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katemc7's reviews
1401 reviews
In the Weeds by B.K. Borison
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
I absolutely LOVED this book! I was so intrigued by the background on these two when we met them in book 1. Learning their background just added fire to the flame for me. Beckett Porter. OMG. I LOVED this man. The way that he adopted animals despite having an internal battle to not do so. The way that he had anxiety in general and issues with loud noise. The way that he stepped up when his family needed him and though he acts annoyed ALWAYS puts the people he cares about first. I felt like I was meeting a different Beckett when he met Evelyn at the small bar in Maine. He was carefree and wonderful. And though he acted nonchalant her leaving without a word hurt him. This man has such a HUGE heart. Then we have Evelyn who at her heart is curious. She wants to know people's stories and spread the word on them. Her life has gotten bigger than she anticipated and she is now questioning what she is doing. The last place she remembers being happy is Lovelight Farms and Beckett. I loved how these two kept bumping into each other. First on that fateful night and then when Evelyn was responsible for Stella's tree farm expo. And then again on the street when Evelyn swoops back into town to find her happy. Evelyn was wonderful in her own right too. The way she picked up on Beckett's anxiety and helped him through it. The way she recognized how special his acts of kindness were. I love how these two tiptoed around each other both thinking the other didn't care. I love how they got comfortable with each other. I love how when they finally gave in how perfect they were together. I laughed when the miscommunication trope kicked in. But once again Beckett. Be still my heart. His grand gesture was just top notch!!
Beckett doesn't understand why he can't stop thinking about Evelyn. They had that one night together all those months ago and then she ghosted him. And then she came back into town to help Stella with the tree farm. And then left again without a word. He just felt a connection with her that he can't remember ever feeling before. But again she left no word. Now though she is back. He is looking at her across the street from the bakery. She has nowhere to stay. She has no plan but that she is looking for her happy. Despite what his brain thinks, his heart offers a room at his place. Though it is awkward at first, they get a nice rhythm down. He cooks. She makes herself useful to the small town folk that he knows as his neighbors. All the while he can't stop thinking about that night they shared. And wonder if she thinks about it too. He tries to keep her at arm's length but can't fight it any longer. He starts to think about what it would be like if she stayed. If they tried this thing. When they reconnect, it is more than what he remembered. She fits in with his family. She helps him when his anxiety hits. She makes him feel special. But then he comes home one night after leaving unexpectedly and she isn't there. Despite her return with reason, all of his fears come to light. But then his dad reminds him that sometimes things are worth fighting for especially when they are hard.
Evelyn St. Porter is wondering when her life got so derailed. She wanted to be able to tell people's stories which she does but it's not the same. It isn't until her friend asks her when the last time she was happy was that she realizes how unhappy she is. She was happy in Lovelight and in Maine with Beckett. The man who she can't stop thinking about despite leaving him with no word and not hearing from him since then. So showing up in Lovelight after all this time and seeing him right away is like a fantasy come true. But she has to remember. They don't owe each other anything. They can be adults and roommates. But then she realizes he is ignoring her. So they finally clear the air. And things become sooo easy between them. Evelyn has checked out- no social. No email. And she hasn't felt this clear headed in a long time. All the while she is trying to remind herself that Beckett has made no moves on her. They are content to be what they are. Until things shift and they reconnect and it is everything. Now she is contemplating on this being her new place. The place that makes her happy. But when a miscommunication between her and Beckett happens, she hopes that she isn't too late to show him what he means to her. Because this man IS what helps to make her happy.
These were some of my favorite quotes that solidified my love for this book and these characters.
"But that's the thing about happening, I guess. You can show whatever you want to the world and not feel a lick of it inside yourself. "
"Trying to be happy is like trying to tell a flower to bloom...You can't make yourself be happy. But you can be open to it. You can trust yourself enough to feel it when you stumble on it. "
"Evelyn is like a spring storm. She appears without warning, makes everything around her bloom, and then leaves with the wind."
"Sometimes loves is greedy kiddo...Sometimes it's a little bit selfish too. You think it's never crossed my mind that your mom deserves something better than the life we carved our for ourselves here? It has. A million times. A million and one. But I'm holding on to her with both hands. I'm trusting her to make her own choices. To choose me."
I can't recommend this book or series enough. BK has a way of writing such wonderful characters that are so easy to connect with. I love the small town and hilarious townsfolk in it as well. The found family aspect. The love that her characters find in each other and how they help patch anything broken makes me smile SOO much. I am PUMPED for Caleb and Layla :)
Beckett doesn't understand why he can't stop thinking about Evelyn. They had that one night together all those months ago and then she ghosted him. And then she came back into town to help Stella with the tree farm. And then left again without a word. He just felt a connection with her that he can't remember ever feeling before. But again she left no word. Now though she is back. He is looking at her across the street from the bakery. She has nowhere to stay. She has no plan but that she is looking for her happy. Despite what his brain thinks, his heart offers a room at his place. Though it is awkward at first, they get a nice rhythm down. He cooks. She makes herself useful to the small town folk that he knows as his neighbors. All the while he can't stop thinking about that night they shared. And wonder if she thinks about it too. He tries to keep her at arm's length but can't fight it any longer. He starts to think about what it would be like if she stayed. If they tried this thing. When they reconnect, it is more than what he remembered. She fits in with his family. She helps him when his anxiety hits. She makes him feel special. But then he comes home one night after leaving unexpectedly and she isn't there. Despite her return with reason, all of his fears come to light. But then his dad reminds him that sometimes things are worth fighting for especially when they are hard.
Evelyn St. Porter is wondering when her life got so derailed. She wanted to be able to tell people's stories which she does but it's not the same. It isn't until her friend asks her when the last time she was happy was that she realizes how unhappy she is. She was happy in Lovelight and in Maine with Beckett. The man who she can't stop thinking about despite leaving him with no word and not hearing from him since then. So showing up in Lovelight after all this time and seeing him right away is like a fantasy come true. But she has to remember. They don't owe each other anything. They can be adults and roommates. But then she realizes he is ignoring her. So they finally clear the air. And things become sooo easy between them. Evelyn has checked out- no social. No email. And she hasn't felt this clear headed in a long time. All the while she is trying to remind herself that Beckett has made no moves on her. They are content to be what they are. Until things shift and they reconnect and it is everything. Now she is contemplating on this being her new place. The place that makes her happy. But when a miscommunication between her and Beckett happens, she hopes that she isn't too late to show him what he means to her. Because this man IS what helps to make her happy.
These were some of my favorite quotes that solidified my love for this book and these characters.
"But that's the thing about happening, I guess. You can show whatever you want to the world and not feel a lick of it inside yourself. "
"Trying to be happy is like trying to tell a flower to bloom...You can't make yourself be happy. But you can be open to it. You can trust yourself enough to feel it when you stumble on it. "
"Evelyn is like a spring storm. She appears without warning, makes everything around her bloom, and then leaves with the wind."
"Sometimes loves is greedy kiddo...Sometimes it's a little bit selfish too. You think it's never crossed my mind that your mom deserves something better than the life we carved our for ourselves here? It has. A million times. A million and one. But I'm holding on to her with both hands. I'm trusting her to make her own choices. To choose me."
