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lisamh68's review against another edition
5.0
This was a good story.. An eye opener to the dealings with people you love that suffer mental illness. Heartbreaking but really good.
michellesantiago's review
Originally posted on Undeniably Book Nerdy book blog:
Bittersweet Always is the standalone follow up to Suddenly Forbidden. In this one we follow Pippa James and Toby Hawthorne, both of whom we met in Suddenly Forbidden. The two books overlap and scenes in the beginning we've already "seen" in Suddenly Forbidden, but this time we see the even through Pippa and Toby's eyes. So, if you have not read Suddenly Forbidden, you're covered (but I suggest you pick it up because it's really good).
To be honest, I was most excited to be back in Gray Springs to spend more time with the Suddenly Forbidden couple, Daisy and Quinn. I wasn't read to leave them after the end of their book, but Pippa and Toby quickly found their way into my heart. Where Daisy was quiet and more reserved, Pippa was loud and tell-it-like-it-is, which I really liked.
As for Toby, he was a bit more complicated. He suffers from a mental illness, and we see him at his highs and also his lowest lows. These types of contemporary romance that deal with sensitive subject matters are not ones I gravitate towards, but I thought the author did a good job handling Toby's story. It's important to realize that this is just one person's experience and it's not the be-all and end-all for people suffering mental illness.
I'm not going to get into the plot, but suffice to say that Pippa and Toby's chemistry leaps off the page from the moment they met. I loved how Toby pursued Pippa and his love for her--their love for each other was undeniable. But, it was also messy and heartbreaking and I felt for them both.
If you're looking for an emotional read, check out Bittersweet Always.
Bittersweet Always is the standalone follow up to Suddenly Forbidden. In this one we follow Pippa James and Toby Hawthorne, both of whom we met in Suddenly Forbidden. The two books overlap and scenes in the beginning we've already "seen" in Suddenly Forbidden, but this time we see the even through Pippa and Toby's eyes. So, if you have not read Suddenly Forbidden, you're covered (but I suggest you pick it up because it's really good).
To be honest, I was most excited to be back in Gray Springs to spend more time with the Suddenly Forbidden couple, Daisy and Quinn. I wasn't read to leave them after the end of their book, but Pippa and Toby quickly found their way into my heart. Where Daisy was quiet and more reserved, Pippa was loud and tell-it-like-it-is, which I really liked.
As for Toby, he was a bit more complicated. He suffers from a mental illness, and we see him at his highs and also his lowest lows. These types of contemporary romance that deal with sensitive subject matters are not ones I gravitate towards, but I thought the author did a good job handling Toby's story. It's important to realize that this is just one person's experience and it's not the be-all and end-all for people suffering mental illness.
I'm not going to get into the plot, but suffice to say that Pippa and Toby's chemistry leaps off the page from the moment they met. I loved how Toby pursued Pippa and his love for her--their love for each other was undeniable. But, it was also messy and heartbreaking and I felt for them both.
If you're looking for an emotional read, check out Bittersweet Always.
kodom251999's review
4.0
I loved this book! I have been struggling with anxiety for a couple of years to the point of not wanting to leave my home. It’s not fun, and I truly believe that many people hide it. I loved Pippa and Toby! I felt this story needs to be read by everyone. Pippa’s experiences with her father almost made her miss her life with Toby! I am so glad I read this story!
shms's review
4.0
I started this with some trepidation as I don't do well with books that have a dose of realism and mega angst in them. My preferred reading material of romance and HEA's don't usually touch on one of my triggers. The topic of mental illness was sensitively handled and you could argue that it was with a relatively light touch because we're seeing in the the context of a romance read. So the despair, the struggle isn't relentless and we are always given a thread of hope. There is an HEA and it comes from the H himself realizing he needed to help himself and an h that's brave and gives herself completely.
