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BOOK REVIEW: House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2) by Sarah J. Maas

March 14, 2022 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)
by Sarah J. Maas
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds.

The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.

In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.

“…I did that to him. With my lightning. With a blow a fraction of what I unleashed on the Starsword.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re the tough, smart male who knows best and I’m an impulsive female whose feelings get her in trouble—”
“For fuck’s sake, Quinlan.”

This is the farthest thing from an easy review to write, but that doesn’t make it any less important for me to purge the thoughts from my mind. To say I am shocked to be doing anything less than fangirling, anything less than screaming my love from the rooftops-from the mountains-anything less than cooking up theories with friends….is an understatement-yet here we are.

I literally won’t make this long, but I will say what didn’t work for me and what did. It’s only fair and the only way to get this thing off my chest. For one, I just am clearly not an SJM follower so I didn’t understand the assignment. I thought that, ya know, for once this story was just about Bryce and Hunt and that whoever surrounded them did just that…surrounded them. I was okay with other POVs, I mean who cares, but when they kind of began to overshadow what I really came here for-for my ship to sail and deal with their shit-it just struck me dumb.

That’s not to say I don’t like more of Ruhn. Ruhn is probably now my second favorite character only under HUNT [duh]…so to see him finding a thread to follow, it was refreshing. I like having more stakes, more to root for…more to lose. But that came at a price, in my opinion, when he and Tharion seemed to almost be doing more than Bryce and Hunt. I know that’s not the case, but it did feel as though we barely got any of Bryce and Hunt. I assume that’s the aftereffect of me assuming that the book would be centered around them.

So yeah…I was bummed to not get exclusive and unending Hunt content. That should come as a surprise to no one. That butt hurt aside, probably my second-or maybe first, if I’m being completely honest (or maybe it’s a tie in to the characters?)-issue is that I am a creature of habit and I do. Not. Like. Change. Book one was literally grit and action and desperation and loneliness and finding love through heartbreak and rising above betrayal and-most importantly for my psychotic ass-peril.

There just was something so unnerving about everything being the same yet different. Evolved yet not evolved. Hunt and Bryce ended in a tentative relationship and with the understanding they would lay low but of course they CANT lay low and then we enter book two and it all just…it seems so different than what I envisioned. And there, I suppose, inlays the problem: me. Well. I have always been my own worst enemy; overhyping, overthinking, overanalyzing, playing out what I want the end to be like, wanting only what I expect…

But I fear that, while yes, a lot of this rating has to do with lack of anything happening, it’s definitely not wholly my fault. Look, this is a long ass book . For conversations to be 80% of the story-that’s absurd. Well, at least to someone who doesn’t want a million new characters and threads to tug on. So I guess that leads to my third and final issue: Maas has always been too big, too grandiose, too all inclusive of her own worlds and ideas for me.

So why did you even read this series, then, you ask? Who the hell DOESN’T want to become apart of such a big fandom with your friends? I LOVED and adored book one and was SHOCKED at how amazing it was-truly. It was dead set on searing it’s own path and I blazed alongside Hunt, Bryce, and all involved. I was trash for it-still am. So to say I can’t look away from minor inconveniences and flaws and overlook past biases is both untrue and unjust. I simply just did not see eye to eye with the paths this story took. IE: Farther away from Bryce and Hunt and their tentative domestic bliss.

“Even if **** or **** told Emile it was safe to hide out, if I were a kid, I wouldn’t have come here.”
“You were a kid, like, a thousand years ago. Forgive me if my childhood is a little more relevant.”
“Two hundred years ago,” he muttered.
“Still old as fuck.”

Now here is where my positives start flowing in: Boy do I love Bryce and Hunt together. They are the epitome of one of my OTP couples. I will never not root for Hunt to find true peace and happiness-and I AM SO GLAD this was not a cakewalk for them. Bring on the pain. Bring on the hurt. Bring on any and every big bad that is trying to tear them apart. I. Am. Down. For. That. Maas wouldn’t and couldn’t and shouldn’t

make them an easy couple and that’s okay-divine even. Domestic bliss is boring and lack of tension after a couple gets together drives a book to Boring Town in less than 5 pages. So the fact that we all knew book two wouldn’t send our main lovers sailing into the sunset is a given-Maas certainly delivered. Perhaps a little too thoroughly. I’d say I have more on that alter, but I’m past being upset and negative and it holds no place among Maas fans so what is the point-I stand by the fact that this book was far from perfect but it had so many perfect elements laying within it that I cannot hate it. Will not. My heart may be shattered that this wasn’t a masterpiece in my eyes but that doesn’t blind me to the fact that Maas gives me so many things I crave.

“Not sexy enough.”
“Lover?”
“Does that come with a ruff and lute?”
He swept a wing over her bare thigh. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re a pain in the ass?”
“Just ye olde lover.”

And then she can so easily taketh away: (view spoiler) I thought we avoided that but clearly not. I didn’t say this to start down that path (though what long, winding, desolate road that would be), but to implement the fact that so many amazing elements were presented within it: Pain. Desperation (though a far tamer desperation than I wanted and needed which was delivered in book one). Longing. Loss. I love these moments above the rest, and to see them given to me in a different way I didn’t expect (though Arielle had mentioned this when I read it over a year ago as a possibility) was refreshing, though unwelcome at times.

All this being said, I am still in shock I even have to think about how I’m phrasing this and that I’m not 5 more paragraphs in blasting to the cosmos with how enraptured I am and that I am now forever an SJM fan, not lost in the throes of book slumpdom alongside my ride or die bitch, but I can’t be that person and I guess I never will. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that, of course I will still pine to know what happens in book three and I will still try with my whole heart to love book three, but am now far more unsure if that’s possible. Why bother, you’re probably asking, if you don’t like SJM. Well-what a sad world we’d live in if we gave up on our favorite characters and what will inevitably become them. What a sad world that I’d let a few things I don’t like kill the love and fire in my torch I have for Hunt and his journey for peace and happiness. My hope cannot be killed, no matter how little I felt for most of this novel. So onto three and wishing for nothing but the best in the final installment of a series I plan to die still loving.

****

Oh God the way I’m terrified to rate this candidly

Don’t tear apart my carcass please

RTC

****

ARIELLE. CASSIE. LET’S DO THIS THING.

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BOOK REVIEW: A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings

March 11, 2022 / Jen / 3 Comments

A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Nine out of ten dentists agree, Mazey Eddings's rom-com A Brush with Love makes your smile brighter!*

*not scientifically proven

Harper is anxiously awaiting placement into a top oral surgery residency program when she crashes (literally) into Dan. Harper would rather endure a Novocaine-free root canal than face any distractions, even one this adorable. A first-year dental student with a family legacy to contend with, Dan doesn’t have the same passion for pulling teeth that Harper does. Though he finds himself falling for her, he is willing to play by Harper’s rules. So with the greatest of intentions and the poorest of follow-throughs, the two set out to be “just friends.” But as they get to know each other better, Harper fears that trading fillings for feelings may make her lose control and can't risk her carefully ordered life coming undone, no matter how drool-worthy Dan is.

Blood, gore, and extra-long roots? No problem. The idea of falling in love? Torture.

Review:

A Brush with Love was an emotional and adorable love story. With characters that leaped from the pages and an easy to devour story line, I flew through this book in no time. If you’re looking for a slow burn romance that has an anxiety rep, you need to check out this book!

Dan tamped down the pang of disappointment. He could be patient. He’d wait however long it took for her to let him in, brick by brick.

Harper was in her last year of dental school and leaving in five months to do her residency. And right from the start we got to see her in the most captivating meet cute, I found myself laughing and cringing at the same time. Harper and Dan had an instant connection, yet they both had so much going on in their lives at the same time. Their love story was not always easy, but with the most patient book boyfriend ever and a group of friends that tried their best to push them together, this story was definitely intriguing.

Rules were her life preserver in the choppy storm of anxiety and she clung to them with white knuckles.

While I struggled connecting with Harper, she was kind, dedicated and such a hard worker. And it hurt as we watched anxiety getting the best of her at times. While Harper was laser focused on her schooling, she didn’t even think that a life with dating was an option. Plus she rationalized that she was leaving in a few months, so why get attached to anyone. But Dan was persistent in the best of ways! He knew what he wanted and that was Harper.

“I’m going to be the best friend you’ve ever had.” He gently pinched her chin and brought her eyes to meet his. They were filled with hunger and conflict.

Dan was the shining star in this story for me! He was warm, friendly, endearing and helped push Harper out of her comfort zone. I loved how patient, caring and thoughtful he was. He was truly everything that is good in the world! Dan always seemed to be there for Harper. And while I was screaming at Harper just to give him a chance, she would still shut him out at times. I completely understood why, but it hurt to watch Dan’s heart get crushed.

Holy shit did she want to tell him. Tell him she knew she’d fucked up. She knew she was fucked up.
But fear gripped her, the inevitability of rejection paralyzing her. Because, really, who could love someone like her?

One of the things that intrigued me about this story was the feelings that swirl around meeting someone that almost feels like fate. Or destiny. And it doesn’t matter that you don’t want to be in a relationship or that it isn’t a good time. Or that you’re still fixing yourself. This person came into your life that fits you so well. But at the same time, they shake everything up and all around. That was Harper and Dan. But I will say that it felt like Dan was more into Harper. He put forth so much effort and heart time and again, and I wanted Harper to do the same. By the very end of the book I was happy that Harper was finally the one to make that effort, but I would have loved for their relationship to not be so one sided.

“I constantly want to touch you. Hold you. Smother you in kisses. I dream about you. Think about you – it’s just you. Twenty-four seven. Only you.”

So if you’re looking for a story that is not only cute, but packs a lot of feelings into the pages, then you may adore A Brush With Love! The story was absolutely unique in regards to being in a dental school setting. And the anxiety rep was so real that in a few of the scenes it took my breath away. While Harper and I didn’t connect, I still adored Dan and their friends. This was my first book by Mazey Eddings, and I’m definitely looking forward to her next story!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

The Bone Season (The Bone Season #1) by Samantha Shannon

March 10, 2022 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

The Bone Season (The Bone Season #1)
by Samantha Shannon
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people’s minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing.

It is raining the day her life changes for ever. Attacked, drugged and kidnapped, Paige is transported to Oxford – a city kept secret for two hundred years, controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Paige is assigned to Warden, a Rephaite with mysterious motives. He is her master. Her trainer. Her natural enemy. But if Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine and also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

With many books that I’m not sure of, I hold them back, watch…and wait. I can’t pinpoint precisely what it was about this series that always tugged on my heartstrings

(har) but it was never far from my mind, nor was it something I wanted to delete from my tbr, no matter whether negative reviews or claims of lengthy, unnecessary info-dumping invaded my feed or the review page for said book when I stalked it every once in a while. For whatever reason, I wanted this one to succeed. I wanted it to not fall prey like many fantasy series and lose steam and go nowhere. I wanted to be part of this world. Period.

It should come at no surprise that one of my closest friends mentioned one of their closest friends (and a friend of mine, as well, inadvertently) reading it, that it was getting better and better as it went…And that was literally a hair trigger. I was done. Ready to go. And I picked it up immediately. That simple. What does that tell you?

The folly in this, though, was that I thought SURELY after all these years that the series would be complete? But no. Alas, I will be in for a very long wait if I make it through that far (I see no issues as in book two it’s even better, in a way). But some of the best things are worth the wait.

Look, nothing I say about this book will be new-if you have been on GR at all for any amount of time in the fantasy scene, you’ve seen and/or heard about this book. What I can confirm is:

A) Why yes, it is extremely difficult to understand, especially the beginning
B) Why yes, it is long
C) And yes, some do not like the forbidden romance because of it’s nature (view spoiler) Though, I found this to be very loosely based as far as he is involved. Other people in this group? They are the real deal, though

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have some highly disturbing scenes and I wasn’t triggered in the ‘child’ sense once or twice…but, other than that, I found this book to just be so addictive and, dare I say, wonderful. I was obsessed the moment this book picked up steam. Which, actually, didn’t take long if you can push past those first two chapters or so!

Is it a bit depraved? Absolutely. But as it turns out, my favorite books tend to be quite frightening in intense, disturbing scenes. For example: I LOVE when the hero/heroine get the snot beat out of them. There. I SAID IT. This happens frequently in this book (and the second, to be frank) and I am not ashamed to admit I found immense pleasure in it-and no, not because of the act of it [never the act of it], but because of what comes after between heroes and heroines.

Whatever. Call me sick, but I am who I am and I like scenes that draw the baser person out of all of us.

So, there you go. I am so happy to admit that my wait was not in vain and that I was ecstatic to continue to book two. And, really, what else can you ask for?

****

Oh gosh, I literally cannot believe how good this ended up being?

RTC, if I can form some coherent thoughts!

****

I am trusting a certain *someone* with this one

Candidly, though, it’s my own sense of undeniable attraction of needing these hardbacks on my shelf that led me to never delete them off my tbr

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BOOK REVIEW: The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

March 4, 2022 / Jen / 2 Comments

The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash #4)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
War is only the beginning…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book four in her Blood and Ash series.

From the desperation of golden crowns…

Casteel Da’Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could’ve prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

And born of mortal flesh…

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life’s guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

A great primal power rises…

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most.

As the Harbinger of Death and Destruction.

Review:

A War of Two Queens was a stunning continuation of The Blood and Ash Series! Within the pages swirled hope, love, friendship, death, trials and so much more. And while this story is within the From Blood and Ash Series, the ties into A Shadow in the Ember intensified my emotions even more. It is a must read before you dive into this book! With tears, laughter, heartache and joy mingled together, this book was impossible to put down. If you’re a fan of this series, fantasy, JLA or romance, you definitely need these books in your life!

Together.
Always.
And forever.

From the very first page, my heart was in my throat. I was elated that we got chapters in Castel’s pov, but it hurt at the same time. The pain and suffering we watched him go through gutted me to the core. I wanted more than retribution, I wanted to watch those who hurt him burn a slow and painful death. The Blood Queen had to be stopped! And while Poppy had the draken and wolven behind her, she needed to solidify the Altlanians to join her battle. To take down the Blood Queen and free her King. The paths Cas and Poppy took throughout this story were an action packed, emotional ride!

If I screamed, if I gave in to all the pain and rage, the sound of desperation and anguish would become wrath and fury. The scream choking me, the power building inside me, tasted of death.
And a small part of me wanted to let it out.

I loved watching Poppy became even more confident in herself and her decisions. I wanted to stand up and cheer for her. She was so strong and someone to look up to. Yet at the same time, her hurt bled from the pages. The trials she had to go through and the heart wrenching lessons she learned continually pulled on my emotions. And Poppy’s heart wasn’t whole. She ached for Cas. For knowing the horror that he must be going through. But through it all, thank the gods she had Kieran. I loved how he stood by her in her time of need. I loved that he had her back without any hesitation. Kieran was a beautiful soul and the truest of friends. It was so easy to love him.

“Two hearts. We’re two hearts.” I brushed my lips over her brow, closing my eyes. “One soul. We’ll find each other again. We always will—”

Cas is my top favorite book boyfriend. The things he would do for love and those he cared for?! He was everything. I felt all of his emotions right along with him, but for parts of the story, I didn’t even know what to feel at times. Rage, sorrow, loss? I didn’t even know. It all blurred together. But even when he was backed into a corner, I knew Cas would persevere. Just like he always did. No matter how dire the situation. And with Cas there was also elation, hope and so much love that warmed me from the inside out. I couldn’t wait until I could see him joking around with Poppy again. For them to touch. For the passion to burn between them. I needed them back together and whole.

His hand tightened in my loose braid of hair. “He is still yours. You are still his.”
Tears stung my throat, my eyes. “Always,” I whispered hoarsely.

Even through the heartache and pain, we were given so many moments that made us laugh and smile. They helped heal my heart and allowed me to breathe. Reaver, Delano, Netta, and so many more added to that. The friendships that wove throughout this story were breathtaking and real. It added the lightness that was desperately needed in the moments of darkness. And I for one can’t wait to see where some of them go! Although I have to say that Reaver was definitely one of my top favorites. He could be such a grump and it almost seemed like he could antagonize others without any effort at all lol, but I absolutely loved him!

I knew what I would feel if I let my senses stretch. Horror. Horror so potent, I would never be able to wash it away.

With questions answered that made me scream I knew it out loud, there were others that made me second guess everything I knew. The twists and turns in this book were heart-stopping! I never knew what would happen next or who would be safe. I was kept on the edge of my seat trying my best to keep my emotions in check. But it never worked. Tears silently streaked down my face. And other times I couldn’t stifle the gasp or sobs this story invoked from me. Thankfully there were happy tears mixed in their also. But hold on, because there were so many emotions within these pages!

My Queen. My soul. My savior. Poppy.

