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Closer #2
Sever
Misery overstayed its welcome.
But fate will not be so easily swayed.
Gabriella Mason and Teller Reddy have walked a thin line between affection and hostility for years. The intensity that once set them on fire has ended their engagement and separated them by more than just miles.
Forced together by circumstances they never saw coming, Gabriella and Teller have no choice but to face the past that brought them together and ultimately severed them apart.
Wrecked and Damaged have collided.
This is what happens when they try to pick up the pieces
But fate will not be so easily swayed.
Gabriella Mason and Teller Reddy have walked a thin line between affection and hostility for years. The intensity that once set them on fire has ended their engagement and separated them by more than just miles.
Forced together by circumstances they never saw coming, Gabriella and Teller have no choice but to face the past that brought them together and ultimately severed them apart.
Wrecked and Damaged have collided.
This is what happens when they try to pick up the pieces
187 pages, ebook
First published April 5, 2018
40 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
Mary Elizabeth
17 books1,713 followersMary Elizabeth was born and raised in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She's a hairstylist by day but contemporary fiction, new adult author by night.
Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it's perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she's not letting go until every story is told.
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure."--Jeremiah 17:9
Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it's perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she's not letting go until every story is told.
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure."--Jeremiah 17:9
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 27, 2021
5 stars!!!
Sever is a book I've been waiting for for what feels like forever. Now that I've read it, I can say with complete confidence, it was well worth the wait. Mary Elizabeth has a writing style like no other. It's lyrical, poetic, and while reading her books, I go between reading too quickly because I'm so captivated, and trying to slow myself down so the book doesn't end so fast. Mary is a true story teller and I loved the story she gave us with Closer/Sever.
Ella and Teller's dysfunctional love story continues with Sever. I was worried I would forget things that happened in the first book since there was such a gap between releases, but I had no trouble diving back into their world. It was like I didn't forget a thing. Teller and Ella are co-dependency at it's finest, damaged at best, and so completely in love with one another, they couldn't stay away from each other if they tried. And they do. They try, but it never works. As much as a mess as they are together, they are even worse apart.
Mary writes the best 'messy' love stories. They are so full of passion, and have this realness and intensity you so rarely see in most romance books. Teller and Ella are a hot mess. They're a fucked up duo, but I love them both. Their love is so deep and intense. They could be frustrating at times, but no matter what they always had the love between them. I don't want to delve into the plot, so I'm keeping this review vague, but I love the direction the story went.
I love to feel when I read, and this story put me to the ringer. I had all the feels. It's dysfunctional, angsty, all-consuming, and a completely epic, yet unconventional romance between two people who can't be apart. I loved these two books and highly recommend them!
Sever is a book I've been waiting for for what feels like forever. Now that I've read it, I can say with complete confidence, it was well worth the wait. Mary Elizabeth has a writing style like no other. It's lyrical, poetic, and while reading her books, I go between reading too quickly because I'm so captivated, and trying to slow myself down so the book doesn't end so fast. Mary is a true story teller and I loved the story she gave us with Closer/Sever.
Ella and Teller's dysfunctional love story continues with Sever. I was worried I would forget things that happened in the first book since there was such a gap between releases, but I had no trouble diving back into their world. It was like I didn't forget a thing. Teller and Ella are co-dependency at it's finest, damaged at best, and so completely in love with one another, they couldn't stay away from each other if they tried. And they do. They try, but it never works. As much as a mess as they are together, they are even worse apart.
“I don’t know how to be without you, Ella,” I say. “Neither do I,” she admits.
Mary writes the best 'messy' love stories. They are so full of passion, and have this realness and intensity you so rarely see in most romance books. Teller and Ella are a hot mess. They're a fucked up duo, but I love them both. Their love is so deep and intense. They could be frustrating at times, but no matter what they always had the love between them. I don't want to delve into the plot, so I'm keeping this review vague, but I love the direction the story went.
