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A review by thebritishbibliophile
10 Signs You Need to Grovel by Kelly Siskind
5.0
'A brilliant standalone continuation of a series that's set to become a firm favourite in the book world. I'm invested & loving every word!' - The British Bibliophile
I was introduced to the wonderful Kelly Siskind via the first book in the Bower Boys series, 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover ('E' & Delilah), which earned a very impressive five stars right off the bat. For a first time reading a brand new author, I was blown away with the compelling story we were presented with, and I could not wait to get my hands on the next novel after learning of one.
10 Signs You Need To Grovel (Des & Sadie), follows the story of our second Bower boy, Des, and where his life has been and will go, now that he and his family are free from WITSEC. A situation forced upon his family as outlined in the first book, read that to find out how and why they were placed in it in the first place. It's good, I promise.
After meeting Des in book one--albeit briefly--, I knew his story was going to good if we were treated to it and here we are. The grumpy bartender's time to shine. His life in more ways than one, even after WITSEC, was about to be turned upside on its head once more after learning that he is in fact, a father. A point within the blurb which I loved! Surprise fatherhood is on of my favourite tropes, so I couldn't wait to read how Des was going to me made aware of his sudden fatherhood, and how he would meet his son.
Des is the very definition of a ruff and ready character. Hardened by unfortunate circumstances, he's the type to grunt at you rather than use words as an answer. That, however, is only a cover for the real man that lays beneath the gruff exterior. He's not the same man Sadie once knew, but she knows that he's there underneath all that he's let himself become on the outside. On the inside, Des is quite the opposite. He's a sensitive man--with a rather delicate stomach--, who knows who and what he wants, knows his mind and wears his heart under his sleeve. Kelly has written a brilliant character with Des.
Sadie is equally as admirable. Shoved into the suddenness of being a single mother upon Des' disappearance, she single-handedly raises their son until such a time when fate put them both back in Des' path. She's as much a victim of unfortunate circumstance as is Des, and manages against all odds to hold herself together while raising a reminder of a man she once knew and loved with her whole heart. When their paths did cross again, she didn't shy and run away but met their new future head on. She's willing to be there on this new road and navigate it in the best way possible so their son, Max, isn't affected. It isn't easy, then or now, but with Des at her side and with no matter what happens between them, she knows she can do it.
Their story is one of overcoming adversity, pushing past barriers both physical, emotional and mental, and working out a new normal of two people who were always meant to be together. Navigating one another, re-leaning each other, caring for a being that is half of each of them. There are struggles, speed-bumps and many hurdles both Sadie and Des had to go through, but at the end of the day would weather any storm knowing that the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after the storm, would be worth it and more.
Where I enjoyed the first book, I can solidly cement that the second book--and its characters--have my heart and from cover to cover won me over again and again.
Five stars for Des, Sadie and Kelly.
I was introduced to the wonderful Kelly Siskind via the first book in the Bower Boys series, 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover ('E' & Delilah), which earned a very impressive five stars right off the bat. For a first time reading a brand new author, I was blown away with the compelling story we were presented with, and I could not wait to get my hands on the next novel after learning of one.
10 Signs You Need To Grovel (Des & Sadie), follows the story of our second Bower boy, Des, and where his life has been and will go, now that he and his family are free from WITSEC. A situation forced upon his family as outlined in the first book, read that to find out how and why they were placed in it in the first place. It's good, I promise.
After meeting Des in book one--albeit briefly--, I knew his story was going to good if we were treated to it and here we are. The grumpy bartender's time to shine. His life in more ways than one, even after WITSEC, was about to be turned upside on its head once more after learning that he is in fact, a father. A point within the blurb which I loved! Surprise fatherhood is on of my favourite tropes, so I couldn't wait to read how Des was going to me made aware of his sudden fatherhood, and how he would meet his son.
Des is the very definition of a ruff and ready character. Hardened by unfortunate circumstances, he's the type to grunt at you rather than use words as an answer. That, however, is only a cover for the real man that lays beneath the gruff exterior. He's not the same man Sadie once knew, but she knows that he's there underneath all that he's let himself become on the outside. On the inside, Des is quite the opposite. He's a sensitive man--with a rather delicate stomach--, who knows who and what he wants, knows his mind and wears his heart under his sleeve. Kelly has written a brilliant character with Des.
Sadie is equally as admirable. Shoved into the suddenness of being a single mother upon Des' disappearance, she single-handedly raises their son until such a time when fate put them both back in Des' path. She's as much a victim of unfortunate circumstance as is Des, and manages against all odds to hold herself together while raising a reminder of a man she once knew and loved with her whole heart. When their paths did cross again, she didn't shy and run away but met their new future head on. She's willing to be there on this new road and navigate it in the best way possible so their son, Max, isn't affected. It isn't easy, then or now, but with Des at her side and with no matter what happens between them, she knows she can do it.
Their story is one of overcoming adversity, pushing past barriers both physical, emotional and mental, and working out a new normal of two people who were always meant to be together. Navigating one another, re-leaning each other, caring for a being that is half of each of them. There are struggles, speed-bumps and many hurdles both Sadie and Des had to go through, but at the end of the day would weather any storm knowing that the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after the storm, would be worth it and more.
Where I enjoyed the first book, I can solidly cement that the second book--and its characters--have my heart and from cover to cover won me over again and again.
Five stars for Des, Sadie and Kelly.