3.5 stars
“You my home, my safe place, literally my favorite fu#$in’ person, baby. You my universe and my world only exists in you.”
Bu was completely gone over Noodle and he had no problem using his words to express that love.
Noodle aka Jacory is 21 now all grown up, this is the musically gifted kid that stole my heart in Beyond the Stars (read that book first), and has unfortunately lost her way. Due to her unconventional upbringing, she tries to figure things out on her own. Not wanting to be a burden to her sister, she finds herself tied up in a contract with Kidverse (like Disney) and she is literally drowning. The non existent relationship with her birth mother and the trauma experienced by her step mother has her scared to love. In fact she is completely closed off to the idea, that is until she runs into Bu.
Bu is fresh out after doing 4 years for protecting his brother. Bu was the "bad boy" of most young girls dreams. He was fine AF, wise beyond his years, loyal to a fault, retired from his gang affiliation but a fierce protector when needed, and a hard worker that made excellent decisions with his money.
At his coming home party him and Noodle connect and they both feel it in their souls. Both of them are forever changed. Noodle and Bu were so cute together. He helps her find the courage to use her gifts and to fight for herself. I loved how even though they were not in church, they were growing closer to God spiritually. The young love was beautiful between them and truly was the highlight of the story.
**""Spoilers**""
A few things missed the mark for me in a book that had 5 star potential:
*The timelines were off. There is a chapter that says a month later, but within the chapter it's giving a week or 2 weeks at most. At the end of the book it's a year later, but Noodle is still 21?
*Unfinished storylines. So, Bu pays a quarter mil to fight Kidverse for her, but we aren't going to address it at all? If I'm paying that type of money I expect a resolution. Aku and Devin have a connection of sorts, why bring it up to never mention it again. The same with Pimp and Bobby. I get maybe wanting to lead to other books, but it could have been written better.
* The conflict or avoidance of Siasia by Noodle was dragged on. We got the reasoning, but did things get better with Jackie coming into their lives. Was it a smooth transition?
*Lastly, one of the pivotal moments is when Bu tells Devin that Noodle can't block out the noise, she goes on to prove him wrong and I feel like that loop needed to be closed.
While I hate to have so many questions at the end of books, I really appreciated the love story that was told. I love a BIG love and this was truly that. So, I do still recommend the book.