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lynds_13's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Death
Moderate: War
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
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
dmackreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Um wow. This book was seriously an emotional roller coaster and I bawled my eyes out in the last couple chapters.
Why are we not making it mandatory for there to be trigger warnings on these books tho??? Like I get the element of surprise but there’s so many topics that are serious triggers for people.
Anyways. It took a bit for me to get into it because I thought a few things were weird but overall it was a very great book. So so emotional and I did not expect a lot of the turns in this book. I got attached to the kids especially and it broke my heart.
Coming from a mom and a sister, just wow. Be prepared to cry.
Why are we not making it mandatory for there to be trigger warnings on these books tho??? Like I get the element of surprise but there’s so many topics that are serious triggers for people.
Anyways. It took a bit for me to get into it because I thought a few things were weird but overall it was a very great book. So so emotional and I did not expect a lot of the turns in this book. I got attached to the kids especially and it broke my heart.
Coming from a mom and a sister, just wow. Be prepared to cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Grief, Child death, Abandonment, Death, and Cancer
tristinrose's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
3.75
don't read in public, unless you're cool crying uncontrollably sobbing in front of everyone 🫡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, and Cancer
zanazy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I was not prepared for all the tears. Going into this, I knew it would be emotional, but wow… the story between Beckett and Ella is beautiful. Ella is a single, young mother of twins, and she has lost nearly everyone in her immediate family. Beckett grew up never really having a family outside of his Army brothers and never feeling worthy of love. Through letters, they find love and companionship and a deeper relationship than either one of them thought possible.
What Ella goes through as a single mom is heartbreaking and emotionally gut wrenching. Her daughter is diagnosed with cancer, she loses her brother, finds herself in financial distress and completely guilt ridden from not being there for her son. Beckett comes to her to honor his best friend’s last wish, and to meet the woman who he has fallen in love with via letters.
Beckett is hot, both in the outside and inside. He gives 1000% and he gives his whole heart and everything he has. The way he showed up for Ella and still respected her boundaries was beautiful. His connection with Ella’s children and the way he fell in love with them was magical. As a mom, knowing he was willing to be a father without forcing marriage on Ella yet being her “husband” in every way that matters was incredibly beautiful to read. The ending of the book and Colt’s unexpected and heartbreaking death was beautiful, and I shed many tears, but knowing Colt got to spend his last minutes with his dad… ugh it was just as it should be.
The story has both predictable and surprising twists and it was a beautiful story of love, family, forgiveness, and friendship. Definitely a quick read which you will not want to put down.
What Ella goes through as a single mom is heartbreaking and emotionally gut wrenching. Her daughter is diagnosed with
Beckett is hot, both in the outside and inside. He gives 1000% and he gives his whole heart and everything he has. The way he showed up for Ella and still respected her boundaries was beautiful. His connection with Ella’s children and the way he fell in love with them was magical. As a mom, knowing he was willing to be a father without forcing marriage on Ella yet being her “husband” in every way that matters was incredibly beautiful to read. The ending of the book and Colt’s unexpected and heartbreaking death was beautiful, and I shed many tears, but knowing Colt got to spend his last minutes with his dad… ugh it was just as it should be.
The story has both predictable and surprising twists and it was a beautiful story of love, family, forgiveness, and friendship. Definitely a quick read which you will not want to put down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Cursing, and Death
marissacmaxwel's review
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, War, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Infidelity
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