I love to feel when I read, and this story put me to the ringer. I had all the feels. It's dysfunctional, angsty, all-consuming, and a completely epic, yet unconventional romance between two people who can't be apart. I loved these two books and highly recommend them!
We’re complicated people, with complicated behaviors, and complicated pasts. We love too hard, and fight too loud, and that’s how we like it. He is wrecked, and I am damaged. But together, we’re going to be okay.
March 25, 2018
It’s so good to be back with Ella and Teller. Their relationship continues in the sequel Sever and picks up right where Closer ended. To say they’re addicted to one another would be an understatement. It goes deeper than that. They both know their behavior can be toxic and unhealthy but their love and need for one another trumps that. Ella and Teller truly loves each other. It’s intoxicating and earthshaking. When they’re around one another times stand still.
When they hit a rough patch in their relationship they turn to old patterns. Especially Ella. She runs. From everything and everyone. She’s influenced by her environment growing up with a mother who abandoned Ella and her brother Emerson and a father dying years later. No wonder she has issues with abandonment and those are what she’s confronting in Sever to make her relationship with Teller work.
Their story is emotional, intense and angsty and it’s all because of Mary Elizabeth prose. It’s effortless and hauntingly beautiful.
I didn’t know what to expect after finishing Closer but I can honestly say that the waiting for Sever was worth it. Mary Elizabeth delivers with Sever and especially with Ella and Teller. I got the character development I was expecting. Their growth and their reasoning for wanting to change was wonderfully written. Their love is the center of Sever. From the moment they met on the lawn at college and that’s why the Before chapters work so well. They show every aspect of their love. How it ranged from friendship to so much more even when they wouldn’t give in to it.
There’s some unexpected surprises along the way only adding to the story and character development. The secondary characters are just like in Closer important to the story and especially to Ella and Teller. Maby and Emerson are simply fabulous. I don’t know if there’s a sequel and right now my mind isn’t going there. Mary Elizabeth has quenched my thirst.
5 BadAssDirtyEverythingStars
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC
When they hit a rough patch in their relationship they turn to old patterns. Especially Ella. She runs. From everything and everyone. She’s influenced by her environment growing up with a mother who abandoned Ella and her brother Emerson and a father dying years later. No wonder she has issues with abandonment and those are what she’s confronting in Sever to make her relationship with Teller work.
Their story is emotional, intense and angsty and it’s all because of Mary Elizabeth prose. It’s effortless and hauntingly beautiful.
I didn’t know what to expect after finishing Closer but I can honestly say that the waiting for Sever was worth it. Mary Elizabeth delivers with Sever and especially with Ella and Teller. I got the character development I was expecting. Their growth and their reasoning for wanting to change was wonderfully written. Their love is the center of Sever. From the moment they met on the lawn at college and that’s why the Before chapters work so well. They show every aspect of their love. How it ranged from friendship to so much more even when they wouldn’t give in to it.
There’s some unexpected surprises along the way only adding to the story and character development. The secondary characters are just like in Closer important to the story and especially to Ella and Teller. Maby and Emerson are simply fabulous. I don’t know if there’s a sequel and right now my mind isn’t going there. Mary Elizabeth has quenched my thirst.
5 BadAssDirtyEverythingStars
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC
April 17, 2018
*****4.5 CRAZY AF STARS*****
I love me a crazy a relationship story! Crazy relationships are the best in real life too. I loved everything about Teller and Ella's relationship but my history might have them beat. I'm a crazy ass bitch too.
Review to come. . .
I love me a crazy a relationship story! Crazy relationships are the best in real life too. I loved everything about Teller and Ella's relationship but my history might have them beat. I'm a crazy ass bitch too.
Review to come. . .
April 6, 2018
We’re a bad habit gone rogue, but it’s time to reel this crap in.
A great conclusion to Ella & Teller’s rollercoaster of a story. Sever brings us to right about where Closer left off. Bouncing from past and present, and told from the dual POVs of Teller and Ella.
