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erinkcrossreads's review
5.0
Hazel - this was a stunning read! Thank you for sending me an ARC so I could get a peak at Eamon and Sadie's story.
If you haven't read the other 2 books in the Fire Island series, you could read this one as a standalone, there weren't a ton of character backstories that needed to be shared. However, if you're like me, reading them prior gives you a greater sense of why Eamon is the way he is.
Now, for my review on Surf Road, I loved the slow burn of this book, I honestly didn't want it to end. Eamon is battling his demons years after an accident that took one person's life and seriously injured another. While it wasn't his fault, since he was at the wheel, he shoulders the blame.
Sadie just broke off an engagement with a narcissistic ex. She also has some health struggles that have changed a significant part of her physical body. She's trying to navigate those changes while healing from her previous relationship that drained her of so much.
Eamon and Sadie get forced together under one roof when Sadie's rental home floods. From there, sparks flyyy.
I won't say anymore but the character building and the relationship development in this book is top tier. If you've ever shouldered the blame for something that wasn't your fault, battled depression and anxiety, recovered from an unhealthy relationship, or fought a silent battle - this book is therapeutic.
If you haven't read the other 2 books in the Fire Island series, you could read this one as a standalone, there weren't a ton of character backstories that needed to be shared. However, if you're like me, reading them prior gives you a greater sense of why Eamon is the way he is.
Now, for my review on Surf Road, I loved the slow burn of this book, I honestly didn't want it to end. Eamon is battling his demons years after an accident that took one person's life and seriously injured another. While it wasn't his fault, since he was at the wheel, he shoulders the blame.
Sadie just broke off an engagement with a narcissistic ex. She also has some health struggles that have changed a significant part of her physical body. She's trying to navigate those changes while healing from her previous relationship that drained her of so much.
Eamon and Sadie get forced together under one roof when Sadie's rental home floods. From there, sparks flyyy.
I won't say anymore but the character building and the relationship development in this book is top tier. If you've ever shouldered the blame for something that wasn't your fault, battled depression and anxiety, recovered from an unhealthy relationship, or fought a silent battle - this book is therapeutic.
1bookobsessionconfessions's review
5.0
4.5 stars
This is a refreshing, emotional romance with real life issues and many swoon worthy moments. It’s poignant, heartbreaking and inspiring.
I love enemies to more romance and the banter that comes with it, this book has it in
This is a refreshing, emotional romance with real life issues and many swoon worthy moments. It’s poignant, heartbreaking and inspiring.
I love enemies to more romance and the banter that comes with it, this book has it in
caralinem's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bagelpapi's review
4.0
3.75 stars.
I really REALLY wanted to enjoy this more and I found the story compelling and moving and important. Eamon and Sadie’s growth in this book was incredible and their friends to lovers arc was wonderful to read. Hazel Jacks has an ability to write such moving stories and I loved being back on Fire Island and seeing all the locals (even if it was the off season). I loved being back in 2011 and 2012 (back when things were a little easier in the world
I really REALLY wanted to enjoy this more and I found the story compelling and moving and important. Eamon and Sadie’s growth in this book was incredible and their friends to lovers arc was wonderful to read. Hazel Jacks has an ability to write such moving stories and I loved being back on Fire Island and seeing all the locals (even if it was the off season). I loved being back in 2011 and 2012 (back when things were a little easier in the world
antoninaisreading's review
5.0
Surf Road was amazing, a story about life and love after loss and sickness. An amazing story about two people finding each other when they least expected to and learning that they needed each other more than they thought to overcome these obstacles they were still tackling after years of suffering. Author Hazel Jacks did an awesome job with this story and I can’t wait to read more by her!
readwithchloev's review
3.0
Thank you Hazel for the e-arc in exchange for honest review.
This book is Snow on the Beach coded. I loved being back on the island again at a different time of year. The vibes were great - you’ve got the seaside but then a snowstorm…having to bundle up warm, drape a blanket over your lap in the UTV. It felt so cosy!
It was lovely to see the cast back in action. It was also great to fill in a bit of time between FI1 & FI2. I loved Sadie so much and she felt like such a realistic person and I totally want to be friends with her. Her struggles were so emotional and I really was rooting for her happiness the whole way through. Eamon’s MH struggles were very well represented too.
Although I loved Sadie, I found it difficult to believe she and Eamon were both around the 30 mark. Their characters felt quite juvenile and more like people in their early 20s. The writing style was something that unfortunately affected my experience. The writing felt clunky because there was barely any use of contractions (I can’t, she wouldn’t etc) and it stunted the flow of the book. It honestly made me feel like I was struggling to read a bit. But I know this hasn’t been a problem for most other people so this is definitely just a preference of mine.
The other issue I had was that I think there are a few too many tropes, throughout this book it feels like it can’t quite decide what it wants to be.
In summary, would recommend for fans of the series - great vibes, snow on the beach coded, great MH and body dysmorphia representation and a sweet couple.
This book is Snow on the Beach coded. I loved being back on the island again at a different time of year. The vibes were great - you’ve got the seaside but then a snowstorm…having to bundle up warm, drape a blanket over your lap in the UTV. It felt so cosy!
It was lovely to see the cast back in action. It was also great to fill in a bit of time between FI1 & FI2. I loved Sadie so much and she felt like such a realistic person and I totally want to be friends with her. Her struggles were so emotional and I really was rooting for her happiness the whole way through. Eamon’s MH struggles were very well represented too.
Although I loved Sadie, I found it difficult to believe she and Eamon were both around the 30 mark. Their characters felt quite juvenile and more like people in their early 20s. The writing style was something that unfortunately affected my experience. The writing felt clunky because there was barely any use of contractions (I can’t, she wouldn’t etc) and it stunted the flow of the book. It honestly made me feel like I was struggling to read a bit. But I know this hasn’t been a problem for most other people so this is definitely just a preference of mine.
The other issue I had was that I think there are a few too many tropes, throughout this book it feels like it can’t quite decide what it wants to be.
In summary, would recommend for fans of the series - great vibes, snow on the beach coded, great MH and body dysmorphia representation and a sweet couple.
shanny7723's review
5.0
***ARC Review***
What to expect -
Slow burn
Forced proximity
Love after loss
Body image anxiety
Mental health representation
Hazel Jacks blows me away every damn time. This book was extremely captivating. So hard to put down. Sadie and Eamon both have so much depth to their characters. They have both been through some really tough situations in their lives and they are just trying to move forward when their paths cross. Can they sustain a relationship and grow together while they try to heal their pasts? Or will their demons be too much to blossom together?
This is book 3 in The Fire Island series. Although it is an interconnected standalone I highly, highly recommend reading books 1 & 2 first, and in order. There are some overlapping timeline elements, and character developments that will make much more sense if the series is read in order.
The book is quite the emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, gasped, cried, felt like I was holding my breath at points. Trust me, the slow burn is worth it! You can just feel the chemistry on page & the banter is top tier! If this isn’t enough to convince you, then consider this - we have multiple mentions of the microtrope to end all microtropes - the backwards baseball cap!
What to expect -
Slow burn
Forced proximity
Love after loss
Body image anxiety
Mental health representation
Hazel Jacks blows me away every damn time. This book was extremely captivating. So hard to put down. Sadie and Eamon both have so much depth to their characters. They have both been through some really tough situations in their lives and they are just trying to move forward when their paths cross. Can they sustain a relationship and grow together while they try to heal their pasts? Or will their demons be too much to blossom together?
This is book 3 in The Fire Island series. Although it is an interconnected standalone I highly, highly recommend reading books 1 & 2 first, and in order. There are some overlapping timeline elements, and character developments that will make much more sense if the series is read in order.
The book is quite the emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, gasped, cried, felt like I was holding my breath at points. Trust me, the slow burn is worth it! You can just feel the chemistry on page & the banter is top tier! If this isn’t enough to convince you, then consider this - we have multiple mentions of the microtrope to end all microtropes - the backwards baseball cap!
coffeeandlostinabook's review
5.0
Surf Road is book 3 in the Fire Island series, but it's so well written that you can easily read this as a standalone. It is an emotional slow burn where you learn about Sadie and Eamon who both have been through a lot and both want nothing to do with love anymore. Eamon is pushed into therapy by family and friends so he can finally face the tragic accident he was involved in 7 years before. Sadie is still healing from emotional and physical scars from her past as well. Sadie temporarily moved to Fire Island for a teaching opportunity moving across from Eamon. Eamon is too full of grief to even care for Sadie, but Sadie's house flooding forces them to stay together. A snowstorm doesn't help either when it forces them to talk more. Will they both finally be able to work through their past and take a second chance at love? Will Sadie move past the physical scars?
Potential triggers include:
Accident resulting in death of a loved on (depicted on page in detail)
Body image anxiety
Discussion of cancer
Grief
Internalized body shaming
Potential triggers include:
Accident resulting in death of a loved on (depicted on page in detail)
Body image anxiety
Discussion of cancer
Grief
Internalized body shaming
the_bookishtraveler's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Sometimes you come across a book & it changes you forever. This book did that to me. Holy Moly! Hazel this was beautiful! Your characters held so much depth to them. I was drawn in immediately to the plot. I don't want to give away any spoilers because I think everyone should enjoy the ride! I laughed, I cried, I contemplated how I would react to different instances. I love a book that makes me think! I am blown away!