D.L. Howe's Reviews > Without You
Without You
by
by
D.L. Howe's review
bookshelves: emotional-rollercoaster, most-epic-love-stories, m-m
Jun 23, 2021
bookshelves: emotional-rollercoaster, most-epic-love-stories, m-m
Read 2 times. Last read June 21, 2021 to June 23, 2021.
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.
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.
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Reading Progress
March 18, 2021
– Shelved
March 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 21, 2021
–
Started Reading
June 22, 2021
–
54.0%
"Any book that makes me laugh and cry is a minimum 4 stars. This one might be my favorite. 🖤"
June 23, 2021
–
Finished Reading
June 25, 2021
– Shelved as:
emotional-rollercoaster
June 25, 2021
– Shelved as:
most-epic-love-stories
July 8, 2021
– Shelved as:
m-m
August 9, 2021
–
Started Reading
(Kindle Edition)
August 13, 2021
–
Finished Reading
(Kindle Edition)
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
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MarianR
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rated it 5 stars
Jun 23, 2021 07:23AM
Glad you loved it. This books is one of my favorites too. I will never get over it. 😭❤️
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What an incredible and heartfelt review! And I'm so happy for you finding a book you connected so much with. Couldn't help but nodding furiously at your line about how you "dislike angst that doesn’t make sense to me like a lack of communication"! Because that's *exactly* how I feel too. Good angst is amongst my favorite things to read (especially with the promise of a HEA/HFN), but it has to be organic and not just fabricated. I swear the fact that you included that alone raised my excitement for the book by x9999 🤣
Woooo I'm so glad to hear you loved this one!! Your review has me ready to pick it up again for a re-read/listen 😭💖💖 (Btw if you're a fan of audiobooks, I would definitely check this one out. The narration is phenomenal! 😊)
I am so happy you loved this book. It's also one of my favorites. Their love is beautiful. As always, lovely review, my friend.
Crystal even though I said I had Ache to read I still feel like I have a book hangover. I miss them! Thanks girl!
Excellent review, D.L.! You have totally convinced me to give it a try! It sounds soooo good, and the cover is stunning!! Glad you loved it so much! ❤️