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The Consequence: Star-Crossed Lovers Series
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
August 29, 2026
4.25
I'm so happy to be reading this author again. I can't wait for book 3.
I'm so happy to be reading this author again. I can't wait for book 3.
August 30, 2026
THREE F*CKING YEARS 😬
I was randomly scrolling through Kindle when The Consequence popped up on my feed and I was like wait a f*ck... this can’t be real..... I freaked TF out. Like YAY, IT’S FINALLY HERE.
I’m a huge A. Jade fan and I’ll read absolutely anything she writes, but I’ve literally been waiting 3 years for this one. So obviously I dropped everything and read it in one sitting.
And seeing all the band members again 💜 ugh, just perfect. I didn’t realise how much I missed them until they were all back causing chaos again.
What a f*cking ride though. The angst, the drama, the mess... I ate it up.
BUT THAT CLIFFY 😭💜 Ashley. You made me wait THREE YEARS and now you’re leaving me like THAT?! I need the next book ASAP because my patience is officially gone.
I was randomly scrolling through Kindle when The Consequence popped up on my feed and I was like wait a f*ck... this can’t be real..... I freaked TF out. Like YAY, IT’S FINALLY HERE.
I’m a huge A. Jade fan and I’ll read absolutely anything she writes, but I’ve literally been waiting 3 years for this one. So obviously I dropped everything and read it in one sitting.
And seeing all the band members again 💜 ugh, just perfect. I didn’t realise how much I missed them until they were all back causing chaos again.
What a f*cking ride though. The angst, the drama, the mess... I ate it up.
BUT THAT CLIFFY 😭💜 Ashley. You made me wait THREE YEARS and now you’re leaving me like THAT?! I need the next book ASAP because my patience is officially gone.
September 2, 2026
Man I loved the words and I loved the choice. This was such a letdown. It had no plot and was just so frustrating to read. I can’t believe this duology is suddenly a trilogy and I had to force read my way through this filler book, what a bummer this turned out to be.
August 28, 2026
My heart BLED throughout the first book and SHATTERED whilst reading the second one. I really hope that these two will finally SIT DOWN AND FUCKING TALK!
August 27, 2026
I feel like Memphis and Skylar imprinted on my soul
This book has been a long time coming, about three and a half years after the first book of Memphis and Skylar's story came out. But, here's the thing...you can't rush the process, good things come to those who wait after all. ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE WAIT!
Honestly, this series is so dang good that I feel like they're imprinted on my soul, I jumped back in (eagerly) and I feel like I read book 1 (The Choice) yesterday, that's how much these characters stayed with me.
I'm so happy, thankful and grateful to be back in the Sharp Objects world. And once again I'm blown away by these two and their story. The heartache and heartbreak are strong with these two. Full on agony and I'm here for all of it.
My biggest takeaway from this is that Ashley really can write a villain. I loathe Josh something fierce, regardless of his demons (sometimes I love the anti-hero, that is not the case here).
You definitely need to read The Choice first and I'd strongly encourage reading The Words before that so you have the lay of the land that is the Sharp Objects band. This is one of those series that I'll recommend all day, every day!
This book has been a long time coming, about three and a half years after the first book of Memphis and Skylar's story came out. But, here's the thing...you can't rush the process, good things come to those who wait after all. ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE WAIT!
Honestly, this series is so dang good that I feel like they're imprinted on my soul, I jumped back in (eagerly) and I feel like I read book 1 (The Choice) yesterday, that's how much these characters stayed with me.
I'm so happy, thankful and grateful to be back in the Sharp Objects world. And once again I'm blown away by these two and their story. The heartache and heartbreak are strong with these two. Full on agony and I'm here for all of it.
My biggest takeaway from this is that Ashley really can write a villain. I loathe Josh something fierce, regardless of his demons (sometimes I love the anti-hero, that is not the case here).
You definitely need to read The Choice first and I'd strongly encourage reading The Words before that so you have the lay of the land that is the Sharp Objects band. This is one of those series that I'll recommend all day, every day!
August 29, 2026
Good but too long
Man I couldn’t wait for this book but this was chapter upon chapter of the same story with different words in it. It was just sex and Josh being with a different groupie over and over again. I hope the final book has more substance than this one had.
Man I couldn’t wait for this book but this was chapter upon chapter of the same story with different words in it. It was just sex and Josh being with a different groupie over and over again. I hope the final book has more substance than this one had.
