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A review by stucknbooks14
What He Always Knew by Kandi Steiner
5.0
(I received a copy of this book to review)
Trigger Warnings for this series include:
loss of loved ones, mention of a mass shooting, death of children, child and spousal abuse, cheating, death of a pet, rape
I went into this clueless. I read the blurb for just this book forever ago, but I trust Kandi so much that I didn’t hesitate to just jump in. She’s an automatic read for me. It just needs to have her name on the cover and I’m in. I should also note that (as of currently) I only read love triangles if they’re written by her. I’ve decided to write a joint review for book one and two. Easier to leave out spoilers that way!
I liked Cameron; that was the first decision I made. Even the more I learned about him, I always gave him the benefit of the doubt through it all. He was thoughtful, selfless. His love for Charlie poured from him. Above all else, I respected him. Even in moments of doubt, especially when I doubted Reese or Charlie. But because Reese never hesitated to place Charlie up on a pedestal in a way she could see and feel, and rightfully deserved, I was obviously playing favorites. Reese knew she lost her sparkle, the one he fell in love with. And he just wanted to return it to her. He’d be anything she needed him to be. Charlie never questioned Reese or his intentions. For all intents and purposes…she was stringing him along to have comfort. An escape. An excuse. To be reminded of the ways she deserved to be loved. And that broke my heart more than anything. All the things left unsaid were finally said. And it was ugly. And it was painful. And it was powerful. But then…it was no longer just about a broken marriage and destroyed hearts. I read dark romances for fun, and this is one of the most toxic relationships I’ve ever read. And when we got the wrench thrown in like I was waiting for, I just wanted to knock all their heads together. And then beg one of them to hold me so I didn’t have to weep alone. Lord heavens, what a journey! In a painful way, it truly is a beautiful story.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “Because you’re my home.”
• “I wish I could crawl inside that mind of yours and face all your demons for you.”
• “You’re the prettiest damn mess I’ve ever seen.”
• “It’s always been us.”
“In the end,
we were like ghosts
hanging on
to the roof of the earth.
Halfway between worlds,
too afraid to let go.”
— Beau Taplin
4/10 Dirty Birdy
5/10 Brother’s BFF
8/10 Second Chance
8/10 Tearjerker
9/10 Series
This is my review for What He Doesn’t Know
This is my review for What He Never Knew
Trigger Warnings for this series include:
loss of loved ones, mention of a mass shooting, death of children, child and spousal abuse, cheating, death of a pet, rape
I went into this clueless. I read the blurb for just this book forever ago, but I trust Kandi so much that I didn’t hesitate to just jump in. She’s an automatic read for me. It just needs to have her name on the cover and I’m in. I should also note that (as of currently) I only read love triangles if they’re written by her. I’ve decided to write a joint review for book one and two. Easier to leave out spoilers that way!
I liked Cameron; that was the first decision I made. Even the more I learned about him, I always gave him the benefit of the doubt through it all. He was thoughtful, selfless. His love for Charlie poured from him. Above all else, I respected him. Even in moments of doubt, especially when I doubted Reese or Charlie. But because Reese never hesitated to place Charlie up on a pedestal in a way she could see and feel, and rightfully deserved, I was obviously playing favorites. Reese knew she lost her sparkle, the one he fell in love with. And he just wanted to return it to her. He’d be anything she needed him to be. Charlie never questioned Reese or his intentions. For all intents and purposes…she was stringing him along to have comfort. An escape. An excuse. To be reminded of the ways she deserved to be loved. And that broke my heart more than anything. All the things left unsaid were finally said. And it was ugly. And it was painful. And it was powerful. But then…it was no longer just about a broken marriage and destroyed hearts. I read dark romances for fun, and this is one of the most toxic relationships I’ve ever read. And when we got the wrench thrown in like I was waiting for, I just wanted to knock all their heads together. And then beg one of them to hold me so I didn’t have to weep alone. Lord heavens, what a journey! In a painful way, it truly is a beautiful story.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “Because you’re my home.”
• “I wish I could crawl inside that mind of yours and face all your demons for you.”
• “You’re the prettiest damn mess I’ve ever seen.”
• “It’s always been us.”
“In the end,
we were like ghosts
hanging on
to the roof of the earth.
Halfway between worlds,
too afraid to let go.”
— Beau Taplin
4/10 Dirty Birdy
5/10 Brother’s BFF
8/10 Second Chance
8/10 Tearjerker
9/10 Series
This is my review for What He Doesn’t Know
This is my review for What He Never Knew