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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great steamy scenes. The story line dragged on in my opinion
— 3.5 Stars ★
“Dom was the one holding the needle that stitched my heart back together.”
This book was so painful and heartbreaking. Dominic and Sloane are two broken and tortured souls who found each other again and healed a part of each other that they thought was impossible to heal.
JL talked about depression, grief and moving on after losing someone very important in your life and I really liked it how realistic it was and how it wasn't overlooked and how Sloane's healing and grief was dealt with in the book. This was my first time reading widowed wife x Dead husband's best friend and honestly, I thought I would despise it but it wasn't that weird. Yes, Dominic had feelings for Sloane first and for more than a decade and then he ended up pretending hating each other which only made Sloane hating him but the way their story progressed in the book was quite interesting. It was insta love and lust and which is again not my thing but I liked it because Dominic wanted to slow down things with Sloane so she can get more comfortable with him.
I dived in this book and this series with maybe way too many expectations and maybe that's another reason why I did not enjoyed the way I thought I would. This book was marketed as enemies to lovers with a forbidden romance trope but honestly Dominic never hated Sloane. He was just pretending to hate her because he couldn't have her and pretending to hate someone is NOT enemies to lovers. I'm so tired of authors just using this trope just because it's one of the most famous ones. If you are using ENEMIES TO LOVERS, I want the MCs to actually hate each other and enough that they want to kill each other. I don't want it where one MC is in love with the other MC who thinks they hate her.
JL Seegars can definitely write some really good and spicy smut scenes but too many smut scenes just to increase the number of pages in books is not really that interesting. I would've liked it more had there were more cute and wholsome moments between Sloane and Dominic.
The romance was actually good even though it was all insta-lust between Dominic and Sloane. One minute they were hating each other and the next they couldn't stop thinking about what their skin would feel like against them. It should've give me an ick but I kinda enjoyed it. Seeing how they both struggled to let someone come in their life and love them unconditionally after losing someone very important. I also liked how Dominic was so patience with her and gave her the time and space she needed and how he was determined to be with her for forever even when Sloane thought she wasn't ready. They had chemistry as well as emotional connection because they both understood each other's grief and loss after losing the person they loved the most. Sloane and Dominic are just like the mirror image of each other and that's why nobody else could love them the way they loved and healed each other. It was really beautiful to see how their relationship developed.
➸ Sloane: I liked Sloane the most in this book. She's fierce, independent, and kind-hearted. Her dilemma about wanting to be with Dominic and also not leaving behind Eric was real. I get that some would say she need to leave Eric behind and just move on with but I don't think moving on from death and trauma works the same way with everyone. Sloane wanted someone who could understand her love for her dead husband Eric and how she still love him and will love him forever but she's also ready to start a new life with someone new. This woman deserves all the love and happiness in this world.
➸ Dominic: He is just like what his name suggests. Tall, dark with brody and caveman personality but his actions and the things he said to Sloane everytime to make feel loved and cared for were so adorable. He can be an asshole and still say the most endearing things to Sloane and I really liked how he never pressured Sloane or asked her why she still sleeps in Eric's t-shirt or why she still wears their wedding ring. He even went as far to propose her with ring that would be match her previous wedding ring because they both did not wanted to erase Eric from their life. He even went to therapy so he could become worthy of her!
The ending didn't need that extra drama and third-act breakup. It would be better if Sloane just talked to Dominic about her feelings. Overall, I liked this series and I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the books especially Chris and Mallory's books!
“Dom was the one holding the needle that stitched my heart back together.”
This book was so painful and heartbreaking. Dominic and Sloane are two broken and tortured souls who found each other again and healed a part of each other that they thought was impossible to heal.
“Because wanting you is the only thing that's gotten me through living without you. It's gotten me to this moment right here, where I can look you in the eyes and tell you that I love you and I can't live without you.”
JL talked about depression, grief and moving on after losing someone very important in your life and I really liked it how realistic it was and how it wasn't overlooked and how Sloane's healing and grief was dealt with in the book. This was my first time reading widowed wife x Dead husband's best friend and honestly, I thought I would despise it but it wasn't that weird. Yes, Dominic had feelings for Sloane first and for more than a decade and then he ended up pretending hating each other which only made Sloane hating him but the way their story progressed in the book was quite interesting. It was insta love and lust and which is again not my thing but I liked it because Dominic wanted to slow down things with Sloane so she can get more comfortable with him.
“And it's always been you, Sloane. For twelve fucking years, you've walked around with my soul clutched between the same fingers you wear Eric's rings on. You're the ghost I've been chasing.”