August 29, 2026
I might be in the minority here, but this was a bit underwhelming. I think I would have enjoyed the story if it actually wrapped up with this book, but it appears the author wants to drag this out. For this to be the anticipated next book after The Choice, I’m a bit disappointed. Nothing new was revealed and because we've all clearly read The Words, we kind of already know about the drama the author is saving for the next book between Skylar and Memphis. Are we really getting anything new with this next book?
August 30, 2026
Honestly 0/10, to take YEARS to put out a sequel where you had multiple release dates planned and never stuck to it and then to release a book that is mainly filler is so disappointing. AND to not even wrap it up like originally planned, leave it on a cliffhanger, and inevitably make us wait years again for you to lazily wrap up this story that could have been beautiful is just the cherry on top of it all.
August 28, 2026
So Angry! Could have been a 4 or 5!
I waited for so long for this book, almost 4 years. Had been so long i had to re-read The Choice. I was so dissatisfied the way it ended. It was disturbing enough that the ending felt so rushed, but even more so, that there was not even a hint of a 3rd book or a timeline of another.
I’m finding that more and more authors are doing this. Hopefully, an
Announcement will come out before the year ends telling us if it’s a trilogy.
I waited for so long for this book, almost 4 years. Had been so long i had to re-read The Choice. I was so dissatisfied the way it ended. It was disturbing enough that the ending felt so rushed, but even more so, that there was not even a hint of a 3rd book or a timeline of another.
I’m finding that more and more authors are doing this. Hopefully, an
Announcement will come out before the year ends telling us if it’s a trilogy.
September 1, 2026
5 ⭐️
I appreciate everything Ashley put into this.
No notes. Amazing storytelling. Can’t wait for The Closure.
I appreciate everything Ashley put into this.
No notes. Amazing storytelling. Can’t wait for The Closure.
September 17, 2026
Chef's kiss even having read The Words and The Choice, this was still so unexpected. Memphis and Sky stole my heart. I need book 3 ASAP.
September 3, 2026
I want to start out my review by saying that The Words has remained one of my top five books since I read it many years ago. It was a first for me. Connecting with the music as well as the story. I would also like to state I NEVER read a love triangle or miscommunication trope, but because it's A Jade and it's connected to The Words, I powered on.
I always strive to be as honest as possible in my reviews and this will be no different. It was cool reading the same writing style from this author. She chose the same formula of The Words in this novel. We get the enemies at the beginning. A music tour and forced proximity. Skylar being Josh's sober companian, them starting something and then the inevitable 3rd act breakup. The writer often times would use similar words from Skylar that Phoenix said to Lennon. "I HATE THAT I HURT YOU" was so beautiful then, and now I felt like she stole Phoenix's words. All that just to say I didn't need this novel. Nothing really new happens and at the end something is shown to the reader which was cool... but still. Didn't need a 400 page book for that. The thing is in book 1... the Choice, Skylar already made her choice. AND WE KNOW their relationship status because of The Words. So why did we have to read about them trying it again in this Novel.Skylar's choice was made, we know where they at I the future, we needed to move on to the future. If u decide to write a novel where we know the future, it's difficult for readers to stay connected or interested in the story, we wanna know how they get it together after the events in The Words.
I always strive to be as honest as possible in my reviews and this will be no different. It was cool reading the same writing style from this author. She chose the same formula of The Words in this novel. We get the enemies at the beginning. A music tour and forced proximity. Skylar being Josh's sober companian, them starting something and then the inevitable 3rd act breakup. The writer often times would use similar words from Skylar that Phoenix said to Lennon. "I HATE THAT I HURT YOU" was so beautiful then, and now I felt like she stole Phoenix's words. All that just to say I didn't need this novel. Nothing really new happens and at the end something is shown to the reader which was cool... but still. Didn't need a 400 page book for that. The thing is in book 1... the Choice, Skylar already made her choice. AND WE KNOW their relationship status because of The Words. So why did we have to read about them trying it again in this Novel.Skylar's choice was made, we know where they at I the future, we needed to move on to the future. If u decide to write a novel where we know the future, it's difficult for readers to stay connected or interested in the story, we wanna know how they get it together after the events in The Words.
September 5, 2026
SHEESH.
I thought I had already been taken through it with The Choice, but apparently I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into by continuing Memphis and Skylar’s story.
