Michigan called Three Rivers. So, when I’m finally paroled, there’s nowhere else I want to be but here in Three Rivers, rebuilding my life from scratch.
I expect life to be hard; it always has been, for me.
What I don’t expect?
Noelle Harper. Short, curvy, gorgeous, and way too sweet and innocent for the likes of me. She's full of light, love, understanding, compassion, and affection—things I know nothing about.
I don’t expect her to crash into the new life I’m building, turn everything upside down, and see things in me I’ve never seen in myself.
I don’t expect her to save me. To see beyond my past and show me how to reach for more—how to love.
* * *
My life has not gone the way I thought it would.
I’m a small-town girl next door, Three Rivers born and raised. I’m a good girl from a conservative home—I didn’t date my high school sweetheart, I courted him…with chaperones. I didn’t so much as hold his hand until we married right out of high school.
I expected to be a pastor’s wife, a mom, and a member of the only community I’ve ever known. I expected my life to be simple and predictable.
What I don’t expect?
To discover that my husband was cheating on me with not one, not two, but three church skanks, while acting like my eager desire for a healthy marital sex life was something I should be ashamed of.
I don’t expect a man like Bear. A veritable mountain of a man with an unlikely name, long red hair, and a giant red beard. A man with a criminal record. A man who sees a side of me no one, not my family, and certainly not my husband ever saw. A man who brings the real Noelle Harper to life.
I never expected to fall in love with a gigantic, quiet, rough-around-the-edges man with a gentle spirit and a misunderstood past.
But in Three Rivers, the unexpected seems to travel faster than the town gossip.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2025
165 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Jasinda Wilder
149 books12k followersJasinda Wilder is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 titles including the #1 Amazon bestseller Falling Into You, the Audie Award-winning (best audiobook) Alpha, and the beloved, 17-book Badd Brothers series. She and her husband Jack Wilder have sold more than 7 million copies and have been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. You can find them at their fairy tale cottage by a lake somewhere in Michigan with their 6 kids, 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 bunnies, and way too many ducks and chickens.
Sign up for Jasinda's newsletter at http://eepurl.com/qW87T
Visit Jasinda's website www.jasindawilder.com
Follow Jasinda on twitter at www.twitter.com/jasindawilder
Join Jasinda on Faceboook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasind...
Sign up for Jasinda's newsletter at http://eepurl.com/qW87T
Visit Jasinda's website www.jasindawilder.com
Follow Jasinda on twitter at www.twitter.com/jasindawilder
Join Jasinda on Faceboook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasind...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 13, 2025
Into The Light (Three Rivers #1) by Jasinda Wilder. Ugh. What to say about this.
The book is written in dual POV between Bear, a parolee who was sentenced to prison for murder and Noelle a divorcee, that grew up extremely religious and sheltered meet and fall in love. That’s the basics.
Really there isn’t much else to the story. The book was unnecessary long and there were too many “I can’t believe this is real”, “you’re so beautiful”…. No real story. The dialogue was cheesy to say the least.
There was no depth in the story or even conflict. Noelle’s friends & family don’t seem worried when she starts dating a convicted murderer. For being a girl with such high standards she immediately falls for him and introduces Bear to everyone and wants to break her Christian values to have wild sex with the man.
I wanted to give up so many times on this book but I kept waiting for something to happen and it never did.
I give Into The Light (Three Rivers #1) by Jasinda Wilder 2 stars.
The book is written in dual POV between Bear, a parolee who was sentenced to prison for murder and Noelle a divorcee, that grew up extremely religious and sheltered meet and fall in love. That’s the basics.
Really there isn’t much else to the story. The book was unnecessary long and there were too many “I can’t believe this is real”, “you’re so beautiful”…. No real story. The dialogue was cheesy to say the least.
There was no depth in the story or even conflict. Noelle’s friends & family don’t seem worried when she starts dating a convicted murderer. For being a girl with such high standards she immediately falls for him and introduces Bear to everyone and wants to break her Christian values to have wild sex with the man.
I wanted to give up so many times on this book but I kept waiting for something to happen and it never did.
I give Into The Light (Three Rivers #1) by Jasinda Wilder 2 stars.
March 1, 2025
Not good. Here’s why:
-Hardly a plot, no conflict. Flat story.
-Cringeworthy dialogue, pet names. Cheesy. Bear spoke like a caveman.
-Too much orange. If the goal was to write these characters as unattractive and unsexy as possible, mission accomplished.
Series ends at book 1 for me. I began skimming at 48% and couldnt get myself to read the Epilogue. I think those 5 star reviews might have been for another book. This author has written much better books.
-Hardly a plot, no conflict. Flat story.
-Cringeworthy dialogue, pet names. Cheesy. Bear spoke like a caveman.
-Too much orange. If the goal was to write these characters as unattractive and unsexy as possible, mission accomplished.
Series ends at book 1 for me. I began skimming at 48% and couldnt get myself to read the Epilogue. I think those 5 star reviews might have been for another book. This author has written much better books.
February 15, 2025
Unlovable....When two people find each other with one common similarity. It takes them awhile to adjust, trust and relax with each other. This is such a sweet and emotional story about recreating a new you. Because you never really had an old you.
March 27, 2025
Such a cute story ❤️ Beautiful characters, it definitely reminded me of a Hallmark romance story. 🥰✨
August 8, 2025
DNF at 60%. This storyline had such great promise and I was so excited for it; however, the amount of cringing I do while reading is way too much. Super bummed
March 9, 2025
So yeah this book was ummmmm I’m not sure how to put it ….. it needs some editing first off… the intimate scenes were full of ridiculousness ….. the best part of the book was Panzer and he’s why it’s getting 2 stars… I honestly skimmed parts because it just drug on and on and on ridiculously… idk why I finished it in all honesty , maybe I was hoping it would get better ?? And then Before I realized it I was 83% in and figured I needed to finish it …. Idk if I’ve read this author before or not honestly but at this point I don’t see myself picking up another ….
April 14, 2025
I've been so tired of books with billionaire heroes that this was a breath of fresh air. It was really cute. Two reasons this didn't get 4 or 5 stars. #1 was the repetition and #2 was because of a big editing error. You know how books have trigger warnings at the start? How about a trigger warning for bad editing and typos? That's one that would be useful to me.
I think maybe the author didn't know where to go with these characters and so there's just paragraphs and paragraphs of the same dialogue said in different ways. You have to skim through all that to get to the meat of the story, but there IS a really sweet story in there. Just sadly not much to it.
There was a big error regarding a phone that I don't understand how it got passed everyone. It plays a pivotal role in an event. At one point Noelle loses her phone and then later it's miraculously back in her purse so she can call someone, then it goes back to being missing again. I had to go back and reread it several times to make sure I wasn't crazy.
I'm actually excited for one of the secondary character's books, but looks like it won't be book #2, so hopefully book #3 will be Riley.
I think maybe the author didn't know where to go with these characters and so there's just paragraphs and paragraphs of the same dialogue said in different ways. You have to skim through all that to get to the meat of the story, but there IS a really sweet story in there. Just sadly not much to it.
There was a big error regarding a phone that I don't understand how it got passed everyone. It plays a pivotal role in an event. At one point Noelle loses her phone and then later it's miraculously back in her purse so she can call someone, then it goes back to being missing again. I had to go back and reread it several times to make sure I wasn't crazy.
I'm actually excited for one of the secondary character's books, but looks like it won't be book #2, so hopefully book #3 will be Riley.
February 20, 2025
"You take my breath away... Then take mine"
GAH!! Bear and Noelle were PERFECT. Two souls who are finding their own light in this world, is the best way to describe this story. This town (which I want to move to, by the way). is inviting. With this first book, I can see this small town charming it's way to my heart.
Into the Light is a book about finding a second chance through self redemption, hope and love. But most of all, it's about being understood and supported where you thought no one would.
Both Bear and Noelle are two souls who have been sheltered in different forms. When they cross paths, it's chemical. It's a lesson of who to truly open your mind and heart to.
I love EVERYTHING about this book. The main characters, the supporting ones, and those who I am already envisioning need their stories told. I recommend Into the Light and I am anxiously waiting to see what Three Rivers has in store. This story has solidified I am here to see how love unfolds this town.
This is a MUST READ!
GAH!! Bear and Noelle were PERFECT. Two souls who are finding their own light in this world, is the best way to describe this story. This town (which I want to move to, by the way). is inviting. With this first book, I can see this small town charming it's way to my heart.
Into the Light is a book about finding a second chance through self redemption, hope and love. But most of all, it's about being understood and supported where you thought no one would.
Both Bear and Noelle are two souls who have been sheltered in different forms. When they cross paths, it's chemical. It's a lesson of who to truly open your mind and heart to.
I love EVERYTHING about this book. The main characters, the supporting ones, and those who I am already envisioning need their stories told. I recommend Into the Light and I am anxiously waiting to see what Three Rivers has in store. This story has solidified I am here to see how love unfolds this town.
This is a MUST READ!
February 15, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is the first book in the Three River series. Each book can be read as a standalone.
Bear has spent the last ten years in prison and is now out on parole on a work release. He's to work and stay out of trouble. During the day, he works demoing houses, and in the evenings, he volunteers as the animal shelter. Where he first lays eyes on the sweetest, most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
Noelle was raised very conservative. She did things the right way. Only to find out her husband was having multiple affairs with women in the congregation. She's been divorced for over a year now, and no one has interested her until the giant man with kind eyes and softest voice.
I really enjoyed this book. Great start to a new series.
Bear has spent the last ten years in prison and is now out on parole on a work release. He's to work and stay out of trouble. During the day, he works demoing houses, and in the evenings, he volunteers as the animal shelter. Where he first lays eyes on the sweetest, most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
Noelle was raised very conservative. She did things the right way. Only to find out her husband was having multiple affairs with women in the congregation. She's been divorced for over a year now, and no one has interested her until the giant man with kind eyes and softest voice.
I really enjoyed this book. Great start to a new series.
February 14, 2025
Bear and Noelle had me rooting for a hea from the start of the book til the end.Great emotional story about two people who both deserved a second chance in life.It was nice to see friends and co workers have only best wishes for Bear and Noelle’s relationship.I know there will be more books in this series and I am looking forward to them.Keep em coming Wilders!
February 16, 2025
Into The Light is a heartwarming story of redemption and second chances. Noelle and Bear's story is unforgettable and will captivate your heart. You can't root for them to find their happily ever after.
I absolutely adored everything about this book!
I absolutely adored everything about this book!
July 18, 2025
Beatiful story. Loved Bear so much.
March 12, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book. This is the first book I’ve read by Jacinda and I am so impressed. Not only did I connect to the setting and the location of the story because it takes place in my home state, but I also connected to this incredible couple.
Bear was just released from prison after serving 10 years for a crime he did not commit. He’s had a very rough life and just wants to live his life in peace. Do what he needs to do and that’s it. He doesn’t expect anything good to ever happen. Enter Noelle.
I absolutely loved Noelle’s character . She had such a light about her and that light captured bear. Everyone was scared of bear. He’s this 6’5 tattooed Viking looking beast so when they saw him coming, everyone was a little terrified lol, except for Noelle.
I love the immediate protectiveness they had for each other. And the protectiveness, I felt over them. Especially bear. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since I finished the book. It’s truly a beautiful love story and I’m so sad it’s over. And I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
Bear was just released from prison after serving 10 years for a crime he did not commit. He’s had a very rough life and just wants to live his life in peace. Do what he needs to do and that’s it. He doesn’t expect anything good to ever happen. Enter Noelle.
I absolutely loved Noelle’s character . She had such a light about her and that light captured bear. Everyone was scared of bear. He’s this 6’5 tattooed Viking looking beast so when they saw him coming, everyone was a little terrified lol, except for Noelle.
I love the immediate protectiveness they had for each other. And the protectiveness, I felt over them. Especially bear. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since I finished the book. It’s truly a beautiful love story and I’m so sad it’s over. And I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
March 5, 2025
This story is a beautifully written small town romance about redemption and finding out who you really are. It’s the start of a new series of standalones.
Bear is an ex convict that went to prison for a crime didn’t actually commit. He is released into a work program and volunteers at the animal shelter after work. This is where he meets Noelle.
Noelle is a church going good girl who thought she was doing everything right by taking it slow with her high school sweetheart. She married him, then left and divorced him 8 years later after she found out that he was cheating on her.
