"I wouldn't change it, you know. The girls, the other boys, everything we experienced before this moment. Because that was all
***4.75 Stars***
"I wouldn't change it, you know. The girls, the other boys, everything we experienced before this moment. Because that was all wrong. And I think we needed to feel what was wrong to know what's right."
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That gif pretty much says it all.
Since I'm one of the last people to read this, I'll just give you some quick hits (well as quick as my wordy ass knows how to be).
♥ Justin & Landry - I can't even tell you when's the last time that I read a book where I was so connected to the MC's. I felt like I knew them. I felt every emotion they felt. I was 100% invested in every day, every moment, every conversation, every act....they were such beautifully developed, multi dimensional characters. They truly were the epitome of soul mates.
And Justin...my God, did I run the rollercoaster of emotions with him. Told entirely from his POV, I felt every ounce of turmoil that flowed threw him. Even in those times when he angered me with his actions, I understood the cause. Megan Erickson relayed so honestly and vividly the weight sitting on Justin and energy buzzing through him of wanting to break free, and the overwhelming fear of figuring out how to take that first step.
♥ Megan Erickson's writing - It was effortless and evocative. The brutal honesty that poured off the page was magnificent. Megan drew you into the story immediately and I truly felt like a voyeur looking into Justin and Landry's journey. I felt the confusion, hesitancy, elation, intimacy, anger, trepidation, shame, fear, love...it was all there and flawlessly executed.
♥ The roadtrip. Watching Justin say goodbye to his father in this beautiful way was so cathartic for him. He was remembering his father while saying goodbye. Throughout the trip, you see that Justin's dad may not have been conventional, but he loved Justin unconditionally. Seeing him go through the grieving process, having honest and heartfelt conversations with his father as though he were still alive, slowly gave Justin the strength to take those fearful steps.
"Mom created a home where I couldn't tell her what I am. Couldn't be it. Could barely think it. And you created a relationship where I knew you were just waiting for me to be myself."
I don't really think there's anything I can say that would give this book justice.
It's honest and raw, a little sad but a lot hopeful, it's tender and passionate ...but above all, it's a beautiful story of learning to love yourself, learning when to let go....and most importantly....learning when to hold on.
I don't know why I waited so long to read this book, but I know it's one I'll be revisiting again and again. So, if there's one thing I want you to take away from this review....
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**So all this gushing and why not 5 stars? Well there's one thing that happens towards the end that I felt was a throwaway cliche and I have no idea why it was included because it didn't really add anything. I don't know if it was because of drama (even though it was short lived) or what....but it was unnecessary in my opinion.
Merged review:
***4.75 Stars***
"I wouldn't change it, you know. The girls, the other boys, everything we experienced before this moment. Because that was all wrong. And I think we needed to feel what was wrong to know what's right."
[image]
That gif pretty much says it all.
Since I'm one of the last people to read this, I'll just give you some quick hits (well as quick as my wordy ass knows how to be).
♥ Justin & Landry - I can't even tell you when's the last time that I read a book where I was so connected to the MC's. I felt like I knew them. I felt every emotion they felt. I was 100% invested in every day, every moment, every conversation, every act....they were such beautifully developed, multi dimensional characters. They truly were the epitome of soul mates.
And Justin...my God, did I run the rollercoaster of emotions with him. Told entirely from his POV, I felt every ounce of turmoil that flowed threw him. Even in those times when he angered me with his actions, I understood the cause. Megan Erickson relayed so honestly and vividly the weight sitting on Justin and energy buzzing through him of wanting to break free, and the overwhelming fear of figuring out how to take that first step.
♥ Megan Erickson's writing - It was effortless and evocative. The brutal honesty that poured off the page was magnificent. Megan drew you into the story immediately and I truly felt like a voyeur looking into Justin and Landry's journey. I felt the confusion, hesitancy, elation, intimacy, anger, trepidation, shame, fear, love...it was all there and flawlessly executed.
