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Pacific Shores #3
Reckless Roses
For Augustus Hayes, first love was instantaneous. From the moment he found her scaling a tree in his yard, plucking purple flowers from its branches, August knew his heart belonged to Elena Ramos. Elena had the exact same experience; about August’s older brother, Zach, that is. Deciding he’d rather have her as a friend than nothing at all, August ferments himself in Elena’s friend zone, unable to let go of the hope that someday, she’ll choose him. Elena Ramos has always romanticized the world around her. Chalk it up to her writer’s soul or her passion for romance novels, but she believes whole-heartedly in young love. Anyone can do it right the first time, if only they refuse to give up. At least, that’s what she tells herself each time her on-again off-again relationship with Zach Hayes begins to feel more like a nightmare than a daydream. After nearly a decade, they call it quits for good, and her best friend steps in to fix her broken pieces. Only then does Elena realize how blind she’s been to the person standing in front of her all this time. Just as Elena and August decide to transform their friendship into something more, an unimaginable tragedy strikes them both. Will a lifetime of falling in love be enough to hold them together when their entire world falls apart?
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
406 people are currently reading
5327 people want to read
About the author
Sarah A. Bailey
18 books710 followersSarah fell in love with reading as a child, starting with the Magic Treehouse Series. She quickly learned that books can take her to all the places she always dreamed of going, and allow her to live endless lifetimes in the one that we are given.
Sarah believes that a good, fluffy romance novel can make even the darkest days a little bit brighter. She believes in love stories readers can root for, the kind that will make even the skeptics believe in all that cheesy stuff like soulmates. She longs to produce stories that readers can pick up, and regardless of what’s weighing them down in life, feel a little lighter when they finish.
Sarah was born in California and raised in Southern Oregon, and still considers herself a Pacific Northwest gal at heart; right down to being a coffee snob, collecting hydro flasks, adamantly believing in Sasquatch, and feeling like rain-drenched forests are a form of therapy. Sarah now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Mike, and their dog-baby, Rue. When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, and if she’s not reading, odds are she’s out searching for a decent cup of coffee, or a rainy pine forest.
Sarah believes that a good, fluffy romance novel can make even the darkest days a little bit brighter. She believes in love stories readers can root for, the kind that will make even the skeptics believe in all that cheesy stuff like soulmates. She longs to produce stories that readers can pick up, and regardless of what’s weighing them down in life, feel a little lighter when they finish.
Sarah was born in California and raised in Southern Oregon, and still considers herself a Pacific Northwest gal at heart; right down to being a coffee snob, collecting hydro flasks, adamantly believing in Sasquatch, and feeling like rain-drenched forests are a form of therapy. Sarah now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Mike, and their dog-baby, Rue. When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, and if she’s not reading, odds are she’s out searching for a decent cup of coffee, or a rainy pine forest.
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September 13, 2025
3.5 / 5 Stars
This is the third book in the Pacific Shores series and I am happy that we are finally getting to explore Elena and August’s relationship. I HIGHLY recommend that you read the other two books before reading this one (though technically, it could be read as a standalone). We got hints of Elena, August and Zach and the wreckage they left in the wake of their love triangle from the other books so this really helped fill in those gaps. In “Reckless Roses,” we meet Elena as a seventh grader when she first meets Zach, an eighth grader with more game than most 25 year old men will ever have (truly, the amount of rizz in this 13 year old boy was almost unbelievable). Of course, she immediately develops a big crush on him (also PS, he was her TA in class – who had 8th graders TA’ing their 7th grade class. Is this a California thing?). Six months later, she meets August who is shy, has glasses, and likes to read but also inherited his soap star mom’s insanely good looks. While Elena sees a potential best friend in August, August sees his future true love in Elena. Oh, and August just so happens to be Zach’s younger brother. We get to see Elena and August’s best friendship develop alongside Elena and Zach’s deeply toxic relationship (truly a Bravo camera crew should have been following them). Zach is a fuckboi, who makes Elena feel special in private but won’t acknowledge her in public, loves to cheat on her, and won’t tell her he is in love with her (because he’s not, babesssss) and yet, because the devil we know is better than the devil we don’t and maybe some sunk cost fallacy, Elena and Zach just can’t quit each other. After nearly a decade, they finally break up and August says “it is my time to shine baby! I am an emotionally stable, mature, dirty talking hot boy and I am here to claim my lady.” Just as Elena and August start to see a future with each other, a tragedy breaks their world apart. Because this is a duet, this ends on a major cliffhanger so we will check back in with Elena and August in “Vice & Violet” in November.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🌊 She’s his brother’s ex
☀️ He falls first and harder
🌊 Tattoo artist x dark romance author
☀️ Secret tattoos
🌊 He pierces her (but it is hot and sanitary instead of making you worry she’ll get an infection)
☀️ Found family
🌊 He pines so hard
Many of the things that I loved about the first two books were still true here and many of the things that I struggled with also remained the same. I love that these books are exceptionally quotable. We get great quotes like ”I rely on Zach like he’s the sun but I rely on August like he’s the atmosphere” or ”Tentatively, he slips his tongue into my mouth, the taste of him a dream I couldn’t remember having but now feel I’ll never be able to forget.” These are perfect and I can see why they have been made into edits on Instagram and TikTok. But I find that the rest of the writing tends to rely on tell instead of show (I felt like this happened in Book 1 as well). And because there are jumps in time between the chapters, sometimes the writing felt like it was recapping what happened to catch us to that point instead of living in the moment with the characters. And bless those quotes but some of the other metaphors and analogies were repetitive: Zach is burning, fire, heat, hot, sun while August is safety and comfort said in many different ways but with the same effect.
I thought Book 1 did a great job of setting up that Elena and Zach were not bad people but were bad for each other but in this book, Zach came off worse than I thought he would. There is some nuance to him and I get that hurt people hurt people but I didn’t feel that the level of hurt that he experienced was enough for the level of hurt he caused. Also, given what we learned in Book 1 about the tragedy, I expected to be at a Boys of Tommen level of emotional wreckage (you know, the kind where you stare at a wall for hours post reading) from finally reading about what actually happened and this just emotionally poked me. I expect and hope for more emotional slappage in the next book.
All of that being said, if you have read or liked any of the books in this series, this book is a must read. It continues the story and gets you set up for the wrap up of the series. It is under 200 pages so it is a quick and easy read. Sarah A. Bailey knows how to write some fun spice that is unique and specific to each relationship and when we are existing in the moment with the characters, the writing is good.
Thank you Sarah A. Bailey and Ember Literary PR for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
My Heathen & Honeysuckle (Book 1) Review and
My Wicked & Wildflower (Book 2) Review
______________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I know in my bones that this book will wreck me and yet I have to read it. There has been so much alluded to with August and Elena in the previous books that feels both so tragic and so hot that I have become a glutton for punishment.
This is the third book in the Pacific Shores series and I am happy that we are finally getting to explore Elena and August’s relationship. I HIGHLY recommend that you read the other two books before reading this one (though technically, it could be read as a standalone). We got hints of Elena, August and Zach and the wreckage they left in the wake of their love triangle from the other books so this really helped fill in those gaps. In “Reckless Roses,” we meet Elena as a seventh grader when she first meets Zach, an eighth grader with more game than most 25 year old men will ever have (truly, the amount of rizz in this 13 year old boy was almost unbelievable). Of course, she immediately develops a big crush on him (also PS, he was her TA in class – who had 8th graders TA’ing their 7th grade class. Is this a California thing?). Six months later, she meets August who is shy, has glasses, and likes to read but also inherited his soap star mom’s insanely good looks. While Elena sees a potential best friend in August, August sees his future true love in Elena. Oh, and August just so happens to be Zach’s younger brother. We get to see Elena and August’s best friendship develop alongside Elena and Zach’s deeply toxic relationship (truly a Bravo camera crew should have been following them). Zach is a fuckboi, who makes Elena feel special in private but won’t acknowledge her in public, loves to cheat on her, and won’t tell her he is in love with her (because he’s not, babesssss) and yet, because the devil we know is better than the devil we don’t and maybe some sunk cost fallacy, Elena and Zach just can’t quit each other. After nearly a decade, they finally break up and August says “it is my time to shine baby! I am an emotionally stable, mature, dirty talking hot boy and I am here to claim my lady.” Just as Elena and August start to see a future with each other, a tragedy breaks their world apart. Because this is a duet, this ends on a major cliffhanger so we will check back in with Elena and August in “Vice & Violet” in November.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🌊 She’s his brother’s ex
☀️ He falls first and harder
🌊 Tattoo artist x dark romance author
☀️ Secret tattoos
🌊 He pierces her (but it is hot and sanitary instead of making you worry she’ll get an infection)
☀️ Found family
🌊 He pines so hard
Many of the things that I loved about the first two books were still true here and many of the things that I struggled with also remained the same. I love that these books are exceptionally quotable. We get great quotes like ”I rely on Zach like he’s the sun but I rely on August like he’s the atmosphere” or ”Tentatively, he slips his tongue into my mouth, the taste of him a dream I couldn’t remember having but now feel I’ll never be able to forget.” These are perfect and I can see why they have been made into edits on Instagram and TikTok. But I find that the rest of the writing tends to rely on tell instead of show (I felt like this happened in Book 1 as well). And because there are jumps in time between the chapters, sometimes the writing felt like it was recapping what happened to catch us to that point instead of living in the moment with the characters. And bless those quotes but some of the other metaphors and analogies were repetitive: Zach is burning, fire, heat, hot, sun while August is safety and comfort said in many different ways but with the same effect.
I thought Book 1 did a great job of setting up that Elena and Zach were not bad people but were bad for each other but in this book, Zach came off worse than I thought he would. There is some nuance to him and I get that hurt people hurt people but I didn’t feel that the level of hurt that he experienced was enough for the level of hurt he caused. Also, given what we learned in Book 1 about the tragedy, I expected to be at a Boys of Tommen level of emotional wreckage (you know, the kind where you stare at a wall for hours post reading) from finally reading about what actually happened and this just emotionally poked me. I expect and hope for more emotional slappage in the next book.
All of that being said, if you have read or liked any of the books in this series, this book is a must read. It continues the story and gets you set up for the wrap up of the series. It is under 200 pages so it is a quick and easy read. Sarah A. Bailey knows how to write some fun spice that is unique and specific to each relationship and when we are existing in the moment with the characters, the writing is good.
Thank you Sarah A. Bailey and Ember Literary PR for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
My Heathen & Honeysuckle (Book 1) Review and
My Wicked & Wildflower (Book 2) Review
______________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I know in my bones that this book will wreck me and yet I have to read it. There has been so much alluded to with August and Elena in the previous books that feels both so tragic and so hot that I have become a glutton for punishment.
August 28, 2025
This may be my longest review ever, so please grab a cup of coffee and sit down to listen all the thoughts I have for Reckless Roses.
Let me preface by saying that If you haven't read Heathen and Honeysuckle, I HIGHLY recommend reading it before going to RR. Even though H&H takes us through Leo and Darby's love story, you see so many important moments for Elena, August and Leo.
If that quote doesn't convince you to read this book, let me continue persuading you. Zach and Elena meet when they're young, and they become infatuated with each other. Elena unconventionally also meets Zach's brother Augustus, who seems to understand her to her core, and she forms a bond like no other with him. However, Elena doesn't seem to notice that August also likes her. (like is very mild to what he feels)
As they grow older, the trio + Elena's twin and other brother become inseparable, surfing at Pacific Shores waves, and up to mischief. Elena and Zach's relationship continues to build, and so does her friendship with August.
Elena and Zach's relationship is very codependent and intertwined. More than young love, they know they're not good together, but can't seem to pull away, and whenever Zach breaks her heart, August is there to pick up the pieces.
As Sarah said "Sometimes you have to understand that they are awful to each other, not awful people." and I can't think of a better way to describe this. I personally am fascinated with love triangles, but to call this story a simple love triangle lacks all the depth and meaning it has. This book is about so much more than just young/first love. This book WRECKS you.
I won't be saying anything related to the plot, but I will advice to have a blanket, some tissues, your favorite snack and water to help with the dehydration of never ending tears. This book ends in a major cliffhanger, and will be continued and concluded in Vice & Violet, book 4 of the Pacific Shores Series.
Sarah, I cannot thank you enough to let me be part of your team to read your stories and share with the world. Sarah has such way with words, that feels poetic and even the most devastating stories are told with so much care that they feel like a hug.
Let me preface by saying that If you haven't read Heathen and Honeysuckle, I HIGHLY recommend reading it before going to RR. Even though H&H takes us through Leo and Darby's love story, you see so many important moments for Elena, August and Leo.
✧.* "He tells me I’m his favorite person. Some weekends, he sneaks into my bedroom in the middle of the night, and we cuddle. We’ve kissed often behind closed doors and under the veil of darkness. He tells me I’m beautiful. He tells me he has fallen for me. But when light shines, it’s like I’ve made it all up."
If that quote doesn't convince you to read this book, let me continue persuading you. Zach and Elena meet when they're young, and they become infatuated with each other. Elena unconventionally also meets Zach's brother Augustus, who seems to understand her to her core, and she forms a bond like no other with him. However, Elena doesn't seem to notice that August also likes her. (like is very mild to what he feels)
✧.* "Zach feels like staring into the sun, but August feels like gazing at the stars. " "I revolve around Zach like he’s the sun, but I rely on August like he’s the atmosphere."
As they grow older, the trio + Elena's twin and other brother become inseparable, surfing at Pacific Shores waves, and up to mischief. Elena and Zach's relationship continues to build, and so does her friendship with August.
