Scan barcode
taylil's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
brokenrecord's review against another edition
4.0
This was good! I liked it more than Bittersweet, which I did like, but never got super invested in. But the romance here worked a lot better for me. Zach was such a sweetheart, and I loved how he helped Lark through her nightmares. I need to go back and read the second book in this series at some point.
elenajohansen's review against another edition
5.0
This is more like it! After being stunned by how much I enjoyed the first novel and slightly underwhelmed by the second, this feels like it's got my attention again. Zach is a sweetheart, Lark has issues but she also has reasons, and I found the entire journey from attraction to "we're both hurting but you make it better" to realizing they could actually make their relationship work, if they're smart about it--well, I was hooked. I read this in a single day and really didn't want to put it down the one time I did have to, because my phone was running low on battery and needed charging.
I'm such a sucker for the hurt/comfort dynamic, and that's the main component of the romance, but it's not without any further depth. When they do get frisky, Lark is lovely about Zach's virginity (a trope I'm not always fond of, even when it's the hero and not the heroine.) Zach is also still dealing with his unconventional upbringing--lots of the time it doesn't bother him much, usually about small details, but whenever he tries to think too far ahead into his future, he feels hampered by what he doesn't have--a high school education, a real mechanic's license, and so on. Like with another recent Bowen read of mine (Goodbye Paradise) I feel like this is a much more realistic and balanced take on the "escaped from a cult" trope that I used to encounter a lot in my romance reading, and generally thought wasn't executed well. I trust it in this author's hands, though.
If there's any flaw, it's that condensing Lark's time in mental-health recovery to a chapter of letters doesn't do as much as it could to really convey time passing, but then, it wouldn't be great to linger in her POV there, and it's not like we could spend multiple chapters spinning our wheels with Zach while he's waiting for her. So this is a case of finding something (slightly) lacking but not really knowing how it could be done better...which means I'm just nitpicking, essentially. I love Zach, Lark's pretty great too, I'm genuinely glad to see the Shipleys as necessary but not so much Jude or Sophie, because I thought their book was weaker. So this works out to be everything I had hoped for in a continuation of the series.
I'm such a sucker for the hurt/comfort dynamic, and that's the main component of the romance, but it's not without any further depth. When they do get frisky, Lark is lovely about Zach's virginity (a trope I'm not always fond of, even when it's the hero and not the heroine.) Zach is also still dealing with his unconventional upbringing--lots of the time it doesn't bother him much, usually about small details, but whenever he tries to think too far ahead into his future, he feels hampered by what he doesn't have--a high school education, a real mechanic's license, and so on. Like with another recent Bowen read of mine (Goodbye Paradise) I feel like this is a much more realistic and balanced take on the "escaped from a cult" trope that I used to encounter a lot in my romance reading, and generally thought wasn't executed well. I trust it in this author's hands, though.
If there's any flaw, it's that condensing Lark's time in mental-health recovery to a chapter of letters doesn't do as much as it could to really convey time passing, but then, it wouldn't be great to linger in her POV there, and it's not like we could spend multiple chapters spinning our wheels with Zach while he's waiting for her. So this is a case of finding something (slightly) lacking but not really knowing how it could be done better...which means I'm just nitpicking, essentially. I love Zach, Lark's pretty great too, I'm genuinely glad to see the Shipleys as necessary but not so much Jude or Sophie, because I thought their book was weaker. So this works out to be everything I had hoped for in a continuation of the series.
mschaeff's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Zach in the first few books, so I was really excited about this one. Unfortunately, this book was just sort of frustrating. It's a lot more insta-love than most of the other books in the series, and I generally didn't like Lark as much as most of the other protagonists. She and Zach are also seriously lacking in chemistry. (And the Lark + May subplot also just felt... sort of gratuitous.) This one was basically just okay in comparison to some of the much better offerings in this series.
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
danniellereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
4.0
Zach. Oh I love him so much. I loved him in the other two books and was so excited to learn more of his backstory.
Lark was a surprise. She survived a traumatic event that left her struggling with guilt and how to move forward.
The two of them together were adorable and I loved that their relationship took them both by surprise. I also loved the first interaction in the bunkhouse. Those guys are so much fun.
I also really loved that both of these characters have scars that they are trying really hard to keep away from everyone else. I do feel like Lark got the lions share if the story when zack deserved more time about his past and it’s effects.
I am loving this series and how different each story is. Griff and Audrey didn’t have major obstacles. Jude and Sophie had a shared trauma they had to deal with and these two had separate issues to work through before they could come together in a healthy relationship. I can’t wait to read the next books and really hope we get books about the cousins because I suspect there is a lot going on with those two.
Lark was a surprise. She survived a traumatic event that left her struggling with guilt and how to move forward.
The two of them together were adorable and I loved that their relationship took them both by surprise. I also loved the first interaction in the bunkhouse. Those guys are so much fun.
I also really loved that both of these characters have scars that they are trying really hard to keep away from everyone else. I do feel like Lark got the lions share if the story when zack deserved more time about his past and it’s effects.
I am loving this series and how different each story is. Griff and Audrey didn’t have major obstacles. Jude and Sophie had a shared trauma they had to deal with and these two had separate issues to work through before they could come together in a healthy relationship. I can’t wait to read the next books and really hope we get books about the cousins because I suspect there is a lot going on with those two.
sasha2599's review against another edition
5.0
Although I loved Bittersweet and Steadfast (books 1 and 2 in the series) I am head over heels for Keepsake, book 3! Who knew mysterious Zach would turn out being the most appealing to me at the Shipley farm? Now, don't get me wrong, Griff is amazing, and Jude as well, but there is something about Zach, with his sad childhood, yet calm demeanor..... he was so well suited for this slow burn romance story. I loved what he was for Lark- a friend, a rock to lean on, and a night-mare killer. I am so glad that we were left with a little tidbit about Zara at the end that might just hint at a fourth book in the series. Sarina Bowen's books are always one-clicks for me, and Keepsake is one of her best books yet. Keepsake can be read as a stand-alone- although you'll be so drawn in after reading it, you'll rush to read books 1 and 2 I predict!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**