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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I really liked this story. We met Jude in the first one. He had just been released from a drug rehab program after having served prison time and he needed a job as well as to stay away from his hometown. He was very aware that he was an addict and that every day was going to be a challenge, but he was so remorseful for what had put him in prison (vehicular manslaughter of his girlfriend's brother) and so determined to stay away from drugs. The Shipley ranch was the perfect place for him, until the picking season was over and he needed to move back home. So now he's back in his familiar hometown, trying to stay on the straight-and-narrow. He thought for sure that his Sophie had gone to New York to follow her dreams, so he's dumbstruck when he learns she's still in town. He tries to stay away from her, but fate has other plans. His NA meetings are held at the church on the same day Sophie helps in the church kitchen for community dinners. And in prison, Jude had been a cook, so he ends up lending his skills to that effort, which puts them in close proximity, and they can't ignore the draw they still have toward each other.
Sophie has questions about how her brother died. Her Police Chief father won't ever talk about it, and Jude won't give up any information either, so she starts doing some digging of her own. Turns out it's nothing like really anyone thought, at least those who were still alive.
I loved how Jude really wanted better for Sophie, thinking for sure it wasn't him. I loved how hard he fought his addiction because he knew he needed to be a better man and didn't want to end up where he had been. I loved that Sophie didn't ever really give up on Jude, even when he pushed her away. And I loved how everything came together in the end. Great story.
Sophie has questions about how her brother died. Her Police Chief father won't ever talk about it, and Jude won't give up any information either, so she starts doing some digging of her own. Turns out it's nothing like really anyone thought, at least those who were still alive.
I loved how Jude really wanted better for Sophie, thinking for sure it wasn't him. I loved how hard he fought his addiction because he knew he needed to be a better man and didn't want to end up where he had been. I loved that Sophie didn't ever really give up on Jude, even when he pushed her away. And I loved how everything came together in the end. Great story.
So excited to start this one!!
★‿¸.•*´´*•.¸(*•.¸5 ++ Stars¸.•*)¸.•*´´*•.¸‿★
You know that moment when you are reading a book and you KNOW it’s gonna be one of your “top reads”? With Steadfast, I had that feeling after only a few chapters. Jude Nickel is an addict in recovery, working at the Shipley farm when we met him as a secondary character in Bittersweet. I hadn’t looked to see who book 2 would be about, so when I read the teaser chapter at the end of Bittersweet, I was simply floored. It made so much sense, he was the mystery that I suddenly couldn’t wait to get to know.
Steadfast is truly one of the most beautifully layered stories that vividly looks at the life of an addict and the horrific and cataclysmic event that destroyed the family of the love of his life Sophie Haines. Jude’s addiction and recovery makes for one of the most thought provoking reads. Being in his head as he reasons through his regrets and lives moment to moment trying to stave off the “itch” to use drugs filled it with a unique tension. There’s no doubt that recovery is a condition and Bowen does an amazing job capturing all the norms of addiction/recovery and many of the nuances.
Steadfast is also very much a love story. The connection between Jude and Sophie is palpable, especially while discovering how they are ripped apart after nearly three years together. And they would always face heavy opposition from Sophie’s family so neither had any reason to hope that their connection would hold and how natural it would be to fall back together.
"Kissing her wasn’t a decision I made. It was just inevitable, the way a clap of thunder follows lightning.” ~ Jude
“But even a glimpse of him had given me palpitations. As if my subconscious had recognized a piece of my soul before my brain got a chance to speak up.” ~Sophie
Whether it was sheer loneliness, circumstance or fate that brings them back together, they were both mired in a desperate isolation. Individually they moved forward out of the pure necessity of life, but they are stuck in the aftermath of tragedy. When Jude returns to his fathers’ house and the family garage, he fights to retain control of his recovery:
“Colebury reeked of all my old mistakes and desires. The itchy void in my chest gave a throb, and I rolled over to try to quash it. But that only reminded me of another absence. I stuck my nose in the pillow and took a deep breath, wondering if any essence of Sophie might remain. But she was long gone.” ~ Jude
Sophie is in no better a position. Sophie’s life is hell. You can feel the desperation of Sophie’s life; living under the roof of her tyrant father and essentially motherless. Combine that with losing the love of her life, their separation is utterly heartbreaking.
“My heart believed he had left Vermont just as thoroughly as he’d left my life.
My heart was a goddamned idiot, obviously.” ~Sophie
While the story line is driven by Jude’s life as a recovering addict, ensuring Jude and Sophie can move past the tragedy creates an element of mystery. Bowen very skillfully builds up the suspense and we are left waiting for the other shoe to drop. But she balances this with a passionate and love story. The story told from their alternating points of view and while they both reflect on their past, they slowly work towards a future.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want Sophie in my life. I wanted her very badly. I just wanted there to be a better me to give her in return.” ~ Jude
“An addiction is when you can’t keep away from something that’s bad for you. Maybe Jude was a drug addict , but I was a Jude addict.” ~ Sophie
The secondary characters, Father Peters and the compassion he shows Jude does much to restore his faith in himself. And surprisingly , Denny made it onto my list of “good” characters. Romantic notions aside, he cares deeply about Sophie and he stands by her as a much needed friend. But it’s the Shipley family that gives the story the essence of the community. It makes me long to spend even a week on a farm, communing with nature and eating cookies.
Ultimately, Steadfast is a story about forgiveness, forgiving oneself and others, and the power of hope.
5++ #Gingersnap Stars and recommendation
★‿¸.•*´´*•.¸(*•.¸5 ++ Stars¸.•*)¸.•*´´*•.¸‿★
You know that moment when you are reading a book and you KNOW it’s gonna be one of your “top reads”? With Steadfast, I had that feeling after only a few chapters. Jude Nickel is an addict in recovery, working at the Shipley farm when we met him as a secondary character in Bittersweet. I hadn’t looked to see who book 2 would be about, so when I read the teaser chapter at the end of Bittersweet, I was simply floored. It made so much sense, he was the mystery that I suddenly couldn’t wait to get to know.
Steadfast is truly one of the most beautifully layered stories that vividly looks at the life of an addict and the horrific and cataclysmic event that destroyed the family of the love of his life Sophie Haines. Jude’s addiction and recovery makes for one of the most thought provoking reads. Being in his head as he reasons through his regrets and lives moment to moment trying to stave off the “itch” to use drugs filled it with a unique tension. There’s no doubt that recovery is a condition and Bowen does an amazing job capturing all the norms of addiction/recovery and many of the nuances.
Steadfast is also very much a love story. The connection between Jude and Sophie is palpable, especially while discovering how they are ripped apart after nearly three years together. And they would always face heavy opposition from Sophie’s family so neither had any reason to hope that their connection would hold and how natural it would be to fall back together.
"Kissing her wasn’t a decision I made. It was just inevitable, the way a clap of thunder follows lightning.” ~ Jude
“But even a glimpse of him had given me palpitations. As if my subconscious had recognized a piece of my soul before my brain got a chance to speak up.” ~Sophie
Whether it was sheer loneliness, circumstance or fate that brings them back together, they were both mired in a desperate isolation. Individually they moved forward out of the pure necessity of life, but they are stuck in the aftermath of tragedy. When Jude returns to his fathers’ house and the family garage, he fights to retain control of his recovery:
“Colebury reeked of all my old mistakes and desires. The itchy void in my chest gave a throb, and I rolled over to try to quash it. But that only reminded me of another absence. I stuck my nose in the pillow and took a deep breath, wondering if any essence of Sophie might remain. But she was long gone.” ~ Jude
Sophie is in no better a position. Sophie’s life is hell. You can feel the desperation of Sophie’s life; living under the roof of her tyrant father and essentially motherless. Combine that with losing the love of her life, their separation is utterly heartbreaking.
“My heart believed he had left Vermont just as thoroughly as he’d left my life.
My heart was a goddamned idiot, obviously.” ~Sophie
While the story line is driven by Jude’s life as a recovering addict, ensuring Jude and Sophie can move past the tragedy creates an element of mystery. Bowen very skillfully builds up the suspense and we are left waiting for the other shoe to drop. But she balances this with a passionate and love story. The story told from their alternating points of view and while they both reflect on their past, they slowly work towards a future.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want Sophie in my life. I wanted her very badly. I just wanted there to be a better me to give her in return.” ~ Jude
“An addiction is when you can’t keep away from something that’s bad for you. Maybe Jude was a drug addict , but I was a Jude addict.” ~ Sophie
The secondary characters, Father Peters and the compassion he shows Jude does much to restore his faith in himself. And surprisingly , Denny made it onto my list of “good” characters. Romantic notions aside, he cares deeply about Sophie and he stands by her as a much needed friend. But it’s the Shipley family that gives the story the essence of the community. It makes me long to spend even a week on a farm, communing with nature and eating cookies.
Ultimately, Steadfast is a story about forgiveness, forgiving oneself and others, and the power of hope.
5++ #Gingersnap Stars and recommendation
Jude and Sophie were both very likeable characters . The book was well written. My love for mystery books kind of let me figure out the twist myself, but it was good overall.
I wanted to like this so badly... but everything felt flat.
4.5 Stars
I loved Jude in Bittersweet and when I found out we were getting his story I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to learn all about how he ended up in prison and what was in store for him after leaving the Shipley Farm.
This book was a sweet second chance romance but, beyond that, it was an honest glimpse at the struggles of addiction and regret and how easily bad choices can alter someone's life so much.
It was easy to fall in love with Jude as you watch him struggle with trying to move on from his past mistakes and his current struggle with staying clean. He made a lot of bad choices in his past and lost everything that he loved because of them, but watching as he worked endlessly to become someone better than he was before prison proved that he was so much more than a few bad decisions.
Sophie kind of amazed me. The way that she stuck by Jude, even when he wouldn't let her, and she never doubted that he was more than his addiction was impressive. If she'd done the same for anyone other than Jude, I might be discussing how naive she is but it just wasn't the case this time around. I hated how she was treated by her father and felt sorry for her for having to watch her mother continue to live in a zombie-like state and just couldn't wait for her to break away from that toxic environment.
You could feel the connection between Jude and Sophie like there was an actual rope tying them together. It seemed impossible that they would ever be able to be together because of Sophie's family and Jude's role in breaking them.
I wasn't expecting there to be an element of mystery and intrigue to this story but it ended up being my favorite part of the story. Somehow this story managed to have me swooning and laughing one minute and screaming the next. I loved trying to fit all the pieces together to get a complete picture of what was to come but never expected how it all turned out. I was pleasantly surprised.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the True North series and can't wait for Zach's book next. I have a feeling he might have some good surprises in store for us, it is always the innocent ones you have to look out for right?
*I received and ARC from The author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
I loved Jude in Bittersweet and when I found out we were getting his story I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to learn all about how he ended up in prison and what was in store for him after leaving the Shipley Farm.
This book was a sweet second chance romance but, beyond that, it was an honest glimpse at the struggles of addiction and regret and how easily bad choices can alter someone's life so much.
It was easy to fall in love with Jude as you watch him struggle with trying to move on from his past mistakes and his current struggle with staying clean. He made a lot of bad choices in his past and lost everything that he loved because of them, but watching as he worked endlessly to become someone better than he was before prison proved that he was so much more than a few bad decisions.
Sophie kind of amazed me. The way that she stuck by Jude, even when he wouldn't let her, and she never doubted that he was more than his addiction was impressive. If she'd done the same for anyone other than Jude, I might be discussing how naive she is but it just wasn't the case this time around. I hated how she was treated by her father and felt sorry for her for having to watch her mother continue to live in a zombie-like state and just couldn't wait for her to break away from that toxic environment.
You could feel the connection between Jude and Sophie like there was an actual rope tying them together. It seemed impossible that they would ever be able to be together because of Sophie's family and Jude's role in breaking them.
