Ellie Wade resides in southwest Michigan with her husband, three young children, and two dogs. She has a Master’s degree in education from Eastern Michigan University and is a huge University of Michigan sports fan. She loves the beauty of her home state, especially the lakes and the gorgeous autumn weather. When she is not writing, you will find her reading, snuggled up with her kids, or spending time with family and friends. She loves traveling and exploring new places with her family.
This is actually two books in one (Bared Souls) & (Kindred Souls). In the first book I sort of felt like the connection between the two of the main characters came on strong and fast in a way that I thought didn’t seem super realistic at first, like maybe it needed more building but that was quickly overshadowed by the story itself and it just draws you in emotionally where you really feel it. The story is heartbreaking but also beautiful and I cried in both books. The second one was hard to accept at first because I really felt like I was living that story. But you grow with it just like story does, and I give it 5 stars for the ability to draw you in like that.
This book has triggers so please check them Soulmates by Ellie wade is a 2 books one. Bared souls and kindred souls. I received this book for free but let me tell you Im ready to buy it in all versions. Book one Bared souls follows Alma and Leo. Alma is a brand new college student and she’s smart and strong. While she hasn’t lived a party live she has lived through hard times and is determined not to be her parents. She made it this far because of her best friend Amos. Leo is a troubled man with a very dark past. He thinks he’s in incapable of love and not not worthy of being loved. Alma and Leo literally bump into each other and feel this soul deep connection. They go through many trials and so many heartbreaking moments. Will Alma’s love be enough to save Leo from his addiction and past?
This book broke me. I mean full on sobbing and ugly tears. The way that Ellie wade wrote this book is magical and she made me feel all of the emotions. Leo deserved the world and a better life than what he grew up with Alma is so strong and is really a hero in my eyes. She handled more than any one person should.
Book 2 kindred souls After a devastating tragedy Alma is alone with her daughter. She is dealing with her grief and focusing on rasing love. She didn’t think you could have two soulmates in life. Amos has always valued his friendship with Alma and doesn’t want to risk losing her if she doesn’t feel the same way. He’s loved her for 20 years and he never thought after Leo he would get a chance.
These book had me crying and completely broken but then they slowly put me back together. It’s a beautiful story and one I think everyone needs to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So this review is for both stories and I had to review them separately because they both deserve to have the light shone on them! With Bared Souls, Excuse me while I continue to bawl into some tissues. This book. My heart. My soul. I am seriously broken after reading this story. It is one of those loves that will consume you and be all encompassing. This to me was such a raw and powerful story of love, life, heartbreak and soulmates. I felt so wrapped up in this tale of Alma and Leo that I did not want to let go. Wade created something that is pure magic. It felt real and so much more. This story between Alma and Leo is that first love. Fighting those emotions. That push and pull of college drama. But to me it was so much more. Alma is trying to not be her parents. She wanted to prove herself to the world and make it a better place. Leo was so wrapped up in the darkness of his past that it was consuming his future. The way that his history molded their future was literally the most gut wrenching thing ever. But I adored how much Leo was a fighter for Alma. He wanted to be better. As this story flows, there are a lot of ups and downs that you want to yell at both Alma and Leo. There will be moments that you will bawl, that you will swoon. Trust me. I did. But their story is something for the ages! Overall, this book is something that really hits you hard with the emotions. I still don’t cry a whole lot with books, but I had tears streaming down my face as I finished this story. The passion, the romance, the impactful moments. It will break you but mend you at the same time. The flow of the story and the build of the characters as well as the side ones, keeps you fully engrossed the whole time and honestly, not wanting to put it down. I know this story may not be for some, but to me, this is a story that deserves to be read because of how real it felt. It hits home in so many ways that this love story needs to one clicked. I cannot say enough about how much this story consumed me! For Kindred Souls: After Bared Souls, I wasn’t sure how much more I could take emotionally from Wade. But what she gives us with Kindred Souls is just as raw and emotional but you get that ending you wanted to Alma. After the pain and heartache of losing the love of her life, even Alma did not know if she could move on for fear of tarnishing that memory of Leo. But oh my stars. The raw emotions through this book was utterly everything as Alma moves forward. It was raw, emotional and passionate so you get wrapped up into the world even more that Wade has created for these characters. There is great wit and banter. Great intense moments that will make you swoon and so much more. Yes, I know by now you are wondering why I have not mentioned who Alma will be with. That is something you will have to discover yourself. If you have not read Bared Souls and are scared to, please don’t be. It was a story that needed to be told and it will stick with you forever, then with Kindred Souls, you will be wrapped up in that love and intense emotions that Wade is epic for! I do not want to spoil who Alma will be with it. It is something you need to discover. It is so worth the ride and journey that you will not regret it. I should note that the bonus content just adds so much to it! These are books that need to be read.
Barred Souls Yes, this is very different from anything Ellie Wade has written in the past but I loved it just the same if not more than all her other books. Leo was a heartbreaking character, he came off very rough in the beginning but as we got to see deeper into his true character, the love he had for Alma was undeniable and so heartfelt. He had some beautiful words for her and I swooned many times. His past and childhood made me ache and explained how he was so easily pulled into to the escape drugs gave him. Alma had her own difficult childhood but she also had her best friend Amos on her side and with his help she was able to thrive. They were opposites but so perfect for each other. They went through many ups and downs and ups and downs but I wouldn’t want to spoil anything. I’ll only say it has a bittersweet ending and you will need tissues several times. Beautiful heartbreaking story.
Kindred Souls OMG! This is the book I never knew I needed but can’t be happier that I got it. I absolutely loved it. I was one of those rare readers that was content with how book one ended (not happy with it but I was definitely content). BUT, I was wrong. This is the perfect ending for Alma (and Love). It’s true you will never get over your first love but this is the perfect “finding love again” story.
Soul Mates—which includes Bared Souls, Kindred Souls, and a bonus chapter—is more than just a duet. It’s a deeply emotional journey that broke me, healed me, and stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
Bared Souls shattered me in the best (and worst) way possible. It’s raw, heartbreaking, and painfully beautiful. Then Kindred Souls came in like a salve—mending what had been ripped open. I’m so grateful I read these books together. Experiencing Alma’s full story all at once was intense, but absolutely worth it.
As someone who grew up with alcoholic parents and a traumatic childhood, I was nervous going in. I expected to be triggered. Instead, I found something healing. Alma’s journey made me reflect on my own life in ways I wasn’t prepared for—and helped me feel seen in a way I didn’t know I needed.
Yes, it’s heavy. Yes, I was ugly crying at 2 a.m. and nursing a migraine the next morning. But it was worth every tear. Ellie Wade’s writing is powerful, poetic, and full of truth.
This duet is for anyone who wants to read a book that encompasses all the “unpredictable, brutal and beautiful” moments in life and love.
I was seriously broken after reading the first book I was so consumed by everything that was going on it was raw and powerful story of life, love, heartbreak, and soulmate. There were so many moments that I cried my eyes out I was hit with so many emotions. It wasn't all bad though, I know that this story may not be for some, but for me it was everything. It felt so real!! I'm telling you that this love story needs to be one clicked you won't regret it. But that's not all it's a box set so you get to enjoy everything with out being interrupted by cliffhangers. As I saying this duet will absolutely break you, but by the end of book 2 you will be put back together again. I have never been so emotionally invested and distraught over a book before, but it was a beautiful journey. FYI please check trigger as this may not be a Dark romance but has heavy topics.
This duet will absolutely break you, but by the end of book 2 you will be put back together again. This is one of those books that felt so real to me and the characters really came off the page. I have never been so emotionally invested and distraught over a book before, but wow was it a beautiful journey. Alma and Leo really were soulmates and without him so much of her life wouldn't have happened. She really came into her own. And despite how book 1 ended, Ellie did not leave us broken hearted for long. Book 2 was a long time coming and was so good and healing for both us and Alma. This was absolutely one of my top reads of the year.
Please check triggers as this may not be a Dark romance but has heavy topics.
I kept seeing reviews for this duet book and how it was a sad, beautiful, and all encompassing love masterpiece. The first book broke me into a million little pieces. My soul was shattered for the pain and torment that Alma went through and what Leo went through as a child. It doesn’t go into detail but words are words and you can imagine the events that unfolded to make Leo a shell of himself. Having my own soulmate, and the words of how Alma lost hers is what broke me even more. This was a beautifully written masterpiece. I am happy that she found her happily ever after in the second book. As the question is presented “who says you can only have one soulmate?”
Most people find epic, real, raw, and true love in the form of their soulmate once in a lifetime. The first half of this duet shows you what happens when your soul finds it match their perfect half. It shows you real-life events, addiction, mental illness, tragic accidents, and loss of epic proportion. The type where you don't think you will ever be hole or love again. But someone had a plan bigger than life. This fmc didn't get 1 soul mate but two. She learned to move forward through her grief and love her person. I needed the second half of this duet to piece my heart back together. This book is so tragically beautiful. Haven't read another like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. It covers a topic that, sadly, is becoming more and more common now. Addiction and sexual abuse can go hand in hand. The ending outcome is truly heartbreaking. Losing someone to an overdose is no walk in the park. Like the book says, "drugs don't take the worst of us". I lost my best friend this way, and one thing I can tell you is knowing that didn't make it any easier. If I wouldn't have read this as the duet I honestly don't know if I could have picked up the second book. This book will forever stick with me. "Stay with me. Stay. With. Me." Ellie Wade has a way with words for sure! Wow
Oh Alma… I didn’t know how I would feel with book two, as book one took me on a wild ride. Alma and Leo was meant to be, and through the turmoil and the chaos, they made it work.. until it didn’t. I was sad at how book one ended, but I was content with it. It made sense.
Fast forward to book two… I was wrong. Book one ended so book two could begin. I always loved the love Amos had for Alma, but this book really showcased their love and friendship. This is everything you need and more in a duet!
This book had me from page one. There were so many emotions, and I couldn't put it down. The story of Leo, Alma, and Amos will break your heart and then put it back together. I was devastated at the end of book one, and after reading it, I was in my car, and the song Rescue by Lauren Daigle came on, and it described Leo and Alma perfectly. My heart broke but then was put back together in book two by Amos and Alma's story. This is a must-read and will make you believe that maybe we do have more than one soul mate.
At 1st I almost deleted this book from my kindle... I felt like I was reading an almost copy and paste version of After but i decided to keep going and I'm glad I did... books 1 and 2 are filled with everything... love, loss, great love, friends, family, friends that become family, understanding, regret and forgiveness. There were moments that broke my heart and had me sobbing and then there were moments that had me laughing out loud. I genuinely enjoyed this box set and look forward to books 3-6.
I wrote reviews for these books individually because although they are definitely needed to be read together they also need their own words. But, here is a quick review of it as a duet… This series is hard to read at times in a good way because it leaves you so emotionally raw. Such wonderful broken characters in their own ways and it was nice to see them find happiness in their lives, even if there was also lots of heartache.
I really enjoyed book 1, I loved the character development, and just everything about book 1, and was heartbroken when Leo died. I didn't enjoy book 1 that much though, I was still so heartbroken about Leo that I didn't really care about Amos and Almas relationship! I felt it wasn't a good decision to leave a 2 star review because it isn't the books fault I miss Leo! The author has amazing writing and made the characters so easy to connect to, and her writing makes you care about the writibg!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This duet was captivating, at times heartbreaking, and had me hooked. Literally my family kept asking me what I was reading because I couldn't put my book down for the entire day. A perfect day read for a cold winter day to enjoy romance, heartbreak, and more romance. You don't want to miss Alma's and Leo's or Alma's and Amos' stories.
I finished this book 2 days ago and I’m STILL trying to find the words to adequately say how amazing it is. I’ve loved Ellie Wade for years and this book is one of her best yet.
Leo and Alma were so, so much. There’s a lot more I want to say, but spoilers are deplorable and I can’t say anything else about them. Just please, please read this book! You won’t regret it.
I completely and utterly loved this duet of books. You know it's a good book when you ugly cry hard. I hate what ended up happening in the first book, but the second book helped redeem it. (And it's not a hate that means it was a bad book). This is my first book by Ellie Wade, and I'm glad I took the chance to read one of hers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5⭐️ 4🌶️ This book really pulls at your heartstrings. My heart absolutely broke for Leo and what he had to endure and continued to struggle with. One minute I swooning the next I was bawling my eyes out. This book guts you but in the best way. I couldn’t get enough of this book. It’s definitely a must read. Just have tissues ready.
5 stars for the first book, and 3 stars for the second book. The first book was amazing! There was angst, the love, the excitement, the heartbreak, ugh! Amazing! Then we get to the second book, and it was sickly sweet. There was a bunch of love, only one spot of a real issue, but it was relatively small. I was honestly a bit bored with the second book, but the first was amazing!
I'm glad that Alma was able to move on with Amos. I just have a hard time reading one book where the love of her life is Leo and then a few years later it is now Amos. I did think that the overly affection for her child was a bit much. I understand the love of a child but it seemed a bit overkill.
This series will bring you through so many emotions. It will tear you apart. Then slowly and painfully put you back together. It is real and raw All of your what ifs in this series will be answered! Most importantly it shows how grief really works. It shows the tangible love between mother and daughter. What it truly means to be saved by your baby
Book one did leave me crying. I’m so happy book two went the way I wanted. Love the characters, and love the world. It’s crazy how so much happens in these books I feel like it’s been a world wind. Love this and will continue to read the other characters stories just so I can keep being in this world and seeing Alma. What a precious soul.
At first I wasn't sure what to think of Leo but then he grew on me and I was all in on their relationship. The deep love they shared could be felt while reading. Things occur, things change but it all ends up in the right place after all. Good side characters, good relationships, family and fun. I enjoyed this one.
So far I have finished bared souls and it was a beautiful soul crushing kind book 💜
And yes because of that I am still working up to reading part two!! But promise to leave my review once I do….. until then happy reading bring tissues 😉
I loved these books. However I would have loved a chapter of Leo’s pow when he relapsed and what his thoughts were at the time and why he made that decision. However great book!
The book was good. I cried. & i hate crying! I was in bed thinking about it all night, I had to get up and finish it. Although, I'm still NOT convinced that Leo 'relapsed' I loved him and I'm upset he's gone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
How to put into words one of the best reads, I have read. How the love story between Alma and Leo pulls at your heartstrings leaving you with an empty space in the end.
The first part of the story was captivating . I did feel like the authors was not very sensitive in the sexual abuse that was in this story. The second half to the book was a little boring except the little girl was cute .