I am utterly BROKEN. I genuinely don’t know how else to describe it. This book put my heart through the wringer in ways I was NOT prepared for. 😭
And honestly, I can’t even judge Skylar. I can only imagine the burdens she felt like she had to carry, and the things she believed she had to endure were absolutely brutal. Watching her battle between what her mind was telling her and what her heart wanted completely destroyed me.
I wanted to reach through the pages and scream at her:
IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO CHOOSE MEMPHIS, THEN PLEASE CHOOSE YOURSELF. ❤️🩹
That’s what hurt the most. I just wanted her to see her own worth and realize she deserved to choose herself, regardless of what that choice ultimately looked like.
And Memphis… LORD. My heart. 😭 I don’t even have the words for the emotional damage this man experienced. It hurt me so much, too!
A. Jade really said, “Oh, you thought you were emotionally damaged from book one? Cute.”
And then proceeded to destroy me all over again.
Also… THE CLIFFHANGERS.
MA’AM. PLEASE. 😭😭😭
How many times are you going to leave me staring at the last page questioning my entire existence?!
I need book three NOW. Not later. Not soon. NOW.
I thought I had already been taken through it with The Choice, but apparently I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into by continuing Memphis and Skylar’s story.
I am utterly BROKEN. I genuinely don’t know how else to describe it. This book put my heart through the wringer in ways I was NOT prepared for. 😭
And honestly, I can’t even judge Skylar. I can only imagine the burdens she felt like she had to carry, and the things she believed she had to endure were absolutely brutal. Watching her battle between what her mind was telling her and what her heart wanted completely destroyed me.
I wanted to reach through the pages and scream at her:
IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO CHOOSE MEMPHIS, THEN PLEASE CHOOSE YOURSELF. ❤️🩹
That’s what hurt the most. I just wanted her to see her own worth and realize she deserved to choose herself, regardless of what that choice ultimately looked like.
And Memphis… LORD. My heart. 😭 I don’t even have the words for the emotional damage this man experienced. It hurt me so much, too!
A. Jade really said, “Oh, you thought you were emotionally damaged from book one? Cute.”
And then proceeded to destroy me all over again.
Also… THE CLIFFHANGERS.
MA’AM. PLEASE. 😭😭😭
How many times are you going to leave me staring at the last page questioning my entire existence?!
I need book three NOW. Not later. Not soon. NOW.
August 28, 2026
All the stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All the damn stars. This is one of those books I won't hear anything bad on. Go away and step on glass if u have anything bad to say about this book and I hope no one helps remove the glass... Well that got dark ... And so did this story!!! That last 20% I felt like my gut was physically punched. Jaw dropped and things thrown because what do you mean!!!??? 🤯
Ashley thank you so much for this! I know this book took you on a hell of a journey so thank you for sharing it with us. I couldn't stop reading because I had to know what was going to happen next.
I want to squeeze Skylar in the tightest hug and tell all the monsters to f off. Ugh I love her so hard.
Memphis had me swooning in this one. There's a moment where I fell in love with him all over again but now he's in timeout lol 😆
I cannot wait for The Closure! I'm so F-ing excited for more
Ashley thank you so much for this! I know this book took you on a hell of a journey so thank you for sharing it with us. I couldn't stop reading because I had to know what was going to happen next.
I want to squeeze Skylar in the tightest hug and tell all the monsters to f off. Ugh I love her so hard.
Memphis had me swooning in this one. There's a moment where I fell in love with him all over again but now he's in timeout lol 😆
I cannot wait for The Closure! I'm so F-ing excited for more
October 2, 2026
Worth the wait
I read the Choice 3 years ago and couldn't wait for this to release. I am so glad it did. This book was 100% worth the wait. I couldn't out it down and literally read it as fast as my eyes and brain could take it in. Memphis and Skylar's lives have taken them from each other so many times. The hurt and betrayal will always run so deep. I hope they find their HEA. I would like together but even if that isnt the case I hope they can heal with each other.
I knew it would be a Doozy! But make sure you grab your tissues because this book will put you in your feels! Can't wait for the next.
I read the Choice 3 years ago and couldn't wait for this to release. I am so glad it did. This book was 100% worth the wait. I couldn't out it down and literally read it as fast as my eyes and brain could take it in. Memphis and Skylar's lives have taken them from each other so many times. The hurt and betrayal will always run so deep. I hope they find their HEA. I would like together but even if that isnt the case I hope they can heal with each other.
I knew it would be a Doozy! But make sure you grab your tissues because this book will put you in your feels! Can't wait for the next.
