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Whole Together: The Resilience Series
How can a single choice change the course of your life forever?
Maddox
One mistake is all it took to rob me of my purpose. Now I’m back in the very town I’ve actively avoided since a chance encounter with the only woman to ever catch my interest left me reeling.
Rekindling an old flame was the furthest thing from my mind when I first got here. But something about Dee has me craving things I never even knew I wanted.
With the dangers of my high-risk job no longer being an issue, the future I once thought of as nothing but a lofty pipe dream suddenly doesn’t seem quite so impossible. The question is, does she even still want me now that I’m only half a man?
Dee
One night was all it took to convince me that the jaded organ I’ve guarded for well over a decade is still capable of functioning. The problem is, it only seems to beat for the man who’s spent the better part of the last two years ghosting me.
Now he’s back, visibly tortured and recovering from a horrific ordeal that left him with so much more than emotional trauma. Maddox needs my support now more than ever. Someone to help guide him while he adjusts to this new civilian life he’s been forced into.
I can ignore the sizzling tension sparking between us whenever we’re in the same room together and simply be his friend. Right?
If only that didn’t leave such a bitter taste in my mouth.
Maddox
One mistake is all it took to rob me of my purpose. Now I’m back in the very town I’ve actively avoided since a chance encounter with the only woman to ever catch my interest left me reeling.
Rekindling an old flame was the furthest thing from my mind when I first got here. But something about Dee has me craving things I never even knew I wanted.
With the dangers of my high-risk job no longer being an issue, the future I once thought of as nothing but a lofty pipe dream suddenly doesn’t seem quite so impossible. The question is, does she even still want me now that I’m only half a man?
Dee
One night was all it took to convince me that the jaded organ I’ve guarded for well over a decade is still capable of functioning. The problem is, it only seems to beat for the man who’s spent the better part of the last two years ghosting me.
Now he’s back, visibly tortured and recovering from a horrific ordeal that left him with so much more than emotional trauma. Maddox needs my support now more than ever. Someone to help guide him while he adjusts to this new civilian life he’s been forced into.
I can ignore the sizzling tension sparking between us whenever we’re in the same room together and simply be his friend. Right?
If only that didn’t leave such a bitter taste in my mouth.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2026
About the author
Nomi J. Avery
5 books45 followersNomi J. Avery is a contemporary romance and romantic suspense author living in rural Ontario. A passionate long-time romance reader, she’s dreamed of becoming a published author since she was a little girl. A life-long dream that was finally fulfilled with the release of her Despite It All Duet.
When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and exploring the rugged Canadian backcountry, and sampling delicious foods. She has a weakness for tortured heroes, morally gray men, and mute MMCs.
If you asked her what her idea of a perfect day is, her answer would be to curl up in bed with a good book, a family-sized tray of sushi, and a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio.
When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and exploring the rugged Canadian backcountry, and sampling delicious foods. She has a weakness for tortured heroes, morally gray men, and mute MMCs.
If you asked her what her idea of a perfect day is, her answer would be to curl up in bed with a good book, a family-sized tray of sushi, and a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 23, 2026
Some Flames Never Really Go Out
There are some connections that time and distance simply can't erase. When Maddox returns to the town he has spent years avoiding, the last thing he expects is to find Dee still capable of making him feel something he thought he'd lost. Whole Together explores what happens when two people with unfinished feelings get a second chance, while one of them is struggling to adjust to a life he never expected to have.
Maddox and Dee have an immediate history that gives their relationship an interesting emotional foundation. Their connection isn't simply about attraction, although there is certainly plenty of chemistry between them. There is also the weight of everything that happened between them and the years they spent apart.
Maddox's storyline adds considerable emotional depth to the romance. After a horrific ordeal leaves him dealing with both physical and emotional consequences, he has to figure out what his future looks like now that his high-risk career is behind him. His uncertainty about whether Dee could still want him makes his journey particularly vulnerable.
Dee, meanwhile, finds herself caught between wanting to support Maddox and wanting something more from him. Her attempt to convince herself that she can simply be his friend creates plenty of emotional tension, especially when the attraction between them refuses to disappear.
The romance works particularly well because neither character can simply step back into the relationship they might once have had. They have both changed, and Maddox especially has to learn how to navigate a life that looks completely different from the one he imagined. Watching them work through those changes gives the story its emotional heart.
The chemistry between Maddox and Dee keeps the romantic side engaging, while Maddox's recovery and adjustment provide an additional layer beyond the relationship itself. The story balances the emotional struggles with the rekindling of their connection, creating a romance focused on second chances, healing, and finding a new sense of purpose.
As the second book in a trilogy of interconnected standalones, Whole Together can be read as part of a larger world while still focusing on its own central couple and their journey.
Overall, Whole Together is an emotional second-chance romance about two people who never completely let go of each other. Maddox and Dee's story combines undeniable chemistry with vulnerability, healing, and the difficult process of learning to embrace a future that looks nothing like the one they originally imagined.
Thank you to Naughty Nook PR for providing me with an ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Second Chance Romance | Rekindled Romance | Forced Proximity | Friends to Lovers | Emotional Healing | Love After Loss | Hurt/Comfort | Military/High-Risk Career | Returning Home | Romantic Suspense
There are some connections that time and distance simply can't erase. When Maddox returns to the town he has spent years avoiding, the last thing he expects is to find Dee still capable of making him feel something he thought he'd lost. Whole Together explores what happens when two people with unfinished feelings get a second chance, while one of them is struggling to adjust to a life he never expected to have.
Maddox and Dee have an immediate history that gives their relationship an interesting emotional foundation. Their connection isn't simply about attraction, although there is certainly plenty of chemistry between them. There is also the weight of everything that happened between them and the years they spent apart.
Maddox's storyline adds considerable emotional depth to the romance. After a horrific ordeal leaves him dealing with both physical and emotional consequences, he has to figure out what his future looks like now that his high-risk career is behind him. His uncertainty about whether Dee could still want him makes his journey particularly vulnerable.
Dee, meanwhile, finds herself caught between wanting to support Maddox and wanting something more from him. Her attempt to convince herself that she can simply be his friend creates plenty of emotional tension, especially when the attraction between them refuses to disappear.
The romance works particularly well because neither character can simply step back into the relationship they might once have had. They have both changed, and Maddox especially has to learn how to navigate a life that looks completely different from the one he imagined. Watching them work through those changes gives the story its emotional heart.
The chemistry between Maddox and Dee keeps the romantic side engaging, while Maddox's recovery and adjustment provide an additional layer beyond the relationship itself. The story balances the emotional struggles with the rekindling of their connection, creating a romance focused on second chances, healing, and finding a new sense of purpose.
As the second book in a trilogy of interconnected standalones, Whole Together can be read as part of a larger world while still focusing on its own central couple and their journey.
Overall, Whole Together is an emotional second-chance romance about two people who never completely let go of each other. Maddox and Dee's story combines undeniable chemistry with vulnerability, healing, and the difficult process of learning to embrace a future that looks nothing like the one they originally imagined.
Thank you to Naughty Nook PR for providing me with an ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Second Chance Romance | Rekindled Romance | Forced Proximity | Friends to Lovers | Emotional Healing | Love After Loss | Hurt/Comfort | Military/High-Risk Career | Returning Home | Romantic Suspense
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.25⭐
Whole Together is book 2 in the interconnected Resilience Series. It picks up not long after Healing Together ends and follows Dee and Maddox.
This is a love story that tackles several heavy topics: trauma from being captured behind enemy lines, PTSD, life as an amputee, loss of career and family, addiction, and foster care. The author approaches all of this with care and nuance.
I love the premise of this series, but the author’s storytelling style just doesn’t click with me. The emotions are mostly told instead of felt, so even when the story got heavy, I never quite connected the way I wanted to.
Dee and Maddox had an instant connection in book 1 and after avoiding her for nearly 2 years, Maddox is confronted with his feelings as he deals with all his trauma. Dee fell for Maddox that first night, but now her brother is back in town with his own problems
The story follows these two as they love each other through all the ups and downs of their personal struggles. The story stays fairly steady until the 3rd act when the plot picks up fiercely and all the trauma they each thought they had overcome comes crashing back in a very dangerous way.
Just like Healing Together, it had everything I usually love on paper, but it stayed a bit surface level.
I really enjoyed Dee and Maddox and actually liked this book more than the first. I just wish things didn’t resolve so easily. Both seemed overly communicative, even with hard topics, and it didn’t feel realistic for their situations. A little more hesitation or inner conflict would have added depth. The plot felt too even when there was room for more angst, and several moments were summarized rather than lived, which pulled me out of the story.
I did love the found family and healing arcs, the emphasis on doing the hard work of recovery, and the mental health representation. The foster care theme coming full circle was a lovely touch, and Ollie was the sweetest little kid.
This is a book for someone who likes a slow to medium paced book that delves into tough subjects, emotional baggage, and a few intense, high stakes moments along the way.
Thank you Nomi J. Avery for this ARC.
Whole Together is book 2 in the interconnected Resilience Series. It picks up not long after Healing Together ends and follows Dee and Maddox.
This is a love story that tackles several heavy topics: trauma from being captured behind enemy lines, PTSD, life as an amputee, loss of career and family, addiction, and foster care. The author approaches all of this with care and nuance.
I love the premise of this series, but the author’s storytelling style just doesn’t click with me. The emotions are mostly told instead of felt, so even when the story got heavy, I never quite connected the way I wanted to.
