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The Bridge #2
So This Is Love
I was supposed to die.
It was all supposed to end. The pain. The fear.
As I felt myself fading, I didn’t fight it. I was ready.
But Mother wouldn’t let me go.
Not because she cared about me. Because I was worth more to her alive.
She left me broken and bleeding on the floor, assuming that I’d been beaten back into submission. What she didn’t know was that in my moments of disobedience, my rebellious acts of free will, I had grown close to three sons of Haven’s Rebels. Through them, I’d met my biological father. And neither he nor they will turn a blind eye to my suffering like so many before.
I never intended to bring anyone into my hell, but now I’m not alone. I have people fighting for me. Making promises to protect me that I’m terrified to believe.
For too long, I’ve been let down and disappointed.
For too long, death was my only way to be free.
What is so different now? Why are they different?
*** Author Note ***
This is the conclusion to Lottie's story but not the series.
This story contains triggering content. For more details, please read the Know Before You Read page located in the beginning of the book.
It was all supposed to end. The pain. The fear.
As I felt myself fading, I didn’t fight it. I was ready.
But Mother wouldn’t let me go.
Not because she cared about me. Because I was worth more to her alive.
She left me broken and bleeding on the floor, assuming that I’d been beaten back into submission. What she didn’t know was that in my moments of disobedience, my rebellious acts of free will, I had grown close to three sons of Haven’s Rebels. Through them, I’d met my biological father. And neither he nor they will turn a blind eye to my suffering like so many before.
I never intended to bring anyone into my hell, but now I’m not alone. I have people fighting for me. Making promises to protect me that I’m terrified to believe.
For too long, I’ve been let down and disappointed.
For too long, death was my only way to be free.
What is so different now? Why are they different?
*** Author Note ***
This is the conclusion to Lottie's story but not the series.
This story contains triggering content. For more details, please read the Know Before You Read page located in the beginning of the book.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2026
About the author
Ashley N. Rostek
12 books3,447 followersAshley N. Rostek is a wife and mother by day and a writer by night. She survives on coffee, loves collecting offensive coffee mugs, and is an unashamed bibliophile.
To Ashley, there isn’t a better pastime than letting your mind escape in a good book. Her favorite genre is romance and has the overflowing bookshelf to prove it. She is a lover of love. Be it a sweet YA or a dark and lusty novel, she must read it!
Ashley’s passion is writing. She picked up the pen at seventeen and hasn’t put it down. Her debut novel is Embrace the Darkness, the first book in the Maura Quinn series.
For updates and sneak peeks on her upcoming projects, follow her on social media. Links below.
https://www.facebook.com/ashleynrostek/
https://www.instagram.com/ashleynrostek/
To Ashley, there isn’t a better pastime than letting your mind escape in a good book. Her favorite genre is romance and has the overflowing bookshelf to prove it. She is a lover of love. Be it a sweet YA or a dark and lusty novel, she must read it!
Ashley’s passion is writing. She picked up the pen at seventeen and hasn’t put it down. Her debut novel is Embrace the Darkness, the first book in the Maura Quinn series.
For updates and sneak peeks on her upcoming projects, follow her on social media. Links below.
https://www.facebook.com/ashleynrostek/
https://www.instagram.com/ashleynrostek/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
July 2, 2026
Tags: abuse, biker-mc-club, damaged-broken_hero, damaged-broken_heroine, duet, high-school, high-school-bikers, mean-mean-girls-women, om_drama, read, rh-biker-motorcycleclub, rh-contemporary, rich-heroine, step-adopted-siblings, teenage-romance
June 8, 2026
Decent conclusion to this duet. There’s some filler but well paced progression nonetheless. Not going to lie the romance didn’t work for me too much in this duet. I wanted the guys to be more active in the story. For a good chunk of the book shes hurt and healing at her dad’s house and it felt like we rarely saw them. They have lives but your girl is hurt, why are they not forcing that one of them is going to be with her at all times? Instead we have two brand new characters there. Clearly they’re meant to be MCs for her friends spin off but introduce us to them in a different way.
When she goes back to school and they know Brandon is there and they’re concerned, but Roe just goes to his locker. We needed the confrontation to happen between Brandon and the h but it could have been in a way that didn’t make it seem like her men are morons who aren’t possessive or protective enough to keep their eyes on her at all time. When I’m reading a “hurt/comfort” RH I expect way more comfort and protection. I wanted more possessive scenes too. They’re just happy to let her always take the lead in everything and it’s not hot to me.
Everything wrapped up with a good little bow though and I am excited for the spin offs.
