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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My least favorite in the series 😩
Honestly I was so excited for this book and to hear Lily’s story, but ugh it was not good! Mason and Lily shouldn’t have gotten together, it was wrong to begin with and then add both of their past & current traumas into it made it a complete disaster. Also I’m sorry but why are we giving an R word fantasy to a SA victim????
And again more than 60% of the book was filled with Alina hate, and I just won’t stand for that. Lily blaming her for her own issues was way out of line! I rolled my eyes every time she thought or said something nasty about her.
The ending was what saved the book, literally the last 5 chapters.
Honestly I was so excited for this book and to hear Lily’s story, but ugh it was not good! Mason and Lily shouldn’t have gotten together, it was wrong to begin with and then add both of their past & current traumas into it made it a complete disaster. Also I’m sorry but why are we giving an R word fantasy to a SA victim????
And again more than 60% of the book was filled with Alina hate, and I just won’t stand for that. Lily blaming her for her own issues was way out of line! I rolled my eyes every time she thought or said something nasty about her.
The ending was what saved the book, literally the last 5 chapters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
I think the themes of this were very important especially the recovery from trauma of being an addict, surviving child abuse and sexual assault.
I did love seeing Lily being an amazing mom in her own right to Chase. I love the way seeing both Alex/Mason also opening up and taking little C under his arm as well, and how they both opened up to each other.
The communication with and during the spice was everything, even if it wasn't all for me. The healing of these characters individually and together was everything, but as always the third act and miscommunication did bother me. . While this series wasn't 5 stars for me I feel each faces important themes and topics we all need to talk about more. The friendships into found family was everything.
I did love seeing Lily being an amazing mom in her own right to Chase. I love the way seeing both Alex/Mason also opening up and taking little C under his arm as well, and how they both opened up to each other.
The communication with and during the spice was everything, even if it wasn't all for me. The healing of these characters individually and together was everything, but as always
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
I knew this was gonna be the best one out of the series. I don’t care, it was!!!
I can’t believe this is it. The end of Sugarlake and all the damn characters who have my heart now. When I started this series I didn’t think it would take over me like this. I connected with every single character in each book. Lily was one that hit hard. All her struggles and her will to do what it takes to give her son a good life, I can relate to. The ending was more than the cherry on top. Especially the epilogue and the extended epilogue. Like how perfect can it get. I’m so so happy I picked up this series. Also the covers are everything.
I can’t believe this is it. The end of Sugarlake and all the damn characters who have my heart now. When I started this series I didn’t think it would take over me like this. I connected with every single character in each book. Lily was one that hit hard. All her struggles and her will to do what it takes to give her son a good life, I can relate to. The ending was more than the cherry on top. Especially the epilogue and the extended epilogue. Like how perfect can it get. I’m so so happy I picked up this series. Also the covers are everything.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THIS BOOK!!!!!! There are some INTENSE triggers for most people in this book.
I waited all series for Lily's book and this did not disappoint! The rollercoaster of emotions here was wild but fit well with the characters for all they went through. Mason was everything I didn't know I needed to end this series.
-.25 stars - only because her nickname"little bird" gave me the ick sometimes.
-.25 stars - because of the new cover. Ok look, I am not usually picky about art, but this art DROVE ME INSANE. Why? Lily is described at 5'2 in the book, and Mason... HE IS 6'6/6'7!!!!! Okay fine, we love a height gap, but they are OVER A FULL FOOT difference in height. Now look at that cover.. they are MAYBE 2-3 inches in height difference.... WHAT?!? What artist made this? They obviously didn't read the book because their height difference is talked about A LOT. How could Emily allow this to happen? How did the publisher allow this to happen? Every time I opened the audiobook I got distracted from the story because all I could think about was how INCORRECT the cover image was.
Overall great ending to the series! Loved the wrap up - Becca was HILARIOUS, got teary over Jax, loved how Blakely came into the group, and we love Chase.
BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!!!!
I waited all series for Lily's book and this did not disappoint! The rollercoaster of emotions here was wild but fit well with the characters for all they went through. Mason was everything I didn't know I needed to end this series.
-.25 stars - only because her nickname
-.25 stars - because of the new cover. Ok look, I am not usually picky about art, but this art DROVE ME INSANE. Why? Lily is described at 5'2 in the book, and Mason... HE IS 6'6/6'7!!!!! Okay fine, we love a height gap, but they are OVER A FULL FOOT difference in height. Now look at that cover.. they are MAYBE 2-3 inches in height difference.... WHAT?!? What artist made this? They obviously didn't read the book because their height difference is talked about A LOT. How could Emily allow this to happen? How did the publisher allow this to happen? Every time I opened the audiobook I got distracted from the story because all I could think about was how INCORRECT the cover image was.
Overall great ending to the series! Loved the wrap up - Becca was HILARIOUS, got teary over Jax, loved how Blakely came into the group, and we love Chase.
BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Murder
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beneath the Surface easily ties with my Beneath the Stands for my favorite in the series. Lily was such a complex character, and ever since her disappearance in book one, I was desperately waiting for her happy ending. And boy did she get one!! I loved her relationship with both Chases and how she and her brother really found the healing they deserved. She and Mason also had amazing chemistry, and the spice was HOT AF! I think she fit back into Sugar Lake seamlessly, and her story made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. Something about this just stuck out to me, which made me love the reading experience. I'm so excited to read more from Emily McIntire because I adored these books so much!