Dee and Maddox had an instant connection in book 1 and after avoiding her for nearly 2 years, Maddox is confronted with his feelings as he deals with all his trauma. Dee fell for Maddox that first night, but now her brother is back in town with his own problems
The story follows these two as they love each other through all the ups and downs of their personal struggles. The story stays fairly steady until the 3rd act when the plot picks up fiercely and all the trauma they each thought they had overcome comes crashing back in a very dangerous way.
Just like Healing Together, it had everything I usually love on paper, but it stayed a bit surface level.
I really enjoyed Dee and Maddox and actually liked this book more than the first. I just wish things didn’t resolve so easily. Both seemed overly communicative, even with hard topics, and it didn’t feel realistic for their situations. A little more hesitation or inner conflict would have added depth. The plot felt too even when there was room for more angst, and several moments were summarized rather than lived, which pulled me out of the story.
I did love the found family and healing arcs, the emphasis on doing the hard work of recovery, and the mental health representation. The foster care theme coming full circle was a lovely touch, and Ollie was the sweetest little kid.
This is a book for someone who likes a slow to medium paced book that delves into tough subjects, emotional baggage, and a few intense, high stakes moments along the way.
Thank you Nomi J. Avery for this ARC.
August 1, 2026
ARC review - thank you so much Nomi J. Avery for this privilege!
4 ⭐ 2.75 🌶️
What a great emotional read. If you are looking for a book packed with plot twists, this isn't the one for you. Whole Together is a slow-paced read, perfect for truly delving into the impact of trauma and how to overcome it. I found that Nomi was able to set an example of healthy communication, while also demonstrating the distinction between supporting a loved one and falling into the role of savior. Guilt, grief, the loss of a sense of self, PTSD, addiction, and therapy—all of those themes were handled really well.
After the first book, I was really looking forward to reading the love story between Dee and Maddox. Not only were we treated with a great flashback (IYKYK), but we also got to learn more about the past of these characters I love. It was great to see Charlie and Cole again and get a glimpse of the continuation of their story. I know our favorite coffee owner and military are pretty hot—both individually and for each other—but I found that aspect a bit too prominent at times. They managed to show what it is to choose the other person without hesitation and place their trust in them, what it means to be whole together. Nomi J. Avery piqued my curiosity about a potential sequel, especially regarding Jackson and Spencer.
4 ⭐ 2.75 🌶️
What a great emotional read. If you are looking for a book packed with plot twists, this isn't the one for you. Whole Together is a slow-paced read, perfect for truly delving into the impact of trauma and how to overcome it. I found that Nomi was able to set an example of healthy communication, while also demonstrating the distinction between supporting a loved one and falling into the role of savior. Guilt, grief, the loss of a sense of self, PTSD, addiction, and therapy—all of those themes were handled really well.
After the first book, I was really looking forward to reading the love story between Dee and Maddox. Not only were we treated with a great flashback (IYKYK), but we also got to learn more about the past of these characters I love. It was great to see Charlie and Cole again and get a glimpse of the continuation of their story. I know our favorite coffee owner and military are pretty hot—both individually and for each other—but I found that aspect a bit too prominent at times. They managed to show what it is to choose the other person without hesitation and place their trust in them, what it means to be whole together. Nomi J. Avery piqued my curiosity about a potential sequel, especially regarding Jackson and Spencer.
Read
August 7, 2026ARC Review: This book was amazing. Did not disappoint in the slightest. The perfect closure from the cliffhanger of book 1. I absolutely love a second chance romance, and both Dee and Maddox had some unresolved feelings for each other after that first night of passion. Fast forward after Maddox has been through the worst and is re learning his purpose in life, Dee falls right back into his lap (literally)😂. There was spice, passion, emotion, and heavy aspects. An incredibly well rounded book. I absolutely loved it!
“I want to be with someone who makes me feel alive. Someone who sets my skin on fire with a single touch. Someone who can make my heart race with nothing more than a look.”
“I want to be with someone who makes me feel alive. Someone who sets my skin on fire with a single touch. Someone who can make my heart race with nothing more than a look.”
July 31, 2026
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠.”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Nomi J. Avery has done it again.
And by “done it again,” I mean:
emotionally mugged me in a dark alley, stole my peace, shattered my heart, and then handed the pieces back like this was somehow a gift.
😭
Absolutely adore this author.
Absolutely adore this series.
And I’ve been SO lucky to ARC read both books in this trilogy so far.
The fact that I now have to wait for the next one?
Cruel.
Unusual.
Possibly illegal.
😂
You guys already KNOW I like my romances with a little pain.
Actually…
Who am I kidding?
I like them with enough emotional damage that I’m crying into my Kindle at 3 a.m. wondering whether I need a therapist, an emotional support beverage, or to stare silently into the void for several business days.
😂
Nomi understands the assignment.
And Whole Together HURT.
In the best way.
Now.
There is a military dynamic here.
😐
We all know how I feel about THAT.
Normally my brain sees “military hero” and immediately goes:
Hmm. Maybe we keep scrolling.
BUT.
This is Nomi.
I trust her.
So apparently I’m willing to power through personal genre resistance for quality emotional destruction.
Growth?
Maybe.
Questionable decision making?
Definitely.
😂
Maddox and Dee shared one unforgettable night two years ago.
Then Maddox disappeared.
Ghosted.
Gone.
And Dee is left wondering how one night could crack open a heart she’d spent years protecting only for the man responsible to vanish.
Rude.
Sir.
I already have QUESTIONS.
Then Maddox comes back to Moose Harbor completely changed.
After back to back missions and a horrific period of captivity, he returns carrying physical and emotional scars that have altered the future he always imagined for himself.
His high-risk career is over.
His identity has been shaken.
His body has changed.
And the man who once knew exactly what his purpose was is suddenly standing in the aftermath asking:
Who am I now?
😭
Nomi.
Why do you hate my emotional stability?
Because Maddox’s struggle isn’t just about recovering physically.
It’s grief.
He’s grieving the version of himself he thought he’d always be.
The career.
The independence.
The future.
The certainty.
And underneath all of it is this devastating fear that Dee could never want him now.
That somehow he returned as less.
Sir.
🥺
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE WITH THAT.
Because watching him believe he is somehow unworthy of love because his body and circumstances changed?
Yeah.
That got me.
BAD.
And Dee?
I LOVED HER.
She’s strong.
Sassy.
Warm.
Independent.
Runs her café.
Has spent years protecting her own heart.
And despite Maddox disappearing on her, the connection between them never really died.
Which creates this deliciously painful situation where she wants to support him.
Be his friend.
Help him adjust to civilian life.
Be there while he learns how to navigate everything that has changed.
Totally platonic.
Completely manageable.
🙂
Sure.
That sounds believable.
😂
Because these two have CHEMISTRY.
The kind where you can feel all the unfinished history sitting between them every time they’re in the same room.
They’re trying to move forward.
But there’s this constant pull backward toward the night that started everything.
The attraction is still there.
The feelings are still there.
The hurt is still there.
And that combination?
SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE GOLD.
👏🏻
What I loved most is that Nomi didn’t make their reunion easy.
They don’t just see each other again and immediately pick up where they left off.
They CAN’T.
They aren’t the same people anymore.
Especially Maddox.
He has to figure out how to exist in a life he never planned for.
And Dee has to decide whether loving him means opening herself back up to someone who already hurt her once.
That’s what gave this book so much emotional weight.
Their story isn’t simply:
We loved each other once, so let’s try again.
It’s:
Can we build something new from the people we’ve become?
😭
EXCUSE ME.
I came here to read romance.
Why am I being asked to FEEL THINGS?
😂
And Maddox’s recovery was handled with so much care.
Nomi doesn’t use trauma or disability as cheap emotional manipulation.
Healing isn’t clean.
It isn’t linear.
There are ugly moments.
Angry moments.
Embarrassing moments.
Moments where Maddox wants to retreat because being vulnerable feels worse than shutting everyone out.
And I appreciated that the story lets those emotions exist.
He isn’t magically “fixed” because Dee loves him.
THANK YOU.
Love isn’t presented as a cure.
Dee can support him.
Stand beside him.
Remind him he matters.
But Maddox still has to do the work of rebuilding his own sense of self.
That distinction matters.
And it made the romance hit so much harder.
Because Dee doesn’t love him despite what happened to him.
She loves HIM.
The man standing in front of her.
Not some past version she’s waiting for him to become again.
😭😭😭
NOMI.
I WAS HAVING A PERFECTLY GOOD DAY.
And of course, because she knows we cannot survive on pain alone, we get the friendship banter.
Maddox and Coal especially?
😂
THANK YOU.
Those lighter moments were desperately needed because otherwise I would have been curled into a fetal position clutching my Kindle.
The found-family energy throughout this series is one of my favorite parts.
There’s this sense that everyone is quietly holding each other up, even when the person struggling doesn’t realize it yet.
And I am apparently a complete sucker for:
You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.
🥹
Disgusting.
More.
Immediately.
😂
Maddox also became one of those MMCs who sneaks up on you.
Tortured.
Protective.
Vulnerable.
Possessive when it counts.
And yes…
There is some touch-her and die energy.
👀
Now we’re combining emotional healing with light territorial behavior?
Excellent.
I contain multitudes.
😂
His relationship with Dee feels especially powerful because she represents something he had convinced himself was impossible.
A future.
Home.
Love.
A life outside the identity he lost.
And Dee gets something equally important in return.
She gets to stop pretending that one night meant less to her than it did.
She gets to admit that he mattered.
That he still matters.
That loving someone after they hurt you doesn’t automatically make you weak.
It just means the choice to try again has to be earned.
👏🏻
That’s why the second-chance element worked so well for me.
There is HISTORY here.
There is hurt.
There is resentment.
But there is also so much love underneath it.