I wasn't expecting there to be an element of mystery and intrigue to this story but it ended up being my favorite part of the story. Somehow this story managed to have me swooning and laughing one minute and screaming the next. I loved trying to fit all the pieces together to get a complete picture of what was to come but never expected how it all turned out. I was pleasantly surprised.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the True North series and can't wait for Zach's book next. I have a feeling he might have some good surprises in store for us, it is always the innocent ones you have to look out for right?
*I received and ARC from The author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
4.5 stars
Of Sarina’s solo work, DJ is a favourite hero that has gone unrivalled until now. It’s her characters that battle vulnerability in order to overcome that appeal most to me, and with Jude, Sarina created a character I wanted to shield and exalt in the same breathe. He's a character that deserves so much more than his lot in life and taking the journey with him was such an unexpected engaging experience. Jude’s drug addiction is a constant battle and I appreciate Sarina’s realism is portraying the struggle, as well as the problems faced by someone in his position.
From his brief introduction in Bittersweet, Jude’s story was begging to be told. A recovering drug addict, he paid his price with a three year jail sentence and the loss of the person who has meant the most to him his whole life – his girlfriend, Sophie. The last six months have spent picking apples on a farm with a family that have helped him in ways he cannot begin to count. It’s with their encouragement Jude can face the daunting prospect of moving back home as his rehabilitation of sorts comes to an end.
Sophie Haines lost more than her brother in the crash that killed him. She lost her family as she knew it, and as the driver of the car - the love of her life, Jude. For the last three years she has been unable to heal. Her questions have gone unanswered, the constant resentment from her family has been taking it’s toll, but most hurtful was the unbearable silence from Jude.
Seeing no way to atone for the death of her brother in the car he was driving, Jude resolves to stay out of Sophie’s way as much as possible. But living in a small town, it’s not long until their lives once again collide.
Coming face to face again brings an onslaught of mixed emotions and dangerous hopes for the future. I thoroughly enjoyed this highly emotive, second chance romance. Theirs is a love story that was cut down in it’s prime, but despite the time and distance their love has remained steadfast. Jude stole my heart in a major way but it’s absolutely worth commenting on Sophie’s character also. As the one left behind to pick up the pieces she is commendable in her ability to endure as much as she did in the aftermath.
Steadfast is a wonderful addition to Sarina's True North Series and i'm looking forward to what Zach’s promises to bring.
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-steadfast-sarina-bowen/
After absolutely loving the first book in the True North series, Bittersweet, I was anxiously looking forward to the next book. Jude’s book. Jude who came to the Shipley family farm ready to work after being in prison for manslaughter and then rehab for opiate addiction. Jude who quietly stood in the background during family dinners and slipped away to attend NA meetings. Jude who drove off at the end of Bittersweet, alone and somewhat terrified to return home because home represented temptation and a return to hold habits that he wasn’t sure if he could fight. So yes, I was looking forward to Steadfast, but had no idea what to expect.
First let me say, Jude’s addiction and ongoing day-to-day fight to deal with it is dealt with honestly. No punches are pulled, there are no softening Jude’s actions and how those actions led to ruining countless people’s lives. While Steadfast is a second chance love story between Jude and his first and only love/ high school sweetheart Sophie, at its core this is Jude learning to live with his past, dealing with his addiction minute by minute, day by day and understanding that he deserves a second chance. So while this IS a love story, Jude’s struggle took center stage for me. I think addiction has touched almost everyone’s lives and my family is no different. I’ve seen the destruction addiction leaves in its wake as alcohol and drugs take over a loved one’s life. I’ve seen how it affects their children, spouses, friends and extended family. I’ve watched people I love fight with every breath in their bodies to get back the life they had before drugs took over their every thought and I’ve seen others spiral into nothingness, doing things they never thought they would ever do.
When Jude returns home he has nothing. No job, no prospects, no support, and no hope for the future. He is struggling to hold on to his sobriety in a town where he could easily score a hit whenever he wants and where the entire police department is against him. After all, he did kill the Police Chief’s only son. The only thing he knows to do is return to his father’s house and try to get the family auto repair shop up and running again. So he does. He moves back into his old room, despite all the memories it holds, comes up with simple ideas on how to make money and starts to attend NA meetings at the local church. Every single day is a struggle, but he is determined to beat the odds and stay clean.