♥ The roadtrip. Watching Justin say goodbye to his father in this beautiful way was so cathartic for him. He was remembering his father while saying goodbye. Throughout the trip, you see that Justin's dad may not have been conventional, but he loved Justin unconditionally. Seeing him go through the grieving process, having honest and heartfelt conversations with his father as though he were still alive, slowly gave Justin the strength to take those fearful steps.
"Mom created a home where I couldn't tell her what I am. Couldn't be it. Could barely think it. And you created a relationship where I knew you were just waiting for me to be myself."
I don't really think there's anything I can say that would give this book justice.
It's honest and raw, a little sad but a lot hopeful, it's tender and passionate ...but above all, it's a beautiful story of learning to love yourself, learning when to let go....and most importantly....learning when to hold on.
I don't know why I waited so long to read this book, but I know it's one I'll be revisiting again and again. So, if there's one thing I want you to take away from this review....
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**So all this gushing and why not 5 stars? Well there's one thing that happens towards the end that I felt was a throwaway cliche and I have no idea why it was included because it didn't really add anything. I don't know if it was because of drama (even though it was short lived) or what....but it was unnecessary in my opinion. ...more
This book was not what I expected in the best possible ***4.75 Stars***
"I am the rock against which the surf crashes."
I am a weeping mess.
This book was not what I expected in the best possible way. I knew there'd be angst, but damn did I not expect so many tears when it came to Nesta's journey of healing.
I loved Nesta before, but I LOVE Nesta now.
As hard as she fought for the happiness she now has, you just know she'll fight even harder with every ounce of strength and fire she has to keep it. For herself, and for all those she loves.
And damn do I bow down to SJM for her found family storytelling. I thought the Inner Circle was the pinnacle, but Ms. Sarah Janet said "Wait, I've got more to give you."
Everyone's got an opinion about this book, and so many of these folks think theirs is the right one and everyone else is wrong.
I'm here ***5 Stars***
Everyone's got an opinion about this book, and so many of these folks think theirs is the right one and everyone else is wrong.
I'm here to tell you to pick this up and judge for yourself.
I'm not going to tell you what to feel, nor am I going to judge you for feeling one way or the other.
I'm just going to say one thing . . . Go in with the right expectations because the marketing for this book is all wrong.
This book is not a romance, even though there are romantic elements in here, and this book is definitely NOT a love triangle (I don't know who came to that conclusion, but they need to take a class in reading comprehension).
What are you going to get? Feels. A whole boatload of them.
This is a book that will make you laugh. It'll make you swoon. It'll make you hurt. It'll make you cry. It'll make you smile. It'll make you sad. It'll make you mad as hell. It will make you hopeful.
Emotions are messy. People are messy. Breaking generational traumas and abuse is hard. It's so easy to judge someone when you don't have any of that turmoil swirling inside of you. It's really easy to say "If I were in that situation, I'd . . . . "
It would be amazing if we lived in a world where good people were good and bad people were bad and there was no gray. Actually, if we're wishing, it would be amazing if there weren't any bad people and no one did bad things.
Some actions are forgivable. Some are absolutely not. Sometimes doing the right thing is any easy decision to make, and sometimes it takes everything you have and is the scariest and hardest thing you’ll ever do.
Sometimes the person you love the most teaches you a lesson in the most painful way.
I know reading is subjective, and this book is the epitome of how your own personal experiences and views will completely determine how you feel when you reach the end and turn that last page.
This is a book that will definitely stay with me. ...more
4/20/23 Update: I originally rounded this down to 4 stars, but I'm back to round this up to 5 stars. I still stand by 4.5 star rating and my statemen 4/20/23 Update: I originally rounded this down to 4 stars, but I'm back to round this up to 5 stars. I still stand by 4.5 star rating and my statement below that the book is a little too long and repetitive at times, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book (and characters) since I read it. And to me, that's definitely a 5 star considering I can't remember what I ate for lunch yesterday.
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***4.5 Stars***
I'm tough as a nail, sharp as a blade But I'm still lyng here, in the mess you made Jagged and broken, dull and washed out Everywhere I turn, I breathe you in and bleed you out.
