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parisbrownebooks 's review for:
Alive and Wells
by Bailey Hannah
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story begins with Cecily leaving her abusive husband and moving to Wells Ranch, a cattle ranch in small town Canada. Here she meets Austin, who at first sees her as just another city girl but quickly falls deep for her.
Hannah does a wonderful job of depicting abuse, not needing to lean in to heavy graphic violence to demonstrate Cecily's troubles. She continues this with Cecily's POV, where we can see she doubts herself and also some of the more lasting effects of what she has been through. However, Hannah doesn't rely on this to he her whole story, and Cecily learning to love her newfound life feels like it is a joirney of self-discovery.
Austin was also a brilliant character. I loved that Cecily wasn't left to change him; he remains stoic and serious. However, their relationship allows him to let out other parts of his personality that he had locked away.
I also admired that Hannah began the "to lovers" story before Austin was really aware of what Cecily had gone through. He didn't need to see that she had been a 'victim' to begin to see her value.
As much as I love "touch her and 💀", I really loved Austin's more subtle and gentle gestures that showed his love and care for Cecily.
The slow burn sizzling sexual tension is just wonderful and totally apt for this book given the characters' backgrounds
Hannah does a wonderful job of depicting abuse, not needing to lean in to heavy graphic violence to demonstrate Cecily's troubles. She continues this with Cecily's POV, where we can see she doubts herself and also some of the more lasting effects of what she has been through. However, Hannah doesn't rely on this to he her whole story, and Cecily learning to love her newfound life feels like it is a joirney of self-discovery.
Austin was also a brilliant character. I loved that Cecily wasn't left to change him; he remains stoic and serious. However, their relationship allows him to let out other parts of his personality that he had locked away.
I also admired that Hannah began the "to lovers" story before Austin was really aware of what Cecily had gone through. He didn't need to see that she had been a 'victim' to begin to see her value.
As much as I love "touch her and 💀", I really loved Austin's more subtle and gentle gestures that showed his love and care for Cecily.
The slow burn sizzling sexual tension is just wonderful and totally apt for this book given the characters' backgrounds
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Gun violence