The Inevitability of Us: Coppertin Universe

by LaBrie James, Heidi Cowan (editor)

A steamy romance about loss, love, and growth.

Four individuals find themselves entangled in a web of grief, love, and personal growth as they navigate the complexities of life and relationships.

Ophelia, is a gifted musical prodigy who cares for her beloved Baba with unwavering dedication. Despite her quirky and awkward nature, Ophelia learns to embrace her unique qualities and discovers the power of self-belief. Her world takes an unexpected turn when she falls in love with her teacher at a prestigious performing arts high school.

Archer, a compassionate soul, returns to his hometown to care for his ailing mother and takes on a temporary teaching position at the same high school where he meets Ophelia. As their connection deepens, Archer grapples with his own desires and confronts the grief of losing his mother. Through his journey, Archer learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the importance of following one's heart.

Steven, a spirited percussionist raised by his young single mother, exudes charm, humor, and sincerity. He forms a strong bond with Ophelia and views Archer as a mentor. Steven's heart is captured by Hollis, a bold and enigmatic blonde bombshell with a troubled past. Their love blossoms amidst the backdrop of shared secrets, igniting a flirtatious passion that fuels their friendship.

Hollis, the fearless cowgirl with a warm heart, conceals her vulnerabilities behind a tough and sarcastic exterior. Despite her popularity and outgoing nature, Hollis carries the weight of her past experiences. Her deep connection with Ophelia and blossoming romance with Steven illuminate the transformative power of friendship and love, and what it means to love yourself.

As Ophelia, Archer, Steven, and Hollis navigate the challenges of loss, love, and friendship, their intertwining journeys lead them towards self-discovery, acceptance, and the inevitability of their interconnected lives. In a poignant and titillating tale of resilience and personal growth, "The Inevitability of Us" explores the profound impact of relationships, the beauty of embracing vulnerability, and the enduring power of love in the face of life's uncertainties.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2024

Reviews

[Jess | bookrealmliving | · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book i knew was 5 stars at 30 percent the way through! i genuinely loved EVERYTHING about this book. the way Labrie was able to tie the stories together while also having little easter egg information weaved in for it to come up perfectly later was just *chefs kiss* 🤌🏻
the story is told from 4 peoples POV that switches off every chapter. originally i thought i was going to have a difficult time with multiple people but i did not at all!! she made it so clear and was able to tie everything together! i plan on getting the physical copy so i can annotate in the future! 🧡


there is sensitive content that can definitely be triggering (grief, death, cancer, mental illness, teen pregnancy, teen drug and alcohol use, mild violence, involvement with a motorcycle club (MC), coarse language, an age-gap student-teacher relationship (18-25), and explicit sexual content)

[Ft Worth Book Babes · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC 📑

The Inevitability Of Us by LaBrie James

This 4 person POV is a double love story on one book. It follows the life of three high school kids and one early 20s adult. James does a great job with character development and keeping the reader guessing. This very spicy double romance doesn’t dance around the hard issues of first love, loss and maturing. Be prepared to come face to face with medical issues, drug/alcohol abuse and mental health. It’s a small town romance with friends to lovers trope, and lots of funny scenes. Check out this book when it releases on July 1st!

Tropes:
💘Small Town Romance
💘Taboo Romance
💘Music Industry
💘Mental Health
💘Friends to lovers
💘New Adult Romance
💘 4 POVs

[Kaitlynn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a wonderfully captivating journey! I had the pleasure of reading it as my first ARC read ever! The characters were truly exceptional and were written so well that I felt connected to each of them in different ways. I was deep in a reading slump and had a couple life hardships going on at the time and this book really helped me deal with some of those things as well as keep me captivated throughout the story. I have read multiple POV novels before where I have felt that the characters' personalities have been dulled and confusing but LaBrie did such an amazing job keeping each character vibrant and real.The storylines of all four characters were so authentic in their tragedies and their triumphs, it felt amazing to see them find love. This was an overall exceptional read and I definitely recommend that anyone who sees it or hears about it pick it up immediately because the book truly is an amazing read. The author LaBrie James is an exceptional writer and person and I am so thankful that she gave me the opportunity to read her book. I can’t wait to see what LaBrie James writes next because I know it will be in my shopping cart. Phenomenal Job!!

