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Wildflower Duet #2
Die Rückkehr der Wildblumen
Wildblumen sind stark. Widerstandsfähig. Sie gedeihen unter den widrigsten Bedingungen und biegen sich im stärksten Sturm. Aber sie brechen nicht. Niemals.
Es hat einige Zeit gedauert, bis ich erkennen konnte, dass es in manchen Momenten notwendig ist loszulassen. Egal, wie stark die Liebe ist.
Manchmal gibt es jemanden, für den man stark sein und weitermachen muss und der einen mehr braucht.
Ich habe eine Entscheidung getroffen. Eine folgenreiche Entscheidung.
Und trotzdem hoffe ich, dass eines Tages die Liebe zu mir zurückfindet.
Fortsetzung der Wildflower Duet Reihe von Micalea Smeltzer. Wir empfehlen, die Bücher in der korrekten Reihenfolge zu lesen.
Es hat einige Zeit gedauert, bis ich erkennen konnte, dass es in manchen Momenten notwendig ist loszulassen. Egal, wie stark die Liebe ist.
Manchmal gibt es jemanden, für den man stark sein und weitermachen muss und der einen mehr braucht.
Ich habe eine Entscheidung getroffen. Eine folgenreiche Entscheidung.
Und trotzdem hoffe ich, dass eines Tages die Liebe zu mir zurückfindet.
Fortsetzung der Wildflower Duet Reihe von Micalea Smeltzer. Wir empfehlen, die Bücher in der korrekten Reihenfolge zu lesen.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
1626 people are currently reading
17487 people want to read
About the author
Micalea Smeltzer
86 books6,705 followersMicalea Smeltzer is an author from Northern Virginia. Her two dogs, Ollie and Remy, are her constant companions. As a kidney transplant recipient she's dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation. When she's not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,569 reviews
March 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
ok so this was not good but it was feel good. in other words it was an overly long epilogue. all this story consists of is feel good moments and a HEA. i don’t regret reading it and i’m happy it all ended the way it did but there was just too much filler writing for me to give this a higher rating.
i love these characters and that’s about it. i was waiting for something huge to happen in this book but nothing did. this whole duet could’ve easily been a stand-alone if half of the filler writing was cut out. ngl it was fun and cute just reading about the characters living, laughing, and loving but it quickly got repetitive and dare i say boring.
i don’t regret reading this story and connecting to it but if you don’t end up reading it, you ain’t missing out on much. but if you’re in the mood to read something quick and easy then go for it.
ok so this was not good but it was feel good. in other words it was an overly long epilogue. all this story consists of is feel good moments and a HEA. i don’t regret reading it and i’m happy it all ended the way it did but there was just too much filler writing for me to give this a higher rating.
i love these characters and that’s about it. i was waiting for something huge to happen in this book but nothing did. this whole duet could’ve easily been a stand-alone if half of the filler writing was cut out. ngl it was fun and cute just reading about the characters living, laughing, and loving but it quickly got repetitive and dare i say boring.
i don’t regret reading this story and connecting to it but if you don’t end up reading it, you ain’t missing out on much. but if you’re in the mood to read something quick and easy then go for it.
April 16, 2022
This couldn't have been more disappointing.
There was no point of this book, it could've easily been an epilogue in the first one. It honestly felt like the author didn't have any heart in writing this. It's so mediocre.
✔️Age gap
✔️Second chances
✔️Small town
✔️Time jump (hated it)
✔️HEA
⚠️Trigger warnings- Cancer, death, grief⚠️
What I didn't like-
1. Salem. She's become selfish in this one. Some of the decisions she made were questionable. Caleb and Thayer both deserve better. I would not even want to be friends with a character like that👀Also, she's obviously older in this one but she still talks like an 18 year old.
2. The author took so much of Thayer's personality away and reduced it to- "I love Salem." I loved his character in the first book, he was his own man. He was rugged; this one made him soft (not in a good way) and he's total pushover. My guy doesn't even want to express his emotions in fear of losing her. That's not healthy.
3. The way the author didn't address the trauma of the last book. Why even write a sequel if you plan to skip those events? Beyond me.
4. Nothing happens in this book. It's ALL repetitive. No drama. Same dialogues, same inner monologues being repeated. (I skimmed through the last 20% and I have no regrets).
What I liked-
Thayer and Caleb🤌
I hope Caleb gets his own book because if it's anyone who deserves a happy ending, it's him.
As you can see the bad outweigh the good in this one. I would NOT recommend this book. You can read the first one and I still do recommend it, but if you wanna know the events after the cliffhanger- just contact me, I'll summarise this whole book for you. Overall, Resurrection of Wildflowers is a waste of time🛑
There was no point of this book, it could've easily been an epilogue in the first one. It honestly felt like the author didn't have any heart in writing this. It's so mediocre.
✔️Age gap
✔️Second chances
✔️Small town
✔️Time jump (hated it)
✔️HEA
⚠️Trigger warnings- Cancer, death, grief⚠️
What I didn't like-
1. Salem. She's become selfish in this one. Some of the decisions she made were questionable. Caleb and Thayer both deserve better. I would not even want to be friends with a character like that👀Also, she's obviously older in this one but she still talks like an 18 year old.
2. The author took so much of Thayer's personality away and reduced it to- "I love Salem." I loved his character in the first book, he was his own man. He was rugged; this one made him soft (not in a good way) and he's total pushover. My guy doesn't even want to express his emotions in fear of losing her. That's not healthy.
3. The way the author didn't address the trauma of the last book. Why even write a sequel if you plan to skip those events? Beyond me.
4. Nothing happens in this book. It's ALL repetitive. No drama. Same dialogues, same inner monologues being repeated. (I skimmed through the last 20% and I have no regrets).
What I liked-
Thayer and Caleb🤌
I hope Caleb gets his own book because if it's anyone who deserves a happy ending, it's him.
As you can see the bad outweigh the good in this one. I would NOT recommend this book. You can read the first one and I still do recommend it, but if you wanna know the events after the cliffhanger- just contact me, I'll summarise this whole book for you. Overall, Resurrection of Wildflowers is a waste of time🛑
April 10, 2022
idk how this managed to make me really sad, very angry, and a lil happy all at once but here we are.
April 4, 2022
“He lost everything but I lost myself.”
The tagline for this book should’ve been a major red flag itself. Salem’s had a really rough go at things. She only chose to pick and up move to NYC, pregnant with Thayer’s child, and marries her ex boyfriend that she cheated on for no good reason. She knew this entire time she didn’t love Caleb like she loved Thayer but she was okay with marrying him and letting him become attached to her daughter. Nothing Salem went through, outside of what happened in her childhood, can be compared to losing a child. Every single thing she’s done has been about her and her only.
Salem is a character you can’t root for. The “woe is me, I had to do what I could to protect my kid” act was exhausting. She was never put at risk by Thayer in any way. He was grieving. He lost a child. She gave up ten days in and moved to a different city. In those six years, she never thought to reach out to him and waited for him to do so. Six years later, he still has no idea they have a daughter until the 30% mark. And his reaction? Very tame and apologetic. I have no idea why he’s apologizing or not the slightest bit upset. What man is okay with his child being kept from him for six years? “Life is too short” says Thayer, short enough that those lost six years with your child should matter. I also felt bad for Caleb. He’s done nothing but be a good guy and man. It’s unfortunate he liked Salem of all girls.
The tagline for this book should’ve been a major red flag itself. Salem’s had a really rough go at things. She only chose to pick and up move to NYC, pregnant with Thayer’s child, and marries her ex boyfriend that she cheated on for no good reason. She knew this entire time she didn’t love Caleb like she loved Thayer but she was okay with marrying him and letting him become attached to her daughter. Nothing Salem went through, outside of what happened in her childhood, can be compared to losing a child. Every single thing she’s done has been about her and her only.
