࿐ “Miller,” he says, making sure my attention is on him. “If you ever decide to stop running and make a home…” His eyes are begging, pleading. “Make
࿐ “Miller,” he says, making sure my attention is on him. “If you ever decide to stop running and make a home…” His eyes are begging, pleading. “Make it with me.”
ᝰ.ᐟ 4.5 stars
This book is so incredibly sweet and wholesome, it made me so happy. I had a feeling I was going to fall head over heels for Kai and I'm glad I wasn't proven wrong ...more
“So long as I have the will to live…” I swallow hard, fingers digging into his skin, and I murmur against his lips. “There’ll always be a way.”
W
“So long as I have the will to live…” I swallow hard, fingers digging into his skin, and I murmur against his lips. “There’ll always be a way.”
Where There's a Will is trauma, heartbreak and devastation. If There's a Way is comfort, love and healing. That's not to say that this book is all rainbows and butterflies and there aren't moments of pure pain (there are), but where the first book resembles a dark abyss, this one is the light at the end of the tunnel.
Will, Waylon, Ivy, Mason, Shawn, Jeremy, Reggie. These characters have taken up residence in my heart and I've grown quite attached to them over the course of these two books. They're deeply flawed, but that's what makes me love them even more. I find it easier to empathise with flawed characters because even if I don't always agree with their actions, I can at least understand where they're coming from. And there were moments when I wished these characters had acted differently to spare me the heartache, but this is their story and I wouldn't have it any other way.
「Everything good that has happened, happened just ten miles up the road, in some small, middle-of-nowhere town. It’s where I met my best friends growing up. It’s where I found a family of my own—not one I was born into, but one I fell into. 」
Will and Way's healing journey was tough, the road to their HEA wasn't easy, and they're not quite there yet, and I love that. I know it sounds weird, but I love how realistically their healing journey is portrayed. It's not linear, their problems aren't magically solved, their traumas aren't erased and they're still going to have bad days. But they are actively trying to get to a better place and that's what matters. They're more solid than ever, stronger and ready to face anything as long as they have each other. I'm very, very proud of them.
「 “My burden is loving you, but not letting myself have you, because I’m fucking petrified nothing will ever be enough to keep you. And I can’t live with that. I literally cannot live with the idea of losing you, Waylon. So there you fucking have it. I’m not just scared, I’m petrified.” 」
This book had many painful moments, but it was also full of happy moments. I giggled. I swooned. I felt anger and despair. I cried and I laughed. I. FELT. IT. ALL! I wish I could erase my memory of these books, just to read them again for the first time.
ˏˋ꒰Will Foster, the sunshine boy ꒱ˎˊ
This time the roles were reversed and Will was the one pulling back while Waylon fought hard for them. Even though I was so angry at times because Will's actions hurt Way, I'm glad he didn't rush into a relationship with him without first making sure Waylon wanted it, was willing to fight for it. After having his heart crushed, Will needed reassurance. And I'm so proud that for once he put himself first and didn't allow Way to hurt him again, no matter how hard it was to stay away.
「 “Every day,” he whispers against my lips a second later. “I’ll prove to you every day I’m not going anywhere. Even… even if it gets to be too much sometimes, I’ll always, always find my way back to you.” 」
ˏˋ꒰Waylon McAllister, the grumpy bear. ꒱ˎˊ
Oh, how my heart aches for this boy! Way's character arc was beautifully done. I cannot tell you how many times my heart almost burst at how proud I was of this boy for not giving in to his demons, his self-loathing. Instead of running away from it all, instead of throwing his happiness away, he fought hard for it. He tried and tried and tried. Every single day. Even when he wanted to give up, he never stopped fighting. He did everything he could to be better, not just for Will, but for himself. And I love him for that.
「 Against my chest, the blunt edges of his nails dig into my skin, and I kind of want to tell him to just do it. Rip my heart out. It’s already his anyway. 」
Will and Waylon fought hard for their happy ending. They bared their souls to each other, showing every scar, every insecurity, every fear. They communicated their feelings so well, it was beautiful to see. They proved to each other that what they have is forever. Their love is messy and angsty and all-consuming, but it is strong. It is brighter than the sun. Will is the sunshine to Way's darkness and they complement each other beautifully. The urge to talk about every little thing that makes their relationship so dear to me is overwhelming, I love them very much.
「 “Christ, man. That’s gotta be what this is, right? This feeling… like I’m being ripped apart from the inside out. Like I’m dying. Like I… like I literally can’t breathe from it.” My voice catches, breaking off like glass. “All there’s left in me is… is you, and I don’t even know if that makes sense. But it’s you. It’s always been you.”」
The found family in this series is precious. Even though this duet focuses on Will and Way, we still get to see a lot of the other characters and I love how realistically the friendships are portrayed. Nothing is perfect. There were moments where they grew apart, too focused on their own pain to see how much a friend was hurting, but that's real life. It happens. But everyone is trying to get better and that's the most important thing. I just want the best for them.
