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readfrenzy's review
5.0
NOTE: Coda is the last book in the Songs of Submission series. It is not a standalone and should be read after [b:Sing|17909627|Sing (Songs of Submission, #7)|C.D. Reiss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379830569s/17909627.jpg|25094618]. This review contains major spoilers that pertain to Sing.
If you managed to hang on for the angst-filled emotional roller coaster ride that was [b:Sing|17909627|Sing (Songs of Submission, #7)|C.D. Reiss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379830569s/17909627.jpg|25094618] then you know that Jonathan receives his heart transplant just in time. The last chapter of [b:Sing|17909627|Sing (Songs of Submission, #7)|C.D. Reiss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379830569s/17909627.jpg|25094618] jumps ahead two years and concludes the series, giving Monica and Jonathan the HEA they deserve. A reader could easily stop there and the story would be complete. However, true fans of the Songs of Submission series are doing themselves a huge disservice if they don’t read Coda. It fills in that two year time gap in between Jonathan’s release from the hospital and Monica and Jonathan’s honeymoon.
Jonathan’s brush with death has left him a changed man. The once virile, always commanding man has become fearful of his mortality and unsure of his identity. At a time when Monica’s career is on the rise, she desperately needs the security she only feels when she’s able to fully submit to Jonathan. Instead, she spends every waking moment caring for Jonathan and fearing the day his heart will fail again. Their vanilla sex life is only a symptom of a larger problem and when Jonathan has a greater clarity in this book and when he realizes Monica isn’t happy, he knows he must take drastic measures or risk losing her.
When Jonathan finally gets his mojo back, watch out! He comes roaring back more dominant and kinkier than ever. I’m not gonna lie though. It’s not a quick and easy road to their HEA. There is one plot point that is particularly painful. Having been through it myself, however, I can say that it is treated with incredible grace and sensitivity.
There’s a heightened reality to this book that drew me in. Jonathan’s moments of vulnerability make him more human. Monica’s doubts and pain are easily relatable. The chemistry between Monica and Jonathan seems almost tangible, despite their relationship problems. Their HEA is hard won and I appreciated it more having experienced all their struggles, passion, doubts, and heartache.
I’ve been a huge fan of the entire Songs of Submission series but this book mesmerized me. Thank you, C.D. Reiss, for such a wonderful farewell. This story and these characters will stay with me for a very long time.
If you managed to hang on for the angst-filled emotional roller coaster ride that was [b:Sing|17909627|Sing (Songs of Submission, #7)|C.D. Reiss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379830569s/17909627.jpg|25094618] then you know that Jonathan receives his heart transplant just in time. The last chapter of [b:Sing|17909627|Sing (Songs of Submission, #7)|C.D. Reiss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379830569s/17909627.jpg|25094618] jumps ahead two years and concludes the series, giving Monica and Jonathan the HEA they deserve. A reader could easily stop there and the story would be complete. However, true fans of the Songs of Submission series are doing themselves a huge disservice if they don’t read Coda. It fills in that two year time gap in between Jonathan’s release from the hospital and Monica and Jonathan’s honeymoon.
Jonathan’s brush with death has left him a changed man. The once virile, always commanding man has become fearful of his mortality and unsure of his identity. At a time when Monica’s career is on the rise, she desperately needs the security she only feels when she’s able to fully submit to Jonathan. Instead, she spends every waking moment caring for Jonathan and fearing the day his heart will fail again. Their vanilla sex life is only a symptom of a larger problem and when Jonathan has a greater clarity in this book and when he realizes Monica isn’t happy, he knows he must take drastic measures or risk losing her.
When Jonathan finally gets his mojo back, watch out! He comes roaring back more dominant and kinkier than ever. I’m not gonna lie though. It’s not a quick and easy road to their HEA. There is one plot point that is particularly painful.
Spoiler
Monica has a miscarriage.There’s a heightened reality to this book that drew me in. Jonathan’s moments of vulnerability make him more human. Monica’s doubts and pain are easily relatable. The chemistry between Monica and Jonathan seems almost tangible, despite their relationship problems. Their HEA is hard won and I appreciated it more having experienced all their struggles, passion, doubts, and heartache.
I’ve been a huge fan of the entire Songs of Submission series but this book mesmerized me. Thank you, C.D. Reiss, for such a wonderful farewell. This story and these characters will stay with me for a very long time.
filthylittlereader's review
5.0
Bittersweet!!
OMG! CD Reiss is an amazing writer! I mean the emotion she evokes from her words is just unexplainable! I laughed and I actually tested up some too! I LOVE Monica and Jonathan! Though I waited so anxiously for their concluding story, I am truly sad that it's over!