Sophie Haines has lived half a life since the day her boyfriend was arrested for killing her older brother while driving under the influence. Despite youthful dreams of moving away and having a singing career, she’s still living in her parent’s house while helping to support her mother who hasn’t dealt with her son’s death well. She has so many questions about that night, but can’t get any answers. Her love for Jude didn’t die with her brother’s death or Jude’s prison sentence. Her memories of him are alive and well and pop up at the most unexpected moments. So when she sees him in town after so many years apart, she is shocked and stunned and partly devastated.
This book is heartbreaking. My heart just ached and ached for this couple. Yet I couldn’t stop reading. Nothing could have made me put my kindle down until Jude and Sophie finally had their HEA. Not the need for sleep or food or bathroom breaks. Nothing. Sarina Bowen ramps up the angst level with this couple to maximum. Their love for each other is just so intense. Crazy, sexy, grasp your chest because you just can’t take it intense. As soon as they appeared on page together I just knew nothing could keep them apart. They love hard and deep and true. The flashback scenes of them meeting, falling into lust and love, and their desperation to be together lent a depth to their relationship that I was thankful for.
Every page is Jude fighting to acclimate back into life after prison and rehab. Every page reminds readers that his is a struggle that will go on for the rest of his life. Addiction never goes away, it’s an illness that can’t be cured, but rather fought battle by battle and with the help of loved ones. Sophie is a strong heroine who fights for Jude every step of the way, determined that they can make it and be happy. Despite the heaviness of the theme and heartbreaking events, Steadfast is also a tale of strength, love, forgiveness and hope. It’s beautiful and satisfying.
I love this series. I love this author. I haven’t yet read anything by her that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend. Final Grade- B+
Favorite Quote:
After absolutely loving the first book in the True North series, Bittersweet, I was anxiously looking forward to the next book. Jude’s book. Jude who came to the Shipley family farm ready to work after being in prison for manslaughter and then rehab for opiate addiction. Jude who quietly stood in the background during family dinners and slipped away to attend NA meetings. Jude who drove off at the end of Bittersweet, alone and somewhat terrified to return home because home represented temptation and a return to hold habits that he wasn’t sure if he could fight. So yes, I was looking forward to Steadfast, but had no idea what to expect.
First let me say, Jude’s addiction and ongoing day-to-day fight to deal with it is dealt with honestly. No punches are pulled, there are no softening Jude’s actions and how those actions led to ruining countless people’s lives. While Steadfast is a second chance love story between Jude and his first and only love/ high school sweetheart Sophie, at its core this is Jude learning to live with his past, dealing with his addiction minute by minute, day by day and understanding that he deserves a second chance. So while this IS a love story, Jude’s struggle took center stage for me. I think addiction has touched almost everyone’s lives and my family is no different. I’ve seen the destruction addiction leaves in its wake as alcohol and drugs take over a loved one’s life. I’ve seen how it affects their children, spouses, friends and extended family. I’ve watched people I love fight with every breath in their bodies to get back the life they had before drugs took over their every thought and I’ve seen others spiral into nothingness, doing things they never thought they would ever do.
Whatever you call it, there was an ache inside of me that I longed to soothe. And I moved through each day a little lost, trying to fill an empty spot in my soul. But it never went away. Five months out of rehab, I still felt it all the time. It showed up when I was tired or underfed. Sometimes it showed up even when everything was going well.
It was never, ever going to stop. There was no cure. You just lived with it. The end.
When Jude returns home he has nothing. No job, no prospects, no support, and no hope for the future. He is struggling to hold on to his sobriety in a town where he could easily score a hit whenever he wants and where the entire police department is against him. After all, he did kill the Police Chief’s only son. The only thing he knows to do is return to his father’s house and try to get the family auto repair shop up and running again. So he does. He moves back into his old room, despite all the memories it holds, comes up with simple ideas on how to make money and starts to attend NA meetings at the local church. Every single day is a struggle, but he is determined to beat the odds and stay clean.
An addiction is when you can’t keep away from something that’s bad for you. Maybe Jude was a drug addict, but I was a Jude addict.
