Reviews

Epic Love by Trudy Stiles

ghostlyreader's review

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5.0

There are certain books that you get hooked on from the first page. Epic Love is one of those books. There are certain authors that more people need to know about. Trudy is one of those authors.

I absolutely loved Epic Lies when I read it which is the second book in this series but Epic Love? Man she blew it out of the water with this book.

First of all, I absolutely loved Heath and Noelle. They were sweet characters that you love from the very beginning. However, there is one character in this book that I absolutely hated. I won't name the character because if you read it, you'll know but that's how you know an author has done a fantastic job. When you want to literally go inside a book and punch a character in the face.

Now for plot, I love me some drama, angst and twists. You get all of that in Epic Love. This is a beautiful yet heart breaking story that tugs at all of your heartstrings. It's honestly just a beautiful love story and I don't want to give more than that away because I feel like the less you know going in the better.

But seriously you guys, you really need to pick up Epic Love. I really loved it and it's definitely going on my top list of 2016. Trudy outdid herself.

caseroo7's review

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4.0

Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick

Epic Love is the third book in the Epic Fail Series by Trudy Stiles, but it can easily be read as a standalone story. Though this is the third book in the series, I had never read a book by Trudy Stiles before starting this one. While I hadn't read anything by her before, I had heard great things about her books and the blurb for Epic Love was one that immediately drew me in. This was a really great story, and I can't wait to read more from Trudy Stiles in the future.

Growing up surrounded by crime, Heath Strickland found his escape in music and his childhood friend Noelle Durand. Their friendship grew to be more, and he would have given anything to protect her. But when Noelle suddenly disappeared, Heath never stopped hoping that she would return. After time, her family and friends lost hope and began to move forward with their lives. Twelve years later, Heath is the lead singer of the band Epic Fail and is living his life, but with one phone call everything changes.

I really loved the relationship between Heath and Noelle. You could really feel the connection between them, and I loved the fact that we got to see their history as well as the present. Getting to see their past really added to the story, and a lot of that was getting to see the growth between them over time. Both Noelle and Heath were likable characters, and they just felt so genuine and real to me. They definitely brought out the feels though, and their story was an emotional one.

I will say that there were a few things that kept this one from being a five star read for me, with the main one being the fact that there were some things that were a bit far fetched. While I did feel that some things were a bit unrealistic, I was able to still enjoy the story for what it was and I really liked the book overall. I really liked this world that Trudy Stiles has creative, and I am looking forward to going back and reading the previous books in this series. The Epic Fail series is a spin-off of the Forever Family series, and I am really looking forward to reading that series as well. I would recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of the NA genre.

**ARC Provided by Southern Belle Promotions**

shellysbookcorner's review

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4.0



Growing up Noelle didn't have it easy after her mother passed away. She endured a lot of abuse from her stepmother. The only thing keeping her going is her neighbor, Heath. Heath was her savior and did his best to be there for her. Their friendship turned into relationship over the years. Everything was ok until one day Noelle just disappears and Heath is left with tons of unanswered questions. My heart broke for Heath and the guilt he felt for not being able to "save" Noelle. There were a lot of twist and turns in this book that I didn't see coming. Once you read everything makes sense.

The story is told in a past/present dual pov. I'm really happy the author wrote the story this way as you got to experience the emotions both characters felt through out the book. They both had been hurt and you could feel the pain they've been suffering for the past 12 years. My heart broke for these two.

“I believe in moonlight,” he says, his eyes searching mine. “I believe in fireflies.” He leans forward and kisses me softly. “I believe in fairies,” he says against my lips. “I believe in dreams coming true.” “And I believe in us.”



This was a beautifully written story about second chances, facing your fears, self discovery and starting fresh. I throughly enjoyed this book and will need to check out the other stories.

*an arc was give for an honest review*

For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com

kspear22's review against another edition

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3.0

The first two books in this series were great. I truly enjoyed them, so I was excited to receive this ARC to continue my journey. Unfortunately, this one lacked a bit of what I loved so much about the other two.

Like the other books in the Epic Fail series, we get glimpses of the characters’ pasts. And I really loved those scenes! It definitely adds depth to the story. Especially in this case where we see the couple’s history. And really, the present scenes didn’t bother me until the phone call mentioned in the description took place.

I just really thought some of the story was too far-fetched. I think you’ll see what I mean once you read, but I didn’t quite comprehend the necessity of the act(s) that caused Noelle to disappear. To me, that part of the story is still muddled. Some aspects just didn’t connect.

I did love Heath and Noelle as children and teenagers. Their relationship was authentic, as was its growth. It was probably my favorite thing about the book. I did miss the other characters from the series, too. They feel like a family, so their absence was noticed.

I won’t say anything else in order to keep this spoiler-free, but I did enjoy the story. Just not as much as the previous two. Trudy Stiles can write, and I’m still looking forward to Tristan’s story!

linzreadz13's review against another edition

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5.0

*Grateful to have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
*This book is intended for mature adults only (18+)*

Just when I thought Epic Lies was my favorite Trudy Stiles book she comes through with a truly fabulous and heart wrenching read! After reading Epic Lies all I wanted was more of this world. Anyone who knows me, knows that usually rock star romances drive me crazy! As in, I generally won’t even give them a try and completely pass on them. However, the way Trudy writes them, I LOVE them and want more, more, more!

