*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler free review **
* All the freaking stars in the world *
OH. MY. GOD.......There are no words powerful enough to express my love for this book! It is an epic journey that burrowed deep into my soul and every word resonated in unexpected ways. In a word, it is Perfection. Let me first start by saying that All My Love is not a standalone. Could it be? Perhaps but truthfully, in order to truly understand the story and all of the past/present time hops, you really need to have read the first 4 NOLA's Own books which trust me are worth every single second! So before proceeding with this masterpiece, please read the other NOLA's books IN ORDER!!!
All My Love is told from a dual POV with time hops from past to present for both main characters. Devon GianFranco is front and center and dare I say that Kelli Jean has done the impossible for me with this book....This stunning, deeply emotional and beautiful man has edged out Phil F*cking Devereux and taken top spot in my book boyfriend list---and that's pretty much the feat of the century in my world! Devon is a multi-dimensional character that amazed me and as the author peeled back each of his layers, I was blown away by how much depth was truly present. He's tough but tender, intense but simple and holy mother of G-d is this man romantic and out of this world swoon-worthy! He loves deeply and is fiercely loyal to his friends and family. He holds his secrets close and boy does he have some big ones! His backstory is unexpectedly tragic and heartbreaking yet he has persevered and come out stronger than possible. When he meets Michaela "Mike" O'Flaherty, the immediate spark between them sets them on a course neither ever expected. She's a kick-ass female character and her strength in the face of adversity truly moved me. Michaela has lived through her own horrific heartbreak and it altered her life forever. Her tragedy and how the author portrayed it captivated and consumed me as I recalled my own experiences with this situation. As a reporter chronicling the biography of NOLA's Own as they tour across the United States, Michaela sits down with Devon to hear his life story and what follows is a connection so deep and intensely beautiful that readers will fall head over heels along with them. Their romance is revealed slowly, building and building at the perfect pace. There's no rushing perfection and Kelli Jean takes her time intensifying their plotline to an epic finale that will keep readers hanging on until the very last page.
For fans of the NOLA's Own series, there's plenty of Phil and Kenna and the rest of the gang to revel in. You'll get the backstory of how Devon came to be a part of the Cornered Cannibals and what really happened behind the scenes with some of the past's biggest events. Kelli Jean gives readers everything they could possibly want and then some when it comes to Devon and Michaela's story. It's tragic, heartbreaking, beautiful, spiritual, funny and incredibly sexy. It's a journey that spans decades and takes you on the ride of your life. It is a story that is not to be missed!