Leaving behind a shadowy past marred by a drug-addicted mother, her mother’s abusive drug dealer boyfriend, and the torment of a truck driver exploiter named Rick. Isla Frank is bound for the vibrant lights of New York City as a new fashion design school student with the love and support of her adopted dads.
Fate intervenes when her roommate persuades her to attend an off-Broadway audition. Little does Isla know that this single decision will alter the trajectory of her life. Caught in the crosshairs of the captivating and eccentric playwright Travis Jackson, she becomes the subject of his intense fascination. Drawn to her petite frame, the soft hues of her eyes, and her demure presence, Travis yearns to sculpt her into his next Broadway star and lover.
The enchantment of her playwright boyfriend’s affection and the whirlwind success of her breakout role in his latest theatrical masterpiece is an intoxicating spell. Bliss reigns until an ominous night shatters the facade. In the midst of a drunken rage, Travis's hand strikes her delicate cheek, leaving a mark not just on her skin but on their relationship. Amid apologies and forgiveness, a pattern emerges — a relentless cycle of abuse that threatens to eclipse her newfound radiance and evokes the haunting memories of her difficult childhood.
A twist of fate intervenes when an ardent patron of the arts happens upon Isla's poignant performance in Jackson's ill-fated Broadway play. Captivated by her soul-stirring portrayal and oblivious to the torment she silently bears, Gabe Gannon discovers the truth backstage. Telltale bruises mar her body, hidden behind the heavy stage make-up and costumes, that he cannot ignore. He’s driven to help, even though his intentions might not be as noble as they should be.
Isla is a single POV, age-gap, damsel-in-distress, forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, romance containing dark themes. Content warnings are available on the author’s website.
Isla, the little girl we first met when Dani rescued her in book 1, is now an adult. She’s been accepted to Parsons and lives in NYC. She’s far from her home and family in Colorado, but she’s convinced that she’s going to make a name for herself as a designer until a chance to star in an off-broadway play stumbles into her path.
Travis is the playwright and his immediate obsession with Isla is obvious from the very moment he spots her in his theater. As their unexpected relationship develops, deeper facets of his personality emerge showing him for what he is: someone to fear in the dark.
This story isn’t for the faint of the heart nor is a romantic dark romance. This is a romance with dark themes. Travis isn’t redeemable and we don’t want to love him.
His monologues make my skin crawl. The way he so easily isolates his prey without it even becoming alarming is frightening. The playroom scenes where a young woman is sexually exploring and doesn’t necessarily know her own limits because she thinks she’s in love… it’s all too much. He should be checking in on her but he doesn’t. Because he’s a jerk.
This is by far the best book of the series and it might be because of the darker subject matter that is explored. The ending, while realistic, is probably going to be controversial, but it ended as it needed too.
At the end of the day, Isla found the happily ever after she deserves in her fourth lifetime.
Thank you, Gigi, for the early copy. This review is my own thoughts and opinions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First of all, I love dark romances. This book was dark, no doubt, but it also showcased a survivor, Isla. She has been through so much in her short life, but now she is doing what she loves. She is enrolled in Parsons to fulfill her dream of becoming a fashion designer. She is living with her friend Lily, who is an aspiring actress. Lily convinces Isla to join her for an open audition for a new play. This small action changes Isla's life...
The playwright Travis takes an instant, and a bit obsessive, interest in Isla and insists she be in his play. Isla is flattered and overwhelmed, but she decides to try to make it work, juggling school and rehearsals. Travis showers Isla with attention and the two become close.
Isla meets the proper Gabe at a bookstore where they connect over love of fashion. Isla seeks out Gabe as a friend, mistakenly thinking he wasn't interested in women. Gabe is attentive and SEES Isla, which is something she is not used to.
Things take a turn for Isla and she realizes her past is repeating. She has to make some tough decisions for her future...
Wow, Isla is such a strong and resilient character! Her stage performance is the exclamation point on her decision to take back her life. This book is amazing, but please make sure to review all the content warnings prior to reading.
Isla!!!!! Isla girl you had me thinking I was you. If you have domestic violence trauma proceed with caution. Ms. Gigi ma’am you brilliantly wrote this.
I became isla I felt what she felt. I fell in-love with the wrong man with her. I ignored the good one when Isla and I BOTH KNEW the red flags . I felt every punch with my GIRLLLL isla and I was so proud of the character development that I felt like I grew in the 16 hours it took me to read this. At first I didn’t know where we were going with this broadway 🎭 then my brain started putting it together. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the shoe to drop. What broke my heart was I was in a why choose kind frame with both guys and then you threw me off the stage isla performed on and I went down the rabbit hole. 🕳️
I loved it ! I gave it a 4.5 stars because I was left wanting more depth of the post trauma but it was worth the anxiety worth the ride. Brilliantly written. I can’t even fully express. Im still reeling.
I’ll miss my little one but disrespectfully SCREWWW TRAVIS. Gabe is my husband forever with his British accent 😩
Now two go read this book so you can share my pain and mutual love.
Where to start! This book gets dark!! I was rooting for Isla when she got to NYC and when Travis pulled her into his world I wanted it to be an amazing experience…but when things unravel they get really ugly. No spoilers but you are going to feel so many emotions including rage.
Isla is not only dealing with Travis but also her past. Gabe steps into her life and is protective…but do we truly know his intentions? Isla has some amazing character growth - she has always been strong but really finds that inner strength. She started at Parsons a little fashion naive in some ways but by the end she finds her voice and her passion. This ends with a HEA!
What to expect: 🎪 Tempermental Playwright 🎭 Enemies-to-Lovers 🪡 Amatuer Off-Broadway Actress 👗 Fashion Design Student 🎪 Abusive Relationship 🎭 Damsel in Distress 🪡 Age Gap 👗 Friends-to-Lovers 🎪 Content Warnings
Wow! I am in awe of this masterpiece of a book! I did not want it to end! The heart and sole of Isla is present in every page and I was drawn to her. The thick plot had me invested from the start and holding my breath to the end. Gabe is a true heartthrob of a man! 💕 He has such a protector soul and has stolen my heart! This is now one of my top favorite books! Isla's story has so many layers and will not be forgotten in my mind forever. Beautiful work Gigi!
This 4th book in The Cañon Series, is about Isla, and what a dark and evil book. In this book we follow Isla, and hear her background history, so if you're not into rape, child abuse, running from the "Evil", then this book is not for you. My entire emotional register was running and it ran fast... You can read this as a standalone book, but I'll recommend to start with "Tomlin", because then you know who the people are which is named in this book.
This book has been building the entire Cañon Series. You could get away with reading it as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading the whole series.
This is a dark romance that will catch you off guard and probably destroy you a bit. I promise it’s worth it. I absolutely love what GiGi did with Isla’s story. It’s emotional, intense and powerful!
Please check all CW and TW before diving into this one! I’ve been patiently awaiting Isla’s story since we got introduced to her in the earlier Canon books. Omg her childhood story had me wanting to unalive people. Her first meeting with Gabe and her assumption had me cracking up. The growth of their relationship was just truly beautiful to read.
Thank you to Gigi Meier for the ARC!. The fact this was an ARC copy, in no way affects my thoughts about this book. Wow,! What a huge story. Isla is in the big city, persuing her dream of becoming a designer. After meeting the director and local creep, of the play she has managed to get herself involved in , everything in her now settled life turns to custard. I didn't like Travis from the start he definitely gave off creepy vibes! And poor Isla, with her past, was sadly attracted to him.
But there's always a flip side, well, nearly always, and in this case, that flip side came in the form of Gabe. Genuinely caring, Gabe is exactly what Isla needs in her life. He's so patient, until he's not!!!
I loved this story, it had so much to tell, but. . . .I felt Isla was like a fish out of water. It was as though she belonged more in a Bronte sisters novel, than a modern story. Her inner monolog just didn't seem to fit in with the modern setting. But, just how I felt. All in all, a great story, there are possible triggers for some people.