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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
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
I liked this one better than the first book. I loved how we saw H overcome and struggle with his addiction and the obstacles in his way.
Read via scribd audiobook
Stars: 4
POV: dual
HEA?: yes
Cheating: no
Cliffhanger?: no
TW: addiction
Tropes: second chance
Read via scribd audiobook
Stars: 4
POV: dual
HEA?: yes
Cheating: no
Cliffhanger?: no
TW: addiction
Tropes: second chance
This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. This was an absolutely stunning story about young love, loss, addiction, and second chances. I adored the character growth that happened with Jude and Sophie.
Such a sweet second chance story and omg the ending was so satisfying!
Jude and Sophie's book was one i enjoyed. I heard of Jude in book 1 and i was curious to hear more about his story and how he ended up in the situation he had been in. In this book we see him adapted to being back in his home town where everything started as well as the accident. We see more of his father's and his relationship but we also see Sophie's family dynamics after everytjing has happened. Im now really curious to read Zach's book!! All his blushing and such has colored me curious!
I almost cried. I was so impressed with the deftness with which Ms. Bowen addressed the issue of addiction.
I liked this one a lot better than the first one, if only because the plot points didn't seem as far-fetched. I *really* appreciated that the heroine's dreams of being a Broadway star were handled in a way that allowed her to stretch and grow and change her mind. I also liked that the most unrealistic aspect of the hero's backstory was addressed, and a relevant turn to the story.
Normally, I would never pick up a book I knew was going to be this difficult to read. Knowing from book 1, Bittersweet, that Jude is an addict and this book is him going home, back to where it all happened, I was prepared for pain. I usually tend to lean more towards lighthearted angst or comedy in my book choices. BUT, SARINA BOWEN. Yes, that's right, she wrote it -> I'm reading it. And I am so glad I did. This book took me on an amazing journey! Jude's perseverance and strength. The unraveling of the past, the mystery and intrigue. And the LOVE, awe the love. Jude and Sophie are meant to be and I loved reading their story of overcoming pain and choosing each other and their love. Bravo! Loved it!
Steadfast is an emotionally heart-wrenching tale of love, addiction, and redemption. All wrapped in Sarina Bowen exquisite authorial voice. I was floored by how emotionally on point this book was. From the very second that Jude was introduced in Bittersweet, I knew that I needed his book. There's just something about the broken and tortured heroes, and it doesn't get more tortured than the man who let his addiction take away not only his freedom but the love of his life.
Jude was a wonderful hero and I loved his portrayal. Sarina Bowen did a fantastic job with his character and I guarantee his story will break your heart as the story unfolds. His struggle with his addiction and also his struggle to accept he played such a big role in so many people lives were done in a very realistic way. His strength to stay clean was so admirable. His character will simply make you feel. I felt everything he felt as the story progressed, his fear, his despair, his shame and last, but not least his love for Sophie. The way he still loved Sophie was really heartbreaking at times, but also heartwarming. Likewise, Sophie was an amazing heroine. She's been through so much herself and her family life leaves something to be desired, but you truly understand what draws her to Jude and why she never really blamed him for what happened three years ago. I absolutely loved the two of them together. The story is highly emotional, angsty and with a touch of forbidden. It broke my heart and melted it. It shattered me but then slowly put me back together.
The love between Sophie and Jude was truly a palpable thing. I couldn't get enough of them. It was beautiful in a tragic way. My heart was aching reading their road to a second chance together. I've been a huge fan of all things Sarina Bowen for years now, but Steadfast put her on a whole different level to me. It was easily one of my favorite second chance romances I've ever read and certainly one of the the most memorable. It was beautiful and emotional. It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more.
Jude was a wonderful hero and I loved his portrayal. Sarina Bowen did a fantastic job with his character and I guarantee his story will break your heart as the story unfolds. His struggle with his addiction and also his struggle to accept he played such a big role in so many people lives were done in a very realistic way. His strength to stay clean was so admirable. His character will simply make you feel. I felt everything he felt as the story progressed, his fear, his despair, his shame and last, but not least his love for Sophie. The way he still loved Sophie was really heartbreaking at times, but also heartwarming. Likewise, Sophie was an amazing heroine. She's been through so much herself and her family life leaves something to be desired, but you truly understand what draws her to Jude and why she never really blamed him for what happened three years ago. I absolutely loved the two of them together. The story is highly emotional, angsty and with a touch of forbidden. It broke my heart and melted it. It shattered me but then slowly put me back together.
The love between Sophie and Jude was truly a palpable thing. I couldn't get enough of them. It was beautiful in a tragic way. My heart was aching reading their road to a second chance together. I've been a huge fan of all things Sarina Bowen for years now, but Steadfast put her on a whole different level to me. It was easily one of my favorite second chance romances I've ever read and certainly one of the the most memorable. It was beautiful and emotional. It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more.
3.5 Cocktails
I really liked Jude and I'm glad he got his HEA. But I felt like there was something missing with this story. Maybe it was full closure to everything he'd been through. Considering what Sophie' father had done and what Jude lost, I wanted a little bit more to that part of the story other than the quick side note at the end.
I'm glad Sophie and Jude were able to get their relationship back on track, but that also felt a little off. They never really hashed out what happened. The secret that Jude kept from her. I think if we had gotten that, Sophie would have trust Jude when they went to the opening of Alex's bar rather than question him like they did.
I really liked Jude and I'm glad he got his HEA. But I felt like there was something missing with this story. Maybe it was full closure to everything he'd been through. Considering what Sophie' father had done and what Jude lost, I wanted a little bit more to that part of the story other than the quick side note at the end.
I'm glad Sophie and Jude were able to get their relationship back on track, but that also felt a little off. They never really hashed out what happened. The secret that Jude kept from her. I think if we had gotten that, Sophie would have trust Jude when they went to the opening of Alex's bar rather than question him like they did.