[Sabrina Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inevitability of Us has a great balance of humor, slow-burn romance and heartbreak. Labrie does a great job at introducing multiple main characters and giving them equally complex and unique backgrounds. I thought the character development in this book was very well-done. Hollis’ character was my absolute favorite!

I enjoyed that this book had multiple points of view; I thought it helped make it easier to follow the characters’ interwoven storylines. Labrie’s writing style was easy to read, descriptive but never too “wordy”.

My main critique of this book is that I typically only prefer to read spicy books or scenes if the characters involved are older, rather than in high school.

Overall, this book kept me very engaged and I would definitely read other books by this author!

[Laini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inevitability of Us follows 4 characters, each with a different back story. I enjoyed how fast paced this book was and the fact there weren’t chapters, just a continuation with each characters POV’s (I swear I read faster because of that). Each character was musically talented in different ways, and their personal development was a joy to read. I loved Ophelia’s character the most; she was so sweet & witty, and her inner dialogue had me cackling non stop. And Archer, HELLOOOOO 😍.This book will have you laughing, smiling, blushing, and crying at times as it did to me. Thank you so much LaBrie, I’m so excited for your book to be out in the world July 1st for everyone to enjoy!

[Colbygirl13reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inevitability of Us is such a great love story X2. Hollis, Steven, and Ophelia "Philly" are high school best friends, and Archer is a substitute teacher at the school. Each one is musically talented in their own way. I love the 4 person POV with each persons POV continuing the story. The character development, plot and spice is done so well by James. I fell in love with the characters and the plot kept me guessing. First love, drug abuse, pregnancy loss, mental illness and death are all discussed in a mature manner. Ophelia holds a special place in my heart and I felt so many emotions through her character. If you love small town, friends to lovers with mental health representation you will love this book. Definitely a must read. Thank you for the ARC!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really well written! You definitely need to check tw before reading! The way the characters grow and the way you feel like you are there with them is amazing!

[Candice Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. Friendship, lovers, enemies, grief, love, laughter, and secrets. Absolutely blown away by this book. Loved it. Couldn't put it down.

[Lets_Talk_Books_w_Saddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for soo many reasons. To start instead of chapters we get four captivating POV’s of our four main characters. They face many obstacles together such as emotional changes as they face love and loss. Each POV is beautifully written and the character are very well rounded.

Disclaimer: I am an ARC reader and I am giving my voluntary honest review.

[David Kadron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was grateful to be part if this amazing journey as a beta reader. This book is easily my favorite of the three LaBrie James has written. It was funny, sweet, and sexy. Not to mention well rounded. I am excited to see what else comes out of the Coppertin Universe. It has really good character development, it is fast paced, and keeps you enthralled until the very end leaving you wanting more. I find myself missing the characters and wishing that they were my friends in real life (joking but they were that well put together.) I also throughly enjoyed the novel not having chapters but instead jumping back and forth between characters perspectives. It was a fun and exciting way to read it! Five stars!

[tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF

WTAF

THIS BOOK?!?!?!

UGH SO GOOD.

I! HAVE! NO! WORDS!!!

The way LJ wove all four stories together, the growth everyone went through, THE PAIN (the last fucking thirty pages messed with my heart BIG TIME)—TOP NOTCH

Sending LJ my therapy bill, brb.

I mean seriously I was about to fight someone if anything happened to Archie or Steven, our sweet princess.

