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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
itkimby's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, and Child death
Moderate: War
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Cursing
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
ssilberman's review
emotional
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
4.0
The last loss was totally unnecessary to the story!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Cancer
books_with_frankie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
I don’t even know where to begin with this review. For starters this book should have been sold with tissues, a comfort blanket and waterproof mascara. But regardless I absolutely loved Beckett and Ella’s story.
The story follows Ella, a single mom to twins, who starts to write letters to her brothers best friend, Chaos (aka Beckett) who is serving in the military. Writing to Chaos becomes Ella’s escape whilst her daughter is diagnosed with Cancer. But when Ryan, Ella’s brother, dies in action his last letter is delivered to Beckett, asking him to go to Ella and look after her and the twins. Beckett turns up at Ella’s business but doesn’t tell her he’s the one she’s been writing to. What happens when not just Ella, but her kids too, start to fall for Beckett?
For starters this book literally wrenched my heart out but if I could read this all over again I really would. The twins were literally so perfect in this book, the way they supported not only each other but their mum was so lovely to read. What else was nice to read? A man like Beckett. This man was literally everything. Closed off to the world apart from the woman and kids he loves. He stepped up when he didn’t have to and made life a little bit better when Ella’s seemed to be falling apart. However, my favourite character was Ella. She was so strong and picked herself up when life threw her some awful cards.
Overall, this book broke me but in the best way possible. I loved every character and every aspect (okay maybe not every, but it’s all character growth) of this book. I do think there should be trigger warnings for what is included within the book as I know there are some readers who it would effect.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Tropes included:
- Military Romance
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Single Mum
- Hidden Identity
- Protective MMC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Cancer, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Grief
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
litenkyckling's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I picked this up when I was looking for something emotional. While I don’t usually reach for books about the military, the brothers best aspect drew me in. It was pleasantly not too military heavy. I enjoyed this but the pacing didn’t totally work for me, as the final third felt like a bit of a rush to the end despite what was brought into the story at that point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death, Child death, Cancer, Grief, Medical trauma, and War
anniereads0714's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book isn’t for everyone, and I’ll have to be mindful when recommending this one. But I can honestly say this is one of the most beautiful, deeply thoughtful, and touching stories I’ve ever read.
The synopsis for this book did not prepare me for the havoc that this book would wreak upon my heart. I started to read spoilers about 77% in, and I wasn’t sure I could bring myself to read the end of this book. I think I made it 8 hours before I had to pick it up again. I wasn’t sure I’d like a book without a non-HEA. Touché Rebecca. Touché.
This book rips you apart only to put you back together again. Rebecca does a beautiful job drawing you into this story. Topics addressed in this book are heavy! Even so, Rebecca does a beautiful job of addressing grief, loss, and fragility.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Abandonment, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Child death, Cancer, Medical trauma, Abortion, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Blood, Death, War, Violence, and Chronic illness
teaandfairytales's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If you want to bawl your eyes out then this is the book for you. I honestly don't think I've cried so much listening/reading a book ever.
This book is sad and honestly so so emotional.
This book is sad and honestly so so emotional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Cancer, Medical content, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Death