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kaitlynleigo's review
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
kitkatreads94's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
saras_stax's review against another edition
5.0
"I think, sometimes, the things that frighten us become more bearable when you don’t have to face them alone...'
I knew I would cry. I really enjoyed this one. It brought me to tears many times. Jennifer just has a way with words. The stories she writes will make you think and feel so much.. The characters in these books have some much depth and emotion.
Highly recommend, but make sure you have read Still Beating and Lotus first to get the full effect!
“That’s what love is. It’s finding that perfectly imperfect person that complements your heart, that brightens your shadows, that sees your broken, mismatched parts and wants to spend the rest of their life piecing them into place.”
I knew I would cry. I really enjoyed this one. It brought me to tears many times. Jennifer just has a way with words. The stories she writes will make you think and feel so much.. The characters in these books have some much depth and emotion.
Highly recommend, but make sure you have read Still Beating and Lotus first to get the full effect!
“That’s what love is. It’s finding that perfectly imperfect person that complements your heart, that brightens your shadows, that sees your broken, mismatched parts and wants to spend the rest of their life piecing them into place.”
hailiejo's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
bookintrovert's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Car accident
justinej's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
-
I was very excited for Tabitha’s story after reading Lotus. I did enjoy her story of finding her power again, however some parts felt dragged out and others felt a bit too quick. There was also a storyline with Gabe that felt unnecessary to the plot, and even not everything was answered.
Jennifer Hartmann’s writing is beautiful, she can really phrase these simple things but make them poetic but also make you think and see things differently.
-
“The thing is, hope can be a savior, or it can be an executioner. There’s no way to know which way the cards will fall. Only time will tell, and time is just as unpredictable as hope.
“A strong heart beats beneath these ribs. My lungs breathe clean air, granting me life. My body isn’t supermodel-worthy, but it has two legs that carry me places, two arms that allow me to hold precious things, and two eyes that let me look upon the world that was still waiting for me.”
“Life is so beautifully fragile.
It is; it really is-but love? No, love is not fragile at all. It’s long-lasting, bone-burrowing, and unshakable. Real love doesn’t snap or fizzle out because of circumstances and tough decisions. It doesn’t just dissolve because you want it to, because you beg it to. Those things only make it hurt. Those things only make it sink deeper, until you’re choking on that love. Suffocating. Bleeding out while still breathing. Love latches on to you, consumes, and then it haunts you. Forever.
Love isn’t fragile.
It’s fucking shatterproof.
Unfortunately, our hearts are not.”
-
I was very excited for Tabitha’s story after reading Lotus. I did enjoy her story of finding her power again, however some parts felt dragged out and others felt a bit too quick. There was also a storyline with Gabe that felt unnecessary to the plot, and even not everything was answered.
Jennifer Hartmann’s writing is beautiful, she can really phrase these simple things but make them poetic but also make you think and see things differently.
-
“The thing is, hope can be a savior, or it can be an executioner. There’s no way to know which way the cards will fall. Only time will tell, and time is just as unpredictable as hope.
“A strong heart beats beneath these ribs. My lungs breathe clean air, granting me life. My body isn’t supermodel-worthy, but it has two legs that carry me places, two arms that allow me to hold precious things, and two eyes that let me look upon the world that was still waiting for me.”
“Life is so beautifully fragile.
It is; it really is-but love? No, love is not fragile at all. It’s long-lasting, bone-burrowing, and unshakable. Real love doesn’t snap or fizzle out because of circumstances and tough decisions. It doesn’t just dissolve because you want it to, because you beg it to. Those things only make it hurt. Those things only make it sink deeper, until you’re choking on that love. Suffocating. Bleeding out while still breathing. Love latches on to you, consumes, and then it haunts you. Forever.
Love isn’t fragile.
It’s fucking shatterproof.
Unfortunately, our hearts are not.”
madisonreadstoomuch's review
5.0
4.25 ⭐️
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for the arc!
I have finally completed the stories of Cora & Dean, Oliver & Sydney, and Tabitha & Gabe. I have to say, I am so sad to see them go.
These were such beautiful stories of love, tragedy, loss, healing, and for this one specifically, flying.
*contains spoilers for Still Beating and Lotus, read with caution*
Tabitha was another victim of the Matchmaker, but she was different from the others. She was let go. Now, she lives with her daughter Hope, a result of the harrowing nights spent in that cellar. A piece of the man she loved who she had to watch pass away.
Gabe met Tabitha and was instantly smitten, he knew she was different from his strings of hook-ups and one night stands. His goal wasn’t even to make her fall in love, it was simply to help her trust. Give her a shoulder to cry on. All whilst knowing she may never be able to return the feelings he has for her.
Tabitha is dealing with PTSD from the events of her abduction and while she wants desperately to be able to be with Gabe, she can’t. Not in her mental state, so she meets with a writer to tell her story. It’s time for her to get these stories off her chest, including what really happened in that basement.
This story has so many twists and turns, and Hartmann makes sure you are never bored. The only reasons this one was docked for me, was the twist was slightly predictable (not a bad thing) and I’ve seen it many times before. As well as reader error. I read this one back to back with Lotus. I think I should’ve spaced them out more because reading this much tradgedy all at once, in the same world, became just slightly repetitive.
That being said, I have to recommend this one to everyone. This book forced me to face some of my own hard truths. This book made me do something I never thought I’d be able to do. I flew alongside Tabitha and Gabe, and for that, I’m grateful. The writing is beautiful, the only negative thing about arcs is that I can’t share all of my highlights. But I’ll leave you with my favorite one:
“It’s within the reckless moments that we truly live.”
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for the arc!
I have finally completed the stories of Cora & Dean, Oliver & Sydney, and Tabitha & Gabe. I have to say, I am so sad to see them go.
These were such beautiful stories of love, tragedy, loss, healing, and for this one specifically, flying.
*contains spoilers for Still Beating and Lotus, read with caution*
Tabitha was another victim of the Matchmaker, but she was different from the others. She was let go. Now, she lives with her daughter Hope, a result of the harrowing nights spent in that cellar. A piece of the man she loved who she had to watch pass away.
Gabe met Tabitha and was instantly smitten, he knew she was different from his strings of hook-ups and one night stands. His goal wasn’t even to make her fall in love, it was simply to help her trust. Give her a shoulder to cry on. All whilst knowing she may never be able to return the feelings he has for her.
Tabitha is dealing with PTSD from the events of her abduction and while she wants desperately to be able to be with Gabe, she can’t. Not in her mental state, so she meets with a writer to tell her story. It’s time for her to get these stories off her chest, including what really happened in that basement.
This story has so many twists and turns, and Hartmann makes sure you are never bored. The only reasons this one was docked for me, was the twist was slightly predictable (not a bad thing) and I’ve seen it many times before. As well as reader error. I read this one back to back with Lotus. I think I should’ve spaced them out more because reading this much tradgedy all at once, in the same world, became just slightly repetitive.
That being said, I have to recommend this one to everyone. This book forced me to face some of my own hard truths. This book made me do something I never thought I’d be able to do. I flew alongside Tabitha and Gabe, and for that, I’m grateful. The writing is beautiful, the only negative thing about arcs is that I can’t share all of my highlights. But I’ll leave you with my favorite one:
“It’s within the reckless moments that we truly live.”
sashamariereads's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved to see Tabitha’s healing journey after getting glimpses of her in previous books. My heart broke for her and was put back together again. Tears were shed (as usual with a Jennifer Hartmann book!)
Am I just making my way through all of her books? Absolutely I am. Why would I not read what I know is going to be a 5⭐️ read?!
Am I just making my way through all of her books? Absolutely I am. Why would I not read what I know is going to be a 5⭐️ read?!
beckv11's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0