A review by theaccidentalromanceblogger
This Life and All the Rest by Brit Benson

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

5.0

Oh my sweet innocent child... if you think Brit Benson put you through the wringer in book 1, I have news for you...

It's been years since the last events in book 1 and Lennon now goes by Capri, lives in Paris and is a budding artist. She hasn't been back home often and she's fairly sure she's somewhat managed to get over Macon. When tragedy brings her back to town, she knows she will have to see him sooner or later. 

Macon has changed his life, turned it around, and he never ever managed to purge Lennon from his blood. When she comes back, he knows he'll have to face her and tell her a few things she never knew. What neither of them knows was that their lives were forever changed by events they had no control over and never knew were happening. Their love was toxic, incendiary... but the truth has a way of washing everything murky or dark. All they need to do is face it. 

OMG, what a ride! I pressed play on this audiobook and never stopped. What a wonderfully crafted second chance romance! Lidia Dornet and J.F. Harding reprise their roles as Lennon and Macon and they take you on a ride of angst and pain, regret and longing and they do a wonderful job!

There's so much love, devotion and hurt in this story and you understand how things were set in motion to keep these two apart. The secondary characters are pivotal in this and I really really need Brit to write Claire's book! Like, seriously!

Phew! What a ride! Love it! Thanks, @mustloveaudio for the gift! 

Content notes (may be spoilerish): graphic depictions of self harm, addiction, serious/life threatening illness, physical injury, loss of pregnancy, addiction relapse, toxic relationship with a family member