And when they finally start finding their way back to each other?
😭
I WAS DONE.
Nomi took the idea of becoming “whole together” and made it mean something much deeper than two people completing each other.
They don’t become halves of one person.
They become two imperfect, wounded people learning that wholeness doesn’t require perfection.
Sometimes it means accepting the life you have instead of mourning the life you thought you’d get.
Sometimes it means letting someone stand next to you while you figure it out.
And sometimes it means realizing the person who feels like home was there all along.
Great.
Cool.
Wonderful.
MY HEART IS IN A BLENDER.
😂😭
WHAT TO EXPECT:
💕 Second-chance romance
🖤 Rekindled romance
🏠 Small-town setting
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Friends-to-lovers energy
🖤 Hurt/comfort
🥺 Tortured hero
💕 Strong FMC
🖤 Disability representation
🥺 Trauma and recovery
💕 Found family
🔥 Age gap
🖤 Returning home
💕 Emotional healing
🔥 Touch-her-and-die energy
🥹 Vulnerable MMC
💕 Unfinished feelings
🖤 New beginnings
😭 Emotional devastation
FIVE “NOMI, PLEASE SEND MY HEART BACK WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED WITH IT” STARS.
😭🖤
Whole Together gave me exactly what I want from an emotional romance.
It hurt.
It healed.
Then it hurt again just to make sure I was paying attention.
Maddox and Dee weren’t about finding some perfect happily ever after where everything painful disappears.
They were about choosing each other in the middle of the mess.
Choosing to stay.
Choosing to rebuild.
Choosing a future that looks nothing like the one either of them originally imagined.
And THAT?
That got me.
Bad.
Nomi J. Avery remains one of those authors who can hand me an emotional weapon and I’ll willingly say:
🥹 Thank you. May I have another?
Apparently I enjoy suffering.
We knew this.
😂
And considering I willingly entered military-romance territory for this woman?
That is basically my highest form of literary devotion.
I cannot WAIT for book three.
Although if the emotional trajectory continues like this, I may need to schedule a recovery period in advance.
Worth it.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Nomi J. Avery has done it again.
And by “done it again,” I mean:
emotionally mugged me in a dark alley, stole my peace, shattered my heart, and then handed the pieces back like this was somehow a gift.
😭
Absolutely adore this author.
Absolutely adore this series.
And I’ve been SO lucky to ARC read both books in this trilogy so far.
The fact that I now have to wait for the next one?
Cruel.
Unusual.
Possibly illegal.
😂
You guys already KNOW I like my romances with a little pain.
Actually…
Who am I kidding?
I like them with enough emotional damage that I’m crying into my Kindle at 3 a.m. wondering whether I need a therapist, an emotional support beverage, or to stare silently into the void for several business days.
😂
Nomi understands the assignment.
And Whole Together HURT.
In the best way.
Now.
There is a military dynamic here.
😐
We all know how I feel about THAT.
Normally my brain sees “military hero” and immediately goes:
Hmm. Maybe we keep scrolling.
BUT.
This is Nomi.
I trust her.
So apparently I’m willing to power through personal genre resistance for quality emotional destruction.
Growth?
Maybe.
Questionable decision making?
Definitely.
😂
Maddox and Dee shared one unforgettable night two years ago.
Then Maddox disappeared.
Ghosted.
Gone.
And Dee is left wondering how one night could crack open a heart she’d spent years protecting only for the man responsible to vanish.
Rude.
Sir.
I already have QUESTIONS.
Then Maddox comes back to Moose Harbor completely changed.
After back to back missions and a horrific period of captivity, he returns carrying physical and emotional scars that have altered the future he always imagined for himself.
His high-risk career is over.
His identity has been shaken.
His body has changed.
And the man who once knew exactly what his purpose was is suddenly standing in the aftermath asking:
Who am I now?
😭
Nomi.
Why do you hate my emotional stability?
Because Maddox’s struggle isn’t just about recovering physically.
It’s grief.
He’s grieving the version of himself he thought he’d always be.
The career.
The independence.
The future.
The certainty.
And underneath all of it is this devastating fear that Dee could never want him now.
That somehow he returned as less.
Sir.
🥺
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE WITH THAT.
Because watching him believe he is somehow unworthy of love because his body and circumstances changed?
Yeah.
That got me.
BAD.
And Dee?
I LOVED HER.
She’s strong.
Sassy.
Warm.
Independent.
Runs her café.
Has spent years protecting her own heart.
And despite Maddox disappearing on her, the connection between them never really died.
Which creates this deliciously painful situation where she wants to support him.
Be his friend.
Help him adjust to civilian life.
Be there while he learns how to navigate everything that has changed.
Totally platonic.
Completely manageable.
🙂
Sure.
That sounds believable.
😂
Because these two have CHEMISTRY.
The kind where you can feel all the unfinished history sitting between them every time they’re in the same room.
They’re trying to move forward.
But there’s this constant pull backward toward the night that started everything.
The attraction is still there.
The feelings are still there.
The hurt is still there.
And that combination?
SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE GOLD.
👏🏻
What I loved most is that Nomi didn’t make their reunion easy.
They don’t just see each other again and immediately pick up where they left off.
They CAN’T.
They aren’t the same people anymore.
Especially Maddox.
He has to figure out how to exist in a life he never planned for.
And Dee has to decide whether loving him means opening herself back up to someone who already hurt her once.
That’s what gave this book so much emotional weight.
Their story isn’t simply:
We loved each other once, so let’s try again.
It’s:
Can we build something new from the people we’ve become?
😭
EXCUSE ME.
I came here to read romance.
Why am I being asked to FEEL THINGS?
😂
And Maddox’s recovery was handled with so much care.
Nomi doesn’t use trauma or disability as cheap emotional manipulation.
Healing isn’t clean.
It isn’t linear.
There are ugly moments.
Angry moments.
Embarrassing moments.
Moments where Maddox wants to retreat because being vulnerable feels worse than shutting everyone out.
And I appreciated that the story lets those emotions exist.
He isn’t magically “fixed” because Dee loves him.
THANK YOU.
Love isn’t presented as a cure.
Dee can support him.
Stand beside him.
Remind him he matters.
But Maddox still has to do the work of rebuilding his own sense of self.
That distinction matters.
And it made the romance hit so much harder.
Because Dee doesn’t love him despite what happened to him.
She loves HIM.
The man standing in front of her.
Not some past version she’s waiting for him to become again.
😭😭😭
NOMI.
I WAS HAVING A PERFECTLY GOOD DAY.
And of course, because she knows we cannot survive on pain alone, we get the friendship banter.
Maddox and Coal especially?
😂
THANK YOU.
Those lighter moments were desperately needed because otherwise I would have been curled into a fetal position clutching my Kindle.
The found-family energy throughout this series is one of my favorite parts.
There’s this sense that everyone is quietly holding each other up, even when the person struggling doesn’t realize it yet.
And I am apparently a complete sucker for:
You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.
🥹
Disgusting.
More.
Immediately.
😂
Maddox also became one of those MMCs who sneaks up on you.
Tortured.
Protective.
Vulnerable.
Possessive when it counts.
And yes…
There is some touch-her and die energy.
👀
Now we’re combining emotional healing with light territorial behavior?
Excellent.
I contain multitudes.
😂
His relationship with Dee feels especially powerful because she represents something he had convinced himself was impossible.
A future.
Home.
Love.
A life outside the identity he lost.
And Dee gets something equally important in return.
She gets to stop pretending that one night meant less to her than it did.
She gets to admit that he mattered.
That he still matters.
That loving someone after they hurt you doesn’t automatically make you weak.
It just means the choice to try again has to be earned.
👏🏻
That’s why the second-chance element worked so well for me.
There is HISTORY here.
There is hurt.
There is resentment.
But there is also so much love underneath it.
And when they finally start finding their way back to each other?
😭
I WAS DONE.
Nomi took the idea of becoming “whole together” and made it mean something much deeper than two people completing each other.
They don’t become halves of one person.
They become two imperfect, wounded people learning that wholeness doesn’t require perfection.
Sometimes it means accepting the life you have instead of mourning the life you thought you’d get.
Sometimes it means letting someone stand next to you while you figure it out.
And sometimes it means realizing the person who feels like home was there all along.
Great.
Cool.
Wonderful.
MY HEART IS IN A BLENDER.
😂😭
WHAT TO EXPECT:
💕 Second-chance romance
🖤 Rekindled romance
🏠 Small-town setting
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Friends-to-lovers energy
🖤 Hurt/comfort
🥺 Tortured hero
💕 Strong FMC
🖤 Disability representation
🥺 Trauma and recovery
💕 Found family
🔥 Age gap
🖤 Returning home
💕 Emotional healing
🔥 Touch-her-and-die energy
🥹 Vulnerable MMC
💕 Unfinished feelings
🖤 New beginnings
😭 Emotional devastation
FIVE “NOMI, PLEASE SEND MY HEART BACK WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED WITH IT” STARS.
😭🖤
Whole Together gave me exactly what I want from an emotional romance.
It hurt.
It healed.
Then it hurt again just to make sure I was paying attention.
Maddox and Dee weren’t about finding some perfect happily ever after where everything painful disappears.
They were about choosing each other in the middle of the mess.
Choosing to stay.
Choosing to rebuild.
Choosing a future that looks nothing like the one either of them originally imagined.
And THAT?
That got me.
Bad.
Nomi J. Avery remains one of those authors who can hand me an emotional weapon and I’ll willingly say:
🥹 Thank you. May I have another?
Apparently I enjoy suffering.
We knew this.
😂
And considering I willingly entered military-romance territory for this woman?