✧.* "The sun may be more powerful than the Earth, but the Earth can’t exist without it, so what choice does it have? What choice do I have? At what point does the love you receive stop being worth more than the pain you cause?”
Elena and Zach's relationship is very codependent and intertwined. More than young love, they know they're not good together, but can't seem to pull away, and whenever Zach breaks her heart, August is there to pick up the pieces.
✧.* “So, August is in love with me, and I’m in love with you.” My voice breaks. “Who’re you in love with, Zach?”
As Sarah said "Sometimes you have to understand that they are awful to each other, not awful people." and I can't think of a better way to describe this. I personally am fascinated with love triangles, but to call this story a simple love triangle lacks all the depth and meaning it has. This book is about so much more than just young/first love. This book WRECKS you.
✧.* “For all the destruction I’ve caused, I should be helping too, but it’s not often monsters are invited to the cleanup in the wake of their wreckage.”
I won't be saying anything related to the plot, but I will advice to have a blanket, some tissues, your favorite snack and water to help with the dehydration of never ending tears. This book ends in a major cliffhanger, and will be continued and concluded in Vice & Violet, book 4 of the Pacific Shores Series.
Sarah, I cannot thank you enough to let me be part of your team to read your stories and share with the world. Sarah has such way with words, that feels poetic and even the most devastating stories are told with so much care that they feel like a hug.
Reckless Roses releases in September 23, 2025. I beg you to give it a chance, you will certainly not regret it.
September 23, 2025
Wow. I thought I was ready for the beginning of Elena and August's story but I was SO SO wrong. I originally was upset that we were getting this book in two parts, but after reading this one it completely makes sense. Sarah did SUCH a good job giving us these the backstory here. I loved the dual timeline and dual POV. We get to watch the dynamics between Elena, August and Zach. I have to say I didn't think I would like Zach and after reading this I really didn't like Zach. Him and Elena were SOOO toxic to each other. I found myself wondering why she couldn't walk away but then remembered toxic situations myself and some of my friends had when we were in college. Hindsight is always 20/20 am I right. But what I really loved about this book was August's POV. He really LOVED Elena. He always wanted what was best for her. He always looked out for her. The fact that she couldn't see ii until much much later just added to their story. I loved when they did finally come together how she was treated like the queen she was. How everything was going right for them until everything went tragically wrong. My heart literally BROKE at the end of this book EVEN THOUGH I KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I just loved the connection these two had. How they were written in the stars.
Elena fell in love with Zach from the moment he gave her his attention. She felt special. She felt alive. He made her BURN. And yet when she met his brother he made her feel things too. August was so special to her. But she met him after she met his brother. His brother Zach who was her person for ten years. He was her first love. He was her first everything. But he knew how to burn her and burn her he did. She knew this thing they had was not sustainable. She knew that she deserved better, but it was like as soon as he would apologize for whatever transgression he had done all was forgiven. She would retract her claws and they would keep moving on. She never really felt supported by Zach like she did by August. August made her feel safe. He made her feel cherished. When she went to August with her idea of becoming a writer, he had no doubts. But they never crossed a line. Until Zach left. He broke their vicious cycle and maybe that is what Elena needed to finally be rid of him because now she has August. Her best friend and other half of her soul. The man who has always been her rock. The man who now makes her realize that love doesn't have to be this burning thing it can be a delicious thing. It can be safe and rewarding and oh so delicious. And now that she has found it she doesn't want to let it go. Which is why she tells Zach what is going on between her and his brother. And then everything goes tragically wrong and Elena realizes she doesn't deserve anything that August can give her. She deserves to be alone.
August has loved Elena from the first time he saw her outside of his house. Even after he saw her reaction when he told her he was Zach's brother. Yes he knows she loves Zach. And yes of course it bothers him because they are polar opposite. But does that mean he won't be friends with Elena. He won't be there to pick up the broken pieces when his brother hurts her. Absolutely not. He will endure his silent suffering to make sure that she is happy. He will always put his heart to the side where it concerns her. Which is how he finds himself being her rock. Being the person she comes to for advice. But after covering for his brother one more time he finds himself siding with Elena. She deserves so much better than this tornado of a romance with Zach. And now that Zach has moved away August takes his shot. He tells her how he feels. How he has ALWAYS felt and to his surprise she wants to try something with him. She feels safe with him. She FEELS with him. But August wants to do this right. He wants to tell Zach himself and so he is patient with his love. He is patient even though she is so tempting. But then the day he tells Zach about them is the same day his heart is cracked in two. Not only did he lose his brother but he lost his soulmate. And he doesn't know how he will ever recover.
SOBBING YALL! This was just so beautiful and tragic. I just KNOW their love is going to be that much stronger on the other side of all of this. I can't wait to see how after four years apart they come back to each other. I also can't wait to see Leo and Everett realize what they mean to each other. This has just been such a wonderful series! If you haven't read it, I can't recommend it enough.
Thank you to Ember Literary PR and Sarah for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)
Elena fell in love with Zach from the moment he gave her his attention. She felt special. She felt alive. He made her BURN. And yet when she met his brother he made her feel things too. August was so special to her. But she met him after she met his brother. His brother Zach who was her person for ten years. He was her first love. He was her first everything. But he knew how to burn her and burn her he did. She knew this thing they had was not sustainable. She knew that she deserved better, but it was like as soon as he would apologize for whatever transgression he had done all was forgiven. She would retract her claws and they would keep moving on. She never really felt supported by Zach like she did by August. August made her feel safe. He made her feel cherished. When she went to August with her idea of becoming a writer, he had no doubts. But they never crossed a line. Until Zach left. He broke their vicious cycle and maybe that is what Elena needed to finally be rid of him because now she has August. Her best friend and other half of her soul. The man who has always been her rock. The man who now makes her realize that love doesn't have to be this burning thing it can be a delicious thing. It can be safe and rewarding and oh so delicious. And now that she has found it she doesn't want to let it go. Which is why she tells Zach what is going on between her and his brother. And then everything goes tragically wrong and Elena realizes she doesn't deserve anything that August can give her. She deserves to be alone.
August has loved Elena from the first time he saw her outside of his house. Even after he saw her reaction when he told her he was Zach's brother. Yes he knows she loves Zach. And yes of course it bothers him because they are polar opposite. But does that mean he won't be friends with Elena. He won't be there to pick up the broken pieces when his brother hurts her. Absolutely not. He will endure his silent suffering to make sure that she is happy. He will always put his heart to the side where it concerns her. Which is how he finds himself being her rock. Being the person she comes to for advice. But after covering for his brother one more time he finds himself siding with Elena. She deserves so much better than this tornado of a romance with Zach. And now that Zach has moved away August takes his shot. He tells her how he feels. How he has ALWAYS felt and to his surprise she wants to try something with him. She feels safe with him. She FEELS with him. But August wants to do this right. He wants to tell Zach himself and so he is patient with his love. He is patient even though she is so tempting. But then the day he tells Zach about them is the same day his heart is cracked in two. Not only did he lose his brother but he lost his soulmate. And he doesn't know how he will ever recover.
