emjm's review against another edition
4.0
Apparently, Sarina Bowen has more up her sleeves than her usually great hockey-centric stories... that being coming-of-age cult-escape stories? It's not as catchy, but it's just as charming.
I was worried through the first 50ish pages that I didn't like this, but then it clicked, and I loved it. A story of two 20-year-olds escaping their abusive, fundamentalist religious cult is compelling on its own, but you add in the romance of it all, and it's not just a juicy drama, but a truly sweet story about overcoming circumstances. This premise just as easily could've been written, and probably has been before, in a way that could win awards. That's not the case here; it's a romance novel meant for entertainment first and foremost. Sure, the characters and backstory could've been developed way more, but for what it is, it was both heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at the same time.
The characters were SO good. Caleb had us in the first half, not going to lie, but then, he just came into his own. There's a reason the show Breaking Amish was such compelling television, and I'll leave it at that. Don't get me started on sweet Josh; I usually don't care to read about the sweeter, more good-natured characters as much, but he was just so pure and well-meaning and I wanted everything to work out for him. His character arc revolving around confronting masculinity and how that can look different for different men was one of the best parts of this story. Maggie and Daniel were surprisingly complex characters that added a side plot I didn't mind reading at all.
This was such an unexpectedly sweet find. I thought I was stepping into the shallow end of the pool and realized I'd landed in something a bit deeper.
I was worried through the first 50ish pages that I didn't like this, but then it clicked, and I loved it. A story of two 20-year-olds escaping their abusive, fundamentalist religious cult is compelling on its own, but you add in the romance of it all, and it's not just a juicy drama, but a truly sweet story about overcoming circumstances. This premise just as easily could've been written, and probably has been before, in a way that could win awards. That's not the case here; it's a romance novel meant for entertainment first and foremost. Sure, the characters and backstory could've been developed way more, but for what it is, it was both heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at the same time.
The characters were SO good. Caleb had us in the first half, not going to lie, but then, he just came into his own. There's a reason the show Breaking Amish was such compelling television, and I'll leave it at that. Don't get me started on sweet Josh; I usually don't care to read about the sweeter, more good-natured characters as much, but he was just so pure and well-meaning and I wanted everything to work out for him. His character arc revolving around confronting masculinity and how that can look different for different men was one of the best parts of this story. Maggie and Daniel were surprisingly complex characters that added a side plot I didn't mind reading at all.
This was such an unexpectedly sweet find. I thought I was stepping into the shallow end of the pool and realized I'd landed in something a bit deeper.
dic65's review
5.0
Don't let the name fool you
This was a sweet story that I read in one sitting. Loved the two MCs and the women portrayed in this story were awesome. Loved the writing style too. Definitely will read more from this author.
This was a sweet story that I read in one sitting. Loved the two MCs and the women portrayed in this story were awesome. Loved the writing style too. Definitely will read more from this author.
intheend's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Josh let Caleb off the hook way too easily, I wanted to see Caleb grovel. I get that Caleb was trying to help but he seriously thought that was the best way? This story had sad moments but overall it was about building family and finding happiness.
Josh let Caleb off the hook way too easily, I wanted to see Caleb grovel. I get that Caleb was trying to help but he seriously thought that was the best way? This story had sad moments but overall it was about building family and finding happiness.
sunray_sunburn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Well this story took me through the full range of emotions and then some 😅Â
Caleb and Josh are so easy to root for and the joy I had when they continued to get their happy ending was inspiring.Â
The writing was good even if there were several errors in editing. Probably 3 or 4 the book (that I caught) so I wasn’t hung up. I struggled on rating this 3 or 4 stars but I landed on 4 because it really made me feel and I was hooked by the ex-cult side of it.Â
A great pallet cleanser book as well.Â
Caleb and Josh are so easy to root for and the joy I had when they continued to get their happy ending was inspiring.Â
The writing was good even if there were several errors in editing. Probably 3 or 4 the book (that I caught) so I wasn’t hung up. I struggled on rating this 3 or 4 stars but I landed on 4 because it really made me feel and I was hooked by the ex-cult side of it.Â
A great pallet cleanser book as well.Â
mimmie_massie's review against another edition
4.0
First of all ,Caleb must be are really good actor cause man how do you hide being in love with someone and pretend to love another?Josh is so transparent at the same time.
lovely book,love that has lasted this long,friendship since childhood the down points is where they come from,what happened to Miriam and the fight between the two.
Hilarious,Caleb is such a light weight not that I'm any better ;),Josh and the baby awwww I just can't.
lovely book,love that has lasted this long,friendship since childhood the down points is where they come from,what happened to Miriam and the fight between the two.
Hilarious,Caleb is such a light weight not that I'm any better ;),Josh and the baby awwww I just can't.
geo_ix's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this. I do think for the most part things were a little too easy/simple for them, especially in the beginning. It definitely got more drama toward the end and it ending really sweetly. I’m glad book two isn’t a continuation of this story as it was wrapped up nicely for me and will definitely be reading the other book in the series.
beviltiska_romantike's review against another edition
4.0
Somehow I expected the story to take place in the compound of a religious cult, however, the bigger part of it was happening outside the compound. Nevertheless, I liked reading (hearing, actually) about MCs' journey to freedom, I just wish I had more of their backstory, especially involving their relationship development. I loved Josh's POV more because he is such a darling and I loved seeing Caleb through his eyes, but most of all I loved it because his part was narrated by Teddy Hamilton - fabulous work!
adelag's review against another edition
5.0
I was so invested in this book.
The theme of this book, is not something I normally read about in a romance but it was so good.
Reading about Josh and Calebs lives as part of a terrible cult, and their lives after escaping was so interesting. I wouldn’t say it was perfect. The romance was very sweet, but nothing I hadn’t read before. I wish we could’ve seen a little more of the romance, we got a lot of just daily life and the side characters. Which was great, just wanted more romance as well.
I also wish the ending was a bit more satisfactory regarding their previous lives. Regardless, this book held my full attention from start to finish. It deserved 5 starts, I definitely recommend.
The theme of this book, is not something I normally read about in a romance but it was so good.
Reading about Josh and Calebs lives as part of a terrible cult, and their lives after escaping was so interesting. I wouldn’t say it was perfect. The romance was very sweet, but nothing I hadn’t read before. I wish we could’ve seen a little more of the romance, we got a lot of just daily life and the side characters. Which was great, just wanted more romance as well.
I also wish the ending was a bit more satisfactory regarding their previous lives. Regardless, this book held my full attention from start to finish. It deserved 5 starts, I definitely recommend.