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Core Four: Second to None
Colbie Moody doesn’t do forever. Between living with bipolar depression and growing up with a mother whose love life was a revolving door of chaos, she’s learned that it’s easier to stand alone than to watch people come and go.
Brody Rivers has his own reasons for keeping people at a distance. A country musician with a famous last name, he trusts little and says even less—except when it comes to Colbie.
When Colbie’s father dies suddenly, Brody becomes her lifeline. What begins as a temporary escape from pain turns permanent with two pink lines and a future neither of them planned.
As they navigate grief, the highs of a new pregnancy, and their undeniable connection, they find a rhythm that feels like home.
But the higher they climb, the harder the fall. Anger, guilt, and heartbreak threaten to tear them apart, and Colbie and Brody must decide if their love can survive the unthinkable—or if the future they built on shifting sand will crumble completely.
Second to None is an emotional, unforgettable contemporary romance about love, loss, and the courage to fight for a chance at happiness, even when your world is falling apart.
Brody Rivers has his own reasons for keeping people at a distance. A country musician with a famous last name, he trusts little and says even less—except when it comes to Colbie.
When Colbie’s father dies suddenly, Brody becomes her lifeline. What begins as a temporary escape from pain turns permanent with two pink lines and a future neither of them planned.
As they navigate grief, the highs of a new pregnancy, and their undeniable connection, they find a rhythm that feels like home.
But the higher they climb, the harder the fall. Anger, guilt, and heartbreak threaten to tear them apart, and Colbie and Brody must decide if their love can survive the unthinkable—or if the future they built on shifting sand will crumble completely.
Second to None is an emotional, unforgettable contemporary romance about love, loss, and the courage to fight for a chance at happiness, even when your world is falling apart.
- GenresRomance
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 10, 2026
I’m not gonna lie I did not like how this started at all. The beginning felt so rushed. Colbie goes from clearly not liking Brody to suddenly being with him right after something traumatic, and I was just sitting there like… huh?? It felt contradictory and there was basically no buildup, which made it really hard for me to believe how quickly they went all in on each other. 😭 Like it went from 1 to 20 so fast, and I had the hardest time actually getting behind their relationship because of that.
BUT—stick with me—because it does get better.
Once the story settles, the emotional depth really starts to hit. Their relationship becomes less about the chaos of how it started and more about how they choose each other after. And I really appreciated that Brody wanted her before he found out about the pregnancy.
and speaking of Brody… he honestly carried so much of this for me. The way he showed up for Colbie, stayed patient, cared for her, and chose to love her even when she wasn’t the easiest to handle… 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼That mattered. The way he wanted her, fully, even in the hard moments. 🤌🏼🤌🏼
Colbie herself is messy, complicated, and not always likable, but that’s also what made her feel real. I really respected how her bipolar disorder was handled. It wasn’t glossed over or magically fixed, it was something she had to learn to live with, and that rawness added a lot of weight to the story. 👏🏼
Also the friendships?? Lowkey one of my favorite parts 🙂↕️ And I loved how it highlighted actually checking in on your people and being intentional about showing up for them. The way they all paid attention to each other and supported one another felt so genuine and grounding. 👏🏼
Even though the beginning felt really rushed and hard to connect with, the story ultimately redeemed itself through its emotional depth and character growth. I really appreciated how honest and layered the development felt, especially as the characters moved through their struggles and started to find stability and healing. By the end, the emotional payoff really lands. And just fair warning… be ready to grab your tissues towards the end 🥺.Because it’s a lot. Overall, the stronger emotional arc and character development were enough to outweigh the rocky start, leaving this as a solid 4 ⭐️ read for me.
things to know about the book ↓
🤍accidental pregnancy
🤍emotional/trauma bonding
🤍he falls first
🤍fast burn
🤍mental health rep
🤍strong friend group
🤍healing journey
🤍dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing:
The biggest thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Sara Burwell for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
[Content note: This book deals with some genuinely heavy subject matter, so I wanted to include a brief heads-up here. ❗️If you don’t want the spoiler don’t continue reading.❗️
The author does provide a trigger warning page at the beginning, but it’s not super specific. I’m listing the specific topic that caught me off guard below just in case you prefer to be aware beforehand. Please take care while reading 🫂]
Trigger Warning ↓ ↓
on-page miscarriage
BUT—stick with me—because it does get better.
Once the story settles, the emotional depth really starts to hit. Their relationship becomes less about the chaos of how it started and more about how they choose each other after. And I really appreciated that Brody wanted her before he found out about the pregnancy.
and speaking of Brody… he honestly carried so much of this for me. The way he showed up for Colbie, stayed patient, cared for her, and chose to love her even when she wasn’t the easiest to handle… 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼That mattered. The way he wanted her, fully, even in the hard moments. 🤌🏼🤌🏼
Colbie herself is messy, complicated, and not always likable, but that’s also what made her feel real. I really respected how her bipolar disorder was handled. It wasn’t glossed over or magically fixed, it was something she had to learn to live with, and that rawness added a lot of weight to the story. 👏🏼
Also the friendships?? Lowkey one of my favorite parts 🙂↕️ And I loved how it highlighted actually checking in on your people and being intentional about showing up for them. The way they all paid attention to each other and supported one another felt so genuine and grounding. 👏🏼
Even though the beginning felt really rushed and hard to connect with, the story ultimately redeemed itself through its emotional depth and character growth. I really appreciated how honest and layered the development felt, especially as the characters moved through their struggles and started to find stability and healing. By the end, the emotional payoff really lands. And just fair warning… be ready to grab your tissues towards the end 🥺.Because it’s a lot. Overall, the stronger emotional arc and character development were enough to outweigh the rocky start, leaving this as a solid 4 ⭐️ read for me.
things to know about the book ↓
🤍accidental pregnancy
🤍emotional/trauma bonding
🤍he falls first
🤍fast burn
🤍mental health rep
🤍strong friend group
🤍healing journey
🤍dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing:
The biggest thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Sara Burwell for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
[Content note: This book deals with some genuinely heavy subject matter, so I wanted to include a brief heads-up here. ❗️If you don’t want the spoiler don’t continue reading.❗️
The author does provide a trigger warning page at the beginning, but it’s not super specific. I’m listing the specific topic that caught me off guard below just in case you prefer to be aware beforehand. Please take care while reading 🫂]
Trigger Warning ↓ ↓
on-page miscarriage
July 19, 2026
Thank you to Sara for entrusting me with a gifted physical copy!
Core Four: Second to None by Sara Burwell
Core Four series book 2
Interconnected standalones
Contemporary romance
Dual pov
Amazing female friendship
Mental health rep
Grief and loss
Fast burn
Professional guitar player x financial analyst
Please check the content warnings, especially if you have any grief/loss related.
Colbie doesn't believe in love. At least for herself. But when tragedy strikes, she is surprised by someone who used to annoy her becoming her rock. When their coming together results in an unexpected pregnancy, they shift again and continue getting to know each other more as they fall even more. But when heartbreak strikes again, can they make it through together?
This book was so emotion filled. Sara put me through the ringer from giggling and kicking my feet to extreme heartbreak. It started out a fast burn at the beginning and then almost shifted back to a slow burn as Colbie and Brody decide to make a go at a relationship. The found family is wonderful, especially the female friendship! Will be looking forward to the next book and couple!
Core Four: Second to None by Sara Burwell
Core Four series book 2
Interconnected standalones
Contemporary romance
Dual pov
Amazing female friendship
Mental health rep
Grief and loss
Fast burn
Professional guitar player x financial analyst
Please check the content warnings, especially if you have any grief/loss related.
Colbie doesn't believe in love. At least for herself. But when tragedy strikes, she is surprised by someone who used to annoy her becoming her rock. When their coming together results in an unexpected pregnancy, they shift again and continue getting to know each other more as they fall even more. But when heartbreak strikes again, can they make it through together?
This book was so emotion filled. Sara put me through the ringer from giggling and kicking my feet to extreme heartbreak. It started out a fast burn at the beginning and then almost shifted back to a slow burn as Colbie and Brody decide to make a go at a relationship. The found family is wonderful, especially the female friendship! Will be looking forward to the next book and couple!
June 23, 2026
“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
This is book 2 in an interconnected series, but it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed the first book, but this one? Sooooo good! It’s definitely my favorite so far 🤎
Brody is officially a new favorite MMC of mine!! He was so caring and such a sweetheart. The way he was always there for her? Stop 🥹 He deserves the world.
The story was definitely a bit heavy. Please make sure to check the TWs before reading. It deals with grief (the loss of a parent) and miscarriage. Some parts were difficult for me to read because, unfortunately, I know that pain firsthand, but I think the author handled those topics with a lot of care.
Both characters felt incredibly relatable, and the author did a fantastic job with the mental health representation.
Definitely recommend!
Tropes/Themes:
🤎 Grief/loss
🎶 Musician MMC (guitar player)
🤎 Bipolar rep
🎶 Accidental pregnancy
“𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.”
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy!
This is book 2 in an interconnected series, but it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed the first book, but this one? Sooooo good! It’s definitely my favorite so far 🤎
Brody is officially a new favorite MMC of mine!! He was so caring and such a sweetheart. The way he was always there for her? Stop 🥹 He deserves the world.
The story was definitely a bit heavy. Please make sure to check the TWs before reading. It deals with grief (the loss of a parent) and miscarriage. Some parts were difficult for me to read because, unfortunately, I know that pain firsthand, but I think the author handled those topics with a lot of care.
Both characters felt incredibly relatable, and the author did a fantastic job with the mental health representation.
Definitely recommend!
Tropes/Themes:
🤎 Grief/loss
🎶 Musician MMC (guitar player)
🤎 Bipolar rep
🎶 Accidental pregnancy
“𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.”
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy!
April 18, 2026
I typically am not a huge fan of books with this trope but to be honest, from chapter 3, I was hooked. There were times that I cried, smiled, giggled and felt complete heartbreak and I had to remind myself it was just a book. This was truly one of the best books of this trope I have read.
May 28, 2026
3.5⭐️ I liked this one! I really loved the girl group and the relationships between them. Their support for one another was genuinely heartwarming. I personally struggle with fast-burn romance and pregnancy tropes, so keep that in mind with my rating. That said, I thought the way mental health was handled was done incredibly well and with a lot of care.
May 23, 2026
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I was originally going to give it one Star, but when coming to the other reviews, I learned this book was actually a sequel in a standalone series. I would have never known this if not for other readers commenting; therefore I gifted back one star as some of my frustrations with character developments may not be as big of an issue if you were already familiar with the series.
Now let’s dive into the issues with this story particularly. The pacing was entirely unrealistic. We go from her saying by she hates him, to soul connecting partners within pages. There is no enemies to lovers. Or even a courtship with budding romance. It’s just I hate you…. I’m madly in love with you.
And then we have the central story line - after a hookup fueled by mutual grief and alcohol, our main characters learn they are expecting a child. However, moments before the hookup, she affirms she is on birth control. And when morning sickness begins she writes off pregnancy as a possibility because she knows she’s on birth control. And then… positive pregnancy test! Which, listen, I am fully aware that medically this is entirely possible. What is not possible is she reaction to this news. There is no processing. No anger or disbelief. Instead it’s almost immediate excitement that despite you taking a conscious effort to prevent this outcome, your one night stand just changed the trajectory of your entire life. Oh and we’re stoked to play house immediately with our hookup like we’ve planned for a family all this time. Again, I support that the characters accepted this change of fate and embraced it… but in book format we are blessed with being able to know characters inner thoughts and feelings that aren’t spoken. And you want me to believe that an single, career-focused woman who purposefully took medication to prevent pregnancy, didn’t have at least a few choice words or questions as to how the hell this happened? No questions to the doctor. No disbelief. Just immediate acceptance. Again. The timing pace is insane. Don’t get me started on the fact her only pregnancy symptoms happened before she confirmed with a test, and once she knew with certainty she was pregnant she is magically glowing and all morning sickness dissolved.