When she goes back to school and they know Brandon is there and they’re concerned, but Roe just goes to his locker. We needed the confrontation to happen between Brandon and the h but it could have been in a way that didn’t make it seem like her men are morons who aren’t possessive or protective enough to keep their eyes on her at all time. When I’m reading a “hurt/comfort” RH I expect way more comfort and protection. I wanted more possessive scenes too. They’re just happy to let her always take the lead in everything and it’s not hot to me.
Everything wrapped up with a good little bow though and I am excited for the spin offs.
May 17, 2026
4,5 stars
oh i’ve been impatiently waiting for this book since i devoured what is love when it released in november.
and i devoured this one too.
i loved how the story played out, it had me hooked on every page. i think ashley does a tremendous job in how she writes and displays all the trauma and violence.
seeing how Lottie grows and heals, and finally standing up for her self was beautiful.
the friendship with mac and lemon and even the guys were so wonderful. i love how the guys are always there for her. roe, wyatt and reid bringing her up in their own different ways, exactly how she needs.
plus the spice were hawt!
i also absolutely adore Bram. loved seeing him step up and be the father she needs and how his and lotties relationship grew.
i wish we’d gotten more of lottie and the boys further ahead in time, but im guessing and hoping we’ll get some more of them in the others books in this series.
oh i’ve been impatiently waiting for this book since i devoured what is love when it released in november.
and i devoured this one too.
i loved how the story played out, it had me hooked on every page. i think ashley does a tremendous job in how she writes and displays all the trauma and violence.
seeing how Lottie grows and heals, and finally standing up for her self was beautiful.
the friendship with mac and lemon and even the guys were so wonderful. i love how the guys are always there for her. roe, wyatt and reid bringing her up in their own different ways, exactly how she needs.
plus the spice were hawt!
i also absolutely adore Bram. loved seeing him step up and be the father she needs and how his and lotties relationship grew.
i wish we’d gotten more of lottie and the boys further ahead in time, but im guessing and hoping we’ll get some more of them in the others books in this series.
May 24, 2026
Okay, hear me out.
I loved book 1. It was an easy, fun read! It was predictable but the vibes were great and I was really excited for book 2.
This book unfortunately fell flat for me.. felt like this story should of been one book instead of two. Or maybe I would of loved it if I read them back to back.. Regardless, this story should have been one book imo.
And I hope this isn't just me, but i had more interest in Bram than the 3 MMCs 😂
SPOLIERS
A few things that made me mad..
Clays really just gonna come in through the garage and attack her?! I dont believe Bram would have left the house if it wasnt secure!
And you're really gonna smack Mac with a pregnancy? She was the carefree and fun one.. I was excited for her story.. not anymore.
I loved book 1. It was an easy, fun read! It was predictable but the vibes were great and I was really excited for book 2.
This book unfortunately fell flat for me.. felt like this story should of been one book instead of two. Or maybe I would of loved it if I read them back to back.. Regardless, this story should have been one book imo.
And I hope this isn't just me, but i had more interest in Bram than the 3 MMCs 😂
SPOLIERS
A few things that made me mad..
Clays really just gonna come in through the garage and attack her?! I dont believe Bram would have left the house if it wasnt secure!
And you're really gonna smack Mac with a pregnancy? She was the carefree and fun one.. I was excited for her story.. not anymore.
May 25, 2026
I honestly don’t know how this author does it, but every single time I pick up one of her books, I’m instantly hooked. She has this incredible way of pulling you so deeply into her characters’ hearts that you feel every emotion right alongside them — the pain, the fear, the longing, the lust, the insecurity, and ultimately the trust and love they fight so hard for.
This story completely consumed me from beginning to end. Ashley writes trauma and healing in such a raw, emotional, and realistic way that it’s impossible not to feel deeply connected to these characters and everything they endure.
In book two, watching Lottie slowly begin to heal absolutely broke my heart and put it back together again. After everything she suffered at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, she’s exhausted, defeated, and ready to give up on herself completely. But the beautiful thing about this story is that she never has to face any of it alone. The guys refuse to let her fall, even when she believes she deserves to.
The relationship between Lottie and her father was one of the most emotional parts of the book for me. When Bram realizes the life she’s been forced to survive, you can feel the guilt, heartbreak, and fierce protectiveness pouring off the page. He doesn’t magically fix everything overnight, but he shows up for her again and again, determined to make sure she never feels unloved or unwanted ever again. Watching their relationship slowly grow into something safe, trusting, and full of love was genuinely beautiful.
I also adored the friendships in this book. Mac and Lemon brought so much warmth and comfort to Lottie’s life, and the way Roe, Wyatt, and Reid loved her — each in their own completely different way — was everything. They understood her wounds without trying to change who she was, and every small moment of support and reassurance felt so meaningful.
