What do you think?
Rate this book
The Brightest Light #3
The Deepest End of Love
She's a rule follower. He's a man who could ruin her reputation.Lila Callaghan has two big problems. She’s been caught in an act of revenge she isn’t proud of, and the man she’s been avoiding for two years is the one who saw everything.
Reed Abner is more than a hotshot professor at Lila’s university. He’s a family friend, and Lila is only too happy to pretend he never saw her slash her cheating ex-boyfriend’s tire. Before this colossal lapse in judgment, Lila didn’t want to be associated with Reed at all, in fact, at the risk of other students and faculty thinking the popular professor was playing favorites.
Avoiding Reed is easy enough…until it isn’t. When Lila is suddenly desperate for an internship, he offers her a dream opportunity at the youth center he coordinates. This close to finishing her Master’s degree, she’d be foolish to turn it down. The only issue? Reed’s her supervisor.
Working in such close proximity to each other poses an even bigger problem. Reed proves to be an excellent mentor, but he’s awakened feelings in Lila she shouldn’t have.
Reed is her superior. He’s twelve years her senior. And as the burning desire between them grows, Lila wonders if falling for him will be her worst mistake yet.
Reed Abner is more than a hotshot professor at Lila’s university. He’s a family friend, and Lila is only too happy to pretend he never saw her slash her cheating ex-boyfriend’s tire. Before this colossal lapse in judgment, Lila didn’t want to be associated with Reed at all, in fact, at the risk of other students and faculty thinking the popular professor was playing favorites.
Avoiding Reed is easy enough…until it isn’t. When Lila is suddenly desperate for an internship, he offers her a dream opportunity at the youth center he coordinates. This close to finishing her Master’s degree, she’d be foolish to turn it down. The only issue? Reed’s her supervisor.
Working in such close proximity to each other poses an even bigger problem. Reed proves to be an excellent mentor, but he’s awakened feelings in Lila she shouldn’t have.
Reed is her superior. He’s twelve years her senior. And as the burning desire between them grows, Lila wonders if falling for him will be her worst mistake yet.
432 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2024
About the author
Lisina Coney
3 books1,233 followersLisina Coney is a Spanish international bestselling romance author in her twenties.
She’s a lover of slow-burn stories with happy endings and main characters who help readers feel less alone in their journeys.
When she’s not reading or writing, Lisina can be found fighting people over the last French fry, spending too much time on social media (Gen Z habits die hard), and pestering her two very patient cats.
She’s a lover of slow-burn stories with happy endings and main characters who help readers feel less alone in their journeys.
When she’s not reading or writing, Lisina can be found fighting people over the last French fry, spending too much time on social media (Gen Z habits die hard), and pestering her two very patient cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
September 29, 2024
✭ 3.5 stars
Lila Callaghan is a rule follower, but she’s in a bit of a mess after getting caught slashing her cheating ex-boyfriend’s tyre—by none other than Reed Abner, her family friend and a hotshot professor. She’s been trying to avoid him but when Reed offers her an internship at the youth centre he runs, she can’t say no. Now she’s stuck working closely with him, and as they spend time together, Lila starts to develop feelings she never expected. But there are complications: Reed’s her boss, he’s twelve years older, and dating him could totally ruin her reputation. Lila’s left wondering if falling for Reed is a huge mistake or the best decision she could make.
➸ This was one of my most anticipated reads this month, but I found it to be okay overall. The first two books in the series were pretty good, but after finishing this one, I still think the first book is the standout. That said, I did appreciate how this book wrapped up the series nicely. If you’re into slow-burn romances, you might enjoy this one. The main characters take their sweet time getting together—like, you won't see them become a couple until about halfway through. Plus, there’s a 12-year age gap, which adds a bit of drama and tension to the story, especially since it’s got that forbidden romance vibe. One thing I liked was how the characters tackle some heavy emotional issues, which really adds depth to their relationship.
Lila ౨ৎ
I really liked Lila’s character; she’s one of those characters that makes you genuinely grateful to the author for bringing her to life. Lila feels particularly crafted for those of us grappling with self-worth issues. Reading from her perspective and diving into her worries and insecurities felt incredibly real and relatable. Each time she doubted herself or struggled to recognise her achievements, it was genuinely painful to witness, and I found myself empathising deeply with her as she navigated those feelings of inadequacy.
Lisina Coney has a remarkable talent for tapping into the complexities of the human experience, exploring heavy themes with such authenticity that it’s hard not to get swept up in Lila’s journey. The way she confronts her struggles makes it clear just how vital it is to face these issues head-on. The representation of Lila’s challenges is handled thoughtfully, offering a relatable mirror for anyone who has ever felt unseen or undervalued.
The character growth in this book was truly amazing. Watching Lila grapple with her self-worth and ultimately overcome it was heartwarming and inspiring. Her transformation left me feeling hopeful, as I could see how she changed and matured through her experiences. It’s a powerful reminder that self-acceptance is a journey, and Lila’s story beautifully illustrates that growth is not only possible but also deeply rewarding.
Reed ౨ৎ
Reed has the sweetest soul. He’s the kind of guy who never really thinks about love until Lila comes along and flips his world upside down. I appreciated his composed demeanour, but underneath it all, there was a wealth of raw emotion ready to surface.
His interactions with the kids at the youth centre he runs were especially touching. It broke my heart to see him give so much love and support, even though he had never truly experienced that kind of unconditional love himself. He poured himself into those kids, showing them the care and attention he never had. It was a beautiful contradiction—someone so emotionally guarded, yet capable of such profound generosity. That contrast made his journey all the more compelling.
Their relationship:
I know a 12-year age gap might not sit well with everyone, especially since Reed is Lila’s supervisor, but their chemistry was really well done. I loved the slow burn of their relationship; it felt so organic and genuine as they discovered each other. It was as if they were meant to be together—Reed’s support helped Lila confront her self-doubt, while Lila encouraged Reed to face his fear of truly caring for someone.
They became each other’s safe haven, calming one another when things got tough. Whether they were navigating awkward situations or tackling their inner demons, it was heartwarming to see how they leaned on each other. Their growth as individuals and as a couple added so much depth to their story. You could really feel the bond they built, and that made the whole journey even more rewarding. It’s one of those connections that just sticks with you.
What I didn’t like:
The third-act breakup 😭. Honestly, I find all third-act breakups super frustrating, and while I get that this one might have been necessary for the plot, I had some serious issues with how everyone else reacted. Lila’s parents totally shifted all the blame onto Reed, completely overlooking the fact that Lila, as a grown-ass adult, was also responsible. They had a very consensual relationship, after all.
Then there’s Lila herself, who gets all upset and starts saying things like she wishes she’d never met him—that just really pissed me off. It felt sooo unnecessarily dramatic. Plus, their breakup lasted almost a year. 💀
Luckily, this book ends with a HEA, which is always a plus! However, the final moments really brought down my rating, which was disappointing. That said, it does wrap up the series nicely overall. If you enjoy emotional journeys and slow-burn relationships, you might still find this book enjoyable!
────⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡────
༘*⁀➷ Pre-read: The first two books in this series were pretty decent so I hope this one lives up to them!
“I’m not much of a spiritual person, Lila, but I believe you were sent to this world to heal my soul. ”
Lila Callaghan is a rule follower, but she’s in a bit of a mess after getting caught slashing her cheating ex-boyfriend’s tyre—by none other than Reed Abner, her family friend and a hotshot professor. She’s been trying to avoid him but when Reed offers her an internship at the youth centre he runs, she can’t say no. Now she’s stuck working closely with him, and as they spend time together, Lila starts to develop feelings she never expected. But there are complications: Reed’s her boss, he’s twelve years older, and dating him could totally ruin her reputation. Lila’s left wondering if falling for Reed is a huge mistake or the best decision she could make.
➸ This was one of my most anticipated reads this month, but I found it to be okay overall. The first two books in the series were pretty good, but after finishing this one, I still think the first book is the standout. That said, I did appreciate how this book wrapped up the series nicely. If you’re into slow-burn romances, you might enjoy this one. The main characters take their sweet time getting together—like, you won't see them become a couple until about halfway through. Plus, there’s a 12-year age gap, which adds a bit of drama and tension to the story, especially since it’s got that forbidden romance vibe. One thing I liked was how the characters tackle some heavy emotional issues, which really adds depth to their relationship.
Lila ౨ৎ
I really liked Lila’s character; she’s one of those characters that makes you genuinely grateful to the author for bringing her to life. Lila feels particularly crafted for those of us grappling with self-worth issues. Reading from her perspective and diving into her worries and insecurities felt incredibly real and relatable. Each time she doubted herself or struggled to recognise her achievements, it was genuinely painful to witness, and I found myself empathising deeply with her as she navigated those feelings of inadequacy.
Lisina Coney has a remarkable talent for tapping into the complexities of the human experience, exploring heavy themes with such authenticity that it’s hard not to get swept up in Lila’s journey. The way she confronts her struggles makes it clear just how vital it is to face these issues head-on. The representation of Lila’s challenges is handled thoughtfully, offering a relatable mirror for anyone who has ever felt unseen or undervalued.
The character growth in this book was truly amazing. Watching Lila grapple with her self-worth and ultimately overcome it was heartwarming and inspiring. Her transformation left me feeling hopeful, as I could see how she changed and matured through her experiences. It’s a powerful reminder that self-acceptance is a journey, and Lila’s story beautifully illustrates that growth is not only possible but also deeply rewarding.
Reed ౨ৎ
Reed has the sweetest soul. He’s the kind of guy who never really thinks about love until Lila comes along and flips his world upside down. I appreciated his composed demeanour, but underneath it all, there was a wealth of raw emotion ready to surface.
His interactions with the kids at the youth centre he runs were especially touching. It broke my heart to see him give so much love and support, even though he had never truly experienced that kind of unconditional love himself. He poured himself into those kids, showing them the care and attention he never had. It was a beautiful contradiction—someone so emotionally guarded, yet capable of such profound generosity. That contrast made his journey all the more compelling.
Their relationship:
I know a 12-year age gap might not sit well with everyone, especially since Reed is Lila’s supervisor, but their chemistry was really well done. I loved the slow burn of their relationship; it felt so organic and genuine as they discovered each other. It was as if they were meant to be together—Reed’s support helped Lila confront her self-doubt, while Lila encouraged Reed to face his fear of truly caring for someone.
They became each other’s safe haven, calming one another when things got tough. Whether they were navigating awkward situations or tackling their inner demons, it was heartwarming to see how they leaned on each other. Their growth as individuals and as a couple added so much depth to their story. You could really feel the bond they built, and that made the whole journey even more rewarding. It’s one of those connections that just sticks with you.
What I didn’t like:
The third-act breakup 😭. Honestly, I find all third-act breakups super frustrating, and while I get that this one might have been necessary for the plot, I had some serious issues with how everyone else reacted. Lila’s parents totally shifted all the blame onto Reed, completely overlooking the fact that Lila, as a grown-ass adult, was also responsible. They had a very consensual relationship, after all.
Then there’s Lila herself, who gets all upset and starts saying things like she wishes she’d never met him—that just really pissed me off. It felt sooo unnecessarily dramatic. Plus, their breakup lasted almost a year. 💀
Luckily, this book ends with a HEA, which is always a plus! However, the final moments really brought down my rating, which was disappointing. That said, it does wrap up the series nicely overall. If you enjoy emotional journeys and slow-burn relationships, you might still find this book enjoyable!
────⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡────
༘*⁀➷ Pre-read: The first two books in this series were pretty decent so I hope this one lives up to them!
September 19, 2024
And I realize there’s nothing, absolutely anything, I would’ve done differently. Because every painful lesson got me here, to this life that feels so complete. To the brightest light.
✧𓈒⋆ 4.5 stars 𓈒⋆✧
wow just wow! honestly, this series was in my tbr for a very long time — i was waiting for the right moment to start it and, let me tell you, i found that right moment! first things first, i haven't read the first two books, so i kind of went here blind and got out knowing where the couples from previous books ended up, but if you're afraid to get to know this series starting from this book, please don't be. it could be read as a standalone and i definitely understood a family dynamic which was basically the heart of this book. this warm feeling cocooned me from the very first interaction between lila and her parents and it didn't let me go up until the end. it was perfect, you know? i absolutely adored this book and the message it sent. the message found me when i needed it the most and i don't know if it's a universe telling me something or not, but this book felt like a hug after an exhausting day, like a breath of fresh air after being in a crowded room. it
i was really hesitant to request it because i read that it's a forbidden attraction between an intern and her supervisor and i'm not really a fan of such dynamic as i feared it could be another aria x ezra situation [yes, pll traumatized me for life], but in no way it felt like that. the age gap is quite big, but both characters are so mature and thoughtful, they absolutely understand the dynamic between them and their bond is explored with such a care, it felt so layered and complex, so intense and powerful. i absolutely loved the connection between lila and reed and how their story evolved. the chemistry shone through the pages and i was fascinated with it, but most important i loved how strong and captivating they both were.
this book sends such a beautiful and empowering message, and i'm so so so thankful for this book because i read it when i needed to hear those words of affirmation.
“You deserve to be here, Lila,” I mutter as she hugs me back, resting her head on my chest. “You shine brighter than anyone else I’ve ever met. All your hard work has gotten you this opportunity—enjoy it, angel. Have fun on that stage because you’ve earned every second of it.”
✧𓈒⋆ lila callaghan 𓈒⋆✧
lila is written for the girls like myself — for the girls who don't believe in their worth, who tend to minimise their achievements to not offend other people, for the pathological people pleasers. i felt so seen when i read her pov, it felt like lisina coney just wrote everything that i felt, every insecurity, every intrusive thought, every uncertainty. i absolutely loved lila and how real she felt. my heart was literally breaking and i wanted to scream whenever lila doubted herself and couldn't believe that she deserves to be praised for her extraordinary mind, that she's valued because of who she is and not because of her parents or privilege.
the last 20% of this book showcased the real growth for lila and i absolutely loved how the healing was explored in this book. how lila needed to discover herself outside of her dreams to be able to move forward and accept that she was worth it, that she deserved the spot she fought for. would i wanted to read more of the time lila spent in her aunt's city? yes, sure, but even with this small amount of self-reflection i believed in lila's journey, i saw how she changed and how she matured throughout it all.
“My parents made me think love was something conditional and hurtful,” he adds. “I let them define me for so long, convinced they were right. But then you came along and shattered all my inhibitions without even meaning to. It’s like I’ve been sleeping all my life, and now I look at you and see the good of life for the first time.”
✧𓈒⋆ reed abner 𓈒⋆✧
look, give me a man that doesn't believe in love until he mets that one girl and i'll eat it up every time. reed was perfect and i don't even know where to start. his story broke my heart, but throughout the progression of this book his story also mended my heart bit by bit. i loved how calm and collected, but at the same time so emotional, reed was. how he acted with those kids from youth center really made me want to cry because he never knew unconditional love and support, but he still was able to give those kids everything they needed.
also him and the puppy? i'm not even kidding, but when reed and lila were taking care of ginny after the kids found her i cried like crazy. the scene in vet clinic? please i was on the verge of the mental breakdown because of ginny. however, it was so beautiful to see how reed finally was able to deal with his previous trauma by taking care of the puppy, how he understood that it's not him who was responsible for daisy's disappearance.
reed's healing story was an absolute perfection, i loved how the traumatizing event from his childhood were explored with such a care.
“How do you always have the right words to keep me calm?” Her fingers graze my neck. “Who keeps you calm, Reed?”
You, angel. You keep me calm.
But I say nothing.
✧𓈒⋆ lila & reed 𓈒⋆✧
when he cares for you more than he cares for anything else >>>>>>
honestly, i had my concerns because of the big age gap and the potential dynamic, but i swear i've never been so satisfied for being so wrong. their chemistry? amazing! their dynamic? absolutely mesmerising! their scenes? i wanted more! and it's not that often i can say such things about the similar couples.
i loved how the story between them evolved in parallel to their own stories — how they needed to heal individually before starting their journey together. it was absolutely beautiful and captivating. the hesitation between them was absolutely understandable and i honestly had quite a few moments where i thought that maybe by the end of this book they could stay separated as, with all that moral stuff it would've been understandable too, but also i absolutely enjoyed the ending and how the things were handled. the message of finding yourself before entering any relationship is the one that a lot of people need to hear and i loved how this was explored in this book.
along with some really swoonworthy scenes from both reed and lila, as throughout this whole book i wanted more! i wanted for them to finally get together, to finally follow their hearts, but let me promise you that the wait is one hundred percent worth it! it was so so so good, by the end i was really a mess, but i loved every bit of it!
