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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
The ending to this stunning series has made me extremely emotional. I hate to say goodbye to Sugarlake. It was very hard to read this book due to the topics it mentions—but I’m glad I did. Lily and Mason’s relationship was very interesting and I loved them, but surprisingly, I found myself enjoying the topics this book discussed more than their relationship. This book has filled me with hope and a desire to allow myself to heal.
Drug addiction has been big in my family, so this book gave me so much hope. And the other topic it had in it had me crying. The trauma Lily had been through was, sadly, very relatable in some ways and I immediately fell in love with her. She’s my favorite out of all the characters in this series, and I’m so glad I had the chance to get to know her.
Her son, Chase, was absolutely adorable. I loved their closeness with each other—and now I’m crying again. The way she sacrificed so much for her son, just to keep him safe, was so heartwarming.
Now, as for Mason and Lily’s relationship…I felt the beginning of it was a bit toxic, with him getting angry and all in her face, but I understand they both have trauma that they needed to work through. That didn’t make it any easier to read. However, as the story went on I fell more and more in love with them.
If you like romance that also talks about more serious topics, then you should definitely read this book.
Drug addiction has been big in my family, so this book gave me so much hope. And the other topic it had in it had me crying. The trauma Lily had been through was, sadly, very relatable in some ways and I immediately fell in love with her. She’s my favorite out of all the characters in this series, and I’m so glad I had the chance to get to know her.
Her son, Chase, was absolutely adorable. I loved their closeness with each other—and now I’m crying again. The way she sacrificed so much for her son, just to keep him safe, was so heartwarming.
Now, as for Mason and Lily’s relationship…I felt the beginning of it was a bit toxic, with him getting angry and all in her face, but I understand they both have trauma that they needed to work through. That didn’t make it any easier to read. However, as the story went on I fell more and more in love with them.
If you like romance that also talks about more serious topics, then you should definitely read this book.
5 stars all around. a beautiful ending to the series. I wept all the way through. I was so intrigued by lily the moment she was introduced in book 1, diving deep into her struggles with drugs and the abuse she endured as a young child and into her teen years absolutely shattered me. seeing her transform into a loving mother, a doting wife, a best friend, an attentive sister, and a business woman made me so proud, I was always rooting for her. this story can be triggering so I’d recommend to read at your own risk, but the author really did the novel justice. sing your song, little bird!
I knew going in, this book would be heavy. Reading about addiction, SA, and so many others are always hard topics. But this? Just crushed my heart, pulled it out, stomped on it, and shoved it back in. The amount of times I had to put it down and just breath felt like every chapter. But I would pick it right back up to continue the pain to find out what happened next. Mason and Lily grew up in two separate worlds but share the same pain, the same scars, and the longing to finally breath.
Reading about Lily in the other books made me curious about her story. I wasn’t sure how to feel about everything that happened in the past, but getting her perspective now helped shape how she saw things at the time. The pain she hid from everyone, including herself, is something I can’t even begin to imagine. Running from the only family she’s known, trying to protect the one she’s growing inside, and escaping her past was the only way to keep them both safe. The hurt haunts her and the thoughts and fears never go away.
Obviously, not meeting Mason until the end of Beneath the Stars and not knowing anything about him, I wasn’t sure what to expect. His past is a mystery that I was trying to uncover with every bit of information he gave. The demons of his past stay with him and the decisions he makes. No emotion, no connection. But one look at Lily changes everything.
When Mason and Lily are together, it’s impossible to not feel the tension and magnetic pull they have towards each other. He knows what he’s doing is wrong, but time with her is stronger than the repercussions. She doesn’t trust or let anyone get close enough to know her. Everyone is at arms length, if that. But Mason fits himself so effortlessly that Lily starts to see hope and positivity. But reality comes knocking, and comes blowing in like a tornado.
After Mason learned what really happened in his past was all a lie, he finally got his revenge in the most satisfying way. Lily going back to Sugarlake and rectifying the hurt she caused and that others caused her, she begins to start over in the place where one of her demons still consumes her. And even though he tries to bring her down again, she fights and comes out the other side.
Lily becoming clean for her baby, choosing to stay clean for herself, not wanting to turn into her mother, shows her strength and determination. Even though it’s a daily struggle that doesn’t just go away, she pushes through and finds things that eventually make her happy and want to keep fighting.
The conclusion to this series did not disappoint. Having the communication between all of the characters and being open and honest helped heal old wounds. I can’t put into words how much I have enjoyed this series and the characters throughout. Nothing seemed predictable or far fetched but genuine and heartfelt. Every tear, laugh, gut punch, heart stopping moment was an emotional experience.
Reading about Lily in the other books made me curious about her story. I wasn’t sure how to feel about everything that happened in the past, but getting her perspective now helped shape how she saw things at the time. The pain she hid from everyone, including herself, is something I can’t even begin to imagine. Running from the only family she’s known, trying to protect the one she’s growing inside, and escaping her past was the only way to keep them both safe. The hurt haunts her and the thoughts and fears never go away.
Obviously, not meeting Mason until the end of Beneath the Stars and not knowing anything about him, I wasn’t sure what to expect. His past is a mystery that I was trying to uncover with every bit of information he gave. The demons of his past stay with him and the decisions he makes. No emotion, no connection. But one look at Lily changes everything.
When Mason and Lily are together, it’s impossible to not feel the tension and magnetic pull they have towards each other. He knows what he’s doing is wrong, but time with her is stronger than the repercussions. She doesn’t trust or let anyone get close enough to know her. Everyone is at arms length, if that. But Mason fits himself so effortlessly that Lily starts to see hope and positivity. But reality comes knocking, and comes blowing in like a tornado.
After Mason learned what really happened in his past was all a lie, he finally got his revenge in the most satisfying way. Lily going back to Sugarlake and rectifying the hurt she caused and that others caused her, she begins to start over in the place where one of her demons still consumes her. And even though he tries to bring her down again, she fights and comes out the other side.
Lily becoming clean for her baby, choosing to stay clean for herself, not wanting to turn into her mother, shows her strength and determination. Even though it’s a daily struggle that doesn’t just go away, she pushes through and finds things that eventually make her happy and want to keep fighting.
The conclusion to this series did not disappoint. Having the communication between all of the characters and being open and honest helped heal old wounds. I can’t put into words how much I have enjoyed this series and the characters throughout. Nothing seemed predictable or far fetched but genuine and heartfelt. Every tear, laugh, gut punch, heart stopping moment was an emotional experience.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“You can tell me all your secrets, Lily,” he whispers into my skin. “I promise I’ll keep them safe.”
Lily and Mason.. Mason and Lily. Wow I loved these two. Both with their own issues from their past, both come from different worlds but somehow perfect for each other.
I didn't want The Sugarlake series to come to an end, but this was a great way to close it out. This book was a bit heavy and it had me emotionallllllll, but I loved it.
"And this moment right here, is happiness. I close my eyes, knowing that this is just the beginning of a life full of joy. And it starts right here, in Sugarlake, Tennessee, beneath the stars."
**I went into it blind, but there is TW list**
Reading books 1-3 first is recommended.
Lily and Mason.. Mason and Lily. Wow I loved these two. Both with their own issues from their past, both come from different worlds but somehow perfect for each other.
I didn't want The Sugarlake series to come to an end, but this was a great way to close it out. This book was a bit heavy and it had me emotionallllllll, but I loved it.
"And this moment right here, is happiness. I close my eyes, knowing that this is just the beginning of a life full of joy. And it starts right here, in Sugarlake, Tennessee, beneath the stars."
**I went into it blind, but there is TW list**
Reading books 1-3 first is recommended.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
I can't believe we finally have Lily's story.
I've been wondering what happened to her since Beneath the Stars.
This book did not disappoint!
While parts of it, I had questions about overall it was a great listen that finished off the series perfectly. I have seriously become an Emily McIntire fan!
Would totally recommend this series, because it'll be in my mind for a long time to come.
#vipflock #vipflockreviewer #audiobookobsession #audiobookobsessionreviewer
I can't believe we finally have Lily's story.
I've been wondering what happened to her since Beneath the Stars.
This book did not disappoint!
While parts of it, I had questions about overall it was a great listen that finished off the series perfectly. I have seriously become an Emily McIntire fan!
Would totally recommend this series, because it'll be in my mind for a long time to come.
#vipflock #vipflockreviewer #audiobookobsession #audiobookobsessionreviewer