SOBBING YALL! This was just so beautiful and tragic. I just KNOW their love is going to be that much stronger on the other side of all of this. I can't wait to see how after four years apart they come back to each other. I also can't wait to see Leo and Everett realize what they mean to each other. This has just been such a wonderful series! If you haven't read it, I can't recommend it enough.
Thank you to Ember Literary PR and Sarah for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)
August 26, 2025
This book made me cry AND made me want to pierce my nipples so 11/10 recommend based on that alone.
🥀 Friends to lovers
🥀 ex boyfriend’s brother (love triangle situation)
🥀 Found family
🥀 Secret tattoo
Anyway… Reckless Roses, while a novella in length, hits you heavy in the feels (and in the loins if ya know what I mean 😏).
Hands down the most heart wrenching of the series for me (so far) where I was sobbing multiple times, white knuckling my kindle, and sweating from the YEARNING!
I am so happy to be back in Pacific Shores and get this first look at August & Elena’s story.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, get angry, feel so much angst, blush, cry again, and I hope you’ll love it as much as I do 🥹
Thank you so much to team SAB for the arc of Reckless Roses 🥹🫶🏻
🥀 Friends to lovers
🥀 ex boyfriend’s brother (love triangle situation)
🥀 Found family
🥀 Secret tattoo
Anyway… Reckless Roses, while a novella in length, hits you heavy in the feels (and in the loins if ya know what I mean 😏).
Hands down the most heart wrenching of the series for me (so far) where I was sobbing multiple times, white knuckling my kindle, and sweating from the YEARNING!
I am so happy to be back in Pacific Shores and get this first look at August & Elena’s story.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, get angry, feel so much angst, blush, cry again, and I hope you’ll love it as much as I do 🥹
Thank you so much to team SAB for the arc of Reckless Roses 🥹🫶🏻
March 12, 2025
You guys are not ready for the pain that this book causes, but also the emotional rollercoaster is.. very real. The stomach dropping, the tears, the sweating. August had me sobbing and the first time they meet has me in tears. 😭😭😭😭😭
Thanks for making me sob, Sarah. ILY.
Thanks for making me sob, Sarah. ILY.
September 8, 2025
★★★★. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this before its release date! This review will have minor spoilers, read at your own risk!
All my stars belong to Augustus and Augustus only. I do not like anyone else in this one. I felt rage baited the whole time. I wasn’t reading a love story between Augustus and Elena like it was promoted.
Elena spent 80% of the book being in love with Zach and IN LOVE with him. She pined for him for decades. She would describe their love as fire and say she “revolved around him like the sun.” Every time they got into an argument, she’d run to Augustus and then forgive Zach a day later. He tries to break up with her so she BEGS him to stay? Make it make sense.
Augustus is so perfect. No flaws. No notes. He deserves someone better.
My biggest flaw for this book is when Augustus and Elena started it felt like the only reason was because of sex. He admitted he was in love with her for decades and she went to see him and got off and bam she wants him now too? It didn’t make sense for decades of wanting the brother and not seeing Augustus that way. This book wasn’t promoted properly in my opinion. It was all sex snips and nothing about the actual plot. Reading 80% of Zach and Elena being together and this girl loving him to maybe 10% of Elena and Augustus just to break them up was pointless.
For my safety readers, not safe. Elena is with Zach (Augustus brother) for majority of the book. There’s no scenes of them. Augustus is not a virgin. He has to see/hear everything that happens with Elena and Zach over the years.
All my stars belong to Augustus and Augustus only. I do not like anyone else in this one. I felt rage baited the whole time. I wasn’t reading a love story between Augustus and Elena like it was promoted.
Elena spent 80% of the book being in love with Zach and IN LOVE with him. She pined for him for decades. She would describe their love as fire and say she “revolved around him like the sun.” Every time they got into an argument, she’d run to Augustus and then forgive Zach a day later. He tries to break up with her so she BEGS him to stay? Make it make sense.
Augustus is so perfect. No flaws. No notes. He deserves someone better.
My biggest flaw for this book is when Augustus and Elena started it felt like the only reason was because of sex. He admitted he was in love with her for decades and she went to see him and got off and bam she wants him now too? It didn’t make sense for decades of wanting the brother and not seeing Augustus that way. This book wasn’t promoted properly in my opinion. It was all sex snips and nothing about the actual plot. Reading 80% of Zach and Elena being together and this girl loving him to maybe 10% of Elena and Augustus just to break them up was pointless.
For my safety readers, not safe. Elena is with Zach (Augustus brother) for majority of the book. There’s no scenes of them. Augustus is not a virgin. He has to see/hear everything that happens with Elena and Zach over the years.
September 10, 2025
♾️ stars!
ARC Review
Tropes-
childhood friends
tattoo artist x dark romance author
ex's brother
secret tattoo
small town
found family
"He sees me deeper than the rest of them. He reads the pages of my soul that seem to be written in a language no one else understands."
“You are the embodiment of all my dreams, Elena.”
✨️Thank you SO MUCH to Sarah and Ember Literary for this ARC for my honest review! This book was EVERYTHING I wished for and more. I've been dying for this duet since I read H&H. If you haven't read this series, now is the time to start because the 2nd book in this duet will be out in November. You can thank me later. To tell you just much I loved this book, it was under 200 pages and I had over 70 highlights. Sarah writes such beautiful love stories. This book left me crushed and I cant wait for the next book to repair my heart!
ARC Review
Tropes-
childhood friends
tattoo artist x dark romance author
ex's brother
secret tattoo
small town
found family
"He sees me deeper than the rest of them. He reads the pages of my soul that seem to be written in a language no one else understands."
“You are the embodiment of all my dreams, Elena.”
✨️Thank you SO MUCH to Sarah and Ember Literary for this ARC for my honest review! This book was EVERYTHING I wished for and more. I've been dying for this duet since I read H&H. If you haven't read this series, now is the time to start because the 2nd book in this duet will be out in November. You can thank me later. To tell you just much I loved this book, it was under 200 pages and I had over 70 highlights. Sarah writes such beautiful love stories. This book left me crushed and I cant wait for the next book to repair my heart!
October 29, 2025
Started this at 9 am this morning.. if that says anything.. I will not be okay until I get my hands on book 4 Nov. 4th.
AUGUST & ELENA ARE EVERYTHING
AUGUST & ELENA ARE EVERYTHING
September 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I just finished this book and I’m sitting here staring at the wall, completely numb. My chest is tight, my stomach is in knots. I honestly feel physically ill after finishing, in the best and worst way possible.
This was such a hard book to read, but finally getting the full backstory between August, Elena, and Zach added so much raw depth to their story. I thought I knew them from the previous books, but this one peeled back every layer and showed a level of pain, love, and devastation that wrecked me in the most unforgettable way.
