I received a free copy of the book via Booksprout, and the following review is entirely my own voluntary, and honest opinion.
While the setup could have been promising, the execution never followed through with this book. It felt rushed, uneven, and emotionally hollow.
Cora is introduced as someone who has survived a difficult past, trying to protect what she’s built, yet once the romantic plot begins, she loses all backbone. Despite being mistreated and actively harmed by Julian, she repeatedly folds. Conflicts that should carry emotional weight are resolved through physical intimacy instead of honest conversation, which makes her growth feel nonexistent.
Julian is one of the most frustrating male leads I’ve read. He is cruel, dismissive, and responsible for damaging Cora’s life, yet he faces no real consequences. There is no meaningful groveling, no proper apology, and no earned redemption.
Noah is the only character who feels emotionally grounded. His history with Cora and steady care for her give their connection credibility. Elias, in contrast, while pleasant enough, feels unnecessary, and his backstory is underdeveloped.
The novel also struggles with pacing and focus. Too much time is spent on mundane daily routines, while relationship development is glossed over. When the characters finally come together, their individual voices blur, and it feels like we are reading from the same point of view again and again, while we are supposed to read from all four of them. The last portion of the book feels hurried and incomplete. Several plot threads, including family conflicts and past relationships, are introduced and then left unresolved. Stylistically, the writing is repetitive, and the small-town setting, which should be a strength, never fully comes alive.