My last huge complaint, and while it is a spoiler I feel it should not be. The author chose to start this book with a page of content warnings. Copied directly from the text: “sudden death of a parent, pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications, emergency medical procedures, bipolar depression disorder (relapse, treatment, and medication discussion), grief and bereavement, emotional distress and verbal conflict, alcohol use, and sexual content.” What is missing is “miscarriage” and/or “loss of child/pregnancy”. I’m sorry but more detail is given on how bipolar disorder is discussed than “pregnancy complications” or “emergency medical procedures”. If you are going to give content warning be direct and cover them all. Not just some, or not with rose tinted gloss. If you are going to pick and choose which content to give warning about, just leave the content warnings out altogether. Anyone who has been affected by the trauma of losing a pregnancy would not have gotten that content warning from the description provided. And therefore likely suffered some emotional trauma in this book.
On a more minor and petty note, there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. I strongly recommend this author invest in better editor to help with basic grammar editing, as well as plot development and pacing. I can tell she is a strong writer as her descriptions and prose are beautiful; but connecting individual sentences or moments together in the pacing of a full book needs work.
Overall I’m thankful this was a short read.
Now let’s dive into the issues with this story particularly. The pacing was entirely unrealistic. We go from her saying by she hates him, to soul connecting partners within pages. There is no enemies to lovers. Or even a courtship with budding romance. It’s just I hate you…. I’m madly in love with you.
And then we have the central story line - after a hookup fueled by mutual grief and alcohol, our main characters learn they are expecting a child. However, moments before the hookup, she affirms she is on birth control. And when morning sickness begins she writes off pregnancy as a possibility because she knows she’s on birth control. And then… positive pregnancy test! Which, listen, I am fully aware that medically this is entirely possible. What is not possible is she reaction to this news. There is no processing. No anger or disbelief. Instead it’s almost immediate excitement that despite you taking a conscious effort to prevent this outcome, your one night stand just changed the trajectory of your entire life. Oh and we’re stoked to play house immediately with our hookup like we’ve planned for a family all this time. Again, I support that the characters accepted this change of fate and embraced it… but in book format we are blessed with being able to know characters inner thoughts and feelings that aren’t spoken. And you want me to believe that an single, career-focused woman who purposefully took medication to prevent pregnancy, didn’t have at least a few choice words or questions as to how the hell this happened? No questions to the doctor. No disbelief. Just immediate acceptance. Again. The timing pace is insane. Don’t get me started on the fact her only pregnancy symptoms happened before she confirmed with a test, and once she knew with certainty she was pregnant she is magically glowing and all morning sickness dissolved.
My last huge complaint, and while it is a spoiler I feel it should not be. The author chose to start this book with a page of content warnings. Copied directly from the text: “sudden death of a parent, pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications, emergency medical procedures, bipolar depression disorder (relapse, treatment, and medication discussion), grief and bereavement, emotional distress and verbal conflict, alcohol use, and sexual content.” What is missing is “miscarriage” and/or “loss of child/pregnancy”. I’m sorry but more detail is given on how bipolar disorder is discussed than “pregnancy complications” or “emergency medical procedures”. If you are going to give content warning be direct and cover them all. Not just some, or not with rose tinted gloss. If you are going to pick and choose which content to give warning about, just leave the content warnings out altogether. Anyone who has been affected by the trauma of losing a pregnancy would not have gotten that content warning from the description provided. And therefore likely suffered some emotional trauma in this book.
On a more minor and petty note, there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. I strongly recommend this author invest in better editor to help with basic grammar editing, as well as plot development and pacing. I can tell she is a strong writer as her descriptions and prose are beautiful; but connecting individual sentences or moments together in the pacing of a full book needs work.
Overall I’m thankful this was a short read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2026
Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC! 🩷
“Days pass. Not fast. Not easy. But they pass. Some mornings I wake up crushed by the loss again. Some mornings I wake up and the pain is quieter—still there, but not screaming. Brody learns the rhythm of me. When I need to talk. When I need to cry. When I need silence. And I learn the rhythm of healing—that it doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in moments.”
This book hit me hard as someone who struggles with depression. Sara has a beautiful way of bringing unexplainable feelings into words. As soon as
Colbie told Brody she had learned to be “fine” without meds, I was on alert waiting for the trigger and spiral. I’ve been there so many times and this topic was handled so well.
Brody was the greenest green flag and I loved his love for Colbie. This was a quick-paced and emotional read. I love this found family.
Be sure to read TW if you have them!
“Days pass. Not fast. Not easy. But they pass. Some mornings I wake up crushed by the loss again. Some mornings I wake up and the pain is quieter—still there, but not screaming. Brody learns the rhythm of me. When I need to talk. When I need to cry. When I need silence. And I learn the rhythm of healing—that it doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in moments.”
This book hit me hard as someone who struggles with depression. Sara has a beautiful way of bringing unexplainable feelings into words. As soon as
Colbie told Brody she had learned to be “fine” without meds, I was on alert waiting for the trigger and spiral. I’ve been there so many times and this topic was handled so well.
Brody was the greenest green flag and I loved his love for Colbie. This was a quick-paced and emotional read. I love this found family.
Be sure to read TW if you have them!
May 7, 2026
Story that touched my heart ❤️
I won “Core Four: Second to None” as a Goodreads Giveaway, and by the final page I felt "double lucky” - not just for winning the book, but for the chance to win such a great book. Even though it is the second book in a series and I didn't read the first one, but that wasn't a problem at all. It was very easy to jump in and understand the characters and the connections between them.
What I loved most is how mature and balanced this story is. There are no childish acts or "obnoxious" attitudes from the main characters. The author created a real, classic relationship without unnecessary drama or third parties. It was a brilliant move to focus on the "life basics"—pure, simple love and true friendship—rather than relying on extravagance or over-the-top plot twists.
Two things really touched my heart. First one, it’s the parent-child dynamic: The way the author writes about the issues between parents and their adult kids is very realistic. Many of us dealing with similar things in own lives, I appreciated how openly this was discussed.
And the second is the topic of illness: The book shows that people dealing with pain or illness shouldn't be treated as "others." With a good plan and proper care, they can enjoy life and love just like the rest of the world.