And Reid… watching him finally stop fighting his feelings and fully give in to his love for Lottie was so emotional and satisfying. The tension, the vulnerability, and the passion between Charlotte, Roe, Wyatt, and Reid gave us the spice we’d all been waiting for, but it also carried so much emotional weight behind it.
This story definitely has darker moments that could be triggering for some readers, but those moments are what make the healing feel so powerful and earned. The pain is ugly and real, but so is the love, the loyalty, and the strength Lottie finds within herself by the end.
And Bram… I absolutely adored him. Seeing him step up and become the father Lottie always deserved honestly made me emotional more than once. Their relationship growth was one of the most heartfelt parts of the entire book.
I do not typically gravitate toward YA novels, but this author has completely changed my perspective on the genre. Every book I have read by her has been exceptional. Her characters never feel immature or superficial; instead, they are complex, authentic, and deeply human. Their stories are raw, emotional, heartbreaking at times, yet ultimately uplifting.
Although Charlotte, Roe, Wyatt, and Reid’s story appears to be complete for now, I sincerely hope readers will see them again in Mac and Lemon’s story. I am already looking forward to the next installment in this series.
5 stars
This story completely consumed me from beginning to end. Ashley writes trauma and healing in such a raw, emotional, and realistic way that it’s impossible not to feel deeply connected to these characters and everything they endure.
In book two, watching Lottie slowly begin to heal absolutely broke my heart and put it back together again. After everything she suffered at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, she’s exhausted, defeated, and ready to give up on herself completely. But the beautiful thing about this story is that she never has to face any of it alone. The guys refuse to let her fall, even when she believes she deserves to.
The relationship between Lottie and her father was one of the most emotional parts of the book for me. When Bram realizes the life she’s been forced to survive, you can feel the guilt, heartbreak, and fierce protectiveness pouring off the page. He doesn’t magically fix everything overnight, but he shows up for her again and again, determined to make sure she never feels unloved or unwanted ever again. Watching their relationship slowly grow into something safe, trusting, and full of love was genuinely beautiful.
I also adored the friendships in this book. Mac and Lemon brought so much warmth and comfort to Lottie’s life, and the way Roe, Wyatt, and Reid loved her — each in their own completely different way — was everything. They understood her wounds without trying to change who she was, and every small moment of support and reassurance felt so meaningful.
And Reid… watching him finally stop fighting his feelings and fully give in to his love for Lottie was so emotional and satisfying. The tension, the vulnerability, and the passion between Charlotte, Roe, Wyatt, and Reid gave us the spice we’d all been waiting for, but it also carried so much emotional weight behind it.
This story definitely has darker moments that could be triggering for some readers, but those moments are what make the healing feel so powerful and earned. The pain is ugly and real, but so is the love, the loyalty, and the strength Lottie finds within herself by the end.
And Bram… I absolutely adored him. Seeing him step up and become the father Lottie always deserved honestly made me emotional more than once. Their relationship growth was one of the most heartfelt parts of the entire book.
I do not typically gravitate toward YA novels, but this author has completely changed my perspective on the genre. Every book I have read by her has been exceptional. Her characters never feel immature or superficial; instead, they are complex, authentic, and deeply human. Their stories are raw, emotional, heartbreaking at times, yet ultimately uplifting.
Although Charlotte, Roe, Wyatt, and Reid’s story appears to be complete for now, I sincerely hope readers will see them again in Mac and Lemon’s story. I am already looking forward to the next installment in this series.
5 stars
May 23, 2026
This was the first book from this author that I had not received an advanced reader copy from. With that being said, I had to wait for the release date like every other person does and let me just say I am so glad that I was able to finish this book in one sitting.
This book was the perfect ending to Lottie’s story and I cannot wait to read more of the stories from the side characters in future books. Lottie and her guys were perfect for one another. You have your rich girl who is abused by someone who’s supposed to love her, and then you have the three men from the other side of the bridge who she was not supposed to fall for, but happened to fall for and they would do anything for her. Then you have her father come in, who also would do anything for her and it’s just the perfect picture of a father character. You have your grumpy sunshine. You have your golden retriever. You have your friends to lovers more like acquaintances to lovers. You have amazing side characters. You have character growth. You have everything in this story. I loved watching Lottie grow stronger from the first book to the second book. I loved her strength, and her resilience. I loved her finally standing up for herself. If I could give this book 10 stars I would. If I could give this series 10 stars I would. I will read anything Ashley Rostek writes.
I am so excited to have read this book in a day and I cannot wait to see what the future holds now to move onto one of her other series that I haven’t read yet, because I’ve read the other series to its entirety, and wait for the next book that she writes because they’ll be coming. And as I normally say, onto the next.
This book was the perfect ending to Lottie’s story and I cannot wait to read more of the stories from the side characters in future books. Lottie and her guys were perfect for one another. You have your rich girl who is abused by someone who’s supposed to love her, and then you have the three men from the other side of the bridge who she was not supposed to fall for, but happened to fall for and they would do anything for her. Then you have her father come in, who also would do anything for her and it’s just the perfect picture of a father character. You have your grumpy sunshine. You have your golden retriever. You have your friends to lovers more like acquaintances to lovers. You have amazing side characters. You have character growth. You have everything in this story. I loved watching Lottie grow stronger from the first book to the second book. I loved her strength, and her resilience. I loved her finally standing up for herself. If I could give this book 10 stars I would. If I could give this series 10 stars I would. I will read anything Ashley Rostek writes.
I am so excited to have read this book in a day and I cannot wait to see what the future holds now to move onto one of her other series that I haven’t read yet, because I’ve read the other series to its entirety, and wait for the next book that she writes because they’ll be coming. And as I normally say, onto the next.
May 18, 2026
4.5⭐️ OMG, I wished this was LONGER! Jumping back into Lottie’s story especially after that cliffhanger was so emotional and brutal and Ashley Rostek knows how to pull on my heart strings! I love how we immediately pick up where we left off and my heart was hurting right alongside Lottie, but of course we have these gems of MMC’s that are there so support and help her. I’m such a stan of all three of them and the ways in which they showed up for her. But I loved the found family in this, from the romance to the friendships to actual family dynamics, the healing in this was just so well done. I could’ve read 4 more books about Lottie and the guys, but this was such a good bingeable duet. I can’t wait for the next stories in this world🤭 cause i was peeping gameeee! lol.
Thank you to Ashley N. Rostek and her team for this arc! 💘
Thank you to Ashley N. Rostek and her team for this arc! 💘
May 17, 2026
An emotional roller coaster of a conclusion for Lottie and an ending that was fought for with grit and perseverance and so very well-deserved. The relationship development with Bram might have been my favorite aspect of the book - there was so much that was heartfelt but also equally comical to watch them settle into their dynamic with neither of them really knowing how to handle the other. Ashley does a great job writing, not only those moments that reveal mental health and insecurities, but also those heart-pounding confrontations with physical and verbal sparing. The heat is turned way up as Lottie’s romantic relationships flourish and I have to say - as broody and blunt as Reid can be, I loved every moment he was on page. Roe and Wyatt are, of course, some of the sweetest, most loyal MMCs you’ll ever find. Some of the blood-pumping moments ended rather anticlimactically, and other emotionally healing moments weren’t on-page, which was rather disappointing at times, but ultimately So This is Love provided a very satisfying and fulfilling conclusion to Lottie’s story!
May 24, 2026
2.5 🌟 rounded up.
I don’t know. I was more invested in Lottie’s relationship with her father figures/grandfather than I was with the mmc’s. Their relationship just felt quite hollow and I skim read most of the smut. I loved the WITSEC series so much so it’s hard to not be disappointed with this by comparison. The benchmark was just too high!
I don’t know. I was more invested in Lottie’s relationship with her father figures/grandfather than I was with the mmc’s. Their relationship just felt quite hollow and I skim read most of the smut. I loved the WITSEC series so much so it’s hard to not be disappointed with this by comparison. The benchmark was just too high!
May 27, 2026
4⭐️
Now if there’s one thing Ashley N. Rostek will do every time without fail, it’s write a book I can’t put down. I was so excited for this sequel so we could finally get the ending for Lottie’s story. Now there were things I loved about this, and things that I didn’t. The pacing in these books romance-wise is great imo. I like a super slow burn so I wasn’t mad at the fact that she didn’t get with all the guys until this book. However I will say that the book in general did seem rushed for the last 20%. It was like we got her with all the guys and everything just sorta got wrapped up within a couple of chapters. This also meant not much group activities (iykyk😉) which I kinda look for in Why-Choose books. I am however excited to see what else we get from this series- although maybe not Mac’s book considering how this one ends😅 But I’m definitely excited for Lemon’s. Anywho overall this series did not beat out WITSEC as a god tier series but it was super binge-able and I did still really enjoy it!