Sophie Haines has lived half a life since the day her boyfriend was arrested for killing her older brother while driving under the influence. Despite youthful dreams of moving away and having a singing career, she’s still living in her parent’s house while helping to support her mother who hasn’t dealt with her son’s death well. She has so many questions about that night, but can’t get any answers. Her love for Jude didn’t die with her brother’s death or Jude’s prison sentence. Her memories of him are alive and well and pop up at the most unexpected moments. So when she sees him in town after so many years apart, she is shocked and stunned and partly devastated.
Life was risky. All of it. And I wasn’t about to give up on Jude just because some medical researcher didn’t like the odds of kicking his habit.
This book is heartbreaking. My heart just ached and ached for this couple. Yet I couldn’t stop reading. Nothing could have made me put my kindle down until Jude and Sophie finally had their HEA. Not the need for sleep or food or bathroom breaks. Nothing. Sarina Bowen ramps up the angst level with this couple to maximum. Their love for each other is just so intense. Crazy, sexy, grasp your chest because you just can’t take it intense. As soon as they appeared on page together I just knew nothing could keep them apart. They love hard and deep and true. The flashback scenes of them meeting, falling into lust and love, and their desperation to be together lent a depth to their relationship that I was thankful for.
Every page is Jude fighting to acclimate back into life after prison and rehab. Every page reminds readers that his is a struggle that will go on for the rest of his life. Addiction never goes away, it’s an illness that can’t be cured, but rather fought battle by battle and with the help of loved ones. Sophie is a strong heroine who fights for Jude every step of the way, determined that they can make it and be happy. Despite the heaviness of the theme and heartbreaking events, Steadfast is also a tale of strength, love, forgiveness and hope. It’s beautiful and satisfying.
I love this series. I love this author. I haven’t yet read anything by her that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend. Final Grade- B+
Favorite Quote:
blew a last kiss and then pulled away from the curb. I drove away, shaking my head. So many things I thought I knew about my life were wrong.
But that happened sometimes. All we can do is listen harder, hug harder and hope for the best.
This book had a more serious storyline than the first book in the series and some challenging content, all of which was very well-written and carefully addressed.
Jude's struggle with substance use is mostly well-done and accurately portrayed in how it impacts his life and his relationships. There is a section where he is hospitalized and receives pain medication intravenously and then goes through withdrawal again. I think that would be unlikely from short-term use as was described. His feelings about Suboxone are very realistic and so is his response when he finally starts taking it.
The love between Jude and Sophie is real and strong, no matter what has happened or how much time has past. They have some hurdles to overcome - like her horrible father!! - but they find a way to make their relationship work and uncover some important truths in the process.
Even though the content is serious at times, it was a highly enjoyable read. Strongly recommend!
Jude's struggle with substance use is mostly well-done and accurately portrayed in how it impacts his life and his relationships. There is a section where he is hospitalized and receives pain medication intravenously and then goes through withdrawal again. I think that would be unlikely from short-term use as was described. His feelings about Suboxone are very realistic and so is his response when he finally starts taking it.
The love between Jude and Sophie is real and strong, no matter what has happened or how much time has past. They have some hurdles to overcome - like her horrible father!! - but they find a way to make their relationship work and uncover some important truths in the process.
Even though the content is serious at times, it was a highly enjoyable read. Strongly recommend!
4.5 Stars.
I was glad to see Jude get his happy ending, but damn, he had to go through a lot in order to get it. Sophie was a good character, but there were times I wanted to shake her, especially in regards to her dysfunctional family. I had a hard time with a 23-year old woman allowing her authoritarian father boss her around, but that's just me.
I was glad to see Jude get his happy ending, but damn, he had to go through a lot in order to get it. Sophie was a good character, but there were times I wanted to shake her, especially in regards to her dysfunctional family. I had a hard time with a 23-year old woman allowing her authoritarian father boss her around, but that's just me.
Dnf @ 34% Bleak & miserable, way too many flash backs. Only highlight was the scene back at the Shipley Farm. Skipping Zachariah's book!