September 14, 2026
Memphis and Skylar
The second installment is finally here. As expected, it was loaded with angst, drama, and more trauma. This is a Rockstar romance, after all, so there is also a lot of sex, drugs, and alcohol.
I was hooked from the beginning, but I have to admit, at times, the plot was getting a little repetitive. It was interesting to see the band before the Words takes place. We really learn about each character on a different level, especially Phoenix.
I have to say my heart is broken for Memphis. I can't help but hold resentment for Sky, even though I know her history and we get her thought process. She is just so frustrating and honesty Memphis has more patience than a Saint.
I can't wait to read the Closure and see how they get past all the damage, hurt, lies, and drama and find their way to a long overdue happily ever after.
The second installment is finally here. As expected, it was loaded with angst, drama, and more trauma. This is a Rockstar romance, after all, so there is also a lot of sex, drugs, and alcohol.
I was hooked from the beginning, but I have to admit, at times, the plot was getting a little repetitive. It was interesting to see the band before the Words takes place. We really learn about each character on a different level, especially Phoenix.
I have to say my heart is broken for Memphis. I can't help but hold resentment for Sky, even though I know her history and we get her thought process. She is just so frustrating and honesty Memphis has more patience than a Saint.
I can't wait to read the Closure and see how they get past all the damage, hurt, lies, and drama and find their way to a long overdue happily ever after.
September 2, 2026
This book was so worth the wait!
My heart breaks for Sky, but even more so for Memphis! To love someone so much and just wanting them to choose you…like how many times can you take not being chosen.
I thought I hated Josh in The Choice, thats nothing compared to how much I hated him in The Consequence!
While it does end in a cliffhanger, we know part of it if you have read The Words.
I’m so excited for The Closure and to finally see Sky and Memphis get their HEA.
Story 5⭐️
Spice 5⭐️
My heart breaks for Sky, but even more so for Memphis! To love someone so much and just wanting them to choose you…like how many times can you take not being chosen.
I thought I hated Josh in The Choice, thats nothing compared to how much I hated him in The Consequence!
While it does end in a cliffhanger, we know part of it if you have read The Words.
I’m so excited for The Closure and to finally see Sky and Memphis get their HEA.
Story 5⭐️
Spice 5⭐️
September 11, 2026
If you think you hated Josh in The Words & The Choice? Get ready to absolutely loathe him. This book really shows just how digusting of a human being he was and how his death was to be celebrated.
As for Memphis and Skylar.. I crave their happy ending and for the secrets to come out and truths to be heard. The chemistry between these two is incredible and the ending has me pulling my hair.
I need book 3. Yesterday.
Also I'm really hoping Storm gets a book 😌
As for Memphis and Skylar.. I crave their happy ending and for the secrets to come out and truths to be heard. The chemistry between these two is incredible and the ending has me pulling my hair.
I need book 3. Yesterday.
Also I'm really hoping Storm gets a book 😌
August 29, 2026
Waited three years for this and I have feelings 😮💨🖤
Look. I love Ashley Jade. I love the Words universe. I have been waiting three years for this duet to conclude and I came in ready to be obsessed. And I am genuinely frustrated with how this landed for me because I wanted so much more from it. 😔
Here is my issue. Both books in this duet are set entirely in the past. And when you already know from the Words that Josh dies, we know this, it is not a spoiler, we have known this..spending four hundred pages in the past watching events unfold loses a significant amount of tension. I needed to be in the present with these characters. I needed the payoff. Instead we got more past and now apparently a third book is coming and I just. 🤦♀️
My other struggle is with how Josh’s character develops in this book. I understood him as someone with addiction issues and a difficult personality. The direction his character goes here felt like a significant shift that didn’t quite land for me as organic…it felt more like the story needed him to be a certain way and he was written to fit that rather than the behaviour feeling true to who he was established as. 👀
Three stars. I will read the third book because I am clearly a loyal soldier to this universe. But Ashley Jade I am respectfully asking you to get us to the present. Please. 🖤
🖤 Love the Words universe unconditionally? Absolutely ✅
💀 Four hundred pages of past being what we waited three years for? Not for me ✅
😤 Still showing up for book three anyway? Unfortunately also ✅
Look. I love Ashley Jade. I love the Words universe. I have been waiting three years for this duet to conclude and I came in ready to be obsessed. And I am genuinely frustrated with how this landed for me because I wanted so much more from it. 😔
Here is my issue. Both books in this duet are set entirely in the past. And when you already know from the Words that Josh dies, we know this, it is not a spoiler, we have known this..spending four hundred pages in the past watching events unfold loses a significant amount of tension. I needed to be in the present with these characters. I needed the payoff. Instead we got more past and now apparently a third book is coming and I just. 🤦♀️
My other struggle is with how Josh’s character develops in this book. I understood him as someone with addiction issues and a difficult personality. The direction his character goes here felt like a significant shift that didn’t quite land for me as organic…it felt more like the story needed him to be a certain way and he was written to fit that rather than the behaviour feeling true to who he was established as. 👀
Three stars. I will read the third book because I am clearly a loyal soldier to this universe. But Ashley Jade I am respectfully asking you to get us to the present. Please. 🖤
🖤 Love the Words universe unconditionally? Absolutely ✅
💀 Four hundred pages of past being what we waited three years for? Not for me ✅
😤 Still showing up for book three anyway? Unfortunately also ✅
September 4, 2026
obsessed
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. It is truly addicting and I couldn’t stop myself from devouring it.