There is an instant attraction between them. They become friends and this blossoms into a beautiful romance.
Every thing about this story was beautiful and sweet. Watching these characters grow and fall in love was everything I was hoping for them when I read the synopsis.
I can’t wait to read more from this series!
Bear is an ex convict that went to prison for a crime didn’t actually commit. He is released into a work program and volunteers at the animal shelter after work. This is where he meets Noelle.
Noelle is a church going good girl who thought she was doing everything right by taking it slow with her high school sweetheart. She married him, then left and divorced him 8 years later after she found out that he was cheating on her.
There is an instant attraction between them. They become friends and this blossoms into a beautiful romance.
Every thing about this story was beautiful and sweet. Watching these characters grow and fall in love was everything I was hoping for them when I read the synopsis.
I can’t wait to read more from this series!
March 3, 2025
This was about two people that had their second chance at love. They both have something in common being secluded from people but in different ways. Bear was in prison for ten years and is now out looking for work. Noelle was raised in a very conservative family. She comes to find out that her husband has been having multiple affairs. Newley divorced for little over a year she hasn’t has the interest into dating anyone, that is until a handsome man walks into her life. This was an emotional ride that I enjoyed every minute with. After reading, seeing these two interact, they are complete opposites, but they are also two halves of a hole that are meant to be.
Blog for more.
Blog for more.
February 22, 2025
another great read
Noelle and Bear can’t be anymore opposite from one another. Noelle came from a church loving strict family and Bear really didn’t have one. Bear went from one house to another with terrible foster parents. Bear runs off and finds himself with the wrong crowd. Bear is newly out of lockup and Noelle has been divorced for a short time. Her ex really did some damage to her. You will be cheering for this couple and their amazing guard dog. I can’t wait to see what book 2 brings. Thank you Jasinda & Jack!
Noelle and Bear can’t be anymore opposite from one another. Noelle came from a church loving strict family and Bear really didn’t have one. Bear went from one house to another with terrible foster parents. Bear runs off and finds himself with the wrong crowd. Bear is newly out of lockup and Noelle has been divorced for a short time. Her ex really did some damage to her. You will be cheering for this couple and their amazing guard dog. I can’t wait to see what book 2 brings. Thank you Jasinda & Jack!
March 10, 2025
4.5 Stars
I forget how great this author is in between her releases and then I pick up one of her books and get lost in the worlds and characters she creates.
This book had a fairly different premise with an ex-con and a sweet, but very religious FMC and it was fabulous. It was absolutely packed with romantic moments and swoony comments and my heart just kept melting for Bear (and Panzer!). It was a slow burn but I didn't really notice as I was enjoying the story so much. A real heart melting story.
I forget how great this author is in between her releases and then I pick up one of her books and get lost in the worlds and characters she creates.
This book had a fairly different premise with an ex-con and a sweet, but very religious FMC and it was fabulous. It was absolutely packed with romantic moments and swoony comments and my heart just kept melting for Bear (and Panzer!). It was a slow burn but I didn't really notice as I was enjoying the story so much. A real heart melting story.
March 19, 2025
Sweet redemption
I've been a fan of Jasinda Wilder books for many years but it's been a little while since I've read anything from her. This was a great love story with just the right amount of spice and some action too. The main and supporting characters are believable and relatable. As a Michigan girl myself, loved reading the descriptions of places I've been and heard of. The story really grabbed me and I didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I've been a fan of Jasinda Wilder books for many years but it's been a little while since I've read anything from her. This was a great love story with just the right amount of spice and some action too. The main and supporting characters are believable and relatable. As a Michigan girl myself, loved reading the descriptions of places I've been and heard of. The story really grabbed me and I didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
February 27, 2025
Brand New Series from Jasinda Wilder. Three Rivers
Into the Light
Bear and Noelle
Troupe:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Bear starts a new life after being released from prison. He meets Noelle, who is a hairdresser, they meet at the local animal shelter.
They have a sweet romance for someone who has had a hard life. They develop a strong friendship, which they both need due to their past. I loved how their friendship developed.
Into the Light
Bear and Noelle
Troupe:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Bear starts a new life after being released from prison. He meets Noelle, who is a hairdresser, they meet at the local animal shelter.
They have a sweet romance for someone who has had a hard life. They develop a strong friendship, which they both need due to their past. I loved how their friendship developed.
March 4, 2025
Brand New Series from Jasinda Wilder. Three Rivers
Into the Light
Bear and Noelle
Troupe:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Bear starts a new life after being released from prison. He meets Noelle, who is a hairdresser, they meet at the local animal shelter.
They have a sweet romance for someone who has had a hard life. They develop a strong friendship, which they both need due to their past. I loved how their friendship developed.
Into the Light
Bear and Noelle
Troupe:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Bear starts a new life after being released from prison. He meets Noelle, who is a hairdresser, they meet at the local animal shelter.
They have a sweet romance for someone who has had a hard life. They develop a strong friendship, which they both need due to their past. I loved how their friendship developed.
February 16, 2025
I love that author Jasinda Wilder has written small town/ second chance- as these are my favor tropes right now.
This is the first book in a new series and it was so good! The characters are so likeable! Bear instantly pulled at my heart, a bad boy who in reality is a shy marshmallow! And Noelle gosh, I just love who she is for Bear!
Y'all are going to fall for these two!
This is the first book in a new series and it was so good! The characters are so likeable! Bear instantly pulled at my heart, a bad boy who in reality is a shy marshmallow! And Noelle gosh, I just love who she is for Bear!
Y'all are going to fall for these two!
February 18, 2025
This story just destroyed me in the best way possible. Noelle and Bear are just so perfect for each other. I fell hard and fast for both characters. I love Noelle, the way she sees the best in Bear, and I love Bear's big heart. They both have their hangs up, but the way they talk to each other and are there for each other.
I want more and more and more of them.
Beautiful story
I want more and more and more of them.
Beautiful story
March 10, 2025
I've read every book by the Wilders. The story in the first book of this new series is one of trust and redemption. The friendship between Noelle and Bear starts off slowly, as they both have come from recent, different types of 'incarcerations'. As the story builds, so does their relationship and their future. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
February 16, 2025
small town romance
He rises and opens the door. The therapist is a woman in her early forties, with wavy, beautiful brown hair and light brown eyes, dressed in jeans and black heels with a white blouse and black blazer.
He rises and opens the door. The therapist is a woman in her early forties, with wavy, beautiful brown hair and light brown eyes, dressed in jeans and black heels with a white blouse and black blazer.
February 20, 2025
Bear and Harper
Bear's life has been hard. Harper is getting over her situation. They meet, take it slow, have a few plot twists, survive a dangerous and emotional event, and fall in love. Great book!
Bear's life has been hard. Harper is getting over her situation. They meet, take it slow, have a few plot twists, survive a dangerous and emotional event, and fall in love. Great book!
February 24, 2025
I loved it!
I have read a few books by this author in the past and I really enjoyed them I was happy to see this new book and I'm not great with words but I loved the characters and the storyline. Well worth the time.
I have read a few books by this author in the past and I really enjoyed them I was happy to see this new book and I'm not great with words but I loved the characters and the storyline. Well worth the time.
March 7, 2025
It’s been a while since I read a Jasinda Book… and boy did I miss her and Jacks writing. I loved Bear and Noelle soooo much! I love the rawness, the realness of her characters. I love their chemistry. And I especially loved this slow burn! Great start to this series.
February 21, 2025
Good
I really enjoyed their story
It was so nice to read a story that wasn’t a lot of drama between them and no breakup and get back together
Can’t wait ti read Fleix next
I really enjoyed their story
It was so nice to read a story that wasn’t a lot of drama between them and no breakup and get back together
Can’t wait ti read Fleix next
March 5, 2025
Ya’ll Bear is EVERYTHING!!!
I haven’t loved a character this much in a long time. He is easily one of my top 5 characters ever! I just wanted to climb inside my phone and give him a big hug.
I haven’t loved a character this much in a long time. He is easily one of my top 5 characters ever! I just wanted to climb inside my phone and give him a big hug.
March 6, 2025
aw
This book was so good! Loved the characters and their story. Can’t wait to see what happens next! Welcome back! Highly recommend!!!
This book was so good! Loved the characters and their story. Can’t wait to see what happens next! Welcome back! Highly recommend!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews