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sonja_ahrb's review
5.0
Ahhhhhhhh! This book completely consumed me for the entire day. I couldn’t put it down, I didn’t even want to. It warmed my little angst loving heart.
Willow Aster has the ability to invoke so many feelings out of me. She puts you through the emotional wringer and then beautifully pieces you and your heart back together again. Jaxon and Mirabelle and their tale of childhood buddies to happily ever after made my reading week. My month even.
I. Am. In. Love. With. This. Book. I wanted more even after the story ended. I craved a longer ending, I wanted to live in their world a bit longer.
~ Lia, 5 Stars
Willow Aster has the ability to invoke so many feelings out of me. She puts you through the emotional wringer and then beautifully pieces you and your heart back together again. Jaxon and Mirabelle and their tale of childhood buddies to happily ever after made my reading week. My month even.
I. Am. In. Love. With. This. Book. I wanted more even after the story ended. I craved a longer ending, I wanted to live in their world a bit longer.
~ Lia, 5 Stars
profromance's review
4.0
l began reading Willow Aster’s newest book, 5,331 Miles, when she decided to publish it in a monthly newsletter. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by Jaxson and Mirabelle’s story. Every month, I patiently awaited the next chapter…and it was slow. Very slow. I couldn’t wait for more, anxiously wondering if Jaxson and “Bells” could, at the very least, find their friendship again, more hopefully, their “happily-ever-after.”
This story is an angst-filled story about two life-long friends, trying to find love in each other. Jaxson and Mirabelle have known each other since birth. As far as the reader knows, Mirabelle has loved Jaxson for most of her life. When they are young, they make a list of things they’ll do when they are older together. Based on the list and a kiss goodbye (his family moves away from England to the U.S.), Mirabelle believes that Jaxson might feel the same about her as she does about him. Unfortunately, time away changes their friendship. Eventually, Mirabelle and her mother move to the U.S. too, but Jaxson is different, more interested in fitting in with the popular kids. While he tries to stay loyal to Mirabelle, he makes many choices that put more distance in their friendship. All along the way, Mirabelle endures it, feeling her heart sliced open over and over again by Jaxson. By the time he goes off to college, their friendship has ended, and Mirabelle tries to move on with her scarred heart.
A few years later, Jaxson has returned, and he is adamant about winning Mirabelle back. He returns to the list they made as children and tries to engage Mirabelle in completing the list. Unfortunately, everything is different. Can Jaxson and Mirabelle find their friendship again? Will Mirabelle ever be able to trust Jaxson again with her heart? Those are the big questions of this story.
Throughout this story, my heart hurt. Pounding and firmly lodged in my throat, I felt every bit of Mirabelle’s hurt. She simply wants to be loved and cherished by the one she has loved most of her life. There are so many moments when Jaxson is a stand-up guy. He shows her at various times that he cares, but, in the next moment, he makes decisions that cause her heart to break. He takes her for granted through most of the book, and the reader feels the devastation of this.
This is an emotionally gripping story about needing to be seen and accepted and loved. It seeks to remind us that hearts are fragile and should be cherished carefully by the ones who love us. It takes Jaxson much of the story to understand this. And this realization is the undercurrent of the angst in this story.
5,331 Miles is a beautiful romance that reminds us that the people we love should be adored and respected. Thankfully, as we see with Jaxson and Mirabelle, it is never too late to make that choice.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story is an angst-filled story about two life-long friends, trying to find love in each other. Jaxson and Mirabelle have known each other since birth. As far as the reader knows, Mirabelle has loved Jaxson for most of her life. When they are young, they make a list of things they’ll do when they are older together. Based on the list and a kiss goodbye (his family moves away from England to the U.S.), Mirabelle believes that Jaxson might feel the same about her as she does about him. Unfortunately, time away changes their friendship. Eventually, Mirabelle and her mother move to the U.S. too, but Jaxson is different, more interested in fitting in with the popular kids. While he tries to stay loyal to Mirabelle, he makes many choices that put more distance in their friendship. All along the way, Mirabelle endures it, feeling her heart sliced open over and over again by Jaxson. By the time he goes off to college, their friendship has ended, and Mirabelle tries to move on with her scarred heart.
A few years later, Jaxson has returned, and he is adamant about winning Mirabelle back. He returns to the list they made as children and tries to engage Mirabelle in completing the list. Unfortunately, everything is different. Can Jaxson and Mirabelle find their friendship again? Will Mirabelle ever be able to trust Jaxson again with her heart? Those are the big questions of this story.
Throughout this story, my heart hurt. Pounding and firmly lodged in my throat, I felt every bit of Mirabelle’s hurt. She simply wants to be loved and cherished by the one she has loved most of her life. There are so many moments when Jaxson is a stand-up guy. He shows her at various times that he cares, but, in the next moment, he makes decisions that cause her heart to break. He takes her for granted through most of the book, and the reader feels the devastation of this.
This is an emotionally gripping story about needing to be seen and accepted and loved. It seeks to remind us that hearts are fragile and should be cherished carefully by the ones who love us. It takes Jaxson much of the story to understand this. And this realization is the undercurrent of the angst in this story.