Now if there’s one thing Ashley N. Rostek will do every time without fail, it’s write a book I can’t put down. I was so excited for this sequel so we could finally get the ending for Lottie’s story. Now there were things I loved about this, and things that I didn’t. The pacing in these books romance-wise is great imo. I like a super slow burn so I wasn’t mad at the fact that she didn’t get with all the guys until this book. However I will say that the book in general did seem rushed for the last 20%. It was like we got her with all the guys and everything just sorta got wrapped up within a couple of chapters. This also meant not much group activities (iykyk😉) which I kinda look for in Why-Choose books. I am however excited to see what else we get from this series- although maybe not Mac’s book considering how this one ends😅 But I’m definitely excited for Lemon’s. Anywho overall this series did not beat out WITSEC as a god tier series but it was super binge-able and I did still really enjoy it!
May 24, 2026
Absolutely addictive.
Bram and The Noah? Especially The Noah? Those few descriptive sentences made me bawl my eyes out.
Bram and The Noah? Especially The Noah? Those few descriptive sentences made me bawl my eyes out.
May 31, 2026
If Ashley is writing it, I’m reading it. At this point she could honestly do no wrong. So This Is Love was the perfect conclusion and had me feeling absolutely everything. The heartbreak in this book HURT, but somehow Ashley still balanced it with humor, swoony moments, and scenes that were so hot 😮💨
I loved getting to see these characters finally reach their ending after everything they went through. Emotional, addictive, and impossible to put down. Ashley N. Rostek never misses.
I loved getting to see these characters finally reach their ending after everything they went through. Emotional, addictive, and impossible to put down. Ashley N. Rostek never misses.
June 2, 2026
Ngl I forgot that this was the WITSEC and Maura Quinn author, so it wasn't until halfway through this second book, when I'd stayed up all night bc I couldn't go to sleep after finishing the first book, that I made the connection. This duet had me in the same chokehold as both of those series and I'm here thanking her for it. This was good stuff.
May 25, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐️ This was good but it felt a bit all over the place sometimes?
May 25, 2026
3.25 ✰
Not as good as the first. It felt too formulaic, but I still was entertained.
Not as good as the first. It felt too formulaic, but I still was entertained.
May 25, 2026
Disappointed in this is an understatement. Though, I guess my expectations were sky high because WITSEC is a god tier why choose series for me.
June 19, 2026
3 stars ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ So This is Love☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
🏍️₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ THOUGHTS ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊🏍️
I cannot be upset at the events of this book because, at the end of the day, Wyatt, Reid, and Roe were simply teenagers. They had the support of Bram, and honestly he was carrying most of the book while being a genuinely good father figure to Lottie. Did it feel underwhelming? A little bit. I loved the first book because it felt very real. Lottie was struggling with her entire life. She did not know who to trust, who to open up to, and she was bottling everything up inside. In this book, she is still struggling internally with her mental health. There are mentions of suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and she has a conversation with Reid where they discuss how they both used to share those thoughts. Reid is clearly concerned about her wellbeing because he is not sure if she still struggles with them, but she pretty much tells him that she does not anymore and suggests they might need therapy. Then the conversation just...ends. I really wish the book had followed through with that because it felt like such an important discussion to bring up only to move past it.
Everything feels so heavy, but at the same time I kept thinking...how is all of this happening to a group of teenagers? 😭 They are supposed to be figuring out college, finding their place in the world, and just being kids. Instead, they are carrying so much trauma and so many responsibilities. They have their entire lives ahead of them and it feels like they barely got the chance to experience any of it. I also feel like the setting never really changed. Lottie spent most of the book at the house, and if she was not there, she was at the club. It felt like a repetitive cycle of her trying to heal from the physical and emotional trauma caused by her mother. What felt missing was discovering what she actually wanted for herself. Yes, they eventually settled on California after debating it for a while, but it felt like she never truly figured out who she was outside of surviving. Whatever works for them is fine because it is their life and they get to choose what they want, but it still felt underwhelming.
[Wyatt]
I feel like I know virtually nothing about Wyatt besides the fact that he is charming, funny, and completely all in when it comes to Lottie. Somewhere along the way, it felt like he lost his identity as an individual character. I cannot even pinpoint exactly when it happened. We know he has ambitions. We know he is passionate about art. We know he never pursued it because he did not have the money. But beyond that? I still do not really know him. Of course he is a great boyfriend. He was there when she had nightmares, when she could not sleep, and when she needed support. I am not taking that away from him. But I wanted to know HIM, not just how good he was to Lottie.
[Roe]
Sometimes it feels like Roe had a complete personality transplant 😭. He went from being the broody guy selling weed on campus because he needed extra money as a scholarship student to being completely whipped and one of the most protective boyfriends in the group. Somehow he became the softest one of them all. I am not necessarily complaining because I actually liked seeing that side of him, but the transition felt so fast that it almost felt like I was reading a different character at times.