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This was soooooo damn good!!! If I didn't have to be a grown up and work to afford my reading habit, I probably would've gobbled this up in a single sitting.
I loved and hurt for both Lennon and Phoenix.
They say when you play with fire, you get burned. But when you love it? You get destroyed.
There are so many scenes and quotes that will live rent free in my mind for the forseeable future.
The first 20% of the book focuses on Lennon and Phoenix in high school. Lennon is a chubby nerd and Phoenix is a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Lennon is asked to tutor Phoenix so he can pass his English class and graduate on time. She quickly realizes that Phoenix has dyslexia which he's hidden from everyone, and she also learns that Phoenix has an abusive home life. There's a lot he's hiding behind that bad boy charisma.
Phoenix needs to make it through the next few weeks of school and he's free. He and his best friend are going to head to LA to chase their dreams, and everyone else can go fuck themselves. He reluctantly accepts Lennon's help because he can't stay home another extra minute, let alone another school year.
The two quickly and easily bond over music. They each have a deep, passionate love for it. And somehow, two people who on the surface have nothing in common, find themselves being more honest and open with each other than any other person in their life. Could this friendship turn into a relationship? Could a relationship actually work if Phoenix is in LA and Lennon is away at college? Neither question gets answered because Phoenix's need to escape is greater than anything else and he ultimately betrays Lennon and breaks her heart.
Fast forward to a few years later and Phoenix is the lead singer of a world famous rock band. He's made it. But the foundation of his stardom was built on a betrayal and the guilt eats away at him. He turns to women, booze, and drugs as his coping mechanism. He's spiraling out of control until one night everything comes to a head and fatal consequences are paid.
The record label needs Phoenix to get his act together, his name out of the tabloids, and his head on straight. But sober companion after sober companion aren't cutting it. They need someone who doesn't see him as a rock god. Someone who doesn't want to party with him. Someone who doesn't want to get in his pants. Someone who won't take his shit.
Who better to taken Phoenix on than the one person who knew him best, yet currently hates him. Enter Lennon.
A lot has changed in the years since Lennon and Phoenix last saw each other. And Lennon, while hesitant at first, takes the opportunity to put Phoenix on a short leash while collecting the paycheck she really needs. She'll get revenge . . . and more importantly, closure.
But you can't deny chemistry. And you can't tell your heart what to feel. Because at the end of the day, Lennon and Phoenix will always be each other's biggest fans.
For such a long book (we're talking 600+ pages) this read rather fast. From wild antics to verbal zingers, to band shenanigans and intricate relationship dynamics, and the angst of Lennon and Phoenix, there was so much to keep you glued to the pages.
Lennon and Phoenix's chemistry was off the charts. And the fact that the author devoted the first part of the book to setting that foundation really sold me on the depth of what both were feeling when they saw each other again. THIS is what I need in a second chance romance. I need to feel and believe the love the first time around in order to root for it again.
My one negative is that the book could have been a little shorter and some of the storytelling tightened up. Things did get repetitive at times, which keeps me from rating this 5 stars.
But even with that, I'll tell you one thing . . . it's only the second week of 2023 and I've already read one of my favorite books of the year.
So, basically . . .
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Music sets my soul on fire, but Lennon makes my heart beat.
**Content Warnings: Bullying, Abuse, Drug/Alcohol use, Death of a loved one...more
" . . . two people who were both a little lost until they ended up on the same path and walked together for a while."
I'm alwa ***5 Stars***
" . . . two people who were both a little lost until they ended up on the same path and walked together for a while."
I'm always skeptical when I pick up a hyped up book (I've been burned one too many times), and I'm especially wary when there's SO MANY 5 star reviews . . . BUT HOLY HELL DOES THIS BOOK DESERVE EVERY BIT OF LOVE IT'S GETTING!
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There's so many amazing reviews out there that there's nothing I can really add that hasn't been said already.
Elsie Silver nailed it.