I can’t say too much without giving things away, but go in prepared: your heart will drop, you will cry, and you will break right alongside these characters. And yet it is worth every single second.
That ending? Absolutely gut-wrenching. I already need the next book because I cannot be left hanging like this.
I just finished this book and I’m sitting here staring at the wall, completely numb. My chest is tight, my stomach is in knots. I honestly feel physically ill after finishing, in the best and worst way possible.
This was such a hard book to read, but finally getting the full backstory between August, Elena, and Zach added so much raw depth to their story. I thought I knew them from the previous books, but this one peeled back every layer and showed a level of pain, love, and devastation that wrecked me in the most unforgettable way.
I can’t say too much without giving things away, but go in prepared: your heart will drop, you will cry, and you will break right alongside these characters. And yet it is worth every single second.
That ending? Absolutely gut-wrenching. I already need the next book because I cannot be left hanging like this.
September 23, 2025
I knew what was coming thanks to the first two books.
But I did not know what ALL was coming.
Elena & August 💫
The love triangle of love triangles. Brothers.
Childhood friends
Secret tattoos
The freaking pining!!!
Now this was a novella length/ part 1 of the duet.
And it was these twos story mostly before everything in the first two books.
The soul wrenching past of these two.
Vice & Violets cannot come soon enough.
Arc review ✨
But I did not know what ALL was coming.
Elena & August 💫
The love triangle of love triangles. Brothers.
Childhood friends
Secret tattoos
The freaking pining!!!
Now this was a novella length/ part 1 of the duet.
And it was these twos story mostly before everything in the first two books.
The soul wrenching past of these two.
Vice & Violets cannot come soon enough.
Arc review ✨
October 5, 2025
waiting until november 4th for the next part is going to be ABSOLUTE TORTURE 🫨😓😅🥲
absolute beautiful stunning perfect no notes 👏🏼👏🏼
absolute beautiful stunning perfect no notes 👏🏼👏🏼
October 31, 2025
I found this in the "New" section of my local library, and I'm not going to lie... I immediately grabbed it due to the sprayed edges with flowers. I'm so glad I read it, though. It was quite good! The first half was a bit rough, knowing they were preteens and then teens, but I loved that by the end as it made such a good build up and foundation for everything that unfolds for them as adults. I am still in love with August. The warning about grief and such made me think it was gonna be a deeper novel on grief, but it was literally a few pages on it. So if that's what's holding you back from reading this, note that. Also, since I borrowed this from the library on a whim and read it in literally a few hours after work today... I didn't realize this was #3 in a series. Or a spin off from a series and #1 of a duet. lol Either way, Woopsie. 🤷♀️
July 25, 2025
I knew this book was going to be painful and Sarah handled it masterfully. This book is so unique that the whole thing is essentially a timeline from meeting Zach and August in early teen years to the tragedy in their lives in their early 20.s
***PLEASE READ HEATHEN AND HONEYSUCKLE, AND WICKED AND WILDFLOWER FIRST*** I'd honestly say there's no way around it.
I don't want to give away much of the plot, but I really need you to read the trigger warnings for this one because IT HURTS. Like a lot, especially when you're connected to their characters hearts from the first two books.
I pride myself on my love for love triangles, but I've never read it done this way and I knew it wouldn't be ready for it. Zach, August, and Elena's stories hit so hard. Every character has so much difficulty they're working through and character flaws to grow through. I love when characters are so tragically imperfect and that's exactly what we got from these three. I found myself SCREAMING at Elena so often because she annoyed me with her decisions, but that made her so raw and real. And I hate how much I saw myself in her. It was like looking into a mirror 10 years ago and seeing the love I poured out to someone so stupidly unworthy.
I know I'll never be ready for book 4 but it's probably going to be the one I love the most for the healing that I know will need to happen.
What will you find inside?
- Love triangle
- Tragedy
- Childhood timeline through young adult
- Secret tattoos
- Best friends to lovers to...
- Cliff hanger
Do I recommend this? Enthusiastically
✿༺ 𝓅𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 ༻✿
I knooooooow this book is going to emotionally demolish me! Like I’ll never be ready for this insanely tragic love triangle 😭🫶🏻
Sarah, I’ll be sending you my therapy bill.
***PLEASE READ HEATHEN AND HONEYSUCKLE, AND WICKED AND WILDFLOWER FIRST*** I'd honestly say there's no way around it.
I don't want to give away much of the plot, but I really need you to read the trigger warnings for this one because IT HURTS. Like a lot, especially when you're connected to their characters hearts from the first two books.
I pride myself on my love for love triangles, but I've never read it done this way and I knew it wouldn't be ready for it. Zach, August, and Elena's stories hit so hard. Every character has so much difficulty they're working through and character flaws to grow through. I love when characters are so tragically imperfect and that's exactly what we got from these three. I found myself SCREAMING at Elena so often because she annoyed me with her decisions, but that made her so raw and real. And I hate how much I saw myself in her. It was like looking into a mirror 10 years ago and seeing the love I poured out to someone so stupidly unworthy.
I know I'll never be ready for book 4 but it's probably going to be the one I love the most for the healing that I know will need to happen.
What will you find inside?
- Love triangle
- Tragedy
- Childhood timeline through young adult
- Secret tattoos
- Best friends to lovers to...
- Cliff hanger
Do I recommend this? Enthusiastically
✿༺ 𝓅𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 ༻✿
I knooooooow this book is going to emotionally demolish me! Like I’ll never be ready for this insanely tragic love triangle 😭🫶🏻
Sarah, I’ll be sending you my therapy bill.
September 24, 2025
ᗩᖇᑕ ᖇEᐯIEᗯ!︎
↬ 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙗𝙮 𝙎𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙝 𝘽𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙀𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙋𝙍 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾.
★ 𝙄 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 2.96 𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙤𝙛 382 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨, 𝙨𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝙢𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬. ★
Reckless Roses spans from middle school into adulthood for both the FMC, Elena, and MMC, Augustus, following the progress of their lives over the years. However, for most of the book, the FMC is actually involved with the MMC’s brother, Zach, which makes it feel less like 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 story and more like a detour from the connection the summary promises, although it does mention a love triangle.
Elena's decade-long relationship with Zach only ends when 𝐡𝐞 walks away, but not before doing plenty of damage. Throughout their time together, Zach is a consistently terrible boyfriend: emotionally dismissive, manipulative, and toxic to the core. He invalidates Elena’s feelings, twisting situations to suit his own narrative.
Whenever Zach screws up, Elena turns to her best friend, August, the one person who truly understands her. And Zach hates it. He resents their closeness and doesn’t hesitate to weaponize August’s obvious feelings for Elena, using them to guilt, control, and emotionally corner her.
Love triangle? More like emotional warfare.
Overall, it was just okay for me. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters except August. He was the only one I genuinely liked. That said, I did enjoy the setting and appreciated the author’s writing style; it had a nice flow and atmosphere that kept me reading even when the characters didn’t fully land.