[Reid]
Reid is probably the hardest one for me to place because he started the series as a complete asshole. At the same time, he was also the one who seemed the most apologetic afterward. I genuinely believe he made an effort to own up to his mistakes and apologize for being judgmental and cruel toward Lottie. His behavior was unfair and uncalled for, even if it came from his own issues and projections. I can understand where he was coming from while still acknowledging that he treated her terribly. The problem is that it felt like his growth happened overnight. One minute he is making her life miserable, and the next he is fully evolved. I needed more time to see that development happen naturally.
🏍️₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ OVERALL ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊🏍️
I think this book suffered from being rushed. So much happened so quickly that we never really got the opportunity to see these characters develop as individuals outside of their relationships with Lottie. The emotional moments were there, and there were conversations that had the potential to be really impactful, especially regarding mental health, grief, and healing. But so many of them felt like they were introduced and then immediately moved past. I still cared about these characters, and I cannot be too harsh on them because they are literally teenagers trying to survive impossible circumstances. I just wish there had been more time spent exploring who they were as people and what they actually wanted out of life beyond each other. That is what felt missing for me. 😭🖤
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ So This is Love☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
🏍️₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ THOUGHTS ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊🏍️
I cannot be upset at the events of this book because, at the end of the day, Wyatt, Reid, and Roe were simply teenagers. They had the support of Bram, and honestly he was carrying most of the book while being a genuinely good father figure to Lottie. Did it feel underwhelming? A little bit. I loved the first book because it felt very real. Lottie was struggling with her entire life. She did not know who to trust, who to open up to, and she was bottling everything up inside. In this book, she is still struggling internally with her mental health. There are mentions of suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and she has a conversation with Reid where they discuss how they both used to share those thoughts. Reid is clearly concerned about her wellbeing because he is not sure if she still struggles with them, but she pretty much tells him that she does not anymore and suggests they might need therapy. Then the conversation just...ends. I really wish the book had followed through with that because it felt like such an important discussion to bring up only to move past it.
Everything feels so heavy, but at the same time I kept thinking...how is all of this happening to a group of teenagers? 😭 They are supposed to be figuring out college, finding their place in the world, and just being kids. Instead, they are carrying so much trauma and so many responsibilities. They have their entire lives ahead of them and it feels like they barely got the chance to experience any of it. I also feel like the setting never really changed. Lottie spent most of the book at the house, and if she was not there, she was at the club. It felt like a repetitive cycle of her trying to heal from the physical and emotional trauma caused by her mother. What felt missing was discovering what she actually wanted for herself. Yes, they eventually settled on California after debating it for a while, but it felt like she never truly figured out who she was outside of surviving. Whatever works for them is fine because it is their life and they get to choose what they want, but it still felt underwhelming.
[Wyatt]
I feel like I know virtually nothing about Wyatt besides the fact that he is charming, funny, and completely all in when it comes to Lottie. Somewhere along the way, it felt like he lost his identity as an individual character. I cannot even pinpoint exactly when it happened. We know he has ambitions. We know he is passionate about art. We know he never pursued it because he did not have the money. But beyond that? I still do not really know him. Of course he is a great boyfriend. He was there when she had nightmares, when she could not sleep, and when she needed support. I am not taking that away from him. But I wanted to know HIM, not just how good he was to Lottie.
[Roe]
“I want you to listen to me when I say this: My dream, what I work hard for, is to be happy. For the four of us to be happy. I know what my friends need to be happy. Right now, I want you to tell me what you need to be happy.”
Sometimes it feels like Roe had a complete personality transplant 😭. He went from being the broody guy selling weed on campus because he needed extra money as a scholarship student to being completely whipped and one of the most protective boyfriends in the group. Somehow he became the softest one of them all. I am not necessarily complaining because I actually liked seeing that side of him, but the transition felt so fast that it almost felt like I was reading a different character at times.
[Reid]
“I’m sorry I was an asshole and I couldn’t be optimistic like Wyatt when Roe brought you around. I saw you. I knew who you were, who your father really was, and I saw my best friend looking at you like he’s never looked at anyone else. I’m sorry I treated you like a threat. I’m sorry that I didn’t want to want you. I’m too fucking jaded to just fall for a girl without a care. I’ve been through too much and you should understand that better than anyone.”
Reid is probably the hardest one for me to place because he started the series as a complete asshole. At the same time, he was also the one who seemed the most apologetic afterward. I genuinely believe he made an effort to own up to his mistakes and apologize for being judgmental and cruel toward Lottie. His behavior was unfair and uncalled for, even if it came from his own issues and projections. I can understand where he was coming from while still acknowledging that he treated her terribly. The problem is that it felt like his growth happened overnight. One minute he is making her life miserable, and the next he is fully evolved. I needed more time to see that development happen naturally.
