Micalea Smeltzer

I absolutely hate going lower than a three star I mean I know authors work hard and I feel terrible... but... this was... unnecessary to say the least. I loved the duet. It's for sure one of my new comfort read books. This novella... it was literally just a bunch of extra. I should have realized what it was going to be based on the dedication. It's a "little" bit more. Yet, it's not even like the important stuff. We are back to just Salem's point of view. Her and Thayer are happy and trying for another kid and she's convinced since it hasn't immediately happened it isn't going to happen at all. We get little tidbits about her sister and Lauren and how she is maintaining these relationships. The book basically goes from one Halloween to New Years... a few months later... and then 30 years later.

The book really just felt unneeded like you got closure in my opinion with the end of the duet and this didn't wrap much more up. Thayer's brother becomes a more important character but we don't really get much closure on him. And Caleb... this series really screwed him over... we don't get anything. He's somehow super central to this storyline and yet his story isn't closed or given a HEA. It was frustrating. Not to mention the number of times the book repeats the same like six cliches over and over. I honestly don't think this one is even needed. You would be just as happy with the series without it.… (mere)

“I think that’s how you know a person is yours—when not time, nor distance, can lessen the love between you.”

Okay so this series is probably my new comfort read in all honesty. They handle some tough topics but they are just these super easy and relaxing reads. I have to admit that this one was way faster paced than the first one. I was not a fan at first of the fact that we jumped like six years after the end of the first one. I think the jump really impacts a lot of the romance stuff. I mean they haven't seen each other in six years but it feels like they basically pick up where they left off.

Poor Caleb is all I can think about this series. He ended up marrying Salem but she divorces him after he hints about children, because she can't give her full self to him. SIX YEARS!!! On returning home to take care of her mother, who seems to be encouraging the rekindling of the Salem/Thayer romance, the two bond again with Salem eventually springing a huge bombshell on Thayer.

The whole relationship seems to speed up and we don't really get a lot of resolution on the past just a bunch of yeah I see why you did it type vibes. I am by no means saying this is one of those mindblowing series that you will fall in love with. It has lots of issues and character flaws. Yet, it's the way we just chug along through things to the happy ending that make it one of those comfort type reads. You aren't really expecting anything but feel good vibes from it.… (mere)

“I want to have the confidence of wildflowers—to never give up, to flourish, and thrive.”

So this book starts off pretty fast and to the point. I enjoyed that the language wasn't super complex and neither was the writing. Like it hits on some tough topics but it's not a book that is overly wordy or even super complex. You can put it down and pick it up at leisure. Salem is newly graduated from high school and her friend and boyfriend are both about to leave town while she remains. Salem has some trauma but it's one of those things that makes her a stronger person and she seems much older than she should. Enter the grumpy new neighbor, Thayer. The two slowly spend some time together and become friends. Salem often babysits his son for him. She forms this amazing bond with the kid. I mean this is basically most of the book honestly. We have the development of their friendship and relationship, which really develops as Caleb her boyfriend lets her down.

I have to admit that the book wasn't like one of those I don't want to put it down kind of things, but it was this no pressure read that you could take your time with. However, towards the end the pace really picks up and takes a turn. Salem must confront a surprise from her mother which really turns her world upside down for a bit. I have to admit this is when the emotions really start getting brutalized in this story. The book has some big shock moments in store before the end. I was honestly considering a three star rating until the last like 50 pages of the book to be honest. I hate books were all the action happens at the end, but also it was enough to make me want to read the next one. I think this is one of those romance books that deals with heavy topics.. so you have to be emotionally ready for those... but it's also just this low pressure read that you can enjoy reading.… (mere)