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Star-Crossed Lovers Duet #1
The Choice
The world thought I belonged to another man. They were wrong.
He was the mysterious dark knight, always swooping in to save me when I needed it the most. I was the troubled girl with scars and a bleeding heart.
He was the gifted guitarist destined for big things. I was the small-town girl battling her demons.
He was my earth, always keeping me grounded. I was his sky, always just out of his reach.
Our love was everything I wished for—until I destroyed it.
I never thought I'd see Memphis Payne again after I broke his heart, but the stars had other plans. Because here he is, needing me to clean up his mess this time. The only problem is—doing so will break both of our hearts.
They say only the strongest love can survive an apocalypse, that if two people are meant to be, they'll find their way back to each other. I hope they're right.
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ashley Jade comes a gritty, off-limits romance about mistakes, choices, and love conquering all. The Choice contains mature content.
He was the mysterious dark knight, always swooping in to save me when I needed it the most. I was the troubled girl with scars and a bleeding heart.
He was the gifted guitarist destined for big things. I was the small-town girl battling her demons.
He was my earth, always keeping me grounded. I was his sky, always just out of his reach.
Our love was everything I wished for—until I destroyed it.
I never thought I'd see Memphis Payne again after I broke his heart, but the stars had other plans. Because here he is, needing me to clean up his mess this time. The only problem is—doing so will break both of our hearts.
They say only the strongest love can survive an apocalypse, that if two people are meant to be, they'll find their way back to each other. I hope they're right.
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ashley Jade comes a gritty, off-limits romance about mistakes, choices, and love conquering all. The Choice contains mature content.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 19, 2023
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Ashley Jade
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,655 reviews
January 30, 2023
ABSOLUTELY NOT
I cried. I cringed. I swooned. I devoured this toxic, heartbreaking shit but that cliffhanger…Mrs Ashley, we need to have a conversation.
I cried. I cringed. I swooned. I devoured this toxic, heartbreaking shit but that cliffhanger…Mrs Ashley, we need to have a conversation.
March 18, 2023
– 4 stars
SONG:
Purple Rain – Prince
STORY:
This is part one of Skylar and Memphis love story and it shows the beginning of their story from their childhood together. Skylar and Memphis meet when they’re 13 and are neighbours since Memphis and his brother Josh moved into a new foster home. The whole book spans a couple of years until they are both 18 years old. Sky and Memphis are side characters in The Words and it’s not necessary to read it to enjoy this duet, but I would highly recommend. The Choice explains so much of why Skylar chose to stay together with Josh for the longest time that she has when Memphis was right there.
° TROPES °
🌌 SKYLAR AMETHYST MEADOWS (h) 🌌
No one writes perfectly flawed characters like Ashley Jade. Skylar made some very dumb choices, but the saddest part is that it’s so understandable and I can’t even be mad and rant about her. 🤣 every path she made made so much sense that I didn’t even feel frustrated even tho she made decisions I wouldn’t have made myself.
Mostly, I just feel really sad for Sky. All her life she has been forced, manipulated, emotionally blackmailed, gaslighted into some kind of relationships/situations. The book might be named The Choice and at the end she did choose someone, but it wasn’t really a choice at all. 🌚
🎸 MEMPHIS CHIRON PAYNE (H) 🎸
The reverse uno card this book pulled on me
The older jaded Memphis at the end of The Words was such an asshole and while I still looked forward to Sky and Memphis story, I was totally biased and loved Sky way mooore than Memphis, but after reading The Choice and seeing their beginning and how much teenage Memphis suffered I’M ALL THE WAY TEAM MEMPHIS ALWAYS AND FOREVER. I seriously love him so much he’s in my Top 3 Ashley Jade Heroes.
Between Memphis and Josh. He was branded as the freak, because he is the grumpy, anti social, shows no emotion, quiet guy whose only focus is music and playing the guitar. But he cares so much for all the people in his circle. The way he always had to clean up Josh messes and take the fall. His only flaw is his name, I guess 🤷🏽♀️ I understand him so much better now and why he become jaded and bitter when he was older. Memphis always tried to be the best version of himself and be there and somehow that still wasn’t enough. HE DESERVES BETTER!
🚯 JOSH ROLAND (OM) 🚯
The only redeeming quality about Josh is that I really feel bad for his past and how his father abused him to say it lightly. I wouldn’t wished that kind of treatment on anyone. But there comes a point in your life where you can either let your past define who you are and let it destroy you or you try to learn and get stronger and sadly Josh just become a toxic person to be around. Little shits who tattoo a ‘welcome mat’ above their dick don’t deserve any human rights and that’s only the tip of the iceberg of sins Tate Andrews #1 fan has committed against humanity. The audacity of this man to call Memphis a psychopath when it’s him all along the projecting clown behavior.. Karma can’t get to him fast enough!!
My hidden talent is actually knowing what happens in the future and I know what happens in Josh’s future and it’s so beautiful. 🤩 His most iconic and relevant era is about to begin and I’m so excited for his future. ***** trope let’s go 💋
💜 ROMANCE 💜
In true Ashley Jade fashion, the romance was messy and I wouldn’t have it any other way. While Memphis saw Skylar first, Skylar saw Josh first and he was the first person to understand the abuse she endured, because the same happened to him with his father. Josh and Sky had only that one connection, but I understand what kind of powerful connection that is when you are currently suffering the worse kind of abuse while being 13.
Meanwhile Memphis is watching from the sideline how his brother gets the girls he always wanted. While I felt bad for Memphis, it was also a serve why lie. The way Memphis had this unrequited crush on Sky, the longing, the angst, the forbidden aspect of brother’s girlfriend IT WAS SO GOOD. I love how Memphis was so cold toward Sky for self preservation, cause he knew she would be his downfall if he wasn’t careful. But she managed to crack his defences and how he opened up more and more to her the more time they spent together. Their development from strangers to friends to lovers was everything.
The tension between Memphis and Sky is delicious. Once the slow burn is burning it really ignites 🔥 this couple is so hot together and Y’ALL THE PASSION AND EMOTIONS they made me go through…
❌ WHY NOT A HIGHER RATING ❌
Even with all the OM drama, I think Sky and Memphis have a great origin story… BUT at times this does feel like a very long prologue. Everything in this book is important to lay a foundation for the next book I know that, but still the plot was very mundane and not much happened. I expected The Choice to cover more grounds … it didn’t even show Memphis rise to fame with Sharp Objects. There are still so many questions left answered and I feel like The Consequences will have to cover so many events from before The Words, during The Words and then even after the events of The Words.
CONCLUSION
I had so much fun reading Skylar and Memphis’ beginning! Devoured this book in one sitting. The book ends on a cliffhanger, but it wasn’t too bad when you have read The Words and this just gave a better perspective in the background of these characters, their thought process and their actions moving forward. I know there is even more OW and OM drama to come *cough* I’m looking at you Chandler, but inject that crack into my veins. I need more Sky and Memphis NOW!
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
STAR-CROSSED LOVERS DUET
#1 The Choice – 4 stars
#2 The Consequences – tbr
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
SONG:
Purple Rain – Prince
STORY:
This is part one of Skylar and Memphis love story and it shows the beginning of their story from their childhood together. Skylar and Memphis meet when they’re 13 and are neighbours since Memphis and his brother Josh moved into a new foster home. The whole book spans a couple of years until they are both 18 years old. Sky and Memphis are side characters in The Words and it’s not necessary to read it to enjoy this duet, but I would highly recommend. The Choice explains so much of why Skylar chose to stay together with Josh for the longest time that she has when Memphis was right there.
“I’m jealous of the girl who’s going to steal your heart.”
His entire body tenses. “Says the girl whose heart is already taken.”
° TROPES °
💫 childhood frenemies to lovers
💫 love triangle kinda you know for sure who Skylar ends up with
💫 star crossed lovers
💫 forbidden romance (brother’s girlfriend)
💫 emotional and physical cheating, but not between the main characters.. it’s more like cheating on their partners with each others
🌌 SKYLAR AMETHYST MEADOWS (h) 🌌
No one writes perfectly flawed characters like Ashley Jade. Skylar made some very dumb choices, but the saddest part is that it’s so understandable and I can’t even be mad and rant about her. 🤣 every path she made made so much sense that I didn’t even feel frustrated even tho she made decisions I wouldn’t have made myself.
Why can’t I be in heaven with her…instead of hell with him?