How do you tell someone that you’re falling in love with their mind without freaking them out? Not only with her mind. The urge to tell her that she’s the most fascinating, down-to-earth, smart, passionate, fucking beautiful woman I’ve ever met dies in my throat.
so, in conclusion, i can say that this book was absolutely perfect! with complicated dynamics, some beautifully written storylines and perfectly crafted dynamics between the characters. as i haven't read the first two books, i'm definitely going to get back to them because i need to know the full story of cal and grace and maddie and james. and i know i'm going to cry when reading maddie's book because i already feel so sympathetic towards her.
anyway, if you're having doubts if this book is what you need, please just try it. i know i did and i don't regret it at all!
thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Read
September 24, 2024She didn't deserve him. He's way too f*cking good for her! I can't believe he ended up with someone like her. 😤
And why the heck did Lila and her parents blame Reed for what happened when Lila is also a grown ass adult who should've known better? 🤦♀️ It was a consensual relationship between them, so why do they make it look like Reed sort of took advantage of her and hurt her in the process??? 🥴 It was Lila, the ever wishy-washy immature womanchild, who made a huge fuss. I can't believe the audacity of this girl. Ugh!!! 😤
My hatred for her character is unparalleled. Like, I really, really despise her. She's not worthy of him, and I'm afraid Reed settled for something less when he chose her. He can do soooo much better. 🤧 There, I said what I said. 🙄
I was so excited for this, but gooosh, this was a freaking disappointment. I'm not gonna review this the way I normally do because if I have to remember everything that went down here, I'm just gonna be furious all over again. 😤 All I know is that this is a huge letdown as the series last book. 😭
And why the heck did Lila and her parents blame Reed for what happened when Lila is also a grown ass adult who should've known better? 🤦♀️ It was a consensual relationship between them, so why do they make it look like Reed sort of took advantage of her and hurt her in the process??? 🥴 It was Lila, the ever wishy-washy immature womanchild, who made a huge fuss. I can't believe the audacity of this girl. Ugh!!! 😤
My hatred for her character is unparalleled. Like, I really, really despise her. She's not worthy of him, and I'm afraid Reed settled for something less when he chose her. He can do soooo much better. 🤧 There, I said what I said. 🙄
I was so excited for this, but gooosh, this was a freaking disappointment. I'm not gonna review this the way I normally do because if I have to remember everything that went down here, I'm just gonna be furious all over again. 😤 All I know is that this is a huge letdown as the series last book. 😭
September 22, 2024
this was gearing up to be my favorite in the series until the last 150 pages 😐 other than that i really enjoyed itttt
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 24, 2024DNF no i can't do it anymore
Another dramatic heroine, nothing new with the heroines of this series 🤦🏻♀️.
— She feels bad and dead inside because she took revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend.
Well you might be curious what this girl did to her ex !!! her revenge must have been epic or something like that!!
Here is her revenge dear reader :
“I unplug the router from the living room wall, shoving it inside my backpack. He wants to stay here so badly? Let’s see how long he lasts without Wi-Fi.
I yank open his underwear drawer and toss the smelly fish inside.
His toothbrush ends up in the toilet because why not.
I empty his expensive cologne and hair products down the sink because I feel like it.
And I cut the cord of his phone charger in half with a pair of scissors because fuck him.
He can’t afford rent or gas? Let’s add a tire to that made-up list.
The sky opens above my head, light rain clinging to my long blonde hair as I grab a kitchen knife from the last box I put in my car and stab it through his right tire. It deflates immediately.
So no this was pathetic revenge and not worth all the fuss and drama.
And you know what was infuriating? She apologized to him 🤡
“Only, three weeks after I broke up with Oliver and Tiregate went down, guilt made me cave, and I sent him one single text. He is and will always be a liar and a cheater, but that doesn’t mean I can’t take responsibility for how poorly I behaved.
Me: You’re still an asshole, but I’m sorry about everything. It was uncalled for. I should’ve handled it differently.
Oliver: Whatever.”
— Her problems and why she is super dramatic :
“I just want to scream and cry because my cheating ex said he’s always thought I’m spoiled and have no right to be a counselor. Did I also mention I’m a vandal because I slashed his tire, and he threatened to sue me?”
— She had a lot of (self-doubt) and i don't like reading about these stuff.
Another dramatic heroine, nothing new with the heroines of this series 🤦🏻♀️.
— She feels bad and dead inside because she took revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend.
Well you might be curious what this girl did to her ex !!! her revenge must have been epic or something like that!!
Here is her revenge dear reader :
“I unplug the router from the living room wall, shoving it inside my backpack. He wants to stay here so badly? Let’s see how long he lasts without Wi-Fi.
I yank open his underwear drawer and toss the smelly fish inside.
His toothbrush ends up in the toilet because why not.
I empty his expensive cologne and hair products down the sink because I feel like it.
And I cut the cord of his phone charger in half with a pair of scissors because fuck him.
He can’t afford rent or gas? Let’s add a tire to that made-up list.
The sky opens above my head, light rain clinging to my long blonde hair as I grab a kitchen knife from the last box I put in my car and stab it through his right tire. It deflates immediately.
So no this was pathetic revenge and not worth all the fuss and drama.
And you know what was infuriating? She apologized to him 🤡
“Only, three weeks after I broke up with Oliver and Tiregate went down, guilt made me cave, and I sent him one single text. He is and will always be a liar and a cheater, but that doesn’t mean I can’t take responsibility for how poorly I behaved.
Me: You’re still an asshole, but I’m sorry about everything. It was uncalled for. I should’ve handled it differently.
Oliver: Whatever.”
— Her problems and why she is super dramatic :
“I just want to scream and cry because my cheating ex said he’s always thought I’m spoiled and have no right to be a counselor. Did I also mention I’m a vandal because I slashed his tire, and he threatened to sue me?”
— She had a lot of (self-doubt) and i don't like reading about these stuff.
September 26, 2024
~4.5 stars~
Confession time:
I have a VERY BIG thing for men who read (like truly read) books, is a nerd and has an ACTUAL bookshelf. 😭🫶
⊰⊹═══⊹⊱✩⊰⊹═══⊹⊱
Update March 29: The Rom Com Author I put my trust on is releasing two books this year, 🫠 can't imagine how happy I am.
Confession time:
I have a VERY BIG thing for men who read (like truly read) books, is a nerd and has an ACTUAL bookshelf. 😭🫶
⊰⊹═══⊹⊱✩⊰⊹═══⊹⊱
Update March 29: The Rom Com Author I put my trust on is releasing two books this year, 🫠 can't imagine how happy I am.
July 10, 2024
if i could give this book a thousand stars, i would. it means so much to me. lila and reed and ALL of these characters have cemented themselves in my ♡ and i never want them to leave.
i can’t see from my tears but if you haven’t started this series yet, please do it. you won’t regret it and i literally cannot breathe rn. this book was so good. i have no words. truly.
i can’t see from my tears but if you haven’t started this series yet, please do it. you won’t regret it and i literally cannot breathe rn. this book was so good. i have no words. truly.
September 21, 2024
What a perfect ending to 'The Brightest Light' series.
Lila Callaghan (daughter of Cal & Grace from book 1) is caught stabbing her cheating ex-boyfriends tyres by Reed Abner, family friend and professor at the university. Embarrassed, Lila tries to avoid Reed as much as possible, which is difficult when her mother keeps inviting him to dinner. The two of them are pushed together when she has to take an internship in the youth centre that he volunteers for, with Reed working as her internship supervisor.
The Deepest End of Love is a slooooooow burrrrrrn. Lila and Reed circle each other for 50% of this book before anything happens between them.
Lila was a slightly frustrating character but her growth throughout this book is heartwarming. Reed was a great MMC, although my favourite will always be Cal. (Sorry not sorry).
I loved seeing Cal & Grace as parents, along with Maddie and James from book 2. The ending had me tearing up, especially Grandpa Cal with his grandson Samuel.
A fabulous ending to a cute series! Excited to see what else Lisina Coney writes!
Book includes:
- Age Gap (24/36)
- Grad student x internship supervision
- Slow burn
- Dual PoV
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lila Callaghan (daughter of Cal & Grace from book 1) is caught stabbing her cheating ex-boyfriends tyres by Reed Abner, family friend and professor at the university. Embarrassed, Lila tries to avoid Reed as much as possible, which is difficult when her mother keeps inviting him to dinner. The two of them are pushed together when she has to take an internship in the youth centre that he volunteers for, with Reed working as her internship supervisor.
The Deepest End of Love is a slooooooow burrrrrrn. Lila and Reed circle each other for 50% of this book before anything happens between them.
Lila was a slightly frustrating character but her growth throughout this book is heartwarming. Reed was a great MMC, although my favourite will always be Cal. (Sorry not sorry).
I loved seeing Cal & Grace as parents, along with Maddie and James from book 2. The ending had me tearing up, especially Grandpa Cal with his grandson Samuel.
A fabulous ending to a cute series! Excited to see what else Lisina Coney writes!
Book includes:
- Age Gap (24/36)
- Grad student x internship supervision
- Slow burn
- Dual PoV
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 17, 2024
This book has by far been my favorite in the whole series! It’s such an emotional and impactful read in the best of ways.
“I said you taught me plenty of things and you didn’t believe me…but you taught me the most important thing of all, Lila. You taught me how to love.” Lisina just when I thought you couldn’t write another man we can’t help but love, you give us Reed.
All of my favorite tropes wrapped up in one beautiful book. Age gap, forbidden romance, professor, parent’s good friend, mentor. Did I mention he even brushes her hair..talk about the most swoon worthy micro trope.
Our FMC Lila is studying to get her masters to become a youth counselor, she’s a great student but she’s really just living her life going through the motions. After catching her EX-boyfriend cheating on her, she makes some rash decisions that are out of character for her and is caught in the act by her professor…which earns her the nickname Little Criminal *enterally screaming*
Our MMC Reed is 12 years Lila’s senior, as well as a professor at her university and parents good friend. Reed had a hard childhood that wound him in the foster system at just 7 years old. He never thought he could love someone without hurting them. After months of tiptoeing around each other they have a connection they can no longer deny. Unfortunately, timing is not in their favor and a “friends” jealous betrayal sets a series of events in motion that threatens both of their futures.
I absolutely loved all the healing that occurred between every single character as well as the stories of the youth center children. This book had fantastic character diversity, as well moments that truly made me stop to think.
Reed and Lila’s love story is absolutely beautiful and tragic at the same time. It also goes to show that time and space can truly bring people together with a little healing and self reflection. Their character growth was truly amazing and I could not put this book down.
I wish everyone had a family like Lila’s with her supportive parents and relatives. The ending was the perfect wrap up to this series. That fact that Reed was Cals last appointment had me tearing up and without spoiling anything…the way Reed did what he did to ask Lila that important question had my heart exploding..
Thank you so much to Page & Vine and Lisina Coney for allowing me to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.
“I said you taught me plenty of things and you didn’t believe me…but you taught me the most important thing of all, Lila. You taught me how to love.” Lisina just when I thought you couldn’t write another man we can’t help but love, you give us Reed.
All of my favorite tropes wrapped up in one beautiful book. Age gap, forbidden romance, professor, parent’s good friend, mentor. Did I mention he even brushes her hair..talk about the most swoon worthy micro trope.
Our FMC Lila is studying to get her masters to become a youth counselor, she’s a great student but she’s really just living her life going through the motions. After catching her EX-boyfriend cheating on her, she makes some rash decisions that are out of character for her and is caught in the act by her professor…which earns her the nickname Little Criminal *enterally screaming*
Our MMC Reed is 12 years Lila’s senior, as well as a professor at her university and parents good friend. Reed had a hard childhood that wound him in the foster system at just 7 years old. He never thought he could love someone without hurting them. After months of tiptoeing around each other they have a connection they can no longer deny. Unfortunately, timing is not in their favor and a “friends” jealous betrayal sets a series of events in motion that threatens both of their futures.
I absolutely loved all the healing that occurred between every single character as well as the stories of the youth center children. This book had fantastic character diversity, as well moments that truly made me stop to think.
Reed and Lila’s love story is absolutely beautiful and tragic at the same time. It also goes to show that time and space can truly bring people together with a little healing and self reflection. Their character growth was truly amazing and I could not put this book down.
I wish everyone had a family like Lila’s with her supportive parents and relatives. The ending was the perfect wrap up to this series. That fact that Reed was Cals last appointment had me tearing up and without spoiling anything…the way Reed did what he did to ask Lila that important question had my heart exploding..
Thank you so much to Page & Vine and Lisina Coney for allowing me to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2024
beta read - lisina the woman that you are (and the men that you write). i will never get over this book. might be my top read of the year so far.
September 23, 2024
4.25 ★
Give me a forbidden romance every day, and I will always devour it.
The vibes in this book are immaculate, and I truly found myself falling in love with both Lila and Reed.
In the beginning, I truly was afraid I would not vibe with Lila's obsession over school and her grades but in the end, Lisina's writing and her character development made me LOVE HER and understand her in a deep level. I loved the character development and how he started to understand her emotions, her wishes, and who she truly is.
Reed - do not let me start because I've been in love with him since his first appearance.
The chemistry between them was truly palpable, and I was rooting for them SO BAD. They were that love story, and you just want to read more and more about it.
This was my first book from Lisina, and now I really want and need to read the other two, I know Cal and Grace will own my entire heart.
This book is so easy pacing, with a beautiful love story. I really recommend you love forbidden romance and age gap.
Give me a forbidden romance every day, and I will always devour it.
The vibes in this book are immaculate, and I truly found myself falling in love with both Lila and Reed.
In the beginning, I truly was afraid I would not vibe with Lila's obsession over school and her grades but in the end, Lisina's writing and her character development made me LOVE HER and understand her in a deep level. I loved the character development and how he started to understand her emotions, her wishes, and who she truly is.
Reed - do not let me start because I've been in love with him since his first appearance.
The chemistry between them was truly palpable, and I was rooting for them SO BAD. They were that love story, and you just want to read more and more about it.
This was my first book from Lisina, and now I really want and need to read the other two, I know Cal and Grace will own my entire heart.
This book is so easy pacing, with a beautiful love story. I really recommend you love forbidden romance and age gap.
September 27, 2024
okay so if you didn’t know this is my favourite series ever, i literally have a tattoo because of it. that’s how much i love these books…
so with that in mind i guess it’s obvious to say that i’m unwell. i swear i tried to take my time to read it to make it last, the book came out two days ago i really wanted to make it last… i really did. but i couldn’t.
and another thing i’m not going be able to do is a review right now.
i’m currently bawling my eyes cause i literally can’t believe that it’s all over and that we’re not gonna get to read about these characters anymore…
i can’t wait for whatever lisina has in store for us in the futur but i’ll 100% be there for it !
an obvious 6⭐️ read for me (again)
now i’m gonna go cry some more
so with that in mind i guess it’s obvious to say that i’m unwell. i swear i tried to take my time to read it to make it last, the book came out two days ago i really wanted to make it last… i really did. but i couldn’t.
and another thing i’m not going be able to do is a review right now.
i’m currently bawling my eyes cause i literally can’t believe that it’s all over and that we’re not gonna get to read about these characters anymore…
i can’t wait for whatever lisina has in store for us in the futur but i’ll 100% be there for it !
an obvious 6⭐️ read for me (again)
now i’m gonna go cry some more
September 22, 2024
The Deepest End of Love by Lisina Coney 🪽
If you love a slow burn romance, this one is perfect. I loved getting to know Lila and Reed. Lila is working on her last year of her masters in childhood psychology and needs to complete an internship before she can graduate. She's having trouble finding one until an opportunity with the local youth center comes up. The only problem is her supervisor will be Reed Abner, a family friend and professor at her university. She's done her best to ignore him to avoid any rumors starting to suggest she received special treatment due to him being a family friend. But with her need for an internship, she can't turn down the opportunity. They end up working closely together for the summer. As romantic feelings start to form for them both, they struggle with the worry that if they act on it there will be consequences outside of their control.
Something I love about books that have an academic setting is getting to see the characters show off their knowledge. The first few lines in the book are Lila wondering if she can be attracted to someone's brain while listening to a lecture by Reed. Sapiosexuality is a thing! Lila and Reed are both so passionate about the work they do. I liked how their feelings about each other really were built around admiring how good they were at their job. This was a slow burn, but it works so well for their relationship. It really gave them time to get to know each other. The timeline of the book is close to two years.
I related to Lila with her tendency to overthink and worries about what others thought of her. I loved how Reed did his best to reassure her and show she has earned everything she has worked for. I adored Reed and learning more about his past. Probably my favorite part was getting to see him become a dog dad. A competent, supportive man who immediately falls in love with the dog he rescues? Where can I find one for me!?
While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. You'll want to go back and read them all though!
🤍 age gap (12 years)
🐶 includes a dog
💻 workplace / academia
🤫 forbidden
❤️🔥 slow burn
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️
If you love a slow burn romance, this one is perfect. I loved getting to know Lila and Reed. Lila is working on her last year of her masters in childhood psychology and needs to complete an internship before she can graduate. She's having trouble finding one until an opportunity with the local youth center comes up. The only problem is her supervisor will be Reed Abner, a family friend and professor at her university. She's done her best to ignore him to avoid any rumors starting to suggest she received special treatment due to him being a family friend. But with her need for an internship, she can't turn down the opportunity. They end up working closely together for the summer. As romantic feelings start to form for them both, they struggle with the worry that if they act on it there will be consequences outside of their control.
Something I love about books that have an academic setting is getting to see the characters show off their knowledge. The first few lines in the book are Lila wondering if she can be attracted to someone's brain while listening to a lecture by Reed. Sapiosexuality is a thing! Lila and Reed are both so passionate about the work they do. I liked how their feelings about each other really were built around admiring how good they were at their job. This was a slow burn, but it works so well for their relationship. It really gave them time to get to know each other. The timeline of the book is close to two years.
I related to Lila with her tendency to overthink and worries about what others thought of her. I loved how Reed did his best to reassure her and show she has earned everything she has worked for. I adored Reed and learning more about his past. Probably my favorite part was getting to see him become a dog dad. A competent, supportive man who immediately falls in love with the dog he rescues? Where can I find one for me!?
While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. You'll want to go back and read them all though!
🤍 age gap (12 years)
🐶 includes a dog
💻 workplace / academia
🤫 forbidden
❤️🔥 slow burn
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️
September 4, 2024
God what an emotional read. I couldn’t put that book down. Omg REED !!!!!! What a sweet soul. First I want to say I read the two first books before that one. Never thought I was going to love a MMC more than Cal but it happens and it’s amazing. That one is by far my favourite out of the three books. I love Reed he is a gentle and sweet soul, and reading about is painful childhood hurt me in every way. Jeez LILA I knew from book one epilogue I was going to love that girl and what a woman she became. Strong and resilient but also sweet and scared. What a joy it was and a bitter sweet ending because the trilogy is over and I’m sad to say I’m going to miss that family that had so much love and strength to overcome all the pain they went through to get to that final epilogue. The brightest light it was indeed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read it. And thank you Lisina for make such an amazing endings
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read it. And thank you Lisina for make such an amazing endings
Want to read
April 20, 2024Welcome to the final book; The Brightest Light of Sunshine, which is about our girl Lila! Talk about stunning cover! 🥹
September 15, 2024
“Being brave is all about going after what you want, even when you’re scared”🪷
no estaba lista para decirle adiós a estos personajes, pero Lisina no pudo darnos un mejor cierre para esta serie🥹
The deepest end of love es último libro de la serie the brightest light por lo que hay cameos y pequeños spoilers de los libros anteriores si no lo has leído.
Lila es la hija de Grace y Cal de the brightest light of sunshine así que estaba súper emocionada por leer su libro y tener pequeños momentos de Cal y Grace, lo amo mucho y son una familia hermosa.
Reed es un viejo amigo de estos dos, ha trabajado en colaboración con Grace para investigación o libros, por lo que cuando Lila tiene un problema con una pasantía para poder graduarse de su maestría este le sugiera que haga sus prácticas en un centro donde el colabora, Lila se resiste un poco pero tras pensarlo un poco acepta y se vuelve a enamorar de su carrera, pero no todo es tan fácil como parece, poco a poco nuestros protagonistas comienzan a desarrollar sentimientos el uno por el otro el problema? Ella es una pasante y el es su asesor... Si relación está prohibida pero eso con el tiempo parece no importar tanto👀
Oigan esta historia es lindísima, me encanta como Lisina nos construye poco a poco una relación tan sana y bonita entre los protagonistas que es algo super natural😭
La infancia de Reed me rompió el corazón y con el final, cuando la portada tuvo más sentido dios mi corazón se llenó de mucho mucho amor por él❤🩹
Me gustó que Lila se encontrará así mismo incluso si esos capítulos dolieron fueron lo mejor para ella y me gustó que sanara ese aspecto para poder ser feliz en todos los aspectos de su vida.
Feliz de ver qué todos estaban felices y viendo la mejor de las vidas en ese epílogo, una serie que definitivamente tiene y siempre tendrá un lugar especial en mi corazón💗
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.🪷🪽
no estaba lista para decirle adiós a estos personajes, pero Lisina no pudo darnos un mejor cierre para esta serie🥹
The deepest end of love es último libro de la serie the brightest light por lo que hay cameos y pequeños spoilers de los libros anteriores si no lo has leído.
Lila es la hija de Grace y Cal de the brightest light of sunshine así que estaba súper emocionada por leer su libro y tener pequeños momentos de Cal y Grace, lo amo mucho y son una familia hermosa.
Reed es un viejo amigo de estos dos, ha trabajado en colaboración con Grace para investigación o libros, por lo que cuando Lila tiene un problema con una pasantía para poder graduarse de su maestría este le sugiera que haga sus prácticas en un centro donde el colabora, Lila se resiste un poco pero tras pensarlo un poco acepta y se vuelve a enamorar de su carrera, pero no todo es tan fácil como parece, poco a poco nuestros protagonistas comienzan a desarrollar sentimientos el uno por el otro el problema? Ella es una pasante y el es su asesor... Si relación está prohibida pero eso con el tiempo parece no importar tanto👀
Oigan esta historia es lindísima, me encanta como Lisina nos construye poco a poco una relación tan sana y bonita entre los protagonistas que es algo super natural😭
La infancia de Reed me rompió el corazón y con el final, cuando la portada tuvo más sentido dios mi corazón se llenó de mucho mucho amor por él❤🩹
Me gustó que Lila se encontrará así mismo incluso si esos capítulos dolieron fueron lo mejor para ella y me gustó que sanara ese aspecto para poder ser feliz en todos los aspectos de su vida.
Feliz de ver qué todos estaban felices y viendo la mejor de las vidas en ese epílogo, una serie que definitivamente tiene y siempre tendrá un lugar especial en mi corazón💗
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.🪷🪽
September 17, 2024
2 🌟
I fear this was not it. I feel like I’ve been reading this for ages. It dragged for me which I hate. I actually had to force myself to finish.
Some aspects were cute and I liked but ultimately it just wasn’t it for me.
Loved book 1, book 2 was meh and this was kinda disappointing.
I really wanted to love it.
I received an early eARC from NetGalley and Page & Vine. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early.
I fear this was not it. I feel like I’ve been reading this for ages. It dragged for me which I hate. I actually had to force myself to finish.
Some aspects were cute and I liked but ultimately it just wasn’t it for me.
Loved book 1, book 2 was meh and this was kinda disappointing.
I really wanted to love it.
I received an early eARC from NetGalley and Page & Vine. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early.
September 24, 2024
Another chaotic review as I beta read this and haven’t had a chance to re-read but based off my initial thoughts I absolutely loved The Deepest End Of Love 🥰 Reed is Professor Daddy ™️
This book was everything, a perfect end to an amazing series following some of the most incredible characters. Reed and Lila’s story concludes the Brightest Light series, and deals with topics such as childhood abuse (off page), anxiety and imposter syndrome.
Their romance is the slowest of slow burns, and rightfully so! The two know each other through Lila’s mother Grace who you may know if you’ve read The Brightest Light Of Sunshine. Whilst Reed isn’t Lila’s professor there is a still that power imbalance between the two when she works as an intern under him, thus making Reed her supervisor.
Although the romantic chemistry between is so strong between the two they are incredibly professional throughout this story. Seeing them fight their feelings had me rooting for them till the very end for them to get their HEA.