「 Will, the person who my heart beats for. The guys I call brothers. My cousin who’s always been more like a sister—just like the one whose ghost walks these paths. The one we came here to celebrate, along with her twin brother…They’re my family. Blood might be thicker than water, but us? We’ve got thorns. 」
I'm so excited to read the next duet, but I'm a little nervous about it because of things I can't reveal so as not to spoil anything. I think it's going to be even messier and more angsty than this duet, but I trust that the author will treat the story with love and care.
I know I have a novella to read, and Will and Way will appear in the next books, so this isn't a farewell, but it still feels like I'm letting them go. I could read more books about them, I don't think I'd ever get tired of them. They’re my precious boys.
Definitely recommend this duet, especially if you like angsty, hopeful romances with found family, but be sure to check the trigger warnings as this is not an easy read....more
↳ He’s fire and brimstone. I’m shattered ice. Our collision is steam and destruction, destined to dissipate, but I’ll gladly burn beneath him until t
↳ He’s fire and brimstone. I’m shattered ice. Our collision is steam and destruction, destined to dissipate, but I’ll gladly burn beneath him until the world comes crumbling down.
⤷ 4.5 stars
For a moment I thought my fantasy self was fading away, but thankfully this book managed to revive it. It's been a while since I've been this invested in a fantasy book, but this one took my breath away.
It took me a little while to get into the story, mainly because there was a lot of information at the beginning, as is usual with fantasy books. It got confusing trying to remember the different characters, world and beings that exist in this universe, but as the story progressed it got easier to understand. But I have to admit that I still have no idea what the different dragons look like because there are many and they have different names and although there is a glossary at the beginning of the book explaining everything, I skimmed through it and forgot everything lol
「 Survival’s funny. Some wear it like a whisper, others like a scream. Mine’s a scorched skeleton of flame-forged rage that keeps me upright. Keeps me moving forward. 」
The plot is very interesting, there's something unique and refreshing about it. I won't go into detail because I think it's best to go into this book blind. There is one big twist that I guessed before it was revealed (I love the feeling of being right about a theory), but it's not predictable in a lazy way, and I was still shocked when the truth was revealed because I thought my theory was wrong. There were a few other plot twists I didn't see coming though, and I'm itching to find out more about the secrets revealed at the end.
The main characters are amazing, I'm in love with them. The book is mainly told from Raeve's POV, but we also have some chapters from Kaan's POV (they were perfect). There are also a few other povs here and there and it left me with a lot of questions that I hope book two will answer.
ˏˋ꒰ Raeve ꒱ˎˊ
Raeve is my new favourite FMC, she's such a badass. I loved her from the start, her personality is so good and I love how sassy she is. She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, she's so strong and resilient, she doesn't let anyone walk all over her... she's my hero. But Raeve has secrets and carries a lot of pain, pain that she tries to hide as best she can. Her story broke my heart, I feel so much for her and I want to kill everyone who's ever hurt her. She likes to pretend she's cold, but Raeve is actually a sensitive soul who feels deeply.
「 Sadness is like stones that stack inside you, making it harder to move. Ignorance is my self-preservation tonic, and I’ll swear by it until I die. 」
ˏˋ꒰ Kaan Vaegor ꒱ˎˊ
Kaan is perfect. And I'm not just saying that, I mean it with all my heart. This man deserves the sun, the moon and the stars. He's a fearsome warrior and a great leader, but most of all, he has a heart of gold. This is the man every woman dreams of! He's kind, caring, respectful and understanding. I'm in love.
「 You don’t simply scratch an itch with Kaan Vaegor, then throw him away and move onto another. You peel back your skin and open your ribs to the male. You tuck him somewhere deep and safe, fight others off with weapons forged from secrets sharp enough to slice, then perish with those secrets clutched close to your chest 」
ˏˋ꒰ Raeve & Kaan ꒱ˎˊ
As for the romance, I ate every single crumb. It's very hard to talk about the romance without spoilers, so I'll just say it's definitely a slow burn, there's a lot of angst and it's as beautiful as it is painful. I hope the second book gives us more romantic moments, I need them. Especially because Kaan is so romantic, the love he has for Raeve is incredibly strong, he would do anything for her.