I can't recommend this book or series enough. BK has a way of writing such wonderful characters that are so easy to connect with. I love the small town and hilarious townsfolk in it as well. The found family aspect. The love that her characters find in each other and how they help patch anything broken makes me smile SOO much. I am PUMPED for Caleb and Layla :)
The Apple Tree by Jewel E. Ann
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Hard time connecting with characters and age gap between them
The Shake Off by Lulu Moore
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
I absolutely LOVED this book yall! It is hands down my favorite of the series so far. I loved the banter. The characters. The age gap. The spice. The confidence of these two. The vulnerability. But mostly I loved how much this book made me LAUGH. I have read this series out of order which I normally don't like but was ok doing it in this case. So I knew Ace and Payton ended up together after reading the Baller. Ace Watson is the star pitcher for the New York Lions. He has a way with the ladies. Or at least he thinks he does until he has a one night stand with Payton Lopez who tells him in a few choice words that he didn't do it for her. This story follows him trying to get his mojo back because now he can't pitch. And Payton being looped into being a participant in this experiment all while trying to ignore the fact that they both like doing these things with EACH OTHER. I loved Payton's sass. I loved that she was older- we don't see a lot of books with the FMC being old. She was 30 to Ace's 23 (maybe 24?). I loved how that little gap made such a difference in her knowledge of things and her self confidence. And I loved reading when Ace realized this. Ace was hilarious. He was kind of a grump at first but him showing up at Payton's for round two and saying he felt like he was in school was perfect. These two just clicked. They were opposite in so many ways but watching them unravel each other was very sweet and fun to be a part of.
Payton has always had this fantasy of Ace Watson. It is involved and specific. So when she ends up having a one night stand with him on her birthday and things fall short of said fantasy- she is disappointed. But also kind of like oh well. See Payton is a dating girl. She doesn't do like full relationships but more likes the feeling of firsts while also really liking kissing. So when she sees Ace and let's him know how he stands with her. She recognizes it as a young man who still hasn't learned all the things. But then he shows up at her door with a proposition. He wants to try again and he comes with new lessons in his back pocket. Payton is surprised and pleasured in the best way. And now this is their thing. His pitching had dropped with his mojo but now it comes back after they spend the night together. The thing is though that Payton likes having all of these experiences with him. She likes learning new things and trying things together. She likes seeing his confidence grow. She likes that he brings her gifts and kind of dotes on her. But then someone tells her a harsh reality and she has to wonder if she will be brave enough to recognize that she LIKES Ace not just what they are doing together. Will she be brave enough to tell him before it's too late?
Ace is a man of many talents. He is the star pitcher of the team while also enjoying himself with different women regularly. He knows how good he is at all things women. But then a woman leaves him alone the next morning. She doesn't come back for seconds. And that has him thinking. When he sees her, Payton, at a party and confronts her- she gives it to him straight. He focused on himself more than her. Now he can't get out of his head. Have women been lying to him all this time? Is he just mediocre? And now he has the yips. Only one thing can fix it- a second chance. So he shows up at Payton's apartment and asks her. Can they try again? What she doesn't know is that he has found old Cosmo articles with insider info on how to make things great for your partner. So he brings that to the table and this time the experience is unlike anything he has experienced before. How did he never know kissing could be like that? Or just foreplay in general? He is determined to continue to see the look of satisfaction on Payton's face not only because his pitching is back but because he LIKES seeing that look. He likes surprising her. He likes how comfortable they are with each other to try new things. He starts to realize how much he actually likes her. He realizes he wants more with her. But she seems to be holding him at arm's length. When she breaks things off unexpectedly he starts to realize more is at play. He is determined to help her understand that he isn't going anywhere. He just needs her to catch up.
I just can't recommend this one enough. I have enjoyed all of the books in this series but this one just hit different for me in the best way! I am really looking forward to reading Parker and Tanner's stories coming soon :)
Payton has always had this fantasy of Ace Watson. It is involved and specific. So when she ends up having a one night stand with him on her birthday and things fall short of said fantasy- she is disappointed. But also kind of like oh well. See Payton is a dating girl. She doesn't do like full relationships but more likes the feeling of firsts while also really liking kissing. So when she sees Ace and let's him know how he stands with her. She recognizes it as a young man who still hasn't learned all the things. But then he shows up at her door with a proposition. He wants to try again and he comes with new lessons in his back pocket. Payton is surprised and pleasured in the best way. And now this is their thing. His pitching had dropped with his mojo but now it comes back after they spend the night together. The thing is though that Payton likes having all of these experiences with him. She likes learning new things and trying things together. She likes seeing his confidence grow. She likes that he brings her gifts and kind of dotes on her. But then someone tells her a harsh reality and she has to wonder if she will be brave enough to recognize that she LIKES Ace not just what they are doing together. Will she be brave enough to tell him before it's too late?
Ace is a man of many talents. He is the star pitcher of the team while also enjoying himself with different women regularly. He knows how good he is at all things women. But then a woman leaves him alone the next morning. She doesn't come back for seconds. And that has him thinking. When he sees her, Payton, at a party and confronts her- she gives it to him straight. He focused on himself more than her. Now he can't get out of his head. Have women been lying to him all this time? Is he just mediocre? And now he has the yips. Only one thing can fix it- a second chance. So he shows up at Payton's apartment and asks her. Can they try again? What she doesn't know is that he has found old Cosmo articles with insider info on how to make things great for your partner. So he brings that to the table and this time the experience is unlike anything he has experienced before. How did he never know kissing could be like that? Or just foreplay in general? He is determined to continue to see the look of satisfaction on Payton's face not only because his pitching is back but because he LIKES seeing that look. He likes surprising her. He likes how comfortable they are with each other to try new things. He starts to realize how much he actually likes her. He realizes he wants more with her. But she seems to be holding him at arm's length. When she breaks things off unexpectedly he starts to realize more is at play. He is determined to help her understand that he isn't going anywhere. He just needs her to catch up.
I just can't recommend this one enough. I have enjoyed all of the books in this series but this one just hit different for me in the best way! I am really looking forward to reading Parker and Tanner's stories coming soon :)
Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this book yall! It was definitely a noticed by the cover but stayed for the plot and characters. I LOVE when we have a misunderstood grump. And that's what Finn is yall- a misunderstood grump going through the literal wringer in his personal life. I absolutely loved the found family aspect in this one. I really liked our FMC Millie. She was on a mission to prove that she could do things that she set her mind to. She didn't need anyone's assistance. She was on the other side of a terrible relationship and still trying to get her confidence back. The meet cute in this one was hilariously terrible. And it just kept getting worse for them. It made me smile though when Finn reached out with an olive branch and their relationship evolved from there. Even though Finn wasn't really a grump, he had lost his dimmer. He had tragedy in his life that ended up with him being the sole person responsible for his nieces. Millie was definitely his sunshine. The build up between them was cute. The fake date to throw off that Millie like his made me laugh. I liked Millie's friends and how everyone could see where this thing between them was going but she couldn't- or really didn't want to. I feel like I was smiling throughout most of this book and at some points when Finn talked dirty a fan of the face was also happening haha.
Millie has her sights set on becoming director of the entomology department. She has earned it. But she has a few random things happen right before her interview that make her think certain things about her coworker Finn Ashford. UGH he is the worst. Why are the hot ones always the worst? AND he is on her interview committee to determine about this job. GREAT. But then her surprises her by extending an olive branch. Which turns into her realizing that he has custody of his two nieces and seems to be drowning in all the changes his life has had recently. So she does what her parents taught her and is neighborly. She comes over to make dinner with them. She has dance parties with his nieces. She has FUN. This dinner thing becomes a regular event. She is starting to look forward to it more and more. She is starting to notice the way that Finn is looking at her because it's how she is looking at him. But they can't be more. He is one of the people deciding her future at work. She will not let that taint what she has earned. So friends they shall be. But then he keeps pushing for more. He does all of these cute things no one has done for her before. He tells her he pulled off the committee because he wanted more. The more she learns the more she realizes she can't fight it anymore. And what they share is sooo hot and amazing and wonderful! All seems to be going well until things shift unexpectedly one night between them. Finn is giving her the cold shoulder without an explanation? She is trying go to give him space while also wondering are they ending before they really even got going?
Finn is in a bit of a rut. Not really a rut but more of an adjustment. He lost his sister several months ago and is adjusting to the fact that it is just him and his nieces now. His family was never involved and he has no ideas that they will be. He wants them to know nothing but love. Meanwhile at work he keeps having these horrible scenarios with his coworker Millie. A hit in the nose. A fender bender. He thinks she has the wrong impression of him so gets her a small gift and now things have shifted between them. Millie is working camp with his nieces and somehow ends up at their house for dinner, and man does it feel right. She helps them cook. She plays with his nieces. This becomes a regular thing. Everyone is getting used to her being around. Finn can't help but want more. She is perfect. But she has walls up. She is coming out of a bad relationship. She is working towards a promotion- he has already dropped out of the committee though. He won't take no for an answer. So she caves and what they share is nothing short of perfect. They go to her family's farm. His nieces are in love. It is all going great- but then the line of his responsibilities and Millie get crossed. And Finn gets freaked because he can't lose focus of his priorities now. Will he lose Millie before they really started? Or recognize that he can balance both.
This was a very cute intro to a new world with great characters. I can't WAIT to read Lena's book (Wreck My Plans) and LOVED the snippets we got about Theo and Fable (Millie's sister). I would definitely recommend this for a STEM romance with some nice spice that makes your heart flutter with happiness majority of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jillian for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Millie has her sights set on becoming director of the entomology department. She has earned it. But she has a few random things happen right before her interview that make her think certain things about her coworker Finn Ashford. UGH he is the worst. Why are the hot ones always the worst? AND he is on her interview committee to determine about this job. GREAT. But then her surprises her by extending an olive branch. Which turns into her realizing that he has custody of his two nieces and seems to be drowning in all the changes his life has had recently. So she does what her parents taught her and is neighborly. She comes over to make dinner with them. She has dance parties with his nieces. She has FUN. This dinner thing becomes a regular event. She is starting to look forward to it more and more. She is starting to notice the way that Finn is looking at her because it's how she is looking at him. But they can't be more. He is one of the people deciding her future at work. She will not let that taint what she has earned. So friends they shall be. But then he keeps pushing for more. He does all of these cute things no one has done for her before. He tells her he pulled off the committee because he wanted more. The more she learns the more she realizes she can't fight it anymore. And what they share is sooo hot and amazing and wonderful! All seems to be going well until things shift unexpectedly one night between them. Finn is giving her the cold shoulder without an explanation? She is trying go to give him space while also wondering are they ending before they really even got going?
Finn is in a bit of a rut. Not really a rut but more of an adjustment. He lost his sister several months ago and is adjusting to the fact that it is just him and his nieces now. His family was never involved and he has no ideas that they will be. He wants them to know nothing but love. Meanwhile at work he keeps having these horrible scenarios with his coworker Millie. A hit in the nose. A fender bender. He thinks she has the wrong impression of him so gets her a small gift and now things have shifted between them. Millie is working camp with his nieces and somehow ends up at their house for dinner, and man does it feel right. She helps them cook. She plays with his nieces. This becomes a regular thing. Everyone is getting used to her being around. Finn can't help but want more. She is perfect. But she has walls up. She is coming out of a bad relationship. She is working towards a promotion- he has already dropped out of the committee though. He won't take no for an answer. So she caves and what they share is nothing short of perfect. They go to her family's farm. His nieces are in love. It is all going great- but then the line of his responsibilities and Millie get crossed. And Finn gets freaked because he can't lose focus of his priorities now. Will he lose Millie before they really started? Or recognize that he can balance both.
This was a very cute intro to a new world with great characters. I can't WAIT to read Lena's book (Wreck My Plans) and LOVED the snippets we got about Theo and Fable (Millie's sister). I would definitely recommend this for a STEM romance with some nice spice that makes your heart flutter with happiness majority of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jillian for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Burn the Wild by Ava Hunter
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
This book was phenomenal! I feel like this series keeps getting better and better. There are some very heavy topics discussed in this book- I would recommend checking out TWs if that sentence gives you pause. That being said this is a book of almost a resurrection of a soul. Ava did an AMAZING job touching on these harder subjects. We had two people that were polar opposites and started out as not really enemies but definitely loathing each other. But there was a bit of forced proximity at work. And Ava worked her magic. Reese was in a terrible spiral. She couldn't find her way out of her situation. She knew she didn't like it but not what she needed. Watching Ford help nurture her back to health was unbelievable gratifying. Ford was also on the other side of heartbreak and tragedy. Feeling worthless. These two were at a crossroads and found each other at the right time. While Ford was nurturing Reese, she was waking Ford up. She was showing him the kind of man she saw him as. They were enjoying the little things together. I absolutely loved the touch her and die vibes coming from not just Ford but all of the Davis brothers (eventually). I also loved how Reese resonated with what Fallon was going through.
Reese can't see her way out anymore. She is drunk all the time. She feels tired all the time. She can make zero decisions. She doesn't even realize what she is doing one night when she walks away from the stage. She doesn't realize how much she needed a lifeline until Grady Davis gives it to her. He gives her his car and tells her to go to his family's ranch. She can hide out there for a while. She expects his brothers to be like him. What she gets is a hot cowboy with a mean attitude judging her by the cover without giving her a shred of a chance. This was a mistake. She will figure things out. But then she realizes her money has been blocked from her. She literally has nowhere to go. So she asks her broody cowboy for a job. She is surprised when not only does he say yes but she will be working with him. She is surprised when she finds herself not wanting a drink or to forget. She is surprised at how attracted she is to this man who she is starting to realize is genuinely GOOD. She goes the friend route to be safe. He helps her do a lot of basic things she has never done before. He does things for her that no one in her life has. Could it be that he is feeling these things she is feeling? Things happen between them in the most delicious way. And it all feels so natural. And like home. But there is a time limit- the end of summer. Then they will go their separate ways...at least that's what they are saying. But in the meantime, Reese can't help but feel like someone is watching her. She is getting nasty messages from her manager. She needs more time to sort out some things but what she doesn't know is time is not what she has. When her nightmare becomes a reality, she can only hope that Ford knows how she feels and that he comes for her before it is too late.
Ford is at a crossroads of sorts. He works on the ranch but really to be close to family. He doesn't have anything for just HIM. So when he gets an offer from his ex's dad- he starts considering what that could look like. But then SHE shows up. The project his little brother sent him for the summer. She is wearing the tiniest of clothes he has ever seen and high heels...on a ranch. She is hot as sin. But he can't tell her that. She has this attitude of no cares given. But then he starts to realize he may be wrong about her. He starts to realize she seems lost and lonely. She has more money than god and everyone in the country knows her music but what is she doing her? She ends up asking for a job and he does it. As much as he fights it, he helps her. He finds himself investing in her. He finds himself hunting for those little smiles he gets. All the while her walls are up on why she is here. So he starts telling her about his past. He starts opening up to her. He gives in the attraction and it is EVERYTHING to him. He has never felt like this. But she puts the label for them as friends. Ok he can deal with that until she catches up. He doesn't want things to end between them at the end of the summer. When she is around things just feel right. When she finally opens up about her past he is absolutely floored at what all she has overcome. She is much stronger than he thought. He just has to help her see that. He has to help her understand that he is not using her for something. He is here to stay. She is his endgame. But her past is creeping in. And it strikes when no one is expecting it too. He can't be too late for her- she is his world.
This book made me feel so many things. I loved the family banter and the snippets we got of Davis/Koty and Ruby & Charlie. I was literally eating up allll the bits for Wyatt and Fallon- are they next?? I loved the sass that Reese gave Ford even though she had no confidence. I loved the buildup of chemistry between these two. I loved how protective everyone in this family is for everyone. I loved how Ford wouldn't give up or walk away when Reese pushed him. I was absolutely heart broken and disgusted at what all Reese had endured at the hands of her manager. Very Britney like. I loved how mental health was talked about openly and as a necessity. No shame. I just LOVE these characters. I found myself hunting for pictures of what these two and the others could look like- found some on Ava's insta. If you haven't picked up this series, I definitely recommend it! Ava makes you wait for the steam but the build up and tension is WORTH it while you fall in love with her characters and their lives.
Thank you to Ava for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
Reese can't see her way out anymore. She is drunk all the time. She feels tired all the time. She can make zero decisions. She doesn't even realize what she is doing one night when she walks away from the stage. She doesn't realize how much she needed a lifeline until Grady Davis gives it to her. He gives her his car and tells her to go to his family's ranch. She can hide out there for a while. She expects his brothers to be like him. What she gets is a hot cowboy with a mean attitude judging her by the cover without giving her a shred of a chance. This was a mistake. She will figure things out. But then she realizes her money has been blocked from her. She literally has nowhere to go. So she asks her broody cowboy for a job. She is surprised when not only does he say yes but she will be working with him. She is surprised when she finds herself not wanting a drink or to forget. She is surprised at how attracted she is to this man who she is starting to realize is genuinely GOOD. She goes the friend route to be safe. He helps her do a lot of basic things she has never done before. He does things for her that no one in her life has. Could it be that he is feeling these things she is feeling? Things happen between them in the most delicious way. And it all feels so natural. And like home. But there is a time limit- the end of summer. Then they will go their separate ways...at least that's what they are saying. But in the meantime, Reese can't help but feel like someone is watching her. She is getting nasty messages from her manager. She needs more time to sort out some things but what she doesn't know is time is not what she has. When her nightmare becomes a reality, she can only hope that Ford knows how she feels and that he comes for her before it is too late.
Ford is at a crossroads of sorts. He works on the ranch but really to be close to family. He doesn't have anything for just HIM. So when he gets an offer from his ex's dad- he starts considering what that could look like. But then SHE shows up. The project his little brother sent him for the summer. She is wearing the tiniest of clothes he has ever seen and high heels...on a ranch. She is hot as sin. But he can't tell her that. She has this attitude of no cares given. But then he starts to realize he may be wrong about her. He starts to realize she seems lost and lonely. She has more money than god and everyone in the country knows her music but what is she doing her? She ends up asking for a job and he does it. As much as he fights it, he helps her. He finds himself investing in her. He finds himself hunting for those little smiles he gets. All the while her walls are up on why she is here. So he starts telling her about his past. He starts opening up to her. He gives in the attraction and it is EVERYTHING to him. He has never felt like this. But she puts the label for them as friends. Ok he can deal with that until she catches up. He doesn't want things to end between them at the end of the summer. When she is around things just feel right. When she finally opens up about her past he is absolutely floored at what all she has overcome. She is much stronger than he thought. He just has to help her see that. He has to help her understand that he is not using her for something. He is here to stay. She is his endgame. But her past is creeping in. And it strikes when no one is expecting it too. He can't be too late for her- she is his world.
This book made me feel so many things. I loved the family banter and the snippets we got of Davis/Koty and Ruby & Charlie. I was literally eating up allll the bits for Wyatt and Fallon- are they next?? I loved the sass that Reese gave Ford even though she had no confidence. I loved the buildup of chemistry between these two. I loved how protective everyone in this family is for everyone. I loved how Ford wouldn't give up or walk away when Reese pushed him. I was absolutely heart broken and disgusted at what all Reese had endured at the hands of her manager. Very Britney like. I loved how mental health was talked about openly and as a necessity. No shame. I just LOVE these characters. I found myself hunting for pictures of what these two and the others could look like- found some on Ava's insta. If you haven't picked up this series, I definitely recommend it! Ava makes you wait for the steam but the build up and tension is WORTH it while you fall in love with her characters and their lives.
Thank you to Ava for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
I hate that this book took me soo long to finish. But to be honest it took a while for me to get into it BUT then when I did, I read the last like 200 pages in one sitting. I could NOT get enough of Gideon and Rune. When looking at everything the pacing was perfect. I loved the characters! Gideon was so broken. He was doing everything he could to protect people against what he had experienced. He was on the hunt for the big bad- the Crimson Moth. What he didn't expect was Rune- his brother's best friend/unrequited love. Watching Rune and Gideon show vulnerabilities to each other and then question what was real and what wasn't made me feel SOO many things. I was heartbroken at hearing what Gideon had endured and his view of the world because of it. I was in AWE of Rune and all that she had to endure. And this mask she constantly wore while trying to save the world after hours. I have to say I can't remember the last time I was so gutted by an ending of a book. Things changed RAPIDLY. I knew something tragic was going to happen because Rune and Gideon seemed well. But then perspectives shifted. Old habits and biases came to play. All of this on top of true evil being at play and neither Rune nor Gideon were able to explain themselves. I found myself basically stunned silent at the end of this book while contemplating throwing it across the room.
Rune has one goal in mind. Her goal is to save witches from the purging. She is a witch in hiding that also happens to be a socialite. She uses her vantage to get information. When she finds out that a witch her Gran wanted her to watch out for has been captured, she is determined to find her before it is too late. She never thought she would be in a position where she would be trying to woo her best friend Alex's brother Gideon Sharpe. Gideon is the lead witch hunter. He is dangerous. And yet he holds the key to everything. And so starts the cat and mouse game. Rune has to act interested in him not the information. Rune has to ignore the beating of her heart when they kiss. Or how much she opens herself up to him without telling him the full truth. Or realizing how much she genuinely hates what happened to him at the hand of a witch. She has to remind herself this is all to gain information right? But he looks at her like no one else has. He makes her feel things no one else has. He makes her wonder if she wasn't a witch and he wasn't a witch hunter would they work out? But then EVERYTHING changes. She finds out how she thinks he really feels and realizes none of it was real to him. She realizes that she should go the safe route not the Gideon route. She realizes that she can only save herself no matter the cost. No matter how Gideon looks at her. No matter what the world thinks.
Gideon's on the hunt for the Crimson Moth. They have been evading him for months. It is a game to them. He enjoys the chase but hates what is happening. Bodies are found in alleys. Witches are meeting in groups. He gets a hint that maybe Rune Winters is involved. His brother Alex has a crush on her thought she is his best friend. She is also an elite socialite. Could she be the Moth? There is only one way for Gideon to find out. He tries to woo her. He puts himself in a position he hasn't wanted to be in since the world changed for him. See Gideon has a past only a select few know about. He was the lover to Cressida Roseblood- the old witch queen. Gideon was her toy more like. He is on the other side of that tainted relationship which helped hone in his thoughts on witches. He finds himself enjoying his time with Rune. He finds himself liking when he makes her blush and pushes the line a little bit. He question whether he should back off since he knows how his brother feels- but Alex has never made a move and this is all an act...right? But he has to remind himself that when he opens up to Rune. He has to remind himself that when he finds himself lost in her. He finds himself wanting more. Wanting a future. A future he can now picture. But when he tries to play his cards right, Rune overhears the wrong thing and everything changes in the blink of an eye. He realizes he was right all along. There is more at play here. Rune was playing him for the bigger picture of what is coming. Rune never cared and she will rue the day she made him think she did.
Kristen what have you done to me?! I legit can't WAIT to get my hands on book 2. HOW are these two going to be able to reconcile with everything that has happened?? It is clear they are meant to be but I am hoping it doesn't take the WHOLE second book for that to become fact. I cannot recommend this one enough. Be prepared for the slow entry but yall it is WORTH it!!
Rune has one goal in mind. Her goal is to save witches from the purging. She is a witch in hiding that also happens to be a socialite. She uses her vantage to get information. When she finds out that a witch her Gran wanted her to watch out for has been captured, she is determined to find her before it is too late. She never thought she would be in a position where she would be trying to woo her best friend Alex's brother Gideon Sharpe. Gideon is the lead witch hunter. He is dangerous. And yet he holds the key to everything. And so starts the cat and mouse game. Rune has to act interested in him not the information. Rune has to ignore the beating of her heart when they kiss. Or how much she opens herself up to him without telling him the full truth. Or realizing how much she genuinely hates what happened to him at the hand of a witch. She has to remind herself this is all to gain information right? But he looks at her like no one else has. He makes her feel things no one else has. He makes her wonder if she wasn't a witch and he wasn't a witch hunter would they work out? But then EVERYTHING changes. She finds out how she thinks he really feels and realizes none of it was real to him. She realizes that she should go the safe route not the Gideon route. She realizes that she can only save herself no matter the cost. No matter how Gideon looks at her. No matter what the world thinks.
Gideon's on the hunt for the Crimson Moth. They have been evading him for months. It is a game to them. He enjoys the chase but hates what is happening. Bodies are found in alleys. Witches are meeting in groups. He gets a hint that maybe Rune Winters is involved. His brother Alex has a crush on her thought she is his best friend. She is also an elite socialite. Could she be the Moth? There is only one way for Gideon to find out. He tries to woo her. He puts himself in a position he hasn't wanted to be in since the world changed for him. See Gideon has a past only a select few know about. He was the lover to Cressida Roseblood- the old witch queen. Gideon was her toy more like. He is on the other side of that tainted relationship which helped hone in his thoughts on witches. He finds himself enjoying his time with Rune. He finds himself liking when he makes her blush and pushes the line a little bit. He question whether he should back off since he knows how his brother feels- but Alex has never made a move and this is all an act...right? But he has to remind himself that when he opens up to Rune. He has to remind himself that when he finds himself lost in her. He finds himself wanting more. Wanting a future. A future he can now picture. But when he tries to play his cards right, Rune overhears the wrong thing and everything changes in the blink of an eye. He realizes he was right all along. There is more at play here. Rune was playing him for the bigger picture of what is coming. Rune never cared and she will rue the day she made him think she did.
Kristen what have you done to me?! I legit can't WAIT to get my hands on book 2. HOW are these two going to be able to reconcile with everything that has happened?? It is clear they are meant to be but I am hoping it doesn't take the WHOLE second book for that to become fact. I cannot recommend this one enough. Be prepared for the slow entry but yall it is WORTH it!!
Stolen Chances by Clio Evans
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
This was a great second book in this series! I was looking forward to reading about Sarah, Colt & Sammy after the teasers we got in book one, and I was not disappointed. There were a lot of heavy topics discussed in this book that I thought Clio did a really great job of addressing with care. Sarah was coming out of a nightmare of a relationship on top of the fact that her ex had a twin who was a serial killer. She has closed herself off and is having internal battles on her worthiness of anything. The way that Colt and Sammy came in and helped her by showing her her worth and showing her that even though she could do things herself it doesn't mean other people can't help because they want to. I really enjoyed the second chance angle with Colt- the way Sarah and him had been behind the scenes pining after each other made their connection that much more special. And then we have Sammy who is Colt's best friend's little brother. Which is another trope that I love. The spice and love between these three was SCORCHING. The care they all for each other. The way that Sarah freaked and pushed them away only to realize how much they had come to mean to her. The added element of suspense was nice in this one too. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering who is doing all of these things.
Sarah is at the lowest of lows right now. She is on the other side of finding out there her ex husband's twin was a serial killer who kidnapped her sister and almost killed her. Not to mention the years of gaslighting and emotional abuse she endured. She is struggling in all things- money, mentally. So when she starts to get attention from Colt, the man who wronged her all those years ago, she ignores it. She can't do a relationship now. But then Sammy, her sister's hubby's brother, is a different story. He looks at her like she is the sun. She can't ignore her feelings for Colt though and now that they have cleared the air on what happened all those years ago things feel different. Could it be possible for the three of them to explore this thing between them? The answer is absolutely yes. And these men treat Sarah unlike she has ever been treated. She is like their queen and they are there to worship her. All the while, Sarah is getting threats from unknown sources and Sammy's house gets vandalized. Who could be behind all of this? David is out of prison but it seems beyond him. Sarah tries to focus on the good in her life but when she gets hurt, she panics and pushes them away. She doesn't want them to carry her baggage. She doesn't feel worthy. What she doesn't know is that they aren't that easily sueded.
Colt is not sure where everything went so wrong between him and Sarah. All he knows is that his heart is broken at seeing her where she is. He wants to fix it between them but doesn't know how. So he puts himself out there. Asks her to meet with him and when they finally clear the air it is like a weight has been lifted. All is right with the world. Except now he is having these unexpected feelings for Sammy, his best friend's little brother. And what is that about? At the same time, Sammy seems to be interested in Sarah. Could they make them a thing? He sure wants to try and when the others seem down for it, Colt almost has to pinch himself to make sure he is awake and not dreaming. What they share is beyond anything he has experienced. He wants to hold onto it and bask in it's glory. But there is an undercurrent happening in town. Sarah has received threats. Sammy's place gets trashed. Colt's protective side is out to play. He will do anything and everything to keep them safe. He just has to make sure they both know he is here to stay for the long haul. Nothing is going to scare him away.
