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A review by jan35104974
Proof Of Life by Raquel Riley
5.0
This is my first book centering around the military and I just gotta say... Raquel Riley knocks it out of the park. The beautiful craft that is this books is just unspeakable. If I could give this book six stars I would! In a absolute heartbeat. This has unmistakenly made my top books of 2024. It is safe to say I was crying from start to finish during this books. This is absolutely one of those books where you have to sit with a nice blanket with headphones and just watch the story play out the pages . West and Brandt... I will read your story a thousand times over, so I never have to say goodbye to you. The phrases "proof of life" and "You can’t fall with three legs" will forever be linked to this book for me 🥹
(Always read triggers warnings please)
Double bi awakening
Military Setting
Disability representation
Cheesy Top Gun references
Best friends to lovers
Hurt/comfort
Will have you crying for hours
Favorite quotes:
- No matter where in the world we’re stationed, if Brandt is there, I’m good. I’m home.
- It will always be just the two of us. No matter what.
- I’ve become so familiar with his body that I feel almost possessive of it.
- West is the most touchy-feely guy I know. I think touch is probably his love language or something.
- You can always count on me, Reaper. Nobody loves you like I do.
- How can I fail with him beside me? Brandt is like my emergency battery pack. When I’m running on empty, he recharges me.
- He’s still holding onto me, like a lifeline
- Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. I’ll fight any battle for him slay any dragon, anything, just to wipe that hopeless look off his face.
- I just allow myself to feel the proof of his life, his breath against my skin, the heat from his body, and the solid weight of his hand on my hip.
- I don’t want someone to settle for me. I want to be enough.
- No matter what he’s been through, he’s still beautiful. He’ll always be beautiful.
- Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.As long as you’re by my side, I’m home.
- You are my compass. A strong and steady presence at my back holding a rifle. You’re my home. Always. No matter where we are, I’m home with you.
- You can’t appreciate Heaven until you’ve crawled through Hell on your hands and knees.
- Lean on me. Take from me. My strength, my conviction, my hope, and my love
- Take all my love and let it fill up all your broken, empty places
- I will hold you up and be your pillar...Three legs. You can’t fall with three legs....No, you fucking can’t
- He makes me feel safe.
- Will you look after my heart?...You trust me with your heart?
- He’s so fucking beautiful when he smiles
- I want to show him his scars are beautiful, his battle is honorable, and that I don’t care what he looks like; he’ll always be perfect in my eyes
- The only thing I believe in is us. You and me. Things I can touch, see, and feel.
- You were always mine. My best friend, my wingman, my partner in everything. Now you’re just more mine.
- Brandt is my religion. He’s the only idol I want to kneel for and worship.
- Brandt’s kiss is giving me life.
- Being with you is like…I don’t know what it’s like. I have nothing to compare this to.
- He’s my crutch and my compass, an old familiar comfort, and my new thrilling addiction. He’s everything I need and everything I want. My past and my future. Brandt is…everything. He’s my home.
- You’re the last person I want to fall in love with for the rest of my life.
- You’ve always been my best friend, my brother, my teammate, but now, you’re my…soulmate
- Brandt Aguilar is fucking adorkable. And loveable. And mine. He’s all mine.
- There’s never gonna be a day that I don’t love you, or that I don't want you, Wes. This ring means I’m never going to let you fall.....It means I’m always gonna show up for you. For the rest of my life, I will show up for you. Because you’re mine.
- I’m telling you how it’s gonna be for the rest of our lives. It’s gonna be me and you, forever. From here on out, on the good days and bad days and all the days in between
- We’re two souls that were always destined to be mates, beautifully broken and carefully mended. We belong to each other. I am the keeper of his body and his heart, and he is the protector of mine. To him, my imperfections are perfect. To me, he has no imperfections. He was always perfect.
(Always read triggers warnings please)
Double bi awakening
Military Setting
Disability representation
Cheesy Top Gun references
Best friends to lovers
Hurt/comfort
Will have you crying for hours
Favorite quotes:
- No matter where in the world we’re stationed, if Brandt is there, I’m good. I’m home.
- It will always be just the two of us. No matter what.
- I’ve become so familiar with his body that I feel almost possessive of it.
- West is the most touchy-feely guy I know. I think touch is probably his love language or something.
- You can always count on me, Reaper. Nobody loves you like I do.
- How can I fail with him beside me? Brandt is like my emergency battery pack. When I’m running on empty, he recharges me.
- He’s still holding onto me, like a lifeline
- Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. I’ll fight any battle for him slay any dragon, anything, just to wipe that hopeless look off his face.
- I just allow myself to feel the proof of his life, his breath against my skin, the heat from his body, and the solid weight of his hand on my hip.
- I don’t want someone to settle for me. I want to be enough.
- No matter what he’s been through, he’s still beautiful. He’ll always be beautiful.
- Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.As long as you’re by my side, I’m home.
- You are my compass. A strong and steady presence at my back holding a rifle. You’re my home. Always. No matter where we are, I’m home with you.
- You can’t appreciate Heaven until you’ve crawled through Hell on your hands and knees.
- Lean on me. Take from me. My strength, my conviction, my hope, and my love
- Take all my love and let it fill up all your broken, empty places
- I will hold you up and be your pillar...Three legs. You can’t fall with three legs....No, you fucking can’t
- He makes me feel safe.
- Will you look after my heart?...You trust me with your heart?
- He’s so fucking beautiful when he smiles
- I want to show him his scars are beautiful, his battle is honorable, and that I don’t care what he looks like; he’ll always be perfect in my eyes
- The only thing I believe in is us. You and me. Things I can touch, see, and feel.
- You were always mine. My best friend, my wingman, my partner in everything. Now you’re just more mine.
- Brandt is my religion. He’s the only idol I want to kneel for and worship.
- Brandt’s kiss is giving me life.
- Being with you is like…I don’t know what it’s like. I have nothing to compare this to.
- He’s my crutch and my compass, an old familiar comfort, and my new thrilling addiction. He’s everything I need and everything I want. My past and my future. Brandt is…everything. He’s my home.
- You’re the last person I want to fall in love with for the rest of my life.
- You’ve always been my best friend, my brother, my teammate, but now, you’re my…soulmate
- Brandt Aguilar is fucking adorkable. And loveable. And mine. He’s all mine.
- There’s never gonna be a day that I don’t love you, or that I don't want you, Wes. This ring means I’m never going to let you fall.....It means I’m always gonna show up for you. For the rest of my life, I will show up for you. Because you’re mine.
- I’m telling you how it’s gonna be for the rest of our lives. It’s gonna be me and you, forever. From here on out, on the good days and bad days and all the days in between
- We’re two souls that were always destined to be mates, beautifully broken and carefully mended. We belong to each other. I am the keeper of his body and his heart, and he is the protector of mine. To him, my imperfections are perfect. To me, he has no imperfections. He was always perfect.