That is basically my highest form of literary devotion.
I cannot WAIT for book three.
Although if the emotional trajectory continues like this, I may need to schedule a recovery period in advance.
Worth it.
August 13, 2026
Nomi J. Avery did it again. I own every book she’s written, and she has officially earned her place on my auto-buy author list. But Whole Together, the second installment in The Resilience Series, feels especially close to my heart.
Nomi took the idea of two people becoming one and gave it an entirely new meaning.
I fell for Maddox in Healing Together, but somehow, in this book, he became one of my top ten book boyfriends of all time. And after everything he’s endured, watching him find his way back to Dee was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Two years ago, Maddox and Dee shared one unforgettable night. Then he disappeared from her life, carrying wounds neither of them could see. After back-to-back missions and a grueling two months in captivity, Maddox returns to Moose Harbor carrying more than just physical scars. He returns changed, uncertain of what his future can look like and terrified that the woman he never stopped wanting may no longer want him.
But sometimes, the greatest love stories aren’t about finding someone new.
They’re about finding your way back to the person who always felt like home.
Dee is everything I wanted her to be: sassy, strong, warm, and completely herself as a small-town café owner. Maddox is her perfect opposite: a tortured military hero learning how to live again. Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter is everything, and the tension between them practically crackles off the page.
And then there’s the friendship banter, especially between Maddox and Coal, which had me laughing just when I needed a little lightness.
What truly made this story stand out, though, was the way Nomi handled trauma, disability, vulnerability, and healing. She didn’t romanticize the hard parts. She allowed healing to be messy, imperfect, and deeply human. More importantly, she showed that sometimes love isn’t about fixing someone….it’s about standing beside them while they learn how to become whole again.
With small-town romance, second chances, an age gap, hurt/comfort, a tortured hero, and a fierce touch-her-and-die streak, Whole Together gave me everything I wanted and more.
Maddox and Dee were given a second chance at the night that changed everything.
And somehow, they turned that one unforgettable night into something even more beautiful:
a chance at forever.
Five stars, without hesitation. ♥️
Nomi took the idea of two people becoming one and gave it an entirely new meaning.
I fell for Maddox in Healing Together, but somehow, in this book, he became one of my top ten book boyfriends of all time. And after everything he’s endured, watching him find his way back to Dee was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Two years ago, Maddox and Dee shared one unforgettable night. Then he disappeared from her life, carrying wounds neither of them could see. After back-to-back missions and a grueling two months in captivity, Maddox returns to Moose Harbor carrying more than just physical scars. He returns changed, uncertain of what his future can look like and terrified that the woman he never stopped wanting may no longer want him.
But sometimes, the greatest love stories aren’t about finding someone new.
They’re about finding your way back to the person who always felt like home.
Dee is everything I wanted her to be: sassy, strong, warm, and completely herself as a small-town café owner. Maddox is her perfect opposite: a tortured military hero learning how to live again. Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter is everything, and the tension between them practically crackles off the page.
And then there’s the friendship banter, especially between Maddox and Coal, which had me laughing just when I needed a little lightness.
What truly made this story stand out, though, was the way Nomi handled trauma, disability, vulnerability, and healing. She didn’t romanticize the hard parts. She allowed healing to be messy, imperfect, and deeply human. More importantly, she showed that sometimes love isn’t about fixing someone….it’s about standing beside them while they learn how to become whole again.
With small-town romance, second chances, an age gap, hurt/comfort, a tortured hero, and a fierce touch-her-and-die streak, Whole Together gave me everything I wanted and more.
Maddox and Dee were given a second chance at the night that changed everything.
And somehow, they turned that one unforgettable night into something even more beautiful:
a chance at forever.
Five stars, without hesitation. ♥️
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an awe inspiring story! One that Nomi wrote well and with respect to the many aspects within this story.
All the characters had their own demons to slay, from Dee, her brother Jackson to Maddox.
Maddox and Dee's story continues on from Book 1, as the call comes in that he has gone MIA.
Held for 9 weeks in captivity before his team could find and extract him, even they thought he was lost to them.
Found, barely alive, Maddox comes to in hospital with his best friend, Cole by his side.
Given the news that he had made it out alive, but missing a lower limb, sets Maddox on a road of despair and loathing. #mentalhealthmatters
His whole live revolved around being his Teams leader. He built his life around being a Military man. And now he had to accept that he would not be returning back to his former life.
Dealing with nightmares, PTSD, and the non acceptance of being an amputee, Maddox had a lot of Therapy in his future. All these topics were handled with respect and care as Nomi navigated her way into putting into words the topics that many returned soldiers dealt with on a daily basis.
Then there comes Dee. She was so happy that Maddox had been found, and she accepted him for who he was on the inside. Disregarding that he was a new amputee, she set about making sure he was settled and ok once discharged from hospital.
Maddox and Dee had left their previous encounter open for interpretation. He had made no effort to contact her for two years and she had finally moved on with a new man in her life, Tim.
Maddox accepted his fate as to not having Dee in his life once again, but Dee had other plans!
It is true love when two people come together once again, as two halves make a whole = Whole together.
Maddox needed Dee in his life just as she needed him.
A beautiful reconnection and second chance at love for them both.
Then we meet Olly, a 10 year old who gives Maddox a run for his money.
He also has been dealt with loss in his short life but still had that bubbly personality and sense of positivity about him. He certainly lightened some of the content within this story.
As Dee helps her brother, Jackson to get over his addiction, this adds another dimension to the story and sets us up for Book 3 in this amazing series.
I loved that Cole and Charlie also play a big part in this story as the birth of their twin girls also puts focus on what Dee and Maddox want for their future.
An overall great read that does tug at your heart strings as Dee, Maddox and Jackson all help each other to heal and recover from their individual trauma.
All the characters had their own demons to slay, from Dee, her brother Jackson to Maddox.
Maddox and Dee's story continues on from Book 1, as the call comes in that he has gone MIA.
Held for 9 weeks in captivity before his team could find and extract him, even they thought he was lost to them.
Found, barely alive, Maddox comes to in hospital with his best friend, Cole by his side.
Given the news that he had made it out alive, but missing a lower limb, sets Maddox on a road of despair and loathing. #mentalhealthmatters
His whole live revolved around being his Teams leader. He built his life around being a Military man. And now he had to accept that he would not be returning back to his former life.
Dealing with nightmares, PTSD, and the non acceptance of being an amputee, Maddox had a lot of Therapy in his future. All these topics were handled with respect and care as Nomi navigated her way into putting into words the topics that many returned soldiers dealt with on a daily basis.
Then there comes Dee. She was so happy that Maddox had been found, and she accepted him for who he was on the inside. Disregarding that he was a new amputee, she set about making sure he was settled and ok once discharged from hospital.
Maddox and Dee had left their previous encounter open for interpretation. He had made no effort to contact her for two years and she had finally moved on with a new man in her life, Tim.
Maddox accepted his fate as to not having Dee in his life once again, but Dee had other plans!
It is true love when two people come together once again, as two halves make a whole = Whole together.
Maddox needed Dee in his life just as she needed him.
A beautiful reconnection and second chance at love for them both.
Then we meet Olly, a 10 year old who gives Maddox a run for his money.
He also has been dealt with loss in his short life but still had that bubbly personality and sense of positivity about him. He certainly lightened some of the content within this story.
As Dee helps her brother, Jackson to get over his addiction, this adds another dimension to the story and sets us up for Book 3 in this amazing series.
I loved that Cole and Charlie also play a big part in this story as the birth of their twin girls also puts focus on what Dee and Maddox want for their future.
An overall great read that does tug at your heart strings as Dee, Maddox and Jackson all help each other to heal and recover from their individual trauma.
Review of advance copy
I AM EMOTIONALLY DESTROYED IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY 😭😭 Whole Together completely grabbed my heart and refused to let go. Maddox and Dee had me hooked from the beginning because the history, the unresolved feelings, the longing and all that tension between them??? HELLOOOO I was EATING IT UP.
Maddox absolutely broke my heart. Watching him try to figure out who he is after everything he’s been through and adjust to a life he never planned for himself was so emotional. He’s carrying so much, physically and emotionally, and I just wanted to wrap him up and tell him he was still worthy of love and happiness. 🥺 And Dee!!! I LOVED HER. She’s strong but vulnerable, guarded but still willing to show up for Maddox when he needs her most. The way she supports him while also dealing with her own feelings for the man who basically ghosted her had me screaming at my kindle 😂
THE PINING. THE TENSION. THE SECOND CHANCE FEELING. THE EMOTIONAL HEALING. ALL OF IT.
I loved watching these two slowly find their way back to each other and realizing that being “whole” doesn’t necessarily mean going back to who you were before. Sometimes it means accepting who you are now and finding someone who loves that version of you too. 😭❤️
And the chemistry between Maddox and Dee was absolutely FIRE. Every time they were together I was just waiting for one of them to finally crack because the tension was practically crawling off the page. Their relationship felt emotional, messy, complicated and REAL, and I loved every second of it.
Nomi J Avery absolutely delivered on the angst and feels with this one. I laughed, I hurt, I swooned, I wanted to shake these two a few times 😂 and by the end I was sitting there with that stupid happy feeling because THEY DESERVED THIS.
Such a beautiful story about finding yourself again, learning to live with what life has handed you, and letting someone love you through the messy parts. Maddox and Dee completely stole my heart and I was NOT prepared to give it back.
Maddox absolutely broke my heart. Watching him try to figure out who he is after everything he’s been through and adjust to a life he never planned for himself was so emotional. He’s carrying so much, physically and emotionally, and I just wanted to wrap him up and tell him he was still worthy of love and happiness. 🥺 And Dee!!! I LOVED HER. She’s strong but vulnerable, guarded but still willing to show up for Maddox when he needs her most. The way she supports him while also dealing with her own feelings for the man who basically ghosted her had me screaming at my kindle 😂
THE PINING. THE TENSION. THE SECOND CHANCE FEELING. THE EMOTIONAL HEALING. ALL OF IT.
I loved watching these two slowly find their way back to each other and realizing that being “whole” doesn’t necessarily mean going back to who you were before. Sometimes it means accepting who you are now and finding someone who loves that version of you too. 😭❤️
And the chemistry between Maddox and Dee was absolutely FIRE. Every time they were together I was just waiting for one of them to finally crack because the tension was practically crawling off the page. Their relationship felt emotional, messy, complicated and REAL, and I loved every second of it.
Nomi J Avery absolutely delivered on the angst and feels with this one. I laughed, I hurt, I swooned, I wanted to shake these two a few times 😂 and by the end I was sitting there with that stupid happy feeling because THEY DESERVED THIS.
Such a beautiful story about finding yourself again, learning to live with what life has handed you, and letting someone love you through the messy parts. Maddox and Dee completely stole my heart and I was NOT prepared to give it back.
August 18, 2026
Maddox and Dee are two of my favorite characters yet, each so complex in their own ways but always staying true to themselves throughout trials and tribulations. Maddox, a battle-hardened special ops veteran, tragically has his career ripped away after he is captured by enemy forces and tortured relentlessly for months. For Maddox, his career was his whole life, never settling down for fear of leaving a grieving family behind if a mission went wrong and he didn’t make it home. Having to find a new outlook on life, finding a new purpose, learning his life isn’t over just because of what he lost, and fighting demons from his time as a captive, Maddox has a steep mountain to climb toward his healing. Dee, a spitfire of a woman who has also had her unfair amount of pain and suffering, also deals with her own guilt and complex emotions when her brother, a recovering addict, comes to live with her out of the blue. Working through years of anger, guilt, anxiety, feelings of betrayal and abandonment, Dee’s healing journey is not as traumatic as Maddox’s but just as difficult. With their complex past, Maddox and Dee find each other close together quite a lot as more events unfold and they are slowly able to overcome their shared past. The challenge now is deciding what their future looks like if they are brave enough as two broken people to see if they can be whole together.
Favorite Quotes:
“If there was ever any room in my life for a second great love, that woman over there would be it.”
“Sweetheart. I’d rather suffer alone for the rest of my days than risk harming you in any way.”
“I can’t love her the way she deserves to be loved without first healing whatever it is that’s broken inside me.”
“I’m here because I want to be. Because I feel safest when I’m in your arms, and I’m not worried.
“We’re whole together, Dee. You make me feel whole again, and for that alone, I’ll love you until my dying day.”
Favorite Quotes:
“If there was ever any room in my life for a second great love, that woman over there would be it.”
“Sweetheart. I’d rather suffer alone for the rest of my days than risk harming you in any way.”
“I can’t love her the way she deserves to be loved without first healing whatever it is that’s broken inside me.”
“I’m here because I want to be. Because I feel safest when I’m in your arms, and I’m not worried.
“We’re whole together, Dee. You make me feel whole again, and for that alone, I’ll love you until my dying day.”
July 31, 2026
Another heart-wrenching, trauma-heavy story by this author, and I loved it.
Definitely check your trigger warnings because this one has some really intense moments. I had to put the book down a few times just to work up the courage to keep going.
I love the way she builds her characters. I come from a military family, have known plenty of addicts, and have dealt with enough of my own unrelated trauma to know that everyone is carrying something. I really liked that this story showed how trauma can shape people in completely different ways through each character's journey.
Seeing Dee & Mads find their way back to each other was perfect. Mads with his dark humor, Dee with her sweet heart... perfection.
My only wish is that we'd gotten more of Evelyn, Ollie, and Mads together and had gotten to see that relationship grow more in real time instead of just hearing in a quick paragraph that they'd been spending time together. That may just be me being greedy because I loved this story, but I think actually seeing more of those moments would've made the emotional payoff even better.
Overall, great story, great character growth, and such an emotional read. If you want something that'll make you cry while keeping you on the edge of your seat, read this series.
Side thoughts on next in series as I was reading…Early on, when I read about Jackson & Abby, I thought, "Okay, that's definitely who the next book is about." Then Gabe showed up and I was like, "Wait... never mind. Is it Gabe & Jackson?” Then I started wondering, "Hold up... what if it's Jackson, Gabe, & Abby?!" And then in the end Spencer popped back up, so I convinced myself he’s definitely getting the next story.
Of course, I read the author's note, so now I know what's coming next…and I'm soooo here for it.
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy.
Definitely check your trigger warnings because this one has some really intense moments. I had to put the book down a few times just to work up the courage to keep going.
I love the way she builds her characters. I come from a military family, have known plenty of addicts, and have dealt with enough of my own unrelated trauma to know that everyone is carrying something. I really liked that this story showed how trauma can shape people in completely different ways through each character's journey.
Seeing Dee & Mads find their way back to each other was perfect. Mads with his dark humor, Dee with her sweet heart... perfection.
My only wish is that we'd gotten more of Evelyn, Ollie, and Mads together and had gotten to see that relationship grow more in real time instead of just hearing in a quick paragraph that they'd been spending time together. That may just be me being greedy because I loved this story, but I think actually seeing more of those moments would've made the emotional payoff even better.
Overall, great story, great character growth, and such an emotional read. If you want something that'll make you cry while keeping you on the edge of your seat, read this series.
Side thoughts on next in series as I was reading…Early on, when I read about Jackson & Abby, I thought, "Okay, that's definitely who the next book is about." Then Gabe showed up and I was like, "Wait... never mind. Is it Gabe & Jackson?” Then I started wondering, "Hold up... what if it's Jackson, Gabe, & Abby?!" And then in the end Spencer popped back up, so I convinced myself he’s definitely getting the next story.
Of course, I read the author's note, so now I know what's coming next…and I'm soooo here for it.
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy.
July 30, 2026
“I was drawn to you because I liked who you are. This doesn't have to change you.
You're still the same person, Maddox. You just have to find a new purpose and give that guy a chance to find his footing in a world he no longer understands.”
•
Whole together is the second book in the “The resilience series” here you’ll find:
🌲Age gap
✨Found family
💚Mutual healing
🏡Small town
First of all, thank you Nomi J for the ARC!
After finishing Healing Together, I was so curious about Maddox sorry since what happened to him at the end of the first book!
Dee is such a strong and independent character, and the chemistry between her and Maddox is obvious from the very beginning. I loved seeing them find their way back to each other, especially because their relationship is full of emotions, healing, and growth.
My heart truly ached for Maddox and everything he had to endure. Watching him slowly heal and rediscover himself throughout the book was one of my favorite parts of the story. I also loved the softer side of him that we got to see thanks to Ollie, Cole, Charlie, and the twins.
The relationship between Dee and Maddox was beautiful, but if I had to find one flaw, I think things moved a little too quickly at times. I would have loved a slower development, especially when it came to Maddox processing his feelings for Dee. Some parts felt a bit rushed, and a few extra chapters would have made everything even more emotional.
One of my favorite aspects of this series continues to be the found family trope. The bond between all these characters is truly special, and seeing them support each other through everything makes these books even more beautiful.
Overall, this is a story about love, trauma, healing, and finding your way back to the people who feel like home.
You're still the same person, Maddox. You just have to find a new purpose and give that guy a chance to find his footing in a world he no longer understands.”
•
Whole together is the second book in the “The resilience series” here you’ll find:
🌲Age gap
✨Found family
💚Mutual healing
🏡Small town
First of all, thank you Nomi J for the ARC!
After finishing Healing Together, I was so curious about Maddox sorry since what happened to him at the end of the first book!
Dee is such a strong and independent character, and the chemistry between her and Maddox is obvious from the very beginning. I loved seeing them find their way back to each other, especially because their relationship is full of emotions, healing, and growth.
My heart truly ached for Maddox and everything he had to endure. Watching him slowly heal and rediscover himself throughout the book was one of my favorite parts of the story. I also loved the softer side of him that we got to see thanks to Ollie, Cole, Charlie, and the twins.
The relationship between Dee and Maddox was beautiful, but if I had to find one flaw, I think things moved a little too quickly at times. I would have loved a slower development, especially when it came to Maddox processing his feelings for Dee. Some parts felt a bit rushed, and a few extra chapters would have made everything even more emotional.
One of my favorite aspects of this series continues to be the found family trope. The bond between all these characters is truly special, and seeing them support each other through everything makes these books even more beautiful.
Overall, this is a story about love, trauma, healing, and finding your way back to the people who feel like home.
August 11, 2026
I absolutely loved Whole Together. This one had so much heart without feeling overly heavy or like it was trying to force an emotional reaction out of me. It just happens naturally because you get so damn invested in these two.
Maddox absolutely got me. There’s so much going on underneath everything with him; the anger, the grief, the frustration, the vulnerability…. Then watching him try to figure out who he is now genuinely hurt my heart. There were so many times I wanted to reach into the book, hug the man, and then probably yell at him a little because SIR.
And DEE. I love her.
I loved the way she loved him without making him feel like he needed to be fixed. She supports him, challenges him, gives him space when he needs it, and still isn’t afraid to call him on his shit. Their dynamic just WORKED for me.
And the chemistry?! The tension?! The YEARNING?!
YES. ALL OF IT.