Sammy is filling up his time with what he can while the winery is being rebuilt. He is positing thirst traps while cooking online. He finds himself wanting more. Wanting someone. Or maybe two someones. Sarah and Colt. His brother's best friend and a woman who has always been in his life and now seems to be all he thinks about. He can see the future with them in it. He just needs them to catch up. And he needs to initiate his plan to get them there. So he woos them. He shows them what they could be together. The nights they have together are unlike anything he has experienced. They are pure magic and beyond hot. Simmering underneath all of this though is an evil no one can identify. Sammy's house gets ransacked. Sarah is getting threatened. He has to do what he can to protect the people he loves even if they don't think they are deserving.
These books are definitely a ton of spice with plot on the backburner, and I am ok with that. I liked how much these characters built each other up. I liked how open this town and their friends/family were to their situation. I liked how everyone rallied together when someone was mistreated. I REALLY liked the spice- holy goodness was it a lot BUT sooo good. I definitely recommend this book and series if you haven't read it already. I could NOT figure out who the bad guy was and though I was disappointed at who it ended up being- it added another layer to this book that I enjoyed.
Thank you to Grey's Promotions and Clio for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah is at the lowest of lows right now. She is on the other side of finding out there her ex husband's twin was a serial killer who kidnapped her sister and almost killed her. Not to mention the years of gaslighting and emotional abuse she endured. She is struggling in all things- money, mentally. So when she starts to get attention from Colt, the man who wronged her all those years ago, she ignores it. She can't do a relationship now. But then Sammy, her sister's hubby's brother, is a different story. He looks at her like she is the sun. She can't ignore her feelings for Colt though and now that they have cleared the air on what happened all those years ago things feel different. Could it be possible for the three of them to explore this thing between them? The answer is absolutely yes. And these men treat Sarah unlike she has ever been treated. She is like their queen and they are there to worship her. All the while, Sarah is getting threats from unknown sources and Sammy's house gets vandalized. Who could be behind all of this? David is out of prison but it seems beyond him. Sarah tries to focus on the good in her life but when she gets hurt, she panics and pushes them away. She doesn't want them to carry her baggage. She doesn't feel worthy. What she doesn't know is that they aren't that easily sueded.
Colt is not sure where everything went so wrong between him and Sarah. All he knows is that his heart is broken at seeing her where she is. He wants to fix it between them but doesn't know how. So he puts himself out there. Asks her to meet with him and when they finally clear the air it is like a weight has been lifted. All is right with the world. Except now he is having these unexpected feelings for Sammy, his best friend's little brother. And what is that about? At the same time, Sammy seems to be interested in Sarah. Could they make them a thing? He sure wants to try and when the others seem down for it, Colt almost has to pinch himself to make sure he is awake and not dreaming. What they share is beyond anything he has experienced. He wants to hold onto it and bask in it's glory. But there is an undercurrent happening in town. Sarah has received threats. Sammy's place gets trashed. Colt's protective side is out to play. He will do anything and everything to keep them safe. He just has to make sure they both know he is here to stay for the long haul. Nothing is going to scare him away.
Sammy is filling up his time with what he can while the winery is being rebuilt. He is positing thirst traps while cooking online. He finds himself wanting more. Wanting someone. Or maybe two someones. Sarah and Colt. His brother's best friend and a woman who has always been in his life and now seems to be all he thinks about. He can see the future with them in it. He just needs them to catch up. And he needs to initiate his plan to get them there. So he woos them. He shows them what they could be together. The nights they have together are unlike anything he has experienced. They are pure magic and beyond hot. Simmering underneath all of this though is an evil no one can identify. Sammy's house gets ransacked. Sarah is getting threatened. He has to do what he can to protect the people he loves even if they don't think they are deserving.
These books are definitely a ton of spice with plot on the backburner, and I am ok with that. I liked how much these characters built each other up. I liked how open this town and their friends/family were to their situation. I liked how everyone rallied together when someone was mistreated. I REALLY liked the spice- holy goodness was it a lot BUT sooo good. I definitely recommend this book and series if you haven't read it already. I could NOT figure out who the bad guy was and though I was disappointed at who it ended up being- it added another layer to this book that I enjoyed.
Thank you to Grey's Promotions and Clio for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After Dark by Kira Bates
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This one had so much potential. Vampires. Cowboys. Small town. Taboo romance. But it just fell flat for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Though it was a shorter book and that pace is usually fast this felt too fast for me. I felt like I was scratching my head like when did that happen or what exactly is happening. The big bad was defeated too easily. There were a lot of hints that Rowan, our FMC, had some kind of special magic but we never saw it. Just overall fell very flat for me as much as I didn't want it to.
We are introduced to Rowan in this one. Her and her bestie are at the carnival when something weird happens. But oh well they go home together. But Rowan gets invited out on a date so she leaves her BF. When she comes back her friend is dead. Rowan finds herself going to her best friend's boyfriend's ranch to see if he knows what happened. Only to find out that Sylas and his two brother's are now vampires. There is supposedly someone going around town changing people. Eating people. Left and right. Rowan doesn't know what to think now that she is also a vampire. She has a mental crisis and runs away a few times only to find herself back with Sylas. There is this energy between them. A sexual energy that neither of them wants to address. But then they do and now apparently they are together until the end. Sylas and his brother's offer to help Rowan fight the big bad. Apparently Rowan's family who were murdered were also vampires but the good kind. Now a battle is going to ensure to determine if good will be able to trump the evil.
Thank you Grey's Promotions and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
We are introduced to Rowan in this one. Her and her bestie are at the carnival when something weird happens. But oh well they go home together. But Rowan gets invited out on a date so she leaves her BF. When she comes back her friend is dead. Rowan finds herself going to her best friend's boyfriend's ranch to see if he knows what happened. Only to find out that Sylas and his two brother's are now vampires. There is supposedly someone going around town changing people. Eating people. Left and right. Rowan doesn't know what to think now that she is also a vampire. She has a mental crisis and runs away a few times only to find herself back with Sylas. There is this energy between them. A sexual energy that neither of them wants to address. But then they do and now apparently they are together until the end. Sylas and his brother's offer to help Rowan fight the big bad. Apparently Rowan's family who were murdered were also vampires but the good kind. Now a battle is going to ensure to determine if good will be able to trump the evil.
Thank you Grey's Promotions and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Ruled Out by Ruth Stilling
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
OMG what a wonderful way to end this series! This was definitely the most emotional/heaviest book of the series. I would definitely recommend checking out the trigger warnings before diving in. That being said, Ruth did a really great job addressing some heavy topics and though I haven't experienced them myself I found myself thinking that what I was reading seemed to accurately depict emotions associated with abuse. I was excited to read Jessie's story. We got some sneaks of it and learned a little more about him in JJ and Kate's book, but I wanted more. This gave us SOO much more. Jessie has been THROUGH it yall. He found the love of his life but after her father realized what was happening between them, Jessie was shipped off to another team (the Scorpions). He has been drinking and performing at half-mast being in Seattle. When he realizes that Mia is in the same city her can't resist. Watching these two come together was magical. It just goes to show how much you can change for the good when you are with the right person and have the right people in your life. Mia was on the other side of making a stand for her independence with her dad. She had left her heart with Jessie all those years ago. She was beyond ecstatic to see him but her first priority was HIM. She wanted to help him. Get him in a better headspace. She was so selfless and played such a key role in Jessie getting on the other side of his addiction. These two had a HARD road to get their HEA. Reading about jessie's shame of his past and how he finally shed that shame was amazing.