Salem is a character you can’t root for. The “woe is me, I had to do what I could to protect my kid” act was exhausting. She was never put at risk by Thayer in any way. He was grieving. He lost a child. She gave up ten days in and moved to a different city. In those six years, she never thought to reach out to him and waited for him to do so. Six years later, he still has no idea they have a daughter until the 30% mark. And his reaction? Very tame and apologetic. I have no idea why he’s apologizing or not the slightest bit upset. What man is okay with his child being kept from him for six years? “Life is too short” says Thayer, short enough that those lost six years with your child should matter. I also felt bad for Caleb. He’s done nothing but be a good guy and man. It’s unfortunate he liked Salem of all girls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2022
Okay so I really loved the first book but I was slightly disappointed with this book.
I think this book focused a bit too much on a new story line and I somehow felt like the issues from the first book weren’t addressed enough in here and it almost seemed like the ending of the first book was slightly forgotten.
Don’t get me wrong there was still the sadness that carried on from the first book but some actions, especially by the male mc, weren’t what I thought someone that age would act like which okay it’s fiction but I still was disappointed at where we started of.
The first chapter was rushed and it felt like a lot of info was just thrown into my face.
I also am slightly disappointed with what Caleb’s future entails. He deserves his own book and second chance and I really hope Will still see it
I think this book focused a bit too much on a new story line and I somehow felt like the issues from the first book weren’t addressed enough in here and it almost seemed like the ending of the first book was slightly forgotten.
Don’t get me wrong there was still the sadness that carried on from the first book but some actions, especially by the male mc, weren’t what I thought someone that age would act like which okay it’s fiction but I still was disappointed at where we started of.
The first chapter was rushed and it felt like a lot of info was just thrown into my face.
I also am slightly disappointed with what Caleb’s future entails. He deserves his own book and second chance and I really hope Will still see it
April 5, 2022
*sighs
You have no idea how much I was looking forward to reading this book. I felt like it was always at the forefront in my mind and the excitement level that I had for this, was indescribable. I wanted it, craved it, thought about it and practically screamed when I was given a chance to read it early. But after finishing this, the only thing that I feel right now is pure disappointment.
If you've read my review for The Confidence Of Wildflowers, then you know how much I loved it. This book picks up six years later and Salem is now back in the town where she spent her teenage years. They say time heal all wounds but for Salem, seeing the house next door is anything but soothing and coming face to face with the owner is heartbreaking all over again. But she's now older and is determined to do the one thing right that brought her back home. If only she can keep her heart in check.
I don't want to delve too much into this story seeing that this is a duet but I do have a few things I need to say. First off after reading this book, it should've just been one book only. This felt extremely unnecessary and the only thing that I felt was my blood boiling and utter disappointment. I was rooting for this story so damn hard and even though we got an HEA, I feel like it could've been in the first book as an extended epilogue. Nothing really happened and this only made me not like one of the main characters but I feel like everyone was trying to overlook a lot of things and make that person feel better OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
With that being said, I really enjoyed the first book and it's going down as one of my favorite reads for the year but for this one? I don't know what happened but this was not it and it didn't work for me at all. I love this author's writing and I think if you're looking for a good slow burn forbidden romance, then you should read her other book Sweet Dandelion. I know that not everyone is going to love the same books and what didn't work for me, just might be the thing that makes another reader fall in love with the story.
July 22, 2022
2⭑
I went into this book with high expectations and was left extremely disappointed, which is so annoying because I thought the story had so much potential.
The last book ended somewhat on a cliff hanger with Salem finding out she is pregnant with Thayer’s baby. I thought the second book would pick up right from where it left off but instead it takes place 5-6 years later!
During Salem and Thayer’s 5 year separation, they did not communicate or reach out to one another so Thayer has no idea about their daughter.
I thought this book would maybe be more of a slow burn as I assumed there would be a lot of grovelling on both Thayer’s side (for how he treated her before their break up) and from Salem’s side (for keeping their daughter a secret) but by 30% both characters forgave each other, and very easily at that.
I should’ve DNFd this book honestly, because nothing happens in the 70% that follows. Literally nothing. The rest of the book is Thayer and Salem having their HEA. It felt like an unnecessarily long epilogue.
Thank you Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I went into this book with high expectations and was left extremely disappointed, which is so annoying because I thought the story had so much potential.
The last book ended somewhat on a cliff hanger with Salem finding out she is pregnant with Thayer’s baby. I thought the second book would pick up right from where it left off but instead it takes place 5-6 years later!
During Salem and Thayer’s 5 year separation, they did not communicate or reach out to one another so Thayer has no idea about their daughter.
I thought this book would maybe be more of a slow burn as I assumed there would be a lot of grovelling on both Thayer’s side (for how he treated her before their break up) and from Salem’s side (for keeping their daughter a secret) but by 30% both characters forgave each other, and very easily at that.
I should’ve DNFd this book honestly, because nothing happens in the 70% that follows. Literally nothing. The rest of the book is Thayer and Salem having their HEA. It felt like an unnecessarily long epilogue.
Thank you Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 14, 2024
By the end of book one I was in desperate need of answers, so the minute I could get my hands on this book I devoured every word.
If I’m be honest, this story didn’t go at all how I thought it would. Book one ended in so much heartbreak, and book 2 fixes all of that. This story focus’ more on the growth of the characters. Seeing the characters finally get to be happy. There are still some triggers in book 2 but not nearly as heartbreaking.
Salem and Thayer have grown so much, and over come so much separately, that getting to see them navigate life and love together, overcoming their pasts was wonderful to see. Thayer is so perfect at times I could hardly handle it. He is truly selfless in my opinion and puts a lot of his issues on the back burner for others in his life. Salem has also matured a lot from book 1, there were some choices she made that I struggled with at first, but by the end it was all worth it.
This story, was a beautiful ending, filled with closure these characters have really come a long way, and throughout their journey have shown how meant to be they are. I definitely recommend going into this Story with an open mind, you will get all the answers you are looking for by the end of book one, and your heart will be heavy and full.
If I’m be honest, this story didn’t go at all how I thought it would. Book one ended in so much heartbreak, and book 2 fixes all of that. This story focus’ more on the growth of the characters. Seeing the characters finally get to be happy. There are still some triggers in book 2 but not nearly as heartbreaking.
Salem and Thayer have grown so much, and over come so much separately, that getting to see them navigate life and love together, overcoming their pasts was wonderful to see. Thayer is so perfect at times I could hardly handle it. He is truly selfless in my opinion and puts a lot of his issues on the back burner for others in his life. Salem has also matured a lot from book 1, there were some choices she made that I struggled with at first, but by the end it was all worth it.
This story, was a beautiful ending, filled with closure these characters have really come a long way, and throughout their journey have shown how meant to be they are. I definitely recommend going into this Story with an open mind, you will get all the answers you are looking for by the end of book one, and your heart will be heavy and full.
June 13, 2023
I just have one word for this book :
UNNECESSARY
Now, before you read this review, refer to my review of the first book to understand this better: (if you haven't read the duet)
MY REVIEW of the first book : TCOW
I'm gonna sum it up real quick okay?
It is unnecessary AS A BOOK because this should have been an epilogue or just an extended chapter of the first book.
It literally doesn't have ANYTHING, i mean it ANYTHING necessary to it to be dragged upto 200+ pages.
Let's see how that epilogue/chapter would go :
Beware of the spoilers ahead!
Now, six years have passed, and during that time, Salem became a mother to her five-year-old child named Seda. She started a relationship with Caleb and eventually married him, although she knew deep down that she could never love him the same way she loved Thayer. Being a scientist who enjoys experimenting on unsuspecting individuals, she married Caleb with the belief that she could develop love for him.
However, things took a turn when Caleb expressed his desire to have more children, serving as a reality check for Salem. They ended up divorcing. Despite this, Caleb remains a significant figure in her life since Seda refers to him as "daddy." Seda understands that she has two fathers, accepting the situation.
Fast forward six years later, Salem's mother's cancer resurfaces, prompting Salem to return to her hometown. There, she reconnects with Thayer, who asks her out on a date. Salem agrees, and a few weeks later, they decide to move in together. As time goes by, Salem and Thayer contemplate having more children and eventually get married. To ensure that Caleb remains involved in Seda's life, he moves in next door, occupying Salem's deceased mother's home. This arrangement was Caleb's idea, as Salem isn't particularly concerned about potentially separating Caleb and Seda in the pursuit of her own happiness.
The End
Happily Ever After.
That's it! That's the whole book.
So.... tell me why this couldn't happen in the first book?
Anyways, one aspect that continues to both amaze and bother me is how every character in this duet consistently praises Salem, emphasizing her goodness, selflessness, and the need for her to be less hard on herself. They highlight how she always prioritizes others over herself and shouldn't judge herself so harshly. However, the moment Caleb acts slightly out of character, which isn't even a selfish act, he is immediately labeled as selfish, and the DNA card is played. Take a look at the following not-so-subtle dialogue:
"No offense to Caleb, but you're her mom. I don't just mean that in the DNA sense. You're the one who's stayed at home with her and all that. Besides, he works long hours. I don't think he can be as stable for her as he'd like to think he can be. He's being selfish. Seda needs to be with you, and he can have her some weekends."
I mean, the man raised her child, doesn't want to separate from her, and understandably wants to maintain a connection with her for a little longer. And that's too much to ask?
Regardless, he reconciles with Salem shortly after that incident.
Honestly, I did prefer this second part more than the first, but I still think it was completely unnecessary.
Although, this reluctance I feel towards reading Caleb's story (if he ever gets one) stems from the fact that, as much as I dislike a character who is a pushover, someone who settles for being a consolation prize, Caleb's decision to marry Salem and everything else places him in that category in my eyes. But hey, at least he didn't cheat on his deserving girlfriend.
I received a early copy of the book in exchange for my honest review
UNNECESSARY
Now, before you read this review, refer to my review of the first book to understand this better: (if you haven't read the duet)
MY REVIEW of the first book : TCOW
I'm gonna sum it up real quick okay?
It is unnecessary AS A BOOK because this should have been an epilogue or just an extended chapter of the first book.
It literally doesn't have ANYTHING, i mean it ANYTHING necessary to it to be dragged upto 200+ pages.
Let's see how that epilogue/chapter would go :
Beware of the spoilers ahead!
Now, six years have passed, and during that time, Salem became a mother to her five-year-old child named Seda. She started a relationship with Caleb and eventually married him, although she knew deep down that she could never love him the same way she loved Thayer. Being a scientist who enjoys experimenting on unsuspecting individuals, she married Caleb with the belief that she could develop love for him.
However, things took a turn when Caleb expressed his desire to have more children, serving as a reality check for Salem. They ended up divorcing. Despite this, Caleb remains a significant figure in her life since Seda refers to him as "daddy." Seda understands that she has two fathers, accepting the situation.
Fast forward six years later, Salem's mother's cancer resurfaces, prompting Salem to return to her hometown. There, she reconnects with Thayer, who asks her out on a date. Salem agrees, and a few weeks later, they decide to move in together. As time goes by, Salem and Thayer contemplate having more children and eventually get married. To ensure that Caleb remains involved in Seda's life, he moves in next door, occupying Salem's deceased mother's home. This arrangement was Caleb's idea, as Salem isn't particularly concerned about potentially separating Caleb and Seda in the pursuit of her own happiness.
The End
Happily Ever After.
That's it! That's the whole book.
So.... tell me why this couldn't happen in the first book?
Anyways, one aspect that continues to both amaze and bother me is how every character in this duet consistently praises Salem, emphasizing her goodness, selflessness, and the need for her to be less hard on herself. They highlight how she always prioritizes others over herself and shouldn't judge herself so harshly. However, the moment Caleb acts slightly out of character, which isn't even a selfish act, he is immediately labeled as selfish, and the DNA card is played. Take a look at the following not-so-subtle dialogue:
"No offense to Caleb, but you're her mom. I don't just mean that in the DNA sense. You're the one who's stayed at home with her and all that. Besides, he works long hours. I don't think he can be as stable for her as he'd like to think he can be. He's being selfish. Seda needs to be with you, and he can have her some weekends."
I mean, the man raised her child, doesn't want to separate from her, and understandably wants to maintain a connection with her for a little longer. And that's too much to ask?
Regardless, he reconciles with Salem shortly after that incident.
Honestly, I did prefer this second part more than the first, but I still think it was completely unnecessary.
Although, this reluctance I feel towards reading Caleb's story (if he ever gets one) stems from the fact that, as much as I dislike a character who is a pushover, someone who settles for being a consolation prize, Caleb's decision to marry Salem and everything else places him in that category in my eyes. But hey, at least he didn't cheat on his deserving girlfriend.
I received a early copy of the book in exchange for my honest review
November 18, 2022
2.25 stars
I feel like this story is like a failed meal…no matter how much spice you add, it still tastes bland.
If you thought that adding a kid to the picture would help us get some kind of reaction from the characters, then you’ve guessed wrong.
The heroine moves away, got a kid, marries another guy so easily. Got divorced so easily, I mean ofc because the guy is just so understanding and chill. Comes back home, met her first love and oh the father of her six years old kid and look at that, she falls for him again so easily. They came back together so easily. And yes there’s still the kid who she eventually told him about and you might wonder about his reaction which was…yes so okay and chill!
How could a guy be so okay and accept the fact that the heroine hide his kid from him for six years?? Please answer that for me because maybe I’m the cynical non-understanding person and he’s just the “perfect understanding” man who just loves her so much!
I feel like this story is like a failed meal…no matter how much spice you add, it still tastes bland.
If you thought that adding a kid to the picture would help us get some kind of reaction from the characters, then you’ve guessed wrong.
The heroine moves away, got a kid, marries another guy so easily. Got divorced so easily, I mean ofc because the guy is just so understanding and chill. Comes back home, met her first love and oh the father of her six years old kid and look at that, she falls for him again so easily. They came back together so easily. And yes there’s still the kid who she eventually told him about and you might wonder about his reaction which was…yes so okay and chill!
How could a guy be so okay and accept the fact that the heroine hide his kid from him for six years?? Please answer that for me because maybe I’m the cynical non-understanding person and he’s just the “perfect understanding” man who just loves her so much!
April 27, 2025
This book had the potential to be a strong sequel to
“The Confidence of Wildflowers”
but it gets lost in unnecessary details and lacks purpose. The writing is clean and emotional, but it often gets bogged down with overly descriptive moments. Skipping six years in the timeline feels like a missed opportunity to explore what happened immediately after the first book and would have added depth and engagement.
The love between the characters is clear, but their journey drags toward an ending that feels overly neat and predictable. Rather than offering something new, this book comes across as a lengthy and unnecessary sequel to the first - this could have been wrapped up in the first book.
While the book carries a tone of humbleness and positivity, it ultimately feels more like a life lesson than an engaging story. Two stars—for the emotions it captures—but as a sequel, it doesn't justify its existence.
The love between the characters is clear, but their journey drags toward an ending that feels overly neat and predictable. Rather than offering something new, this book comes across as a lengthy and unnecessary sequel to the first - this could have been wrapped up in the first book.
While the book carries a tone of humbleness and positivity, it ultimately feels more like a life lesson than an engaging story. Two stars—for the emotions it captures—but as a sequel, it doesn't justify its existence.
April 9, 2022
After that cliffhanger waiting a week felt like an eternity. So, you can imagine how stoked I was to get my hands on this one.
The beginning brings us six years after the end of the last book and Salem has returned to be with her dying mother.
This story is the epitome of bittersweet, much like it’s predecessor. For every step forward there was at least one step back. Micalea definitely likes to keep you on your toes.
Oh the peonies 🥺
Every character felt supernaturally mature and understanding which was great. At the same time I missed the drama that Thayer’s ex provided in the first book.
Ugh, I feel so bad for Caleb. Why does he have to be so perfect?!
There might be nothing sweeter or more emotional than this little girl talking to her brother’s grave.
Omg Caleb is so incredibly sweet. Please tell me he gets a book! I literally started crying. I’m pretty sure I love him more than them.
Overall this one left me on the precipice of loving it. I felt like everything resolved too soon yet I did enjoy all the sweetness this couple provided. I’m thankful that every loose end was tied up.
The beginning brings us six years after the end of the last book and Salem has returned to be with her dying mother.
This story is the epitome of bittersweet, much like it’s predecessor. For every step forward there was at least one step back. Micalea definitely likes to keep you on your toes.
Oh the peonies 🥺
Every character felt supernaturally mature and understanding which was great. At the same time I missed the drama that Thayer’s ex provided in the first book.
Ugh, I feel so bad for Caleb. Why does he have to be so perfect?!
There might be nothing sweeter or more emotional than this little girl talking to her brother’s grave.
Omg Caleb is so incredibly sweet. Please tell me he gets a book! I literally started crying. I’m pretty sure I love him more than them.
Overall this one left me on the precipice of loving it. I felt like everything resolved too soon yet I did enjoy all the sweetness this couple provided. I’m thankful that every loose end was tied up.
August 1, 2022
4.75 ⭐️
i love this duet so so much. and this book was truly everything. i loved how everything ended and came together. thayer and salem have both been through so much, they deserve the world and all the happiness. these two are truly so special 🥺
i love this duet so so much. and this book was truly everything. i loved how everything ended and came together. thayer and salem have both been through so much, they deserve the world and all the happiness. these two are truly so special 🥺
April 30, 2022
This was one of the cringiest books I’ve ever read. The writing was repetitive and the main character was so unlikable it physically pained me. I went into this story with no hope and it was still worse than I originally thought
February 7, 2024
To była jedna z najnudniejszych książek z jakimi miałam do czynienia.
Tu powinno być sporo emocji, ona wraca po 6 latach i jak w końcu się pierwszy raz widzą to powinno być niezręczne W KIJ. Biorąc pod uwagę to jak się rozstali to już w ogóle.
A tam słodko pierdzaco i wszystko git. A ta pierwsza rozmowa? Ona w sumie odrazu powiedziała mu, że jest w nim zakochana (???????).
Druga drama powinna być o dzieciaka. UKRYWAŁA PRZED NIM PRZEZ 6 LAT DZIECIAKA! I co? A no jajo. Nic, zero dramy, zero jakiegoś problemu. Zero dłuższej rozmowy o tym. N U D A
Nierealistyczna śmierć matki.
Wszyscy są do bólu wyrozumiali i kochani.
Nie ma tu nic ciekawego.
Zanudziła mnie ta książka na śmierć.
Przydługi epilog, a nie drugi tom.
Tu powinno być sporo emocji, ona wraca po 6 latach i jak w końcu się pierwszy raz widzą to powinno być niezręczne W KIJ. Biorąc pod uwagę to jak się rozstali to już w ogóle.
A tam słodko pierdzaco i wszystko git. A ta pierwsza rozmowa? Ona w sumie odrazu powiedziała mu, że jest w nim zakochana (???????).
Druga drama powinna być o dzieciaka. UKRYWAŁA PRZED NIM PRZEZ 6 LAT DZIECIAKA! I co? A no jajo. Nic, zero dramy, zero jakiegoś problemu. Zero dłuższej rozmowy o tym. N U D A
Nierealistyczna śmierć matki.
Wszyscy są do bólu wyrozumiali i kochani.
Nie ma tu nic ciekawego.
Zanudziła mnie ta książka na śmierć.
Przydługi epilog, a nie drugi tom.
April 7, 2022
DNF!!!
I can't!!! Salem is so unlikeable and so uninspiring. The rest of the characters are just page fillers. A very unnecessary sequel, zero character development and a useless plot line.
I can't!!! Salem is so unlikeable and so uninspiring. The rest of the characters are just page fillers. A very unnecessary sequel, zero character development and a useless plot line.
June 12, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3rd reread)
''It's like I can finally breathe again''
Safety warnings:
- H 37 / h 25
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Loss of loved ones
- Terminal illness
- Grief
- Mention of domestic violence/r*pe
- Mention of child s*xual abuse
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
This book my god.
This whole book was concentrating on healing and moving forward.
We fast forward to years later to see how much has changed and how much nothing has.
Salem has stayed away for years - concentrating on raising her daughter. She married and divorced her high school bf (Caleb) who stepped up to be the father her child needed and to be a husband Salem could have gotten if she had never met Thayer.
We find out why Salem gave up at the end and never went back to visit her town. She stayed away for years. Salem spent the summer when she found out she was pregnant and living in NYC trying to get Thayer to heal and be with her, but he suffered and never truly attempted it. He would get drunk and on the last time they ever saw each other he spewed words of hatred and regret (he never remembered this moment, but Salem did and walked away for good).
Thayer has not moved from the town, nor has he moved from Salem. I love that he stayed in love with her and actually stayed alone rather than filling his life with meaningless flings. A celibate hero is my weakness.
He finds out early he has a daughter and his remorse for how he handled things is heartbreaking. His attempt to fix their relationship and the years he missed. He bought all her candles as this was all he had left of her and creating the nursery with her favorite flowers (swoon).
They loved each other and it showed. I can't help but feel giddy towards how it was handled.
I adored how well Caleb's character was handled, there was no bitterness, no resentment. He truly was a great guy and was such a wonderful father to Seda. He stepped up and Thayer even felt absolutely grateful for it. I also appreciated how they did not lie to anyone and tell people that Caleb was her biological father.
Salem named their daughter Seda, and it means ''spirit of the forest'' an homage to Forrest. I loved that she did not keep Thayer and Forrest's existence from Seda and had her understanding what happened and why they were not around.
It broke my heart when her mother died, I also felt like it was unfair for her to have died and never getting to fall in love and understand that her husband’s actions were not all that she deserved in this life, but she had the love of her daughters and granddaughter to keep her going.
Thayer and Salem spend most of this book fixing what was broken and reconnecting. They never fell out of love. To me her marrying Caleb and spending years away from Thayer was in a way needed? She needed to grow up and have experiences that he so desperately wanted her to have and why he pushed her away. They both met each other again with a bigger understanding that their love was the ultimate one and they needed to never let go.
You felt the loss of Forrest throughout the pages, his memory lived on and I could not help but get teary eyed whenever Thayer remembered his son and what he would have been like if he had survived.
Thank you, Micaela, for this wonderful duology. One of my favorites.
''It's like I can finally breathe again''
Safety warnings:
- H 37 / h 25
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Loss of loved ones
- Terminal illness
- Grief
- Mention of domestic violence/r*pe
- Mention of child s*xual abuse
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
This book my god.
This whole book was concentrating on healing and moving forward.
We fast forward to years later to see how much has changed and how much nothing has.
Salem has stayed away for years - concentrating on raising her daughter. She married and divorced her high school bf (Caleb) who stepped up to be the father her child needed and to be a husband Salem could have gotten if she had never met Thayer.
We find out why Salem gave up at the end and never went back to visit her town. She stayed away for years. Salem spent the summer when she found out she was pregnant and living in NYC trying to get Thayer to heal and be with her, but he suffered and never truly attempted it. He would get drunk and on the last time they ever saw each other he spewed words of hatred and regret (he never remembered this moment, but Salem did and walked away for good).