The highs, the lows, the angst and love it is truly superb.
P.S. Storm needs his own book.
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. It is truly addicting and I couldn’t stop myself from devouring it.
The highs, the lows, the angst and love it is truly superb.
P.S. Storm needs his own book.
August 29, 2026
So worth the wait! My heart is broken for Skylar and Memphis. I cannot wait for the next book.
September 2, 2026
disappointed
This could have been a chapter, there was no need for all 400 pages of the exact same. Fully aware that there is a third book coming out hopefully soon, but after 3/4 years of wait, I hoped to at least have surpassed the setting of The Words, but not even close.
It was the same over and over, chapter after chapter, just slightly different scenes, like… this did not need to be a whole book.
Hopefully The closure will be better, and not as repetitive. Too hyped up for what if ended up being.
This could have been a chapter, there was no need for all 400 pages of the exact same. Fully aware that there is a third book coming out hopefully soon, but after 3/4 years of wait, I hoped to at least have surpassed the setting of The Words, but not even close.
It was the same over and over, chapter after chapter, just slightly different scenes, like… this did not need to be a whole book.
Hopefully The closure will be better, and not as repetitive. Too hyped up for what if ended up being.
August 27, 2026
4.5 stars
skylar pissed me off the last 15% of this book
skylar pissed me off the last 15% of this book
August 28, 2026
Sko gef henni ekki 5⭐️ afþví að ég beið í 2 ár eftir þessari bók og hún ákvað að gera þetta að trilogy þannig ég er ennþá að bíða eftir næstu bók😅 en hún var góð
September 2, 2026
I’m having a hard time rating this one. I waited 3 years for this book, I was DYING for it, and honestly a majority of the book I was just annoyed. Sky sucks. She’s whiny and annoying and treats Memphis like shit and is a total martyr. I understand that being with an addict who is also a total psychopath is probably hard, but my god how many times can you drag Memphis through the mud? Also, HIGHLY recommend not diving into this until the third book is out because this is going to leave you needing the next one.
September 6, 2026
"I knew it would be amazing, but I didn't realize it would feel world tipped on its axis amazing."
This book was so worth the wait!
It's been three years when we first got a glimpse of Memphis & Skylar's story and it was like she didn't miss a beat! I couldn't put this book down! It CONSUMED me! So much to unpack. So much emotional drama and that ending just destroyed me!
Now that I reread The Words and see their story from a different POV I'm in DESPERATE NEED of book 3!
This book was so worth the wait!
It's been three years when we first got a glimpse of Memphis & Skylar's story and it was like she didn't miss a beat! I couldn't put this book down! It CONSUMED me! So much to unpack. So much emotional drama and that ending just destroyed me!
Now that I reread The Words and see their story from a different POV I'm in DESPERATE NEED of book 3!
September 13, 2026
I waited 3 years for this cliffhanger.
The girl can write angst but I forgot how simple the writing was.
I guess I’ll wait another year for the ending.
The girl can write angst but I forgot how simple the writing was.
I guess I’ll wait another year for the ending.
September 11, 2026
Skylar is sweet but also weak 🤷🏾♀️
🛑SPOLIERS🛑
⭐️: 4.25/5
How many years has it been? 2 or 3 since the first book. To say I have been on edge would be a lie. I knew Ashley was going to create an amazing second book and I never attack an author because they are human just like us.