OMG! CD Reiss is an amazing writer! I mean the emotion she evokes from her words is just unexplainable! I laughed and I actually tested up some too! I LOVE Monica and Jonathan! Though I waited so anxiously for their concluding story, I am truly sad that it's over!
marureviere's review
5.0
I can't believe it's over. I want another book aaaaaa I think I fell a little more in love with Jonathan here.
sexyvixenreader's review
5.0
Perfection... I'm not going to say to an ending because this couple will keep going on. CD weaves the tale and keeps us loving Monica and Jonathan.
aschae's review
5.0
So incredibly sad this is the end to this series and Ill never get over Jonathan & Monica's story. LOVED this book, series, all of it!
kayla_llbr's review
5.0
"I missed two things. I missed my freedom, and I missed slavery."
Obviously, this review will contain spoilers for previous books, so reader beware. It can go without saying that this has been one of my most anticipated books to come out this year. Where we left Monica and Jonathan in Sing things were as good as they could be. Jonathan had just had his transplant and was living but it'd be a lie to think it was a happily ever after. No, because you have the 10 year timeline for a heart transplant patient hanging over our heads, and yes, I include myself in this because the thought of Jonathan Drazen not living in 10 years (fictional or otherwise) is just blasphemous to me. So sure there was joy in his life but there is this ticking clock that follows Monica around day in, day out.
"You can't leave me until I destroy you," he said. "If you destroy me, I'll never leave."
It's very real, the fear, in which Monica lives. Their lives have been drastically changed, in such a short time, and this is their new normal. But Jonathan refuses to be less of a man, a Dom, a husband, a King, to Monica. He is ever the cruel lover in Coda. I mean he is just on another level and his brand of love is what makes you fall for the two of them. Instead of focusing on this 10 year time bomb just hovering in the horizon, he forces you to stop and be in the now. But every good love story is good because of it's pain, it's suffering, it's sorrow, and that is something Monica and Jonathan are no strangers to.
"This was our time. However long it was, it belonged to us."
As much as I would love this story to be never-ending, it isn't. The only true Happily Ever After for Monica and Jonathan would be if they became immortal and were blessed with the fortune of nothing bad ever happening to them. But that is not reality for Monica and Jonathan, these two incredibly amazing characters that are so real to me that I refuse to think differently. What CD Reiss gave us was better; hope.
4.5 stars
Obviously, this review will contain spoilers for previous books, so reader beware. It can go without saying that this has been one of my most anticipated books to come out this year. Where we left Monica and Jonathan in Sing things were as good as they could be. Jonathan had just had his transplant and was living but it'd be a lie to think it was a happily ever after. No, because you have the 10 year timeline for a heart transplant patient hanging over our heads, and yes, I include myself in this because the thought of Jonathan Drazen not living in 10 years (fictional or otherwise) is just blasphemous to me. So sure there was joy in his life but there is this ticking clock that follows Monica around day in, day out.
"You can't leave me until I destroy you," he said. "If you destroy me, I'll never leave."
It's very real, the fear, in which Monica lives. Their lives have been drastically changed, in such a short time, and this is their new normal. But Jonathan refuses to be less of a man, a Dom, a husband, a King, to Monica. He is ever the cruel lover in Coda. I mean he is just on another level and his brand of love is what makes you fall for the two of them. Instead of focusing on this 10 year time bomb just hovering in the horizon, he forces you to stop and be in the now. But every good love story is good because of it's pain, it's suffering, it's sorrow, and that is something Monica and Jonathan are no strangers to.
"This was our time. However long it was, it belonged to us."
As much as I would love this story to be never-ending, it isn't. The only true Happily Ever After for Monica and Jonathan would be if they became immortal and were blessed with the fortune of nothing bad ever happening to them. But that is not reality for Monica and Jonathan, these two incredibly amazing characters that are so real to me that I refuse to think differently. What CD Reiss gave us was better; hope.
4.5 stars
ali23's review
5.0
This was a different read from the others. This book focus more on Jonathan’s recovery and Monica’s adjustment to life in general. I loved reading what happened after the surgery. The situation was realistic. Jonathan’s thoughts and feelings about his new life is expected and it was well written. I adore Monica’s strength in dealing with Jon, her career, and everything else in between. She put everyone else happiness before hers and was just riding the waves. I respected Jonathan for realizing he had to be there for Monica and to get out of his own thoughts and focus on his marriage.
Overall, this series had everything from drama, excitement, mystery, sex (really great scenes), love, etc. My only complaint was the length of each books, but I knew that going in to read them so I can’t really complain about it. C.D., you did a phenomenal job with this series!
Overall, this series had everything from drama, excitement, mystery, sex (really great scenes), love, etc. My only complaint was the length of each books, but I knew that going in to read them so I can’t really complain about it. C.D., you did a phenomenal job with this series!
rlp78's review
5.0
It's always enjoyable to see the "after" in happily ever after. Life is never simple and this book did an excellent job demonstrating that. I really enjoyed seeing Jonathan and Monica and watching them learn how to exist in a new reality.
bookcrushers's review
4.0
Review to come. Slow-ish start but I did love the ending. Beautifully written. Probably 4.5 stars.