「 Either way, there’s no one else I’d willingly serve my heart on a platter to—over and over and over again—like a hopeless, lovesick stray begging for a treat. 」
「 “I don’t understand how you still look at me like you want me.” Silence prevails, tension thickens, his eyes burning embers when he finally says, “Raeve, you could flay me down the middle and I’d still fucking love you.” 」
「 Yet here I am again, standing stationary while Raeve dances around me with my soft heart in her fucking hands, dripping blood all over the floor. Here I am again, looking at her like she crafted the world with a few whispered words, every sweep of her eyes twisting that jagged weapon lodged in my chest. 」
The secondary characters added depth to the story and I loved the inclusion of some chapters in Veya's POV. We have some villains that I already loathe, even though I don't know them that well yet. I hope they burn in hell!
As you can see, I loved this book and I highly recommend it, especially if you love fantasy. Now I'm going to cry myself to sleep while I wait for the next book ...more
This is the tale of how a chosen one falls. She does it screaming, clawing for her old life with broken fingernails. She does it slowly, over the
This is the tale of how a chosen one falls. She does it screaming, clawing for her old life with broken fingernails. She does it slowly, over the course of decades. And in the end, she takes the whole forsaken world with her.
⤷ 4.5 stars
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it exceeded my expectations. The Songbird and the Heart of Stone reinforces how spectacular the Crowns of Nyaxia series is.
.ᐟ [This book cannot be read as a stand-alone, although it is the start of a new duet in the series, the books are all connected.]
The world that Carissa crafted is nothing short of breathtaking. This book takes us on a journey through the Underworld and I loved being able to explore it because even though it's a dark and sinister place, there's beauty in it. The characters embark on a very dangerous mission to resurrect a God, which means that the stakes are high from the start and there are so many unnerving scenes, the environment is tense and the pacing is fast, which I really enjoyed. There was never a dull moment, the plot is very intriguing and well constructed. Some of the plot twists at the end took me by surprise, the adrenaline rush I got while reading the last chapters left me breathless. I wanted to scream!The cliffhanger is brutal, but it's brilliant. I can't even be mad at Carissa, I'm in awe of her mind and her ability to create such fantastic stories.
While there's a big focus on politics in The Nightborn Duet, The Songbird and the Heart of Stone touches on religion and faith. This is such an interesting subject for me and I loved how the author explored it.
「 And he was smiling in a way that made the entire world stop, a smile that reminded me of the way the sun looked when it crested the horizon the first time I saw it at the Citadel, and I had thought, I am home. I am home. 」
The characters are deeply layered and fascinating, the journey they take makes them vulnerable and exposes their deepest hurts and fears. It was very emotional to learn their story, my heart ached for them. Mische and Asar are both broken souls who believe nothing can ever make them whole again, they're filled with regret and guilt for things they've done in their past. They're both self-sacrificing idiots and I love them very much.
[Luce is the star of this book, she’s the cutest and everyone will fall in love with her once they read this book]
I love how even the villains have such human traits and aren't evil for the sake of being evil. And the gods are realistically portrayed. This is something I really appreciated in the previous books, Carissa excels at writing multifaceted characters.
ˏˋ꒰ Mische ꒱ˎˊ
I loved Mische in the precious books, but my love for her now runs so much deeper. It broke my heart to discover her full story, to know what she endured at the hands of a God who cared nothing for her and saw her only as a possession.
「 “Do you think that I don’t know what darkness is?” I said. “Why? Because I smile too much? Because I talk too much? It’s my choice to be the way that I am. A choice that I make even when it’s hard. That doesn’t make me weak, Asar.” 」
Mische's light could rival the sun, and I hate that her God gradually dimmed it. But she never lost her optimism, her hope for a better world, her belief that every soul can be saved and deserves a chance at redemption. She sacrificed body and soul for her God, and her blind faith led her to ruin, but I think her journey made her understand that her faith didn't have to be tied to a God, that she could pray and worship a greater power without self-sacrifice. That she doesn't have to lose herself in the process.
Mische begins her journey so broken and miserable, feeling lost and alone and struggling to come to terms with her vampire nature. But along the way, she learns that light and darkness can coexist, and when she finally accepts herself, she transforms into something magnificent.
ˏˋ꒰ Asar ꒱ˎˊ
「 He had devoted himself to fixing the broken things that no one else saw. 」
I really need his POV in the second book because I want to be inside his head. I loved getting to know him; it happened slowly, he's very reserved at first, but once you peel back all the layers, you find such a tender, loving, kind soul. Despite the sharp edges, the darkness that surrounds him, and the anger and regret that linger within him, Asar has a soft side that devastated me. When I saw him fully, I shattered completely. He's such a beautiful being, I'm so in love with him. He's a healer and a protector, and he loves deeply. I just want him to know that he deserves to be loved, that he’s worthy of it.
「 A note of shame imbued his voice. Shame. As if it wasn’t the most compassionate thing someone could do for another being. As if even attempting to help those who were so helpless to all others wasn’t such an act of bravery. 」
ˋ°•*⁀➷ Mische and Asar
「 “Wrote is a strong word. I just . . .” I was too close to him to see him, but I felt his muscles shift as he shrugged. And then he said, after a moment, “I just played the notes that sounded like you.” He spoke the words so softly, with such tender vulner ability. Like a confession to a priest. So kind it hurt. 」
I live and breathe this trope: a broken boy who's convinced that no one can love him, and a girl who loves him easily. It gets me every time! The longing, the angst, the fear of exposing yourself to someone and risking getting hurt, but knowing you're powerless to fight what you're feeling. IT'S SO GOOD!
「 “You asked me what love should feel like,” he murmured. I tensed as his lips brushed my inner thigh. “It should make you think of nothing else.” Higher, where the skin was so sensitive that I jolted when he dragged his teeth over it. “It should make you see stars.” 」
In many ways, Mische and Asar healed each other. Both carry scars, not just in their bodies but in their souls. They both carry fears and regrets, and they tried to fight their feelings, but it was an impossible task. Their romance blossomed slowly, but it was so beautiful to see them open up to each other. They were meant to find each other, Mische is the light to Asar's darkness.
「 “What are you doing?” I asked. “Praying with you,” he said. As if it was obvious. “I thought you didn’t believe in prayer.” “I don’t,” he said. “But you do.” Strange how it was this small gesture of kindness that shattered me. 」
Carissa's writing is stunning and I love how much emotion she conveys through her words. This was such a great reading experience, I lost my ability to think when I finished the book, I don't think I'll ever get over the ending. I can't wait to read the next book, I'll be eagerly awaiting it.
Again, this is not meant to be read as a standalone, you need to read the previous duet. For those who have already read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know Mische and Asar and venturing into the underworld with them.
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the e-arc!
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ pre-review
I’m at a loss of words right now! I can’t breathe, I can’t think, I can’t process anything that happened! THE ENDING? ...more
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "I don't deserve your forgiveness," he replied, voice thick and gruff. "But I will earn it. Because whatever comes our way, from here on out, I'l
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "I don't deserve your forgiveness," he replied, voice thick and gruff. "But I will earn it. Because whatever comes our way, from here on out, I'll be right beside you." He nuzzled my nose with his before pressing a kiss to my lips. "Because in this version of forever, we get the happy ending, Molloy."
When I finished this book, I spent some time staring blankly at a wall, tears running down my face, wondering how the hell I was going to move on. Dramatic, I know, but this book did something to me, it made me feel things I didn't know I could feel, it left an imprint on my soul in a way that very few books have. And now I feel like a part of me is missing, these characters gave me something precious, but they also took something away. A piece of my heart was left behind, hidden in the pages of their story.
Reading redeeming 6 felt like someone took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it, crushed it between their fingers, smashed it to pieces, and then tried to put the pieces back together so it would fit back into my chest. It was a painful, agonising experience. This book hurt so damn much, it's one of the most painful, soul-crushing, devastating books I've ever read in my life. Reading Joey and Aiofe's story, experiencing everything they went through, was pure torture. My heart broke for them and I sobbed so many times, it felt like someone was cutting me in half.
I can't even begin to explain how deeply connected I feel to Joey and Aiofe, to say that I love them is not enough. Their story changed something in me, they touched me in a way that very few characters have, and I'm forever ruined by them. Just as their lives are intertwined, I feel as though my life is intertwined with theirs, and there's a bond between us that will never break.
Redeeming 6 takes place in the same timeline as Binding & Keeping 13, so some of the events we see in those books, everything involving Joey, is covered in this book. If my heart ached for him in those books, it was completely shattered here. It explains everything that happened to Joey so well, all the times he went missing and all the breakdowns. The facade he put on to pretend that everything was fine is ripped away and we get to see how completely broken he really is.
╰┈➤ Joey Lynch
Joey, my Joey. Words are not enough to tell you how much I love him, how proud I am of him. Joey is too good for the world, he has a heart of gold, a heart filled with so much love. It physically hurt me to read his pov, because if he wasn't doing well in the previous book, he's crumbling in this one, barely holding himself together. If it wasn't for Aiofe, I know Joey wouldn't have survived. He'd be lying in a ditch somewhere, overdosed. She was the only one who saw the real him, who saw all his parts and accepted them and loved them.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "I'm not another girl who needs something from you. I'm the girl who wholeheartedly wants you. I'm the girl who wholeheartedly loves you. The hurler. The mechanic. The boy. The protector. The asshole. The lover. The addict." Sniffling, I added, "All of your versions. All of your shapes and colors. I accept them all."