🏍️₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ OVERALL ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ🖤ෆ˚₊🏍️
I think this book suffered from being rushed. So much happened so quickly that we never really got the opportunity to see these characters develop as individuals outside of their relationships with Lottie. The emotional moments were there, and there were conversations that had the potential to be really impactful, especially regarding mental health, grief, and healing. But so many of them felt like they were introduced and then immediately moved past. I still cared about these characters, and I cannot be too harsh on them because they are literally teenagers trying to survive impossible circumstances. I just wish there had been more time spent exploring who they were as people and what they actually wanted out of life beyond each other. That is what felt missing for me. 😭🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
I’m still reeling from this duet two days, two books, and absolutely zero regrets. 📚🔥
So This Is Love by Ashley N. Rostek was the perfect ending that Lottie deserved.
After the brutal way book one ended Lottie left broken and bleeding, her mother assuming she’d been beaten back into submission the “who did this to you” energy finally has real, satisfying consequences in book two. The three sons of Haven’s Rebels and Lottie’s biological father are not looking the other way anymore. Watching them step up for her was everything. 🖤
One of the best things about Ashley N. Rostek’s writing is that she doesn’t pad the story with unnecessary drama or filler. The plot moves with total purpose and the why choose dynamic feels genuinely earned because the emotional beats land exactly where they should. No bloat, no pointless detours. Just story. 📖
The found family element is the real emotional core of this book. After everything Lottie survived in book one, watching her slowly start to believe that people will actually protect her that she is worth protecting is incredibly moving. She went from believing death was her only way to be free to finally finding people who refuse to let her go. That journey is beautiful and it’s handled with care. 🤍
Dark, heavy, check the trigger warnings before you go in but the payoff is worth every single page.
Five stars. One of the best why choose duets I’ve read this year and I walked away completely satisfied. 🌟🔥
So This Is Love by Ashley N. Rostek was the perfect ending that Lottie deserved.
After the brutal way book one ended Lottie left broken and bleeding, her mother assuming she’d been beaten back into submission the “who did this to you” energy finally has real, satisfying consequences in book two. The three sons of Haven’s Rebels and Lottie’s biological father are not looking the other way anymore. Watching them step up for her was everything. 🖤
One of the best things about Ashley N. Rostek’s writing is that she doesn’t pad the story with unnecessary drama or filler. The plot moves with total purpose and the why choose dynamic feels genuinely earned because the emotional beats land exactly where they should. No bloat, no pointless detours. Just story. 📖
The found family element is the real emotional core of this book. After everything Lottie survived in book one, watching her slowly start to believe that people will actually protect her that she is worth protecting is incredibly moving. She went from believing death was her only way to be free to finally finding people who refuse to let her go. That journey is beautiful and it’s handled with care. 🤍
Dark, heavy, check the trigger warnings before you go in but the payoff is worth every single page.
Five stars. One of the best why choose duets I’ve read this year and I walked away completely satisfied. 🌟🔥
May 28, 2026
Ashley N. Rostek really is an auto-read author for me at this point. The WITSEC series and the Maura Quinn books own permanent real estate in my brain, so my expectations for So This is Love were dangerously high after loving the first book in this series so much.
And this book is genuinely confusing me because my reading experience and my critical thoughts are fighting each other in a parking lot.
Because on one hand? I DEVOURED this book. I was invested from start to finish. Give me a broken girl being rescued, protected, loved, and obsessively cared for by a bunch of “bad boys” and suddenly I lose all ability to think critically. It gets me every single time. Lottie and the guys had me emotionally hooked, and seeing the progression between Lottie and her father was honestly one of my favorite parts of the entire story.
BUT.
Something about the writing felt… off compared to Ashley’s other books.
It felt rushed, but also somehow dragged at the same time? Which should be impossible, and yet here we are. Around a third into the book, I started noticing that every tiny action was being described in detail even when it added absolutely nothing to the scene. People blinking. Sitting. Standing. Walking. Looking. Breathing. Existing. And once my brain clocked it, there was no escape. Suddenly I was hyper aware of the filler and it pulled me out of the story more than I wanted it to.
And listen… we also need to talk about the spice.
Because it wasn’t BAD. But compared to Ashley’s other books, it definitely felt toned down, and I kept waiting for scenes that never fully delivered. I *kind of* understand why, considering everything Lottie has been through and the emotional state she’s in for a lot of the story. It makes sense narratively.
But emotionally as a reader? I still felt like something was missing. Like the tension was there, the build up was there, the emotional connection was there… but the payoff never hit as hard as I wanted it to.
