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curlymunroe's review
5.0
It has been very hard for me to put into words how good this book really is. I have started and stopped writing this review a dozen times. I don't give a lot of five star reviews. A book has to completely suck me in like a vacuum, and make me not want to put it down. Steadfast was the vacuum, and I devoured this in a weekend. This book is more than worthy of five stars.
Steadfast is an honest, open and raw view into the heart and mind of an addict.
Having no other place to go, after leaving the safe haven of Shipley Farms. Jude heads back to his hometown, where all the trouble started for him, with handful of unknowns. He needs to stay clean, find a job, and keep his head down. He struggles to find a routine and stay clean. And then, he sees Sophie, his ex girlfriend, and things start looking up, even if it isn't the best thing for both of them.
Sophie's life is on an autopilot loop. She is living at home, trying to finish school, and take care of her grief stricken parents. The family has never gotten over the death of her brother, and she is hitting her breaking point. She is counting the days until she can finish her social working degree, and get the hell out of the town, that holds so many bad memories for her. When she sees Jude, the boy she'd never hoped to see again, the man who caused her family to fall apart, it turns her world inside out. They are drawn to each other, and it is intense.
I am not going to blabber on and retell this story, because it is SO worth it to read it for yourself. There are aspects of this book, that are totally unexpected, and raw. The honesty with which the story is told, really spoke to me. Addiction stories are often told with generic, typical addiction behaviors and patterns. To the point where it's all too predictable. This is not the case with Steadfast. I never felt like I heard it before or read it before. This was fresh take on an often debilitating disease. I was cheering for Jude, and wanting him to beat his addiction, and live a happier existence. I wanted Sophie to find peace and for them to live happily ever after.
This book is well written, and left me feeling so many emotions upon completion. It hits all the good points, that a five star rating needs to have. It is heartfelt, thought provoking, emotionally charged, witty, smart and hot as hell in some spots. I cannot say enough about this book. It can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading Bittersweet before you read Steadfast.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Steadfast is an honest, open and raw view into the heart and mind of an addict.
Having no other place to go, after leaving the safe haven of Shipley Farms. Jude heads back to his hometown, where all the trouble started for him, with handful of unknowns. He needs to stay clean, find a job, and keep his head down. He struggles to find a routine and stay clean. And then, he sees Sophie, his ex girlfriend, and things start looking up, even if it isn't the best thing for both of them.
Sophie's life is on an autopilot loop. She is living at home, trying to finish school, and take care of her grief stricken parents. The family has never gotten over the death of her brother, and she is hitting her breaking point. She is counting the days until she can finish her social working degree, and get the hell out of the town, that holds so many bad memories for her. When she sees Jude, the boy she'd never hoped to see again, the man who caused her family to fall apart, it turns her world inside out. They are drawn to each other, and it is intense.
I am not going to blabber on and retell this story, because it is SO worth it to read it for yourself. There are aspects of this book, that are totally unexpected, and raw. The honesty with which the story is told, really spoke to me. Addiction stories are often told with generic, typical addiction behaviors and patterns. To the point where it's all too predictable. This is not the case with Steadfast. I never felt like I heard it before or read it before. This was fresh take on an often debilitating disease. I was cheering for Jude, and wanting him to beat his addiction, and live a happier existence. I wanted Sophie to find peace and for them to live happily ever after.
This book is well written, and left me feeling so many emotions upon completion. It hits all the good points, that a five star rating needs to have. It is heartfelt, thought provoking, emotionally charged, witty, smart and hot as hell in some spots. I cannot say enough about this book. It can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading Bittersweet before you read Steadfast.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
readingwithjen_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I was hesitant to read this with how much I was not a fan of Bittersweet but I found this really enjoyable and hot. Jude and Sophie have so much chemistry and I was really drawn into their story.
If you’re a fan of: high school sweethearts romance, hurt/comfort, and second chance romance I think you’ll enjoy this!
If you’re a fan of: high school sweethearts romance, hurt/comfort, and second chance romance I think you’ll enjoy this!
lmrivas54's review
5.0
New favorite author
Loved this book! Angsty but not too much, smexy but not too much, and great characters. It has a tiny little bit of suspense, coming from Sophie's father but that is like a pinch of salt in a romance, and it wasn't too much either. The main star of this book for me was Jude. Ex-addict, ex-con, but as decent as the day is long. Notwithstanding the cravings and the stresses, he held strong because he wanted to be a better person for Sophie. He accepted his situation, his regrets and his past actions but it was not a monkey load on his shoulder. He was a little bit badass but with a mushy inside. And he was so decent, so straight up. Sophie was the gentle girl with a spine of steel. She was fighting for her man and she was going full barrels ahead, but always gentle, always loving, always kind. This book makes you like mankind again.
Loved this book! Angsty but not too much, smexy but not too much, and great characters. It has a tiny little bit of suspense, coming from Sophie's father but that is like a pinch of salt in a romance, and it wasn't too much either. The main star of this book for me was Jude. Ex-addict, ex-con, but as decent as the day is long. Notwithstanding the cravings and the stresses, he held strong because he wanted to be a better person for Sophie. He accepted his situation, his regrets and his past actions but it was not a monkey load on his shoulder. He was a little bit badass but with a mushy inside. And he was so decent, so straight up. Sophie was the gentle girl with a spine of steel. She was fighting for her man and she was going full barrels ahead, but always gentle, always loving, always kind. This book makes you like mankind again.
winemakerssister's review
4.0
This has more angst than I generally like, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I think the mystery helped.
swoon_me_away's review against another edition
just not in the mood for this - will probably pick back up again
alkrum's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bingwheel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0