5,331 Miles is a beautiful romance that reminds us that the people we love should be adored and respected. Thankfully, as we see with Jaxson and Mirabelle, it is never too late to make that choice.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
kylieeason's review
4.0
This book is so cute, and excruciatingly frustrating.
I cannot remember the last time I’ve wanted to bash someone’s head against the wall, the way I do Jaxsons. Lord have mercy that child! Oh, and I want to push Heather in front of a moving bus. She’s the worst.
I started reading this book chapter by chapter in Willow’s newsletters, but the entirety of the novel in one fell swoop is more delightful than I could have imagined.
I really love this book, and I hope you do too!
I cannot remember the last time I’ve wanted to bash someone’s head against the wall, the way I do Jaxsons. Lord have mercy that child! Oh, and I want to push Heather in front of a moving bus. She’s the worst.
I started reading this book chapter by chapter in Willow’s newsletters, but the entirety of the novel in one fell swoop is more delightful than I could have imagined.
I really love this book, and I hope you do too!
lcerra's review
4.0
Perfect quick read for romance lovers! I love how Willows stories are so effortless.
awexis's review
3.0
It was good. It has a lot of going back and forth though. Which made my head hurt. Lol. And I was so worried they won't end up together. I was honestly ready to curse the author for doing that to me if it happened. Lmao. In any case, it was a good read.
lindseydomokur's review
5.0
First of all, Willow had me hooked in the newsletter. Each month when an installment would come, I would stop what I was doing and read. I'm not a big YA fan, but this story had me invested from the first chapter. Jaxson and Mirabelle stole my heart with their teenage drama and angst. To be honest, there were times while reading this book that my stomach was in knots and I was sweating. Their story was something I could relate to and I needed to know all of it. So as soon as it hit my kindle, I dove in, no matter there was a party at my house for my birthday, I sat on the couch and read.
I was rooting for Jax from the start, even if I knew there had to be a lot of drama that went along with why Bells wasn't talking to him anymore. I felt like I couldn't stop reading until I devoured all the words. Their story made me relive emotions from my high school experience and while not all of them were pleasant, I could really put myself into the situation and see all the sides of the story.
There were times this story was heart wrenching and other times it was heartwarming and other times I wanted to throw my kindle. That is exactly what I want out of a book and it was great!
I was rooting for Jax from the start, even if I knew there had to be a lot of drama that went along with why Bells wasn't talking to him anymore. I felt like I couldn't stop reading until I devoured all the words. Their story made me relive emotions from my high school experience and while not all of them were pleasant, I could really put myself into the situation and see all the sides of the story.
There were times this story was heart wrenching and other times it was heartwarming and other times I wanted to throw my kindle. That is exactly what I want out of a book and it was great!
booksandcoffee415's review
5.0
First time reader of Willow Aster's work and I am kicking myself for not reading her books sooner!
I loved Mirabelle (i love this name!) & Jaxson's story so much! It was hard to put the book down to force myself to go to sleep, needless to say I stayed up past my bedtime a couple nights.
Their mothers are bestfriends therefore, Mira & Jaxson have been best friends since birth. When they are kids, they make a list of places to visit and things to do when they get older. But as they enter high school, Jaxson becomes the "popular" guy and things between Mira and Jax shift in such a dramatic way that they are no longer as close as they used to be. Mira has always had feelings for Jaxson but from what she knew, the feelings were not mutual. As more drama pulls them apart, Mira is left with resentment for Jaxson. Jaxson goes away to college and Mira doesn't see or hear from him again in years.
They cross paths again after Jax is done with college and moves back home. Jaxson is hell bent on making things right with Mira again.
Like the saying goes, you don't know what you have until it's gone. Will Jaxson prove to Mira that all he wants in this world is her? Will Mira forgive him for the hurt he has caused her in the past?
I loved Mirabelle (i love this name!) & Jaxson's story so much! It was hard to put the book down to force myself to go to sleep, needless to say I stayed up past my bedtime a couple nights.
Their mothers are bestfriends therefore, Mira & Jaxson have been best friends since birth. When they are kids, they make a list of places to visit and things to do when they get older. But as they enter high school, Jaxson becomes the "popular" guy and things between Mira and Jax shift in such a dramatic way that they are no longer as close as they used to be. Mira has always had feelings for Jaxson but from what she knew, the feelings were not mutual. As more drama pulls them apart, Mira is left with resentment for Jaxson. Jaxson goes away to college and Mira doesn't see or hear from him again in years.
They cross paths again after Jax is done with college and moves back home. Jaxson is hell bent on making things right with Mira again.
Like the saying goes, you don't know what you have until it's gone. Will Jaxson prove to Mira that all he wants in this world is her? Will Mira forgive him for the hurt he has caused her in the past?
bookaddict2011's review
4.0
Shortly after getting the opportunity to read and review Downfall by Willow Aster, I had an email about another book by her – 5,331 Miles.