Hollis was such a badass and Ophelia was such a pure little thing. Steven and Archer are the type of boyfriends I want in my life—sweet, caring, unstoppable, FUCKING OAK TREES. They weren’t going anywhere and they made sure their girls knew it.

But I digress. This is definitely a book you want on your shelves and in your hands come July 1.

[Laura Jayne ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the honour of being an ARC reader for this book in return for an honest review - thank you LaBrie!

This book was a 3 star read for me. I’ll start off by outlining what I liked about the book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, learning more about their back stories, and watching their relationships develop. This wasn’t one of those insta-love books for me where bonds between characters were built over time, which I appreciated! I liked the writing style and felt LaBrie did a great job setting the scenes and trying to immerse readers into the story.

However, this book does change POV quite a lot, and unfortunately I found it very challenging to keep pace with and struggled to follow along with the story. Now, this is entirely a me issue, and I know so many people will still love this book as it won’t be an issue for them, but I just felt I lost that personal connection with the characters due to the rapid changes in point of view. Because of this, I didn’t really grow attached to any of the characters which I do really like to do when I’m reading books.

That said, I still enjoyed the book overall! 3 stars from me, and I can’t wait to see what LaBrie does next 😊

[AmesChicReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by LaBrie James and I have to say, I loved this book! I really liked how they provided different pov’s, especially at the end when we were getting follow-up in future years. It really tied everything together and, unlike some books, I wasn’t left wondering what happened with each of the main characters. Looking forward to reading more of her work in the future!

[Kat A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life...is a journey to be had
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
WOW! I know, a strange word to start out with a review. I don't typically do reviews, good or bad. It is something I have been meaning to do. So, first I want to start off by saying - I came across LaBrie James by chance in a Facebook Group that I am in. I was given the opportunity to read a book (my #1 passion next to my children). Through this, I found that we are neighbors - ish....lol!

I would love to give this book a higher amount of stars than I am allowed to do. This book had taken me on a journey I did not know that I needed. Through out my life, I have always stuck with two types of genres of books. My therapist (trauma) told me to venture out of my comfort zone and take chances on different books/authors.

This book had me the moment I started reading it. I loved that the preface was honest and true with the TW. I finished this book within a weekend, I had a hard time putting it down. The style of writing was not of a typical novel as there is no chapters. This style worked for this book. It made me feel like I was getting all sides of the story within a scene without making me feel like I had to go back and reread it.

I felt so many emotions - the way the lives of each character came to life, I could feel a part of me coming through. Life is so full of loss, grief, heartache, bad decisions - but it is not something we tend to talk about. This book showed LIFE! Self destruction, mental health, domestic violence, alcoholism, emphysema, drug abuse, and rape..... oh man: I grew up in the ERA (family) of if we don't talk about it, it doesn't exist. People's personal actions have a great impact and effects the people in our lives. In some cases, these are not done to be malicious, but there are people who are so selfish that they do not care about how they effect others. Being able to go through all of this, the characters were able to learn about themselves, grow, learn to accept change, what true love was - even if it was not conventional or the "norm". They were able to weather many a storms together - they made a family together.

My favorite growth of self discovery came from Hollis - without giving spoilers; sometimes you need to see the love that someone has for you and the persistence of not given up on you before you are able to love yourself. I will admit, I was not sure about how I would feel about some of the contents or a few of the characters. I was pleasantly surprised. I came into this book with an open mind, I am so glad I did. I cried, laughed, got angry, sad, felt mourn for my mom and pieces of the girl I used to be. But in the end, I was so overjoyed with this book.

Overall, this book was therapeutic for me. I do believe the same for the author. I am excited to see where her writing journey goes and look forward to reading more.

[Heathers Lit Voyage · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Inevitability of Us" is a beautifully woven tale set in Coppertin, where the lives of four deeply complex characters—Ophelia, Archer, Hollis, and Steven—intersect in ways that are both poignant and profoundly moving. Labrie James masterfully crafts a story filled with love, pain, and personal growth, all set against the backdrop of music, which serves as the lifeblood of the narrative.