There are equal parts of humour and emotional scenes, you get to see Daddy Cal in his Grandpa era and being overprotective as always. One thing you’ll always get in a Lisina Coney novel is a sexy age gap romance with healthy communication between many characters involved!
💖 slow burn with spice
💖 age gap (she's 24, he's 36)
💖 grad student x internship supervisor
💖 he's a family friend
💖 forbidden romance
💖 accidental puppy dad
💖 mental health rep angst + happy ending
29th May
—————
Beta read full RTC!
YOU ARE NOT READY FOR CAL TO ACTUALLY BE IN HIS DADDY ERA LOL
lilareed supremacy 🙌🏽
This book was everything, a perfect end to an amazing series following some of the most incredible characters. Reed and Lila’s story concludes the Brightest Light series, and deals with topics such as childhood abuse (off page), anxiety and imposter syndrome.
Their romance is the slowest of slow burns, and rightfully so! The two know each other through Lila’s mother Grace who you may know if you’ve read The Brightest Light Of Sunshine. Whilst Reed isn’t Lila’s professor there is a still that power imbalance between the two when she works as an intern under him, thus making Reed her supervisor.
Although the romantic chemistry between is so strong between the two they are incredibly professional throughout this story. Seeing them fight their feelings had me rooting for them till the very end for them to get their HEA.
There are equal parts of humour and emotional scenes, you get to see Daddy Cal in his Grandpa era and being overprotective as always. One thing you’ll always get in a Lisina Coney novel is a sexy age gap romance with healthy communication between many characters involved!
💖 slow burn with spice
💖 age gap (she's 24, he's 36)
💖 grad student x internship supervisor
💖 he's a family friend
💖 forbidden romance
💖 accidental puppy dad
💖 mental health rep angst + happy ending
29th May
—————
Beta read full RTC!
YOU ARE NOT READY FOR CAL TO ACTUALLY BE IN HIS DADDY ERA LOL
lilareed supremacy 🙌🏽
September 9, 2024
4'5 ✨ (arc read🫶🏻🩷)
“You came along and shattered all my inhibitions without even meaning to. It's like I've been sleeping all my life, and now I look at you and see the good of life for the first time.”
Muy emocionada al tener que despedirme de estos personajes.
No me esperaba para nada la estructura que ha tenido este libro, y para bien, ha sido una sorpresa tremenda, la historia abarca más años de los que creía y realmente es necesario cada uno de ellos.
La relación de Reed y Lila se cuece a fuego muy lento, ambos tienen un proceso de curación muy muy complejo y es necesaria cada página para lograr a comprender su desarrollo.
Creo que a nivel personajes es el libro más desarrollado de esta serie.
Me ha encantado además ver la independencia que tiene cada una de las tres historias, a pesar de estar relacionadas cada una de ellas crece de manera particular y se relacionan lo mínimo para hacer de cada interacción lo más bonito y tierno posible.
Muy feliz del momento en el que en mi vida se cruzó The Brightest light of sunshine y pude descubrir está maravilla de historias 🩷
Pd: agradecida siempre a cada oportunidad que me ha dado la autora para leer cada libro antes de su publicación, es un honor para mí recomendar estos libros siempre que pueda.
“You came along and shattered all my inhibitions without even meaning to. It's like I've been sleeping all my life, and now I look at you and see the good of life for the first time.”
Muy emocionada al tener que despedirme de estos personajes.
No me esperaba para nada la estructura que ha tenido este libro, y para bien, ha sido una sorpresa tremenda, la historia abarca más años de los que creía y realmente es necesario cada uno de ellos.
La relación de Reed y Lila se cuece a fuego muy lento, ambos tienen un proceso de curación muy muy complejo y es necesaria cada página para lograr a comprender su desarrollo.
Creo que a nivel personajes es el libro más desarrollado de esta serie.
Me ha encantado además ver la independencia que tiene cada una de las tres historias, a pesar de estar relacionadas cada una de ellas crece de manera particular y se relacionan lo mínimo para hacer de cada interacción lo más bonito y tierno posible.
Muy feliz del momento en el que en mi vida se cruzó The Brightest light of sunshine y pude descubrir está maravilla de historias 🩷
Pd: agradecida siempre a cada oportunidad que me ha dado la autora para leer cada libro antes de su publicación, es un honor para mí recomendar estos libros siempre que pueda.
September 6, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐
I really liked this book, it's my favorite in the series. I loved the characters, plot, slow burn, and the realistic journey of the characters. Lila is Cal from the first book's daughter and this is her romance and story of her becoming. Reed the mmc is a professor in her school/department where she is getting her master's degree and is also her mom's friend and frequent collaborator.
I loved watching the romance grow between Reed and Lila, especially the push and pull between them. This was a good slow burn Lila is reluctant to work with Reed at the youth center because of what people would say. I liked that even with the tension between them nothing happened till the end of the internship. The steamy moments weren't too much but it was good. I loved the family moments and the internship drama as well. Overall this was really good, I loved the back story and youth worker strory. Thank you to the publisher for this arc!
Tropes/themes:
- Age gap romance
- Slow burn
- Steamy
- Forced proximity
- Masters student/internship supervisor
I really liked this book, it's my favorite in the series. I loved the characters, plot, slow burn, and the realistic journey of the characters. Lila is Cal from the first book's daughter and this is her romance and story of her becoming. Reed the mmc is a professor in her school/department where she is getting her master's degree and is also her mom's friend and frequent collaborator.
I loved watching the romance grow between Reed and Lila, especially the push and pull between them. This was a good slow burn Lila is reluctant to work with Reed at the youth center because of what people would say. I liked that even with the tension between them nothing happened till the end of the internship. The steamy moments weren't too much but it was good. I loved the family moments and the internship drama as well. Overall this was really good, I loved the back story and youth worker strory. Thank you to the publisher for this arc!
Tropes/themes:
- Age gap romance
- Slow burn
- Steamy
- Forced proximity
- Masters student/internship supervisor
September 17, 2024
what a great conclusion to this series. Lila and Reed’s story was truly breathtaking. I am a sucker for an age gap but I don’t usually like professor student… The way this was handled was well done although it’s not my favorite. Lila was at times, annoying to me when she was talking about her people pleasing tendencies, but I understand that it was a real issue for her that she was trying to work through and appreciated the growth that she had in the end. Reed’s story was heartbreaking and I’m glad he also got to have some redemption at the end. I love how the epilogue had all the characters from the series altogether and happy and I’m glad things ended the way that they did.
September 25, 2024
Thank you to Page and Vine & Luvsbookclub for the gifted copy.
We're finally at the end of The Brightest Light series, Deepest End of Love is a contemporary romance with hints of a forbidden romance and heart yearning.
If you enjoy slow burns, this might be a book that'll peak your interest!
This is a forbidden romance between a Student and Professor, so I caution readers to be aware when picking up this book.
If you’ve read the previous books in this series, this is a great wrap up to it. Some of our fav characters make appearances that will have you smiling.
This book discusses some heavy topics regarding:
- Parental Abuse (off page)
- PTSD symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, Etc.)
We're finally at the end of The Brightest Light series, Deepest End of Love is a contemporary romance with hints of a forbidden romance and heart yearning.
If you enjoy slow burns, this might be a book that'll peak your interest!
This is a forbidden romance between a Student and Professor, so I caution readers to be aware when picking up this book.
If you’ve read the previous books in this series, this is a great wrap up to it. Some of our fav characters make appearances that will have you smiling.
This book discusses some heavy topics regarding:
- Parental Abuse (off page)
- PTSD symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, Etc.)
September 6, 2024
This one is for us anxious overthinking girlies !!
September 6, 2024
Pre-Read 🎀
I GOT THE ARC 🥹🥹
I GOT THE ARC 🥹🥹
September 19, 2024
Arc Review! 🩷🪽
“To the brightest light.”
Starting this off by saying I don’t wanna say goodbye to this series, I refuse to because this series holds such a special place in my heart - i well & truly believe this series is what i like to call one of my soulmate series & i don’t know who i’d ever be without this series in my life 🤍 secondly, i want to give a huge thank you to lisina coney, page & vine, meredith wild & luvbooksclub for going out of their way and giving me this special opportunity & sending me a physical copy of it o read and review in time for its release! 🩷
Overall Rating: ♾️/5⭐️
Spice Rating: 2/5🌶️
This read one is definitely for the girlies like me who tend to be an anxious + overthinking 🤍 as one of my most anticipated reads of this year, when i tell you I DEVOUREDDD lila & reed I mean it with my entire heart & soul! Y’all are not ready for the man that is Reed Abner (and by that I mean, you’re gonna lose your minds over him!)
I don’t even know where to begin with my review of this book. It was absolutely so effing amazing, i’m sitting here writing this review throng to put together words because it blew my mind apart with how good it was. It was tragic and healing, and everything in between and everything i’ve ever wanted in a book. It had all the best tropes and Reed and Lila just had the best storyline and chemistry and i loved getting to laugh, giggle and cry my way through their relationship. Getting to see Cal, Grace, James and Maddie were amazing to see, and I adore how everything came together. The family aspect and just all the love and care found within this book is so wonderful to see — i can’t begin to explain how much this series all means to me and how each of these characters has permanently affected me & engraved themselves into my heart & soul.
While i’ll never be able to pick a favorite out of this series, i love them all entirely, but I felt a very significant tie to this book. Watching Reed & Lila and the slow but passionate development of their relationship was amazing — they had the perfect chemistry and the perfect amount of challenge between the other to make their relationship work. The slow burn between them made their tension all the more fiery and all-consuming, and i liked that their relationship wasn’t even all that taboo for their positions within academia — that things didn’t really start actually happening between them until they were both finished in their respective academic positions.
The Deepest End of Love is a book that’s very focused around child/youth counseling as a career that each of the characters are in, and with how tender and beautifully written it was and how much love and care went into this book, it just made me feel so seen, loved and cared for in how it was written for readers like me. Seeing Lila and Reed take care of these children with the utmost care healed me — healed my own inner child + healed my own experiences growing up as a young girl in a big unknowning and scary world (specifically within chapter 16 + 17). Little details like this, just make a book truly so well written and meaningful to me.
As the final book in the series, it was an absolutely amazing conclusion to everyone’s stories. The page, specially the last few lines really got me and trigged a hysterical sobbing session (much needed). Also side note, Ginny is the TRUE star of the book and I hope everyone sees that.
I’m really bittersweet about finishing this book, this series, even writing this review, but i know that now that I have it in my life, I will forever carry these stories and these characters with me wherever I go & I can only dream of one day meeting Lisina and telling her all about how much her stories + this series mean to me.🩷
To Cal, Grace, Maddie, James, Lila & Reed, and Lisina thank you, and I will always love and cherish you until the day that I die.
** also big shoutout to Reilly for being the only other person who gets my obsession of cal, i love you and love our forever bond over this series with all my heart 🤍
˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆
What to expect in The Deepest End of Love:
🪽 forced proximity
🪽 age gap (23 & 36)
🪽 slow burn with spice
🪽 mental health rep
🪽 grad student x internship supervisor
🪽 he’s a family friend
🪽 forbidden + sneaking around
🪽 nicknames!
🪽 accidental puppy dad
🪽 banter is their love language
interconnected standalone • dual forest person pov • open door spice • third + final book in the series
I recieved an ARC copy of The Deepest End of Love and all thoughts & comments on this review are my own! 🩷
The Deepest End of Love releases September 24th, 2024! 🪽
“To the brightest light.”
Starting this off by saying I don’t wanna say goodbye to this series, I refuse to because this series holds such a special place in my heart - i well & truly believe this series is what i like to call one of my soulmate series & i don’t know who i’d ever be without this series in my life 🤍 secondly, i want to give a huge thank you to lisina coney, page & vine, meredith wild & luvbooksclub for going out of their way and giving me this special opportunity & sending me a physical copy of it o read and review in time for its release! 🩷
Overall Rating: ♾️/5⭐️
Spice Rating: 2/5🌶️
This read one is definitely for the girlies like me who tend to be an anxious + overthinking 🤍 as one of my most anticipated reads of this year, when i tell you I DEVOUREDDD lila & reed I mean it with my entire heart & soul! Y’all are not ready for the man that is Reed Abner (and by that I mean, you’re gonna lose your minds over him!)
I don’t even know where to begin with my review of this book. It was absolutely so effing amazing, i’m sitting here writing this review throng to put together words because it blew my mind apart with how good it was. It was tragic and healing, and everything in between and everything i’ve ever wanted in a book. It had all the best tropes and Reed and Lila just had the best storyline and chemistry and i loved getting to laugh, giggle and cry my way through their relationship. Getting to see Cal, Grace, James and Maddie were amazing to see, and I adore how everything came together. The family aspect and just all the love and care found within this book is so wonderful to see — i can’t begin to explain how much this series all means to me and how each of these characters has permanently affected me & engraved themselves into my heart & soul.
While i’ll never be able to pick a favorite out of this series, i love them all entirely, but I felt a very significant tie to this book. Watching Reed & Lila and the slow but passionate development of their relationship was amazing — they had the perfect chemistry and the perfect amount of challenge between the other to make their relationship work. The slow burn between them made their tension all the more fiery and all-consuming, and i liked that their relationship wasn’t even all that taboo for their positions within academia — that things didn’t really start actually happening between them until they were both finished in their respective academic positions.
The Deepest End of Love is a book that’s very focused around child/youth counseling as a career that each of the characters are in, and with how tender and beautifully written it was and how much love and care went into this book, it just made me feel so seen, loved and cared for in how it was written for readers like me. Seeing Lila and Reed take care of these children with the utmost care healed me — healed my own inner child + healed my own experiences growing up as a young girl in a big unknowning and scary world (specifically within chapter 16 + 17). Little details like this, just make a book truly so well written and meaningful to me.
As the final book in the series, it was an absolutely amazing conclusion to everyone’s stories. The page, specially the last few lines really got me and trigged a hysterical sobbing session (much needed). Also side note, Ginny is the TRUE star of the book and I hope everyone sees that.
I’m really bittersweet about finishing this book, this series, even writing this review, but i know that now that I have it in my life, I will forever carry these stories and these characters with me wherever I go & I can only dream of one day meeting Lisina and telling her all about how much her stories + this series mean to me.🩷
To Cal, Grace, Maddie, James, Lila & Reed, and Lisina thank you, and I will always love and cherish you until the day that I die.
** also big shoutout to Reilly for being the only other person who gets my obsession of cal, i love you and love our forever bond over this series with all my heart 🤍
˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆
What to expect in The Deepest End of Love:
🪽 forced proximity
🪽 age gap (23 & 36)
🪽 slow burn with spice
🪽 mental health rep
🪽 grad student x internship supervisor
🪽 he’s a family friend
🪽 forbidden + sneaking around
🪽 nicknames!
🪽 accidental puppy dad
🪽 banter is their love language
interconnected standalone • dual forest person pov • open door spice • third + final book in the series
I recieved an ARC copy of The Deepest End of Love and all thoughts & comments on this review are my own! 🩷
The Deepest End of Love releases September 24th, 2024! 🪽
September 26, 2024
The way the author wrote this book to make it all come full circle was beautiful. It was really special to see everything that came from Grace and Cal's love story throughout this series and having it end with their daughter's story.
We got bibliotherapized for suuure but I honestly wasn't mad about it lmao. I feel like I learned more about myself and how to cope with some of my own issues by reading about Lila and Reed in group therapy with the kids. I loved how therapy-positive this book was and all of the realistic ways that these kids (and adults) worked through the problems they were having.
Justice for Reed!! He might have been my favorite mmc of the series and I think he was treated a little unfairly towards end of the book. I won't elaborate but I will say that I loved his character. Despite dealing with his own traumas, he still had all of the compassion and understanding in the world for Lila and the kids at the youth center. And he was the best puppy dad to Ginny!!
Lila was very sweet and had such a big heart. It hurt to see her be so hard on herself, but I'm glad she was able to have the time to grow and heal the way she needed.
I loved getting to see so much of Grace and Cal in this - it was sweet to see them in such a different phase in their lives. They were the best parents to Lila and I'm so happy that the love they had for each other was still clear as day. I also really enjoyed getting a little glimpse into James and Maddie's future. It was all such a perfect way to end the series.
I can't wait to see what this author does next! And listen, I would not be mad at all if it was a spin-off series where we get to see more of Warren and Liam lol.
We got bibliotherapized for suuure but I honestly wasn't mad about it lmao. I feel like I learned more about myself and how to cope with some of my own issues by reading about Lila and Reed in group therapy with the kids. I loved how therapy-positive this book was and all of the realistic ways that these kids (and adults) worked through the problems they were having.
