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suhana22's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
thebookishmolly's review
5.0
I feel like I have been waiting forever for Finn and Effy’s story and it’s finally here and I loved it so much. I adored Finn’s story ALOT more than Ryan and Brandon’s. He’s my renaissance boy thus far. Finn’s character was absolutely adorable and wonderful, the damaged shy boy and Effy was a perfect fit for him.
We also get to see more of Ryan/Emily and Brandon and Harper which made the book so fun to read because the Renaissance boys were a FAMILY.
Nikki J. Summers did it again and her writing is flawless. I can’t wait to read Zak’s story but before him I can’t wait to read about the soldiers (you’ll understand when you read this book).
If you haven’t read this series I suggest start reading ASAP
Book 1: Renegade Hearts (Ryan & Emily)
Book 2: Tortured Souls (Brandon & Harper)
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We also get to see more of Ryan/Emily and Brandon and Harper which made the book so fun to read because the Renaissance boys were a FAMILY.
Nikki J. Summers did it again and her writing is flawless. I can’t wait to read Zak’s story but before him I can’t wait to read about the soldiers (you’ll understand when you read this book).
If you haven’t read this series I suggest start reading ASAP
Book 1: Renegade Hearts (Ryan & Emily)
Book 2: Tortured Souls (Brandon & Harper)
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
renselly's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
i_fuckinglovebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit, this book broke me in so many ways.
Poor Finn!
Jesus, this quiet, beautiful soul had been dragged up, not brought up, and he still turned out to be a gentle and loving guy.
His feelings for Effy were palpable right from the start, as they were in the other books, so to read his POV and the way he thought he wasn't good for her had my eyes leaking profusely.
There's the subject matter that is delicate and not easy to read, but Nikki did a brilliant job of blending it into the story with care and consideration for those who have suffered the same as Finn and his sister Alice.
It's not graphic, but it's clear what went on, and that makes this story even more wonderful than I could say.
Finn gets himself into some trouble, and has to hide the truth from his friends because his actions have the potential to ruin not only his life, but his sister's.
Effy gets caught in the crossfire, but she refuses to back down, no mater how Finn acts or what he says to make her stay away.
When this pair come together, it sparks all the feels and had me reaching for the tissues yet again.
This series has turned out to be a favorite of mine, and I can't wait to read what's in store for Zak, and what kind of debauchery the Soldiers have in store for them.
Fantastic.
Poor Finn!
Jesus, this quiet, beautiful soul had been dragged up, not brought up, and he still turned out to be a gentle and loving guy.
His feelings for Effy were palpable right from the start, as they were in the other books, so to read his POV and the way he thought he wasn't good for her had my eyes leaking profusely.
There's the subject matter that is delicate and not easy to read, but Nikki did a brilliant job of blending it into the story with care and consideration for those who have suffered the same as Finn and his sister Alice.
It's not graphic, but it's clear what went on, and that makes this story even more wonderful than I could say.
Finn gets himself into some trouble, and has to hide the truth from his friends because his actions have the potential to ruin not only his life, but his sister's.
Effy gets caught in the crossfire, but she refuses to back down, no mater how Finn acts or what he says to make her stay away.
When this pair come together, it sparks all the feels and had me reaching for the tissues yet again.
This series has turned out to be a favorite of mine, and I can't wait to read what's in store for Zak, and what kind of debauchery the Soldiers have in store for them.
Fantastic.
bkaur's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
k_champagne's review against another edition
4.0
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. ~ Charles Baudelaire
Here is where we get to read the story of Effy & Finn
We learned through the previous books that Finn is quiet & artistic, & that Effy's always following / finding him, intrigued by said silent guy & his art. Aside from that though, we didn't know too much about either of them. Reading from their perspectives made me root hard for them.... I'd go as far as to say it's impossible notto root for these two love birds.
This was the moment I fell in love with Finn.
I knew I gave off negative vibes like a porcupine on acid, but she never seemed to give up, and deep down, I was glad.
& Effy when she admitted;
I would literally watch paint dry if he asked me to.
Effy wants Finn BAD but, he's not making it easy for her... to put it very lightly. This dude is a closed book. Locked, hidden and buried. She doesn't get his deal, but she is dedicated AF to her man. In any other circumstance, I would not approve. For Finn though? It's TOTALLY fine.. Go Effy GO!
Why is Finn Knowles so confusing?
For starters, & without giving anything away, he gets himself in some deep shit - in more ways than one. He's got a rival gang blackmailing him. Plus some deep dark family shit coming back to haunt him.
He locks up, throws up his walls, & tries to keep it all to himself. He doesn't want the guys to get worried about his shit - Brandon since he's got the twins on the way, Ryans back in school, Zak's already putting him up.
It's another reason why he keeps pushing Effy away - to ensure she's not placed in harms way by extension of himself. PLUS he's afraid when she finds out what happened to him she'll go sprinting in the other direction.
Art, per usual, is his outlet.
It reveals his moods, his secrets, who & what he cares most about, & Effy loves his art so it's something else they bond over as well. In this book, his art is equal to a supporting character on it's own. A BRILLIANT touch by Summers.
When Bran & Harper ask that he paint something for the Nursery, he doesn't just paint, he puts his heart & soul into it.
They’d both asked me if I’d paint something special for the nursery, and I had. I was proud of the fairy garden that I’d created, spanning all four walls.
Being in a brighter headspace when I’d done it had been refreshing. A welcome break from the darkness I usually injected into my work. Knowing that those little girls would wake up every day to a magical world I’d created gave me life.
The fact that they’d find new things hidden every single day made it all worthwhile; a fairy behind a flower, a mouse peaking from a toadstool, the hidden messages written on tree trunks and petals. I’d put more energy and thought into that mural than any other piece I’d ever made. Even I’d forgotten half of what was hidden in there.
He'd put so much into it, like he said, it was different for him - a fact that didn't escape Effy. She loved his art about as much as she loved him, & she knew immedietly what it meant for to him to create it.
The colours were so vibrant and unlike anything he’d ever done before. And then I saw, camouflaged on a tree branch, the words ‘You are loved’ and I teared up all over again.
BUT Finn & Effy aren't the only attention snatching relationship in this book. The dynamic between the four guys just gets better & better.
My boy BranBran *chefs kiss* is in lala land with his pregnant beau, but still keeps one eye on his boys, always worried about Finn. He's the only one who knows a small bit about what happened to Finn & his sister Alice as kids - & let me tell you that shit is dark. BranBran isn't the only one looking out for Finn though.
When he needs a place to crash (because his family life is absolute hell on earth), Zak gives him a room at his place & always makes sure he knows he can come to him if he needs help.
Zak glanced up at me now. “Are you okay for money?”
This guy was solid gold.He’d given me a roof over my head and now he wanted to put money in my pocket too.
I know this book is about Finn & Effy - I get it. Brandon already had his time to shine blah blah blah -sorry not sorry though because... BRANBRAN IS MY BOY & his never ending character arc & juxtaposed personality traits give me life.
He can easily from threatening murder to support his friend like a tough guy, to demanding tea-drinking-biscuits.
“I’ve got your back. Always,” he repeated and stood up, patting my back as he did.
“More importantly,” he stated in a louder tone. “Where’s the biscuits? How do you expect me to drink my tea without a fucking biscuit to dunk? The service in this place is fucking shite.”
Not afraid to voice his truth
“Where are we supposed to get the money to buy a place like that?” Brandon was going to take a lot more convincing.
“You could hit up Daddy Lockwood for it?” Zak was pushing his luck with that comment and he knew it.
“Yeah right. You know, if I had a gun with two bullets and I was stuck in a room with Hitler, Bin Laden, and him, I’d shoot him twice.” Brandon huffed.
Voicing the truth (again) & the hilarity of their current oggling of an engagment ring, compared to who they were just a few years prior - when they'd have rolled their eyes (or worse) at that display.
When he opened it, we all gathered round to look at the diamond ring inside. It looked pretty impressive, but I was no expert.
“She’ll love that, Ry,” I said.
“Just think of all the car parts you could’ve bought for the price of that thing,” Zak joked.
“Since when did we turn into a bunch of pussies who talk about weddings and look at rings?” Brandon stated, ever the realist.
And when the twins are born & he's at next level mother-henning dad at the flip of a switch.
“I need to cuddle one of them. I didn’t come all this way to watch you, Brandon,” Emily joked. “I can see you any day.”
“Okay, but be careful with her head,” Brandon said, and Emily huffed out a laugh.
“I do know how to hold a baby.”
When she pretended to drop her as Brandon passed her over, it didn’t go down well, and he gave her a wicked stare.
“I will be changing the godmother status if behaviour like that carries on,” he said.
This was the last in the Rebels of Sandland Series, & I'm gonna need a support group or something to deal with the loss. I miss them already.
elushbooks's review
4.0
Finn gave me all the feels. Who thought finns story is going to be better than brandon. Don’t mind me brandon ( i still love you the most). Effy is amazing, how could she be so sy as well as bold and UNDERSTANDING, she is no drama girl and call bullshit on bullshit. I love her. Nikki clearly write the silent longing of them clearly, i felt so bad for them. I really love the valantine cards. Not giving much spoilers, ITS SUCH A GOOD BOOK I WANT MORE OF FINN AND BRANDON.
** recieved arc in exchange of honest review.
** recieved arc in exchange of honest review.
whoisdaniela's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5