My only "complaint" is the cover. I strongly believe this amazing novel deserves a much better visual look. For me, the cover plays big part of choosing a book, and I would hate for such a talented creation to go unnoticed because of an "impersonal" design. This book is a gem that deserves to shine! 🌟
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I won “Core Four: Second to None” as a Goodreads Giveaway, and by the final page I felt "double lucky” - not just for winning the book, but for the chance to win such a great book. Even though it is the second book in a series and I didn't read the first one, but that wasn't a problem at all. It was very easy to jump in and understand the characters and the connections between them.
What I loved most is how mature and balanced this story is. There are no childish acts or "obnoxious" attitudes from the main characters. The author created a real, classic relationship without unnecessary drama or third parties. It was a brilliant move to focus on the "life basics"—pure, simple love and true friendship—rather than relying on extravagance or over-the-top plot twists.
Two things really touched my heart. First one, it’s the parent-child dynamic: The way the author writes about the issues between parents and their adult kids is very realistic. Many of us dealing with similar things in own lives, I appreciated how openly this was discussed.
And the second is the topic of illness: The book shows that people dealing with pain or illness shouldn't be treated as "others." With a good plan and proper care, they can enjoy life and love just like the rest of the world.
My only "complaint" is the cover. I strongly believe this amazing novel deserves a much better visual look. For me, the cover plays big part of choosing a book, and I would hate for such a talented creation to go unnoticed because of an "impersonal" design. This book is a gem that deserves to shine! 🌟
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2026
Book Title: Second to None (Core Four Book 2)
Author: Sara Burwell
Publisher: Sara Burwell (Independent)
Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Dates Read/Listened: May 18, 2026 – June 13, 2026
🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔(𝚒𝚜𝚑) 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: Ever since I read Core Four: The One, I have been anxiously awaiting the next book, and I loved Core Four: Second to None even MORE than the first book! Colbie and Brody’s story was the one I was hoping I would get, and it flew by for me. They are both in such an emotional place, and it just gets even heavier as the story goes on. Triggers are definitely important to check here, and even though I don’t have any myself, the emotions that Burwell explores ended up getting me pretty teary. The romance between our MCs is filled with tension, and I was rooting for them right from the start. You don’t need to read book one to read this, but I highly recommend both of them! Burwell is a master at her craft, and these romances hit me harder than most.
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🍺💔🤰🏼🫂
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌶️🌶️
Author: Sara Burwell
Publisher: Sara Burwell (Independent)
Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Dates Read/Listened: May 18, 2026 – June 13, 2026
🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔(𝚒𝚜𝚑) 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: Ever since I read Core Four: The One, I have been anxiously awaiting the next book, and I loved Core Four: Second to None even MORE than the first book! Colbie and Brody’s story was the one I was hoping I would get, and it flew by for me. They are both in such an emotional place, and it just gets even heavier as the story goes on. Triggers are definitely important to check here, and even though I don’t have any myself, the emotions that Burwell explores ended up getting me pretty teary. The romance between our MCs is filled with tension, and I was rooting for them right from the start. You don’t need to read book one to read this, but I highly recommend both of them! Burwell is a master at her craft, and these romances hit me harder than most.
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🍺💔🤰🏼🫂
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌶️🌶️
April 1, 2026
The second installment of the Core Four series!! I really loved getting Colbie and Brody’s story, especially since they were so nicely intro’d in book one.
This book takes off QUICK: all gas, no brakes the entire time, which I loved. It’s super fast-paced and there’s a great balance between swoon and serious.
I really love the way Sara writes and I’m already ready for the next book in the series!
This is a review of an advanced copy received from the author 📢
This book takes off QUICK: all gas, no brakes the entire time, which I loved. It’s super fast-paced and there’s a great balance between swoon and serious.
I really love the way Sara writes and I’m already ready for the next book in the series!
This is a review of an advanced copy received from the author 📢
March 24, 2026
I received an ARC from Sara and her team, and this book completely pulled me out of my reading slump.
Second to None is an emotional contemporary romance that follows Brody and Colbie as they navigate real-life struggles while trying to build a relationship in the middle of everything life throws at them. Their journey feels raw, honest, and incredibly relatable.
Sara delivers a story that truly stays with you—one that will have you laughing, crying, and reflecting on your own life and the hurdles you’ve faced, much like Colbie and Brody. The emotional depth is balanced perfectly with just the right amount of spice to keep things engaging for readers who enjoy that element.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, whether you’re a romance reader or not. It’s a powerful, heartfelt story that’s hard to put down.
Second to None is an emotional contemporary romance that follows Brody and Colbie as they navigate real-life struggles while trying to build a relationship in the middle of everything life throws at them. Their journey feels raw, honest, and incredibly relatable.
Sara delivers a story that truly stays with you—one that will have you laughing, crying, and reflecting on your own life and the hurdles you’ve faced, much like Colbie and Brody. The emotional depth is balanced perfectly with just the right amount of spice to keep things engaging for readers who enjoy that element.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, whether you’re a romance reader or not. It’s a powerful, heartfelt story that’s hard to put down.
April 25, 2026
thank you so much to netgalley for providing this arc!
i will preface this by saying that i never read book 1 and i have a feeling that this may have changed how i viewed the book. there's quite a few characters in this book and they appear to be part of their own separate groups, at yet interconnected at the same time and this is never explained how. i presume that in the first book their dynamics are made much clearer, but in this book, it was confusing at times to know who was who and how they fitted in this group.
this book unfortunately tells a lot rather than showing. in the first 10-20% of this book, you are consistently told about something, and told about it in a huge amount of detail and it gets boring very quickly.
this book is also dual pov, but the pov's are in the same chapter. it will always start with colbie's pov, then switch to brody's. this was a concept i have never seen before and i struggled to come around to it. many of the pov's felt rather forced and out of place and it would've flowed much better had it been the standard 1 pov per chapter. there was one instance where a pov had ended and the other one began so i assumed that we had moved on from this scene. however, when the pov returned, we were back in the previous scene and no time had moved at all. however, i had already processed those events and moved on so it didn't have the same effect anymore.