She nailed everything here. The broody, grumpy leading man, the free spirited and endearing heroine, the adorable child that is more of a tiny adult and happens to say *just* the right thing to push the plot along, the slow burn, the passion, the vulnerability, the humor, the amazing secondary characters (I loved every single person - well, except for Talia. I hope she bumps her pinky toe into every single piece of furniture she passes), the swoony romance, I could go on and on.
This book is over 400 pages and I damn near read it all in a single sitting. I couldn't put this down.
The only thing left to say about Elsie Silver is . . .
I loved this!! My second read by Catherine Cowles and oh man, I do believe I've found me a new author to binge!!!
It may be just my hor ***4.5 Stars***
I loved this!! My second read by Catherine Cowles and oh man, I do believe I've found me a new author to binge!!!
It may be just my hormonies, but this was way more emotional than I was expecting. Did Catherine Cowles get this robot to tear up??
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I absolutely loved Caelyn and Griffin together. The slow burn was delicious in its sweetness.
I related to Caelyn so much. I understand what it's like to care for your family and love them with your whole heart, but still wish you had someone to help you carry that responsibility. To feel like you were part of a team and that you had someone to lean on.
And sweet, heartbroken, and guarded Griffin was the perfect partner. Caelyn and her siblings were a pathway to the memories of the family that he tragically lost. He needed to bring his feelings to the surface, to revel in those forgotten memories so he could heal instead of hurt.
The suspense element had me rolling my eyes, but I'm beginning to think that this is just Catherine Cowles's thing. I really wish it weren't though. I feel like she doesn't think that element all the way through. There's no need for it. The rest of the story is great without it....more
I sit here typing this review with my pants ablaze because I'm a big fat liar! I had said that Broken was my favorite of the series, but ***5 Stars***
I sit here typing this review with my pants ablaze because I'm a big fat liar! I had said that Broken was my favorite of the series, but whoooo boy did this book blow that one out of the water!
Because this right here? This gem right here???
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Yes, I loved seeing Faith's strength and getting more about her history, her mom's history, Amanda's background . . . but Karin Slaughter, the queen of raw, gritty, no holds barred mystery/suspense books, has me swooning like crazy over the romance subplot between Will and Sara.
She didn’t flinch. She didn’t falter. Instead, she put her forehead to his, looked him in the eye, and told him, “Breathe.”
Will let out a breath he felt like he’d been holding his entire life.
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This series is amazing. These characters are amazing. Karin Slaughter's writing is amazing. I'm amazing for being smart enough to start this series. Yep, the endorphins are firing right now.
There's only one person that could take my high away, so in closing, I'd just like to say to Angie . . .
10/8/21 Update: I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book, so I'm keeping my review rating the same, but I'm rounding up the Go 10/8/21 Update: I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book, so I'm keeping my review rating the same, but I'm rounding up the Goodreads stars. With one book, Holly Jackson has put herself on my auto-buy list.
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***4.5 Stars***
This was a fast paced, addicting, and impossible to put down small town murder mystery. I can't believe this is a debut!
Pippa has decided to base her senior year project looking into her small town's infamous murder. Five years ago, Andie Bell, the town's golden girl, disappeared and the prime suspect's (her boyfriend, Sal) body was found a few days later dead of an apparent suicide. But not without a whole bunch of convenient evidence coming to light upon the discovery of his body . . . all pointing to Sal having killed Andie and hidden her body.
Case closed.
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I love the way the first half of this book is laid out. You really feel like you're part of Pip's investigation. It's a combination of Pip's journal entries with her thoughts/guesses/next steps, transcripts of conversations she's had with people, text messages, emails, and so much more.
Yes, you'll have to suspend some reality (five years of keeping horrible secrets and folks are justing confessing to a 17 year old?)
Yes, Pip is your cliched quirky leading lady. Bonus! She also goes from being an amateur sleuth to going undercover and following people, doing interrogations, and blackmail.
BUT, I can't find it in me to care too much because . . .
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I figured some things out early and didn't see others coming, and all of it was entertaining as hell.
Things are fully resolved in this book and we get all our answers, but it seems that Pip's investigative career is just beginning so I've got two more books to dive into . . .