shmsy's review
4.0
I started this with some trepidation as I don't do well with books that have a dose of realism and mega angst in them. My preferred reading material of romance and HEA's don't usually touch on one of my triggers. The topic of mental illness was sensitively handled and you could argue that it was with a relatively light touch because we're seeing in the the context of a romance read. So the despair, the struggle isn't relentless and we are always given a thread of hope. There is an HEA and it comes from the H himself realizing he needed to help himself and an h that's brave and gives herself completely.
stephaniek219's review
5.0
From the first book I read by Ella Fields, she became a favorite. She is my instant 1-Click author no matter the topic. Ella writes complex emotions like no other. Life caused me to take much longer than normal to read Bittersweet Always, and as frustrating as it was (I hated putting it down!) I'm glad, because it forced me to marinate in the chaos, sadness, joy, pain, confusion, and love that is felt from beginning to end.
As you read, you can feel just how muddied Toby's thoughts are. Constant chaos, with a broken filter that allows random thoughts to poor out... even when he knows they are off the mark. Ella's writing allows us to feel the noise that is constantly in Toby's head. I felt his struggle, pain, and ultimate his victory as though it were my own.
Pippa was a favorite character when we first met her in Suddenly Forbidden. She's sharp, witty, and caring. And she's fallen in love with the last person her heart should have allowed.
“You’re allowed to love someone who’s hurt you.”
But perhaps its just that reason she has the ability deep inside to have the strength both she and Toby need.
“Loving him would always be bittersweet, but I knew then that the sweet would always outweigh the bitter.”
As you read, you can feel just how muddied Toby's thoughts are. Constant chaos, with a broken filter that allows random thoughts to poor out... even when he knows they are off the mark. Ella's writing allows us to feel the noise that is constantly in Toby's head. I felt his struggle, pain, and ultimate his victory as though it were my own.
Pippa was a favorite character when we first met her in Suddenly Forbidden. She's sharp, witty, and caring. And she's fallen in love with the last person her heart should have allowed.
“You’re allowed to love someone who’s hurt you.”
But perhaps its just that reason she has the ability deep inside to have the strength both she and Toby need.
“Loving him would always be bittersweet, but I knew then that the sweet would always outweigh the bitter.”
hijinx_abound's review
4.0
Heartbreaker. Oh Toby. He had so many ch going on. I am really glad that this book took a look at mental illness and didn’t have him “fixed” in a chapter. He struggled and messed up and almost lost everything. He also easy able to repair all of her s mistakes in a few chapters.
Pip was funny and real and just so devastated. Having a parent who was struggling with his mental illness left her raw and Toby flayed her open.
I really hope Callum gets a book because seriously WTF???
Pip was funny and real and just so devastated. Having a parent who was struggling with his mental illness left her raw and Toby flayed her open.
I really hope Callum gets a book because seriously WTF???
reading_with_2_book_lovers's review
5.0
this is the second book in a series of standalones and ms fields knocked it out of the park again with Toby and Pippas story.
"you're worth it all, and hopefully one day, you'll see that. see yourself the way I do."
I loved getting to see Toby and Pippas story and seeing all the struggles they have and there family have.
"you're my distaster."
"hi tobes....pip-squeak"
it was great to see more of quinn and daisy from the first book, this story has some great secondary characters also.
"but even among all the chaos, my soul will always recognize yours."
this story has some hard points in it but definitely opened my eyes to how hard it is for some people to deal.
I cant wait to see what else Ms fields has in store for us with this series.
I highly recommend this story.
"you're worth it all, and hopefully one day, you'll see that. see yourself the way I do."
I loved getting to see Toby and Pippas story and seeing all the struggles they have and there family have.
"you're my distaster."
"hi tobes....pip-squeak"
it was great to see more of quinn and daisy from the first book, this story has some great secondary characters also.
"but even among all the chaos, my soul will always recognize yours."
this story has some hard points in it but definitely opened my eyes to how hard it is for some people to deal.
I cant wait to see what else Ms fields has in store for us with this series.
I highly recommend this story.
annuu14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5