“The River Prince” has an ending as heartwarming as the first book in this series, “A Solstice Prince.” A dashing and protective royal once again rescues an enchanting but abused young man into a well-deserved happily ever after. However, while the abuse in the first book was referenced as trauma that happened in the past, in this book we have to read about the violent abuse – and threat of abuse – as it happens to the main character. It is not for the faint of heart. The cruelty serves its purpose to make the reader loath the abusers, but presenting it throughout the story, blow by vicious blow, was less than pleasant to experience. That was the only issue keeping this review from being five stars; the author’s world building and character development continue to impress.