I dived in this book and this series with maybe way too many expectations and maybe that's another reason why I did not enjoyed the way I thought I would. This book was marketed as enemies to lovers with a forbidden romance trope but honestly Dominic never hated Sloane. He was just pretending to hate her because he couldn't have her and pretending to hate someone is NOT enemies to lovers. I'm so tired of authors just using this trope just because it's one of the most famous ones. If you are using ENEMIES TO LOVERS, I want the MCs to actually hate each other and enough that they want to kill each other. I don't want it where one MC is in love with the other MC who thinks they hate her.
JL Seegars can definitely write some really good and spicy smut scenes but too many smut scenes just to increase the number of pages in books is not really that interesting. I would've liked it more had there were more cute and wholsome moments between Sloane and Dominic.
“She feels like home. She feels like the only person who has ever looked at me and known me in a single second. She feels like every dream I've ever had, every wish I've ever made, every oath I've ever sworn to keep all rolled up into one perfect being.”
The romance was actually good even though it was all insta-lust between Dominic and Sloane. One minute they were hating each other and the next they couldn't stop thinking about what their skin would feel like against them. It should've give me an ick but I kinda enjoyed it. Seeing how they both struggled to let someone come in their life and love them unconditionally after losing someone very important. I also liked how Dominic was so patience with her and gave her the time and space she needed and how he was determined to be with her for forever even when Sloane thought she wasn't ready. They had chemistry as well as emotional connection because they both understood each other's grief and loss after losing the person they loved the most. Sloane and Dominic are just like the mirror image of each other and that's why nobody else could love them the way they loved and healed each other. It was really beautiful to see how their relationship developed.
“I'm still so far gone for this woman, captivated by her smile, devastated by the sway of her hips, shattered by the thought of living without her and willing to do anything to stop it from happening.”
➸ Sloane: I liked Sloane the most in this book. She's fierce, independent, and kind-hearted. Her dilemma about wanting to be with Dominic and also not leaving behind Eric was real. I get that some would say she need to leave Eric behind and just move on with but I don't think moving on from death and trauma works the same way with everyone. Sloane wanted someone who could understand her love for her dead husband Eric and how she still love him and will love him forever but she's also ready to start a new life with someone new. This woman deserves all the love and happiness in this world.
“Dom is the mirror image of my soul. The place where all my shadows and every burst of flame are known, understood, and loved.”
➸ Dominic: He is just like what his name suggests. Tall, dark with brody and caveman personality but his actions and the things he said to Sloane everytime to make feel loved and cared for were so adorable. He can be an asshole and still say the most endearing things to Sloane and I really liked how he never pressured Sloane or asked her why she still sleeps in Eric's t-shirt or why she still wears their wedding ring. He even went as far to propose her with ring that would be match her previous wedding ring because they both did not wanted to erase Eric from their life. He even went to therapy so he could become worthy of her!
“I call her my angel because that's what she is to me. The promise of God's love in human form, a treasure from heaven walking here on Earth making the lives of every person she meets better. And that's what she's always been, even when her presence chafed against my skin and burned a hole in my heart.”
The ending didn't need that extra drama and third-act breakup. It would be better if Sloane just talked to Dominic about her feelings. Overall, I liked this series and I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the books especially Chris and Mallory's books!
“Because that's exactly what this is. Love. Can't eat, can't sleep, can't breathe without you, love. Your smile lights up my world, and your arms feel like home, love. I could stand here all day and watch you do the most mundane task without ever getting bored, love. I am so fucking stupid and have set myself up for the heartbreak of a lifetime, love.”
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Originally liked the characters until they got annoying and very childish which felt out of character for them. What was suppose to feel romantic and sexy made me feel Uncomfortable and creeped out. The further into the book the more sappy, corny, and unrealistic it became which made me feel led astray.
That being said the beginning to middle of the book was very well paced and built.
That being said the beginning to middle of the book was very well paced and built.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book but I’m not entirely sure if I’m going to continue the series. In about the first 10 chapters I literally had to force myself to read the book. I understand having to setup the story, but I just felt like there was A LOT of setting up. Especially if you’re reading in a kindled those chapters were 20 plus minutes! I’m glad that Sloane & Dominic finally got together. They were both getting on my nerves though. Like honestly this book would’ve been a lot shorter of they both would’ve just communicated like adults instead of assuming things about one another. I’m also glad that Mal wasn’t upset when she finally found out about Sloane & Dominic. I just knew that she was going to have a big falling out with Sloane once she found out but thankfully she didn’t. I do wonder how Mama took it when she found out though because they didn’t really go into detail about that. I know that they had the lunch together & she told Sloane that she just wanted her to be happy but I wonder if her mind would change once she found out who was actually make them happy. But Dominic did say that they were all in a group message together.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated