Release: 1 (The Release Series)

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But carved into my soul for the rest of my days would be the earth-shattering realization that the woman in my arms wasn’t my wife. Book Genre: Abuse, Adult, Coming Of Age, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Dark, High School, New Adult, Romance, Sociology, Young Adult It was such a bubble, though, that we barely see them interact with other people. Even Nora, Ramsey’s sister, is more a function than a character. The past is a collection of important moments, the various steps in their relationship–the first meeting, the move from friendship to relationship, etc. Their life outside is barely mentioned. Of course, that means we focus on Thea and Ramsey, and it makes their story more powerful.

Yeah, cuz apparently she doesn’t care if he’s with other women she would still wait for his ass. Mind you he never was with anyone but that’s not the point here. For her to be this pathetic not caring that he had sex with someone else while she begged for his ass. Sadly, I didn’t feel their connection, or chemistry or love. That’s why, I felt detached and the whole thing felt like a bit forced. However, I hate it when a woman pursues a man so hard, I prefer it the other way around so although I loved our heroine and believed that the guy had some good intentions in pushing her away, I didn’t enjoy their story taking all these turns. It killed whatever romance there was between them for me. And when the truth about that night of the murder was revealed, the book lost me forever. They become the best of friends. Once they get a little older and hit their middle school years, they become boyfriend/girlfriend. These two are inseparable and I Loved reading about their past. Watching their friendship grow was so beautiful.On top of all the ways I loved the romance between Thea and Ramsey, I also loved the family dynamic. I loved how Ms. Martinez gave us the arc of the entire family unit. I loved this broken little family something fierce and I'm not sure i loved anyone more than I loved Joe Hull. Good gravy, I'm still in my feels over this dad of the year. So amazing. So heartwarming. So rewarding. I cannot gush about this loudly - or enthusiastically - enough. Ramsey Stewart and Thea Hull meet when they're kids. Even though they're young, they're both having an exceptionally bad day. Both of them need a friend more than they're willing to admit, but Thea wants nothing to do with Ramsey at first. With time, though... he wears her down. The twist towards the end just punched me in the gut and I wasn't ready to forgive either. #IStandWithThea. Fair warning, this is not a story of hearts, flowers, and romance. That would all come later. But in the beginning, my love for Thea was born out of death, broken hearts, and desperation. Coincidentally, that was also how it ended." I loved the two halves of a story this gives us. There was a sort of poetic justice in seeing Ramsey fight for Thea and do everything she doesn't realize she needs in the first half as they were kids, to then watch Thea return the favor for Ramsey all those years later. She doesn't shy away from his growling and convincing he doesn't need her. She knows the heart beneath the new roughened exterior and she won't rest until she proves that their love isn't so easily forgotten.

Thea and Ramsey are both fighters. They were both dealt a crappy hand in life, but they always had each other and that made all the difference. I loved Thea so much. She's definitely going on my 'top heroines' list. She's resilient, faithful, and unwavering in her love and devotion. Ramsey was amazing as well. Though there were times I wanted to shake him, I completely understood why he did the things he did. Their story was heart breaking at times, but it was also healing and beautiful. Then, nearly 12 years ago, that awful thing happens to the heroine she is raped, the hero goes to prison and as far as we know, he killed the guy who raped the girl he loved but the truth comes out much later and it is an infuriating revelation. Actually, his sister was also raped by the same guy so she kills him and her brother (our hero) takes the blame. I recommend this to those who likes: Aly Martinez, friends to lovers, second chance, coming-of-age, enemies to lovers, slow burn, emotional read, and a happily ever after. At ten years old, Thea Hull’s life irrevocably changed when she lost her mother and simultaneously gained a friend. From that moment forward, counting time and possible future moments became second nature. As Thea matures, she remains true to what she believed her life could be.You're mine, Ramsey. You can try to fight me. You can hate me. You can lie to yourself for the rest of your life... but wherever you are, however long you're there, you are always mine." A coming of age, second chance, roiling angst filled story that will leave you breathless and aching for more. It's stuffed full with funny banter, laughter and love but be warned that the cry-fest it shall induce would dessicate your poor heart