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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
Heathen and Honeysuckle by @sarahabaileyauthor is the best book I read this year so far, HANDS DOWN!!! 😍
Blurb: Then: Leo Graham knows nothing new ever happens in the small town of Pacific Shores. That is, until he runs into his new neighbor. Golden haired, honey-eyed, and sharp-tongued, Darby Andrews. The mischievous surfer is immediately smitten with the innocent girl-next-door, and vows to dedicate his summer to bringing out her wild side. As Leo and Darby’s budding friendship turns into a burning love that neither of them could’ve expected, Leo is determined to protect it at all costs. Until he finds the girl of his teenage dreams ran away in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye.
Now: Darby Andrews is Crestwell, Kansas’s golden child. She’s always been a rule follower, save for one secret summer spent living with her grandmother in California; the consequences of which still haunt her a decade later. Darby’s always done what she was told, including agreeing to marry the man hand-picked by her demanding father. While perfect on paper, Darby knows what love is, and her engagement to Jackson Montague isn’t it. When the boy who’s heart she broke all those years ago shows up on the cusp of her nuptials claiming to have received a letter she never meant to send him, and an offer to run away, Darby’s left with a choice: remain the good girl she’s always been, or become the wild spirit she’s always wished to be.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Heathen and Honeysuckle emotionally damaged me in the best way possible. 🥹
Leo and Darby have taken over my soul completely! Their relationship dynamic is so powerful and beautiful, yet incredibly written. I felt their everlasting devotion and love to each other through the pages. As the story weaves through the past and present, I was familiarized with these two characters at a deeper level. They became a part of me as I was reading, and I could not get enough!!! Also, the steamy scenes were absolutely scorchin’ hot and definitively blush worthy. ❤️🔥
Heathen and Honeysuckle is one of those stories that leaves you captivated, devastated, and yearning to learn more about Darby and Leo’s epic love story. I could not put the novel down, it was so dang good!!! Also, I enjoyed the surprise near the end of H&H (IFKYK). Sarah A. Bailey has crafted a wonderful and iconic novel filled with found family, beautiful declarations of love, shocking twists, and well-deserved second chances! 😊🌊🏄♂️
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read/review this ARC! 🤩📚❤️
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challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Told through dual POV in the present day and through flashbacks to 10 years ago, the story of Darby and Leo unfolds.
Through this story Sarah made me fall in love with her characters and then ripped my heart out and handed it to me. This story is so beautiful and heartfelt.
This book made me cry and smile. I loved it!
I will definitely be reading her other books and I can’t wait for the next one in The Pacific Shores Series. I hope it is who I think it will be.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received an ARC and will post an honest review of this book.
Heathen & Honeysuckle was such a beautiful read. This was my first Sarah book and I want to dig into more of her work because this was such a work of art. This is a second chance romance worth waiting for. The then and now chapters filled everything in and left no questions on my end. You truly see the love between these two. Heathen is Leo and Honeysuckle is Darby, and the way Leo talks about Darby like she's the best thing since sliced bread is literally GOALS.
So for a bit of background, Darby is sent to Pacific Shores so that her family can hide a huge secret from her. When in Pacific Shores, she and Leo have a whirlwind romance and it leaves a permanent mark on both of their hearts, but when Darby gets a call from her sister, she must leave INSTANTLY. 10 years have gone by, and Leo shows up on her wedding day courtesy of her sister...
There were so many twists and turns and the spice was just enough to not be overbearing, it doesn't take out the plot, the plot is incredible. I found myself sobbing and laughing and smiling the whole book!!
I love that I've found my Leo and I only hope that others will be able to find their Leo.
Heathen & Honeysuckle was such a beautiful read. This was my first Sarah book and I want to dig into more of her work because this was such a work of art. This is a second chance romance worth waiting for. The then and now chapters filled everything in and left no questions on my end. You truly see the love between these two. Heathen is Leo and Honeysuckle is Darby, and the way Leo talks about Darby like she's the best thing since sliced bread is literally GOALS.
So for a bit of background, Darby is sent to Pacific Shores so that her family can hide a huge secret from her. When in Pacific Shores, she and Leo have a whirlwind romance and it leaves a permanent mark on both of their hearts, but when Darby gets a call from her sister, she must leave INSTANTLY. 10 years have gone by, and Leo shows up on her wedding day courtesy of her sister...
There were so many twists and turns and the spice was just enough to not be overbearing, it doesn't take out the plot, the plot is incredible. I found myself sobbing and laughing and smiling the whole book!!
I love that I've found my Leo and I only hope that others will be able to find their Leo.
I’m not normally a second chance romance girly but if Leo Grahams involved EYE want to be involved🥵🥵🥵
I liked the multiple POVs and how it really showed how the past shaped Darby and Leo.
I wasn’t expecting one of the twists, so that was really delightful. The smut was 🥵🤭.
Vibes: 12/10
Plot: 8/10
I liked the multiple POVs and how it really showed how the past shaped Darby and Leo.
I wasn’t expecting one of the twists, so that was really delightful. The smut was 🥵🤭.
Vibes: 12/10
Plot: 8/10
This was such a good second chance romance book! This is my first book by this author and I can’t wait to continue this series with the future books. I loved the dual timeline and the build up that was happening in both storylines the entire time!
Darby and Leo have the summer of a lifetime, and when it’s ripped apart, they don’t hear from one another until a few weeks before Darby’s wedding. When she calls it off, they reconnect as they stay under the radar from her parents and as they do a cross country road trip!
This book did a great job in both emotional chapters and just chapters that are pure fun!
Darby and Leo have the summer of a lifetime, and when it’s ripped apart, they don’t hear from one another until a few weeks before Darby’s wedding. When she calls it off, they reconnect as they stay under the radar from her parents and as they do a cross country road trip!
This book did a great job in both emotional chapters and just chapters that are pure fun!
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dual POV, Dual Timeline, Spicy, Second Chance, Runaway Bride, Bad Boy x Good Girl, Small Town
Heathen and Honeysuckle is an angsty roller coaster of a book giving 'The Notebook' vibes. The dual timeline, flipping between the summer Leo and Darby met and the present, makes this book hard to put down as you just want to unravel what happened to tear the two apart and what will happen now that they are reunited. Darby has spent her entire life trying to be the 'good girl' her strict parents wants her to be only to realize on her wedding day that being the 'good girl' will never bring her happiness. And when the opportunity comes for her to escape her wedding and reunite with Leo she runs and doesn't look back. Emotional, tender, angsty this second chance romance hits every mark.
Heathen and Honeysuckle is an angsty roller coaster of a book giving 'The Notebook' vibes. The dual timeline, flipping between the summer Leo and Darby met and the present, makes this book hard to put down as you just want to unravel what happened to tear the two apart and what will happen now that they are reunited. Darby has spent her entire life trying to be the 'good girl' her strict parents wants her to be only to realize on her wedding day that being the 'good girl' will never bring her happiness. And when the opportunity comes for her to escape her wedding and reunite with Leo she runs and doesn't look back. Emotional, tender, angsty this second chance romance hits every mark.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
I have spent all day trying to figure out exactly what to say about Heathen & Honeysuckle. The first words that come to mind are gutted, obliterated, heart in a blender. This story completely crushed my heart and then like a beautiful stained glass masterpiece, carefully and artfully put it back together. There was so much tragedy and challenge in the pages of this story that it kept me entranced because I just could not wait for Leo and Darby's love to overcome it all. The story weaves back and forth between a past and present timeline, which gives a depth that is absolute perfection. I had so many feelings of teenage nostalgia and the words to this story were so beautifully written that it was poetic. Heathen & Honeysuckle was one of the best stories I've ever read.
I always try to snag a few quotes while I'm reading and this book was so full of swoony and sexy quotes that I have 24 options that I highlighted. Here are a couple of my favorites:
"You're the best kind of bad boy because you've got a good soul."
"I think I might wait my whole life for you to come back, Darby. Something tells me there would be no point in trying to move on from this because I'd end up searching for you in every place I go. In every person I meet. Aimlessly wandering until I find you again."
I always try to snag a few quotes while I'm reading and this book was so full of swoony and sexy quotes that I have 24 options that I highlighted. Here are a couple of my favorites:
"You're the best kind of bad boy because you've got a good soul."
"I think I might wait my whole life for you to come back, Darby. Something tells me there would be no point in trying to move on from this because I'd end up searching for you in every place I go. In every person I meet. Aimlessly wandering until I find you again."
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Passionate and Beautiful 🌼
“ Something tells me there would be no point in trying to move on from this because I’d end up searching for you in every place I go. In every person I meet. Aimlessly wandering until I find you again.”
I’m honored that I was able to read this book as an ARC. This is my honest review and I’m excited for this release.