Ophelia, with her extraordinary musical talent, is the beating heart of this story. Her journey, marked by the weight of a troubled family and the responsibility of caring for her ailing grandmother, Baba, is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring. Every note she sings or plays feels like a lifeline, not just for her, but for those around her.

Archer, returning to Coppertin to care for his dying mother, finds himself balancing grieving the loss of family, and stepping into new things as he begins his new role as a high school music teacher. Music has always been part of his life, but his move back brings someone in his life that will change everything.

Hollis' story is raw and painful, her life shattered by a car crash that left her grappling with deep emotional scars. Her struggle to piece together the remnants of her life makes her journey one of the most compelling in the book.

Steven, whose quirky playful nature hides the turmoil of his life and discovering life-altering truths about his best friend Polly. Raised by a single mother, never knowing who his father is, Steven’s journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and love adds another beautiful layer to the story.

The way these four lives intertwine is where Labrie James shines. The connections between the characters feels organic and deeply meaningful, pulling the reader into the narrative and making them feel every high and low alongside them. The story is a symphony of emotions, with music serving as a powerful force that binds the characters together and drives the plot forward.

Overall, "The Inevitability of Us" is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven stories filled with heartache, love, and the healing power of music. Labrie James has created a world in Coppertin that is both haunting and hopeful, leaving readers with much to reflect on long after the final page is turned.

[Terror F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly touching novel surrounding Love, Loss and Life Changes.

Many kids grow up way too fast, it is unfortunately a common occurrence, but it takes seeing someone’s perspective on their Trauma in order to fully understand it and be able to give the comfort the person needs, and I think LaBrie did a wonderful job showcasing that.

This is a Multi POV story which can either make or break a story but this was done so well that the story really flowed and I felt that each Character was fully fleshed out and the each of them were unique and had their own voices, it was easy to keep track of!

There are so many important topics covered in this story, most of which touched my heart in a special way. This book largely covers Love and Loss, as they usually are tied together. These characters are going THROUGH it, it felt like one thing would get better and then another would get worse, but that is actually so realistic as it seems life does the same lol

The love side of things warmed my heart to see, there were some great examples of trusting, loving relationships and I was happy to see so many happy endings despite all of the trials and tribulations.

There were many scenes that broke my heart, especially when each character was faced with a loss of a loved one, as someone who is currently Grieving a lost loved one, I thought those scenes were extremely well thought out, and well done, I was relieved to see a bit of my personal experiences with grief shown in such a realistic way, made me feel less alone with those feelings!

All in all, this was a fantastic novel and I am so grateful to the Author LaBrie James, for not only writing this book, but for sharing her heart and hard work with her readers, it will help others feel less alone!

I gave it 4 ⭐️’s, it would have been a 5, but I personally prefer to have any sexual content I read be between 18+ peeps, but that is more of a personal preference thing!

That being said make sure to check the TW’s before you read!

[Harp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful story and I feel like I've been living inside these characters heads for weeks, and now im sad its over.

All these characters were so different but so special in their own way. They all had so MUCH going on but they still found the time to fall in love and care for each other. I cant even count the number of times I cried and then laughed while reading this. I just wanted to give my girlies Hollis and Ophelia a hug.

LaBrie James has created a beautiful town with a musical school where all these characters go, a mc club, and a resort/house set in the country.

I loved Wallace and Suzie, the beauty and beast comparison was so accurate for them, I NEED more of them, along with the Phantoms.

We follow 4 characters; Ophelia, Hollis, Archer, and Steven. Ophelia is a musical prodigy, shes a bit silly, and shes the sole caretaker of her grandma, with no support from her family. Hollis, her best friend just lost something and needs to learn to love herself before letting anyone in. Steven is a kind and amazing friend, and I loved seeing the friendship and love form between Hollis and him. Archer is the new sub teacher that just moved in and had an instant connection with Ophelia.

I can't believe its over and that epilogue had me sobbing.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a cozy read filled with beautiful and complicated characters that have an amazing character arc as the story progresses. It has the best found family and healing vibes.

[Tana · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!

The Inevitability of Us

Things I Loved
I love the multiple points of view. It kept the story moving and at time where things could get slow, we eased on over to another characters side/story.

The way people were all intertwined throughout. It was fun to see how the characters and side characters were connected past and present.

I loved the growing up and getting wiser aspect. I felt that everyone was in the prime of learning life lessons and we got a front row seat to their show.

Things I Didn’t Like
Philly’s clumsiness/uniqueness being brought up what feels like at least once during every point of view. I felt like it was on the verge of cringey.

The ending and how fast and information dumping it felt. But I’m also a negative-Nancy when it comes to “everything falls into place” endings, so this is purely from opinion. These guys went from party-hard teens to parents of like 63 kids in the span of 8 years and it just seemed rushed to me.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the story. I had been in a slight (or rather massive) reading slump and signed up for the ARC to force me to read, and I was surprised by how much fun I had reading it. I finished it in three days while fighting the kids away so I couldn’t spend time with my four new best friends inside this book.

[Tiffany W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading this author and I’m really glad I did. When I first found out it was from four different POVs I honestly thought it would be all over the place and I would spend most of the book confused.. but I was wrong, the stories flowed together seamlessly, I feel like all the characters got the right amount time spotlight. I experienced so many emotions while reading this book.

While is was full of tragedy from illnesses, and drug addiction.. I just love how through it all their little friend group was always there and it was never a thought of anyone not being there when needed. Each main character had their own issues

Ophelia- musically prodigy.. but had spent most of her life taking care of the people around her and nobody was really taking care of her.

Hollis- had so many personal demons she needed to work through, and was actually very mature if realizing she needed to love herself before she loved another person

Steven- I loved him so much and even though his life was kind of turned upside down, he didn’t let it affect his life. I just loved how he cared for Hollis as well his Philly Girl. Him even accepting Archer and welcoming him in the inner circle. He’s my favorite princess lol

Archer- I know I should be mad at you but I just can’t be.. thank you for stopping to get gas that night and changing our Philly Girl life and deciding to take care of her.. she deserves happiness and you do too.

So overall I really loved this book, the pacing and story building is some of the best I’ve seen in a long time, so with that being said and highly recommend reading this!

[Lexi Havener · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely amazing, so beautiful. I have set around wondering who was my favorite character and I just can't pick one. I loved every character so much, I made so many emotional connections with the characters. I cried multiple times. It is told from 4 people's prospectives Ophelia, Hollis, Steven, and Archer... which I loved, it was great getting so many prospect, thats what made this top tier! And I cannot forget Wally & Suzie, oh my I wanted more of them lol.

Imo this is a small town romance with 3 love stories in 1. There is tragedy, loss, pain, growth, new friendships, found and forbidden love. I felt every characters pain and happiness. I cheered as each character made new friendships, relationships, and found who they truly were. And I felt each ones pain during the down moments they faced. This book filled me with so many different emotions. I couldn't ask for more details!

Can not forget the musical genuineness aspects of the characters, the biker club, the cowgirl/cowboy, and the spiceeee🌶🌶

The ending made me wish I could give this book more than 5 starts, you get each characters perspective over the span of 12 years and that really made it one of the best endings to a book I have ever read.

Please do not forget to check trigger warnings😊

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright, normally I listen to all my books because I am a truck driver but LaBrie James doesn't have her books on audio yet so I read the other two when I was off route. I also never write reviews but I did for the last two because she asked me to. I guess it is much harder to get reviewers as an Indie author? Not really sure. I follow her on social media and she was asking for Beta readers so I figured why not. She is always so nice in her emails.

