It was a damn good book. I hate to think of how Stone got to where he is and it was so weird to see the how the roles of the brother's personalities reversed. It took a lot of getting used to, but I get it. I understand Conway's pain and the path of self-destruction he's on. It hurts my heart what he lost and I'm torn in two that I do want him to be saved but I wish it was Erin instead of someone else. I wish none of it had happened. I wish that these brothers could have what they used to have. I think what I enjoyed most was that the author took a different route from the path she normally takes with her books, she took her time in establishing that there was something that pulled this couple together that wasn't sex. They had a friendship, one that they were physically attracted to, but a friendship and a bond that went beyond the necessity of sex showing them the way to open to their hearts to the other. I love that Stone kept himself in check and made sure Evie knew he was being a d*ck because he cared for her and that she was different from the rest. That was his whole persona now, he was committed to making sure that he didn't hurt anyone else in life. He didn't want to be who he was before the accident. His time in jail made him think, made him grow up, made him a better person. He cared about anyone and everyone, where before, he didn't give a damn about anyone but himself and his brother, and Erin right before she died. Even when his brother is at his lowest and his worst, he never gave up on him. He refused to let him drown alone. He doesn't know his pain over Erin's death but he knows how it feels to not care about anything, to be on a dangerous path because it's what everyone expects you to do, to drink your sorrows away, to smoke to de-stress, to sleep around with faceless bodies because it's a moment of escape, to get off on adrenaline rushes half hoping that you die. He knows because he was him four years ago.
Evie was awesome. I sympathized with her over her brother and couldn't help but hurt right along with her when she had to accept that she needed to let him go and live her own life. It was a little weird at first when Stone invited her to his family's get together considering he didn't even know her at all himself, but other than that, the rest of it was good. I loved that she didn't let him get away with how he treated her. She understood but didn't let him think it was ok. There was another time where I felt she should have taught him a lesson by walking out on him after something he said to her that was a hurtful low blow. I get why she stayed though and don't hold it against her. He was hurting and lashing out and deep down she knew he didn't mean it but even hearing those words out loud can hurt. I just feel that it would have been good for him to make sure he thinks twice before he opens his mouth in an argument, especially if her heart is in the right place and she's trying to protect him any way she can. She was incredibly patient with him and understanding above all. She was mature and thought things through without jumping to conclusions or lashing out in anger. I think that's what I loved most about her, her maturity in her actions spoke so much more than words could. She immediately recognized that he didn't leave her to find his brother because it was none of her business, he left her to keep her safe and because it was something he needed to do alone with his brother. She was a good friend to people that didn't deserve it and looked out for them. She was just amazing all around and it was such a relief to read about a heroine that didn't behave like a childish brat, play immature games to get a man's attention, get jealous over stupid things or other girls, but rather someone who acted their age, was put together, and kept it real.
I enjoyed this addition to the series and will gladly read it again in the future. I loved Stone and Evie almost as much as Creed and Truly. Now for the last book, I have no idea what to expect but I'm going to go into it, no expectations. I'm not going to look for reasons to hate it but I'm not going to be super duper excited either. It's a book that I've been dreading reading since the fourth book and I'm half tempted not to read it just so I don't have to accept that Erin is really gone and Conway will move on with someone else. Well, I've already come this far, so I guess there's no turning back now. Here's to hoping I don't go to bed angry tonight after reading Conway's story...