I loved this book! It was beautifully written and detailed. I found myself pausing to admire the dialogue. The concept of a dual timeline was a new and unique reading experience for me. Every other chapter changes from past to present until the timelines converge. I thought it was done tastefully! I enjoyed seeing Leo and Darby fall for one another. Their love was passion-filled and honest. I found myself gushing every time Leo spoke 🥹. This Author has a beautiful way with words and expressions. It had the right amount of spice ✨. The characters, plot, and conflict were balanced perfectly. I enjoyed seeing the different sides of Darby. Her struggles and fears that she faced made me root for her on the sidelines.
Now, I have a couple of reasons why I didn’t give it five stars. I found that in certain parts it did seem to get slightly repetitive. I.E ( the dialogue between Leo and Dardy on their way to California. ). I also wanted to see the conversation between Elena and Darby 🥹. These are my opinions. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This one stands out and I'll recommend it always. It's a small-town romance that will capture your heart! I cried a few times 😭 because I did fall in love with Leo, Darby, and the grandma.
Now, I have a couple of reasons why I didn’t give it five stars. I found that in certain parts it did seem to get slightly repetitive. I.E (
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Car accident, Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 Stars
3 Chili Peppers
Tropes:
Second Chance
Small Town
Found Family
Trauma & Healing
Runaway Bride
Pro Surfer
Road Trip
Good Girl/Bad Boy
Forbidden First Love
Dual POV & Dual Timeline
"I wonder how I can be in a room full of so many people, and none of them can see the misery behind my eyes."
This is hands down one of the best books I have ever read. The emotions I felt reading this book checked every box. I honestly have never highlighted a book more than I did this one.
Darby/Honeysuckle and Leo/Heathen were truly meant to be. They were each other's missing puzzle pieces. They were perfection. The things that Leo said made me swoon. The way that he loved her even after all that time apart. I am getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. I loved how he calmed her down and loved her body no matter what. How he wanted her to love her body and herself as much as he did.
"I want to bring you with me because you scare my ghosts away Darby."
I loved how much Darby loved her sister and how close they were even though they were opposites, how she would do anything for her. Also, after 10 years how she still loved and needed Leo.
There were things that I never saw coming and honestly ripped my heart out. There were parts where I wanted to climb into the book and punch Darby's dad and Jackson. There were parts where I sat there with my mouth hung open over things that one of them said to her. I was so angry I had to stop reading for a little bit. But that is what I want when I am reading. I want to feel all the emotions, I want to feel what the characters are feeling.
"You don't need a piece of my soul, Honeysuckle. You already own the whole goddamn thing."
I can seriously go on and on about this book all day, that's how good it is. I did not want it to end, but I cannot wait until the next book. I think I know who it's about, and I cannot wait!
A huge, gigantic thank you to Sarah A. Bailey for this ARC
3 Chili Peppers
Tropes:
Second Chance
Small Town
Found Family
Trauma & Healing
Runaway Bride
Pro Surfer
Road Trip
Good Girl/Bad Boy
Forbidden First Love
Dual POV & Dual Timeline
"I wonder how I can be in a room full of so many people, and none of them can see the misery behind my eyes."
This is hands down one of the best books I have ever read. The emotions I felt reading this book checked every box. I honestly have never highlighted a book more than I did this one.
Darby/Honeysuckle and Leo/Heathen were truly meant to be. They were each other's missing puzzle pieces. They were perfection. The things that Leo said made me swoon. The way that he loved her even after all that time apart. I am getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. I loved how he calmed her down and loved her body no matter what. How he wanted her to love her body and herself as much as he did.
"I want to bring you with me because you scare my ghosts away Darby."
I loved how much Darby loved her sister and how close they were even though they were opposites, how she would do anything for her. Also, after 10 years how she still loved and needed Leo.
There were things that I never saw coming and honestly ripped my heart out. There were parts where I wanted to climb into the book and punch Darby's dad and Jackson. There were parts where I sat there with my mouth hung open over things that one of them said to her. I was so angry I had to stop reading for a little bit. But that is what I want when I am reading. I want to feel all the emotions, I want to feel what the characters are feeling.
"You don't need a piece of my soul, Honeysuckle. You already own the whole goddamn thing."
I can seriously go on and on about this book all day, that's how good it is. I did not want it to end, but I cannot wait until the next book. I think I know who it's about, and I cannot wait!
A huge, gigantic thank you to Sarah A. Bailey for this ARC