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A review by georgiamcw
The Persistence of Thornes by Micalea Smeltzer
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
“Never could I have imagined falling like this, but it’s like my soul recognized hers from the moment I laid eyes on her. I knew—I fucking knew right then and there—that this girl would be everything I’ve been searching for, for so long.”
Overall Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 2/5🌶️
Once a Micalea girlie, always a Micalea girlie!
I knew I’d love this book from the moment it was announced that it was being written and we were given its release date. It’s been a while since I’ve reconnected with this world and I’m like a giddy child having this book in my hands and visiting these characters like old friends.
“You’re doing the best you can with what you have. You’re a fighter. It’s how we persist through the hard shit that defines who we are and from where I’m sitting, you’re pretty fucking tough.”
This book felt a bit different from the Wildflowers duet — not in a bad way, and it’s also been a while since I’ve visited these characters and this universe as I’ve said before. It’s a refreshing take on this sort of trying to find yourself, build yourself a life in a small town, and gain love and friendships with new people.
Coming from the Wildflower duet, I didn’t hold much thought for Caleb as a character and didn’t think he’d be that important or interesting but Micalea has proved me WAY WRONG time and time again as I read The Persistence of Thorns and I think I’m in love with Caleb now. That man is everything, and nothing if not down bad for his girl, the most amazing man for his family, and the consent king of all kings (and then being (consensually) the complete opposite behind closed doors??? every girl's dream man if you ask me).
Caleb & Halle’s is a new favorite of mine, without a doubt. I was anticipating some sort of forbidden, sneaking around type thing between Caleb and Halle but the fact that it was the actual opposite and these characters took their time getting to know one another, going from neighbors to friends, to lovers, just hit a sensitive part of me that has me both squealing, crying and holding all the utmost love for Micalea’s writing and for these characters themselves.
It felt so special and even a little nostalgic to see Thayer, Salem and their little family again! And getting to see these characters I know and love so much and their intertwined lives with these new characters was another level of special for me. When I have the mental capacity (ifykyk), i will be reading the wildflowers duet, the novella and this novel all over again and just taking the time to appreciate this series and live it all over again like I did the first time. Thank you, Micalea, for writing such a special and touching series & writing the most beautiful characters.
What to expect in The Persistent of Thorns:
🪻 single dad x single guardian
🪻 small town
🪻 next door neighbors
🪻 forced proximity
🪻 golden retriever x black cat
🪻 age gap
🪻 banter of all banter
Thank you to Micalea, her team & the ever lovely Valentine PR for allowing me to be an arc reader for this release & providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Persistence of Thorns in exchange for an honest review! I received an ARC copy of The Persistence of Thorns and all thoughts & comments on this review are my own!
The Persistence of Thorns released April 23rd, 2025 and everyone needs to go read it asap! 🪻
Overall Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 2/5🌶️
Once a Micalea girlie, always a Micalea girlie!
I knew I’d love this book from the moment it was announced that it was being written and we were given its release date. It’s been a while since I’ve reconnected with this world and I’m like a giddy child having this book in my hands and visiting these characters like old friends.
“You’re doing the best you can with what you have. You’re a fighter. It’s how we persist through the hard shit that defines who we are and from where I’m sitting, you’re pretty fucking tough.”
This book felt a bit different from the Wildflowers duet — not in a bad way, and it’s also been a while since I’ve visited these characters and this universe as I’ve said before. It’s a refreshing take on this sort of trying to find yourself, build yourself a life in a small town, and gain love and friendships with new people.
Coming from the Wildflower duet, I didn’t hold much thought for Caleb as a character and didn’t think he’d be that important or interesting but Micalea has proved me WAY WRONG time and time again as I read The Persistence of Thorns and I think I’m in love with Caleb now. That man is everything, and nothing if not down bad for his girl, the most amazing man for his family, and the consent king of all kings (and then being (consensually) the complete opposite behind closed doors??? every girl's dream man if you ask me).
Caleb & Halle’s is a new favorite of mine, without a doubt. I was anticipating some sort of forbidden, sneaking around type thing between Caleb and Halle but the fact that it was the actual opposite and these characters took their time getting to know one another, going from neighbors to friends, to lovers, just hit a sensitive part of me that has me both squealing, crying and holding all the utmost love for Micalea’s writing and for these characters themselves.
It felt so special and even a little nostalgic to see Thayer, Salem and their little family again! And getting to see these characters I know and love so much and their intertwined lives with these new characters was another level of special for me. When I have the mental capacity (ifykyk), i will be reading the wildflowers duet, the novella and this novel all over again and just taking the time to appreciate this series and live it all over again like I did the first time. Thank you, Micalea, for writing such a special and touching series & writing the most beautiful characters.
What to expect in The Persistent of Thorns:
🪻 single dad x single guardian
🪻 small town
🪻 next door neighbors
🪻 forced proximity
🪻 golden retriever x black cat
🪻 age gap
🪻 banter of all banter
Thank you to Micalea, her team & the ever lovely Valentine PR for allowing me to be an arc reader for this release & providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Persistence of Thorns in exchange for an honest review! I received an ARC copy of The Persistence of Thorns and all thoughts & comments on this review are my own!
The Persistence of Thorns released April 23rd, 2025 and everyone needs to go read it asap! 🪻