Devoted

Sutton #1.5

by Evelyn Sola

Maxwell Sutton and Summer Madison are back and on their way to the altar!

At least that was their plan.

The road to forever isn’t a smooth one. And these two are learning that firsthand thanks to Maxwell’s past.

But, Maxwell is determined not to let any drama derail their future.

Because simply put - Maxwell and Summer are devoted to one another and to making their relationship last. No matter what stands in their way.

Get reacquainted with these two love birds as they say I do and begin their happily ever after!

Genres: Romance, Interracial Romance, Audiobook, Novella, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2023

About the author

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find Evelyn with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.
Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion and humor.
She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[Jamie]

Definitely wish I hadn’t read this. The drama with his ex wife served no purpose other than to let the reader know he had a sex tape with her. How lovely. It put a damper on how sweet the last book was. 😒

[BookKraves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy and Content

The vows in this book made me melt. If you read you've read downfall, then this is a must-read.
Max and Summer are getting married, and I'm here for it. After having a rocky beginning, Max and Summer made it to the altar. I'm happy they got their HEA and content with the promises made to each other.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

wedding day finally

5-DEVOTED
I did not think there could be more to add to the series. I loved both Sutton brothers. I even like the cousin more after "Defeat". Now, to know there is a cousin that could be on the scene. I have to say that I am excited. Devoted was the marriage of Maxwell and Summer along with some obstacles getting in the way. There was always someone out there that didn't want you to succeed or move on. It was just enough here to let you know that Summer and Max got this.

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars / 3.5 Steam Fans

Loved getting Max and Summer's wedding story; however, it felt a little out of order in the series.

Video review available in Week 14: Apr 2 – Apr 8, 2023, weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk (https://www.youtube.com/@stephsromanc...)

[newbee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I set a reminder on on my calendar for this.

So many pages were wasted on his ex wife & unnecessary information for what?? Everything doesn’t need a dramatic angle. My favorite aspect of their book and why i absolutely love it so much, is that so much of it is just them being domestic and in a relationship. No drama, no misunderstandings, nothing.

So many authors follow the same recipe ( they meet —> insta love or “enemy” —> relationship-ish —> build up for the “conflict “ —> drama—> third act breakup —> then rush the characters back together) & it’s tired and boring. You never really get to see the domestic aspect… just them being in a relationship. You never get to enjoy the actual main characters together until the epilogue or the bonus epilogue.
The book was so great for the mere fact that I got to see the relationship.

This was not like the book at all. Even the chemistry wasn’t really there for me. & all this information on the side characters ( don’t they have a book for this reason?).
Also the “previously on” bit… i understand that is there to aid readers who might not have read the book first, but really I just wanted to see them together. That’s all, that’s it.


Overall:
2/5

[Linsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to see all the preparations leading to Summer and Max's wedding. Funny banters between family members, cute romance between the leads. It was a fun read. However, I didn't get Max's ex-wife motive to come back in his life, and we didn't get to see how Claire dealt with it (not even in the extended bonus epilogue). I hope we will see more of Eli, he seems like an interesting character. Can't wait to read more from this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Devoted by Evelyn Sola was an alright book that showed the wedding between Max and Summer. While I didn't hate it, I also didn't particularly enjoy it. It could've been added to the original story as an epilogue, but I understand why the author chose to write a novella.

The book served as a way to catch up with Max and Summer, offering a look into their lives after the events depicted in the original story. It was nice to get a glimpse of their married life and witness their continued growth as a couple.

However, I couldn't help but feel that the book lacked substance. It lacked the depth and character development that made the the original story so compelling. The novella seemed to exist purely for the sake of providing closure, rather than adding anything new or significant to the story.