But what really made me love them was everything underneath the romance. The little moments. The friendship. The banter. The vulnerability. The way they slowly start letting those walls come down. It made their relationship feel real instead of like welp, they’re attracted to each other, guess they’re in love now.
I also really loved how Maddox’s journey was handled. Dee isn’t some magical cure for everything he’s carrying. Love doesn’t suddenly make everything okay. He still has shit to work through, and that made the story hit so much harder for me.
Maddox and Dee are messy and stubborn and hurting and ridiculously easy to root for, and somewhere along the way I became entirely too emotionally invested in these fictional people.
Absolutely beautiful. So much heart. So much healing. So much love.
5 freaking stars.
Maddox absolutely got me. There’s so much going on underneath everything with him; the anger, the grief, the frustration, the vulnerability…. Then watching him try to figure out who he is now genuinely hurt my heart. There were so many times I wanted to reach into the book, hug the man, and then probably yell at him a little because SIR.
And DEE. I love her.
I loved the way she loved him without making him feel like he needed to be fixed. She supports him, challenges him, gives him space when he needs it, and still isn’t afraid to call him on his shit. Their dynamic just WORKED for me.
And the chemistry?! The tension?! The YEARNING?!
YES. ALL OF IT.
But what really made me love them was everything underneath the romance. The little moments. The friendship. The banter. The vulnerability. The way they slowly start letting those walls come down. It made their relationship feel real instead of like welp, they’re attracted to each other, guess they’re in love now.
I also really loved how Maddox’s journey was handled. Dee isn’t some magical cure for everything he’s carrying. Love doesn’t suddenly make everything okay. He still has shit to work through, and that made the story hit so much harder for me.
Maddox and Dee are messy and stubborn and hurting and ridiculously easy to root for, and somewhere along the way I became entirely too emotionally invested in these fictional people.
Absolutely beautiful. So much heart. So much healing. So much love.
5 freaking stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the ARC opportunity! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the second book in this series. Maddox and Dee were already scene stealers in the first book, so I was excited to finally get their story. While you can absolutely read this as a standalone, I do think reading the first book makes the emotional moments hit even harder.
Maddox's world is turned upside down after the events of the first book, and watching him navigate everything that follows completely broke my heart. His journey with self-identity, self-esteem, and self-acceptance was the emotional core of this story, and Nomi handled it beautifully.
Then we have Dee. She's strong, resilient, and endlessly selfless, yet beneath that strength lies someone carrying her own fears of abandonment and questions about her self-worth. I loved watching her journey just as much as Maddox's. One of my favourite parts was seeing the glimpses of her relationship with her brother, Jackson. It added another layer to her character that I really appreciated.
What I loved most about Maddox and Dee together was how they became a safe place for one another. They accepted each other's flaws, challenged the stories they believed about themselves, and reminded one another that their worth wasn't defined by their past or their insecurities - Whole Together.
In doing so, they helped each other begin building a new identity beyond their grief and trauma. Their love felt patient, genuine, and so beautifully earned. As always, Nomi found a way to tug at my already fragile heartstrings.
And then there's Ollie. Every scene with him brought so much warmth, humour, and sweetness to the story. I honestly couldn't get enough.
My only complaint is that I wanted more. I would have loved a deeper exploration of Dee's relationship with Jackson and her grief surrounding her siblings. While I understand that much of her healing had already happened before the story began, I couldn't help wanting to spend more time with those parts of her journey. And, selfishly, I would have happily taken more scenes with Maddox, Dee, and Ollie together because they were such a joy to read.
Finally... that setup for Jackson's book? Nomi, I am so ready. I cannot wait.
I really enjoyed the second book in this series. Maddox and Dee were already scene stealers in the first book, so I was excited to finally get their story. While you can absolutely read this as a standalone, I do think reading the first book makes the emotional moments hit even harder.
Maddox's world is turned upside down after the events of the first book, and watching him navigate everything that follows completely broke my heart. His journey with self-identity, self-esteem, and self-acceptance was the emotional core of this story, and Nomi handled it beautifully.
Then we have Dee. She's strong, resilient, and endlessly selfless, yet beneath that strength lies someone carrying her own fears of abandonment and questions about her self-worth. I loved watching her journey just as much as Maddox's. One of my favourite parts was seeing the glimpses of her relationship with her brother, Jackson. It added another layer to her character that I really appreciated.
What I loved most about Maddox and Dee together was how they became a safe place for one another. They accepted each other's flaws, challenged the stories they believed about themselves, and reminded one another that their worth wasn't defined by their past or their insecurities - Whole Together.
In doing so, they helped each other begin building a new identity beyond their grief and trauma. Their love felt patient, genuine, and so beautifully earned. As always, Nomi found a way to tug at my already fragile heartstrings.
And then there's Ollie. Every scene with him brought so much warmth, humour, and sweetness to the story. I honestly couldn't get enough.
My only complaint is that I wanted more. I would have loved a deeper exploration of Dee's relationship with Jackson and her grief surrounding her siblings. While I understand that much of her healing had already happened before the story began, I couldn't help wanting to spend more time with those parts of her journey. And, selfishly, I would have happily taken more scenes with Maddox, Dee, and Ollie together because they were such a joy to read.
Finally... that setup for Jackson's book? Nomi, I am so ready. I cannot wait.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Whole Together is Book 2, and it's a story that becomes even more meaningful if you've read Book 1, Healing Together. Maddox is the charming soldier who stole my heart in the first book when he dropped everything for Cole and did whatever it took to protect Cole and Charlie. Dee, Charlie's best friend, has her world turned upside down by Maddox, and I absolutely loved them together.
In the present day, we see trauma catch up with Maddox. Although it sets him back, he faces it with banter and, of course, the occasional whining. Even when he loses himself for a while, his friendship with Cole refuses to let him drown. Dee completely blew me away with her huge heart as she opened it once again to help heal and stand beside Maddox.
Watching Maddox slowly pull himself back together while nightmares tear him apart breaks your heart. His healing comes through love, friendship, and one very special little boy who shines through the darkness and gently leads Maddox back into the light. I honestly couldn't get enough of him.
Throw in family drama that adds another layer to the story, along with danger that keeps you on edge, and you have a beautiful balance of emotion and suspense. I loved that it wasn't all doom and gloom or endless angst. Instead, it's about learning to cope, finding hope, and slowly letting life and love lead the way.
I also loved the many different characters we get a glimpse of and can't wait to read their stories.
In the present day, we see trauma catch up with Maddox. Although it sets him back, he faces it with banter and, of course, the occasional whining. Even when he loses himself for a while, his friendship with Cole refuses to let him drown. Dee completely blew me away with her huge heart as she opened it once again to help heal and stand beside Maddox.
Watching Maddox slowly pull himself back together while nightmares tear him apart breaks your heart. His healing comes through love, friendship, and one very special little boy who shines through the darkness and gently leads Maddox back into the light. I honestly couldn't get enough of him.
Throw in family drama that adds another layer to the story, along with danger that keeps you on edge, and you have a beautiful balance of emotion and suspense. I loved that it wasn't all doom and gloom or endless angst. Instead, it's about learning to cope, finding hope, and slowly letting life and love lead the way.
I also loved the many different characters we get a glimpse of and can't wait to read their stories.
Review of advance copy
Whole together is book 2 in the Resilience series and picks up soon after Healing Together. This is part of an interconnected series and can be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend book 1. You will fall in love with Cole and Charlie.
At the end of Healing Together I could have cried when he call came in the Maddox had gone missing.
You got to know him and his dimpled grin throughout Healing Together. Also, Dee the tough as nails spunky Cafe owner. Dee and Maddox had chemistry from the moment their eyes met.
My heart hurt for what Maddox had gone through.To see his strength and growth through out the book was inspiring. The relationship between Dee and Maddox gets even hotter once they come back together. Things did move a little fast for me. I wish there was a little more of a slower build for Maddox to come to terms on his feelings for Dee. It just felt a little rushed.
I loved Ollie, and the role he played in Maddox's recovery. Seeing Cole, Charlie, and the twins gave us that softer side of Maddox.
The found family aspect in this series is just everything. The relationships that these characters have is something everyone wants in their life at on point or another.
This is a love story full of emotion, trauma, and healing. I highly recommend this one for your TBR!
I can not wait for Jackson's story!!!
At the end of Healing Together I could have cried when he call came in the Maddox had gone missing.
You got to know him and his dimpled grin throughout Healing Together. Also, Dee the tough as nails spunky Cafe owner. Dee and Maddox had chemistry from the moment their eyes met.
My heart hurt for what Maddox had gone through.To see his strength and growth through out the book was inspiring. The relationship between Dee and Maddox gets even hotter once they come back together. Things did move a little fast for me. I wish there was a little more of a slower build for Maddox to come to terms on his feelings for Dee. It just felt a little rushed.
I loved Ollie, and the role he played in Maddox's recovery. Seeing Cole, Charlie, and the twins gave us that softer side of Maddox.
The found family aspect in this series is just everything. The relationships that these characters have is something everyone wants in their life at on point or another.
This is a love story full of emotion, trauma, and healing. I highly recommend this one for your TBR!
I can not wait for Jackson's story!!!
July 31, 2026
Another book from Nomi, another 5 star read!
First i have to point out that she handled all the sensitive subjects-dissability, learning to live with an amputation, ptsd, therapy and recovery with such care and respect.
Yes my eyes watered a few times - or as Mads says, someone must be chopping onions close by!
Back to the strory we originally met Dee and Maddox in Healing together and although this book can be read as a standalone i highly recommend reading healing together first as its also an amazing book.
Since then i have been patiently (?) awaiting this book and it did not dissapoint, Maddox is such a raw character and had my heart bleeding for him from the first page and his emotional growth and resilience is so special to read and Dee with her fiesty mouth and badass girl attitude was his perfect match.
There is a lot of teary moments but also a lot of swoon moments and laughing out loud at the witty comments and internal thoughts and of course as in Nomi’s style some on the edge suspense!
I adored seeing Cole and Charlie again and getting to know Dee's brother but from all the side characters 10 year old Ollie stole the show completly and i was just what everyone needed, the resilience and attitude of a beautiful strong child is just amazing!
Nomi writes beautifully and i stayed up way past my bed time to read!
So excited for the next book 👀👀👀
First i have to point out that she handled all the sensitive subjects-dissability, learning to live with an amputation, ptsd, therapy and recovery with such care and respect.
Yes my eyes watered a few times - or as Mads says, someone must be chopping onions close by!
Back to the strory we originally met Dee and Maddox in Healing together and although this book can be read as a standalone i highly recommend reading healing together first as its also an amazing book.
Since then i have been patiently (?) awaiting this book and it did not dissapoint, Maddox is such a raw character and had my heart bleeding for him from the first page and his emotional growth and resilience is so special to read and Dee with her fiesty mouth and badass girl attitude was his perfect match.
There is a lot of teary moments but also a lot of swoon moments and laughing out loud at the witty comments and internal thoughts and of course as in Nomi’s style some on the edge suspense!
I adored seeing Cole and Charlie again and getting to know Dee's brother but from all the side characters 10 year old Ollie stole the show completly and i was just what everyone needed, the resilience and attitude of a beautiful strong child is just amazing!
Nomi writes beautifully and i stayed up way past my bed time to read!
So excited for the next book 👀👀👀
September 8, 2026
This story was the second in the series and picked up after the cliff hanger from book 1. I loved it! It explored the difficult journey of healing while set against the backdrop of a charming small town. The narrative centers on Dee, a vibrant café owner, and Maddox, a veteran grappling with the invisible scars of military service. The relationship between the MCs is defined by genuine partnership rather than a "savior" dynamic, providing a refreshing and mature take on how two people can support one another through grief and loss.
The story stood out for its sensitive handling of complex themes, including PTSD, addiction, and the intricacies of the foster care system. While the slower pace allowed for deep character development and crackling chemistry, the high level of emotional maturity between the protagonists occasionally felt more fictional than realistic. By focusing on the raw, unromanticized realities of recovery, the author created a deeply moving narrative that proved love isn't just about fixing what is broken, but about finding the strength to be whole together.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
🔹️🔹️Tropes🔹️🔹️
Small Town Romance
Second Chance
Age Gap
Tortured Hero
Hurt / Comfort
Disability Rep
Mutual Healing
Found Family
Touch her and ☠️
Romantic Suspense
The story stood out for its sensitive handling of complex themes, including PTSD, addiction, and the intricacies of the foster care system. While the slower pace allowed for deep character development and crackling chemistry, the high level of emotional maturity between the protagonists occasionally felt more fictional than realistic. By focusing on the raw, unromanticized realities of recovery, the author created a deeply moving narrative that proved love isn't just about fixing what is broken, but about finding the strength to be whole together.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
🔹️🔹️Tropes🔹️🔹️
Small Town Romance
Second Chance
Age Gap
Tortured Hero
Hurt / Comfort
Disability Rep
Mutual Healing
Found Family
Touch her and ☠️
Romantic Suspense
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
First off, a HUGE thank you to Nomi J. Avery! I absolutely loved the first book, and I think I loved the second just a tad bit more!! I was so excited when I saw the book in my inbox!
This book had me laughing, but also made my heart break just a tad, for Dee's brother. There was so much character growth on Madd's part. And I'm so glad he decided to listen to those around him. I loved the dynamic between Maddox and Dee, their banter, their support of each other. I really enjoyed this book.
Dee, she has had so much thrown at her in her life, and she continues to move on, letting it help shape her but in a good way. She has such a kind heart, and just an all around good nature about her. With a side of sass.
Maddox, you stubborn, swoon worthy man. Even after 2 years of knowing you wanted her, you wanted to protect her from possibly losing you while on active duty. But you also didn't want to lose her. But gosh you really stepped up to the plate.
Ollie is a 10 year old boy, and he was such a bright light for Mads, and such a sweet young boy that life has not dealt a very nice hand of cards to. But he continued to be a happy and outgoing kid.
First off, a HUGE thank you to Nomi J. Avery! I absolutely loved the first book, and I think I loved the second just a tad bit more!! I was so excited when I saw the book in my inbox!
This book had me laughing, but also made my heart break just a tad, for Dee's brother. There was so much character growth on Madd's part. And I'm so glad he decided to listen to those around him. I loved the dynamic between Maddox and Dee, their banter, their support of each other. I really enjoyed this book.
Dee, she has had so much thrown at her in her life, and she continues to move on, letting it help shape her but in a good way. She has such a kind heart, and just an all around good nature about her. With a side of sass.
Maddox, you stubborn, swoon worthy man. Even after 2 years of knowing you wanted her, you wanted to protect her from possibly losing you while on active duty. But you also didn't want to lose her. But gosh you really stepped up to the plate.
Ollie is a 10 year old boy, and he was such a bright light for Mads, and such a sweet young boy that life has not dealt a very nice hand of cards to. But he continued to be a happy and outgoing kid.
July 21, 2026
ARC Review:
5/5⭐️, 4/5🌶️
-First Person POV: Dual
-Age Gap
-Small Town
-Disability Rep
-Hurt/Comfort
My oh my. What a fantastic job Nomi J. Avery has done yet again. This is book 2 in The Resilience series. It picks up almost directly where we left off but this time it’s Maddox and Dee’s story.
I absolutely loved them. They’re both so head strong in a way that it’s hard to explain. Maddox has gone through so much in his life. Especially in the recent events. He perseveres though and proves that he’s as strong as he keeps saying he is. Dee has also gone through her own stuff. But time and time again she bounces back and also shows how amazing she is. The two of them together and so cute. They mold so well to each other and it really puts into perspective how far someone will go for the person they love.
The writing style that Nomi J. Avery has is what keeps me coming back for more. It’s so descriptive but also heartwarming.
Check the TW’s prior to reading. Other wise I highly recommend:)
5/5⭐️, 4/5🌶️
-First Person POV: Dual
-Age Gap
-Small Town
-Disability Rep
-Hurt/Comfort
My oh my. What a fantastic job Nomi J. Avery has done yet again. This is book 2 in The Resilience series. It picks up almost directly where we left off but this time it’s Maddox and Dee’s story.
I absolutely loved them. They’re both so head strong in a way that it’s hard to explain. Maddox has gone through so much in his life. Especially in the recent events. He perseveres though and proves that he’s as strong as he keeps saying he is. Dee has also gone through her own stuff. But time and time again she bounces back and also shows how amazing she is. The two of them together and so cute. They mold so well to each other and it really puts into perspective how far someone will go for the person they love.
The writing style that Nomi J. Avery has is what keeps me coming back for more. It’s so descriptive but also heartwarming.
Check the TW’s prior to reading. Other wise I highly recommend:)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Seriously, there are so many traumatized people in this small town! 😂 But I say that with nothing but affection, because Nomi J. Avery has a way of pulling you so deeply into her characters' pain, hope, and healing that you can't help but become invested.
I'll admit I was a little worried that Maddox's healing journey wouldn't resonate with me as much as his absolute badassery did in book one. I shouldn't have doubted it. Pairing him with Ollie absolutely melted my heart🥹 Watching their intertwined healing journeys alongside Dee's and her brother's made this story so much more than just a romance. I was absolutely bawling over many scenes.
By the final chapters, I was so glad for an HEA because every single one of these characters had fought so hard to earn one. I kind of like that there wasn't this third act conflict with Dee and everything moving so fast too!
You don't have to read Healing Together (book 1) to fully enjoy Whole Together, but I recommend it as it's a great read and gives you more of Cole & Charlie's backstory.
Thank you Nomi for the ARC!! 🫶
I'll admit I was a little worried that Maddox's healing journey wouldn't resonate with me as much as his absolute badassery did in book one. I shouldn't have doubted it. Pairing him with Ollie absolutely melted my heart🥹 Watching their intertwined healing journeys alongside Dee's and her brother's made this story so much more than just a romance. I was absolutely bawling over many scenes.
By the final chapters, I was so glad for an HEA because every single one of these characters had fought so hard to earn one. I kind of like that there wasn't this third act conflict with Dee and everything moving so fast too!
You don't have to read Healing Together (book 1) to fully enjoy Whole Together, but I recommend it as it's a great read and gives you more of Cole & Charlie's backstory.
Thank you Nomi for the ARC!! 🫶
July 31, 2026
Maddox and Dee go thru so much pain and agony from chapter one. Maddox endured the worst torture that it was hard to read because everything he went thru it was awful. Dee had her own heartache from losing her mom and taking in her recovery addicted brother who in the past stole from her for his next fix. When Maddox returns from being a prisoner to the most vile human beings. Spoiler they get what they gave. Maddox did lose a leg due to the torture they put him thru. Dee was there for him from the start never judging him just loved him for who he was. Maddox was very depressed and tried to push his loved ones away but Dee wasn’t having it. In comes sweet sweet Ollie to get Maddox and Dee on the path of happiness. Who knew such a young boy who endured a lot of loss and always saw the positive in life. This book will gut you at first but they do get their happily ever happy ever after they so deserve. I can’t wait to read more from Nomi.
August 6, 2026
Dee and Maddox have my heart. I was intrigued by Maddox during the first book and the instant chemistry he had with Dee and was over the moon when this book was announced. Dee and Maddox's love story was so well written.
Maddox's trauma was such a hard topic to read about, but the author did an amazing job with describing his recovery both mentally and physically. I liked that we saw the mental process he went through as he decided he was done moping and was ready to accept his circumstances and fight for what he really wanted.
I thought them getting together so quickly would make the book a bit boring, but I was so glad to be wrong. From Ollie, to Jackson and all the little side quests in the book, it kept me intrigued throughout. Also can I just say, I hope Jackson's book is next because I am fully invested in finding out his story with Gabe.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the book.
Maddox's trauma was such a hard topic to read about, but the author did an amazing job with describing his recovery both mentally and physically. I liked that we saw the mental process he went through as he decided he was done moping and was ready to accept his circumstances and fight for what he really wanted.
I thought them getting together so quickly would make the book a bit boring, but I was so glad to be wrong. From Ollie, to Jackson and all the little side quests in the book, it kept me intrigued throughout. Also can I just say, I hope Jackson's book is next because I am fully invested in finding out his story with Gabe.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the book.
August 14, 2026
If you're looking for a couple that seems to defy, the odds yet comes together in the most amazing way, then you're definitely talking about Maddox and Dee.
This is the second book in the resilience series and it just continues on with everything that I loved about the first book. Nomi Avery was an author that I hadn't heard of until these books, but she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her way of writing really draws you in and she knows how to tell a story in a way that a 110% pulls on your heartstrings. She pulls on every emotion imaginable.
I love this story because sometimes finding home means finding your way back to the one person who was there from the very beginning. This book definitely shows that love isn't always easy and the path isn't always a straight line, but it's definitely worth it in the end. This is a 4 out of 5 star read for me, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story that isn't always perfect.
This is the second book in the resilience series and it just continues on with everything that I loved about the first book. Nomi Avery was an author that I hadn't heard of until these books, but she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her way of writing really draws you in and she knows how to tell a story in a way that a 110% pulls on your heartstrings. She pulls on every emotion imaginable.
I love this story because sometimes finding home means finding your way back to the one person who was there from the very beginning. This book definitely shows that love isn't always easy and the path isn't always a straight line, but it's definitely worth it in the end. This is a 4 out of 5 star read for me, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story that isn't always perfect.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really love this series. It’s a perfect small town romance. Let me tell you, Maddox may be in my top ten book boyfriends and I read 100’s of books a year. He’s the perfect mix of funny, charismatic, thoughtful, and brooding. The way he treats all the important people in his life is just swoon worthy. I really loved Dee as well, she really embodies the definition of positive attitude. She is so mature and that was exactly what Maddox needed. I love a romance novel that navigates real life problems while making you laugh and cry with the main characters. Nomi did such a phenomenal job, in my opinion, with handling mental health, addiction, and going through life with a sudden disability. You definitely will not regret reading this series if you love a good wholesome romance with a dash of suspense.
July 26, 2026
I loved the first book in The Resilience Series by Nomi and I loved this second one even more ❤️
I had been craving Maddox and Dee’s story ever since we first met them and it did not disappoint!
We’re left on a cliffhanger at the end of book one when Maddox goes MIA, and book two picks up with him in hospital after barely surviving 9 weeks of torture, waking up to the news that the doctors have had to partially amputate his leg.
Dee is trying to navigate her own ups and downs, managing a thriving business and dealing with her recovering addict brother coming back into town, whilst simultaneously attempting to avoid thinking about Maddox, and the single night they shared together months ago.
Now both of them are in the same place for the foreseeable future, with Maddox’s future plans irrevocably changed, could they find it in themselves to give their smouldering connection a chance to really catch on fire?
These characters have my whole heart, and I adored how they grew side-by-side throughout the book - it was also lovely to catch up with Charlie and Cole from the first novel 🥰
Whole Together is out tomorrow (31/07/2026) and if you’re in the market for a small town romance, I can’t recommend this series enough!
I had been craving Maddox and Dee’s story ever since we first met them and it did not disappoint!
We’re left on a cliffhanger at the end of book one when Maddox goes MIA, and book two picks up with him in hospital after barely surviving 9 weeks of torture, waking up to the news that the doctors have had to partially amputate his leg.
Dee is trying to navigate her own ups and downs, managing a thriving business and dealing with her recovering addict brother coming back into town, whilst simultaneously attempting to avoid thinking about Maddox, and the single night they shared together months ago.
Now both of them are in the same place for the foreseeable future, with Maddox’s future plans irrevocably changed, could they find it in themselves to give their smouldering connection a chance to really catch on fire?
These characters have my whole heart, and I adored how they grew side-by-side throughout the book - it was also lovely to catch up with Charlie and Cole from the first novel 🥰
Whole Together is out tomorrow (31/07/2026) and if you’re in the market for a small town romance, I can’t recommend this series enough!
August 2, 2026
From the very first chapter, this story had my heart. Maddox and Dee are two beautifully written characters whose lives have been shaped by unimaginable loss and trauma. Dee is still carrying the grief of losing her twin sister, while Maddox is forced to rebuild his life after losing both his leg and the career he'd worked toward for years.
Their second-chance romance adds another layer of emotion, especially knowing their connection began with a one-night stand years earlier. The unresolved feelings, undeniable chemistry, and gradual healing between them made every moment feel meaningful. Watching them learn to lean on one another through pain, grief, and hope was incredibly rewarding. A heartfelt story filled with resilience, healing, and a love that proves even broken hearts can find their way back together. 4.5 stars.
Their second-chance romance adds another layer of emotion, especially knowing their connection began with a one-night stand years earlier. The unresolved feelings, undeniable chemistry, and gradual healing between them made every moment feel meaningful. Watching them learn to lean on one another through pain, grief, and hope was incredibly rewarding. A heartfelt story filled with resilience, healing, and a love that proves even broken hearts can find their way back together. 4.5 stars.
July 2, 2026
Whole Together by Nomi J. Avery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I loved how vulnerable and authentic this book was in its portrayal of trauma. It didn’t romanticize or oversimplify the healing process.
The emotional honesty made the story feel incredibly powerful and relatable, adding so much depth to all the characters and their journey.
The chemistry between Dee & Maddox was incredible. If you read the first book in this series, you already know how they had a strong chemistry from the get go 🔥
BUT, one of my favourite character in this book was Ollie. He brought so much positivity, joy & life. For a 10 years-old boy, he was a huge inspiration to Maddox. Their chemistry was awesome!
Releasing July 31, 2026!!!
A huge thank you to Nomi for giving me this ARC 🫶 this is another incredible book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I loved how vulnerable and authentic this book was in its portrayal of trauma. It didn’t romanticize or oversimplify the healing process.
The emotional honesty made the story feel incredibly powerful and relatable, adding so much depth to all the characters and their journey.
The chemistry between Dee & Maddox was incredible. If you read the first book in this series, you already know how they had a strong chemistry from the get go 🔥
BUT, one of my favourite character in this book was Ollie. He brought so much positivity, joy & life. For a 10 years-old boy, he was a huge inspiration to Maddox. Their chemistry was awesome!
Releasing July 31, 2026!!!
A huge thank you to Nomi for giving me this ARC 🫶 this is another incredible book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh Wow! Nomi has done it again! What an emotional roller coaster this book was!
Such a beautiful story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time!!
I truly love Maddox and Dee and their love story.
After the horrific start the book where I cried buckets it was just lovely to see the hope for these two and watch everything unfold.
I don't think there could be anyone more perfect for eachother!
But can we take a moment to appreciate the true star of the show, Ollie!
It's one thing to write with care about what happend to Maddox, but to write about a child in that way is something else.
This book was written so spectacularly! This is another one of Nomi's that will stay with me.
Such a beautiful story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time!!
I truly love Maddox and Dee and their love story.
After the horrific start the book where I cried buckets it was just lovely to see the hope for these two and watch everything unfold.
I don't think there could be anyone more perfect for eachother!
But can we take a moment to appreciate the true star of the show, Ollie!
It's one thing to write with care about what happend to Maddox, but to write about a child in that way is something else.
This book was written so spectacularly! This is another one of Nomi's that will stay with me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is book 2 in the Resilience Series, and it picks up soon after Healing Together. It follow Maddox and Dee, and deals with some heavy topics in a wonderful, and in as light as possible way.
I love how strong Nomi writes her female characters, and how she describes trauma and the healing that goes into the aftermath. Maddox is dealing with some serious issues, as is Dee, and their connection, communication, and their desire to work through the struggles really shines through in book 2.
I really hope book 3 gives Jackson's back story, but I will patiently wait for it.
If you want a meaningful read, with heart, humor, and some spice added in, give the Resilience Series a go. You won't regret it.
I love how strong Nomi writes her female characters, and how she describes trauma and the healing that goes into the aftermath. Maddox is dealing with some serious issues, as is Dee, and their connection, communication, and their desire to work through the struggles really shines through in book 2.
I really hope book 3 gives Jackson's back story, but I will patiently wait for it.
If you want a meaningful read, with heart, humor, and some spice added in, give the Resilience Series a go. You won't regret it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is book 2 of The Resilience Series, and just as I fell in love with book one I fell in love with book two. Personally though they are interconnected I feel you could read them as standalones but reading them together I felt made more impact for me in the setup of the book, and because you are already familiar with Maddox and Dee the emotional moments hit harder. I loved this book, it deals with a lot of trauma of different kinds, and I like that it covers alot and allows more people to connect in a personal way.I am beyound excited for book 3 and am looking forward to it. I love the way she writes and how she doesnt stray away from the hard topics. Definately worth a read!!! its so good!
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