I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t do it. One of the things I can’t stand in life is cheating. No matter the circumstances. And tbh, I never really liked Axel and Lily together. I’m usually all for best friends to lovers so I wanted to like them very much, but I never really liked Lily and I think their romance has always been weak from the moment I read they were dating in The Champion. This book just proved me right. The moment when tragedy struck and their relationship was tested, boy did they fail. Though some may disagree because they were able to save their marriage in the end, the thing is, they wouldn’t have had to save it in the first place. For two people who’ve known each other their whole lives and been together so long, I was very disappointed. And I’m unsurprised Lily was the one to fuck it up. They should’ve just stuck to friends and went their separate ways when Axel technically cheated on her when they were sixteen.
I do still love Axel though. He was my favorite kid before Casten eventually won me over with his charming personality. And although this book didn’t do it for me, I still love the Riley family very much.