Mostly, I just feel really sad for Sky. All her life she has been forced, manipulated, emotionally blackmailed, gaslighted into some kind of relationships/situations. The book might be named The Choice and at the end she did choose someone, but it wasn’t really a choice at all. 🌚
🎸 MEMPHIS CHIRON PAYNE (H) 🎸
The reverse uno card this book pulled on me
The older jaded Memphis at the end of The Words was such an asshole and while I still looked forward to Sky and Memphis story, I was totally biased and loved Sky way mooore than Memphis, but after reading The Choice and seeing their beginning and how much teenage Memphis suffered I’M ALL THE WAY TEAM MEMPHIS ALWAYS AND FOREVER. I seriously love him so much he’s in my Top 3 Ashley Jade Heroes.
Memphis Payne has always been an enigma. A mystery I’m dying to solve. A puzzle I desperately want to put together. A code I’m determined to crack.
Between Memphis and Josh. He was branded as the freak, because he is the grumpy, anti social, shows no emotion, quiet guy whose only focus is music and playing the guitar. But he cares so much for all the people in his circle. The way he always had to clean up Josh messes and take the fall. His only flaw is his name, I guess 🤷🏽♀️ I understand him so much better now and why he become jaded and bitter when he was older. Memphis always tried to be the best version of himself and be there and somehow that still wasn’t enough. HE DESERVES BETTER!
🚯 JOSH ROLAND (OM) 🚯
“What the fuck is wrong with you?“ (Memphis to Josh)
The only redeeming quality about Josh is that I really feel bad for his past and how his father abused him to say it lightly. I wouldn’t wished that kind of treatment on anyone. But there comes a point in your life where you can either let your past define who you are and let it destroy you or you try to learn and get stronger and sadly Josh just become a toxic person to be around. Little shits who tattoo a ‘welcome mat’ above their dick don’t deserve any human rights and that’s only the tip of the iceberg of sins Tate Andrews #1 fan has committed against humanity. The audacity of this man to call Memphis a psychopath when it’s him all along the projecting clown behavior.. Karma can’t get to him fast enough!!
My hidden talent is actually knowing what happens in the future and I know what happens in Josh’s future and it’s so beautiful. 🤩 His most iconic and relevant era is about to begin and I’m so excited for his future. ***** trope let’s go 💋
💜 ROMANCE 💜
They say life is a series of choices, and a single one can change the course of your life forever. Last night, I had to make a choice between good and bad.
Right and wrong.
I chose her.
In true Ashley Jade fashion, the romance was messy and I wouldn’t have it any other way. While Memphis saw Skylar first, Skylar saw Josh first and he was the first person to understand the abuse she endured, because the same happened to him with his father. Josh and Sky had only that one connection, but I understand what kind of powerful connection that is when you are currently suffering the worse kind of abuse while being 13.
Meanwhile Memphis is watching from the sideline how his brother gets the girls he always wanted. While I felt bad for Memphis, it was also a serve why lie. The way Memphis had this unrequited crush on Sky, the longing, the angst, the forbidden aspect of brother’s girlfriend IT WAS SO GOOD. I love how Memphis was so cold toward Sky for self preservation, cause he knew she would be his downfall if he wasn’t careful. But she managed to crack his defences and how he opened up more and more to her the more time they spent together. Their development from strangers to friends to lovers was everything.
The tension between Memphis and Sky is delicious. Once the slow burn is burning it really ignites 🔥 this couple is so hot together and Y’ALL THE PASSION AND EMOTIONS they made me go through…
”It won’t be cloudy forever, Memphis. Eventually we’ll see the stars.”
❌ WHY NOT A HIGHER RATING ❌
Even with all the OM drama, I think Sky and Memphis have a great origin story… BUT at times this does feel like a very long prologue. Everything in this book is important to lay a foundation for the next book I know that, but still the plot was very mundane and not much happened. I expected The Choice to cover more grounds … it didn’t even show Memphis rise to fame with Sharp Objects. There are still so many questions left answered and I feel like The Consequences will have to cover so many events from before The Words, during The Words and then even after the events of The Words.
CONCLUSION
I had so much fun reading Skylar and Memphis’ beginning! Devoured this book in one sitting. The book ends on a cliffhanger, but it wasn’t too bad when you have read The Words and this just gave a better perspective in the background of these characters, their thought process and their actions moving forward. I know there is even more OW and OM drama to come *cough* I’m looking at you Chandler, but inject that crack into my veins. I need more Sky and Memphis NOW!
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
STAR-CROSSED LOVERS DUET
#1 The Choice – 4 stars
#2 The Consequences – tbr
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
May 29, 2024
So Josh is a real villain asshole in this one. I wasn’t a fan of him in The Words but he’s really straight up vile in this. I’m so conflicted, like is he just a really good actor or just a total psychopath?
Eh there’s a few things I didn’t like, I mean Archie and Valerie are supposed to be these pretty decent foster/adoptive parents but they just let Josh go down the rabbit hole with the drinking and drugs and failing at school? After Josh tries to commit suicide, he’s going to get released from the hospital within hours? No psych hold? Come on. Lol.
Lastly, if I have to hear “the organ in my chest” one more time I’m going to scream.
I couldn’t put this book down, I barely slept and I LOVE Memphis Payne so 4⭐️ all the way 🎶🎸💜
Eh there’s a few things I didn’t like, I mean Archie and Valerie are supposed to be these pretty decent foster/adoptive parents but they just let Josh go down the rabbit hole with the drinking and drugs and failing at school? After Josh tries to commit suicide, he’s going to get released from the hospital within hours? No psych hold? Come on. Lol.
Lastly, if I have to hear “the organ in my chest” one more time I’m going to scream.
I couldn’t put this book down, I barely slept and I LOVE Memphis Payne so 4⭐️ all the way 🎶🎸💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC review)
I read this in one sitting. Haven’t moved from my spot….I need book 2 ASAP.
UPDATE: It's officially out which means I can add my spoiler thoughts into my review! You'll find it all the way at the bottom - prepare for my rambling.
''If we had met first...she would have chosen me''
Safety warnings:
- Cheating (not between MC's)
- OW/OM drama
- Mention of child s*xual abuse
- Mention of su*cide
- D*ath
- Terminal illness
- Sharing (not between MC's)
- Cliffhanger
First off - If you haven't read The Words please do. I would normally say it's okay to not read it before this book, but I feel like it'll help you realize why so much of what happens and is revealed in this book hurts and why it is absolutely painful but most importantly why Josh sucks..it'll also be a nice way to see the future before diving into the past that shapes it all.
I have written a spoiler review, but I won't be posting it until the book is released since I don't want to give anything away but just know that I need book 2 today but I'll patiently wait for the conclusion and for Memphis/Skylar to get their long-awaited happy ending.
Honestly, I hate Josh. He was almost going to gain sympathy from me when I read The Words last year but now that we get the story and how it all started, I seriously despise him. All the things he did, everything he made Skylar do, the way he treated people around him, how it was always selfish choices and disgusting reasons. I truly hate him, and I am glad about his fate.
Memphis was this precious kid who had a bad life. He tried his hardest to always be the good one and do what was right, but it screwed him over and over again. I hated the power Josh had over him, how loyal Memphis was to Josh by default. He should have walked away when he got the chance to when Archie offered something crucial.
Skylar. What can be said about her that can do it justice? I understand her better now. I wanted better for her, and I thought the moments she got to be truly happy were snatched away every time by Josh and his antics. He wanted to be the center of her world even when he didn't deserve it.
I wish she had met Memphis first and all this pain could have been avoided.
Knowing how it all plays out after this time period is going to be interesting to see it from their POV's.
We also find out WHY Skylar kept choosing Josh and why Memphis allowed it to play out the way it did, and nobody is ready for the real reason (trust me).
Like Ashley basically has said: You think you know their story but your cannot even begin to guess.
OM drama: Josh. The useless one.
OW drama: Barely really but it’s there mainly for jealousy.
Sharing: Read the book and you'll understand what it's referring to and why it made my skin crawl.
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️ (also possible spoilers for 'The Words' so if you have not read it then please be cautious)
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
''Because she isn't my sky to touch. She's his''
This whole book is about Memphis/Josh/Skylar as children up to the age of 18. Long before they became who they are in The Words. We find out so much about these three. Things we never expected and things that will leave you speechless.
If you felt bad for Josh in The Words. Do not. He deserves nothing in that department from any of the readers. I'm glad he got what I believe he deserved in the end. His presence won’t be missed during the aftermath of the accident.
Skylar was being sexually abused by her uncle for years after moving in with her aunt/uncle when her mother dies. Shane (her uncle) relentlessly would abuse her, and she wished for death at a young age. Josh and Memphis both know, and this prompts the one thing that truly will shock everyone.
The fact that Memphis shot and killed Shane in order to stop Skylar's sexual abuse was the pivotal moment. The one thing that Josh knew that I had a feeling would be used against Memphis to keep him in line and guess what? He used it. He used the fact Memphis was a ''murderer'' to keep two people who could have been happy with each other just for his own sadistic pleasure.
So here is the thing: Skylar believes that it was Josh who killed her monster. Memphis believes Skylar and her aunt both believe the story that Shane must have left town for good. He has no idea Skylar knows that Shane is dead, and Josh ''killed'' him. Can't wait for this to be revealed.
I am also glad that the murder will never be held against Memphis again since the knowledge died with Josh.
I fucking hated and I mean HATED Josh and I know he had a horrible childhood (abused by his father) but he should see the people around him that never wished him harm and tried to be a better version of what society expected from him. He cheated over and over and lied without remorse. He hurt Skylar by choosing to drink/drugs and sleeping with others rather than committing to the person he said he ‘’loved’’.
He treated Memphis like his personal lapdog. He never cared about the sacrifices Memphis made to keep Josh happy or content or even out of the foster system. The only reason Josh was adopted was because of Memphis. He also tested him once to see what he would do if he offered Skylar and he passed the first time but at the end he failed but you know what? Who cares? Josh never deserved her or Memphis's loyalty/love.
When Josh and Skylar break up, she starts to get closer to Memphis (who has kept his distance for years because he loved her with his whole heart) and they start something that should have been the start of their happy life but nope. Josh attempts to kill himself after hearing them together and then threatens to do it right this time when talking to Skylar and basically manipulating and blackmailing her to be with him again and leave Memphis behind. Then on the other side he uses the murder against Memphis and basically threatens to tell the world what he did.
You understand more and more why Sky and Memphis aren’t together and the heartbreak you feel because Josh is being selfish.
Another thing that was shocking was finding out how Josh was bisexual (that’s not the part) but the fact he came onto Memphis a few times without his consent and then sleeping with guys in school whilst sharing Skylar with them. He would coerce guys to do what he wanted in order for them to be able to sleep with her. Skylar feeling like he is world and wanted to make him happy, allows it all. She hated it but Josh never cared.
Thankfully Memphis being the good one gets accepted to this amazing University and is going to make something of himself but before he goes he meets the person who will help him launch his musical career that we know exists in 'The Words'.
''It felt like...reaching for the sky and finally touching it''
Memphis forever loved Skylar and watching him see her love Josh and choose him over and over was too much.
''Memphis penetrated my heart like a poisonous arrow. One there's no antidote for.
If you’ve read The Words then you know what happens to Josh, Memphis and Sky. You know the drama surrounding Memphis and a certain someone and what resulted into their “relations”. Skylar seems to be making bad decisions again? I just need answers. Josh is gone so wtf are they waiting for.
I feel like this story might not be for everyone. I honestly don’t particularly like these tropes or read them: Love triangle, sharing scenes, MMC’s sex scenes with others, and cheating BUT it worked in this book. It works because it’s so complex that it isn’t truly black and white.
Extra Safety warnings:
- Josh basically forces Skylar to sleep with other guys while he watches or participates for his sadistic pleasure
- Josh cheats on Skylar (for years and never cared. No remorse. No empathy. Nothing)
- Skylar cheats by kissing and allowing Memphis to touch her while still with Josh.
- Also - Memphis is having a sexual relationship with the schools’ principals (for a year when he was 17). WTF? Glad it was just sex for him and kicked her out and no mess came from it.
I read this in one sitting. Haven’t moved from my spot….I need book 2 ASAP.
UPDATE: It's officially out which means I can add my spoiler thoughts into my review! You'll find it all the way at the bottom - prepare for my rambling.
''If we had met first...she would have chosen me''
Safety warnings:
- Cheating (not between MC's)
- OW/OM drama
- Mention of child s*xual abuse
- Mention of su*cide
- D*ath
- Terminal illness
- Sharing (not between MC's)
- Cliffhanger
First off - If you haven't read The Words please do. I would normally say it's okay to not read it before this book, but I feel like it'll help you realize why so much of what happens and is revealed in this book hurts and why it is absolutely painful but most importantly why Josh sucks..it'll also be a nice way to see the future before diving into the past that shapes it all.
I have written a spoiler review, but I won't be posting it until the book is released since I don't want to give anything away but just know that I need book 2 today but I'll patiently wait for the conclusion and for Memphis/Skylar to get their long-awaited happy ending.
Honestly, I hate Josh. He was almost going to gain sympathy from me when I read The Words last year but now that we get the story and how it all started, I seriously despise him. All the things he did, everything he made Skylar do, the way he treated people around him, how it was always selfish choices and disgusting reasons. I truly hate him, and I am glad about his fate.
Memphis was this precious kid who had a bad life. He tried his hardest to always be the good one and do what was right, but it screwed him over and over again. I hated the power Josh had over him, how loyal Memphis was to Josh by default. He should have walked away when he got the chance to when Archie offered something crucial.
Skylar. What can be said about her that can do it justice? I understand her better now. I wanted better for her, and I thought the moments she got to be truly happy were snatched away every time by Josh and his antics. He wanted to be the center of her world even when he didn't deserve it.
I wish she had met Memphis first and all this pain could have been avoided.
Knowing how it all plays out after this time period is going to be interesting to see it from their POV's.
We also find out WHY Skylar kept choosing Josh and why Memphis allowed it to play out the way it did, and nobody is ready for the real reason (trust me).
Like Ashley basically has said: You think you know their story but your cannot even begin to guess.
OM drama: Josh. The useless one.
OW drama: Barely really but it’s there mainly for jealousy.
Sharing: Read the book and you'll understand what it's referring to and why it made my skin crawl.
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️ (also possible spoilers for 'The Words' so if you have not read it then please be cautious)
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
''Because she isn't my sky to touch. She's his''
This whole book is about Memphis/Josh/Skylar as children up to the age of 18. Long before they became who they are in The Words. We find out so much about these three. Things we never expected and things that will leave you speechless.
If you felt bad for Josh in The Words. Do not. He deserves nothing in that department from any of the readers. I'm glad he got what I believe he deserved in the end. His presence won’t be missed during the aftermath of the accident.
Skylar was being sexually abused by her uncle for years after moving in with her aunt/uncle when her mother dies. Shane (her uncle) relentlessly would abuse her, and she wished for death at a young age. Josh and Memphis both know, and this prompts the one thing that truly will shock everyone.
The fact that Memphis shot and killed Shane in order to stop Skylar's sexual abuse was the pivotal moment. The one thing that Josh knew that I had a feeling would be used against Memphis to keep him in line and guess what? He used it. He used the fact Memphis was a ''murderer'' to keep two people who could have been happy with each other just for his own sadistic pleasure.
So here is the thing: Skylar believes that it was Josh who killed her monster. Memphis believes Skylar and her aunt both believe the story that Shane must have left town for good. He has no idea Skylar knows that Shane is dead, and Josh ''killed'' him. Can't wait for this to be revealed.
I am also glad that the murder will never be held against Memphis again since the knowledge died with Josh.
I fucking hated and I mean HATED Josh and I know he had a horrible childhood (abused by his father) but he should see the people around him that never wished him harm and tried to be a better version of what society expected from him. He cheated over and over and lied without remorse. He hurt Skylar by choosing to drink/drugs and sleeping with others rather than committing to the person he said he ‘’loved’’.
He treated Memphis like his personal lapdog. He never cared about the sacrifices Memphis made to keep Josh happy or content or even out of the foster system. The only reason Josh was adopted was because of Memphis. He also tested him once to see what he would do if he offered Skylar and he passed the first time but at the end he failed but you know what? Who cares? Josh never deserved her or Memphis's loyalty/love.
When Josh and Skylar break up, she starts to get closer to Memphis (who has kept his distance for years because he loved her with his whole heart) and they start something that should have been the start of their happy life but nope. Josh attempts to kill himself after hearing them together and then threatens to do it right this time when talking to Skylar and basically manipulating and blackmailing her to be with him again and leave Memphis behind. Then on the other side he uses the murder against Memphis and basically threatens to tell the world what he did.
You understand more and more why Sky and Memphis aren’t together and the heartbreak you feel because Josh is being selfish.
Another thing that was shocking was finding out how Josh was bisexual (that’s not the part) but the fact he came onto Memphis a few times without his consent and then sleeping with guys in school whilst sharing Skylar with them. He would coerce guys to do what he wanted in order for them to be able to sleep with her. Skylar feeling like he is world and wanted to make him happy, allows it all. She hated it but Josh never cared.
Thankfully Memphis being the good one gets accepted to this amazing University and is going to make something of himself but before he goes he meets the person who will help him launch his musical career that we know exists in 'The Words'.
''It felt like...reaching for the sky and finally touching it''
Memphis forever loved Skylar and watching him see her love Josh and choose him over and over was too much.
''Memphis penetrated my heart like a poisonous arrow. One there's no antidote for.
If you’ve read The Words then you know what happens to Josh, Memphis and Sky. You know the drama surrounding Memphis and a certain someone and what resulted into their “relations”. Skylar seems to be making bad decisions again? I just need answers. Josh is gone so wtf are they waiting for.
I feel like this story might not be for everyone. I honestly don’t particularly like these tropes or read them: Love triangle, sharing scenes, MMC’s sex scenes with others, and cheating BUT it worked in this book. It works because it’s so complex that it isn’t truly black and white.
Extra Safety warnings:
- Josh basically forces Skylar to sleep with other guys while he watches or participates for his sadistic pleasure
- Josh cheats on Skylar (for years and never cared. No remorse. No empathy. Nothing)
- Skylar cheats by kissing and allowing Memphis to touch her while still with Josh.
- Also - Memphis is having a sexual relationship with the schools’ principals (for a year when he was 17). WTF? Glad it was just sex for him and kicked her out and no mess came from it.
January 20, 2023
I've been anticipating this!! Super excited to start!!
Merged review:
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
ღ 🆃🅷🅴 🅲🅷🅾🅸🅲🅴 ღ Is the first full length romance book in the ' Star Crossed Lovers' duet by author Ashley Jade. Spoken in 'dual perspectives.'
These three (Skylar, Memphis and Josh) were previously introduced to us in The Words but this delves more into their backgrounds, how they came to be. It's dark, it'll break your heart, and it'll have you swearing like a sailor.
These two boys were in the system together, they grew as close as two unrelated boys could, until in their eyes they were family, they shared a bond like no other. Until a beautiful girl came between them, they both were drawn to her, they both had feelings for her, time and time again she would always choose one over the other, thinking he was her knight in shining armour, her hero, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. He manipulated her, instead of raising her up he brought her down with a crash, he shared her, destroyed her, until there was barely anything left of that young girl we were first introduced to.
'𝙒𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨.
𝙃𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙮.
𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙮.
𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙜𝙤.
𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩.'
The best advice I can give you before starting this is make sure your device is insured or better yet glue it to your fingers because the urge to throw it like a temper tantrum out of control will happen more than once! You have been warned!
This will stomp on your heart and rip it to shreds laughing in your face as the angst wrings havoc on all your emotions, agner, sadness, love, second after second you'll feel it all. This author didn't hold back, she came at us readers with guns blazing.
But throughout it all you'll fall under Memphis' spell, the silent one, the invisible one, the one that toed the line, the one that hid his feelings, the one that was misunderstood, the one that had my heart from the get go.
August 7, 2023
dnf 76%
My blood pressure is not stable enough to continue this book.
My blood pressure is not stable enough to continue this book.
January 23, 2023
3.5 stars
This one was rough for me. I was frustrated and upset and I know it's only part one of the duet but dang. I wasn't ready for this one. I'm going to read the next and hopefully it will give me the ending I need.
This one was rough for me. I was frustrated and upset and I know it's only part one of the duet but dang. I wasn't ready for this one. I'm going to read the next and hopefully it will give me the ending I need.
June 18, 2023
I was SO excited to read The Choice after loving The Words, and I’m sad to say that this spinoff was not what I wanted. If I had known this book would be more of a prequel, I probably could’ve adjusted my expectations, but with The Choice mainly set in the past with Memphis and Skylar in high school, it was... anticlimactic. I was expecting the timeline here to overlap with the words, but we get none of that. This is just a messy teenage romance where Skylar meets Memphis’ narcissistic foster brother Josh and falls for him, even though Memphis was the one who saw her first and fell for her first.
All 3 of these characters have been through some awful trauma. Both Skylar and Josh have been sexually assaulted as children (which is how they connect) and Memphis had an awful mother. They become neighbors when Josh and Memphis get fostered by a couple (who, thank god, are good people) and throughout the book, you can see exactly how awful, manipulative, and mean Josh is. We knew from The Words that Josh sucked, was a junkie, and was terrible influence on the band, but now we see how far it went. I'm not sure if I should applaud the author for writing such a good bad guy, but Josh ruined this read for me. I know he was supposed to be written this way, but I couldn’t stand his character. I’m really hoping the sequel will be better since we’re going to finally get the rock star stuff I was waiting for.
*****
i'm not emotionally ready for this duet
All 3 of these characters have been through some awful trauma. Both Skylar and Josh have been sexually assaulted as children (which is how they connect) and Memphis had an awful mother. They become neighbors when Josh and Memphis get fostered by a couple (who, thank god, are good people) and throughout the book, you can see exactly how awful, manipulative, and mean Josh is. We knew from The Words that Josh sucked, was a junkie, and was terrible influence on the band, but now we see how far it went. I'm not sure if I should applaud the author for writing such a good bad guy, but Josh ruined this read for me. I know he was supposed to be written this way, but I couldn’t stand his character. I’m really hoping the sequel will be better since we’re going to finally get the rock star stuff I was waiting for.
*****
i'm not emotionally ready for this duet
October 13, 2024
5/5 ⭐️ Oh wowwww. I have no words. This is at the top of my favorite romance reads for this year. Skylar and Memphis broke my heart! The way he was always yearning for her but he couldn’t act on his feelings because she was with Josh 😭. The heartbreak and angst was so deep in this one!! I need book two ASAP PLEASEEE! 🥲
January 18, 2023
“𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙚?”
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.
RIGHT. This book had no business being a 5⭐️ read for me.
I don’t like books written in the past/chapters in the past/books in series written in the past cus snooZEFEST. I also felt there were 2 plot points in this underdeveloped and glossed over, however I’m hoping they’ll be addressed in The Consequence.
But raaaaah I ate this all up. I could not get enough. It was like sniffing glue. ESPECIALLY THAT LAST 25% bruh 🫥🫥🫥
The spice 🫠🫠🫠
Cus OKAY MEMPHIS I SEE YOU 🔥 I’m a SIMP for an underdog and I did not see baby boy coming 😩😩😩
“Eyes on me”
“Take what you need Sky”
“Good girl”
UUUUGH THAT MAN. I cannot. He might be better than Phoenix for me. V v likely.
I loved watching the history unravel between Skylar, Josh and Memphis. I loved Memphis and how different he is from Phoenix bc I was scared he’d sound the same. Skylar just grew on me so so much.
I’m fucking obsessed with this world ugh!!!!
Yet again Ashley Jades writing was like crack 💨 And no it’s not as good as The Words but it’s STILL 10/10 for me.
I NEED THE CONSEQUENCE IN MY LIFE NOOOOWWW
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.
RIGHT. This book had no business being a 5⭐️ read for me.
I don’t like books written in the past/chapters in the past/books in series written in the past cus snooZEFEST. I also felt there were 2 plot points in this underdeveloped and glossed over, however I’m hoping they’ll be addressed in The Consequence.
But raaaaah I ate this all up. I could not get enough. It was like sniffing glue. ESPECIALLY THAT LAST 25% bruh 🫥🫥🫥
The spice 🫠🫠🫠
Cus OKAY MEMPHIS I SEE YOU 🔥 I’m a SIMP for an underdog and I did not see baby boy coming 😩😩😩
“Eyes on me”
“Take what you need Sky”
“Good girl”
UUUUGH THAT MAN. I cannot. He might be better than Phoenix for me. V v likely.
I loved watching the history unravel between Skylar, Josh and Memphis. I loved Memphis and how different he is from Phoenix bc I was scared he’d sound the same. Skylar just grew on me so so much.
I’m fucking obsessed with this world ugh!!!!
Yet again Ashley Jades writing was like crack 💨 And no it’s not as good as The Words but it’s STILL 10/10 for me.
I NEED THE CONSEQUENCE IN MY LIFE NOOOOWWW
February 13, 2023
4.5 Stars
I gotta sit on my feelings for a second.
Well here are my thoughts. This was angsty and messy and I loved every second of it. I loved this whole “who saw her first” thing. I don’t always love a love triangle but this was such a good set up for the next book.
I gotta sit on my feelings for a second.
Well here are my thoughts. This was angsty and messy and I loved every second of it. I loved this whole “who saw her first” thing. I don’t always love a love triangle but this was such a good set up for the next book.
May 22, 2025
4⭐️
I put off reading this FOR SO LONG….