Which makes this rating SO difficult because the story itself? Loved it. Ate it up. Had the time of my life. But the actual writing choices held it back from being a full 5 star read for me.
That said… the setup for Mac’s story??? EXCUSE ME???
And then the crumbs for Lemon’s book right after???
Ashley really looked me dead in the eyes and said “you’re not escaping this series anytime soon” and honestly? Fair enough. I’ll be seated immediately.
And this book is genuinely confusing me because my reading experience and my critical thoughts are fighting each other in a parking lot.
Because on one hand? I DEVOURED this book. I was invested from start to finish. Give me a broken girl being rescued, protected, loved, and obsessively cared for by a bunch of “bad boys” and suddenly I lose all ability to think critically. It gets me every single time. Lottie and the guys had me emotionally hooked, and seeing the progression between Lottie and her father was honestly one of my favorite parts of the entire story.
BUT.
Something about the writing felt… off compared to Ashley’s other books.
It felt rushed, but also somehow dragged at the same time? Which should be impossible, and yet here we are. Around a third into the book, I started noticing that every tiny action was being described in detail even when it added absolutely nothing to the scene. People blinking. Sitting. Standing. Walking. Looking. Breathing. Existing. And once my brain clocked it, there was no escape. Suddenly I was hyper aware of the filler and it pulled me out of the story more than I wanted it to.
And listen… we also need to talk about the spice.
Because it wasn’t BAD. But compared to Ashley’s other books, it definitely felt toned down, and I kept waiting for scenes that never fully delivered. I *kind of* understand why, considering everything Lottie has been through and the emotional state she’s in for a lot of the story. It makes sense narratively.
But emotionally as a reader? I still felt like something was missing. Like the tension was there, the build up was there, the emotional connection was there… but the payoff never hit as hard as I wanted it to.
Which makes this rating SO difficult because the story itself? Loved it. Ate it up. Had the time of my life. But the actual writing choices held it back from being a full 5 star read for me.
That said… the setup for Mac’s story??? EXCUSE ME???
And then the crumbs for Lemon’s book right after???
Ashley really looked me dead in the eyes and said “you’re not escaping this series anytime soon” and honestly? Fair enough. I’ll be seated immediately.
May 26, 2026
I read the first book yesterday so I liked how short the story was, but honestly it wasn’t anything to write home about… 😖 The WITSEC series was one of my first reverse harem books I read, so I did have high hopes for this series. For what it was it was decent, just a tad forgettable. The first book was ROUGH and hard to read at times, so I found this book more satisfying to read in terms of comfort and Lottie finding her true family. As for continuing on for the series I think I’ll tap out at Lottie’s story. As much as I liked both Lemon and Mac, I feel like the sudden pregnancy was a big turn off into continuing her story. And for Lemon I feel like it will be similar to Lottie’s story with the two MC men.
May 17, 2026
Lottie’s story was absolutely heartbreaking and healing all at once. Watching her fight through so much pain while slowly learning she deserved love and protection made this an incredibly emotional read. Her relationships with Roe, Wyatt, and Reid were one of the best parts of the story because each of them brought something different to her healing and made her finally feel seen and safe. It could not have been more perfect. Raw, painful, hopeful, and impossible to put down
May 25, 2026
Just obsessed. My biggest complaint was that this book wasn’t long enough 🤣
May 25, 2026
The ending felt a bit abrupt, I would have liked this to be longer 🥺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 27, 2026🟢 This is a reverse harem 🟢
May 31, 2026
Everything she writes is crack. This book was amazing and a great ending. I’m so excited for Lemon and Mac’s books 😭
June 1, 2026
I can’t decide if this is a 3.5 or 4 but RTC someday maybe!
June 3, 2026
3.5 Stars
May 24, 2026
I so enjoy this author. But i feel like this book was rushed. I felt that the cadence changed about halfway through.
May 26, 2026
Oh how I adore Lottie 🥹
I absolutely loved this conclusion! It didn’t go the way I had originally thought either and I’m so here for it lol. Lottie had found the perfect men, besties and father possible. She deserved the happiness that was around her.
Her relationship with Bram was probably my favorite out of everyone. The way he was with her melted my heart. I’m so glad they found each other!!
I cannot WAIT for Mac & Lemon’s stories!!
Thank you so so much for the arc. 🩷🩷
I absolutely loved this conclusion! It didn’t go the way I had originally thought either and I’m so here for it lol. Lottie had found the perfect men, besties and father possible. She deserved the happiness that was around her.
Her relationship with Bram was probably my favorite out of everyone. The way he was with her melted my heart. I’m so glad they found each other!!
I cannot WAIT for Mac & Lemon’s stories!!
Thank you so so much for the arc. 🩷🩷
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