The portrayal of addiction was so realistic. Chloe wasn't afraid to show all the ugly, raw, disgusting parts. It was devastating, it hurt so much to see Joey fall deeper and deeper into his bad habits, to see how addiction slowly took over his life, consumed his soul, until he was nothing but a shell. And he kept justifying his vices, finding excuses, looking for ways to reassure himself that it was the only thing that could help keep his demons away. I hate his parents so much, I don't care that Marie was also a victim, she was the one who hurt him the most. I said this in my review for saving 6, but Marie was the one who broke Joey's soul. He loved her so much, he did everything for her, and she never loved him the way he deserved. She only called for him when she needed rescuing, she never treated him like a son. She didn't deserve him at all. I hate the way his parents got into his head, how they made him feel useless and undeserving of love. How they made him feel like he'd never break out of that cycle, that he'd be doomed to repeat their mistakes forever.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "The worse shit gets in my life, the louder the voice gets, louder and louder and louder, until it's literally screaming in my head, and I can't focus on anything other than doing the one thing that I know that will quieten it down." "Self-medicating." She swallowed deeply. "Losing yourself"
Joey's journey in this book was so painful, but also so beautiful to follow. He almost gave up, he got to a point where he didn't see why he should keep trying when it felt like he was ruining everything and everyone around him. The fire scene and the bridge scene crushed me, I can't even describe how I felt when I read them. But that moment was necessary. And what happened after that slowly put my heart back together. It just saddens me how rushed everything was after that, I know this book is big, but I wish it was even bigger. I wanted more, to see Joey adjusting to his new life, to his new family, to get more light-hearted, sweet moments.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "Nobody who knows the real you could ever hate you," I whispered, wiping a tear from his cheek. "If you could only understand how much you mean to those children, how much they adore you, appreciate you. If you could only see yourself through their eyes..." I exhaled shakily. "You are so important to so many people."
╰┈➤ Aiofe Molloy
What a queen! Aiofe is an icon and I'll always love her. I admire her so much, she's so strong and brave. What she went through, what she saw? Anyone else would have broken down, left and never come back. But she stayed, she never left Joey. And yes, there were times when their relationship was so unhealthy, when Aiofe's love for Joey clouded her judgement and she let him slip back into his bad habits because she thought that was the only way to keep him in her life. But it was that love that saved him, and I'm so glad she never gave up on him and never stopped loving him.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "No. You don't get it. You are the love of my life," I bit out, catching his chin and forcing him to look at me. "What I feel for you? How deeply I love you? It's fucking insane, Joe. So, yeah, I'm going to do the right thing for you every time, whether that pisses you off or not, because I want you here with me. On planet earth. For a long time."
My only complaint about the book, apart from the rushed ending, is that Aiofe didn't shine as brightly as she should have. For the most part, she didn't feel like a main character. I love Joey so much, and focusing on his story was so important, but Aiofe is wonderful, she's one of the best female characters I've read about, and she deserved to stand on her own and not just be a side character in Joey's story, especially since she's the main character in his life. I feel like Aiofe has so much potential that hasn't been explored. She's an eighteen-year-old girl whose life has been turned upside down, and I think more time should have been spent exploring her feelings and her traumas. Yes, because she goes through something horribly disgusting in this book and it is barely touched on.
I feel so connected to her, like her mother said, she's so warm, she's got a beautiful light in her. She's so kind and loving and resilient and I wish she'd been given more focus.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "You are warm, Aoife. That poor boy never stood a chance with you, did he? Not when everything he's never been given flows from you like a waterfall."
╰┈➤ Joey & Aiofe
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "Then let me be very clear about it," he replied, reaching up to cup the side of my face. "It's you, Molloy." He tipped my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "It's you." "Don't say it if you don't mean it." "It's you," he repeated gruffly, fingers tightening on my waist. "I pick you. Every single time."
My ride or die. Stud and queen. Nice legs and nice everything. I love them unconditionally. Their love is so strong and raw and real. I love finding couples that make me believe in soul mates, in the notion that if you're lucky, there's someone out there whose fate is intertwined with yours. Joey and Aiofe really are mirrors, what one feels, the other feels. Their connection is so strong and so deep that it can be felt in everything they do and say. Their love can conquer anything and that is exactly what happens in this book.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "We're mirrors, Joe," I told him, taking his hand and placing it on my cheek. "Everything you feel for me is reciprocated. It's mirroring back at you."
I love that nothing in this book is romanticised and we see that love, no matter how powerful, is not enough to cure addiction or depression. Joey tried to get clean for Aiofe, but it didn't last long because these things don't work that way. He couldn't rely on Aiofe to help him get better, he needed professional help. She wasn't supposed to fix him. But she loved him through it all, and that was the greatest help she could give him. She was his guiding light through the dark path he had to walk before he could get better. Their love never changed, even with everything they went through - all the painful moments, all the times they were hurting - their love remained the same. It even got stronger. And that's why no one could ever make me doubt their love for each other.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "You hurt yourself and that's the same thing," I choked out. "Because when you hurt, I hurt. When you burn, I go down in flames with you. We're entwined, Joe. We're mirrors. Don't you get that by now?"