Anyways about the book. This is nothing and I mean nothing like her other two novels. The others were graphic, sexy, violent, and shocking. This is a romance.

Told in four perspectives, Hollis, Ophelia Steven, and Archer. I liked that aspect of it because it made the pacing faster. The characters are well developed and have great growth.

There is a student teacher relationship in this novel. Something that I am not comfortable with because it's inappropriate but I didn't dock her rating because of that. Simply because I knew about it going into the read. If that typo of taboo upsets you then don't read it. She did it in a way that made it less disturbing to me however. Archer id technically a vocal coach and didn't have the certifications to be a teacher. He was a long term sub, which made it a little better I guess. I also didn't feel like there was abuse of his power either. So a gray area for sure. They had a spicy relationship though.

The sex scenes in the book are prominent at very well done. Loved the side characters, the emotions, the comedy, and the sweetness to it.

Very enjoyable read! Highly recommend!

[Aaliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HIGHLY recommend this book. It’s such a fast and easy read. I promise you will cry, giggle and kick your feet, want to cuss out a few characters, and lose sleep.

There are two main couples in this book and like 4 different povs. With all the povs I thought I’d get lost but the author wrote the book SO well. I love how the author was able to get the perfect combination of romance and PLOT. Yes this book has plot believe it or not. My favorite couple is the one with Ophelia (I can’t say much more because it’ll spoil it). Ophelia is dumb (in a funny, awkward, clumsy way). She is so easy to relate to.

There is not a single main character that you will not love. They all have their own battles to fight through. The story is so well written that it feels like YOU are fighting their battles. I promise you, you will feel all the emotions they feel.

This book is honestly my FAVORITE book (yes of all time) and I highly recommend!
Yes I wrote this review at 3 am since I couldn’t sleep. Don’t worry, I forgive the author since she wrote my new favorite book.

[Kimberly - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay - I loved this so much!!!!! Labrie means a lot to me, she's the first indie author I connected with when I started getting into ARC reading and starting my booksta journey. She sent me her other 2 books (Hunted & Captured) and to this day I still think about how cool that was.

Now to the review.

This book is different than her previous work and normally a lot different than what I typically read BUT when she was offering ARCs for this, I knew I wanted to read it because I knew it was going to be an incredible story and it WAS!

This was such a beautiful story, I love the writing style of it. Not typical chapters, but instead POVs of 4 characters and their stories gliding together. It was sad, it was tragic at times, it deals with hard topics - it has the spice, the music, all the things you'd expect from a book that includes a motor cycle club but the story itself, the finding the love in people and places you least expect - that was really beautiful.

Labrie, I love this and thank you for letting me read it and sharing your beautiful work with us. ❤️

[Karli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so much more than just a romance. The characters had a lot of complexities to them and there was so much more to the plot then just them falling in love. There are definitely darker themes to this book so be aware of that but I personally loved that about this book. It gave it some extra depth that helped make the characters feel more real as they overcame these challenges.

Even with 4 separate POVs things don't get confusing. Each character had a clear voice and you would be able to tell who's chapter it was without the header. It was amazing just how carefully the author threaded these characters lives together. There was always something happening so things never got boring!

I just love Hollis. I'd bleed for her. I'll protect her at all cost. She, to me, is by far the most interesting character. I would have been perfectly happy if this book was just from her or her/Stevens POV just to get more of her.

[Karolyn Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I have to tell you about this amazing book I read over the summer! "The Inevitability of Us" was an absolute page-turner. What makes it so unique is that it's told from not just one, not two, not three, not four, different perspectives! Each character has their own voice and point of view, which made it so easy to get into the story. It was like getting a behind-the-scenes look at the characters and their lives. This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster – I was laughing, crying, blushing, and even yelling OH NO KAROLYN IS CRAZY 😆- hello plot twists. And let me tell you, there's this one quote from Asher that really stopped me in my tracks: “I was skin and bones, a puppet with a confusing God directing my strings. The very same God who cut off my dad’s strings. The God who severed my mom’s strings and my heart with one snip.” It made me pause and think about how unpredictable life can be. This book was a wild ride from start to finish!

