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A review by katemc7
What we Keep by Jennifer Millikin
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was a HUGE WOW for me! I knew going into it that it was going to be heavy and man was I right BUT I would like to point out that it also felt so real. Like this could happen to anyone. The reactions were perfect. There was just enough to detail to give you an idea of what was happening but not too much detail to make you depressed. I did find myself crying throughout this one though multiple times. With that being said, I was also smiling SO hard and cheering for these two SOOO hard once part 2 hit. I loved getting dual POVs after only having one. I loved the vulnerability between these two and the undeniable chemistry. I found myself dipping my tow in with some hesitation but then I was legit HOOKED.
Avery and Gabriel fall hard and fast for each other. He literally saves her from a burning building. They move in with each other. Get married. Avery is working towards getting her career on track which means that Gabriel is supporting them. Slowly but surely Avery starts to see things that make her start to question other things. Gabriel never wants to talk about his brother who passed away. He has a hard relationship with his parents though he works with his dad. These are things she can work through but then something tragic happens at work for Gabriel. And EVERYTHING changes. His drinking problem he kinda sorta mentioned comes out to play in the worst way. She doesn't recognize their life anymore. What happened to planning a future? She is too ashamed to talk about it so she hides her head in the sand until she can't. Now the whole town knows what is going on and Gabriel is going to be out of her life for a while. That's ok though. She can hang in there. She knows that they love each other. But then he files for divorce and she loses her grip on reality.
Fast forward to two years and Avery is writing a book. She has rented a cabin in the middle of nowhere and is on her way to pick up something for her sister's wedding when she runs into none other than Gabriel. The same Gabriel who didn't even talk to her about his decision. The same one who took away her choice. Gosh she finds herself still so drawn to him but she was so hurt. Slowly but surely they start to reconnect. They kind of dabble about what happened but there is just so much trauma and hurt. Avery finally finds herself having to make the decision- is their love worth having another go? Will she ever be able to trust him again?
Gabriel has moved far away from Phoenix. He hasn't talked to the love of his life for years. He did this on purpose. He wanted her to succeed and thrive. But then he sees her at this shop and realizes how much he was lying to himself. He only wants her to succeed and thrive with him. He loves her so much he only sees this as a sign that they really are meant to be together. Now he has his work cut out for him because he has to get her to see that too. Will his love be enough?
This was just a FANTASTIC read. Wonderful characters. Crash and burn romance with a plot twist of an HEA. Wonderful character growth. Large conversations around mental health, addiction, the loss of a sibling and best friend, and trauma. Very well done Jennifer. I have only read one other book by her and this one blew that one out of the water (in my opinion).
Thank you to Valentine PR and Jennifer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! HIGHLY recommend.
Avery and Gabriel fall hard and fast for each other. He literally saves her from a burning building. They move in with each other. Get married. Avery is working towards getting her career on track which means that Gabriel is supporting them. Slowly but surely Avery starts to see things that make her start to question other things. Gabriel never wants to talk about his brother who passed away. He has a hard relationship with his parents though he works with his dad. These are things she can work through but then something tragic happens at work for Gabriel. And EVERYTHING changes. His drinking problem he kinda sorta mentioned comes out to play in the worst way. She doesn't recognize their life anymore. What happened to planning a future? She is too ashamed to talk about it so she hides her head in the sand until she can't. Now the whole town knows what is going on and Gabriel is going to be out of her life for a while. That's ok though. She can hang in there. She knows that they love each other. But then he files for divorce and she loses her grip on reality.
Fast forward to two years and Avery is writing a book. She has rented a cabin in the middle of nowhere and is on her way to pick up something for her sister's wedding when she runs into none other than Gabriel. The same Gabriel who didn't even talk to her about his decision. The same one who took away her choice. Gosh she finds herself still so drawn to him but she was so hurt. Slowly but surely they start to reconnect. They kind of dabble about what happened but there is just so much trauma and hurt. Avery finally finds herself having to make the decision- is their love worth having another go? Will she ever be able to trust him again?
Gabriel has moved far away from Phoenix. He hasn't talked to the love of his life for years. He did this on purpose. He wanted her to succeed and thrive. But then he sees her at this shop and realizes how much he was lying to himself. He only wants her to succeed and thrive with him. He loves her so much he only sees this as a sign that they really are meant to be together. Now he has his work cut out for him because he has to get her to see that too. Will his love be enough?
This was just a FANTASTIC read. Wonderful characters. Crash and burn romance with a plot twist of an HEA. Wonderful character growth. Large conversations around mental health, addiction, the loss of a sibling and best friend, and trauma. Very well done Jennifer. I have only read one other book by her and this one blew that one out of the water (in my opinion).
Thank you to Valentine PR and Jennifer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! HIGHLY recommend.