Elizabeth O'Roark

One of the best of 2023

The spell that this author achieves with words is sublime. This book is a testament of that. From the first page, to the very last, I was spellbound. I felt every emotion, good and bad, that these characters felt. From the moment I read the blurb, I knew that this book was going to be special. The flashback chapters had me falling in love and the present chapters had me on pins and needles to see how all the pieces were going to fit together. It was a bumpy ride but so very worth it.

Great secondary characters that I hope will get their stories. I'm really wanting to see a happily ever after for a certain single mother. Highly recommend this book and anything this author writes.… (more)

DECEMBER 2022 UPDATE: I have decided to knock a star off my initial review after having sat with my feelings for a while. I do not plan to read more from this series.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 UPDATE: ok. A few things have remained in my head that have bothered me. Mainly how terrible it is they Hayes makes Ali read his sexts from his dates. They often include nude photos and other explicit messages - commenting on his dick size and what not. That’s wrong for so many reasons and I can’t get over it. Next, his dick size is always being mentioned. We - as a community - need to get over dick size. People with huge dicks aren’t better lovers than folks with smaller than average or just average penises. Next! There is so much gender essentialist language (see dick size note).



CW: A lot of alcohol consumption, death of family member (not on page), difficult family dynamics (both MC's), cheating (not on page - both MC's had partners that cheated), gender essentialism… (more)

Whoa!!! This story had me all kinds of emotional and took me for a ride. It’s the second book in the series and the author takes the reader on a series adventure makes us feel exactly what the characters feel because I was hurting when Amelie/Sarah was going through. The first half of the book had my heart shattering, it broke every time Amelie and Henri looked at each other, thought about each other, etc. I wanted to smack a few characters and then fate steps in and finds a way to make things work. The second half my heart was racing and loved that Amelie/Sarah found her strength took things head on but she always knew she could count on Henri. These two were meant for each other and fate makes them jump through so many hoops before it works out. I was in tears, angry, then happy, and finally I felt like I could breathe again at the end. The author really knows how to write a book that sucks you in, connect you to the characters so you’re up all night thinking about them, and definitely makes you feel what the characters are feeling and to me that’s a unicorn author. I don’t want to spoil anything so it may be vague but trust me this diet will take you on a ride you won’t be forgetting at all.… (more)