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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Swoon worthy, age gap. New neighbor next door, and she starts babysitting for him. She has childhood trauma that he becomes protective of her. So sad ending, tears. Sequel involves everything they let go of 6 years ago. 10/10 favorite duet
emotional
medium-paced
Huge plot twist about Forrest.
Salem and Thayer.
Salem and Thayer.
Sometimes you come across a book/series that just stays with you. That steals a part of your soul and keeps it between its pages. That when you finish- you become changed in so many ways that you can’t even begin to explain. This was one of those duets for me. It’s going to stay with me forever, the kind that even if I could, I wouldn’t want to forget.
I’d heard it was sad and so almost didn’t pick it up, but I was assured that by the end of book 2 there would be an HEA and as sad as both books are, they were beautiful and worth reading.
It was a good thing I didn’t check ahead of time regarding WHY exactly these books was so devastating because there was a good chance I never would have read them and that would’ve been a shame because these books are sooo many things. They’re beautiful, bittersweet, devastating and tragic and yet it gives you hope even while destroying your heart. It’s about love, and loss and grief and coping and moving on and rising above and second chances and forgiveness, but ultimately it’s about life and sometimes- it’s hard even while it’s beautiful.
I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from this duet. I never cry when reading- even when something is insanely sad. As a mama and exactly why this was hard to read-I’m no less grateful that I was able to experience it.
I can’t properly put this book into words- I just hope that you choose to experience it despite knowing it’s sad and then hug your babies (if you have them) and your mama’s (if you still have them) a little tighter afterward. I don’t normally list triggers- but in this instance I’m going to- sexual abuse, cancer and death. And they’re written about in a very real way so just be prepared. This one hit me particularly hard as a mama of a 7yo little boy. So I say this with all the love in my hearts- but mamas- this book/duet is 100% worth reading but please know this one is going to hurt if you do
Ultimately, as sad as I am right now- I’m incredibly grateful to have experienced this story. It’s poetic and just beautiful and full of emotion.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was everything I didn't know I needed. Deeply emotional--parts that make you smile and laugh, parts that make you cry and ache. I became so invested in the characters' lives that I felt like my own heart was breaking in this book. I couldn't put it down and IMMEDIATELY started book #2 in the duet when I finished it. (P.S. look at the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book before reading)
I had pretty high expectations for this book. Not for any particular reason but just because the blurb really drew me in. I really wanted to see where the story would go. it presents as a light read but as you get into the book there is heavy subject matter. I’m giving it three stars because while it was a good story, the writing was extremely weak. It could’ve been so much more. I found the constant use of the word fuck to be unnecessary. I curse like a sailor so it’s not the vulgarity. It was the fact that it was used so much for dramatic effect that it came off as juvenile and poor writing. This could easily have been written in a way that would emotionally affect the reader without the characters constantly having to say fuck to show how emotional they’re being. It really served no purpose. For the positives I would have to say I really loved Salem and Thayer. They were really great, likable characters. I think there could have been better character development with Thayer though. We know a lot about what makes Salem the way she is, about her past. We don’t know a lot about Thayer though. He’s a divorced dad, super helpful and smitten with Salem. That’s about it. I recommend this book if you like emotional reads, love stories and are ok if there isn’t a HEA. There’s a part two so it should be interesting to see where things go in the next book.
I received The Confidence of Wildflowers in return for an honest review from the publisher.
School has ended Salem's boyfriend Caleb is headed off to college in the fall while she stays behind to find herself. The new neighbor has her curiosity peaked his grumpy behavior something she needs needs to discover. An unlikely friendship develops between the two as she breaks down his walls and he mends some of her own. Salem decides it's time to end things with Caleb and see how things go with Thayer but her age keeps their relationship a secret as the pair grow together.
I love Salem so much even though she's only 18 she's stronger and wiser beyond her years. Thayer has his own charm once she get's past the grumpy landscaper that we met in his backyard. I honestly love Thayer for Salem he complements her so well as does she him. I love all the sweet moments between them as they do simple things like sunglasses and cupcakes.
I was so excited to dive right into this beautiful duet as I haven't read a contemporary romance in ages that captures my heart fully. This one is definitely an emotional roller coaster it gives you all the feelings. The author has done a brilliant job creating complex character you just can't help falling in love with. The story is beautifully written it was hard to put down because I wanted their happy ever after.
I highly recommend reading these back to back. You'll need to see how it all plays out in The Resurrection of Wildflowers. I honestly loved it even when it made me cry, the story is just so amazing. I think this duet is my favorite of 2023 and I can't stop telling people to read them. I just loved them so much.
School has ended Salem's boyfriend Caleb is headed off to college in the fall while she stays behind to find herself. The new neighbor has her curiosity peaked his grumpy behavior something she needs needs to discover. An unlikely friendship develops between the two as she breaks down his walls and he mends some of her own. Salem decides it's time to end things with Caleb and see how things go with Thayer but her age keeps their relationship a secret as the pair grow together.
I love Salem so much even though she's only 18 she's stronger and wiser beyond her years. Thayer has his own charm once she get's past the grumpy landscaper that we met in his backyard. I honestly love Thayer for Salem he complements her so well as does she him. I love all the sweet moments between them as they do simple things like sunglasses and cupcakes.