the book begins with colbie saying she cannot stand brody and then maybe 2 hours later sleeps with him? then shes just instantly obsessed with him. it would still be incredibly insta-lovey, but that was a very bizarre change of attitude. this entire relationship moves incredibly quickly and feels rather forced at times. i didn't feel like they had any chemistry and instead were together because they were having a child.
i will preface this by saying that i never read book 1 and i have a feeling that this may have changed how i viewed the book. there's quite a few characters in this book and they appear to be part of their own separate groups, at yet interconnected at the same time and this is never explained how. i presume that in the first book their dynamics are made much clearer, but in this book, it was confusing at times to know who was who and how they fitted in this group.
this book unfortunately tells a lot rather than showing. in the first 10-20% of this book, you are consistently told about something, and told about it in a huge amount of detail and it gets boring very quickly.
this book is also dual pov, but the pov's are in the same chapter. it will always start with colbie's pov, then switch to brody's. this was a concept i have never seen before and i struggled to come around to it. many of the pov's felt rather forced and out of place and it would've flowed much better had it been the standard 1 pov per chapter. there was one instance where a pov had ended and the other one began so i assumed that we had moved on from this scene. however, when the pov returned, we were back in the previous scene and no time had moved at all. however, i had already processed those events and moved on so it didn't have the same effect anymore.
the book begins with colbie saying she cannot stand brody and then maybe 2 hours later sleeps with him? then shes just instantly obsessed with him. it would still be incredibly insta-lovey, but that was a very bizarre change of attitude. this entire relationship moves incredibly quickly and feels rather forced at times. i didn't feel like they had any chemistry and instead were together because they were having a child.
July 21, 2026
Thank you @saraburwell.author for a gifted copy!
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Core Four: Second to None
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sara Burwell
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: March 31, 2026
🎸 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🎸
This is book two in the interconnected Core Four series and it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster! ⚠️This story does start off with an on page parent loss, that drives an emotional connection between the two main characters, Colbie and Brody. Brody lost his father the previous year and is there for Colbie in a way others can’t be, when she suddenly loses her father.
What starts out as a sad/grief filled time for these two, turns into friendship and more. Add in a surprise pregnancy, and these two jump head first into their feelings for each other while Brody is on tour with their band. I liked how Brody was always there for Colbie and was a steady presence for her. He was solid and sure of everything for the both of them.
The story takes a rollercoaster of a turn as a tragic event happens and it put Brody and Colbie’s relationship to the test. It was heartbreaking and really made it seem like it might not be something these two could move past.
This is still a happy ending story, but it goes through its really tough moments! It shows how great core friendships can be when Colbie and Brody’s friends are always there for them. And it shows us the dark parts of life that can happen to anyone, and that we can come out on the other side of things and be happy still!
🎸 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🎵 Guitar Player
🤎 Surprise Pregnancy
🎤 Mental Health Rep
🎶 Strong Friendships
⚠️ TW: Parental Loss, Miscarriage
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Core Four: Second to None
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sara Burwell
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: March 31, 2026
🎸 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🎸
This is book two in the interconnected Core Four series and it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster! ⚠️This story does start off with an on page parent loss, that drives an emotional connection between the two main characters, Colbie and Brody. Brody lost his father the previous year and is there for Colbie in a way others can’t be, when she suddenly loses her father.
What starts out as a sad/grief filled time for these two, turns into friendship and more. Add in a surprise pregnancy, and these two jump head first into their feelings for each other while Brody is on tour with their band. I liked how Brody was always there for Colbie and was a steady presence for her. He was solid and sure of everything for the both of them.
The story takes a rollercoaster of a turn as a tragic event happens and it put Brody and Colbie’s relationship to the test. It was heartbreaking and really made it seem like it might not be something these two could move past.
This is still a happy ending story, but it goes through its really tough moments! It shows how great core friendships can be when Colbie and Brody’s friends are always there for them. And it shows us the dark parts of life that can happen to anyone, and that we can come out on the other side of things and be happy still!
🎸 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🎵 Guitar Player
🤎 Surprise Pregnancy
🎤 Mental Health Rep
🎶 Strong Friendships
⚠️ TW: Parental Loss, Miscarriage
May 23, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐3/4
Reading Method: 📚
Length: 334 pages
Genre: Romance
Thank you Sara for a complimentary copy of Core Four: Second to None. I was offered the book in exchange for my honest reviews and feedback on who I think would be great narrators for both characters.
This romance is the second in the Cour Four series where the focus was on Colbie, a firecracker with bipolar / depression disorders, and Brody, a famous guitar player in country music. The story is about loss and grieving and finding that love heals all wounds. Their courtship is non-conventional and doesn't come without trials and tribulations.
This was such a great, unputdownable book that I read in a day, and I actually liked the story of these two characters even more than the previous book. I feel the writing and storytelling in the first book had more 'umph,' and "Second to None" left me wanting more - more about life on the road, more about developing their deep and trusting bond, more of the wedding festivities. Just more details and layering. Also, while I enjoyed the spicy scenes, I felt some where there just for the sake of being there. It didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
That being said, I still very much enjoyed the book and highly recommend it! This works well as a standalone, you don't have to read the "The One" first, but it definitely helps with character building and nuances in the relationships.
IG: @lit.fic.lani
Reading Method: 📚
Length: 334 pages
Genre: Romance
Thank you Sara for a complimentary copy of Core Four: Second to None. I was offered the book in exchange for my honest reviews and feedback on who I think would be great narrators for both characters.
This romance is the second in the Cour Four series where the focus was on Colbie, a firecracker with bipolar / depression disorders, and Brody, a famous guitar player in country music. The story is about loss and grieving and finding that love heals all wounds. Their courtship is non-conventional and doesn't come without trials and tribulations.
This was such a great, unputdownable book that I read in a day, and I actually liked the story of these two characters even more than the previous book. I feel the writing and storytelling in the first book had more 'umph,' and "Second to None" left me wanting more - more about life on the road, more about developing their deep and trusting bond, more of the wedding festivities. Just more details and layering. Also, while I enjoyed the spicy scenes, I felt some where there just for the sake of being there. It didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
That being said, I still very much enjoyed the book and highly recommend it! This works well as a standalone, you don't have to read the "The One" first, but it definitely helps with character building and nuances in the relationships.