Was terrified of all the ‘😭😭’ reactions I saw of this book & didn’t want to be heartbroken.
•you know that half-giddy-half-anxious feeling in ur stomach when the yearning x angst is that good? well, those were the vibes. I ignored every responsibility to non-stop read this.(I regret nothing) 🫡😓🫠❤️🩹☁️
•it does end on a cliffhanger but ending didn’t make me cry or anything. more just unsatisfied— I need to see the hea. I strongly believe the MCs will end up together (!!! manifesting🥸) but I heard cameos of this couple in another A Jade book:
- hinting that book 2 will be a time jump (H possibly getting someone pregnant???? Someone PLS TELL ME this isn’t true 😭! I might be skipping book 2 then bc I can’t)
•it was a decent love triangle (which I’m picky about reading/liking — true love triangles that is); the one love interest showed his true colors early on so it stopped feeling like a love triangle for me at that point.
•there was something I can’t quite pinpoint that left this a 4 star read for me. look, if I am over-the-top consumed by a book I’ll pretty easily give 5 stars but I’m hesitant here. despite the plot, despite the conflict, and even despite the angst, there was a smidegon of depth missing imo.
TROPES & SUCH
-bfs brother (foster/adopted)
-high school
-love triangle
-binded by a secret
-mentions of SA (past, h)
-groping (done to H)
-cliffhanger😾!! (NEED pt 2 so bad…)
**Safety Below** Kept vague but mild spoilers !!!! ⚠️‼️
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SAFETY & OPD
-Cheating: not between MCs; there is an instance H does something to h in which she belatedly pulls away (while still in relationship)
-OWD: H has a fuck buddy who he drops when h becomes available/bc in love w h
(this OW isn’t someone who interacts w/ h flaunting the hookup — you’ll see)
-OMD: h has bf large part of the book
****SPOILERS BELOW****
⚠️‼️
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NOTES
-Josh is a pos psychopath. Deadass I think there’s something going on there. It was subtly revealed throughout the book & obv bombshell dropped in the end but he’s SO MANIPULATIVE. & the fucking groping/pressuring behavior to Memphis was gross.
That’s it. That’s my only comment.
I put off reading this FOR SO LONG….
Was terrified of all the ‘😭😭’ reactions I saw of this book & didn’t want to be heartbroken.
•you know that half-giddy-half-anxious feeling in ur stomach when the yearning x angst is that good? well, those were the vibes. I ignored every responsibility to non-stop read this.(I regret nothing) 🫡😓🫠❤️🩹☁️
•it does end on a cliffhanger but ending didn’t make me cry or anything. more just unsatisfied— I need to see the hea. I strongly believe the MCs will end up together (!!! manifesting🥸) but I heard cameos of this couple in another A Jade book:
- hinting that book 2 will be a time jump (H possibly getting someone pregnant???? Someone PLS TELL ME this isn’t true 😭! I might be skipping book 2 then bc I can’t)
•it was a decent love triangle (which I’m picky about reading/liking — true love triangles that is); the one love interest showed his true colors early on so it stopped feeling like a love triangle for me at that point.
•there was something I can’t quite pinpoint that left this a 4 star read for me. look, if I am over-the-top consumed by a book I’ll pretty easily give 5 stars but I’m hesitant here. despite the plot, despite the conflict, and even despite the angst, there was a smidegon of depth missing imo.
TROPES & SUCH
-bfs brother (foster/adopted)
-high school
-love triangle
-binded by a secret
-mentions of SA (past, h)
-groping (done to H)
-cliffhanger😾!! (NEED pt 2 so bad…)
**Safety Below** Kept vague but mild spoilers !!!! ⚠️‼️
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SAFETY & OPD
-Cheating: not between MCs; there is an instance H does something to h in which she belatedly pulls away (while still in relationship)
-OWD: H has a fuck buddy who he drops when h becomes available/bc in love w h
(this OW isn’t someone who interacts w/ h flaunting the hookup — you’ll see)
-OMD: h has bf large part of the book
****SPOILERS BELOW****
⚠️‼️
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NOTES
-Josh is a pos psychopath. Deadass I think there’s something going on there. It was subtly revealed throughout the book & obv bombshell dropped in the end but he’s SO MANIPULATIVE. & the fucking groping/pressuring behavior to Memphis was gross.
That’s it. That’s my only comment.
January 21, 2023
5 STARS
Well...hell. I knew this cliffhanger would hurt me down to my soul and boy did it. It hurt bad. SO BAD. I have absolutely zero chill until book two. NONE whatsoever. But I digress. Let's talk about this book.
The Words is hands down one of my top reads of 2022. And I had a love hate relationship with Memphis and Skylar as secondary characters in that book. And if you're reading this book without having read The Words, I highly recommend you read that first. Yes, this is a standalone duet with a new couple, but it's the same universe, and The Words really gives you the best intro.
I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of doormat heroines, and I really thought Skylar was on in The Words. How else can she tolerate her man constantly cheating on her. The tension between her and her fiancé's bandmate, Memphis, was always palpable. This duet takes you deep into the why. The core of what laid the foundation that molded them and their future.
The Choice takes you all the way to the beginning. It introduces you to Josh, Memphis and Skylar when they were just kids and their years together into adulthood. This is the before Memphis hit his fame. This is is the foundation of who they are and what made them that way. And I can say that I now understand Skylar in a way I never thought I would. And she couldn't be furthest from weak or doormat. This girl is a survivor. My heart absolutely broke for her and what she's been through. You also get a front row seat to the toxic beginning of her and Josh. And now I really understand how they stayed together all these years. And if possible, I hate Josh even more than I hated him in The Words.
Memphis was...GOD. This man was everything. Quiet intensity. Raw magnetism. Electric. You get to see him and Josh and understand their relationship and connection. You also get the glimpse of Memphis before he hit rockstar fame and this man owned my heart in all the best ways. The pining in this book was on a whole other level and I was so here for it.
I really don't want to give you any more information because you simply need to experience it blind. But if you had any doubts about Memphis and Skylar in The Words, this book will demolish them. You'l hurt for them. YOu'll root for them. YOu'll want to shake them both.
I flipped between hurt and anger so many times, I didn't know which end was up. Ashley Jade took me on an emotional rollercoaster of wanting to chuck my kindle at the wall and begging for more. I'm ruined. Utterly ruined and completely desperate for the next book.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
They say life is a series of choices, and a single one can change the course of your life forever. Last night, I had to make a choice between good and bad. Right and wrong. I chose her.
Well...hell. I knew this cliffhanger would hurt me down to my soul and boy did it. It hurt bad. SO BAD. I have absolutely zero chill until book two. NONE whatsoever. But I digress. Let's talk about this book.
The Words is hands down one of my top reads of 2022. And I had a love hate relationship with Memphis and Skylar as secondary characters in that book. And if you're reading this book without having read The Words, I highly recommend you read that first. Yes, this is a standalone duet with a new couple, but it's the same universe, and The Words really gives you the best intro.
I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of doormat heroines, and I really thought Skylar was on in The Words. How else can she tolerate her man constantly cheating on her. The tension between her and her fiancé's bandmate, Memphis, was always palpable. This duet takes you deep into the why. The core of what laid the foundation that molded them and their future.
The Choice takes you all the way to the beginning. It introduces you to Josh, Memphis and Skylar when they were just kids and their years together into adulthood. This is the before Memphis hit his fame. This is is the foundation of who they are and what made them that way. And I can say that I now understand Skylar in a way I never thought I would. And she couldn't be furthest from weak or doormat. This girl is a survivor. My heart absolutely broke for her and what she's been through. You also get a front row seat to the toxic beginning of her and Josh. And now I really understand how they stayed together all these years. And if possible, I hate Josh even more than I hated him in The Words.
Memphis was...GOD. This man was everything. Quiet intensity. Raw magnetism. Electric. You get to see him and Josh and understand their relationship and connection. You also get the glimpse of Memphis before he hit rockstar fame and this man owned my heart in all the best ways. The pining in this book was on a whole other level and I was so here for it.
I really don't want to give you any more information because you simply need to experience it blind. But if you had any doubts about Memphis and Skylar in The Words, this book will demolish them. You'l hurt for them. YOu'll root for them. YOu'll want to shake them both.
I flipped between hurt and anger so many times, I didn't know which end was up. Ashley Jade took me on an emotional rollercoaster of wanting to chuck my kindle at the wall and begging for more. I'm ruined. Utterly ruined and completely desperate for the next book.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
January 21, 2023
I loved it as much as I thought I would! Aaah! I can't wait for the next one!
March 18, 2023
If you have read The Words, then you have already met Mephis, Josh, and Skylar. The Choice is the first book in the Star-Crossed Lovers duet, and it takes us back to the beginning, where it all started, before the band. This is an emotional, angsty, trauma filled love story.
Memphis and Josh both had traumatic childhoods and are in the foster system together. They form a brotherly bond and bounce around foster homes together because of Josh's behavior until they are taken in by Archie and Valerie. It's in their new home when Mephis looks out the window and sees the most beautiful girl he's ever seen, Skylar. Except Josh meets her first. They have been through similar abuse, and they form an unbreakable bond that transforms into a relationship quickly. Mephis steps aside and avoids any type of contact or relationship that he can with Skylar until one day she pushes for a friendship, and from there, a special bond is built.
“The people you trust are the ones who hurt you the most.” It’s like he just reached inside my chest and found the secret password to peel back the hidden layers of my beating, battered heart.
Ashley takes you on an emotional, heartbreaking ride and leaves you on a cliffhanger. I can't wait for the release of The Consequences!
Memphis and Josh both had traumatic childhoods and are in the foster system together. They form a brotherly bond and bounce around foster homes together because of Josh's behavior until they are taken in by Archie and Valerie. It's in their new home when Mephis looks out the window and sees the most beautiful girl he's ever seen, Skylar. Except Josh meets her first. They have been through similar abuse, and they form an unbreakable bond that transforms into a relationship quickly. Mephis steps aside and avoids any type of contact or relationship that he can with Skylar until one day she pushes for a friendship, and from there, a special bond is built.
“The people you trust are the ones who hurt you the most.” It’s like he just reached inside my chest and found the secret password to peel back the hidden layers of my beating, battered heart.
Ashley takes you on an emotional, heartbreaking ride and leaves you on a cliffhanger. I can't wait for the release of The Consequences!
January 16, 2023
Ashley Jade has a way with words and storytelling cause The Choice was addictive as hell. Skylar, Memphis and Josh were introduced in The Words and this is their story. Part 1 of a duet.
The Choice doesn’t hold back. It’s intense, gritty and heartbreaking but besides that they also left me feeling frustrating numerous times.
These three characters are flawed and broken but not beyond repair. They make choices and bound to make mistakes and they sure did that. As exhausting as they were I couldn’t stop reading. I was entranced by Memphis and Skylar. Their connection was palpable and despite how hard Memphis tried to stay away from his “Sky” he couldn’t. Their slowly evolving friendship into lovers was so good. But nothing lasts forever.
The Choice is the backstory to Memphis and Skylar. It gave me angst, steam and also brought so many emotions out of me. Both good and bad. I like that in a story. Now that I know where a small part of their journey goes , from reading The Words, but after finishing The Choice I’m even more eager to get back to this fascinating couple. This was one hell of ride that I definitely recommend.
*I received an arc for an honest review*
The Choice doesn’t hold back. It’s intense, gritty and heartbreaking but besides that they also left me feeling frustrating numerous times.
These three characters are flawed and broken but not beyond repair. They make choices and bound to make mistakes and they sure did that. As exhausting as they were I couldn’t stop reading. I was entranced by Memphis and Skylar. Their connection was palpable and despite how hard Memphis tried to stay away from his “Sky” he couldn’t. Their slowly evolving friendship into lovers was so good. But nothing lasts forever.
The Choice is the backstory to Memphis and Skylar. It gave me angst, steam and also brought so many emotions out of me. Both good and bad. I like that in a story. Now that I know where a small part of their journey goes , from reading The Words, but after finishing The Choice I’m even more eager to get back to this fascinating couple. This was one hell of ride that I definitely recommend.
*I received an arc for an honest review*
January 20, 2023
"Chiron- Apparently, the dude was an immortal centaur, who got struck by a poisonous arrow one day. It meant his pain would last forever because, despite being able to heal everyone else, he couldn’t heal himself.”
Oh this arrow has lodged deep, in the deepest part of my heart and this shit hurts. I have loved Ashley Jade's twisted angsty prose since Blame It on the Pain days
I love her but by the end of this book, I wasn't sure I liked her that much 😭
“Because you broke my heart.” Then crawled over the shattered pieces…and invaded all my layers. Carving himself a permanent place inside. ”
She loves making her readers cry, writhe in pain, howl at the sky. And this is exactly what she has done with this book. An unfortunate little girl, Skylar, runs around the forest bare foot, towards her makeshift treehome to escape from incessant abuse and pain meted out in her adopted home. A rudder less life that's going nowhere. Surrounded by darkness and tears. Till she meets a goofy boy , Josh who makes her smile. They look at the stars and those precious moments offer her a respite from her sordid reality
But waiting silently in the sidelines is his adoptive brother Memphis Payne, who picks her thorns and stings. He's her quiet saviour, a brooding boy who can't express his emotions. Not sure if he can feel them too, yet he sees Skylar's pain everyday. Much like he's been covering Josh's Ass from day 1
"He breaks things. I fix them. Then he turns right around and breaks them again."
Out of all the characters, Skylar is the easiest to love and likely to hate. Her self worth is below negative levels. Her need for warmth of love is so acute, she gives in to the debasement and degradation, making her vulnerable.
Why???.........It's complicated!
I've raced through the book, cursed at Ashley, bawled my heart out and hung on to the tiniest ray of hope that Jade lets in towards the end. Only to tear my scalp in frustration because things go back to square one right at the edge of the cliff Ashley leaves us on.
I hate that this book ended
I hate that I've to wait for more
I hate world was cruel to these kids
I hate I'm standing at the edge of my sanity
Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
5 stars for 5 hair that are left on my head!!
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Oh this arrow has lodged deep, in the deepest part of my heart and this shit hurts. I have loved Ashley Jade's twisted angsty prose since Blame It on the Pain days
I love her but by the end of this book, I wasn't sure I liked her that much 😭
“Because you broke my heart.” Then crawled over the shattered pieces…and invaded all my layers. Carving himself a permanent place inside. ”
She loves making her readers cry, writhe in pain, howl at the sky. And this is exactly what she has done with this book. An unfortunate little girl, Skylar, runs around the forest bare foot, towards her makeshift treehome to escape from incessant abuse and pain meted out in her adopted home. A rudder less life that's going nowhere. Surrounded by darkness and tears. Till she meets a goofy boy , Josh who makes her smile. They look at the stars and those precious moments offer her a respite from her sordid reality
But waiting silently in the sidelines is his adoptive brother Memphis Payne, who picks her thorns and stings. He's her quiet saviour, a brooding boy who can't express his emotions. Not sure if he can feel them too, yet he sees Skylar's pain everyday. Much like he's been covering Josh's Ass from day 1
"He breaks things. I fix them. Then he turns right around and breaks them again."
Out of all the characters, Skylar is the easiest to love and likely to hate. Her self worth is below negative levels. Her need for warmth of love is so acute, she gives in to the debasement and degradation, making her vulnerable.
Why???.........It's complicated!
I've raced through the book, cursed at Ashley, bawled my heart out and hung on to the tiniest ray of hope that Jade lets in towards the end. Only to tear my scalp in frustration because things go back to square one right at the edge of the cliff Ashley leaves us on.
I hate that this book ended
I hate that I've to wait for more
I hate world was cruel to these kids
I hate I'm standing at the edge of my sanity
Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
5 stars for 5 hair that are left on my head!!
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January 28, 2023
One emotion is standing out right now after finishing this and I have to say I really hate Josh. I want to climb into this book and punch his skull in.
Updated review-
The Choice is Skylar’s, Josh’s and Memphis’s story. If you haven’t read The Words (which you should because it’s a 10 star book) these are characters from it. This takes place before The Words.
Josh is a controlling manipulative POS who is lost in drugs and sex. He manipulatives Skylar to extremes. I feel bad she keeps falling for his crap and lies. Josh and Sky share a similar childhood trauma which they bond over. Skylar has prayed for someone who is just as broken to love her and she thinks Josh is that person. After Skylar and Josh start dating, her and Memphis avoid each other. Him and Josh are brothers but Sky and Memphis are attracted to and want each other.
Memphis and Skylar are fire together and I am anxiously anticipating The Consequence because I have to know what happens with them. They have to have a future together, they belong together.
I’m still raging mad at how Josh acted at the end of this. I wish I could kill him myself for Sky and Memphis.
Updated review-
The Choice is Skylar’s, Josh’s and Memphis’s story. If you haven’t read The Words (which you should because it’s a 10 star book) these are characters from it. This takes place before The Words.
Josh is a controlling manipulative POS who is lost in drugs and sex. He manipulatives Skylar to extremes. I feel bad she keeps falling for his crap and lies. Josh and Sky share a similar childhood trauma which they bond over. Skylar has prayed for someone who is just as broken to love her and she thinks Josh is that person. After Skylar and Josh start dating, her and Memphis avoid each other. Him and Josh are brothers but Sky and Memphis are attracted to and want each other.
Memphis and Skylar are fire together and I am anxiously anticipating The Consequence because I have to know what happens with them. They have to have a future together, they belong together.
I’m still raging mad at how Josh acted at the end of this. I wish I could kill him myself for Sky and Memphis.
January 9, 2024
no thoughts, just ☄︎ memphis chiron payne ☄︎
song : sparks ⋆ coldplay
memphis, “I'm not a nerd”, all self-assured, self-controlled, and self-sacrificing, guitarist virtuoso, whose ultimate dream is to have a nice house, wife, and at least five kids… oh how i would run to you, choose you, and only ever you, every. single. time.
the choice, part i :
☄︎ boyfriend's best friend/“brother”
☄︎ cheating
☄︎ frenemies to lovers
☄︎ neighbors
☄︎ small town
☄︎ star-crossed lovers
☄︎ unrequited love
Memphis hesitates a beat before wrapping his arms around me. 〝Like this?〞
〝Tighter,〞 I whisper. 〝Hold me tighter.〞
Constricting his hold, he crushes me against him. 〝Is this okay?〞
I breathe him in. He smells like Irish Spring soap and oranges.
Like safety and shelter.
〝It's perfect.〞
And that's how we stay for the next fifteen minutes…
review:
my rating speaks for my sky-high expectations going into this after waiting for memphisskylar for what feels like a long time, only for it to not live up to said expectations, but i guess, in some ways, that's on me. the choice serves a good amount of angst, but, then again, given its subject matter, it requires that as a bare minimum. so, in that respect, it definitely hit the mark.
in others, though, not so much—at least, not, for me. (e.g. characters’ arcs, romantic development, the writing, etc.). all of that is to say, if the consequence goes my way, it alone will more than make up for this one, and i'm hoping it'll meet its potential, of which, it has loads, especially considering it'll span more years, and feature an older memphis and maturer skylar.
i saw a review that touched on theopinion fact that memphis, in the midst of two other main characters, is the only one that demonstrates growth, and i literally couldn't agree more. aspirations, dreams, genuine goals—memphis has them, and it's really quite beautiful to see and keep reading about. i mean, just the whole “wife” and “five kids” thing in and of itself… ;’(
strictly shallowly speaking…it's memphis and memphis alone really, for me. the man is everything i didn't know i was looking for, from the glimpses of his character in the words, and it was a lovely surprise. that said, god knows how he'll be in the consequence. i'm asterrified scared as i am dying excited for it.
final thought :
phoenix walker walked, so memphis chiron payne could run .
song : sparks ⋆ coldplay
❛I'm not scared of anything in this world.But Skylar Amethyst Meadows fucking terrifies me.❜
memphis, “I'm not a nerd”, all self-assured, self-controlled, and self-sacrificing, guitarist virtuoso, whose ultimate dream is to have a nice house, wife, and at least five kids… oh how i would run to you, choose you, and only ever you, every. single. time.
the choice, part i :
☄︎ boyfriend's best friend/“brother”
☄︎ cheating
☄︎ frenemies to lovers
☄︎ neighbors
☄︎ small town
☄︎ star-crossed lovers
☄︎ unrequited love
Memphis hesitates a beat before wrapping his arms around me. 〝Like this?〞
〝Tighter,〞 I whisper. 〝Hold me tighter.〞
Constricting his hold, he crushes me against him. 〝Is this okay?〞
I breathe him in. He smells like Irish Spring soap and oranges.
Like safety and shelter.
〝It's perfect.〞
And that's how we stay for the next fifteen minutes…
review:
my rating speaks for my sky-high expectations going into this after waiting for memphisskylar for what feels like a long time, only for it to not live up to said expectations, but i guess, in some ways, that's on me. the choice serves a good amount of angst, but, then again, given its subject matter, it requires that as a bare minimum. so, in that respect, it definitely hit the mark.
in others, though, not so much—at least, not, for me. (e.g. characters’ arcs, romantic development, the writing, etc.). all of that is to say, if the consequence goes my way, it alone will more than make up for this one, and i'm hoping it'll meet its potential, of which, it has loads, especially considering it'll span more years, and feature an older memphis and maturer skylar.
i saw a review that touched on the
strictly shallowly speaking…it's memphis and memphis alone really, for me. the man is everything i didn't know i was looking for, from the glimpses of his character in the words, and it was a lovely surprise. that said, god knows how he'll be in the consequence. i'm as
final thought :
phoenix walker walked, so memphis chiron payne could run .
February 8, 2023
Memphis Payne, good lord!
This sets up Memphis, Josh and Skylar’s backstory. I’m not sure we needed a whole book for said backstory. With all of this tension + the cliffhanger, I am hopeful The Consequence will bring the high intensity & angst in a more present day world.
Takeaways from book 1: Memphis is the vibe, Josh is not.
This sets up Memphis, Josh and Skylar’s backstory. I’m not sure we needed a whole book for said backstory. With all of this tension + the cliffhanger, I am hopeful The Consequence will bring the high intensity & angst in a more present day world.
Takeaways from book 1: Memphis is the vibe, Josh is not.
January 21, 2023
“Why are you looking at me like you hate me?” Because I can’t fucking have you.
them THEMBAHSHDBSBDBDNNFBF the cliffhanger was illegal book 2 come out sooner please
three stars because Josh’s existence ruined this for me. he needs to die. again 🥰 🔪
January 19, 2023
I’m not scared of anything in this world.
But Skylar Amethyst Meadows fucking terrifies me.
♥️Josh needs to give me deceased♥️
But Skylar Amethyst Meadows fucking terrifies me.
♥️Josh needs to give me deceased♥️
to-be-read-kindle-owned
January 28, 2025🥹 A gifted, mysterious, dark guitar player? Say no more. This cover pulled me in and sounds right up my my alley. I've never read an A. Jade book before so this will be my first.
January 21, 2023
Memphis Payne doesn’t fuck… he worships.
Holy shiiiit.
I knew there was a cliffhanger, I knew it was coming but oh my god. Render me speechless folks.
This whole book, right from the beginning hits you deep in the feels, this isn’t for the lighthearted people, this deals with sososooo much trauma and grief and just so much. I can relate to Sky in ways I wish I didn’t which made this a tough read, but the way A.Jade writes. I was roped in. I couldn’t put this badboy down.
Memphis and Josh have grown up in the foster system together, they’re brothers. but not blood brothers. Just two kids traveling from one house to another until Archie and Valerie come into the picture, giving them a place to finally call h o m e.
Memphis is always helping Josh out of trouble, no matter the situation. Unfortunately that leaves them both with a secret no one can ever find out. One that also ties them both to Sky.
Please look up trigger warnings before diving into this book, yes, it has spice, but there is so much more elements to it. This isn’t just a spicy book. It deals with a lot.
Holy shiiiit.
I knew there was a cliffhanger, I knew it was coming but oh my god. Render me speechless folks.
This whole book, right from the beginning hits you deep in the feels, this isn’t for the lighthearted people, this deals with sososooo much trauma and grief and just so much. I can relate to Sky in ways I wish I didn’t which made this a tough read, but the way A.Jade writes. I was roped in. I couldn’t put this badboy down.
Memphis and Josh have grown up in the foster system together, they’re brothers. but not blood brothers. Just two kids traveling from one house to another until Archie and Valerie come into the picture, giving them a place to finally call h o m e.
Memphis is always helping Josh out of trouble, no matter the situation. Unfortunately that leaves them both with a secret no one can ever find out. One that also ties them both to Sky.
Please look up trigger warnings before diving into this book, yes, it has spice, but there is so much more elements to it. This isn’t just a spicy book. It deals with a lot.
January 23, 2023
I tried, I really tried but I had to stop at 48%. I know Skylar went through a lot with her uncle, but what Josh did to her while they were in high school (KIDS) is just as bad if not WORST. And if Memphis cared about her as a person it seems like he would have stepped in and not let his friend/brother get away with it, period.
What should have happened shortly after the boys moved into the foster home, the foster parents SHOULD have got rid of Josh and had him sent far, far, away and just raised Memphis alone.
It's to disturbing to continue!!!
What should have happened shortly after the boys moved into the foster home, the foster parents SHOULD have got rid of Josh and had him sent far, far, away and just raised Memphis alone.
It's to disturbing to continue!!!
January 23, 2023
***4,5 "Choose me!!!" stars***
"I'm jealous of the girl who's going to steal yor heart."
"Says the girl whose heart is already taken."
I haven't met another more addictive author than Ashley Jade...
Her words are penetrating your whole being with vengeance and they wrapped you around them so tightly that it is impossible to stop reading them, even though they pain you or frustrate you!!!
This is a real talent and for once again, I bow in this woman's writing!!!
I devoured this story in a night (something that I had a long time to do) and still... I need more of these broken characters and their wrong choices!!!
"I'm... letting him steal pieces of my heart that belong to someone else."
We have met Memphis, Skylar and Josh back in "The Words" and I was craving their story desperately...
Near a year later, we are getting "The Choice" which is a trip to the past and how all this mess between these three had started...
Memphis and Josh are like brothers, but Skylar's scars are matching with Josh's so it is inevitable for these two to end up together, even though Josh is not the ideal choice, in my opinion...
Skylar is very damaged and her choices is questionable because of that damage...
Memphis saw her first, but he came second and now he needs to stay away from the girl that he had loved with everything he had...
What will happen when things are starting to change???
"I'm going to pretend she doesn't exist.
Because she isn't my sky to touch. She's his."
I can not tell you how much my heart was bleeding in here because of Skylar and Memphis...
There isn't in this earth another man like Memphis and my heart was breaking for this boy!!!
I am sorry that I am telling that but even though I can understand where Skylar is coming from, she frustrated me so much in here!!! Was she really so naive or she was so damaged that she was putting herself down all the time in the name of a worthless love???
When you are having Memphis on his knees in front of you, how can you not choose him, ugh???
Yes, I am furious and I just need the next book, even though from the glimpses that I took in The Words, I know many things already and I know that the future will hurt like hell!!!
But Ashley had made me addicted to her kind of pain and I have a love-hate relationship with her characters and their choices!!!
"Once upon a time, a little girl made wishes on stars... Only, she didn't wish for Prince Charming like so many other little girls. She wishes for someone ugly and broken... just like she was."
Yes, this story was full of choices, most of them were totally wrong, but it was so darn addictive reading about them!!!
I adored Memphis and I mostly liked Skylar, but from time to time, my mind couldn't fully comprehend her behavior...
As for Josh??? I feel pure hatred for this guy!!! I am sad to admit it, but even though he had the ability to earn sympathy, his ways were so wrong... Sneaky and manipulative and ... Arrrrr!!! I hate him for destroying something so pure and glorious between our main heroes!!!
Just need the next part, cause I am already losing my mind and obsessing with what the future holds for this star-crossed lovers who are making my heart beat wildly!!!
"Perhaps the fortune-teller was right... But I got it wrong."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"I'm jealous of the girl who's going to steal yor heart."
"Says the girl whose heart is already taken."
I haven't met another more addictive author than Ashley Jade...
Her words are penetrating your whole being with vengeance and they wrapped you around them so tightly that it is impossible to stop reading them, even though they pain you or frustrate you!!!
This is a real talent and for once again, I bow in this woman's writing!!!
I devoured this story in a night (something that I had a long time to do) and still... I need more of these broken characters and their wrong choices!!!
"I'm... letting him steal pieces of my heart that belong to someone else."
We have met Memphis, Skylar and Josh back in "The Words" and I was craving their story desperately...
Near a year later, we are getting "The Choice" which is a trip to the past and how all this mess between these three had started...
Memphis and Josh are like brothers, but Skylar's scars are matching with Josh's so it is inevitable for these two to end up together, even though Josh is not the ideal choice, in my opinion...
Skylar is very damaged and her choices is questionable because of that damage...
Memphis saw her first, but he came second and now he needs to stay away from the girl that he had loved with everything he had...
What will happen when things are starting to change???
"I'm going to pretend she doesn't exist.
Because she isn't my sky to touch. She's his."
I can not tell you how much my heart was bleeding in here because of Skylar and Memphis...
There isn't in this earth another man like Memphis and my heart was breaking for this boy!!!
I am sorry that I am telling that but even though I can understand where Skylar is coming from, she frustrated me so much in here!!! Was she really so naive or she was so damaged that she was putting herself down all the time in the name of a worthless love???
When you are having Memphis on his knees in front of you, how can you not choose him, ugh???
Yes, I am furious and I just need the next book, even though from the glimpses that I took in The Words, I know many things already and I know that the future will hurt like hell!!!
But Ashley had made me addicted to her kind of pain and I have a love-hate relationship with her characters and their choices!!!
"Once upon a time, a little girl made wishes on stars... Only, she didn't wish for Prince Charming like so many other little girls. She wishes for someone ugly and broken... just like she was."
Yes, this story was full of choices, most of them were totally wrong, but it was so darn addictive reading about them!!!
I adored Memphis and I mostly liked Skylar, but from time to time, my mind couldn't fully comprehend her behavior...
As for Josh??? I feel pure hatred for this guy!!! I am sad to admit it, but even though he had the ability to earn sympathy, his ways were so wrong... Sneaky and manipulative and ... Arrrrr!!! I hate him for destroying something so pure and glorious between our main heroes!!!
Just need the next part, cause I am already losing my mind and obsessing with what the future holds for this star-crossed lovers who are making my heart beat wildly!!!
"Perhaps the fortune-teller was right... But I got it wrong."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
January 23, 2023
Oh wow!!! I’m feeling so many feelings about this book. I was screaming out at Skylar in my head to woke up and smell the bs Josh has been feeding her. I wanted to bash in Josh’s head for all emotional turmoil he was putting everyone through. I mean I fell bad for what happened in his past but at some point you just have stop letting it define you (same goes for Skylar too). And Memphis, i just want to hold him tight and never let go. His behavior in The Words makes a lot of sense now. My poor poor baby!
November 8, 2024
This book grabs you and doesn't let you go!! I inhaled this book and couldn't get enough. You feel terrible the pain and suffering Skyler is going through .. the abuse. Then you have Josh and Memphis - two adoptive brothers who couldn't be more different.
Just know... it ends in a cliffhanger... 😫😭
"I suddenly feel bad for my future wife because seeing her walk down the aisle in a wedding dress will pale in comparison to seeing Skylar Meadows in a fancy purple dress…smiling at me." 🥰🥰😫🥹
**Rape
**Adopted
**loving in secret 🙊
Audible listen 🎶
Just know... it ends in a cliffhanger... 😫😭
"I suddenly feel bad for my future wife because seeing her walk down the aisle in a wedding dress will pale in comparison to seeing Skylar Meadows in a fancy purple dress…smiling at me." 🥰🥰😫🥹
**Rape
**Adopted
**loving in secret 🙊
Audible listen 🎶
March 28, 2024
Hmmmm....what can I say about The Choice....
1. It's Ashley Jade....so I already knew it was going to be good.
2. Have faith and trust in Ashley's process and vision.
This book does end on a cliffhanger, BUT...it's not one that will kill you. If you've read The Words, you know, more or less, where Ashley is going here. The Choice is the backstory of Skylar and Memphis and what led to where they were in The Words.
Memphis...oh MY Memphis. He's mine, I've claimed him...Ashley knows this. And that remains firm.
Skylar...the past she has had....wow...
This book....and I venture to guess The Consequence will be no different...well, I can FEEL Ashley Jade in this story. She puts pieces of herself in all her works, but I think between Lennon and now Skylar, you can really, truly, FEEL Ashley in these women. And I love it all the more for it.
Parts of this story are heartbreaking. Parts are endearing. Parts will make you frustrated. Parts will make you smile and laugh. It hits all the emotions and makes me that much more scared and excited for The Consequence.
1. It's Ashley Jade....so I already knew it was going to be good.
2. Have faith and trust in Ashley's process and vision.
This book does end on a cliffhanger, BUT...it's not one that will kill you. If you've read The Words, you know, more or less, where Ashley is going here. The Choice is the backstory of Skylar and Memphis and what led to where they were in The Words.
Memphis...oh MY Memphis. He's mine, I've claimed him...Ashley knows this. And that remains firm.
Skylar...the past she has had....wow...
This book....and I venture to guess The Consequence will be no different...well, I can FEEL Ashley Jade in this story. She puts pieces of herself in all her works, but I think between Lennon and now Skylar, you can really, truly, FEEL Ashley in these women. And I love it all the more for it.
Parts of this story are heartbreaking. Parts are endearing. Parts will make you frustrated. Parts will make you smile and laugh. It hits all the emotions and makes me that much more scared and excited for The Consequence.
October 6, 2023
josh such a big ass loser. he couldn’t even k word himself properly.
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