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book was the character development—each one has a distinct voice and personality. The author uses a chapter-less format, switching between four POVs (Ophelia, Archer, Steven, and Hollis), which keeps the narrative flowing and avoids a stagnant pace. Because of this, the story doesn’t feel rushed or forced; each couple and conflict unfolds naturally and with emotional depth.

Every character has a solid arc:

* Ophelia is learning to accept herself while caring for her sick grandmother.
* Archer returns to his hometown to face grief and find new purpose.
* Steven reveals a touching maturity while exploring his identity and his relationship with Hollis.
* Hollis confronts past trauma that has shaped her into someone both strong and vulnerable.

The interconnection of their stories is beautifully woven. This book is about love, loss, friendship, and personal growth.

What I really liked:

* The steady, believable development of the characters and relationships—nothing felt rushed.
* The alternating perspectives let you deeply understand each character’s inner world.
* Themes like grief, illness, mental health, and self-forgiveness are handled with care and maturity.

What didn’t work for me:

* Some scene transitions felt abrupt and disorienting, breaking the immersion.
* Archer’s perspective—especially his rigid view on dating only for marriage and his controlling, slightly dominant tone—didn’t sit well with me.

Final thoughts:
I gave it 4 stars because while I truly appreciated the emotional journey and the strong character voices, the writing inconsistencies and certain relationship dynamics kept me from fully loving it. Still, it's a moving, memorable story with plenty of heart.

[Kenia Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Inevitability of Us by LaBrie James is sooo good!
This book is truly exceptional! The characters were written with such depth that you will feel connected to each of them in different ways. The author skillfully maintains the vibrancy and authenticity of each character, making their stories of triumphs and tragedies feel genuine and compelling.
This book does, indeed, captivate readers and provide solace during difficult times. The story encompasses themes of
friendship, love, and grief, and is guaranteed to evoke a wide range of emotions in readers. Overall, it's a fantastic read that comes highly recommended.LaBrie James' book, The Inevitability of Us is too good and I think I might just want to re-read and write this review all over again. Such a beautiful book!

[Amber Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This book was everything. The love stories, yes stories—not just one—are gripping. Multi POV was so well written. Each character had their story that left me wanting more of them. LaBrie James did a phenomenal job in keeping me wrapped up in this book. It was the perfect mix of all things us readers love – spice, romance, relatable, taboo… you name it.

We are introduced to four characters who each have something in their life that they are working through and the way LaBrie took us on their journey makes the book so relatable. This book gave me all the feelings and I’m so happy to be able to provide this review as an ARC reader, thank you for this opportunity!

This is a book you NEED to check out!

[Amber Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters are well-rounded and fully developed, even for being so young. The story line is great, too, and told from four POVs. Hollis is probably my favorite.

This book takes us through a journey of disease, mental illness, cancer, and addiction. What do we do to survive? How do we care for those loved ones? How do you cope? The characters face so much tragedy, that it's truly heartbreaking. The way the characters deal with their situations feel so real, and very relatable.

This was the first LaBrie book I've read, and I'm so glad I did. I've definitely got to check out her other work.
Thank you for the beta, it was fantastic.

[Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and all I can say is color me impressed. This book will present two simultaneous, intertwined love stories and I hadn't read anything like it yet. Ophelia and Archer are one hot couple. I love the teacher/student forbidden romance between them. Their chemistry is undeniable and they belong together. Stephen and Hollis's romance is deep and emotional. They grow so much throughout the story and you can't wish anything but a happy ending for them. Definitely a wild rollercoaster ride of romance, pain, trauma, loss, self-discovery, and love. A truly great story that pulled at my heartstrings in the best of ways.