D.L. Howe's Reviews > Without You

Re-read, this time the audio which was excellent, you can never go wrong with Teddy Hamilton. Tim Paige is new to me but he’s a pretty good narrator as well.

Also, Idk if I missed it (like how the hell could I have possibly missed it?!) but there was an epilogue I don’t recall. So, either it’s new or I’m crazy (sadly this is a likely candidate). Either way it was nice to get a whole new chapter into Julian and Deacon’s life because I’ll never get enough of them!

Original review:
It didn’t take me long to come to the conclusion that this is my favorite book this year.

It’s easy for me to understand the jealousy and animosity Deacon has felt concerning his family and Julian. I had a sister who died as a baby and as my mother’s only daughter I was compared and had a lot of expectations on my back. You can’t compete with a ghost and even while Rhett was alive he was expected to die, so the same applies.

Deacon is such a contradiction; his emotions are crippled yet he drives 10 hours every other weekend to leave candy on his brother’s grave. I feel like it’s just a matter of time before he breaks.

I think a big issue is nobody seems to think they should argue. Or you know, just give their opinion. Guess y’all don’t know what happens when you bottle stuff up.

It sucks when you’re the scapegoat.

It’s a testament to how good Marley’s writing is; Julian’s feelings are so confused about Deacon that I’m also confused by his thoughts and actions. To feel that connected to a character is mind blowing.

Holy Shit! Deacon and Julian with their niece is the sweetest, cutest thing ever. My mind and my body say no but my heart and my uterus say have another one.

They know each other like they know themselves. Do you think that’s normal? That you find that with just anyone? It’s special and soon they’ll realize it’s once in a lifetime.

This made me realize I don’t hate angst, I dislike angst that doesn’t make sense to me like a lack of communication. This angst? This battle of what’s right and wrong makes every bit of sense to me. And it tears me up and just as quickly heals me.

Oh wow, I’m crying just because Wade is such an amazing friend to Deacon. I hope to god he listens.

And then when I thought I was finally done crying we had to end with that letter. 🥺😭

I’m sorry to say I was right about him breaking but of course Julian was there to help him pick up the pieces. They’re perfect and I fucking adore them. I want to imagine them living the longest, best life together where Deacon buys him all the gloves he’ll ever need.