Thayer has not moved from the town, nor has he moved from Salem. I love that he stayed in love with her and actually stayed alone rather than filling his life with meaningless flings. A celibate hero is my weakness.
He finds out early he has a daughter and his remorse for how he handled things is heartbreaking. His attempt to fix their relationship and the years he missed. He bought all her candles as this was all he had left of her and creating the nursery with her favorite flowers (swoon).
They loved each other and it showed. I can't help but feel giddy towards how it was handled.
I adored how well Caleb's character was handled, there was no bitterness, no resentment. He truly was a great guy and was such a wonderful father to Seda. He stepped up and Thayer even felt absolutely grateful for it. I also appreciated how they did not lie to anyone and tell people that Caleb was her biological father.
Salem named their daughter Seda, and it means ''spirit of the forest'' an homage to Forrest. I loved that she did not keep Thayer and Forrest's existence from Seda and had her understanding what happened and why they were not around.
It broke my heart when her mother died, I also felt like it was unfair for her to have died and never getting to fall in love and understand that her husband’s actions were not all that she deserved in this life, but she had the love of her daughters and granddaughter to keep her going.
Thayer and Salem spend most of this book fixing what was broken and reconnecting. They never fell out of love. To me her marrying Caleb and spending years away from Thayer was in a way needed? She needed to grow up and have experiences that he so desperately wanted her to have and why he pushed her away. They both met each other again with a bigger understanding that their love was the ultimate one and they needed to never let go.
You felt the loss of Forrest throughout the pages, his memory lived on and I could not help but get teary eyed whenever Thayer remembered his son and what he would have been like if he had survived.
Thank you, Micaela, for this wonderful duology. One of my favorites.
April 6, 2022
- I read a spoiler and what I did not want happening is EXACTLY what happened and I’m PISSED
- I’m still gonna read it but idk how I’m gonna like it now. It’s just a matter of finishing not actually enjoying it.
- what was the point of marrying him????? I can see the need for the time jump. And not telling him above seda. But why marry him??? KNOWING you love another man more.
- god I hate this girl
- Omg…. To let her daughter believe another man is her dad….To let Caleb into her life
- no seriously what what the point of marrying him if the book was gonna start with a divorce?
- girl… I get you’re mad at him because he wouldn’t talk to you but he LOST HIS CHILD. While the child was IN HIS CARE. GOD stop being so selfish. You barely gave him a chance
- Caleb stepped up to the plate because you NEVER TOLD THAYER. THAYER JUST LOST A CHILD. God this idiot
- you’re right you’re not a perfect person. But you are the stupidest one in the book
- you never planned on keeping seda a secret??? Really? I’m supposed to believe that when she thinks someone else is her dad? SHES never heard of Thayer?
- the audacity of this girl to ask why he never contacted her when she goes and marries another guy
- ok good nvm. She told her daughter about him atleast thank god
- Thayer needs to be more mad at her. What she did was shitty
- I think she’s so selfish. Getting married on her best friends bachelorette party?
- i don’t get it. Why are both guys so in love with her.
- both Thayer and Caleb are too good for her. I just don’t get it
- god I hated this. She did NOTHING. Both Caleb and Thayer constantly doing things to show how they care for her. What did she do? NOTHING.
- I’m so glad I’m done but I’m so disappointed.
She’s pregnant with Thayer kid. There’s a 6 year time jump and she married Caleb. Caleb the guy SHE cheated on. She kept a KID from Thayer. I hate her character. So much. It started so good. I am so upset about it. I was looking forward to this duet for so long. I can sympathize with everyone EXCEPT her
- I’m still gonna read it but idk how I’m gonna like it now. It’s just a matter of finishing not actually enjoying it.
- what was the point of marrying him????? I can see the need for the time jump. And not telling him above seda. But why marry him??? KNOWING you love another man more.
- god I hate this girl
- Omg…. To let her daughter believe another man is her dad….To let Caleb into her life
- no seriously what what the point of marrying him if the book was gonna start with a divorce?
- girl… I get you’re mad at him because he wouldn’t talk to you but he LOST HIS CHILD. While the child was IN HIS CARE. GOD stop being so selfish. You barely gave him a chance
- Caleb stepped up to the plate because you NEVER TOLD THAYER. THAYER JUST LOST A CHILD. God this idiot
- you’re right you’re not a perfect person. But you are the stupidest one in the book
- you never planned on keeping seda a secret??? Really? I’m supposed to believe that when she thinks someone else is her dad? SHES never heard of Thayer?
- the audacity of this girl to ask why he never contacted her when she goes and marries another guy
- ok good nvm. She told her daughter about him atleast thank god
- Thayer needs to be more mad at her. What she did was shitty
- I think she’s so selfish. Getting married on her best friends bachelorette party?
- i don’t get it. Why are both guys so in love with her.
- both Thayer and Caleb are too good for her. I just don’t get it
- god I hated this. She did NOTHING. Both Caleb and Thayer constantly doing things to show how they care for her. What did she do? NOTHING.
- I’m so glad I’m done but I’m so disappointed.
She’s pregnant with Thayer kid. There’s a 6 year time jump and she married Caleb. Caleb the guy SHE cheated on. She kept a KID from Thayer. I hate her character. So much. It started so good. I am so upset about it. I was looking forward to this duet for so long. I can sympathize with everyone EXCEPT her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2024
4,5- ✨
« 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒊𝒔, 𝒄𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒍’𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒖 𝒅𝒆́𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕. »
j’avais adoré la résilience des fleurs sauvages et si vous l’avez lu, vous savez pourquoi j’attendais cette suite avec impatience.
je n’ai ni envie de spoiler le tome 1 ni celui-ci donc je vais tenter de rester en surface le plus possible-
j’ai adoré retrouver l’univers de ce diptyque, retrouver la petite ville de Hawthorne Mills, ce sentiment si réconfortant des small town, une vraie safe place.
ce tome se déroule 6 ans (oui six années) après la fin du tome 1 (rien que ça)
je ne savais pas à quoi m’attendre mais j’ai tout adoré- cette deuxième partie m’a chamboulée, je suis honorée d’avoir pu découvrir la conclusion de l’histoire de Salem & Thayer.
j’ai ressenti un nombre incalculable d’émotions au cours de ma lecture, c’était émouvant et bien rythmé. c’est comme un gros épilogue de 377 pages. un roman qui aborde la seconde chance avec perfection mais aussi le deuil, le droit au bonheur, j’ai adoré les questionnements soulevés par cette suite.
merci à Roncière pour l'envoi, le livre sort le 29 août en librairie 💐
— "𝘤𝘦𝘶𝘹 𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵- 𝘱𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢̀ 𝘦𝘶𝘹. 𝘦𝘵 𝘤'𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘯'𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘦̂𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘪 𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘭."
« 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒊𝒔, 𝒄𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒍’𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒖 𝒅𝒆́𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕. »
j’avais adoré la résilience des fleurs sauvages et si vous l’avez lu, vous savez pourquoi j’attendais cette suite avec impatience.
je n’ai ni envie de spoiler le tome 1 ni celui-ci donc je vais tenter de rester en surface le plus possible-
j’ai adoré retrouver l’univers de ce diptyque, retrouver la petite ville de Hawthorne Mills, ce sentiment si réconfortant des small town, une vraie safe place.
ce tome se déroule 6 ans (oui six années) après la fin du tome 1 (rien que ça)
je ne savais pas à quoi m’attendre mais j’ai tout adoré- cette deuxième partie m’a chamboulée, je suis honorée d’avoir pu découvrir la conclusion de l’histoire de Salem & Thayer.
j’ai ressenti un nombre incalculable d’émotions au cours de ma lecture, c’était émouvant et bien rythmé. c’est comme un gros épilogue de 377 pages. un roman qui aborde la seconde chance avec perfection mais aussi le deuil, le droit au bonheur, j’ai adoré les questionnements soulevés par cette suite.
merci à Roncière pour l'envoi, le livre sort le 29 août en librairie 💐
— "𝘤𝘦𝘶𝘹 𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵- 𝘱𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢̀ 𝘦𝘶𝘹. 𝘦𝘵 𝘤'𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘯'𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘦̂𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘪 𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘭."
March 29, 2022
Content warnings for this book: cancer, death, car accident
I don’t think I can express in words just how Salem and Thayer touched my heart. Their story hit me so hard and I’ve never even been in love. This book put me back together after the confidence of wildflowers. I cried the entire time I read this book (not in a bad way). I love this duet with my whole heart and Micalea too. Micalea thank you for being not only an incredible author but an amazing friend to me. Please read these books.
I saved so many quotes reading this but here are my faves (don’t read them if you haven’t read book 1)
“Loving Thayer isn’t a choice. It just is. Loving him is natural, automatic, just like my body’s need to breathe air.”
“But if she had the confidence of wildflowers, then I had the resurrection of wildflowers. My soul withered with the death of my son. I was lost and that version of myself was gone forever. But I came back — I came back and now I’ll grow and thrive alongside her”
“We’re smiling. We’re thriving. That’s the true test of a person— the beauty they’re able to find in the simple things. In the wildflowers that bloom and blossom freely. In the bees that pollinate our earth. In the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. Those are the things that matter. This. Us.”
“Our love is stronger for the trials we’ve endured, and both of us know how precious life is, how important it is to cherish every moment. At the end of the day, it isn’t the expensive things, or the big things you remember. It’s the people you love and the simple moments— dancing in the kitchen together, sitting down and having a meal together, just existing.”
I don’t think I can express in words just how Salem and Thayer touched my heart. Their story hit me so hard and I’ve never even been in love. This book put me back together after the confidence of wildflowers. I cried the entire time I read this book (not in a bad way). I love this duet with my whole heart and Micalea too. Micalea thank you for being not only an incredible author but an amazing friend to me. Please read these books.
I saved so many quotes reading this but here are my faves (don’t read them if you haven’t read book 1)
“Loving Thayer isn’t a choice. It just is. Loving him is natural, automatic, just like my body’s need to breathe air.”
“But if she had the confidence of wildflowers, then I had the resurrection of wildflowers. My soul withered with the death of my son. I was lost and that version of myself was gone forever. But I came back — I came back and now I’ll grow and thrive alongside her”
“We’re smiling. We’re thriving. That’s the true test of a person— the beauty they’re able to find in the simple things. In the wildflowers that bloom and blossom freely. In the bees that pollinate our earth. In the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. Those are the things that matter. This. Us.”
“Our love is stronger for the trials we’ve endured, and both of us know how precious life is, how important it is to cherish every moment. At the end of the day, it isn’t the expensive things, or the big things you remember. It’s the people you love and the simple moments— dancing in the kitchen together, sitting down and having a meal together, just existing.”
June 4, 2022
Can someone explain how Micalea Smeltzer’s books are SO bingeable!! I devoured each book in this duet and was definitely happy with how it concluded. I tabbed the hell out of my copy—You can’t deny that Micalea has a way with words.
Also!!!! We get Thayer’s POV in this half!!! I freaking loved seeing inside his mind.
My only thing is that there really isn’t a lot that happens in this conclusion other than tying it up as a second chance romance after the first half. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it was pretty easy going.
Obviously, i don’t want to give any spoilers, but I was happy with how things progressed between our couple and way everything concluded. I adore these characters and they really spent the time on communicating and discussing their past.
I really adore this duet but I know it won’t be for everyone due to the events of book one (pls check out that review!!).
Can’t wait to read more from this author.
TW: grief, death of a loved one, cancer
Also!!!! We get Thayer’s POV in this half!!! I freaking loved seeing inside his mind.
My only thing is that there really isn’t a lot that happens in this conclusion other than tying it up as a second chance romance after the first half. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it was pretty easy going.
Obviously, i don’t want to give any spoilers, but I was happy with how things progressed between our couple and way everything concluded. I adore these characters and they really spent the time on communicating and discussing their past.
I really adore this duet but I know it won’t be for everyone due to the events of book one (pls check out that review!!).
Can’t wait to read more from this author.
TW: grief, death of a loved one, cancer
December 1, 2023
no one talks to me, i'm nothing but tears.
i read a few reviews before going into this one and I was a bit scared, I saw many people saying they enjoyed it way less than the first one or even others saying they just didn't enjoy it at all. because I love the first book so so much, I really was scared I wouldn't love it either, but I'm so glad I did. Obviously book one owns a special part of my heart and I couldn't even compare them but still I really this one as well.
A lot of people seemed disappointed about when and how the book started, I for one felt it was the best way of writing this book. it was well-needed and I'm so glad that's how the story went. Thayer and Salem still own my heart and I'm good with letting them have it.
the tears I shed in book two are obviously nothing compared to the ocean I cried in book one, but still, I was shaking my heart once again broken.
going to cry now for a bit <3
i read a few reviews before going into this one and I was a bit scared, I saw many people saying they enjoyed it way less than the first one or even others saying they just didn't enjoy it at all. because I love the first book so so much, I really was scared I wouldn't love it either, but I'm so glad I did. Obviously book one owns a special part of my heart and I couldn't even compare them but still I really this one as well.
A lot of people seemed disappointed about when and how the book started, I for one felt it was the best way of writing this book. it was well-needed and I'm so glad that's how the story went. Thayer and Salem still own my heart and I'm good with letting them have it.
the tears I shed in book two are obviously nothing compared to the ocean I cried in book one, but still, I was shaking my heart once again broken.
going to cry now for a bit <3
April 10, 2022
It’s been a few days and i’m still traumatized, this duet was so mentally draining and i honestly don’t recommend it.
April 14, 2022
In my opinion, the first half of the story should've started from where the first book ended, and then there should've been a leap in the middle. There should've been more angst and grovelling, but the characters forgave each other within the first 150 pages. The rest of the story was just Salem trying to get pregnant and them having their happily ever after. Thayer is honestly a better person than me, because I won't forgive Salem marrying the man she had originally cheated on in the first book One year after the final fallout with Thayer, and poor Thayer was alone in town, CELIBATEEEEEE. Honestly, WTH? Caleb deserves better at this point. I absolotely loved his relationship with Salem, despite what happened in the first book, and his interactions with Seda. The epilogue was cute, but overall this book was a little disappointing. It was honestly too hyped up in my opinion. The writing again was too repetitive and some stuff was just drawn out.
April 19, 2022
2.5⭐️ this was just an extra long epilogue that will make you very sad, angry, but overall happy for the couple.
also caleb deserves better and I hope he gets his own book someday.
also caleb deserves better and I hope he gets his own book someday.
May 31, 2022
A lot better than the first one but I could tell the author wanted to shove as many quotes in the book as possible
April 7, 2022
This book was such a disappointment. And normally I wouldn’t even leave a review, but I was so in love with the first book (it was one of my top books of the year so far), and I was so excited for this one…only to have everything fall apart spectacularly in the first 3 pages. And everything only gets worse…and worse…and worse from there.
I need to rant so be warned. This will be long and there are spoilers ahead!!!
Everything about this book irritated me and it all comes back to Salem and the way that a father’s grief is handled. I loved her in the first book, and yet here she was completely unlikable and nothing about her was root worthy. The first book ends with the sudden and tragic death of Thayer’s son and Thayer pushing Salem away while he was in a downward spiral and grieving the loss of his son. And yet somehow this gets completely downplayed and swept away in favor of Salem’s heartbreak. It’s all about her pain, her suffering, the fact that he never reached out to her in the 6 years apart.
I’m sorry, but the death of a child is one of the worst things anyone can experience, especially when it’s a tragic accident. And Thayer pushing Salem away when he’s in pain and is grieving isn’t even in the same vicinity of the heartbreak and suffering Thayer experienced. Salem having to pick up a few liquor bottles and not having a jogging partner anymore is not even close to a father finding his son face down in a pool and then having to bury him. Thayer is allowed to grieve. He’s allowed to spiral. He’s allowed to push people away in the aftermath because he’s hurting and in pain. It had only been a few weeks after Forrest’s death before Salem just gave up and moved to NY.
And not only does she just pick up and move away but she’s pregnant and makes the decision to keep his daughter a secret for SIX YEARS. Using a father’s grief as a justification for never telling him he has a child and keeping him away from her is not ok. Just because she was hurt, it is not a justification for lying to him for six years. He was hurting too, but she doesn’t even give him a chance to be a father to their daughter.
No, instead she marries the ex boyfriend she cheated on with Thayer, let’s him raise Thayer’s daughter, married him knowing Caleb loves her more than she loves him, and is still in love with another man the whole time they’re together.
And when Salem finally tells Thayer the truth about their daughter, he isn’t even allowed to be angry. What’s the point of having a MC lie for 6 years about a secret love child if we don’t even get the angst of him being angry over it? Or at least conflicted. He isn’t allowed a single moment of hurt that she lied to him for 6 years, that she kept his daughter away from him for 6 years, that he missed 6 years of his daughter’s life after already suffering the loss of all those years he would never have with his son, and that she married another man who raised his daughter for 6 years. That she just decided he was incapable of helping raise their child because he pushed her away in the weeks following a horrible tragedy, and never thought even once to check in with him, see how he is, and maybe tell him the truth.
No, he actually apologizes to her because apparently a father isn’t allowed to spiral after the death of his child and is just expected to get over it and be in a healthy happy place after just one year. (Insert eye roll). If not, sorry! You don’t deserve to be apart of your child’s life. Caleb isn’t even allowed to be angry at her, Thayer isn’t allowed to be angry, Seda isn’t allowed to be angry. Everybody just pats her on the back and tells her she’s a good person and to stop beating herself up. But she isn’t even all that sad over lying to Thayer, and it seems like she never would have told him the truth if she hadn’t moved back home to take care of her mom, which makes me even angrier about the whole thing. She feels completely justified in it because he hurt her and then never reached out to her. Never mind the fact that she moved to NY and then got engaged to another man and married him only a year later. What was Thayer supposed to do? And then she actually has the audacity to be angry at him for being in a better and healthier place, for being a friend to her mother, for helping her mother because boo boo “why didn’t he call me?” All the while knowing she’s been keeping his daughter from him.
The whole thing came off like she was punishing him because he rejected her, and it rubbed me so completely wrong. Salem was unlikable, a liar, and a coward. I think having Thayer’s POV in the first book where we see exactly what he was thinking and feeling and what a grieving father looks like, would have benefitted this one because Salem came off completely selfish with her “woe is me” act. Even though we get his POV here, Thayer’s pain and loss took a backseat to Salem’s and was used as more of a plot point for her story in book 1 and book 2, and used as a justification for all of her terrible choices, and I’m sorry but the death of a child will always trump a man pushing you away because he’s grieving. And it’s a little insulting that Salem tries equate the two, like yeah he’s hurting but I hurt too. Let me keep his child from him! And it’s all about Thayer having to grovel and prove himself to Salem and Salem’s mistakes are just brushed away and glossed over.
And after all this, after she finally tells him the truth at 30%, nothing really happens for the final 70%. It’s basically one long epilogue. No angst. No conflict. Nothing. So it was really all for nothing. Which makes me wish that this story had ended in book one and I could have avoided all this unnecessary drama and frustration.
While I’m happy that Thayer and Salem get their happy ending, the first 30% ruined what could have been a beautiful love story. I’m giving it 2 stars just for Thayer and Seda because I loved them so much.
I need to rant so be warned. This will be long and there are spoilers ahead!!!
Everything about this book irritated me and it all comes back to Salem and the way that a father’s grief is handled. I loved her in the first book, and yet here she was completely unlikable and nothing about her was root worthy. The first book ends with the sudden and tragic death of Thayer’s son and Thayer pushing Salem away while he was in a downward spiral and grieving the loss of his son. And yet somehow this gets completely downplayed and swept away in favor of Salem’s heartbreak. It’s all about her pain, her suffering, the fact that he never reached out to her in the 6 years apart.
I’m sorry, but the death of a child is one of the worst things anyone can experience, especially when it’s a tragic accident. And Thayer pushing Salem away when he’s in pain and is grieving isn’t even in the same vicinity of the heartbreak and suffering Thayer experienced. Salem having to pick up a few liquor bottles and not having a jogging partner anymore is not even close to a father finding his son face down in a pool and then having to bury him. Thayer is allowed to grieve. He’s allowed to spiral. He’s allowed to push people away in the aftermath because he’s hurting and in pain. It had only been a few weeks after Forrest’s death before Salem just gave up and moved to NY.
And not only does she just pick up and move away but she’s pregnant and makes the decision to keep his daughter a secret for SIX YEARS. Using a father’s grief as a justification for never telling him he has a child and keeping him away from her is not ok. Just because she was hurt, it is not a justification for lying to him for six years. He was hurting too, but she doesn’t even give him a chance to be a father to their daughter.
No, instead she marries the ex boyfriend she cheated on with Thayer, let’s him raise Thayer’s daughter, married him knowing Caleb loves her more than she loves him, and is still in love with another man the whole time they’re together.
And when Salem finally tells Thayer the truth about their daughter, he isn’t even allowed to be angry. What’s the point of having a MC lie for 6 years about a secret love child if we don’t even get the angst of him being angry over it? Or at least conflicted. He isn’t allowed a single moment of hurt that she lied to him for 6 years, that she kept his daughter away from him for 6 years, that he missed 6 years of his daughter’s life after already suffering the loss of all those years he would never have with his son, and that she married another man who raised his daughter for 6 years. That she just decided he was incapable of helping raise their child because he pushed her away in the weeks following a horrible tragedy, and never thought even once to check in with him, see how he is, and maybe tell him the truth.
No, he actually apologizes to her because apparently a father isn’t allowed to spiral after the death of his child and is just expected to get over it and be in a healthy happy place after just one year. (Insert eye roll). If not, sorry! You don’t deserve to be apart of your child’s life. Caleb isn’t even allowed to be angry at her, Thayer isn’t allowed to be angry, Seda isn’t allowed to be angry. Everybody just pats her on the back and tells her she’s a good person and to stop beating herself up. But she isn’t even all that sad over lying to Thayer, and it seems like she never would have told him the truth if she hadn’t moved back home to take care of her mom, which makes me even angrier about the whole thing. She feels completely justified in it because he hurt her and then never reached out to her. Never mind the fact that she moved to NY and then got engaged to another man and married him only a year later. What was Thayer supposed to do? And then she actually has the audacity to be angry at him for being in a better and healthier place, for being a friend to her mother, for helping her mother because boo boo “why didn’t he call me?” All the while knowing she’s been keeping his daughter from him.
The whole thing came off like she was punishing him because he rejected her, and it rubbed me so completely wrong. Salem was unlikable, a liar, and a coward. I think having Thayer’s POV in the first book where we see exactly what he was thinking and feeling and what a grieving father looks like, would have benefitted this one because Salem came off completely selfish with her “woe is me” act. Even though we get his POV here, Thayer’s pain and loss took a backseat to Salem’s and was used as more of a plot point for her story in book 1 and book 2, and used as a justification for all of her terrible choices, and I’m sorry but the death of a child will always trump a man pushing you away because he’s grieving. And it’s a little insulting that Salem tries equate the two, like yeah he’s hurting but I hurt too. Let me keep his child from him! And it’s all about Thayer having to grovel and prove himself to Salem and Salem’s mistakes are just brushed away and glossed over.
And after all this, after she finally tells him the truth at 30%, nothing really happens for the final 70%. It’s basically one long epilogue. No angst. No conflict. Nothing. So it was really all for nothing. Which makes me wish that this story had ended in book one and I could have avoided all this unnecessary drama and frustration.
While I’m happy that Thayer and Salem get their happy ending, the first 30% ruined what could have been a beautiful love story. I’m giving it 2 stars just for Thayer and Seda because I loved them so much.
October 17, 2023
So many people said this book wasn’t worth reading, but I for one actually loved Salem and Thayer. A happily ever after for fictional characters who needed it the most. Unnecessary? Not at all. I knew their story couldn’t be summarized in a twenty page epilogue, when they had a life to be lived, babies to have, and so much more. Although their time apart was painful for the both of them, it was necessary for them to grow and heal. Just like wildflowers.
“But if she had the confidence of wildflowers, then I was the resurrection of wildflowers.”
tropes: second chance romance, grumpy sunshine, secrets, and age gap!
tw: cancer, death, and grieving
“But if she had the confidence of wildflowers, then I was the resurrection of wildflowers.”
tropes: second chance romance, grumpy sunshine, secrets, and age gap!
tw: cancer, death, and grieving
June 7, 2022
2.5/5⭐️
Y’all know I’m not normally into giving negative reviews, I try to stay positive but I really really really did not like this. You cannot convince me that this book needed to exist. It could have been an epilogue.
Spoiler: they’re back together by like 30% and literally the rest of this full length novel is them basically living their lives together. I kept waiting for something to happen that mattered and nothing did.
The end of book 1 should have been a third act breakup, the beginning of this book should have been the end of book 1 and 75% of this book could have been condensed to a few epilogue chapters. I didn’t need a full chapter of her going to the Toyota dealership to get a new car, and various other random life things. Going to her friends wedding, watching her sister give birth, packing up her moms house. Etc.
So much of this book didn’t need to be there and added nothing to the story. (Also a problem in book one but I was willing to let it go) But by the end I was just mad at myself for wasting my time.
And don’t even get me started on the whole secret baby and how both him and his family were like, ‘oh no worries it’s in the past.’ You cannot convince me that Thayer wouldn’t haven been a good dad even in the middle of his grief. You really can’t.
Also not to just keep going in on this book but given the amount of times she says in her inner monologue how much she loves Thayer(which was just read really odd, lots of telling and not showing in this one) by the end of the duet I couldn’t remember like a single thing that she does for him other than bring him cupcakes. That mans entire existence pretty much revolved around thinking of things he could do for her, which honestly got to be a little much anyway, like I don’t know if this man had a personality by the end of it outside of ‘must do random nice things for Salem’
And to top it off, the spice wasn’t even that good. Don’t try and trick me with a weirdly out of place spitting scene when everything else was fade to black or basically missionary. Like I can’t you guys 😭
The more I think about it the less I like it but Im going to stop ranting now. I’m sorry y’all had to read that, but I needed to share. Don’t hate me.
Y’all know I’m not normally into giving negative reviews, I try to stay positive but I really really really did not like this. You cannot convince me that this book needed to exist. It could have been an epilogue.
Spoiler: they’re back together by like 30% and literally the rest of this full length novel is them basically living their lives together. I kept waiting for something to happen that mattered and nothing did.
The end of book 1 should have been a third act breakup, the beginning of this book should have been the end of book 1 and 75% of this book could have been condensed to a few epilogue chapters. I didn’t need a full chapter of her going to the Toyota dealership to get a new car, and various other random life things. Going to her friends wedding, watching her sister give birth, packing up her moms house. Etc.
So much of this book didn’t need to be there and added nothing to the story. (Also a problem in book one but I was willing to let it go) But by the end I was just mad at myself for wasting my time.
And don’t even get me started on the whole secret baby and how both him and his family were like, ‘oh no worries it’s in the past.’ You cannot convince me that Thayer wouldn’t haven been a good dad even in the middle of his grief. You really can’t.
Also not to just keep going in on this book but given the amount of times she says in her inner monologue how much she loves Thayer(which was just read really odd, lots of telling and not showing in this one) by the end of the duet I couldn’t remember like a single thing that she does for him other than bring him cupcakes. That mans entire existence pretty much revolved around thinking of things he could do for her, which honestly got to be a little much anyway, like I don’t know if this man had a personality by the end of it outside of ‘must do random nice things for Salem’
And to top it off, the spice wasn’t even that good. Don’t try and trick me with a weirdly out of place spitting scene when everything else was fade to black or basically missionary. Like I can’t you guys 😭
The more I think about it the less I like it but Im going to stop ranting now. I’m sorry y’all had to read that, but I needed to share. Don’t hate me.
April 6, 2022
*ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
2/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶
Tropes:
- age gap (15yrs)
- second chance romance
- secret baby (5yr old)
- small town
- time jump
POV: first person - dual
Type: duet (book two)
This is everything I dislike in a book and more. I tried, I really did but I cannot and will not look past some key points. It was hard to enjoy any “good moments” because of the whole unnecessary shit.
The heroine is selfish. Plain and simple.
I read this before the official blurb was out so many of the things in this will be in the blurb. That said, I NEVER would have picked up this duet had I know it was gonna go in this direction.
↓*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* ↓
Key points I couldn’t look past:
- 6 YEARS have gone by since the ending of book one
- Salem married the man she had originally cheated on (in book) ONE YEAR after the final fallout with Thayer
- She gives birth to a baby (Thayer’s baby) and has another man raise said child with her for 5 years
- Gets divorced because “her heart has always belonged to another” so she wasted basically the OM’s time knowing he loved her
- Meanwhile Thayer has been CELIBATE for the 6 years they were apart
- Salem faults Thayer for not reaching out to her but why tf would he do that when he was fixing himself and knowing she was married A YEAR after their fallout (she gave him no time to heal)
- Thayer being told he has a daughter was so anticlimactic. He was way too chill.
- There was NO GROVELING from the heroine’s side. Meanwhile the hero did lots of cute things in the time they were apart that showed he still loved her.
- The first kiss happens very early on. (In the most random way too)
Moral of the story: Thayer is a better person than I am. He was able to forgive and not forget, while I choose to not forgive and pray I forget what I just read.
2/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶
Tropes:
- age gap (15yrs)
- second chance romance
- secret baby (5yr old)
- small town
- time jump
POV: first person - dual
Type: duet (book two)
This is everything I dislike in a book and more. I tried, I really did but I cannot and will not look past some key points. It was hard to enjoy any “good moments” because of the whole unnecessary shit.
The heroine is selfish. Plain and simple.
I read this before the official blurb was out so many of the things in this will be in the blurb. That said, I NEVER would have picked up this duet had I know it was gonna go in this direction.
↓*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* ↓
Key points I couldn’t look past:
- 6 YEARS have gone by since the ending of book one
- Salem married the man she had originally cheated on (in book) ONE YEAR after the final fallout with Thayer
- She gives birth to a baby (Thayer’s baby) and has another man raise said child with her for 5 years
- Gets divorced because “her heart has always belonged to another” so she wasted basically the OM’s time knowing he loved her
- Meanwhile Thayer has been CELIBATE for the 6 years they were apart
- Salem faults Thayer for not reaching out to her but why tf would he do that when he was fixing himself and knowing she was married A YEAR after their fallout (she gave him no time to heal)
- Thayer being told he has a daughter was so anticlimactic. He was way too chill.
- There was NO GROVELING from the heroine’s side. Meanwhile the hero did lots of cute things in the time they were apart that showed he still loved her.
- The first kiss happens very early on. (In the most random way too)
Moral of the story: Thayer is a better person than I am. He was able to forgive and not forget, while I choose to not forgive and pray I forget what I just read.
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