Justice for Reed!! He might have been my favorite mmc of the series and I think he was treated a little unfairly towards end of the book. I won't elaborate but I will say that I loved his character. Despite dealing with his own traumas, he still had all of the compassion and understanding in the world for Lila and the kids at the youth center. And he was the best puppy dad to Ginny!!
Lila was very sweet and had such a big heart. It hurt to see her be so hard on herself, but I'm glad she was able to have the time to grow and heal the way she needed.
I loved getting to see so much of Grace and Cal in this - it was sweet to see them in such a different phase in their lives. They were the best parents to Lila and I'm so happy that the love they had for each other was still clear as day. I also really enjoyed getting a little glimpse into James and Maddie's future. It was all such a perfect way to end the series.
I can't wait to see what this author does next! And listen, I would not be mad at all if it was a spin-off series where we get to see more of Warren and Liam lol.
September 9, 2024
ARC REVIEW- THE DEEPEST END OF LOVE
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
____________________
🌸Age Gap
🌸Grad Student x Internship Supervisor
🌸Family Friend
🌸Forced Proximity
🌸Slow Burn
_____________________
Thanks to Lisina Coney and NetGalley for the ARC! I received an advance copy of the book and am leaving an honest review. All opinions are my own.
______________________
I’ve been waiting ages for this one! I signed up so freaking fast when it appeared on NetGalley. And Lisina did not disappoint! I am legit OBSESSED with Lila and Reed. I could not put it down 🥰
This is the third in the Brightest Light series and follows Lila (the daughter of Cal and Grace from book 1) and Reed, her internship supervisor and family friend. As with all the books in this series, there is an age gap. In this one, I truly felt the struggle Lila had with the age gap and the ramifications that could come out of a relationship.
The absolute emotion in this one, not only between Lila and Reed but with Lila struggling with her self worth and who she is as a person had me turning the pages so fast. I was so invested in her journey throughout the book. Reed was honestly such a babe in this one. He also had his own journey to go on through the pages stemming from his traumatic childhood. They were SO GOOD for each other.
I have a hard time putting into words how this book made me feel. I just love, love, loved it. It made me FEEL. That’s about all I can say about it. I’m sad to see the end of the series but it just makes me want to go back and start over again. I loved all the scene with Cal, Grace, Maddie and James. Such a perfect ending.
PREORDER THIS NOW. DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT 💰. You WILL regret it. Releases September 24th ❤️
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
____________________
🌸Age Gap
🌸Grad Student x Internship Supervisor
🌸Family Friend
🌸Forced Proximity
🌸Slow Burn
_____________________
Thanks to Lisina Coney and NetGalley for the ARC! I received an advance copy of the book and am leaving an honest review. All opinions are my own.
______________________
I’ve been waiting ages for this one! I signed up so freaking fast when it appeared on NetGalley. And Lisina did not disappoint! I am legit OBSESSED with Lila and Reed. I could not put it down 🥰
This is the third in the Brightest Light series and follows Lila (the daughter of Cal and Grace from book 1) and Reed, her internship supervisor and family friend. As with all the books in this series, there is an age gap. In this one, I truly felt the struggle Lila had with the age gap and the ramifications that could come out of a relationship.
The absolute emotion in this one, not only between Lila and Reed but with Lila struggling with her self worth and who she is as a person had me turning the pages so fast. I was so invested in her journey throughout the book. Reed was honestly such a babe in this one. He also had his own journey to go on through the pages stemming from his traumatic childhood. They were SO GOOD for each other.
I have a hard time putting into words how this book made me feel. I just love, love, loved it. It made me FEEL. That’s about all I can say about it. I’m sad to see the end of the series but it just makes me want to go back and start over again. I loved all the scene with Cal, Grace, Maddie and James. Such a perfect ending.
PREORDER THIS NOW. DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT 💰. You WILL regret it. Releases September 24th ❤️
September 26, 2024
This book was another one of my anticipated reads for this year, I have loved everything this author has put out and its a very bittersweet feeling that this series is finally coming to an end.
I really liked this book and think everything about it was very well written, I don't have any complaints about it or how it progressed apart from how it ended.
The entire book was so good and the tension was to die for that I physically felt it but everything that followed their reunion just felt grossly sappy.
Even at the very end where they are having this heart to heart and essentially confirming their relationship, I couldn't read it without cringing. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it just felt like TOO much feeling for someone they've known for the better part of a year.
Then to add onto it, the MMC proposes in that same year and it was just wild.
Apart from that the book was really good, I just wish the heartfelt moments didn't feel like something out of a highschoolers diary.
Note: I did NOT need the constant reminders that cal is old. I CANT DO IT
I really liked this book and think everything about it was very well written, I don't have any complaints about it or how it progressed apart from how it ended.
The entire book was so good and the tension was to die for that I physically felt it but everything that followed their reunion just felt grossly sappy.
Even at the very end where they are having this heart to heart and essentially confirming their relationship, I couldn't read it without cringing. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it just felt like TOO much feeling for someone they've known for the better part of a year.
Then to add onto it, the MMC proposes in that same year and it was just wild.
Apart from that the book was really good, I just wish the heartfelt moments didn't feel like something out of a highschoolers diary.
Note: I did NOT need the constant reminders that cal is old. I CANT DO IT
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
smiling through the pain of finishing this series😭 I first discovered lisina coney in early 2022 when she released the brightest light of sunshine and I quickly became obsessed for obvious reasons. her style of writing and the topics she writes about are so near and dear to my heart. it’s so therapeutic and healing to read her stories and you quickly become attached to the characters for how complex, healthy, and kind they communicate with each other.
Lila and Reed were giving everything I wanted!! the age gap was sooooooo good, the communication and mutual pining made the tension that much better, and the forced proximity/forbidden romance of it all was perfect. no notes for this perfect couple I LOVED THEM
If you’re looking for an age gap romance full of healthy communication, emotionally mature adults, with some tension and forbidden romance sprinkled in there then this is the book for you! I can’t wait to see what lisina does next and be right along for the journey 🥹🤍
smiling through the pain of finishing this series😭 I first discovered lisina coney in early 2022 when she released the brightest light of sunshine and I quickly became obsessed for obvious reasons. her style of writing and the topics she writes about are so near and dear to my heart. it’s so therapeutic and healing to read her stories and you quickly become attached to the characters for how complex, healthy, and kind they communicate with each other.
Lila and Reed were giving everything I wanted!! the age gap was sooooooo good, the communication and mutual pining made the tension that much better, and the forced proximity/forbidden romance of it all was perfect. no notes for this perfect couple I LOVED THEM
If you’re looking for an age gap romance full of healthy communication, emotionally mature adults, with some tension and forbidden romance sprinkled in there then this is the book for you! I can’t wait to see what lisina does next and be right along for the journey 🥹🤍
September 18, 2024
Arc review.
I absolutely loved the healing process that took place between the characters in this book. The stories of the children from the youth center were also very interesting.
The author has created a diverse cast of characters, and there were moments in the book that made me stop and think.
The love story between Reed and Lila was absolutely beautiful and tragic at the same time. It showed that time and distance can bring people closer together through healing and self-reflection.
The character development of both Reed and Lila was amazing, and I found myself completely absorbed in their journey throughout the book.
Not only was the relationship between Lila and Reed intense, but so was her struggle with self-worth and identity.
This made me turn the pages quickly, as I was eager to see where her journey would take her. Reed, on the other hand, went through his own difficult childhood and had his own journey to complete. Together, these two characters formed an incredible pair that I couldn't help but root for.
I absolutely loved the healing process that took place between the characters in this book. The stories of the children from the youth center were also very interesting.
The author has created a diverse cast of characters, and there were moments in the book that made me stop and think.
The love story between Reed and Lila was absolutely beautiful and tragic at the same time. It showed that time and distance can bring people closer together through healing and self-reflection.
The character development of both Reed and Lila was amazing, and I found myself completely absorbed in their journey throughout the book.
Not only was the relationship between Lila and Reed intense, but so was her struggle with self-worth and identity.
This made me turn the pages quickly, as I was eager to see where her journey would take her. Reed, on the other hand, went through his own difficult childhood and had his own journey to complete. Together, these two characters formed an incredible pair that I couldn't help but root for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews