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ELEGY: A Winston Hills Novella
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 7, 2026
The Prelude
If you've read Enigma, you know Yanna and Caleb's story, their connection and their history. While Enigma shows that these two didn't go into their relationship lightly, this gives us a glimpse into their initial grief and how they were navigating through it. It also shows how intentional Angel and Maria were. Maria, Angel, and Caleb had a bond from childhood, but Yanna was the perfect addition to their 'family.' Even with the emotional aspect of this relatively short book, I liked Elegy more than Enigma. Happy Reading Y'all!💋
If you've read Enigma, you know Yanna and Caleb's story, their connection and their history. While Enigma shows that these two didn't go into their relationship lightly, this gives us a glimpse into their initial grief and how they were navigating through it. It also shows how intentional Angel and Maria were. Maria, Angel, and Caleb had a bond from childhood, but Yanna was the perfect addition to their 'family.' Even with the emotional aspect of this relatively short book, I liked Elegy more than Enigma. Happy Reading Y'all!💋
May 20, 2026
Rating 4.5 ⭐️ This book felt like standing in the middle of grief while trying to convince yourself you’re still alive enough to love again. Caleb and Yanna’s story wasn’t rushed, forced or wrapped up in some unrealistic love heals all bow. It was messy, quiet, painful and honest. The way they carried the weight of losing their spouses while still trying to function day to day was real. You could feel every ounce of that heartbreak bleeding through the pages. It was heavy.
Reading this after Enigma made everything hit ten times harder because now you understand the depth behind their connection. You see the cracks before the rebuilding. Therapy, friendship, anger, sadness, guilt all of it mattered. They weren’t trying to replace the people they lost and I appreciated that so much. They were just two broken people trying to survive the impossible together.
🥹 that title Elegy was the perfect name because this entire novella reads like a love letter to grief, healing and the painful reality that life keeps moving even when your heart wants to stay frozen in the worst moment imaginable. This was emotional, beautifully written and quietly devastating in the best way.
Reading this after Enigma made everything hit ten times harder because now you understand the depth behind their connection. You see the cracks before the rebuilding. Therapy, friendship, anger, sadness, guilt all of it mattered. They weren’t trying to replace the people they lost and I appreciated that so much. They were just two broken people trying to survive the impossible together.
🥹 that title Elegy was the perfect name because this entire novella reads like a love letter to grief, healing and the painful reality that life keeps moving even when your heart wants to stay frozen in the worst moment imaginable. This was emotional, beautifully written and quietly devastating in the best way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
Bravo!
I can not begin to put together the words that would adequately describe reading a C.M. Barnes book. The way she lays out a story so powerful that it pulls at your heartstrings, gets your emotions flowing, and places deep thoughts on your brain is truly unmatched. With each word, you are forced to feel every emotion imaginable. That is a rare kind of writing gift, and Ms. Barnes possesses it effortlessly.
What makes this story so special is the way she captured grief in its rawest form. Not the pretty, polished version of loss, but the kind that sits heavy on your chest and changes the way you see the world. She beautifully showed the struggle of trying to move forward when the person you loved was your everything your safe place, your comfort, your whole heart. The pain, the guilt, the confusion, and even the fear of loving again felt so real that at times it almost became too much to hold. Yet somehow, through all that heartbreak, she also gave us the beauty of healing and the possibility of finding love again without diminishing the love that came before it. That balance was written so delicately and with so much care.
The beginning of Caleb and Yanna’s story is absolutely beautiful. Early on, I found myself rooting for them as if I hadn’t already read Enigma and didn’t know what went down between them. But starting here, at the very beginning of their pain, feels so intimate that it moves you in the most dramatic way. You don’t just read their story you carry it with you. Every glance, every conversation, every heartbreaking moment felt deeply personal.
I loved this story with my whole heart, and I am so looking forward to many more from Ms. Barnes because she has a way of turning words into feelings that stay with you long after the final page. And listen… I may be reaching a little bit, but somehow I feel like Ms. Barnes is the blueprint for Yanna 😜 and I absolutely love that for her… respectfully, of course!
I can not begin to put together the words that would adequately describe reading a C.M. Barnes book. The way she lays out a story so powerful that it pulls at your heartstrings, gets your emotions flowing, and places deep thoughts on your brain is truly unmatched. With each word, you are forced to feel every emotion imaginable. That is a rare kind of writing gift, and Ms. Barnes possesses it effortlessly.
What makes this story so special is the way she captured grief in its rawest form. Not the pretty, polished version of loss, but the kind that sits heavy on your chest and changes the way you see the world. She beautifully showed the struggle of trying to move forward when the person you loved was your everything your safe place, your comfort, your whole heart. The pain, the guilt, the confusion, and even the fear of loving again felt so real that at times it almost became too much to hold. Yet somehow, through all that heartbreak, she also gave us the beauty of healing and the possibility of finding love again without diminishing the love that came before it. That balance was written so delicately and with so much care.
The beginning of Caleb and Yanna’s story is absolutely beautiful. Early on, I found myself rooting for them as if I hadn’t already read Enigma and didn’t know what went down between them. But starting here, at the very beginning of their pain, feels so intimate that it moves you in the most dramatic way. You don’t just read their story you carry it with you. Every glance, every conversation, every heartbreaking moment felt deeply personal.
I loved this story with my whole heart, and I am so looking forward to many more from Ms. Barnes because she has a way of turning words into feelings that stay with you long after the final page. And listen… I may be reaching a little bit, but somehow I feel like Ms. Barnes is the blueprint for Yanna 😜 and I absolutely love that for her… respectfully, of course!
April 26, 2026
Author Arc Review
No, because let’s talk about it… this read is for everybody who had something outta pocket to say about Yanna and Cal 🙄. Y’all was loud, wrong, and doing entirely too much go ahead and clear that up immediately.
My babies stood on business, period 🥰.
I loved this book. I was giggling, getting emotional, and then getting… distracted 👀 like it really took me through all the moods.
And one thing C. M. Barnes is gonna do? Oh, she’s gonna have you feeling everything. Heart racing, cheeks hot, fully invested at any time of day. She don’t miss.
So yeah… if you doubted them, this your sign to hush and go read it again.
No, because let’s talk about it… this read is for everybody who had something outta pocket to say about Yanna and Cal 🙄. Y’all was loud, wrong, and doing entirely too much go ahead and clear that up immediately.
My babies stood on business, period 🥰.
I loved this book. I was giggling, getting emotional, and then getting… distracted 👀 like it really took me through all the moods.
And one thing C. M. Barnes is gonna do? Oh, she’s gonna have you feeling everything. Heart racing, cheeks hot, fully invested at any time of day. She don’t miss.
So yeah… if you doubted them, this your sign to hush and go read it again.
June 30, 2026
This was such a sweet and easy read. I will admit that I also teared up a little bit too, because it was emotional!! This book was beautifully written but it was too short!
I feel like the ending was being beautifully built up even though it would’ve been predictable, however, it never came and that left the ending to be created by my imagination, which sadly, probably wouldn’t be as beautiful as I felt the author could’ve come up with!! 😩
I feel like the ending was being beautifully built up even though it would’ve been predictable, however, it never came and that left the ending to be created by my imagination, which sadly, probably wouldn’t be as beautiful as I felt the author could’ve come up with!! 😩
July 7, 2026
The story before Enigma (but this was written after Enigma) Caleb and Layanna’s story during the time they begin to grieve right after Maria’s and Angel’s death and their Feelings begin to show!! I really enjoyed reading this. It gave a good insight on people who grieve yet they find comfort in someone they already know but don’t feel right about their feelings!
July 11, 2026
Grief isn't linear
This book was grief processing I didn't know I needed. I wonder if I had read it as a prequel if I would have viewed Enigma differently. I'll never know but it was a good addition to C.M. Barnes' great writing. This book really had me thinking about how I would handle a situation like this.
This book was grief processing I didn't know I needed. I wonder if I had read it as a prequel if I would have viewed Enigma differently. I'll never know but it was a good addition to C.M. Barnes' great writing. This book really had me thinking about how I would handle a situation like this.
April 7, 2026
Elegy brings everything into perspective. For anyone who doubted the morality of Yanna and Caleb’s connection, read this prelude! I’ve always understood thier connection, and this story made me appreciate it more. C.M. Barnes, you did it again! & again, Happy Birthday to my favorite Author! 🤍🤍
May 10, 2026
I didn’t know I needed this, but I’m glad it was written. It shows what Caleb and Layanna went through grieving both Maria and Angel. I like how the flashbacks were incorporated in the story.
You can say this is the prequel to Enigma.
You can say this is the prequel to Enigma.
May 10, 2026
I enjoyed Yanna and Caleb’s story in Enigma, but getting this back story and being able to fully understand what they each went thru within themselves to even get to where they were in Enigma just made their story 10x better to me 🥰
Loved them in Enigma, love them even more after Elegy!!
Loved them in Enigma, love them even more after Elegy!!
May 10, 2026
Beautifully Sweet
I love the way CM Barnes eases Caleb and Yanna into a new love after a major loss. So well written. This short novella gives great insight into their budding love.
I love the way CM Barnes eases Caleb and Yanna into a new love after a major loss. So well written. This short novella gives great insight into their budding love.
May 28, 2026
C.M. Barnes is SUCH a good story teller. The typos and grammatical errors are still a pet peeve of mine like in “Enigma,” but this was such a beautiful story that gave some really good insight/provided more details to “Enigma.” I love the storyline of Caleb, Maria, Angel, and Yanna so muuuuch😭
May 31, 2026
A great addition to Winston Hills
I enjoyed learning the foundation of the story. It felt so intentional especially with the flashbacks. Caleb and Yanna relationship was blessed. And I’m glad they were able to accept the blessings to try to find happiness
I enjoyed learning the foundation of the story. It felt so intentional especially with the flashbacks. Caleb and Yanna relationship was blessed. And I’m glad they were able to accept the blessings to try to find happiness
June 27, 2026
good little intro
I was advised to read this BEFORE enigma because even though it’s the last book of the series to be released, it’s a prequel and really the book 0 to the Winston Hills series. I’m buckled in and ready ! This was good.
I was advised to read this BEFORE enigma because even though it’s the last book of the series to be released, it’s a prequel and really the book 0 to the Winston Hills series. I’m buckled in and ready ! This was good.
June 29, 2026
Whew!
This was soooo emotional. This sits in the depth of my soul. This makes Caleb, Yanna, Angel and Maria's love story that much more beautiful, complex and layered.
Absolutely moving.
This was soooo emotional. This sits in the depth of my soul. This makes Caleb, Yanna, Angel and Maria's love story that much more beautiful, complex and layered.
Absolutely moving.
July 16, 2026
Great Follow up to the series
Helps clear up some questions I had from book one in the series.. Very well written.. I definitely recommend reading the series or at least book one before reading this book..
Keith Book Korner
Helps clear up some questions I had from book one in the series.. Very well written.. I definitely recommend reading the series or at least book one before reading this book..
Keith Book Korner
May 27, 2026
is only thonk this needs to be read before you start the 4 books to get background information on how it all start. Great quick read.
June 11, 2026
This book makes me want to read Enigma again. It was a great prelude to it.
June 11, 2026
Absolutely fantastic. It felt like I was sitting in this time of grief with them, was on the verge of tears a couple of times. Loved it!
June 12, 2026
Very unnecessary, didn’t add much to the story of ENIGMA at all. Shoehorned in a connection that was not needed
August 4, 2026
WHEWW Chileeee!
I'm glad I stopped reading the actual book and went to purchase this. Baby let me gon head to the actual book...
I'm glad I stopped reading the actual book and went to purchase this. Baby let me gon head to the actual book...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews