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A review by cait_beneath_the_covers
Variation by Rebecca Yarros
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, Rebecca has really outdone herself with this one. Honestly, I’m always hooked by whatever she writes, and this contemporary romance is no exception. It has everything I adore: a captivating storyline, relatable characters, and a rollercoaster of emotions that kept me turning the pages.
Allie Rousseau, one of the world's top ballerinas, knows all about pressure, especially with her mother always watching. After an injury threatens everything she’s worked for, she heads back to her summer home to heal. But instead of finding peace, she’s faced with family secrets that bring back memories she’d rather forget. I felt for her as she navigated that emotional turmoil.
Then there’s Hudson Ellis, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer who’s always been there when it mattered—until he left for training and regrettably walked away from Allie. Their reunion becomes even more complicated when his niece shows up at Allie’s door, eager to learn about her birth mother. The way their past intertwines with the present adds so much depth to the story, and I loved every twist that kept me guessing.
What I loved most about Hudson is his unwavering devotion to Allie. Not only do I adore a second chance romance, but there’s something so powerful about a man who desperately needs a woman and refuses to move on, even if it means spending his life alone. He knows in his heart that she’s the one for him, and that kind of love is just beautifully poignant.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Rebecca threw in a twist that completely took me by surprise. I found myself seeing things from an entirely new perspective and realized I had been looking at the situation through the lens she crafted for us, rather than the full picture of what was really happening. It was honestly so clever that I was just impressed.
Prepare to binge this book because I could not put it down. I was literally reading so late into the night, straining to keep my eyes open, that they started to swell from exhaustion. You know it’s a good book when you can't bear to go to sleep without finishing it.
The chemistry between Allie and Hudson is electric, and the love story is beautifully written, blending heartfelt moments with just the right amount of spice. And we all know no one writes spice like Rebeccas Yarros.
This tale is a heartfelt journey—both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with swoon-worthy moments. If you’re looking for a story that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s an easy 5 stars from me!
Wow, Rebecca has really outdone herself with this one. Honestly, I’m always hooked by whatever she writes, and this contemporary romance is no exception. It has everything I adore: a captivating storyline, relatable characters, and a rollercoaster of emotions that kept me turning the pages.
Allie Rousseau, one of the world's top ballerinas, knows all about pressure, especially with her mother always watching. After an injury threatens everything she’s worked for, she heads back to her summer home to heal. But instead of finding peace, she’s faced with family secrets that bring back memories she’d rather forget. I felt for her as she navigated that emotional turmoil.
Then there’s Hudson Ellis, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer who’s always been there when it mattered—until he left for training and regrettably walked away from Allie. Their reunion becomes even more complicated when his niece shows up at Allie’s door, eager to learn about her birth mother. The way their past intertwines with the present adds so much depth to the story, and I loved every twist that kept me guessing.
What I loved most about Hudson is his unwavering devotion to Allie. Not only do I adore a second chance romance, but there’s something so powerful about a man who desperately needs a woman and refuses to move on, even if it means spending his life alone. He knows in his heart that she’s the one for him, and that kind of love is just beautifully poignant.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Rebecca threw in a twist that completely took me by surprise. I found myself seeing things from an entirely new perspective and realized I had been looking at the situation through the lens she crafted for us, rather than the full picture of what was really happening. It was honestly so clever that I was just impressed.
Prepare to binge this book because I could not put it down. I was literally reading so late into the night, straining to keep my eyes open, that they started to swell from exhaustion. You know it’s a good book when you can't bear to go to sleep without finishing it.
The chemistry between Allie and Hudson is electric, and the love story is beautifully written, blending heartfelt moments with just the right amount of spice. And we all know no one writes spice like Rebeccas Yarros.
This tale is a heartfelt journey—both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with swoon-worthy moments. If you’re looking for a story that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s an easy 5 stars from me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death