I felt their connection from the first moment they met in saving 6, I could almost see the a thread tying their souls together. They have so much chemistry and the tension between them is so fiery. I love their banter and how they tease each other, there were scenes in this book that made my heart soar. Their love was so intense sometimes that it hurt me, but it also healed me.
₊˚⊹ ᰔ "All those years back when we were in first year." His lips brushed mine once, twice. "I've loved you since then." Another kiss. "From the first time I laid eyes on you, sitting on the wall with your blonde hair blowing around your face." His tongue snaked out, teasing mine. "I just didn't know it then."
I won't go into detail about these characters, but I must profess my undying love for Edel, John, Trish, Tony, Johnny, Shannon, Lizzie, Claire, Gibsie, Casey, Taghd, Ollie and Sean. I love them so much and they were amazing to Joey and Aiofe. A special shout out to Lizzie and Gibsie for what they did, I don't think they know how much they helped Joey.
I never know when to shut up when I'm writing reviews for books I love, so this is already so long, but I'll just say one more time that this book means the world to me. Joey and Aiofe have become one of my favourite couples of all time and I'll never forget their story. I look forward to catching any crumbs I can from them in the next book. Hopefully Claire and Gibsie's book will be set in the present timeline (I’m so excited to read their book!).
₊˚⊹ ᰔ It was her It always had been. It always would be. The girl from the wall.
Maybe it's just like going back to visit a home that isn't yours anymore. Maybe you don't have the key, but someone lets you in anyway, and you sta
Maybe it's just like going back to visit a home that isn't yours anymore. Maybe you don't have the key, but someone lets you in anyway, and you stay awhile, and it feels so good just to be somewhere you once belonged.
1st reread [08/24]: I love this book so much! ...more
It's crazy. It's unbelievable. It's unlikely. The woman everyone told me was cold, mean, and unavailable is so thoroughly mine. And that's special. ThIt's crazy. It's unbelievable. It's unlikely. The woman everyone told me was cold, mean, and unavailable is so thoroughly mine. And that's special. That's everything.
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Elsie Silver can do no wrong, I can safely say she’s a new favorite author of mine. I'm not always a fan of the pregnancy trope, but she wrote it beautifully and I loved every single page of this book.
Winter has been a constant presence in the series since the first book and I've been dying to meet the woman everyone refers to as "the ice queen". There's something so raw and relatable about her, a vulnerability that touched me deeply and made me see so much of myself in her. I think most of us have had moments where we feel unworthy of love, like there's something wrong with us that needs to be fixed. As if no one could ever really see us and love all of us, even the bad parts. Winter has been terribly hurt and it has brought me so much joy to witness her journey of healing and self-love. To see her open up to Theo, find comfort in him and trust his love for her.
"That night we were reckless." His voice cracks. "But god, I'd be reckless with you over and over again if it means ending up here.”
Theo is the perfect man, an absolute dream. I honestly don't have the words to describe him. So gentle, so caring, always there for his girls. He was so supportive, a source of love and comfort for Winter and Vivi. [but don't be fooled by all that sweetness, the man has a hell of a dirty mouth]
This book is filled with heartwarming and incredibly wholesome domestic moments that made my heart double in size. There's not a lot of drama, it felt very cozy and I basked in the warmth of this story. Winter, Theo and sweet little Vivi form a beautiful family and I loved every single moment they spent together.
"That night, all the best things in this world came into existence. You. Vivi. Us.”
Reckless is now my favourite book in the series, it just gave me so much more than I expected. I can’t help but want to reread it and relive all the sweet moments between the characters. I quickly fell in love with this series, with the Eaton family and their friends, and even though I'm sad to see it end, I can't wait to read the last book.
All I want is a cowboy of my own to love…yee-haw!...more
↳ “We’re all a little broken, Briana. We are a mosaic. We’re made up of all those we’ve met and all the things we’ve been through. There are parts of
↳ “We’re all a little broken, Briana. We are a mosaic. We’re made up of all those we’ve met and all the things we’ve been through. There are parts of us that are colorful and dark and jagged and beautiful. And I love every piece of you. Even the ones you wish didn’t exist.”
⤷ 4.5 stars
I read 'Part of Your World' at the end of last year and I didn't love it, mainly because the fmc Alexis annoyed me so much and it was hard to connect with her. I was afraid to read 'Yours Truly' and feel the same way, but thankfully I loved it and it became a new favourite. I have a deep connection with the characters, they stole a piece of my heart.