WOW!! This book had me in its clutches for the last 24 hours. One of my favorite reads of 2021! I'm o ***5 Stars***
Hello book hangover, my old friend.
WOW!! This book had me in its clutches for the last 24 hours. One of my favorite reads of 2021! I'm obsessed!
I wanted them to see perfection. I ached for it in the deep, dark core of me: to be so good I left other people in the dust. It wasn't an endearing thing to admit, so I'd never told anyone, save a therapist, once. She'd asked if I thought it was possible to be perfect, and I'd amended that I didn't need to be perfect, per se, as long as I was the best.
Six friends. A 10 year college reunion. An unsolved murder. And so many secrets. Told in both past and present, I was glued to the pages from the beginning. The moment we flashed back to when this group of friends met, I was in.
And I think I knew, even then, that it would never get better than this. I think some part of me could sense - even here in our triumph, in our wild, perfect beginning - the small seeds of our destruction.
That's it. That's all I have to say about the plot.
You're gonna get a group of flawed characters, so many interconnected relationships, secrets, betrayal, jealousy, and lies.
Ashley Winstead NAILED the college vibe. I was transported to my college days in a heartbeat.
"Or course college felt extreme. You had infinite freedom and almost no responsibility. Nothing was fixed - you had your whole life ahead of you, and it could go anywhere. You had best friends you spent every minute with, so you were never alone."
Told primarily from Jessica's point of view, her insecurities and longing to belong and be seen are a palpable thing. She's deeply flawed, but relatable.
But even though this was told primarly from Jessica's POV, I was just as invested in every member of this group of friends. Yes, I wanted to know who killed Heather, but I was also intrigued by all the friendship dynamics and interpersonal drama and conflict.
This group was MESSY. I gobbled it up.
I swear these are the hardest reviews to write.
What can you say to someone to get them to pick up a book you were absolutely absorbed in? That even after reading, you can't stop thinking about? That had characters that were so well developed and fleshed out, you swear you know them?
Whatever you need said, pretend it's written here and GO READ THIS BOOK!!!...more
UPDATE: Looks like a movie IS happening!! AND, looks like Ryan Gosling is going to play Ryland. Please give me Cate Blanchett as Stratt!
* UPDATE: Looks like a movie IS happening!! AND, looks like Ryan Gosling is going to play Ryland. Please give me Cate Blanchett as Stratt!
***5 Stars***
Alright Hollywood, come get your next blockbuster movie!! This was AMAZING!!
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One of my favorite reads of the year, and easily now one of my favorite books!
Full review to come once my serotonin comes down to manageable levels because if I tried to write this review now it would be nothing but gushing word vomit....more
I definitely get the hype! This book is impossible to put down! I don’t know what I can add to the thousands of gushing reviews since I’m ***5 Stars***
I definitely get the hype! This book is impossible to put down! I don’t know what I can add to the thousands of gushing reviews since I’m years late in reading this.
I will say this book had one of my most favorite things . . . anticipation. I absolutely love when you're moving towards something. An event. A battle. A showdown. Two characters meeting again. The momentum has me turning the pages quicker than I can read. Doesn't matter what it is, I live for that anticipation.
And this book had it in spades right from the first chapter.
Favorite Quotes:
Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.
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The moments that define lives aren't always obvious.
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Hate was too simple a word. He and Eli were bonded, by blood and death and science. They were alike, more so now than ever. And he had missed Eli. He wanted to see him. And he wanted to see him suffer. He wanted to see the look in Eli's eyes when he lit them up with pain. He wanted his attention.
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The Victor that he knew was dead, replaced by something cold and vicious. A twisted, violent version of himself. Victor had never been good, or sweet - he'd always had a sharp edge; Eli had been drawn to the metallic glint of it - but he'd never been this. A murderer. A monster.
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"Even though we come back, something stays dead. Lost. We forget something of who we were. It's scary and wonderful and monstrous."
Can two celebrities living in Los Angeles end up having a small town romance? Yes, apparently they can.
This mem ***5 Stars***
I absolutely LOVED this!