↬ 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙗𝙮 𝙎𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙝 𝘽𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙀𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙋𝙍 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾.
★ 𝙄 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 2.96 𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙤𝙛 382 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨, 𝙨𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝙢𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬. ★
Reckless Roses spans from middle school into adulthood for both the FMC, Elena, and MMC, Augustus, following the progress of their lives over the years. However, for most of the book, the FMC is actually involved with the MMC’s brother, Zach, which makes it feel less like 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 story and more like a detour from the connection the summary promises, although it does mention a love triangle.
Elena's decade-long relationship with Zach only ends when 𝐡𝐞 walks away, but not before doing plenty of damage. Throughout their time together, Zach is a consistently terrible boyfriend: emotionally dismissive, manipulative, and toxic to the core. He invalidates Elena’s feelings, twisting situations to suit his own narrative.
Whenever Zach screws up, Elena turns to her best friend, August, the one person who truly understands her. And Zach hates it. He resents their closeness and doesn’t hesitate to weaponize August’s obvious feelings for Elena, using them to guilt, control, and emotionally corner her.
Love triangle? More like emotional warfare.
Overall, it was just okay for me. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters except August. He was the only one I genuinely liked. That said, I did enjoy the setting and appreciated the author’s writing style; it had a nice flow and atmosphere that kept me reading even when the characters didn’t fully land.
September 23, 2025
Sarah will never fail me. Like she can actually do no wrong in my eyes.
Reckless Roses is a novella that starts the story of Elena and Augustus. Sarah packed so much into this that you can't help but feel deeply invested in them. Their story is one of angst, heartbreak, laughter, found family, and grief. I highly recommend reading through the TW before starting.
I love the stress of a love triangle and this one GAVE ME EVERYTHINGGGG. Elena and August met when she was climbing the tree in his front yard to gather violets off the tree. But, she met his brother, Zach, first. Sarah did such a great job of really building out the base of Elena and August and giving Zach a full story. Having their backgrounds be so thorough in a shorter story was so helpful and so memorable.
Sarah is such a poetic writer. The descriptions, the character backgrounds, the heart and soul of the plot. She did not miss on this. While I've connected with all of her characters in this series, this is the first time that I saw myself in both Elena and Augustus. I feel them on a soul deep level.
Sarah already knows I'm gonna send her my therapy bill.
But in all honesty, it was incredibly therapeutic to see myself in them, and see their story unfold. It was so healing to have things I've never been able to describe put into words on a page. Thank you thank you thank you to Sarah for trusting me with an early read of this. I'll be forever grateful 🤍
What to expect:
- love triangle
- childhood friends to lovers
- secret tattoos
- ex's brother
- a fun piercing 😋
Reckless Roses is a novella that starts the story of Elena and Augustus. Sarah packed so much into this that you can't help but feel deeply invested in them. Their story is one of angst, heartbreak, laughter, found family, and grief. I highly recommend reading through the TW before starting.
I love the stress of a love triangle and this one GAVE ME EVERYTHINGGGG. Elena and August met when she was climbing the tree in his front yard to gather violets off the tree. But, she met his brother, Zach, first. Sarah did such a great job of really building out the base of Elena and August and giving Zach a full story. Having their backgrounds be so thorough in a shorter story was so helpful and so memorable.
Sarah is such a poetic writer. The descriptions, the character backgrounds, the heart and soul of the plot. She did not miss on this. While I've connected with all of her characters in this series, this is the first time that I saw myself in both Elena and Augustus. I feel them on a soul deep level.
Sarah already knows I'm gonna send her my therapy bill.
But in all honesty, it was incredibly therapeutic to see myself in them, and see their story unfold. It was so healing to have things I've never been able to describe put into words on a page. Thank you thank you thank you to Sarah for trusting me with an early read of this. I'll be forever grateful 🤍
What to expect:
- love triangle
- childhood friends to lovers
- secret tattoos
- ex's brother
- a fun piercing 😋
November 7, 2025
WOWOWOWOWOWOWW
September 23, 2025
I AM NOT OK. I finished this book a few weeks back and I’m still in awe with how beyond beautifully written it was. Seriously, no notes. Absolute perfection. I have been desperate for Elena and August’s story and it did not disappoint. This is the book 1/2 and I cannot wait to pick things back up in Vice & Violet.
Elena and August are childhood best friends. The moment August laid eyes on Elena, he was completely entranced by her but as it turns out, she had her eyes on his brother, Zach. August steps aside and remains best friends with Elena, all while watching her relationship with Zach turn toxic, hoping that one day, she’ll realize what’s in front of her. The yearning!!! 100000/10 I’m OBSESSED. When Elena and August finally decide to give their relationship a shot, tragedy strikes and turns their entire world upside down.
Not only did their love story completely suck me in, Sarah A Bailey has such a beautiful way of writing and it just makes me want to sob EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Even though this is a novella, you would never have thought it by how powerful but emotionally wrenching this story is. This is a series I will forever recommend.
Childhood friends to lovers
Ex boyfriend’s brother
He falls first
Love triangle
Found family
Secret tattoo
Elena and August are childhood best friends. The moment August laid eyes on Elena, he was completely entranced by her but as it turns out, she had her eyes on his brother, Zach. August steps aside and remains best friends with Elena, all while watching her relationship with Zach turn toxic, hoping that one day, she’ll realize what’s in front of her. The yearning!!! 100000/10 I’m OBSESSED. When Elena and August finally decide to give their relationship a shot, tragedy strikes and turns their entire world upside down.
Not only did their love story completely suck me in, Sarah A Bailey has such a beautiful way of writing and it just makes me want to sob EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Even though this is a novella, you would never have thought it by how powerful but emotionally wrenching this story is. This is a series I will forever recommend.
Childhood friends to lovers
Ex boyfriend’s brother
He falls first
Love triangle
Found family
Secret tattoo
October 26, 2025
2⭐️
by the premise of this book I though it was gonna be perfect, but wow was I wrong.
Random time jumps with little to no explanation, unnecessary drama and weird dynamics throughout the entire book made this almost impossible to get through.
I think the ending was the worst part though, so random and fast if felt like I was reading an entirely different book. Just bad!! I don’t know how this book has a 4.3 but it’s a no from me.
by the premise of this book I though it was gonna be perfect, but wow was I wrong.
Random time jumps with little to no explanation, unnecessary drama and weird dynamics throughout the entire book made this almost impossible to get through.
I think the ending was the worst part though, so random and fast if felt like I was reading an entirely different book. Just bad!! I don’t know how this book has a 4.3 but it’s a no from me.
October 2, 2025
08.09.25 - Update
I don’t even know how to start this review. It’s probably why it’s took me over a month to review.
I always mention how it feels like Sarah A. Bailey holds my heart with her writing, this time it also felt like she was poking it with a knife. Testing how fragile it is. Wow.