This book is warm hugs, kisses on foreheads, cosy nights snuggled up on the sofa, handwritten letters, a gentle breeze on a warm sunny day. It's comfort and reassurance and love.
「 “I know all of your quiets. I know when you’re alone with me and you’re quiet, it’s because your brain is still. And when you’re in public and you’re quiet, it’s because your brain is loud. But I don’t know this one. What’s this one?” I held her gaze. “This one’s you.” 」
I'm the worst at giving book summaries, so let's just say that in this book you'll find, amongst other things, terrible first impressions, hilarious social interactions, cute handwritten letters and the most perfect man to ever exist.
Both Briana and Jacob felt so real to me, they're complex characters with many layers, it was very easy to relate to them because they're so human. I love when characters come to life and don't just feel like words on paper, I love when they have flaws and insecurities and fears, it makes me look at them and think "I'm just like that and if they can work through these issues and create a beautiful life for themselves then so can I".
ˏˋ꒰ Briana Ortiz ꒱ˎˊ
Briana is enchanting. Just like Jacob, it was hard to take my eyes off her because she lights up a room with her personality. She's easy going, charming and funny. I wish I was her in social situations, it would make my life easier. But, as they say, sometimes the happiest people hide the deepest hurts and Briana's life is in shambles. She's divorced, her brother is sick and she feels that instead of moving forward, she's taken several steps backwards and doesn't know what to do with her life.
「 It was weird to say, but she made me feel alone—the way I felt when I was by myself. Calm and unaffected. Like it was just us here and not a hundred other people. I liked being alone. With her. 」
I understood her insecurities and fears, especially when it came to starting a new relationship. The most important men in her life abandoned her and she didn't want the same to happen with Jacob, so she pushed him away. But it made me want to scream at her because this man clearly worshipped the ground she walked on and it broke my heart to see her deny herself the chance to be loved by him. Of course there is a happy ending, so it all worked out well, but some scenes towards the end irritated me.
ˏˋ꒰ Jacob Maddox ꒱ˎˊ
Jacob. My sweet angel boy. He deserves the whole world, I want to hug him and protect him from everything. He's precious, everyone needs to meet Jacob because he's one of the best male characters to ever exist. I am Jacob and Jacob is me. I've never related so much to a mmc, we're the same person. There were so many times when I was reading that I thought "this is what I do, this is how I think, this is how my brain works". Jacob is an introvert with social anxiety and sometimes it really affects his everyday life, especially when he has to be in situations that involve a lot of social interaction. As an introverted person with social anxiety, I felt so seen.
「 Wouldn’t it be amazing to live like that? To not carry that burden around with you. To not feel constantly overwhelmed and overstimulated and second-guess every little thing. 」
It's hard to exist in a world geared towards extroverts. Not everyone is the life of the party, not everyone thrives on social attention. There's nothing wrong with being loud, but there's also nothing wrong with being quiet. Everyone is different and everyone should be given the same space to exist. It made me so proud to see Jacob make an effort to interact more and put himself in situations that took him out of his comfort zone, because I know how hard it is. And even if it sucks and it doesn't go the way we want it to and we fall into a spiral of overthinking, at least we tried. And that's all that matters. If anyone has ever made you feel like you're hard to love, please know that's not true. You are enough just the way you are. You're not boring and I'm sure you make a difference in so many people's lives.
「 Jacob made me feel safe. He was like a living lullaby. A softly spoken word. The smell of coffee and toast in the morning or a cozy fleece blanket. The rain pattering on the roof on a day where you don’t have to go anywhere or do anything. 」
ˏˋ꒰ Briana & Jacob ꒱ˎˊ
「 “Because love shows up. And here I am.” 」
Briana and Jacob are the perfect example of a couple who complement each other. I love how their relationship blossomed, how they went from strangers to friends to lovers. They made space for each other, created this beautiful safe haven of comfort, a place of acceptance where they could be free to just be themselves. I love how understanding Briana was of Jacob, she didn't make him feel inadequate or boring, she looked at him and saw a brilliant man with a heart of gold. Love doesn't have to be loud to be felt, sometimes it's quiet and gentle, it's a hand squeezing yours telling you "I'm here".
「 “I always think that when we’re quiet, we’re agreeing to be harmless to each other. That we’re just sharing the same space and letting each other exist exactly as we are, and neither of us would hurt or upset the other one.” 」
There is miscommunication and it goes on for too long, which bothered me. I understand why they were both afraid to admit their feelings, but they spent so long creating narratives in their heads based on misunderstandings instead of just asking each other for the truth. This is my only complaint about the book, as everything else was perfect for me.
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a cute, sweet romance with wonderful characters and great mental health representation....more
↳ You are my soul's purpose, Win. To know you, to love you, to build a family with you, to spend every day taking care of you, to watch you shine and
↳ You are my soul's purpose, Win. To know you, to love you, to build a family with you, to spend every day taking care of you, to watch you shine and get all the good things you deserve out of this life.