I was so excited to dive right into this beautiful duet as I haven't read a contemporary romance in ages that captures my heart fully. This one is definitely an emotional roller coaster it gives you all the feelings. The author has done a brilliant job creating complex character you just can't help falling in love with. The story is beautifully written it was hard to put down because I wanted their happy ever after.
I highly recommend reading these back to back. You'll need to see how it all plays out in The Resurrection of Wildflowers. I honestly loved it even when it made me cry, the story is just so amazing. I think this duet is my favorite of 2023 and I can't stop telling people to read them. I just loved them so much.
I so so so loved this book. It had such great pacing and I read it all in one sitting. It broke my heart and made me feel all of the good things that come with love at the same time.
(I received an ARC for this book)
This book ends on a cliffhanger!
Trigger Warnings include:
mentions of childhood sexual abuse, cancer, death, and cheating (not between the main characters).
For everyone who’s had to fight for something they love. Whatever that might be.
I genuinely don’t even know where to start with this review. I finished this over two weeks ago, and I still haven’t quite put into words how beautiful this book is, and how much I love Salem and Thayer. How much I adore their stories, their love. Everything is perfect. And I’m not saying THEY are perfect, because they aren’t. But it’s their struggles, their pains, that makes their strength and their courage so perfect. Salem develops a crush on the mysterious older guy next door. But that crush turns into such a beautiful and meaningful friendship. Without even realizing it, they needed exactly what they found in each other. Thayer was somewhat rude right off the bat, which means I loved falling in love with his gooey center. The softness his heart had for Salem continuously made me swoon. (It still does.) Thayer is immensely protective and gentle with Salem in ways that she never thought she could experience, or even deserve. They flirt and fall in love over cupcakes. I mean, they are just precious. They keep each other company. Their love is undeniable. And that beautiful bond they share…leaves my heart in a puddle. Just beautiful, everything about this story. There is nothing quick or simple about this love story. It’s deep, it’s dark, it’s complex. But it is perfect. I wish I had kept count of the amount of tissues I used throughout this book, but it was PLENTY! I don’t know exactly when I’m reading the second piece of this duet, but I’m counting down the seconds until I can love Salem and Thayer even more.
Sunshine count: 3
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I don’t do things I don’t want to. I’m a selfish man.”
• “You’re okay. You’re safe with me.”
• “Don’t hide from me. Ever. I see you. I want to see you. All of you.”
• “You’re f!cking gorgeous. And right now, you’re mine.”
• “You feel like mine.”
• “I’m not bright like you, but I promise, when your days are dark, I’ll be your light.”
• “You deserve to know you’re not alone, that someone’s beside you to fight your battles with you.”
• “I want to be your someone.”
• “You’re my everything.”
• “Let me love you. The way you deserve.”
8/10 Age Gap
7/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Forced Proximity
9/10 Single Parent
10/10 Tearjerker
7/10 Workplace Romance
10/10 Series/Duet
This is my review for The Resurrection of Wildflowers
This is my review for The Endurance of Wildflowers
This book ends on a cliffhanger!
Trigger Warnings include:
mentions of childhood sexual abuse, cancer, death, and cheating (not between the main characters).
For everyone who’s had to fight for something they love. Whatever that might be.
I genuinely don’t even know where to start with this review. I finished this over two weeks ago, and I still haven’t quite put into words how beautiful this book is, and how much I love Salem and Thayer. How much I adore their stories, their love. Everything is perfect. And I’m not saying THEY are perfect, because they aren’t. But it’s their struggles, their pains, that makes their strength and their courage so perfect. Salem develops a crush on the mysterious older guy next door. But that crush turns into such a beautiful and meaningful friendship. Without even realizing it, they needed exactly what they found in each other. Thayer was somewhat rude right off the bat, which means I loved falling in love with his gooey center. The softness his heart had for Salem continuously made me swoon. (It still does.) Thayer is immensely protective and gentle with Salem in ways that she never thought she could experience, or even deserve. They flirt and fall in love over cupcakes. I mean, they are just precious. They keep each other company. Their love is undeniable. And that beautiful bond they share…leaves my heart in a puddle. Just beautiful, everything about this story. There is nothing quick or simple about this love story. It’s deep, it’s dark, it’s complex. But it is perfect. I wish I had kept count of the amount of tissues I used throughout this book, but it was PLENTY! I don’t know exactly when I’m reading the second piece of this duet, but I’m counting down the seconds until I can love Salem and Thayer even more.
Sunshine count: 3
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I don’t do things I don’t want to. I’m a selfish man.”
• “You’re okay. You’re safe with me.”
• “Don’t hide from me. Ever. I see you. I want to see you. All of you.”
• “You’re f!cking gorgeous. And right now, you’re mine.”
• “You feel like mine.”
• “I’m not bright like you, but I promise, when your days are dark, I’ll be your light.”
• “You deserve to know you’re not alone, that someone’s beside you to fight your battles with you.”
• “I want to be your someone.”
• “You’re my everything.”
• “Let me love you. The way you deserve.”
8/10 Age Gap
7/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Forced Proximity
9/10 Single Parent
10/10 Tearjerker
7/10 Workplace Romance
10/10 Series/Duet
This is my review for The Resurrection of Wildflowers
This is my review for The Endurance of Wildflowers