The emotions I went through in this book. The whole time!! I was angry. Sad. Jealous. Annoyed. Irritated. Happy. Nervous. Pleased. Broken.
No one. NO ONE knows Elena like August knows Elena. The fact that she’s within his reach for years and years, but still not even close, is so heartbreaking. I want to shake Elena for not seeing what’s right in front of her. You can feel how it’s destroying him to let her and Zach have the kind of toxic relationship they have.
“I know his emotions are genuine. I know, for how awful he is at showing it, he does care about Elena. I just can’t wrap my head around why he continues to hurt her, or why she lets him.”
“I revolve around Zach like he’s the sun, but I rely on August like he’s the atmosphere.”
Zach is such a misunderstood boy / guy. I fully feel for him through the full book. All the emotions he has built up, they need to get out somehow. It’s just such a shame Elena is often the one to suffer from it.
“But I do know when Zach breaks my heart, August heals it.”
“He’s in a good mood today. He loves me today.”
Reading their story, and Zach’s, feels raw still to this day. I am beyond excited to read the continuation of Elena and August’s story, I hope they find peace within each other.
“Her flawless face is incredibly distracting, and every time our eyes meet, she smiles at me in a way that makes it hard to breathe.”
“Gravity falls apart as we fall together, and for all the destruction we’re about to create, kissing her feels cosmic. Kismet.”
“I can’t have your bits and pieces. Not these ones. I don’t want your body if I can’t have your heart too. I don’t want your heart if I’m not the only one holding it.”
“Why her? Of every woman on this goddamn planet, why her?” “If you’re asking that question, it proves exactly why you never deserved her to begin with.”
-
30.07.25
RTC ❤️🩹 my heart is in pieces
I don’t even know how to start this review. It’s probably why it’s took me over a month to review.
I always mention how it feels like Sarah A. Bailey holds my heart with her writing, this time it also felt like she was poking it with a knife. Testing how fragile it is. Wow.
The emotions I went through in this book. The whole time!! I was angry. Sad. Jealous. Annoyed. Irritated. Happy. Nervous. Pleased. Broken.
No one. NO ONE knows Elena like August knows Elena. The fact that she’s within his reach for years and years, but still not even close, is so heartbreaking. I want to shake Elena for not seeing what’s right in front of her. You can feel how it’s destroying him to let her and Zach have the kind of toxic relationship they have.
“I know his emotions are genuine. I know, for how awful he is at showing it, he does care about Elena. I just can’t wrap my head around why he continues to hurt her, or why she lets him.”
“I revolve around Zach like he’s the sun, but I rely on August like he’s the atmosphere.”
Zach is such a misunderstood boy / guy. I fully feel for him through the full book. All the emotions he has built up, they need to get out somehow. It’s just such a shame Elena is often the one to suffer from it.
“But I do know when Zach breaks my heart, August heals it.”
“He’s in a good mood today. He loves me today.”
Reading their story, and Zach’s, feels raw still to this day. I am beyond excited to read the continuation of Elena and August’s story, I hope they find peace within each other.
“Her flawless face is incredibly distracting, and every time our eyes meet, she smiles at me in a way that makes it hard to breathe.”
“Gravity falls apart as we fall together, and for all the destruction we’re about to create, kissing her feels cosmic. Kismet.”
“I can’t have your bits and pieces. Not these ones. I don’t want your body if I can’t have your heart too. I don’t want your heart if I’m not the only one holding it.”
“Why her? Of every woman on this goddamn planet, why her?” “If you’re asking that question, it proves exactly why you never deserved her to begin with.”
-
30.07.25
RTC ❤️🩹 my heart is in pieces
July 26, 2025
Reckless Roses by Sarah A. Bailey eARC Review 🌹
I don’t know how to feel at the moment after finishing another Sarah masterpiece- did I finish this book or did it finish me? 😭
I may need another 5-7 business days to process this.
First off, I ate this book up. I started it and wasn’t doing anything else until it was finished.
Do I need Vice & Violet immediately? Yes.
Is it going to be torture waiting for it to release? Absolutely yes.
Elena and Zach have the most toxic relationship, it is so emotional and heart wrenching and at times, hard to read- they are so drawn to one another even though they are the opposite of what the other one needs. Now, August. Oh my gosh, do I love him. His relationship with Elena is the sweetest and his love for her is pure- she just needs to see this & when she does…. That’s when it all falls apart.
This is an emotional rollercoaster that you will not want to get off.
Thank you so much Sarah for the opportunity to read this as an ARC for my honest opinion and review!
I don’t know how to feel at the moment after finishing another Sarah masterpiece- did I finish this book or did it finish me? 😭
I may need another 5-7 business days to process this.
First off, I ate this book up. I started it and wasn’t doing anything else until it was finished.
Do I need Vice & Violet immediately? Yes.
Is it going to be torture waiting for it to release? Absolutely yes.
Elena and Zach have the most toxic relationship, it is so emotional and heart wrenching and at times, hard to read- they are so drawn to one another even though they are the opposite of what the other one needs. Now, August. Oh my gosh, do I love him. His relationship with Elena is the sweetest and his love for her is pure- she just needs to see this & when she does…. That’s when it all falls apart.
This is an emotional rollercoaster that you will not want to get off.
Thank you so much Sarah for the opportunity to read this as an ARC for my honest opinion and review!
October 7, 2025
This book was a struggle to get through, the FMC had no self respect for herself and the MMC was just as bad, pining after her after she proved time and time again that his feelings were an afterthought (at best) for her.
October 29, 2025
4.25⭐, 2.5🌶️
So this is a prequel novella for the upcoming book Vice and Violet. We get the early storyline for Elena and August (and August's brother. Elena's boyfriend Zach).
“Some days, I'm convinced Elena was put on this planet just for me. Sometimes, I'm convinced she's my other half. My soulmate, maybe. Without question, I know she's my best friend in the world, but there is part of me that does question-that wants-so much more.”
I've only read Heathen and Honeysuckle (honestly, I though I read Wicked and Wildflower but I'm wrong). I'm not sure how much of this storyline is addressed in the first two books so read ahead with the possibilities of spoilers.
"My point is—now that he's gone, I've remembered who the fuck I am. I'm dark and weird and moody and stubborn. Zach wanted me to fit inside a certain box, be the type of girl who belonged on the arm of the all-American boy next door like him, and I've never been that girl." Her face drops into a frown. "I think that's why he was never fully able to show us off to the world, to give us a title. He was always a little embarrassed of me."
Did I know this was a love triangle, brothers girlfriend romance? Yes. Did it still drive me crazyyyyy how toxic E&Z were for each other? Also yes. Being teenagers I can get it, but the continued relationship as adults made me want to shake them. And then Elena jumps over to August real quick, which...girl, your boy has been pining for you his whole life. Take a breather before you drop your panties.
Zach and Elena's relationship ended....and how Zach ended both were so startling. But it was also a novella so the pacing is naturally going to be faster. The ending leaves SO MANY questions as to what is to come and I'm very excited to read Vice and Violet!
“August is my best friend because he accepts me most of all. He sees me deeper than the rest of them. He reads the pages of my soul that seem to be written in a language no one else under-stands.”
💜Friends to Lovers
💛Boyfriend's Brother
💜Love Triangle
💛Cliffhanger (Prequel to a full-length novel)
Thank you NetGalley and Victort Editing NetGalley Co-Op for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
So this is a prequel novella for the upcoming book Vice and Violet. We get the early storyline for Elena and August (and August's brother. Elena's boyfriend Zach).
“Some days, I'm convinced Elena was put on this planet just for me. Sometimes, I'm convinced she's my other half. My soulmate, maybe. Without question, I know she's my best friend in the world, but there is part of me that does question-that wants-so much more.”
I've only read Heathen and Honeysuckle (honestly, I though I read Wicked and Wildflower but I'm wrong). I'm not sure how much of this storyline is addressed in the first two books so read ahead with the possibilities of spoilers.
"My point is—now that he's gone, I've remembered who the fuck I am. I'm dark and weird and moody and stubborn. Zach wanted me to fit inside a certain box, be the type of girl who belonged on the arm of the all-American boy next door like him, and I've never been that girl." Her face drops into a frown. "I think that's why he was never fully able to show us off to the world, to give us a title. He was always a little embarrassed of me."
Did I know this was a love triangle, brothers girlfriend romance? Yes. Did it still drive me crazyyyyy how toxic E&Z were for each other? Also yes. Being teenagers I can get it, but the continued relationship as adults made me want to shake them. And then Elena jumps over to August real quick, which...girl, your boy has been pining for you his whole life. Take a breather before you drop your panties.
Zach and Elena's relationship ended....and how Zach ended both were so startling. But it was also a novella so the pacing is naturally going to be faster. The ending leaves SO MANY questions as to what is to come and I'm very excited to read Vice and Violet!
“August is my best friend because he accepts me most of all. He sees me deeper than the rest of them. He reads the pages of my soul that seem to be written in a language no one else under-stands.”
💜Friends to Lovers
💛Boyfriend's Brother
💜Love Triangle
💛Cliffhanger (Prequel to a full-length novel)
Thank you NetGalley and Victort Editing NetGalley Co-Op for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 18, 2025
i do indeed have chills running up my arms.
after reading the first two books in the pacific shores series, i knew that august and elena's love story was going to be super complex and sarah a bailey absolutely exceeded any and all expectations of how captivating their story would be.
i will be quietly trembling in the corner until book 4 is ready for me to read. absolutely epic, i loved every single second!!!!
after reading the first two books in the pacific shores series, i knew that august and elena's love story was going to be super complex and sarah a bailey absolutely exceeded any and all expectations of how captivating their story would be.
i will be quietly trembling in the corner until book 4 is ready for me to read. absolutely epic, i loved every single second!!!!
September 26, 2025
HOLY CRAP this 208 page book packed a PUNCH when it comes to emotions! This is actually book one in the duet of Augustus’s & Elena’s story, and I’m going directly into book two right now! It’s the third in the Pacific Shores series, meaning I can’t wait to read the first two now! Elena & August are EVERYTHING and I can’t wait to see them get a happy ending
October 21, 2025
3.5🌟 this book was entirely about august and elena’s past, and while i do appreciate it, i would have just loved to see this included with the next book so it is one huge book instead… but maybe i’ll change my mind after i read the next book! this was 197 pages so nothing life-changing occurred but it was great context.
September 1, 2025
This hurt more than I anticipated it to throughout the ENTIRE book. I’ve never felt so angry with characters that I loved.
September 14, 2025
thank you to ember PR for the arc <3
Wow, finally getting this book and seeing how August and Elena and Zach’s relationship developed was something I was ITCHING FOR & it didn’t disappoint. This book starts off from the first time all meet when they are in middle school, all the way to the present when they are 26-ish. I love me a childhood friends to lovers and mix in a lot of angst, a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, and a small town? Even more sold.
I binged this whole 300pg book on my flights and could NOT stop reading! It was so addicting and I just wanted to know how it all panned out. From “Heathen and Honeysuckle”, we know the gist and where the characters are now in present day, but not how they got there. I loved getting this back story and it made me care for them
so much more. I do feel as though the end was a bit rushed, having something so big happen, then time skips to 2 weeks and then 3 months later and we don’t get a lot of the aftermath. In the same vain, I guess there wasn’t much to discuss, but I appreciate the ending and the preview we got for the final book? I’m sick to my stomach truly.
Sarah’s writing in this was as beautiful as ever, I love the way she forms her sentences and describes certain things. A must read! I highly recommend reading “Heathen and Honeysuckle” first to get you primed and wanting more from these characters!
“I orbit her while she orbits someone else entirely”
“He wanted me to be roses, but i’m not. I’ a violet” “Violets are my favorite”
“I revolve around Zach like he’s the sun, but so rely on August like he’s the atmosphere”
“tastes like your mine” OKAY SIR OKAY.
Wow, finally getting this book and seeing how August and Elena and Zach’s relationship developed was something I was ITCHING FOR & it didn’t disappoint. This book starts off from the first time all meet when they are in middle school, all the way to the present when they are 26-ish. I love me a childhood friends to lovers and mix in a lot of angst, a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, and a small town? Even more sold.
I binged this whole 300pg book on my flights and could NOT stop reading! It was so addicting and I just wanted to know how it all panned out. From “Heathen and Honeysuckle”, we know the gist and where the characters are now in present day, but not how they got there. I loved getting this back story and it made me care for them
so much more. I do feel as though the end was a bit rushed, having something so big happen, then time skips to 2 weeks and then 3 months later and we don’t get a lot of the aftermath. In the same vain, I guess there wasn’t much to discuss, but I appreciate the ending and the preview we got for the final book? I’m sick to my stomach truly.
Sarah’s writing in this was as beautiful as ever, I love the way she forms her sentences and describes certain things. A must read! I highly recommend reading “Heathen and Honeysuckle” first to get you primed and wanting more from these characters!
“I orbit her while she orbits someone else entirely”
“He wanted me to be roses, but i’m not. I’ a violet” “Violets are my favorite”
“I revolve around Zach like he’s the sun, but so rely on August like he’s the atmosphere”
“tastes like your mine” OKAY SIR OKAY.
October 26, 2025
Well this freaking hurt. Gonna need some time to process this one. 😭😭😭 why’d you gotta do us like that, Sarah?!?
Cannot wait to read Vice & Violet now!! 👏🏻
Cannot wait to read Vice & Violet now!! 👏🏻
October 26, 2025
4.5 stars! I normally don’t love triangles but this one hurt my heart in the best way. This was a great prelude to the final book in the series and the ending made me sooo ready to read it!
September 29, 2025
what the actual fuck was that…. like. i can’t even. what the fuck..
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