The male lead characters in this stand-alone series are members of the band Epic Fail. While there are bits and pieces of the story that are about the band; the majority is not and I absolutely love that! All of the male characters in this series are ridiculously swoon worthy! I have too many book boyfriends to count but Heath is the newest edition to my list.

“You’re more stunning than I remember. You’re stunning, Noelle.” –Heath

This story, as with the previous books in this series, is written in alternating moments of the past and present. The flashes to the past help add to the character development and truly makes the reader connect with them. I absolutely loved seeing the glimpses of Heath and the love of his life as children and teenagers.

Reading this book was like watching a movie. One of those movies where you could feel everything the characters did. I felt every fear, every pain, every bit of hope and love. It was amazing! I was completely sucked into this world and Heath’s story. I couldn’t get enough and finished it all in one sitting. I can’t wait for Tristan’s story!

If you love a little bit of a mystery, heart wrenching, and overall a book that is going to make you feel ALL the feels; this book if for you!

Some Other of My Favorite Quotes
“She was the first girl I ever loved.”

“You’re my home,” she whispers. “You always will be.”

“I believe in moonlight,” he says, his eyes searching mine.
“I believe in fireflies.” He leans forward and kisses me softly.
“I believe in fairies,” he says against my lips.
“I believe in dreams coming true.”
“And I believe us.”

bronsbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

I really loved the first half of this book but after the couple was reunited I found the story a little boring and was skimming pages to get to the end. Still an enjoyable read I just wish the last half could have kept my interest like the first did. 3.5 stars.

tenthomp's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 Stars!

I want to start by saying that I LOVED the beginning of this book. I thoroughly loved the pain and suffering and the hope that Heath brought Noelle. However, once the two are reunited, I was a little let down. It just was a little boring and drawn out. I also didn't love the way Tonya was tied in. Although this is a standalone, if you have read any of the Forever Family series, it does tie in.

ghostlyreader's review against another edition

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5.0

There are certain books that you get hooked on from the first page. Epic Love is one of those books. There are certain authors that more people need to know about. Trudy is one of those authors.

I absolutely loved Epic Lies when I read it which is the second book in this series but Epic Love? Man she blew it out of the water with this book.

First of all, I absolutely loved Heath and Noelle. They were sweet characters that you love from the very beginning. However, there is one character in this book that I absolutely hated. I won't name the character because if you read it, you'll know but that's how you know an author has done a fantastic job. When you want to literally go inside a book and punch a character in the face.

Now for plot, I love me some drama, angst and twists. You get all of that in Epic Love. This is a beautiful yet heart breaking story that tugs at all of your heartstrings. It's honestly just a beautiful love story and I don't want to give more than that away because I feel like the less you know going in the better.

But seriously you guys, you really need to pick up Epic Love. I really loved it and it's definitely going on my top list of 2016. Trudy outdid herself.

pavi_fictionalworm's review against another edition

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4.0

The review was first posted on a For The Love of Fictional Worlds as part of the Release Tour <3


I had really high expectations from this book – especially considering the blurb – full of angst and definitely a second chance at romance that would give you all the feels. And it definitely delivered for the most part, but somehow the swinging end, came to be a little downer!

Heath Strickland, is the current iconic singer of the famous band, Epic Fail – he has had a good life; parents who loved him and a best friend whom he fell in love with. But it all went to hell, when his best friend/girlfriend turns up missing/presumed dead. He hasn’t actually moved on, but does what he can to survive his days and he doesn’t even know when he can move on!

Noelle Durrand, on the other hand, is the product of love. But losing her mother at a young age, ended up with her being in one of the worst kind of lives ever. Her father, though he loves her, isn’t really around much now and leaves her with her witch of a step-mother; a woman who not only is evil, she is also one villain, I just couldn’t stand.

The story of Noelle and Heath is told in two ways – the past and the present. It is the past that takes hold you by the throat and gives your heart all the pain and feels. It is the past where you end up getting to know Heath and Noelle, as friends and then when they fall in love!

A background of abuse, and a world of that was created showed how absolutely beautiful and amazing first loves can be, and the love story of Heath and Noelle was at its purest!

Now, my issue though was with their present – it took a phone call for everything to change for Heath and Noelle – but with all the secrets between them, how is THAT easy to fall back together? Even when they had their issues, I really do wish that they had taken a little more time to try and get to know each other as adults; their past and present properly. Don’t get me wrong, I am not doubting their love (you really can’t, if you have read their past!), but what I am is a little apprehensive about how easily they let go of their issues about their past – even if it was together, and not individually, I would have loved this one a whole lot more if there had been an effort to get an insight into their secrets and their past!



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inkdrinkerpdx's review against another edition

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3.0

I haven't read any of the other books in this series but saw this and it intrigued me and it said it could be read as a standalone. The prologue and the first 50% was really good and had me hooked. From there it was still good but I felt like it was just going through the motions and I didn't feel the connection between Heath and Noelle like I did in the first 50%. The ending was sweet and I do want to read the other books in the series.