Can two celebrities living in Los Angeles end up having a small town romance? Yes, apparently they can.
This memoir is told in an honest, yet at times whimsical way, where Hilarie Burton Morgan recalls what it's like to have love at first sight with both your romantic partner and the place where you'd like to lay down your roots.
I can't recommend this book enough!
Even if you've never heard of Hilarie Burton Morgan or her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, this is a book that really touches your heart and shows what it means to be part of a community, part of a family, and to be honest with yourself about what you really want.
Okay, I need to get one very big thing off my chest. Whoever is going around telling folks that this is a fantasy romance is A LYING LI ***4.5 Stars***
Okay, I need to get one very big thing off my chest. Whoever is going around telling folks that this is a fantasy romance is A LYING LIAR WHO LIES!! Folks are being seriously misled. This is 100% a political fantasy first and foremoset, with a romance subplot.
So let me tell you now, SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. And let me tell ya what else, BOTH ARE REALLY GOOD!!!
Whooo boy did I love this!!
Lara cast one backward glance at Vencia, at the sun burning hot and bright above it, then turned her sights on the clouds and mist and darkness that lay across the narrow strait before her. One kingdom to save. One kingdom to destroy.
The world building here was everything for me. I absolutely loved it. The picture was so vividly drawn that I could hear, smell, and feel the surroundings. The Amazonian jungle atmosphere was a whole vibe I was 100% down with.
The politics, though sometimes hard for me to keep up with (admittedly, I'm not a big political fantasy reader), kept me glued to the pages. I was intrigued by how deep the lies ran and watching things shift for Lara had me turning the pages faster than I could read.
And the slow, slow, sloooooow burn between Aren and Lara was a fantastic subplot paced perfectly with how the story unfolded.
"Does this change things for you?"
"It changes everything."
And that ending? THAT ENDING . . . I'm ready for battle.
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You better believe that I broke all kinds of internet speed records ordering the second book. And now I wait . . .
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In case you're worried about the commitment of starting a new series: The Bridge Kingdom is going to be a series of duologies, so the second book concludes Aren and Lara's story arc and book 3 picks up with a different couple. ...more
WOW! This is the first time I've ever read a graphic novel, and whew . . . I have been missing out! This was SOOOO GOOD!
I'm gonna be honest, I wasn't WOW! This is the first time I've ever read a graphic novel, and whew . . . I have been missing out! This was SOOOO GOOD!
I'm gonna be honest, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get into a story and invested in characters where there wasn't a full page of descriptions and dialogue and words and words and words . . . but let me tell ya . . .
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I am so into this! I'm invested in these characters, in this world, in this story, in the romance, in the future of these characters . . . I get it now, I sooooooo get it.
This was funny, it was full of action and twists and turns and just, yeah, I get the hype about this series.
Big thank you to Booktubers for putting this on my radar over and over and over again until the curiousity about their raving finally got me. Down a new rabbit hole I go . . . ....more
This book, ya'll!!! My wrinkles are gone. My posture is better. My credit score has improved.
Friends to lovers, YEARS of mutual pining ***4.75 Stars***
This book, ya'll!!! My wrinkles are gone. My posture is better. My credit score has improved.
Friends to lovers, YEARS of mutual pining thinking it's unrequited love and a big ass cherry of You're-the-Only-One-Who-Gets-to-See-This-Part-of-Me on top of all that.
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I can't remember when's the last time I connected so much to not one, but two, characters in a book!! There are parts of Poppy and Alex (their personalities, their thoughts and feelings, their upbringing and family dynamics, their hopes and fears for the future) that felt like Emily Henry looked into the deepest part of me and my life and drew on that as inspiration to create these characters.
I saw so much of myself in both of them. There were parts of this book that, no exaggeration, moved me to tears. There was one scene (nothing emotional or especially important) but Emily Henry busted out a sentence that literally felt like a mirror up to my face. I put the book down and sobbed for about 10 minutes.
Okay, enough of the mushy stuff.
The one thing that kept me from giving this book a full 5 star is that when we finally find out what happened on that trip 2 years ago, it felt anticlimactic. And I just couldn't see Poppy and Alex not talking for 2 whole years because of it. A few months? Sure. But 2 years? Nope, not buying it.
Okay, that's it.
This book is amazing and worth the hype and everyone should absolutely read it! That's it. Ta Da!
Favorite Quotes: (Just a few, because I think I highlighted half the book!)
When we were together, though . . . The rest of the world dissolved until I believed this was how things truly were. Like I'd never been that girl who'd felt entirely alone, misunderstood, and I'd always been this one: known, loved, wholly accepted by Alex Nilsen.
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Sometimes I think that's why we're so drawn to each other. Because he's used to being the steadfast big brother and I'm used to being the annoying little sister. It's a dynamic we understand: I lovingly tease him; he makes the entire world feel safer for me.
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"As a kid, I was a loner, and I always figured that when I grew up, I'd leave my hometown and discover other people like me somewhere else. Which I have, you know? But everyone gets lonely sometimes, and whenever that happens, I buy a plane ticket and go to the airport and - I don't know. I don't feel lonely anymore. Because no matter what makes all those people different, they're all just trying to get somewhere, waiting to reach someone."
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"Alex . . . " It takes me a few seconds to go on: "I've never really felt alone since I met you. I don't think I'll ever feel truly alone in this world again as long as you're in it."
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"On that first drive back to Linfield, you asked me all these questions about what I liked and what I hated, and I don't know. It just felt like you really wanted to know."
"Of course I did," I say.
He nods. "I know. You asked me who I was, and - it was like the answer came out of nowhere. Sometimes it feels like I didn't even exist before that. Like you invented me."
"I'm not smart enough to have invented you. No one's that smart."
"My point is, no one really knew me before you, Poppy. And even if . . . things change between us, you'll never be alone, okay? I'll always love you."
Tears cloud my eyes, but miraculously I blink them clear. Somehow, my voice comes out steady and light, and not like someone reached into my rib cage and held my heart inside his hand just long enough to run a thumb across a secret wound.
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"You won't lose me," he says, voice dimmed by the rain. "As long as you want me, I'm here."
"I always want you, Alex," I whisper. "Always."
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"You watch someone date all of these people, and you see how different they are with each of them, and then you watch them choose. Some people choose the person they have the best chemistry with, or that they have the most fun with, and some choose the one they think will make an amazing father, or who they've felt the safest opening up to. It's fascinating. How so much of love is about who YOU are with someone."
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I try to think how to explain it. Years of undying love, occasional jealousy, missed opportunities, bad timing, other relationships, building sexual tension, a fight and the silence afterward, and the pain of living life without him.
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"I don't know how to love someone as much as I love you," he says. "It's terrifying. And I get these bursts of thinking I can handle it and then I think about what it will do to me if I lose you, and I panic and pull away, and - I've never known if I'll be able to make you happy. But the other night - it sounds so ridiculous, but we were looking at Tinder, and you said you'd swipe right on me - and that's the kind of tiny thing that feels so huge when it's you. I lay awake trying to figure out what you meant for hours that night. I'm broken, and yeah, probably repressed, and I know I'm not who you've ever pictured yourself with. I know it doesn't seem like we make any sense, and we probably don't, and maybe I could never make you happy - "
"Alex. It's not your job to make me happy, okay? You can't make anyone happy. I'm happy just because you exist, and that's as much of my happiness as you have control over."
"You're not a vacation, and you're not the answer to my career crisis, but when I'm in a crisis or I'm sick or I'm sad, you're the only thing I want. And when I'm happy, you make me so much happier. I still have a lot to figure out, but the one thing I know is, wherever you are, that's where I belong. I'll never belong anywhere like I belong with you. No matter what I'm feeling, I want you next to me. You're home to me, Alex. and I think I'm that for you too."
His hands move into my hair, smoothing it against my neck, his eyes moving back and forth over my face with such beautifully calm Alexian purpose: "You are, you know."
WHAT AN AMAZING ENDING!! I absolutely LOVED this! Definitely going on my favorites list!!