I was so excited to sign up and get the opportunity to read another book by her! This book came out in March of this year but I hadn’t had the opportunity to read it yet, but it was on my TBR list.
5,331 Miles follows the story of Jaxson and Mirabelle from youth to adulthood. A friends to enemies to lovers romance that have you falling to your knees with just how much it sucks you in.
Mirabelle and Jaxson grew up together in Holmes Chapel. Best friends who made a list to always be together, no matter what. When Jaxson has to move to California with his family, they make a promise to stay in touch. Six months after he moves, Mirabelle’s family moves there too. But Jaxson has changed.
The novel takes you back and forward from past to present, from Mirabelle’s POV. It’s heartbreaking just how much she went through with Jaxson. He upset me so much with so many of his actions and I honestly wish we would have also gotten his POV throughout the novel as well to find out exactly where the heck he was coming from. I hated the way he treated Mirabelle. I do love how she came into her own and grew a backbone when it came to him.
When Jaxson shows back up in her life, her heart is hardened where he is concerned but he claims to have grown and knows how much he messed up and wants to fix them. Honestly, this is another part where I wish we could see things from his aspect because I feel like I couldn’t truly understand the story without it. I loved her point of view, but it felt lacking when it came to Jaxson and just how much he put her through… from middle/high school through when he left for college.
They are such a dynamic couple and I was rooting for them all along, but at the same time, I also wanted to slap Jaxson in the face for the way he was with her. He truly was a boy through much of the novel and it hurt my heart to see just how much she was hurting because of him. When she finally came to her senses, I swear I did a jump for joy because she FINALLY knew she was worth so much more than he was putting her through.
All in all, it was a beautifully written story and I feel as though it could have come together a lot better had we had both sides of the story interwoven throughout. Without Jaxson’s view, I feel like we are missing some pretty important pieces when it comes to their happily ever after.
I was so excited to sign up and get the opportunity to read another book by her! This book came out in March of this year but I hadn’t had the opportunity to read it yet, but it was on my TBR list.
5,331 Miles follows the story of Jaxson and Mirabelle from youth to adulthood. A friends to enemies to lovers romance that have you falling to your knees with just how much it sucks you in.
Mirabelle and Jaxson grew up together in Holmes Chapel. Best friends who made a list to always be together, no matter what. When Jaxson has to move to California with his family, they make a promise to stay in touch. Six months after he moves, Mirabelle’s family moves there too. But Jaxson has changed.
The novel takes you back and forward from past to present, from Mirabelle’s POV. It’s heartbreaking just how much she went through with Jaxson. He upset me so much with so many of his actions and I honestly wish we would have also gotten his POV throughout the novel as well to find out exactly where the heck he was coming from. I hated the way he treated Mirabelle. I do love how she came into her own and grew a backbone when it came to him.
When Jaxson shows back up in her life, her heart is hardened where he is concerned but he claims to have grown and knows how much he messed up and wants to fix them. Honestly, this is another part where I wish we could see things from his aspect because I feel like I couldn’t truly understand the story without it. I loved her point of view, but it felt lacking when it came to Jaxson and just how much he put her through… from middle/high school through when he left for college.
They are such a dynamic couple and I was rooting for them all along, but at the same time, I also wanted to slap Jaxson in the face for the way he was with her. He truly was a boy through much of the novel and it hurt my heart to see just how much she was hurting because of him. When she finally came to her senses, I swear I did a jump for joy because she FINALLY knew she was worth so much more than he was putting her through.
All in all, it was a beautifully written story and I feel as though it could have come together a lot better had we had both sides of the story interwoven throughout. Without Jaxson’s view, I feel like we are missing some pretty important pieces when it comes to their happily ever after.
allyssascott's review
4.0
Have you ever read a book and then instantly regretted not reading books by that author sooner? Excuse me while I binge read everything Willow Aster has ever written because 5,331 Miles was insanely addictive. I didn’t want to put this book down because Jaxson and Mirabelle’s (Mira) story draws you in from the very beginning.
I loved that this story included scenes from the past and present, it gave the story so much depth and I found that it allowed me to feel more invested in the characters. I think that Mira is a character that many people will be able to relate too, and I love that she makes Jaxson work to be back in her life. Jaxson took me a little while to warm up to, but his perseverance when it came to Mira is what inevitably won me over. I really liked Aster’s inclusion of music in this story and thought it added a really great element to the reunion of Jaxson and Mira.
Overall, this book was a pleasure to read. If you’re looking for a second chance romance that is sure to put a smile on your face then I highly recommend reading 5,331 Miles!
I loved that this story included scenes from the past and present, it gave the story so much depth and I found that it allowed me to feel more invested in the characters. I think that Mira is a character that many people will be able to relate too, and I love that she makes Jaxson work to be back in her life. Jaxson took me a little while to warm up to, but his perseverance when it came to Mira is what inevitably won me over. I really liked Aster’s inclusion of music in this story and thought it added a really great element to the reunion of Jaxson and Mira.
Overall, this book was a pleasure to read. If you’re looking for a second chance romance that is sure to put a smile on your face then I highly recommend reading 5,331 Miles!