Downriver received the Gold Medal Award from the Military Writers Society of America in 2025.

Downriver earned a critics score of 9.5 out of 10 for BookLife Prize which is one of the highest scores of the year.

Downriver won a Gold Medal in the Illumination Book Awards for the category of Memoir - Personal Struggle in February 2026.

Downriver won a Literary Titan Gold Book Award in Non-Fiction in 2025.

Downriver was recognized by Feathered Quill as a Finalist in the category of Memoir - Inspirational in February 2026.

Downriver was designated by Indie Reader as “Indie Reader Approved” based upon scoring by a literary critic,

Downriver was designated by LoveReading (UK) as “Indie Books We Love” based upon scoring by a literary critic.