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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
This is West and Jackson’s story; this is a beautiful, painful story about best friends who haven’t been in contact for the past seventeen years, and how they found their way back to each other.
It’s about seeing the person you love falling apart, and knowing there’s only so much you can do to help. It’s a story about trauma, and coming to terms with the fact that you’ll carry it with you always, regardless of how long it’s been or how much you’ve tried to force it down and ignore it.
It’s about recognizing the first time someone’s permanent frown starts to tilt up on the corners, and then seeing that turn into a smirk and before long, you’re seeing their full, beautiful smile, and knowing you put it there.
Also I just need to say - there are more books than there should be with a main character who has trauma and is magically “fixed” when they fall in love. This is not that. This is ugly and devastating and yet somehow, it’s still a reminder that love exists, and you’re not alone, and you are capable of feeling good again.
It’s about seeing the person you love falling apart, and knowing there’s only so much you can do to help. It’s a story about trauma, and coming to terms with the fact that you’ll carry it with you always, regardless of how long it’s been or how much you’ve tried to force it down and ignore it.
It’s about recognizing the first time someone’s permanent frown starts to tilt up on the corners, and then seeing that turn into a smirk and before long, you’re seeing their full, beautiful smile, and knowing you put it there.
Also I just need to say - there are more books than there should be with a main character who has trauma and is magically “fixed” when they fall in love. This is not that. This is ugly and devastating and yet somehow, it’s still a reminder that love exists, and you’re not alone, and you are capable of feeling good again.
Ok omg I have no words. Undoubtedly this is one of my best reads in 2024 and my favorite read in December. West's and Jackson's story is a roller-coaster of emotions. West have severe PTSD and Touch aversion, his life a living hell and he is tired of everything while Jackson had his own personal struggles and difficulties in managing the buisness . West and Jackson met again but they have changed a lot . They were not the same cheeeful Jackson and West who shared a kiss years ago. They both have deep love and affection for each other but their journey was never easy. I can't even imagine the horrors West have gone through. West was broken and he felt he could never be able to live a happy life but meeting Jackson again is like a small ray of light shining his life. Jackson tried everything in his power to help West in his struggles and give him hope. I felt his pain to not able to do anything for his loved one and watch them slowly fade away. I m so glad they got their HE through a lot of love, courage, understanding and trust. I also loved how much they are fond of animals. Animals have a unique power to bring us happines in their own ways. Thank you so much for this amazing story of West and Jackson.
5 star!
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I was honoured to get to Alpha read this book and just wow. This book is raw, heartfelt, and real. My hat is off to you Addison.
The story is a dual POV that follows Jackson and West as they are thrown back into eachothers lives when West’s deceased father will stipulates in order to get his inheritance he must work on the family farm that Jackson, his childhood love, runs.
This second chance story had me in all the feels. West has not had an easy life and his trauma runs his life. Watching him try to work on himself as Jackson tries to learn how to live and help someone with PTSD, anxiety, as well as addiction issues was hard. Hard because it is such an accurate portrayal of BOTH sides of such a complex and complicated relationship. I felt SEEN reading this. (Sometimes a little too close to home!)
This was a top read this year for me - especially out of my dark romance/non fantasy books. Addison writes amazing characters that draw you in and you FEEL what they do. I HIGHLY recommend this book - just check your TW before reading.
Troupes: cowboy MM, grumpy X grumpy, second chance, healing
Spice 2/5 (this book is meant to be low spice and it is perfect this way, technically I give it 5/5 because of how accurately it is portrayed!)
Plot 5/5
Pace 5/5
Character Personality 4.5/5 (I don’t BLAME Jackson for his feelings at the start but I also don’t get why he was soooo dickish)
Character Growth 5/5
Writing Style 5/5
World Building 5/5
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I was honoured to get to Alpha read this book and just wow. This book is raw, heartfelt, and real. My hat is off to you Addison.
The story is a dual POV that follows Jackson and West as they are thrown back into eachothers lives when West’s deceased father will stipulates in order to get his inheritance he must work on the family farm that Jackson, his childhood love, runs.
This second chance story had me in all the feels. West has not had an easy life and his trauma runs his life. Watching him try to work on himself as Jackson tries to learn how to live and help someone with PTSD, anxiety, as well as addiction issues was hard. Hard because it is such an accurate portrayal of BOTH sides of such a complex and complicated relationship. I felt SEEN reading this. (Sometimes a little too close to home!)
This was a top read this year for me - especially out of my dark romance/non fantasy books. Addison writes amazing characters that draw you in and you FEEL what they do. I HIGHLY recommend this book - just check your TW before reading.
Troupes: cowboy MM, grumpy X grumpy, second chance, healing
Spice 2/5 (this book is meant to be low spice and it is perfect this way, technically I give it 5/5 because of how accurately it is portrayed!)
Plot 5/5
Pace 5/5
Character Personality 4.5/5 (I don’t BLAME Jackson for his feelings at the start but I also don’t get why he was soooo dickish)
Character Growth 5/5
Writing Style 5/5
World Building 5/5
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical trauma
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced