Series: Gabriel's Inferno

“I would have done whatever it took to save you.” His voice and his expression were grave. “Even if that meant I had to spend an eternity in Hell.”

After an amazing first installment, I don’t think anything could have truly exceeded my expectations. I started this second book with high hopes and an excitement for the blossoming relationship between Dante and Beatrice Gabriel and Julia and was left feeling a little underwhelmed by the relationship content in the middle of the story.

I love angst-I do. But when unnecessary and over-the-top things happen, I begin to feel a little more than just frustrated. I love G & J, and I love the way they interact. The love they share is beyond beautiful and beyond words. More than once I have found myself fantasizing
‘What if Gabriel was real???’ and wondering what kind of life I would have if that were possible. So when I felt the repercussions of their previous actions in GR, I was more than sad and a little depressed.

“Your love makes me beautiful.”
“Then let me love you forever.”

Continue reading

“We can’t change our pasts. All we can change is the future.”

I think there is a lot to be said about a series that is so beautifully written. Very rarely do I just stop and evaluate a story for it’s writing. It’s so unheard of for me to hear endearments such
^^^^^(I don’t know why this is separating my text?)as ‘Darling’, ‘Sweetie’, ‘Sweetheart’ and not cringe because of the implied corniness. This couple has something special, and the way they express their love for one another just works. It isn’t forced and it isn’t out of character, it’s just admirable and it’s who they are. They never once try to be anything different than they are, and I think that’s what draws me in the most.

“Every night when I fall asleep with her in my arms, I thank God she’s mine. Every morning when I wake up, my first thought is that I’m grateful she married me. I will never be worthy of her. But I spend every day trying my damnedest. You were her friend when she needed one. But listen to me when I tell you, Paul, you do not want to push me.”

Gabriel and Julia finally have everything they ever wanted-each other. There are no more barriers and no more fronts, it’s just them in marital bliss…but with every new marriage, problems arise and threaten to put a gap between newlyweds and their firm beliefs, and G & J are no exception.

What I love most about the GI series is the witty humor laced into the story and the way they interact with one another as a couple. In this installment, they are completely open, trusting, and forthcoming with each other. There’s an assuredness that was absent in the previous two books-in this one, there was no hesitation when asked to open up or express their doubts. At worst, the phrase ‘Trust me’ would be thrust into the conversation, and the other just did. They trust one another wholeheartedly, and it felt real. The whole story felt extremely natural and like a [intelligent] married couple’s life would progress. It flowed with amazing grace and was easy to fall into-I never felt the unbelievability I often feel with fiction.

…He released her from his arms, smiling shyly. “I like your socks.”
She looked down at her feet and flexed them.
“Argyle is sexy.”
“Indeed. A friend once told me that argyle is the fabric of seduction.”

I know I’ve mentioned it multiple times with my prior two reviews, but Gabriel always steals the show. The vigor with which he protects Julia is breathtaking and so sweet. No one can so much as lift a finger in her direction without him jumping to defend her. He would protect her from anything, from the world if he had to, even if it meant he had to go to Hell to do so, and I fell even more in love with him in this final installment. The depth of his emotions and aspirations for their marriage had me tearing up and wishing he’d get everything he hoped for, even at the expense of their earlier hopes and dreams.

The fact that Gabriel wished for the things he did in this one shows how he truly has come full circle and his loyalty shows no bounds. The support of their family and those around them had my heart swelling and wishing them all the best-even Professor Picton joined ranks among my favorite characters. And ultimately, I was hoping for the highest redemption for the lowest of the low in this final book, which is almost unheard of for me. So for those who haven’t read this series, I will plead with you one last time-pick it up. If nothing else, you’ll meet a mercurial professor who is as sweet as he is tough, who will have you laughing to yourself at his overindulgent, hoity-toity, holier-than-thou tendancies.