Jessie is basically just doing the motions of life at this point- he goes to work. He goes out with friends. And in the meantime he drinks to forget everything. But mostly he drinks to forget her. The love of his life. Mia. Who he had to cut out and hasn't spoken to since. His friends can tell something is off but Jessie isn't ready to open up yet. But then he finds out Mia is in the same city. He can't help it. He is a moth drawn to a flame. And when he sees her for the first time in all this time, it's like seeing the sun. She just sets the world right for him. She gives him a chance. She doesn't make him feel judged at all. She gives him space to process his own stuff while also giving him her heart and her body. He wants to do everything right this time. He wants to prove to her dad that he is worthy. All the while he is taking care of his mom and trying to avoid his dad. But after going home to protect his mom he comes home and hides like he always does. But this time he show Mia behind the curtain. He lays it all out. He expects her to run away and leave him and his baggage at the door. But she doesn't. She holds him. She is there for him. She makes him feel safe. Their plan of telling her dad changes when he finds out first and then Jessie can't hide his past anymore. His mom has had an accident and even though he asks her to stay Mia follows him. And when she is put in danger. All bets are off. Because he doesn't want to live without her anymore. And he isn't going to let anyone stand in the way of that.
Mia has left her heart in Texas. It was broken long ago by the one man she thought she understood. Now she has taken a stand on what she wants with her Dad and is in the same city as said love- Jessie Callaghan. She tried to see him a while ago but that went sideways so she pretends like seeing him on tv doesn't affect her how it does. She expects nothing to change. He has made his stance clear. But then he shows up at the library one night and everything changes between them. He doesn't let her all the way in but he shows her that he never stopped caring. He made the wrong choice and now he wants to make up for it. And here they are a week or so later, spending the night together. All over each other. Experiencing things together she has never experienced. All the while when he gets a call from his mom it's like he changes. She gives him space to process but at the same time she wants in. They decide they are going to do it right this time. They are going to tell her dad- they just have to wait for the right time. But then that decision is taken from them. And Jessie is done hiding his past. Mia is beyond amazed at what Jessie has overcome. And now so is her dad. It feels good that he knows. But then Jessie runs home to save his mom again and this time Mia goes with him. She thought she knew what he had endured but she was wrong. She finds herself on the wrong side of a convo with his dad but Jessie makes it in time to save her. Now she just has to show Jessie that nothing of his past affects how she feels about him. She has to prove to him that he is worthy of her.
This book made me feel sooo many things. Like I said it was heavier than I expected but it was also SOOO healing. This was such a wonderful way to wrap up the series. Though this one says it is a standalone, I would recommend reading at least book 3 ahead of time BUT I enjoyed all of them. I do wish we had gotten a LITTLE sneak of where Jack's story is going. I am PUMPED for the spin off that is coming.
Thank you to Ruth for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
Jessie is basically just doing the motions of life at this point- he goes to work. He goes out with friends. And in the meantime he drinks to forget everything. But mostly he drinks to forget her. The love of his life. Mia. Who he had to cut out and hasn't spoken to since. His friends can tell something is off but Jessie isn't ready to open up yet. But then he finds out Mia is in the same city. He can't help it. He is a moth drawn to a flame. And when he sees her for the first time in all this time, it's like seeing the sun. She just sets the world right for him. She gives him a chance. She doesn't make him feel judged at all. She gives him space to process his own stuff while also giving him her heart and her body. He wants to do everything right this time. He wants to prove to her dad that he is worthy. All the while he is taking care of his mom and trying to avoid his dad. But after going home to protect his mom he comes home and hides like he always does. But this time he show Mia behind the curtain. He lays it all out. He expects her to run away and leave him and his baggage at the door. But she doesn't. She holds him. She is there for him. She makes him feel safe. Their plan of telling her dad changes when he finds out first and then Jessie can't hide his past anymore. His mom has had an accident and even though he asks her to stay Mia follows him. And when she is put in danger. All bets are off. Because he doesn't want to live without her anymore. And he isn't going to let anyone stand in the way of that.
Mia has left her heart in Texas. It was broken long ago by the one man she thought she understood. Now she has taken a stand on what she wants with her Dad and is in the same city as said love- Jessie Callaghan. She tried to see him a while ago but that went sideways so she pretends like seeing him on tv doesn't affect her how it does. She expects nothing to change. He has made his stance clear. But then he shows up at the library one night and everything changes between them. He doesn't let her all the way in but he shows her that he never stopped caring. He made the wrong choice and now he wants to make up for it. And here they are a week or so later, spending the night together. All over each other. Experiencing things together she has never experienced. All the while when he gets a call from his mom it's like he changes. She gives him space to process but at the same time she wants in. They decide they are going to do it right this time. They are going to tell her dad- they just have to wait for the right time. But then that decision is taken from them. And Jessie is done hiding his past. Mia is beyond amazed at what Jessie has overcome. And now so is her dad. It feels good that he knows. But then Jessie runs home to save his mom again and this time Mia goes with him. She thought she knew what he had endured but she was wrong. She finds herself on the wrong side of a convo with his dad but Jessie makes it in time to save her. Now she just has to show Jessie that nothing of his past affects how she feels about him. She has to prove to him that he is worthy of her.
This book made me feel sooo many things. Like I said it was heavier than I expected but it was also SOOO healing. This was such a wonderful way to wrap up the series. Though this one says it is a standalone, I would recommend reading at least book 3 ahead of time BUT I enjoyed all of them. I do wish we had gotten a LITTLE sneak of where Jack's story is going. I am PUMPED for the spin off that is coming.
Thank you to Ruth for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
Elsie Silver made me feel SOOOO many things reading this one. I am not going to lie I had a hard time understanding Cole's ARC from being the ultimate grump/borderline jerk to how we ended up with him. But the vulnerability he showed. The way he opened up helped me understand the walls he had built more. I was really looking forward to this book because I knew we got to read about Violet. She was SUCH a spitfire in her own right, and we know how much Beau, Cade and Rhett had to do with that. Anyways the anticipation for me was off the charts. I was shook at their initial "meet cute"- loved how I had never read that one before. I was intrigued by Cole and his aloofness. I was excited for Violet and all she stood for and wanted to accomplish. I was heartbroken at learning how many people had just failed Cole and how scared he was to let people in again. I was heartbroken to read how much he hurt Violet but then tried to backtrack and KEPT WRITING TO HER FOR 2 YEARS!!! My heart kind of blew up from that one. I felt shy reading about their spicy times together while also fanning myself. These two were just meant to be. They were light and dark. Fire and water. Rational to irrational. Their story was done so well. The way that Violet never showed Cole any pity for what he had endured but more amplified his strength. The way that Cole tried to put aside his literal PTSD to be there for Violet. CHEF'S KISS!!
Violet knew this day was coming. But it wasn't supposed to go like this. She was supposed to be on the road before he moved back. Yes he- HIM. Cole Harding. The man who has been haunting her for two years. The man who she bared her body and basically her soul to and then ghosted because he couldn't reciprocate. What are the chances he is her boss's brother? Or more like her boss's boss? And now they are going to be neighbors and act like all is well after he dropped that bomb of who he was to her last year. But then the universe laughs at her attempts to hide because she gets hurt and ends up being his roommate not neighbor. And she can't help but still be attracted to him. She only knew him online so seeing him in the wild is an experience. She knows there is more going on than he lets on. He gives off such mixed signals. He is COLD beyond belief but then builds her horse a shelter because he likes her. She finds out something he has been hiding and after that it's like a sense of relief between them. She has endured the off and on between him for several weeks so when she gets the all clear to move out she does. And man is he affected by that. He starts to lower the walls more. He lets her in about why he is who he is. And then she finds out that he tried to contact her after she ghosted him and she knows she is in love with him. When they finally collide it's to him reciprocating to her and being beyond vulnerable. She feels safe with him. She feels all the things with him. But then there is another scare while she is riding and his PTSD about his dad comes back to rear it's ugly head. Violet lays it out- he can't be with her if he doesn't support what she does. And then he does the unthinkable in the absolute best way, and it's like he is a new man. He is HER man. It's not how she thought it would go but it ended with them together and that's what matters.
Cole has many layers. They are to protect him against the world. He has endured too much. He can't let someone else in just in case. But then he meets her online- prettyinpurple and she changes his life. She becomes his friend. She convinces him to open up. But when she fully bares herself to him in all ways he chickens out. He defaults to jerk mode and she leaves him. But he clings to her how he can. So what are the chances that a year later he sees her riding his family's horse? He can't help but tell her who he is and it's like he struck a live wire. So he has spent the past year avoiding her like the plague but he can't anymore because he is moving to Gold Rush. He can just keep her at a distance right? Wrong because now she is hurt and she is LIVING WITH HIM. He feels the control he so loves slipping. She looks even better than he remembers. And she is such a firecracker. He loves when she gets irritated with him except when it's her misinterpreting his default mode. How can she think he doesn't care for her? He will just have to prove her wrong while keeping her at a distance. So he builds her horse a shelter. He carries her from the car to the house when she asks. He gets coffee for her. He gets used to her being around. He ALMOST kisses her but he can't taint her and her beauty. He is too damaged. But then she leaves without telling him. And he has no words. He realizes that he has gotten used to her being around. He has gotten used to her light. So he goes out to find her. He spends time with her and she finds out about his injury. Instead of pitying him she doesn't seem fazed at all. He is so far in he can't see out. So when she asks for clarity on what they are- he can't stop it. He fully opens up. All walls down. He is hers to do what she wants (literally). And now they are doing this thing. He is happier than he has been in a long time. But then she falls off her horse while riding and he can't see straight. What was he thinking? She is a rider for goodness sake and that's how his dad died. But when he tells her this she spits it right back- he has two weeks to figure it out. And the person who helps him is someone he would have never thought- Billie. And when he gets to see how his surprise has worked for Violet- it was all worth it. Because he doesn't want to be in the dark anymore. And she is the light.
I really liked book 1 in this series but I LOVED this one. It was just everything I love about reading a love story in a book. Here are my fav quotes:
"He reminds me of a solar eclipse- and I know you're not supposed to look at those. It's dangerous."
"She's calm, like water lapping at the shore. Gentle and even, continuous, and I can't help but want to lie down in that shallow water and let myself get lost in the rhythm."
Reading these two find each other and then find each other again and then decide to fight for each other was perfect. I can't recommend this one enough! I am intrigued about the next book because I don't feel like I know Mira a lot and Stefan comes off as a bossy rich man. We shall see though :)
Violet knew this day was coming. But it wasn't supposed to go like this. She was supposed to be on the road before he moved back. Yes he- HIM. Cole Harding. The man who has been haunting her for two years. The man who she bared her body and basically her soul to and then ghosted because he couldn't reciprocate. What are the chances he is her boss's brother? Or more like her boss's boss? And now they are going to be neighbors and act like all is well after he dropped that bomb of who he was to her last year. But then the universe laughs at her attempts to hide because she gets hurt and ends up being his roommate not neighbor. And she can't help but still be attracted to him. She only knew him online so seeing him in the wild is an experience. She knows there is more going on than he lets on. He gives off such mixed signals. He is COLD beyond belief but then builds her horse a shelter because he likes her. She finds out something he has been hiding and after that it's like a sense of relief between them. She has endured the off and on between him for several weeks so when she gets the all clear to move out she does. And man is he affected by that. He starts to lower the walls more. He lets her in about why he is who he is. And then she finds out that he tried to contact her after she ghosted him and she knows she is in love with him. When they finally collide it's to him reciprocating to her and being beyond vulnerable. She feels safe with him. She feels all the things with him. But then there is another scare while she is riding and his PTSD about his dad comes back to rear it's ugly head. Violet lays it out- he can't be with her if he doesn't support what she does. And then he does the unthinkable in the absolute best way, and it's like he is a new man. He is HER man. It's not how she thought it would go but it ended with them together and that's what matters.
Cole has many layers. They are to protect him against the world. He has endured too much. He can't let someone else in just in case. But then he meets her online- prettyinpurple and she changes his life. She becomes his friend. She convinces him to open up. But when she fully bares herself to him in all ways he chickens out. He defaults to jerk mode and she leaves him. But he clings to her how he can. So what are the chances that a year later he sees her riding his family's horse? He can't help but tell her who he is and it's like he struck a live wire. So he has spent the past year avoiding her like the plague but he can't anymore because he is moving to Gold Rush. He can just keep her at a distance right? Wrong because now she is hurt and she is LIVING WITH HIM. He feels the control he so loves slipping. She looks even better than he remembers. And she is such a firecracker. He loves when she gets irritated with him except when it's her misinterpreting his default mode. How can she think he doesn't care for her? He will just have to prove her wrong while keeping her at a distance. So he builds her horse a shelter. He carries her from the car to the house when she asks. He gets coffee for her. He gets used to her being around. He ALMOST kisses her but he can't taint her and her beauty. He is too damaged. But then she leaves without telling him. And he has no words. He realizes that he has gotten used to her being around. He has gotten used to her light. So he goes out to find her. He spends time with her and she finds out about his injury. Instead of pitying him she doesn't seem fazed at all. He is so far in he can't see out. So when she asks for clarity on what they are- he can't stop it. He fully opens up. All walls down. He is hers to do what she wants (literally). And now they are doing this thing. He is happier than he has been in a long time. But then she falls off her horse while riding and he can't see straight. What was he thinking? She is a rider for goodness sake and that's how his dad died. But when he tells her this she spits it right back- he has two weeks to figure it out. And the person who helps him is someone he would have never thought- Billie. And when he gets to see how his surprise has worked for Violet- it was all worth it. Because he doesn't want to be in the dark anymore. And she is the light.
I really liked book 1 in this series but I LOVED this one. It was just everything I love about reading a love story in a book. Here are my fav quotes:
"He reminds me of a solar eclipse- and I know you're not supposed to look at those. It's dangerous."
"She's calm, like water lapping at the shore. Gentle and even, continuous, and I can't help but want to lie down in that shallow water and let myself get lost in the rhythm."
Reading these two find each other and then find each other again and then decide to fight for each other was perfect. I can't recommend this one enough! I am intrigued about the next book because I don't feel like I know Mira a lot and Stefan comes off as a bossy rich man. We shall see though :)