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samsmith_swc's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
This was probably one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read. It absolutely gutted me. I should have known it was going to rip my heart out when I got through the first 38 pages. It’s such an emotional story. But so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, War, and Sexual content
readingonthefly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
That was sooooo unnecessary
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Medical content, Death, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Grief
jmelauren's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It isn't Ella or Beckett or even Maisie that makes me cry. Colt absolutely breaks me. The way he treated, talked to, talked about his sister was truly magnificent.
It bothers me that this book is everywhere rigtht now and everyone is recommending it, saying it's amazing and it will break it you, but not once has anyone said it contains graphic sex scenes.
It bothers me that this book is everywhere rigtht now and everyone is recommending it, saying it's amazing and it will break it you, but not once has anyone said it contains graphic sex scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: War
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Gosh that was beautiful and absolutely devastating. So much of it was heartbreaking but it was so honest and heartfelt too. I thought the grief was handled in such a real way, raw and genuine and not glossed over, and thread of the emotion, love, sacrifice and hope was woven in throughout. Really well written and so hard to put down. Loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cancer, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death
daciane's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I had high hopes for this book. It started so well, then progressively went down hill. I found the main characters to be somewhat draining and repetitive. When the book finally picks up after Maisie's recovery , I thought we're finally getting on track. Nope. Then Colton dies . Unsure why this was necessary for the storyline? Then Ella's grief reaction feels inadequate considering the extent of her loss. Do not read if you're hoping for a nice, happy ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Vomit, Medical content, Death, Sexual content, and Child death
chelle22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Grief, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual content, and War
laugh4life1998's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
R- this book….it was such a sad story yet so beautifully written! I fell in love with all the characters and felt what the main character felt as I have twins myself. Only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is cuz the sex scenes were too much. I wish authors would not be so detailed and realize they can be just as sensual by just being suggestive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
amanda_reads13's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
2.0
***Please check the warnings if you have any triggers involving children. This book should come with trigger warnings!!!
Beckett's if fulfilling his best friend, Ryan's, last wish. In his last letter, Ryan asks Beckett to get out of the army and go to take care his sister, Ella, and her children.
I don't think I have sobbed do hard reading a book. I loved this book up until about the 90% mark (see next paragraph). This is not your typical romance, you don't get a heartwarming HEA. This book is an exploration of motherhood, of loyalty, and of bonds forged through trauma. It is a story of forgiveness and the healing power of unconditional love.
I really thought this was going to be a 5 star for me. And then the last 10% happened. I knew something big was comingwhen they were getting their HEA with 4 chapters left. In one way I was completely blindsided, but in another way I had a feeling that something would happen to Cole. But man, that scene when Beckett finds Cole at the bottom of that landslide destroyed me. It was gut wrentching, absolutely devastating. BUT here is my issue: it didn't add anying to the story and did not need to happen. Yes, tragedies happen, but this last 10% was added for shock value and I don't like that. Haven't they been through enough? Ella has literally lost her entire family and went through her daughter almost dying of cancer, only for her son to be killed off. Why? They couldn't just get their HEA? This whole part should have been cut out.
Beckett is broken, raised in the foster system, he joined the army as soon as he could. He has never known love or emotional connection until he met his best friend Ryan. That connection altered the course of his life forever. Ryan lead him to Ella, who showed him what it was like to truly be part of a loving family.
Ella has not only lost her entire family, but now her daughter is fighting for her life. She is an incredibly strong mother who puts everything into protecting her children. She has major trust issues and has never felt like she has been able to depend on anyone. That is until Beckett. These two help each other heal and support each other through their grief and trauma.
Of course I can't not mention Havoc... The best doggie ever! I loved her and her connection to all of the characters.
Tropes: found family, brothers best friend, forced proximity
Beckett's if fulfilling his best friend, Ryan's, last wish. In his last letter, Ryan asks Beckett to get out of the army and go to take care his sister, Ella, and her children.
I don't think I have sobbed do hard reading a book. I loved this book up until about the 90% mark (see next paragraph). This is not your typical romance, you don't get a heartwarming HEA. This book is an exploration of motherhood, of loyalty, and of bonds forged through trauma. It is a story of forgiveness and the healing power of unconditional love.
I really thought this was going to be a 5 star for me. And then the last 10% happened. I knew something big was coming
Beckett is broken, raised in the foster system, he joined the army as soon as he could. He has never known love or emotional connection until he met his best friend Ryan. That connection altered the course of his life forever. Ryan lead him to Ella, who showed him what it was like to truly be part of a loving family.
Ella has not only lost her entire family, but now her daughter is fighting for her life. She is an incredibly strong mother who puts everything into protecting her children. She has major trust issues and has never felt like she has been able to depend on anyone. That is until Beckett. These two help each other heal and support each other through their grief and trauma.
Of course I can't not mention Havoc... The best doggie ever! I loved her and her connection to all of the characters.
Tropes: found family, brothers best friend, forced proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Sexual content, Gun violence, Child death, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Torture
keeparas's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Child death
Moderate: Sexual content
bookkatbaddie's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I made it through a very good amount of this book without getting too emotional. The end ruined me. I do feel like in the end it was a bit forced but it was also devastating and beautifully horrible. I don’t think I can even talk about this book out loud yet without crying. This book makes me furious for Ella and felt so real to me that I mourned her heartbreak like my own.
My issues lie mainly in the dialogue of this book and is the main reason I couldn’t give 5 stars. The twins especially -though I understand they are meant to be wise beyond their years- are seemingly just there to give these deep, teaching moment dialogues even though they’re 6. They don’t lash out or argue with the mom or behave in anyway normal to 6 year olds to the point of diminishing their character realism. The second main reason is the lack of focus on Beckett’s grief and trauma from his unit and his life. He’s not given any focus really on how he actually copes and pulls himself from grief. Especially with the ending, I feel he was robbed of being allowed to fall into the grief that any person in his position would have fallen to.
My issues lie mainly in the dialogue of this book and is the main reason I couldn’t give 5 stars. The twins especially -though I understand they are meant to be wise beyond their years- are seemingly just there to give these deep, teaching moment dialogues even though they’re 6. They don’t lash out or argue with the mom or behave in anyway normal to 6 year olds to the point of diminishing their character realism. The second main reason is the lack of focus on Beckett’s grief and trauma from his unit and his life. He’s not given any focus really on how he actually copes and pulls himself from grief. Especially with the ending, I feel he was robbed of being allowed to fall into the grief that any person in his position would have fallen to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cancer, Child death, Death, Grief, Terminal illness, and War
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, Violence, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Torture