So I waited and waited and the book came. & it was amazing!
I knew this book would suprise me but I didnt think it would surprise me this much. Im going to say the way in which Skylar was portrayed I had an issue with it at times. I understand some woman are like that but she came off extremely weak and I am hate when woman are shown in such a way. Im not talking about the abuse at the end I'm talking about from the last book until this one. But I understand Jade was telling a story so I did have an issue because I seen her write extremely strong FMC like Bianca.
But other than that I really enjoyed this book.
Skylar baby you needed to wake up. Regaurdless of how Memphis came off and keeping his distance you should have still tried to talk to him and explain. She allowed a person who treated her like absolute trash to manipulate her.
I think she had the brightest and most extreme heart but she was more than just a people pleaser. I wanted to see her elevate in this book and tackle her demons and being codependent yourself is not good. She went through all and she was strong but she let a person use that against her even lying about saving her when the person that really did always came second to her.
I just hope she gets the ending she deserves in the next book. That girl at this point should get paradise because what she went through and what Josh put her through and finally being rid of him should made her do a reset. Find your own happiness and then go own and be with someone. You have to fix and love yourself before your love someone else.
Josh.
I. HATE. YOU.
Literally the scum of the earth who was able to manipulate two people for years. Didn't care about the man that raised him. & abused the person who wanted to protect him the most physically and mentally. I didnt know he had that in him but then I should have based on how aggressive he was. I literally disposed him and the fact he was basically able to get anyway with all he did eventhough he died. He cheated constantly but they second she did it their was a problem. Pathetic is what he was.
He went through trauma as a kid and then instead of growing trying to fix himself he inflicted it upon others. All who loved him he put them through the ringer.
He will not be missed and I hope he died knowing that.
Memphis. You are amazing but I just wish you would fight more. Out of all I felt he was the one who could have saved himself and Skylar. Dont get me wrong I blame Skylar as well. But I do think out of all he could have been the person that got her out. He knew her better than anyone and couldn't realize she was going through it with Josh and he was blackmailing her.
Memphis had trauma as well. I just his made him numb because eventhough he loved Skylar his way of showing it was dim to a certain extent. I felt he was finally coming out of his shell just for his heart to be broke again.
I wish him a happy ending as well with Skylar. After everything they went through they need to be together. All the lies, heartbreak, and scars they need a happy ending.
All through need to come out. All issues lead to Josh. I cant wait until the next book comes out. The Closure is truly needed...
🛑SPOLIERS🛑
⭐️: 4.25/5
How many years has it been? 2 or 3 since the first book. To say I have been on edge would be a lie. I knew Ashley was going to create an amazing second book and I never attack an author because they are human just like us.
So I waited and waited and the book came. & it was amazing!
I knew this book would suprise me but I didnt think it would surprise me this much. Im going to say the way in which Skylar was portrayed I had an issue with it at times. I understand some woman are like that but she came off extremely weak and I am hate when woman are shown in such a way. Im not talking about the abuse at the end I'm talking about from the last book until this one. But I understand Jade was telling a story so I did have an issue because I seen her write extremely strong FMC like Bianca.
But other than that I really enjoyed this book.
Skylar baby you needed to wake up. Regaurdless of how Memphis came off and keeping his distance you should have still tried to talk to him and explain. She allowed a person who treated her like absolute trash to manipulate her.
I think she had the brightest and most extreme heart but she was more than just a people pleaser. I wanted to see her elevate in this book and tackle her demons and being codependent yourself is not good. She went through all and she was strong but she let a person use that against her even lying about saving her when the person that really did always came second to her.
I just hope she gets the ending she deserves in the next book. That girl at this point should get paradise because what she went through and what Josh put her through and finally being rid of him should made her do a reset. Find your own happiness and then go own and be with someone. You have to fix and love yourself before your love someone else.
Josh.
I. HATE. YOU.
Literally the scum of the earth who was able to manipulate two people for years. Didn't care about the man that raised him. & abused the person who wanted to protect him the most physically and mentally. I didnt know he had that in him but then I should have based on how aggressive he was. I literally disposed him and the fact he was basically able to get anyway with all he did eventhough he died. He cheated constantly but they second she did it their was a problem. Pathetic is what he was.
He went through trauma as a kid and then instead of growing trying to fix himself he inflicted it upon others. All who loved him he put them through the ringer.
He will not be missed and I hope he died knowing that.
Memphis. You are amazing but I just wish you would fight more. Out of all I felt he was the one who could have saved himself and Skylar. Dont get me wrong I blame Skylar as well. But I do think out of all he could have been the person that got her out. He knew her better than anyone and couldn't realize she was going through it with Josh and he was blackmailing her.
Memphis had trauma as well. I just his made him numb because eventhough he loved Skylar his way of showing it was dim to a certain extent. I felt he was finally coming out of his shell just for his heart to be broke again.
I wish him a happy ending as well with Skylar. After everything they went through they need to be together. All the lies, heartbreak, and scars they need a happy ending.
All through need to come out. All issues lead to Josh. I cant wait until the next book comes out. The Closure is truly needed...
September 22, 2026
Main trope: This is a dark, taboo romance, ending as a romantic tragedy. Book two in a trilogy.
Additional tropes:
✅Cheating (between main characters)
✅Close proximity
✅Rockstar romance
Detailed spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below. There is a warning right before the spoiler and trigger section so you have the choice to proceed or stop reading.
Summary: The book picks up a few years after book one ended. Manipulated by Josh and his threats that happened at the end of book one, Memphis and Skylar must navigate the feelings they still very much have for each other within a confined space. Memphis and Josh are now members of a successful and popular rock band who are now on tour. Skylar is there as Josh refuses to be apart from her even while he is with a different groupie every night. His partying ways are completely out of control and Skylar has begun to disconnect emotionally while still feeling a sense of obligation believing Josh handled her abuser all those years ago.
Being on tour and so close proves to be too much of a temptation for Memphis and Skylar and they become physical with one another again, this time vowing to keep it a friends with benefits situation, which of course, doesn’t work as the love and deep connection they once shared is still there.
Things take a very dark turn when Josh confronts Skylar that he knows her and Memphis are together and have been intimate for a while. He blackmails her with new threats forcing a choice from her that hurts Memphis once again. The book ends with the outcome we as the reader learned from The Words. Skylar now feels free to explain everything to Memphis but he refuses to listen, which is where this book ends.
⚠️SPOILERS/SPICE/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
✋
✋
✋
*Very descriptive scenes of drug use and discussions of addiction.
*Descriptive and on page intimate partner violence, torture, and SA.
*Death of a main character.
🌶️: 2.5/5
Final thoughts: Wow, what an ending and set up for book three which I need like yesterday. This really dove so deep into the tragic story that started in book one. I really didn’t like how the FMC
martyred herself but absolutely understand why. Josh’s manipulation and threats are ever present in the main character’s lives as they begin to get really close again. Just when Skylar is prepared to end it with Josh and be with Memphis, Josh does the unthinkable which left my jaw on the ground I was so shook. Things get graphic and very dark so be prepared. If you read The Words which honestly, don’t start these books if you haven’t, but if you did, you know what happens to Josh.
I was rooting for Skylar to finally get to say her truth but understandably so, Memphis is hurt and is doing what he believes he needs to do to heal. I can’t wait to finish their story once the next book is released.
Additional tropes:
✅Cheating (between main characters)
✅Close proximity
✅Rockstar romance
Detailed spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below. There is a warning right before the spoiler and trigger section so you have the choice to proceed or stop reading.
Summary: The book picks up a few years after book one ended. Manipulated by Josh and his threats that happened at the end of book one, Memphis and Skylar must navigate the feelings they still very much have for each other within a confined space. Memphis and Josh are now members of a successful and popular rock band who are now on tour. Skylar is there as Josh refuses to be apart from her even while he is with a different groupie every night. His partying ways are completely out of control and Skylar has begun to disconnect emotionally while still feeling a sense of obligation believing Josh handled her abuser all those years ago.
Being on tour and so close proves to be too much of a temptation for Memphis and Skylar and they become physical with one another again, this time vowing to keep it a friends with benefits situation, which of course, doesn’t work as the love and deep connection they once shared is still there.
Things take a very dark turn when Josh confronts Skylar that he knows her and Memphis are together and have been intimate for a while. He blackmails her with new threats forcing a choice from her that hurts Memphis once again. The book ends with the outcome we as the reader learned from The Words. Skylar now feels free to explain everything to Memphis but he refuses to listen, which is where this book ends.
⚠️SPOILERS/SPICE/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
✋
✋
✋
*Very descriptive scenes of drug use and discussions of addiction.
*Descriptive and on page intimate partner violence, torture, and SA.
*Death of a main character.
🌶️: 2.5/5
Final thoughts: Wow, what an ending and set up for book three which I need like yesterday. This really dove so deep into the tragic story that started in book one. I really didn’t like how the FMC
martyred herself but absolutely understand why. Josh’s manipulation and threats are ever present in the main character’s lives as they begin to get really close again. Just when Skylar is prepared to end it with Josh and be with Memphis, Josh does the unthinkable which left my jaw on the ground I was so shook. Things get graphic and very dark so be prepared. If you read The Words which honestly, don’t start these books if you haven’t, but if you did, you know what happens to Josh.
I was rooting for Skylar to finally get to say her truth but understandably so, Memphis is hurt and is doing what he believes he needs to do to heal. I can’t wait to finish their story once the next book is released.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2026
Why do we need to writte 2 reviews for the same book? Is it 2 different editions?
Anyway, here we go again.
-------------------
This was disastrous; a disappointment of epic proportions. The writing improved towards the end, but the first half of the book was dire. The language was choppy and contrived, and the flow was constantly broken by standalone sentences that never developed into full paragraphs. I’ve seen Ashley Jade do so much better than this.
For context, I didn’t like another Ashley Jade series, 'Blame It on the Pain', which feels like the blueprint for this book in so many ways. It was simply too much: Ashley laid it on too thick with the sex for sex’s sake, sexual abuse and trauma, and we have exactly the same problem here. It’s written to shock, without a plot worth writing.
We go through the same motions as in The Choice: push-pull; Josh is the worst human being on Earth, but Skylar chooses him anyway; Skylar hurts Memphis, and Memphis retaliates by hurting Skylar. These characters are put through the wringer unnecessarily because, honestly, the miscommunication trope is exploited to the extreme. All they needed to do was actually talk.
Phoenix Walker comes across as an absolute tool. Only Storm emerges unscathed, and I hope he eventually gets a book of his own.
Two stars because Storm deserves one, and Josh is really dead now, all praise be to the Lord!. I’ve never hated a fictional character more. There’s Sauron and Voldemort, and yet this absolute garbage human being gets all my hate. He does what he does, and Skylar enables him, Phoenix enables him, and pretty much everyone enables him except Memphis and Storm. Skylar has Stockholm syndrome. Martyrdom is definitely a vocation for her. What the hell?
The only thing I actually liked about this book was the role Skylar played in Josh’s demise, but I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it for others. Even that was too little, too late.
I’ll read The Closure because not only Josh is six feet under, but Lennon is about to make her entrance-and she makes everything better. That's her superpower, so things can only get better from here.
This is a long way from The Words.
Anyway, here we go again.
-------------------
This was disastrous; a disappointment of epic proportions. The writing improved towards the end, but the first half of the book was dire. The language was choppy and contrived, and the flow was constantly broken by standalone sentences that never developed into full paragraphs. I’ve seen Ashley Jade do so much better than this.
For context, I didn’t like another Ashley Jade series, 'Blame It on the Pain', which feels like the blueprint for this book in so many ways. It was simply too much: Ashley laid it on too thick with the sex for sex’s sake, sexual abuse and trauma, and we have exactly the same problem here. It’s written to shock, without a plot worth writing.
We go through the same motions as in The Choice: push-pull; Josh is the worst human being on Earth, but Skylar chooses him anyway; Skylar hurts Memphis, and Memphis retaliates by hurting Skylar. These characters are put through the wringer unnecessarily because, honestly, the miscommunication trope is exploited to the extreme. All they needed to do was actually talk.
Phoenix Walker comes across as an absolute tool. Only Storm emerges unscathed, and I hope he eventually gets a book of his own.
Two stars because Storm deserves one, and Josh is really dead now, all praise be to the Lord!. I’ve never hated a fictional character more. There’s Sauron and Voldemort, and yet this absolute garbage human being gets all my hate. He does what he does, and Skylar enables him, Phoenix enables him, and pretty much everyone enables him except Memphis and Storm. Skylar has Stockholm syndrome. Martyrdom is definitely a vocation for her. What the hell?
The only thing I actually liked about this book was the role Skylar played in Josh’s demise, but I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it for others. Even that was too little, too late.
I’ll read The Closure because not only Josh is six feet under, but Lennon is about to make her entrance-and she makes everything better. That's her superpower, so things can only get better from here.
This is a long way from The Words.
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