Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was okay. I wasn't really sold on the idea of these two. This should've been a story I loved, but I just couldn't get into it. I think Sarina Bowen needs to stick to writing romcoms.
I absolutely loved every single second of this. It was a beautiful and emotional story with very real characters dealing with hard situations. It was so touching, heart warming, and full of hope, I couldn't stop reading. An excellent piece of work!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality
Moderate: Alcoholism
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4 Stars!
We first meet Jude in Bittersweet, where he was employed as a farm hand to help with his drug rehabilitation. After harvest season is done he decides to come back home to live with his alcoholic father and all too reminiscent town in which his addiction was formed. Jude's past is pretty dark, and his regrets run deep. Not only did he ruin his own life but he also devastated a whole family, including his Ex-girlfriend Sophie. This poor guy has been through so much, and the beginning of this book will absolutely put you in his shoes and make you feel his struggles and feel his strength through his vulnerability.
Jude and Sophie’s journey together is not an easy one, there are so many insecurities leftover from when Jude was gone, so many unknowns. The love was always present but Sophie felt abandoned and confused by Jude’s decisions, and Jude carried the huge weight of guilt on his shoulders from a life that was so precarious. So when these two see each other for the first time since their separation, sparks weren’t flying all over the place, in fact I think nerves were more present than anything. The chemistry was obvious but you just knew that their road to reconciliation wouldn’t be an easy one.
This is where I really connected with the story, Jude’s unlikely new relationship with Father Peters and his current friendship with my beloved Shipley family really brought the story together for me. I loved the camaraderie they shared in the first book, and I absolutely loved it again in this one. I think Jude needed them so much, and it was obvious the impact that they had on his healing process. The hardest part of the story was watching poor Sophie being stuck in time, ever since Jude left and the tragedy that left her family crippled, she just seemed to be stagnant and living her life without really living, and when her and Jude finally decided to be together they had to hide it from her hateful father.
The revelations towards the end of the book and some of the interesting twists and turns had my jaw dropping at some parts, and they brought so much to the story! I really like Sarina’s writing and the depth she brings to her characters is amazing! The ending had me smiling from ear to hear and I can’t wait to read more about these lovable characters AND Zach’s story in book 3, Keepsake!
We first meet Jude in Bittersweet, where he was employed as a farm hand to help with his drug rehabilitation. After harvest season is done he decides to come back home to live with his alcoholic father and all too reminiscent town in which his addiction was formed. Jude's past is pretty dark, and his regrets run deep. Not only did he ruin his own life but he also devastated a whole family, including his Ex-girlfriend Sophie. This poor guy has been through so much, and the beginning of this book will absolutely put you in his shoes and make you feel his struggles and feel his strength through his vulnerability.
Jude and Sophie’s journey together is not an easy one, there are so many insecurities leftover from when Jude was gone, so many unknowns. The love was always present but Sophie felt abandoned and confused by Jude’s decisions, and Jude carried the huge weight of guilt on his shoulders from a life that was so precarious. So when these two see each other for the first time since their separation, sparks weren’t flying all over the place, in fact I think nerves were more present than anything. The chemistry was obvious but you just knew that their road to reconciliation wouldn’t be an easy one.
This is where I really connected with the story, Jude’s unlikely new relationship with Father Peters and his current friendship with my beloved Shipley family really brought the story together for me. I loved the camaraderie they shared in the first book, and I absolutely loved it again in this one. I think Jude needed them so much, and it was obvious the impact that they had on his healing process. The hardest part of the story was watching poor Sophie being stuck in time, ever since Jude left and the tragedy that left her family crippled, she just seemed to be stagnant and living her life without really living, and when her and Jude finally decided to be together they had to hide it from her hateful father.
The revelations towards the end of the book and some of the interesting twists and turns had my jaw dropping at some parts, and they brought so much to the story! I really like Sarina’s writing and the depth she brings to her characters is amazing! The ending had me smiling from ear to hear and I can’t wait to read more about these lovable characters AND Zach’s story in book 3, Keepsake!