♾️★
reread 2024: this book remains one of the best romances I’ve read. I can’t properly explain how much I love it and this reread was everything to me. The bonus chapter in Bo’s pov was so wholesome and sweet ...more
“We're terrible at so many things- remembering important dates, college, making friends- but the one thing we've always been halfway decent at is b
“We're terrible at so many things- remembering important dates, college, making friends- but the one thing we've always been halfway decent at is being together. We owe it to ourselves to try.”
➵ 1st read: July 2023 - 4 ★ ➵ 2nd read: July 2024 - 5 ★
Liars. Addicts. Best Friends. Lovers. Soulmates. Lily and Lo begin their relationship in a very toxic and unhealthy place, but this is not a book about a toxic romance. It’s about two deeply flawed people who are falling apart, desperately holding on to each other, because their addictions have left them isolated and alone. Their love for each other is the only thing keeping them alive ...more
“Kiss the sky with me,” Connor whispers, a beautiful smile pulling his lips, “and don’t ever come down.”
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
AJSHDSBSHDGDG ROSE AND CONNOR“Kiss the sky with me,” Connor whispers, a beautiful smile pulling his lips, “and don’t ever come down.”
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
AJSHDSBSHDGDG ROSE AND CONNOR HAVE ME IN A CHOKEHOLD!!! This is probably going to be a messy and incoherent review because my emotions are at an all time high, especially after reading the final chapters of this book. I loved it so much more than I expected, this series is the gift that keeps on giving and my love for it only grows.
It was amazing to get to know Rose and Connor, to see beyond the image they present to the world. They're the perfect couple the way they complement each other is beautiful. They just make sense together. They really are each other's person. I admire their confidence, their strength, the way they carry themselves. Rose and Connor, no matter how cold they seem to everyone else, are actually incredibly thoughtful people. If they love someone, they'll do everything in their power to make sure nothing happens to them. I adore them. I love the way they understand each other so perfectly. I am obsessed with them. And they're so hot - the private french conversations and the bedroom dynamics? Sexy as hell!
The reality show setting was so much fun and I love how it brought the core six together. I can't get enough of them, watching them interact with each other brings the biggest smile to my face, and I especially love the dynamic between Rose and Lo, and Connor and Lo. And when Connor realises that he's part of the family, that he has people who love and care for him? My heart doubled in size. I love them all so much.
I'm trying not to rush through the series because I never want to say goodbye, but I can't wait to get into Daisy and Ryke's book. Every time I start a book in this series it's like no time has passed since I read the last one, it feels like coming home.
I thought my heart would be Lo's forever, but he's going to have to learn to share, because Connor Cobalt owns me. WHAT. A. MAN. The sex scenes with him and Rose left me breathless.
“You’re not a pit stop. You’re my finish line. There’s no one after you.”...more
It's odd, how quickly life can change, isn't it? How one little thing like typing a letter can open a door you never saw. A transcendent connection. It's odd, how quickly life can change, isn't it? How one little thing like typing a letter can open a door you never saw. A transcendent connection. A divine threshold. But if there's anything I should say in this moment -when my heart is beating wildly in my chest and I would beg you to come and tame it is this: your letters have been a light for me to follow. Your words? A sublime feast that fed me on days when I was starving.
reread (December 2023): this book deserves a million stars ...more
It's the great undoing of my heart as I know it. She's made herself at home, kicked off those fucking cerulean heels, put her feet up on my left rib. It's the great undoing of my heart as I know it. She's made herself at home, kicked off those fucking cerulean heels, put her feet up on my left rib. Over the mantelpiece she hung her own portrait up herself, that little minx. Best painting Ive ever seen, too. Better than any woman anyone has ever painted in the history of time, a face I'd win battles for. A face I'd lose anything for. Even her.
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This book was, in fact, the great undoing of my heart. I'm still processing everything that happened and I don’t think I’ll ever recover ❤️...more
I'll wear it like a badge of honour forever that he loved me first, that he loved me at all. Have you ever had a love like that
reread (January 2024): I'll wear it like a badge of honour forever that he loved me first, that he loved me at all. Have you ever had a love like that
reread (January 2024): I’ll never forgive Jessa for what she did. The ending of this book is brutal, it hurts so much and of course I sobbed again ...more
"In every universe, it's you for me. Even if it's not me for you.”
♾️★
1st reread [07/24]: all my thoughts and feelings on this book remain the same
"In every universe, it's you for me. Even if it's not me for you.”
♾️★
1st reread [07/24]: all my thoughts and feelings on this book remain the same, and this reread made me realize how much this book saved me in 2023. It came to me at the perfect time ...more
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