Overall, Defeated by Evelyn Sola was an alright addition to the series. It served its purpose of giving readers a glimpse into Max and Summer's married life, but as a standalone book, it fell short of expectations

[hawo ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so cute, I loved seeing how even after happily ever after there was some issues and they still worked it out you can tell they def stay together after the epilogue. I was thinking oh wow this book is so cute when all of a sudden we get a cameo from Luke and Viv it rlly made my night. It was so cute especially seeing how intertwined every Evelyn book is and since we didn’t get an extended epilogue for crash this was satisfying. I genuinely did enjoy this book so much.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I expected and more. Max and Summer are my favorite Evelyn Sola couple. Their love was just so beautiful to witness again. I was rooting for them like they were a real couple I knew 😂. This was great!!

[Kashi Ashley-Ann Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

So nice catching up with Summer and Max. I even loved the cross over with Vivi and Luke. Now we’re all just waiting for Caleb and maybe Eli, hopefully we can see him and Max squash whatever beef. Good work Ms Sola

[Carolyn Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella giving more details about Max and Summers wedding. It was great to get more details and an interesting epilogue to their story.

I’m glad I read this on Kindle Unlimited because you don’t need to read this book to enjoy The Suttons series.

[Dudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read again and it was awesome to catch up with the entire gang again. It was a complete ending but somehow I feel like the cliffhanger was how did Max’s mother handle Faith? I really wanted to know how she as put in her place.

[marilyn thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I just can’t get enough of Max and Summer. I love the whole Sutton family. Please continue with this series.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love! More from Evelyn Sola and more Max and Summer from 'Downfall.' Though I like them, particularly Summer. However, my favorite couple is David and Delaney from 'Defeat.'

This story focuses on the weeks leading up to the wedding of Max and Summer. Everybody returns, so it's great to see old friends. Shout out to Aunt Minnie who is never far from a dry martini and to Autumn, who is Summer's 11 year old sister going on 35 years old—what our elders would call—an old soul.

*********

Autumn Speaks ...

“We planned Brenda’s wedding in a matter of weeks too.” She turns and gives me the side eye. “For the same reason.”

I shrug at her.

“Nothing we can do about that now, Grandma,” I say.”

“I don’t want that for you, Ms. Autumn,” she says, pointing at my little sister.

“Oh, Grandma, gross.” Autumn turns her nose up in the air. “There are ways to prevent that. Girls in my generation aren’t getting married and having babies. Marriage is canceled. I’m going to Broadway and then Hollywood.”

*********

Planning a wedding can be quite stressful, especially when you have a pregnant bride and people that don't matter trying to interfere. So, when a blast from Max's past tries to stir up trouble—he's not having it and neither is his mother. Hint: Read the bonus epilogue!

Caleb (love him) and a long lost cousin named Elias Sutton makes an appearance, Eli isn't keen on love so hopefully, there is a book in the works for him that shows him, that resistance is futile.

I'm happy I got an opportunity to revisit this couple, their siblings, parents, in-laws, cousins and friends. Read the book.

Don't forget to sign up for the Bonus Epilogue via Evelyn Sola's newsletter. You won't be disappointed.

Happy Reading! 😊


Downfall
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

AMZ link to Downfall:
https://www.amazon.com/Downfall-Age-G...

Defeat
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

AMZ link to Defeat:
https://www.amazon.com/Defeat-Book-Su...

[CLorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished Defeat, I was ecstatic to be able to read a more detailed account of the days leading up to Max and Summer’s wedding. In Devoted: A Sutton Series Novella by Evelyn Sola we are given more nuanced details and plenty of insight into motivations and emotions. Max and Summer are immersed in the details of planning their wedding and grappling with impending parenthood while trying to maintain all aspects of their bond. Tangentially, we start to see the seeds of David and Delaney’s budding relationship from the perspective of Max (mainly) and Summer. For the most part, there is smooth sailing until a part of Max’s unhappy past tries to have a negative impact on his future. Will he allow misunderstandings and manipulations to cloud or totally derail his happy ever after? Ms. Sola pens such amazing dialog; it snaps and amuses on one hand while bringing the reader to tears on the other! Here’s hoping that the next story brings Jade and Caleb front and center. I am also curious about the new addition, Cousin Eli. He seems like he could be more than meets the eye. This book is referenced as a novella; however, it is lengthy and detailed, a perfect addition to a stellar series.

[Karen's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max and Summer are back and are planning their wedding. The two of them can't wait for the big day and are counting down the days, but others will do absolutely anything to make sure that day never happens. Will these two make it to the alter, or will they fall apart on the way there?
It was so great to spend time with Max and Summer again since I enjoyed them so much in book 1 of the Sutton series, Downfall. I'm not usually a fan of age gap romances but the chemistry between these two is hard to ignore especially since Summer was so mature for her age. I loved how she handles her self and her man. It was also nice to visit the other great characters from previous books as they make this story that much more entertaining in helping to make sure nothing stands in the way of Max and Summer getting to the altar.
If you read Downfall, or any other Sutton Family book for that matter, you're going to enjoy Devoted just as well. Also, I look forward to seeing what this family gets into next.

[Michelle Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish their story never ends! I want more and more!

I simply love Max and Summer. They are the couple that make you want marriage. Max was somewhat broken after a bad marriage. He was not prepared when he met Summer for the first time. It wasn't love at first sight ,it was lust . Max was shell shocked about the strong feelings he had for a woman he didn't know. They both fought the instant attraction they had for each other. Mistakes were made in the pursuit of lust and need. Max pursued Summer relentlessly. Summer fought Max every step of the way. Their families play an integral part in their lives, too. David and Autumn are my favorite characters besides Aunt Minnie and Caleb, who were hilarious. This book will make you laugh out loud and cry. I'm sorry to give so much information, but it's really a great read . Read "Downfall" first, it's how Max and Summer met. This is their continuing journey.

[Weekend Reader_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would probably be helpful if I read the first book. Nonetheless I didn't feel like I was missing anything from their origin story since this novella focused on the days leading up to the wedding day (gown fitting, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner). Before that could happen there was a little drama with the cheating ex-wife Faith. It was resolved, they yelled, said sorry tension over. The old hag didn't get the last laugh and came off pretty delusional. Anywho the sex scenes were fade to black until after they were married. I plan to go back and start from the beginning bc I enjoyed it enough (minus the repetitive my soon to be my wife/husband and my fiancé we get it).

CN: parental death, family drama around money, cheating, divorce, manipulation, microagressions

[Readaholic Running Realtor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for bringing us along for the wedding. Very disappointed in the ex-wife but what they tell you misery loves company and I’m so glad that they did not fall for it.


SIDENOTE (aka “Don’t come for my stars!”):
Just a quick heads-up my ratings are based on whether I’d reread the book or add it to my personal collection, not the quality of the story itself. So here’s how I roll:

5 🤩 = I’m obsessed with everything the storyline, the author, and the narrators! I read it yearly and own ALL the copies: physical, digital, and Audible. I can basically recite this book. It lives in my private library.
4 🌟 = Loved the story, the author, and the narrator (if it’s audio). I’d happily reread it when I need a solid comfort read.
3 ✨ = Enjoyed the story, the author, and definitely the narrators. A great addition to my yearly reading challenge likely to revisit if it’s part of a series I need to refresh.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long Time No See

Readers are graced with more Maxwell Sutton and Summer Madison from Book 1 of the Sutton Series in Evelyn Sola’s “Devoted” novella. In addition, “Devoted” gives us a dual POV shown as Bride and Groom. Finally, “Devoted” overlaps Book 2’s Delaney and David’s story, so it’s fun to see some peaks of their story sneaking in.

Familiar characters pop up. Oh, how I miss how awkward Caleb is and David’s bluntness!

I like how “Devoted” wasn’t just an extended epilogue. The story has an antagonist and a secret that causes a riff between the couple. The story was a sweet, fun conclusion to Max & Summer’s story, with a bonus epilogue you can get as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dyjonnay Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call Me Greedy!!!

Woke up first thing just to complete this book.I’m still left wanting more!! Not as much angst as the first one but it also wasn’t as long. I liked it but i still wanted more. I love them sooo much. I want to see them having more babies, their names. But i guess since they are married and some drama came from thin air. It wouldn’t be as interesting. I’m rambling but I still wanted more. I’ve read downfall a couple times because I just love them even before they got together. I read the extended epilogue. I guess it’s Caleb and Eli’s turn. But as for devoted not much happened just events leading up to the wedding, then the wedding itself. But thank you for giving me that Evelyn.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

it will only ever be you!

This book was hilarious. The one-liners, zingers and the comebacks and clap backs was on point and had me laughing.

When Max says to Summer, “This time, there’s no surprise or uncertainty. This time there is only love and promises of our future together. Children. Family vacations and backyard barbeques. Good times with some challenging ones interspersed; but one thing I’m certain of is that you will always be by my side, making the rough times bearable.” That’s what their story ( these two books were about ) was about.

Looking forward to reading Delaney and David’s story. I hope there’s a story for Caleb and Eli too.

[BreakingtheEpigraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story should have come before 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡.

Overall, while there are plenty of enjoyable scenes in this story, it does not rise above a three-star rating. Here’s why from my perspective, the timeline for David and Delaney or Delaney and Caleb interactions do not line up. The ex-wife was not relevant and having her in it to cause drama did not fit in and felt like filler to me. She could have stayed where ever she was at. The follow through on Claire handling the ex-wife wasn’t shown on canvas or ever mentioned again. I for one would have like to have seen that dress-down. That could have made a great scene. I love it when the mothers take the troublemakers to task.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I love this couple! This story is about the wedding of Summer Madison & Maxwell Sutton. The love Breeze & Maxwell have for each other is evident in this novella. This was a great conclusion to an endearing couple. Their love is strong, intense and enduring. The love they share is greater because of the support from their family and friends! Thank You Evelyn Sola for giving us a conclusion to this great love story! I hope Jacob and Elias have story as well.

[Phaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. And Mrs. Daddy Sutton

This is my second time reading this book and would read it again. This book subtly connects Max and David's stories without giving up too much info of David's story.

Max and Summer's wedding is the focus. As they are enjoying this happy time with their families, a person of Max's past want to take center stage.

I am just amazed that this person really thought they had a chance to stop this party train.

I enjoyed the read and would defenitly reread or listen to the audiobook when it becomes available.

[Jackie Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer and Maxwells wedding book. This was a good short and sweet addition to the series. A lot of emphasis on the miscommunication trope which isn’t my favorite. Maxwell would hide things from summer thinking they’d help. The relationship between Maxwell and Summers sister Autumn is one of his biggest attributes. We get to meet cousin Eli. And we find out David and Delaney did end up together. They’ll be the next book. The bonus epilogue was everyone arguing over who gets to host which holiday.

[Shannin King · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little telling of Max and Summer’s trip to the altar. We got a little drama, some new characters and a look at some old characters. I really enjoyed Max and Summers love story I wish we could’ve got a little more drama or knew what happened to the person who caused the drama. but as always, I enjoy Evelyn Sola’s stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Naila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, Sweet & A Little Spicy


This novella was short, sweet, and a little spicy! It is a peek into the weeks leading up to Summer & Max's wedding, and it includes a little glimpse into what was happening with David and Delaney (the story lines run parallel to one another). The ex-wife did try it, but Mama Claire put her in check. I enjoyed this quick read and loved being able to "be a guest" at the wedding!

[Yemisi Oladeji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice follow up

It was nice to have a follow up book to finish off Max
and Summer's romance. However I did not understand the ex wife's motive. It would be nice though to find out how Claire dealt with her. Maybe goodwill be told in Fallen' story.
Is there going to be a story for Eli? What did Eli want to talk with Max about? Is Eli going to get his own story? Are David and Delaney getting married? Would be nice to get all the loose ends tied up

[Limecello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Max and Summer but lowkey this was my least favorite of their "books" - obviously their actual book is aces, and the bonus epilogue.
This ... was more "for the fans" and fun of course but not !!!
It was cute seeing them married but it was kinda more worries than them together, if that makes sense.
Although I guess since they're already in an established relationship it was nice to see the "after"