IG: @lit.fic.lani
Review of advance copy received from Author
Second to None by Sara Burwell is a fast-paced and accessible contemporary romance that immediately draws readers in with its short chapters and dual points of view.
The story begins with Colbie, a deeply insecure and emotionally burdened protagonist, whose life is abruptly shaken by the death of her father. As she leans on those around her, particularly Brody, a clear emotional connection begins to form. Brody’s compassion and steady presence stand out early on, offering a strong contrast to the lack of support Colbie receives from her mother.
The novel’s quick pacing and engaging structure make it an ideal “palate cleanser” between heavier reads, as the narrative flows easily and keeps the reader invested from the outset.
While the beginning is compelling, the middle portion of the novel feels somewhat disconnected and overly formulaic, with limited tension and conflicts that resolve too quickly to leave a lasting impact. However, the story regains its emotional depth during the climax, delivering a heartfelt and impactful turning point that aligns well with the characters’ established behaviors.
The resolution provides a sense of contentment, particularly through Colbie’s personal growth as she works toward managing her bipolar depression. Although predictable at times, the novel remains an enjoyable and emotionally resonant read, bolstered by its strong character dynamics and satisfying conclusion.
The story begins with Colbie, a deeply insecure and emotionally burdened protagonist, whose life is abruptly shaken by the death of her father. As she leans on those around her, particularly Brody, a clear emotional connection begins to form. Brody’s compassion and steady presence stand out early on, offering a strong contrast to the lack of support Colbie receives from her mother.
The novel’s quick pacing and engaging structure make it an ideal “palate cleanser” between heavier reads, as the narrative flows easily and keeps the reader invested from the outset.
While the beginning is compelling, the middle portion of the novel feels somewhat disconnected and overly formulaic, with limited tension and conflicts that resolve too quickly to leave a lasting impact. However, the story regains its emotional depth during the climax, delivering a heartfelt and impactful turning point that aligns well with the characters’ established behaviors.
The resolution provides a sense of contentment, particularly through Colbie’s personal growth as she works toward managing her bipolar depression. Although predictable at times, the novel remains an enjoyable and emotionally resonant read, bolstered by its strong character dynamics and satisfying conclusion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
CORE FOUR: SECOND TO NONE
I was provided an ARC of this book by the author. All opinions are my own.
This is the story of Colbie and Brody. At its core, you could call it a love story; but it is so much more.
Colbie is a financial planner who struggles with bipolar disorder. She is a loner and keeps people at a distance. She has a fractured relationship with her family.
Brody is a country singer with a famous name, who also keeps to himself - he does not trust too many people but comes from a large loving family.
When Colbie's father dies unexpectedly, Brody is there. What started as a shoulder to cry on becomes so much more.
When Colbie learns she is pregnant, their relationship is further tested as Colbie travels with Brody and his band as they try to navigate their new normal.
The author has written a wonderful book that flows perfectly. As readers, we will fall in love with these characters, and I was so moved by Colbie and Brody's love story.
There is unimaginable grief, mental health struggles, joy, and humor - all written with a velvet hand. This one will stay with me for a while.
4 🌟
I was provided an ARC of this book by the author. All opinions are my own.
This is the story of Colbie and Brody. At its core, you could call it a love story; but it is so much more.
Colbie is a financial planner who struggles with bipolar disorder. She is a loner and keeps people at a distance. She has a fractured relationship with her family.
Brody is a country singer with a famous name, who also keeps to himself - he does not trust too many people but comes from a large loving family.
When Colbie's father dies unexpectedly, Brody is there. What started as a shoulder to cry on becomes so much more.
When Colbie learns she is pregnant, their relationship is further tested as Colbie travels with Brody and his band as they try to navigate their new normal.
The author has written a wonderful book that flows perfectly. As readers, we will fall in love with these characters, and I was so moved by Colbie and Brody's love story.
There is unimaginable grief, mental health struggles, joy, and humor - all written with a velvet hand. This one will stay with me for a while.
4 🌟
June 4, 2026
☀️ “Life isn’t about surviving the next storm—it’s about learning to stand in the sunlight when it finally breaks through.”
This was easily my favorite quote from the book.
In Second to None, Colbie is navigating the sudden loss of her father while also battling bipolar depression. Brody understands her grief more than most because he recently lost his own father. As he steps in to comfort her, their relationship quickly grows into something more.
Together, they face grief, an unexpected pregnancy and the whirlwind of falling in love. But when life throws another heartbreaking curveball their way, Colbie’s depression is triggered and their relationship is tested in a very real and emotional way.
I appreciated how this story sheds light on the realities of living with bipolar depression—not only for the person experiencing it, but also for the people who love them. This contemporary romance is emotional and heartfelt, but it also has plenty of funny and sweet moments that make the characters feel so relatable. 💛
Highly recommend this one! And when the storms finally break, do not forget to stand in that sunlight and soak up the warmth. ☀️
This was easily my favorite quote from the book.
In Second to None, Colbie is navigating the sudden loss of her father while also battling bipolar depression. Brody understands her grief more than most because he recently lost his own father. As he steps in to comfort her, their relationship quickly grows into something more.
Together, they face grief, an unexpected pregnancy and the whirlwind of falling in love. But when life throws another heartbreaking curveball their way, Colbie’s depression is triggered and their relationship is tested in a very real and emotional way.
I appreciated how this story sheds light on the realities of living with bipolar depression—not only for the person experiencing it, but also for the people who love them. This contemporary romance is emotional and heartfelt, but it also has plenty of funny and sweet moments that make the characters feel so relatable. 💛
Highly recommend this one! And when the storms finally break, do not forget to stand in that sunlight and soak up the warmth. ☀️
March 28, 2026
He covers me with a blanket, then lightly kisses my forehead, and I melt.”
✨FOREHEAD KISSES✨ are my favorite. There’s just something that makes me swoooon when he kisses her forehead.
I loved this book so so much. Books like this make me feel less alone. They feel like the warmest hug.
We meet Brody & Colbie in book 1 and she is soooo annoyed by him. And he is soooo taken by her. 😂 one of my favorite combos is when a girl is mean to a guy and he’s like STOP you’re gonna make me fall in love with you 😉
And boy does he fall hard. 🫠
“I love her with every part of me. And I don’t care if it takes her years to love me back. I’m all in.”
He cares so deeply for her and loves hard. He’s the sweetest of sweet hearts. The golden retriever of all golden retrievers. Until he’s not 😉 If you know what I mean.
I loved Colbie. Like LOVED her. She’s not perfect and that makes her even more lovable and special to me. Seeing yourself in a character when they are being truly themselves and people still show up for them and still love them, heals apart of me.
“And grief doesn’t ask us to be reasonable. It doesn’t ask us to handle it gracefully. It tears holes in us, and sometimes we claw at the people closest because they’re the only ones near enough to feel it.”
The first time I read this quote I was sobbing! Rereading it again and I’m crying. These characters have my heart and so when they broke, I broke.
It’s so beautifully written and I want to reread it again and again.
There are some hard parts to read so make sure you check CW. Sara handle everything with the best care and understanding to the characters and what they are going through. It’s hard to read because it’s hard to go through. It’s heartbreaking, but life is that sometimes and we need books like this to heal parts of us.
✨FOREHEAD KISSES✨ are my favorite. There’s just something that makes me swoooon when he kisses her forehead.
I loved this book so so much. Books like this make me feel less alone. They feel like the warmest hug.
We meet Brody & Colbie in book 1 and she is soooo annoyed by him. And he is soooo taken by her. 😂 one of my favorite combos is when a girl is mean to a guy and he’s like STOP you’re gonna make me fall in love with you 😉
And boy does he fall hard. 🫠
“I love her with every part of me. And I don’t care if it takes her years to love me back. I’m all in.”
He cares so deeply for her and loves hard. He’s the sweetest of sweet hearts. The golden retriever of all golden retrievers. Until he’s not 😉 If you know what I mean.
I loved Colbie. Like LOVED her. She’s not perfect and that makes her even more lovable and special to me. Seeing yourself in a character when they are being truly themselves and people still show up for them and still love them, heals apart of me.
“And grief doesn’t ask us to be reasonable. It doesn’t ask us to handle it gracefully. It tears holes in us, and sometimes we claw at the people closest because they’re the only ones near enough to feel it.”
The first time I read this quote I was sobbing! Rereading it again and I’m crying. These characters have my heart and so when they broke, I broke.
It’s so beautifully written and I want to reread it again and again.
There are some hard parts to read so make sure you check CW. Sara handle everything with the best care and understanding to the characters and what they are going through. It’s hard to read because it’s hard to go through. It’s heartbreaking, but life is that sometimes and we need books like this to heal parts of us.
April 26, 2026
I was lucky enough to be picked a beta reader for this story.
This story was sweet, emotion and hopeful.
Sarah brings such a great flow to her writing and approaching difficult situations with such grace. The multiple perspectives found throughout this story added the layers needed. Colby has not been given an easy hand, but Brody broought us a level of support like no other.
This is a roller coaster of emotions so be prepared to feel the feelings. I appreciated that as their story unfolded that it was dealt with maturity that I feel most story’s miss the mark on. And while I don’t want give away spoilers, you got perspective from not only Colby but Brody’s as well.
The ending was so good! It’s worth the wait!
Reoccurring characters make their way into this one and if you haven’t read book one —- you must
Thank you Sara for having me apart of this team. I would literally read your grocery list.
This story was sweet, emotion and hopeful.
Sarah brings such a great flow to her writing and approaching difficult situations with such grace. The multiple perspectives found throughout this story added the layers needed. Colby has not been given an easy hand, but Brody broought us a level of support like no other.
This is a roller coaster of emotions so be prepared to feel the feelings. I appreciated that as their story unfolded that it was dealt with maturity that I feel most story’s miss the mark on. And while I don’t want give away spoilers, you got perspective from not only Colby but Brody’s as well.
The ending was so good! It’s worth the wait!
Reoccurring characters make their way into this one and if you haven’t read book one —- you must
Thank you Sara for having me apart of this team. I would literally read your grocery list.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one hit me right in the heart. It’s emotional in that quiet, heavy way that just stays with you, and I felt so connected to the characters the entire time.
The relationship in this felt really special to me. There’s so much care, patience, and depth in the way everything builds, and it made every moment feel meaningful. You can feel the love, but also the weight of everything they’re going through, which made it all hit even harder.
There were parts that genuinely made me emotional, but it also felt comforting at the same time, like one of those stories that reminds you you’re not alone in certain feelings. That balance is what made this stand out so much for me.
This is one I know I’ll be thinking about for a while.
So thankful to Sara for sharing this story, it really meant a lot to read
The relationship in this felt really special to me. There’s so much care, patience, and depth in the way everything builds, and it made every moment feel meaningful. You can feel the love, but also the weight of everything they’re going through, which made it all hit even harder.
There were parts that genuinely made me emotional, but it also felt comforting at the same time, like one of those stories that reminds you you’re not alone in certain feelings. That balance is what made this stand out so much for me.
This is one I know I’ll be thinking about for a while.
So thankful to Sara for sharing this story, it really meant a lot to read
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read an ARC of this one, and this is my honest review.
Reading this didn’t feel like a story, but it felt like a very real situation I was a part of, and very real conversations between the Core Four besties. Colbie and Brody’s story was so raw and definitely not what I was expecting.
The writing made me feel like I was going through every single one of Colbie’s struggles/emotions WITH her. I was grieving and heartbroken with her, and also felt these incredible moments of heartwarming during her good days.
Brody was a literal dream and I really was rooting for him just as much as I did for Colbie. I loved the found family aspect, and the unconventional, unpredictable romance within a story of grief and loss, and hopelessness.
Strongly recommend you check the trigger warnings due to some sensitive topics.
Reading this didn’t feel like a story, but it felt like a very real situation I was a part of, and very real conversations between the Core Four besties. Colbie and Brody’s story was so raw and definitely not what I was expecting.
The writing made me feel like I was going through every single one of Colbie’s struggles/emotions WITH her. I was grieving and heartbroken with her, and also felt these incredible moments of heartwarming during her good days.
Brody was a literal dream and I really was rooting for him just as much as I did for Colbie. I loved the found family aspect, and the unconventional, unpredictable romance within a story of grief and loss, and hopelessness.
Strongly recommend you check the trigger warnings due to some sensitive topics.
April 21, 2026
The second book in the core four series builds on the foundation of the first installment in all the right ways. While the relationship between the main characters may appear rushed to some, the breadcrumbs were laid out for this pairing pretty clearly in book one so it wasn't much of a surprise they fell for each other so quickly.
The emotional roller-coaster for them starts early and never slows down, making it difficult to put the book down. The peaks and valleys will make any person with a pulse emotional, dealing with very real, very difficult situations that unfortunately a lot of people have had to deal with. These broken characters are very well written and relatable in all the right ways.
This book fucks like Brody 10 out of 10.
The emotional roller-coaster for them starts early and never slows down, making it difficult to put the book down. The peaks and valleys will make any person with a pulse emotional, dealing with very real, very difficult situations that unfortunately a lot of people have had to deal with. These broken characters are very well written and relatable in all the right ways.
This book fucks like Brody 10 out of 10.
June 7, 2026
This book was a rollercoaster of emotions. Loss, grief, mental illness. But written so beautifully that it pulls you in and asks you to hold its hand while it takes you on the journey of Colbie Anna Brody. This story wrecked my heart, more than once. But it slowly out it back together again. Seeing these two navigate life with the loss odd Colbies father, and having BPD. But Brody was one heck of a support system for her. Seeing them move forward in life, their love for one another. And now a baby. This seriously gave me warm fuzzies at some points, hurt at others. But the way this was written, I was invested. I needed to read from start to finish, because these two felt so raw, so real. This was an absolutely wonderful story to read.
March 17, 2026
Wow, Sara Burwell knows how to write a great book. This book was so beautifully written. It brought so many different emotions to me and a couple of times brought tears to my eyes… I was so immersed into this book from the very beginning. The friendship in this story was captivating. The romance? Even better! The storyline kept me hooked while the setting was described in a way which gave me romance movie vibes. I’d love to see this book made into a movie one day; so what was built inside my imagination could come to life! I’ll be thinking about this book for the rest of the year! Im obsessed. - Arc Review
Review of advance copy
I was honored with being able to read Core Four: Second to None by Sara Burwell before it released and OMG this book!! 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s a romance, it has such good spice 🌶️ and the story itself is absolutely beautiful. This book gave me goosebumps throughout, had me tearing up, and also laughing and smiling. This one does deal with loss, grief and mental health. It’s such a phenomenally written book. You feel all the feels in this one. ✨This one releases March 31,2026✨ This one is a MUST!
April 2, 2026
My gosh I have so much to say about this book!! The writing is beautiful and raw, capturing emotions that are so hard to put into words.
As someone who has had a similar experience as Colbie, this book hit close to home in a way I didn’t expect. It didn’t just bring back the pain, it also brought comfort. There’s something powerful about feeling seen and understood through someone else’s words.
I laughed, I cried (alot), and I felt everything in between. It was truly an emotional ride, but one I’m so grateful I took. A perfect balance of heart, humor, and healing.
As someone who has had a similar experience as Colbie, this book hit close to home in a way I didn’t expect. It didn’t just bring back the pain, it also brought comfort. There’s something powerful about feeling seen and understood through someone else’s words.
I laughed, I cried (alot), and I felt everything in between. It was truly an emotional ride, but one I’m so grateful I took. A perfect balance of heart, humor, and healing.
April 3, 2026
This was such a great rom-com with strong character development that really brought both Colbie and Brody to life. I loved how the story balanced emotional highs and lows and it kept me fully invested the entire time.
Their journey felt real, messy, and heartfelt, and I found myself rooting for them through it all. I especially loved how relatable the story felt because it’s the kind of situation that could actually happen, which made it hit even harder.
Overall, I really loved this story and how everything came together in the end.
Their journey felt real, messy, and heartfelt, and I found myself rooting for them through it all. I especially loved how relatable the story felt because it’s the kind of situation that could actually happen, which made it hit even harder.
Overall, I really loved this story and how everything came together in the end.
June 2, 2026
I enjoyed this book and the incorporation of grief and mental health issues. I feel like those aspects of the book were written well without making it overwhelmingly heavy. There were some areas about half or 3/4 of the way through where I got slightly bored and I feel like could have been left out without affecting the book as a whole. Tots book was a little different from the books i have been reading lately and was a refreshing change. Overall I enjoyed it and look forward to what comes next.
June 4, 2026
This is the second book I’ve read by Sara and I’m very impressed with how well she writes grief. Both of her books handle some heavy themes, but she deals with them with care. This one made me cry for sure. I felt Colbie and Brody’s pain right sling with them. But there was always just enough hope woven in where it never felt overwhelmingly heavy. I thought this book had a very realistic portrayal of loss while also showing us how strong support, love, and good friendships can hold us up during difficult times.
If you are looking for a spicy romance that deals with mental health and grief representation, this is for you! (But do read the trigger warnings before starting)
If you are looking for a spicy romance that deals with mental health and grief representation, this is for you! (But do read the trigger warnings before starting)
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’re looking for a series that completely pulls you in, the Core Four series is it!!!! The first book immediately hooked me with its relatable characters, real life emotions, and moments that had me laughing out loud!! It’s one of those stories where you quickly become invested in the characters and feel like you’re right there experiencing everything with them.
Second to None takes everything up another level! The book kept me on my toes the entire time. It’s raw, emotional, and incredibly real, but still manages to bring in humor at the perfect moments. I found myself laughing in some parts and completely caught up in the emotional moments in others.
It’s the friendships really make this series so special. You can really feel the bond between them! This is an easy five star for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series!
Second to None takes everything up another level! The book kept me on my toes the entire time. It’s raw, emotional, and incredibly real, but still manages to bring in humor at the perfect moments. I found myself laughing in some parts and completely caught up in the emotional moments in others.
It’s the friendships really make this series so special. You can really feel the bond between them! This is an easy five star for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series!
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