The War of Two Queens consumed my every waking thought and this story easily became an instant favorite. The series continued to unfold in a way that was not only intricate but had me beyond fascinated! And the characters easily owned my heart. I was so happy to see that the ending left us at a spot where we could somewhat relax, yet I’m beyond ecstatic to pick up that next book! I absolutely loved this book and this series. I can’t recommend them enough!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

***Coming back on release day to share some of my favorite quotes and one thought I had. There are LOTS of spoilers so please don’t click unless you have read this book***

View Spoiler »

Reading Order & Links:

Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)

From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash Series) #1 Review: Jen	A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash Series) #2 Review: Jen	The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash Series) #3 Review: Jen
A Shadow in the Ember Ash (Flesh and Fire Series) #1 Review: Jen	The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash Series) #4 Review: Jen	A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire Series ) #2 Review: Jen
A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash Series) #5 Review: Jen	A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire Series) #3 Review: Jen	Visions of Flesh and Blood (Blood and Ash Series) #5.5 Review: Jen

BOOK REVIEW: Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2) by Tessa Bailey

March 3, 2022 / Arielle / 5 Comments

Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2)
by Tessa Bailey
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he's a guaranteed good time--in bed and out--and that's exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She's immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his... personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah's in town for work, crashing in Fox's spare bedroom. She knows he's a notorious ladies' man, but they're definitely just friends. In fact, she's nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport's resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker's eye... yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can't deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost.

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she's walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and... and... man overboard! He's fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he's all in, she'll choose him instead?

In the follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey delivers another deliciously fun rom-com about a former player who accidentally falls for his best friend while trying to help her land a different man...

Review

Is Tessa Bailey a genius or is she a genius, people?

I am absolutely kicking myself for not having read this sooner but I think I was nervous. I’ve read a few different romances with the trope of the ~playboy whose phone is constantly going off with booty calls he has lined up~ and they typically have at least one moment in the book where things go south between the couple in some, stupid, preventable way.

That was NOT the case in this book. GOOD LORD. For starters, I’m not sure that I have ever read about a character similar to Fox’s that, on the outside, was the stereotypical hot playboy who NEVER is in a relationship for the exact reasons that Fox was. My heart hurt so. Damn. Bad for him. It was one of those age old cases of growing up with a shitty example of a father, thinking certain behaviors were a norm when clearly no young kid should EVER be thinking that way, acting on those said behaviors starting in his teenage years, and then because they lived in such a small town, everyone around him continued to perpetuate that stereotype for him. SO BASICALLY THIS FUCKING MARSHMELLOW OF A HUMAN BEING thought his only worth was in being that hot, wild cat, never-to-be-tamed, kind of man. Sure he still found pleasure in the hookups but was he ever fully satisfied–NO and yet he still didn’t even think he would ever even deserve that kind of normal happiness with a woman. Good fucking lord. Toxic masculinity at its finest right there, folks.

…and Hannah was always comfortable waiting in the wings, anticipating her cue to talk on as best supporting actress, even providing bail money on more than one occasion. That was where she shined. Bolstering the heroine at her lowest point, stepping in to defend the leading lady when necessary, saying the right thing in a pivotal heart-to-heart.

In comes Hannah. The quieter, more reserved Bellinger sister but one that loves with the fierceness of a thousand burning suns. She considers herself to be in a supporting role instead of holding a leading lady title so naturally she’s gotten really good at being a hype woman and solid support system for everyone in her life other than herself. When Hannah and Fox were foisted upon one another so that Piper and Brendan could spend time together in It Happened One Summer these two left a massive impression on one another.

AND I AM SO SOFT FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THAT MANIFESTS. Like I am a sucker for text exchanges in romances so naturally the ones we saw here were so lovely. And the records. And the secret record player. And the moments when they ask each other what kind of song their day was and they both just get what the other is asking.

“Hannah. I can’t answer what I don’t know,” he said through stiff lips. “What do you want me to say? Do I want to fuck you? Yes. Oh my God, I”–his eyes closed briefly, those fisherman’s hands flexing on the steering wheel–“I want you underneath me so bad that I can’t lie in bed without already feeling you there. I’ve never even had you, and your body haunts mine.”

But the main thing I loved? Hannah. Hannah may find it easier to be a supporting actress but damn if those qualities aren’t SO important in a person. The way she was so supportive and loving to Fox when he needed it most–when he needed to believe he was worth something more than just a playboy who would never take life seriously she was there. She did not allow him to sabotage their friendship/relationship when he felt it was treading too close into “real feelings” territory. Like I’m talking multiple times. She was steadfast and just simply loved with every fiber of her being. Good lord I’m literally tearing up thinking about it LOL. I don’t know, something about this was just extra special to me and I loved every second. (Also not like this needs to be said the steam was obviously hot as hell *insert 10 flame emojis*)

“Good night,” Hannah said warmly, going up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “What kind of music day did you have?”
He let out a breath, happy to be back on familiar ground. “Coming home after four days on the water. Mmm. Something about home.”
“‘Home’. By Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes.”

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.♥