River Crossed by Bruce P. Spang tells the story of Jason Follett, who seeks a simpler life in a small West Virginia town but finds himself on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. As he navigates his new life as a teacher, Jason struggles with his growing feelings for Eric, forcing him to confront his identity in a community where such love remains taboo. His journey is shaped by meaningful friendships, mentorship opportunities, and the inspiration he finds in both his art and his young students. The natural world, particularly the river that runs through the town, becomes a powerful metaphor for Jason's personal transformation. Through an unexpected moment of clarity, Jason learns to embrace his authentic self, challenging both his own preconceptions and societal expectations about love and identity.

Author Bruce P. Spang captures the complexity of self-discovery with remarkable sensitivity and addresses a whole community about love and authenticity. Spang's warm writing style draws readers into Jason's world through vivid descriptions that bring the West Virginia landscape to life. I found myself thinking about it long after finishing the book, and indeed every time I saw a river afterward. The emotional depth of Jason's internal struggles feels authentic and deeply moving, thanks to close narration and some powerful dialogue scenes. Spang's ability to convey the tension between personal truth and societal expectations creates moments of profound insight that are sure to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with acceptance and belonging. The development of the relationships between the characters reveals a deep understanding of human nature and the courage required to live authentically. Spang's portrayal of the transformative power of acceptance and love shows how personal growth often requires us to challenge our deepest fears and societal constraints, but also how rewarding it is to open up to others. Overall, River Crossed offers readers a powerful and touching exploration of identity, love, and the courage to embrace one's true self, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.

River Crossed by Bruce P. Spang is a story of self-discovery and learning to love while falling in love with another person. Set in Pearsall Flats, West Virginia, during the Vietnam War era, the story follows Jason Follett, an artist seeking simplicity, who finds himself drawn into a complex web of personal and social challenges. Through his work with Head Start children and his interactions with the town’s high society, Jason encounters the fragility of human connection. Guided and supported by Carole, he begins to see beauty in the river and the world around him. Jason's relationships with Eric, a man he falls in love with, and Debra, a fellow VISTA volunteer who offers a chance at a conventional relationship, create a profound internal conflict. As Jason grapples with societal expectations and his own fears of rejection, an unexpected moment inspires him to embrace his true self and give love a chance.

River Crossed is a beautiful story about a man’s journey to accept himself and fall in love with who he is. Author Bruce P. Spang masterfully captures the complexities of love and identity in a time when societal norms weighed heavily on personal choices. The setting of the natural beauty of the river and the backdrop of 1970s America mirrors Jason’s internal turmoil. The way the author explained Jason’s relationships shows the emotional upheaval he went through, making his struggles relatable and impactful. It was a treat to watch Jason grow emotionally strong. The pace was fast, the narrative style was fantastic, and Jason’s development was inspiring. The heart lies in its authentic characters and their journeys, which truly made the story for me. River Crossed is a moving tale about the courage to embrace one’s truth, offering an important message of self-acceptance and learning to love.

In River Crossed by Bruce P. Spang, Jason is raised in Chicago by well-off parents. The environment there is also full of competition and much reverence for money, things that Jason doesn’t place too much value on. Eventually, Jason gets a job in West Virginia as director for the Head Start program, which he has a hard time selling in the South due to the deep distrust of the federal programs and underlying racism issues. Another reason Jason loved moving to the small town was to avoid his attraction to men. This proves to be ineffective as people like Doug, who is his landlord and married, discuss their encounters with men. Jason also meets other people who are more open with their sexuality. How will things turn out?

River Crossed by Bruce P. Spang offers a glimpse into how various issues, such as gay rights, have changed over time. It also shows how religion can be weaponized against certain demographics. Bruce made sure all the events and the emotions of the well-developed characters were vividly captured. I also loved the suspense, which kept me looking forward to the events of subsequent chapters. This thought-provoking work also gets one thinking about embracing who we are, our identity, and why tolerance is important in society. The narration was also on point, which added to the overall beauty of the work. This was a great read, and I believe such literature is a step in the right direction toward bringing out various biases in societies. I look forward to reading something else by this author.

River Crossed by Bruce P. Spang is an LGBTQ love story with a difference set in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Jason Follett moved to a small West Virginia town to head up a new federal education program for young children. The move is also designed to be a new start for Jason, who has been plagued with feelings of attraction to other men for years. He doesn’t want these feelings but he is unsure how to deal with them and hopes his new beginning will allow him the “normal” life he so desperately craves. Pearsall Flats is a conservative town that still carries a hangover from the Confederacy and the Civil War, which makes flashy Yankees, gays, and other weirdos decidedly unwelcome. Despite the difficulties of fitting in, Jason begins to carve out a new life, make new friends, and establish a solid reputation as an astute administrator. When he meets and falls in love with Eric, he is torn between the thrill of being his true self and the knowledge that it could cost him his job and his community’s acceptance and respect.

River Crossed is a fascinating tug-of-war between living your own truth and fitting into a conservative society in rural West Virginia. Although the period was a time of immense social change in America, that change was perhaps less felt in the backcountry of the rural hinterland. Author Bruce P. Spang has created a character in Jason Follett who must choose between living a lie and forging a heterosexual relationship that even he understands is not real or standing up for who he is and loving who he truly loves. I particularly appreciated that Jason had wonderful friends who accepted him for who he was and would stand by whatever decisions and course of life direction he chose. The poetry and poetic nature of the prose woven through the narrative added immensely to the enjoyment of the read and resonated with the bucolic rural setting. Given today’s political climate for the LGBTQ community, this novel does a wonderful job of reminding us how far we as a society have come in embracing love in all its glory but also how quickly those freedoms and rights can be taken away and how harsh that is for this community. This is a lovely story that I enjoyed greatly. I highly recommend this read.

In a world that often feels like a battleground, River Crossed by Bruce P. Spang is a testament to human resilience. This novel follows Jason Follett, a man grappling with his sexuality while searching for peace. He had spent two years at Vanderbilt Divinity School to avoid the draft and the Vietnam War. He plans to simply put his life in order, go to a rural town, spend time alone, and decide what he wants to do. Moving to a small West Virginia town, he takes a job as the director of Head Start, a program for preschool children. He strikes up a friendship with Carole Goldsmith. Then he manages to enter the town’s elite circle. In one social gathering, he meets Eric, a man who strongly affirms his romantic feelings for the same sex. It gets complicated when an intense redhead named Debra enters the scene, tearing Jason between loving a man or a woman. However, a farewell speech by Richard Nixon inspires him and helps him make an important decision in his life.

I am quite selective when reading LGBTQ novels, and this book exceeds my expectations. Jason’s journey to escape and then confront his homosexuality reflects a deeply human and relatable struggle with identity. This will resonate with readers regardless of sexual orientation. The tension between loving a man or a woman adds depth and a nuanced look at the fluidity of relationships and the complexities of love beyond binary categorizations. Bruce P. Spang invites you to reflect on how larger societal forces shape individual choices and identities. He cleverly demonstrates this with Jason’s ultimate decision being influenced by a U.S. president whom he despises. Ultimately, River Crossed is a story of courage and choosing authenticity over fear. It leaves you reflecting on your own life, the compromises you’ve made, and the passions you have yet to chase. Truly, a deeply moving and unforgettable read.