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Gala halted, city's doom Spring warmth chilled
WHAT AN AMAZING ENDING!! I absolutely LOVED this! Definitely going on my favorites list!!
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Gala halted, city's doom Spring warmth chilled with dust and gloom Darkness sealed, blankets all Death upon them, fall the wall.
Ancient stones upon the Lee Dusts of memories gone we see Once the center, once the all Lost forever, fall the wall.
Heir of Novron consists of books 5 & 6:
Wintertide & Percepliquis
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Wintertide - 4.25 Stars
This book really packed an emotional punch! Gearing up into the finale, I knew it would . . . but you're still never prepared. So many things are hanging in the balance and there's danger coming from every side.
There's not really much I can say without spoiling anyting, so I'll just say that I'm still absolutely in love with this series, Michael J. Sullivan's writing, the characters, the storytelling, the action, the suspense, the intrigue . . . and obviously Hadrian and Royce.
"How's the head today?" Royce asked.
"Much better. Not dizzy at all. I think I can walk on my own."
"Maybe so, but lean on me anyway. I don't want you falling down the stairs and ripping your side open. If you do, I'll be stuck here playing nursemaid another week."
"Your compassion is overwhelming."
The ending of this book has me nervous, anxious, tense, sad, and somewhere in there is a little bit of hope.
The biggest adventure and risk of all is coming up, and I can't wait to see how this all wraps up. How many of the characters I've grown to love will make it to the end?
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Percepliquis - ***5 Stars***
500 pages of un-put-downable adventure!!
"One last job."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Very."
"Is there a good chance I'll get killed?"
"Odds are definitely in favor of that."
"Okay."
This series, and especially this final book, checked off everything I love in a fantasy. Amazing characters, fast-paced storytelling, action, adventure, a touch of romance, high stakes, twist and turns and jaw-dropping surprises . . . this was FANTASTIC!
What can I say? What can I put in a review to a final book in a series that isn't a spoiler? The true heir is uncovered, the history of the kingdom is turned on its head, friends are foes and foes are friends, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cheer, you'll scream . . . and you'll be one satisfied reader!
"I will not let the beast in. I will never let it win again! It has taken too much from me, from you, from all of us! Many of you have lost your homes, your land, your families and now it comes here, but it shall go no farther! Here we stop it! Here we fight! Here we face our enemy without running, without flinching, without bending. Here we stand our ground and here we kill it!
How many times have you read a book or series where things are building up to an epic moment, a scene, a confrontation, a battle . . . only for you to be disappointed or underwhelmed with what actually goes down. NOT HERE FOLKS!!
I was either hyperventilating or not breathing at all for about 100 pages. According to my FitBit app, my heart hit the Cardio Zone quite a few times these past couple of days. Who says reading can't be a workout?
Will I be reading more by Michael J. Sullivan?
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The fact that he's able to make you laugh in the middle of an intense scene where you're basically lightheaded because you stopped breathing about 3 pages back is the kind of writer I'm all in on. And this last book gave me every emotion I look for in an epic fantasy!
Even though I knew not everyone would make it to the end, I still trusted Mr. Sullivan to do what's right for each character and for the story. That's saying a lot.
"What is the advantage of fear, or the benefit of regret, or the bonus of granting misery a foothold even if death is embracing you? My old abbot used to say, 'Life is only precious if you wish it to be,' I look at it like the last bite of a wonderful meal - do you enjoy it, or does the knowledge that there is no more to follow make it so bitter that you would ruin the experience?"
I will carry all of these characters with me for a long time . . . especially my favorite duo, Hadrian and Royce.
"Clearly, my genius in matching you up with Hadrian worked wonders. I knew his noble heart would eventually soften yours."
"Yeah, well, travel with a guy long enough and you start picking up his bad habits. You have no idea how many times I almost killed him when we first started. I never bothered, because I expected the jobs would take care of that for me, but somehow he kept surviving."
"Well, I'm glad to see things worked out for you both."
Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read**
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Books:
5-star
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