Sever packs the same emotional punch as Closer, with a few less heavy dips and turns in the ride. Yes these two are still going through it, and their friends and family are still rolling their eyes and trying to be supportive. We finally get some resolution to this pair though.
All in all a great read. If you enjoy co-dependent relationships and seeing how the characters actually grow, heal, and try to work it all out... then this duet of books is for you!
A great conclusion to Ella & Teller’s rollercoaster of a story. Sever brings us to right about where Closer left off. Bouncing from past and present, and told from the dual POVs of Teller and Ella.
Sever packs the same emotional punch as Closer, with a few less heavy dips and turns in the ride. Yes these two are still going through it, and their friends and family are still rolling their eyes and trying to be supportive. We finally get some resolution to this pair though.
All in all a great read. If you enjoy co-dependent relationships and seeing how the characters actually grow, heal, and try to work it all out... then this duet of books is for you!
April 19, 2018
REVIEW: I Just Can't Right Now....
"To a fiend like him, my unease is delicious, and he licks his lips."
This story is the exact reason why I look forward to Mary Elizabeth's books. This is the reason I crave her words, her angst, and her stories. I make no secret as to how much I love angst and how much I love a painful love story. A truthfully painful love, no less. Well, Mary definitely made this one painful. I mean, she took stubborn to a whole 'nother level. Yes, I said 'nother because it fit. Work with me here. I am not entirely sure what to say about this one, because I know without a shadow of a doubt that you need to live through Teller and Ella's story in order to understand, but this one was rough. Necessary.....but rough. After reading Closer, I knew I was in for a rough ride. I just didn't imagine it would be this rough. Waiting this long for their conclusion almost felt symbolic in a way. the fight alone was worth it. Painful, but worth it.
"I wish hurt were as easy to wash away as a hangover is."
How do you explain a love so volatile it's necessary to function? Teller Reddy and Gabriella Mason embody this kind of love like no other. It's probably not healthy, and I'm sure there will be people that will complain about it because of the real issues that can surface from it, but if you look deeper, if you look to the root, deep inside, you can see and feel the truth behind their love. Their love was deep. It was built out of circumstance, but one that thrived. Did it thrive on pain? On love? On purpose? On accident? This one took me through the wringer - it's exactly the kind of story I love.
I loved Teller. His misguided attempts to right all the wrongs, to fix all the broken, to make everything ok, all because he loved Ella so desperately? The depth of his love is unmistakable in it's entirety. He loved her to the detriment of his own sanity, and you can see she's loved with every fiber of his being. This was a painful love to watch unravel.....and I reveled in it. I sound evil, don't I? I just loved how she spun their pain and their love, as if it was symbiotic....or harmonious, even. But it wasn't. Their love was only necessary to live. To breathe. To exist. I felt every tether snap between them and I was seriously freaking out. Their love story seized me wholly and completely.
"Teller Reddy is one hell of a drug, but I'm rehabilitating."
Mary Elizabeth's words are so poetic. Her descriptions and her dialogue are so heavy with meaning. When the excitement for the pain, the giddiness for her angst, grips me, makes me breathe funny and makes me pace, I know it's gonna be a good story! I love the anticipation of destruction that Mary Elizabeth gives me. Love it. She easily, slowly and meticulously lays out this story, one word at a time, and she brings me deep into this world of depravity and agony while single-handedly breaking my heart with ONE line:
"I don't know how to be without you, Ella."
Broke. My. Heart. And Ella is one stubborn and confused woman that knows the truth and the reality behind that ONE line, yet she also understands the perfectly crazy side to his undying love. She can't deny it. She can't deny her own love. Her own need. It's gritty and raw, it's real and painful, but it's true. It was a love story that needed to be felt. And I did.....painfully so.
I can tell you that this cover is the most accurate deserving cover I have seen in a very long time. That picture was 100% Teller to me. An amazingly beautiful muse for him. I am not one to comment on covers often, but after reading and falling in love with Teller and Ella, living their story with them for so long, I can definitively say this one was perfect. *sigh* I will never have enough of Mary's tumultuous words....never. Ever. I know Teller's palpable need for Ella, because that's how I feel when I read one of her books. I soak it up. I can't get enough. This will once again be on my favorites list. The heaviness and the aching I felt while reading this one was undeniable and intense. Just how I like it.
"How could the universe be so cruel to make this man both my beginning and end?"
~BEE
Amazon AA link: https://amzn.to/2J5s7sw
Giveaway for SEVER: http://bit.ly/2HKpJrF
Closer review: http://bit.ly/2vL5ALl
"To a fiend like him, my unease is delicious, and he licks his lips."
This story is the exact reason why I look forward to Mary Elizabeth's books. This is the reason I crave her words, her angst, and her stories. I make no secret as to how much I love angst and how much I love a painful love story. A truthfully painful love, no less. Well, Mary definitely made this one painful. I mean, she took stubborn to a whole 'nother level. Yes, I said 'nother because it fit. Work with me here. I am not entirely sure what to say about this one, because I know without a shadow of a doubt that you need to live through Teller and Ella's story in order to understand, but this one was rough. Necessary.....but rough. After reading Closer, I knew I was in for a rough ride. I just didn't imagine it would be this rough. Waiting this long for their conclusion almost felt symbolic in a way. the fight alone was worth it. Painful, but worth it.
"I wish hurt were as easy to wash away as a hangover is."
How do you explain a love so volatile it's necessary to function? Teller Reddy and Gabriella Mason embody this kind of love like no other. It's probably not healthy, and I'm sure there will be people that will complain about it because of the real issues that can surface from it, but if you look deeper, if you look to the root, deep inside, you can see and feel the truth behind their love. Their love was deep. It was built out of circumstance, but one that thrived. Did it thrive on pain? On love? On purpose? On accident? This one took me through the wringer - it's exactly the kind of story I love.
I loved Teller. His misguided attempts to right all the wrongs, to fix all the broken, to make everything ok, all because he loved Ella so desperately? The depth of his love is unmistakable in it's entirety. He loved her to the detriment of his own sanity, and you can see she's loved with every fiber of his being. This was a painful love to watch unravel.....and I reveled in it. I sound evil, don't I? I just loved how she spun their pain and their love, as if it was symbiotic....or harmonious, even. But it wasn't. Their love was only necessary to live. To breathe. To exist. I felt every tether snap between them and I was seriously freaking out. Their love story seized me wholly and completely.
"Teller Reddy is one hell of a drug, but I'm rehabilitating."
Mary Elizabeth's words are so poetic. Her descriptions and her dialogue are so heavy with meaning. When the excitement for the pain, the giddiness for her angst, grips me, makes me breathe funny and makes me pace, I know it's gonna be a good story! I love the anticipation of destruction that Mary Elizabeth gives me. Love it. She easily, slowly and meticulously lays out this story, one word at a time, and she brings me deep into this world of depravity and agony while single-handedly breaking my heart with ONE line:
"I don't know how to be without you, Ella."
Broke. My. Heart. And Ella is one stubborn and confused woman that knows the truth and the reality behind that ONE line, yet she also understands the perfectly crazy side to his undying love. She can't deny it. She can't deny her own love. Her own need. It's gritty and raw, it's real and painful, but it's true. It was a love story that needed to be felt. And I did.....painfully so.
I can tell you that this cover is the most accurate deserving cover I have seen in a very long time. That picture was 100% Teller to me. An amazingly beautiful muse for him. I am not one to comment on covers often, but after reading and falling in love with Teller and Ella, living their story with them for so long, I can definitively say this one was perfect. *sigh* I will never have enough of Mary's tumultuous words....never. Ever. I know Teller's palpable need for Ella, because that's how I feel when I read one of her books. I soak it up. I can't get enough. This will once again be on my favorites list. The heaviness and the aching I felt while reading this one was undeniable and intense. Just how I like it.
"How could the universe be so cruel to make this man both my beginning and end?"
~BEE
Amazon AA link: https://amzn.to/2J5s7sw
Giveaway for SEVER: http://bit.ly/2HKpJrF
Closer review: http://bit.ly/2vL5ALl
January 21, 2019
“We’re heartmates. Soulmates. Don’t-ever-stop-loving-me-mates.”
🖤🖤🖤
🖤🖤🖤
March 26, 2018
“We’re as addicted to the chaos as we were eight years ago. Madness is our culture. It’s our way of life. We come by it honestly.”
Ella & Teller are ridiculous and dysfunctional but they’re my favorite type of crazy. I wouldn’t want it any other way! 🙃
Ella & Teller are ridiculous and dysfunctional but they’re my favorite type of crazy. I wouldn’t want it any other way! 🙃
February 20, 2021
Do you know what - despite the irrational decisions Ella has made during the plot.. I ain't gon' lie I'm team Teller all the way.. She annoyed me a lot.. but again her childhood wasn't easy.. so the way she behaved makes totally sense..
However in general - The book was first of all very hilarious.. intensely emotional and amazing. Hands down I don't really like ''push and pull that much''..
This book has a lot of it. Ella is constantly confused but her love for Teller is bigger than the world. Teller is afraid to be a failure but he will never let his girl go, he can't breathe without her.
Wrecked and Damaged collides - A complicated couple.. taking responsibility and trying. I respect that.. They simply can't live without each other..
However in general - The book was first of all very hilarious.. intensely emotional and amazing. Hands down I don't really like ''push and pull that much''..
This book has a lot of it. Ella is constantly confused but her love for Teller is bigger than the world. Teller is afraid to be a failure but he will never let his girl go, he can't breathe without her.
Wrecked and Damaged collides - A complicated couple.. taking responsibility and trying. I respect that.. They simply can't live without each other..
March 28, 2018
Talk about crazy in love.
Talk about painful devotion.
Talk about complicated destruction.
I have waited for what seems like forever to get my hands on the conclusion to a very, very, complicated relationship between Teller and Gabriella. This book starts out where Closer ended. Nothing has been resolved. Everything is madness. Everything is pain, amplified. Everything is love. Painful love. Everything is contagious, these characters & there version of normal, there kind of crazy. This story had me spinning with Mary’s flawlessly written hand.
There is something about a Mary Elizabeth book. She writes stories that are real. They are not sugarcoated. They make you scream and bleed right along these dysfunctional assholes.
This story is a journey.
I’m exhausted and rejuvenated all at once.
This story is love at it’s craziest. This story is love at its most deepest desperation. This story shows what happens when two fucked up people can’t seem to get it right with or without one another. This story takes complicated love to the next level.
Must read.
Talk about painful devotion.
Talk about complicated destruction.
I have waited for what seems like forever to get my hands on the conclusion to a very, very, complicated relationship between Teller and Gabriella. This book starts out where Closer ended. Nothing has been resolved. Everything is madness. Everything is pain, amplified. Everything is love. Painful love. Everything is contagious, these characters & there version of normal, there kind of crazy. This story had me spinning with Mary’s flawlessly written hand.
There is something about a Mary Elizabeth book. She writes stories that are real. They are not sugarcoated. They make you scream and bleed right along these dysfunctional assholes.
This story is a journey.
I’m exhausted and rejuvenated all at once.
This story is love at it’s craziest. This story is love at its most deepest desperation. This story shows what happens when two fucked up people can’t seem to get it right with or without one another. This story takes complicated love to the next level.
Must read.
April 5, 2018
Bravo, Mary! I didn't know how the hell you were going get the world's most dysfunctional couple, Teller and Ella, from where they were at the end of Closer to where they needed to be, but you did it! I feel like I watched them grow up, like they're real people, like they're family, and that is the mark of a damn good writer. I'll sleep easy tonight knowing that they finally got their HEA, their way.
October 6, 2020
"We’re complicated people, with complicated behaviors, and complicated pasts. We love too hard, and fight too loud, and that’s how we like it. He is wrecked, and I am damaged. But together, we’re going to be okay."
April 9, 2018
DNF @ 65%
I can't take this book.
The characters are just so immature and it's the same shit every chapter. This doesn't even compare to book 1 at all, this is super disappointing because this book took like 2 years to write :/
Maybe I will come back to this one day but I can't read anymore right now.
I can't take this book.
The characters are just so immature and it's the same shit every chapter. This doesn't even compare to book 1 at all, this is super disappointing because this book took like 2 years to write :/
Maybe I will come back to this one day but I can't read anymore right now.
April 9, 2018
3.5 Stars
Yup - there is always one of us in the crowd and I am usually that one. :/ But bare with me and I will explain myself.
This is where we really need the half star rating system!!
Ok, so I apparently missed the boat on this one. I see so many 5 stars with this book and I feel like I missed something. Or maybe it was just bad timing in reading this book for me. I was so looking forward to reading this book, that I think maybe too much time passed for me between the books and I lost the "oomph" I had from the last book.
I remember Closer so well and was super excited to start this one. But as I was reading this book, somewhere in between 25% and 50%, I felt the book go flat and lost the momentum I had going in. Teller and Ella started to annoy me with their tendencies and felt like they were moving nowhere - rinse, wash, repeat but just in different atmospheres. UGH
It was until the huge bomb was dropped that things sort of picked up for me, but at this point, I had almost DNF the book but refused to only because I enjoyed Closer so much and wanted to see where Teller and Ella ended up. Everything seemed to move at a better pace for me and these two stopped doing their dysfunctional dance and moved forward.
I have to say that Mary's writing is unique and beautiful. It's another reason why I stuck with this story. I think the time frame between these two books is what hurt me the most - not that I forgot anything that happened, but the intense feelings I felt after finishing Closer, were gone. :(
Mary does do a great job of keeping her characters as they are, but I felt there were portions that things were dragged out, which hurt the book for me. I love the dysfunction of Teller and Ella - that's what makes this duet stand out from others. They aren't cookie cutter and they stay true to themselves. That's another reason why I continued on with this book. But it wasn't enough to make me feel everything I felt in that first book.
Overall, I am sure if these two books are read back to back, I have no doubt they will be perfect and people will love them. For me, it was a letdown from book one and I hate that, I really do. But that won't stop me from reading any other books by Mary. I truly believe this was just the case of it's me, not the book. And truly, that sucks.
Yup - there is always one of us in the crowd and I am usually that one. :/ But bare with me and I will explain myself.
This is where we really need the half star rating system!!
Ok, so I apparently missed the boat on this one. I see so many 5 stars with this book and I feel like I missed something. Or maybe it was just bad timing in reading this book for me. I was so looking forward to reading this book, that I think maybe too much time passed for me between the books and I lost the "oomph" I had from the last book.
I remember Closer so well and was super excited to start this one. But as I was reading this book, somewhere in between 25% and 50%, I felt the book go flat and lost the momentum I had going in. Teller and Ella started to annoy me with their tendencies and felt like they were moving nowhere - rinse, wash, repeat but just in different atmospheres. UGH
It was until the huge bomb was dropped that things sort of picked up for me, but at this point, I had almost DNF the book but refused to only because I enjoyed Closer so much and wanted to see where Teller and Ella ended up. Everything seemed to move at a better pace for me and these two stopped doing their dysfunctional dance and moved forward.
I have to say that Mary's writing is unique and beautiful. It's another reason why I stuck with this story. I think the time frame between these two books is what hurt me the most - not that I forgot anything that happened, but the intense feelings I felt after finishing Closer, were gone. :(
Mary does do a great job of keeping her characters as they are, but I felt there were portions that things were dragged out, which hurt the book for me. I love the dysfunction of Teller and Ella - that's what makes this duet stand out from others. They aren't cookie cutter and they stay true to themselves. That's another reason why I continued on with this book. But it wasn't enough to make me feel everything I felt in that first book.
Overall, I am sure if these two books are read back to back, I have no doubt they will be perfect and people will love them. For me, it was a letdown from book one and I hate that, I really do. But that won't stop me from reading any other books by Mary. I truly believe this was just the case of it's me, not the book. And truly, that sucks.
April 4, 2018
“Never once have I given her a straight answer, because never once have I had one to give. We are a conundrum up fucked up. A disappointment bomb. Ella and I are wrecked and damaged. But we own it.” - Teller Reddy, Closer Book 1
It might have been about two years since I read Closer by Mary Elizabeth, but Teller and Ella’s story burned a hole in my brain. Out of all of the books I have read, this fictional couple’s chaotic and toxic romance stuck with me. They are the ultimate dysfunctional couple. I’m thrilled to say that Sever was worth the wait.
“We’re as addicted to the chaos as we were eight years ago. Madness is our culture. It’s our way of life. We come by it honestly.”
Teller and Ella's relationship remains co-dependent and dysfunctional as ever. In Sever, the two continue to navigate their complicated feelings. Thier relationship plays out through Mary Elizabeth's beautiful writing. She has a way of making Teller and Ella’s screwed up thoughts and manic actions hauntingly beautiful.
“Teller Reddy’s brand of passion isn’t a drug that loses potency as addiction ages. It gets better with time. Each high is greater than the first. But like the effects of narcotics, his kiss, his touch, his swagger takes the pain away. It leaves me hot and burning from my core, fever-like and delirious.”
Sever ends just as just as it started, perfectly imperfect! This book and series is an absolute one-click. This series must be read in order Closer and then Sever.
“He said things like, “You sometimes make me want to drive my car into a brick wall, but you’re the one for me.” And he swore, “I will never, not ever abandon you. Got it? Do you hear me?” Teller kept his word. No matter how many times I tried to sabotage our chances at a life together, he was persistent.”
It might have been about two years since I read Closer by Mary Elizabeth, but Teller and Ella’s story burned a hole in my brain. Out of all of the books I have read, this fictional couple’s chaotic and toxic romance stuck with me. They are the ultimate dysfunctional couple. I’m thrilled to say that Sever was worth the wait.
“We’re as addicted to the chaos as we were eight years ago. Madness is our culture. It’s our way of life. We come by it honestly.”
Teller and Ella's relationship remains co-dependent and dysfunctional as ever. In Sever, the two continue to navigate their complicated feelings. Thier relationship plays out through Mary Elizabeth's beautiful writing. She has a way of making Teller and Ella’s screwed up thoughts and manic actions hauntingly beautiful.
“Teller Reddy’s brand of passion isn’t a drug that loses potency as addiction ages. It gets better with time. Each high is greater than the first. But like the effects of narcotics, his kiss, his touch, his swagger takes the pain away. It leaves me hot and burning from my core, fever-like and delirious.”
Sever ends just as just as it started, perfectly imperfect! This book and series is an absolute one-click. This series must be read in order Closer and then Sever.
“He said things like, “You sometimes make me want to drive my car into a brick wall, but you’re the one for me.” And he swore, “I will never, not ever abandon you. Got it? Do you hear me?” Teller kept his word. No matter how many times I tried to sabotage our chances at a life together, he was persistent.”
April 3, 2018
*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*
5 "Dysfunctional at its finest" Stars!!!!!
To say I've been waiting for more Ella and Teller would be a huge understatement. Honestly, I've been waiting ever since I read the last word in Closer, no joke. I needed and wanted more of this crazy duo. And then FINALLY, Mary announced Sever was coming and it was the best birthday-Christmas gift I've ever gotten. My life, month, and year was made when I read the great news. My babies, I was getting my babies, Ella and Teller back. My life was complete.
Ella and Teller are f***ing chaos! These two are every national disaster you can think of. They're hazardous together, pure toxic. They're made of hardships and then some. They're a mess of epic proportion. They wreck everything in their path and do it with a smile on their face. You'll think to yourself, why the f*** are they even together? Well, as much as they're destructive they're 100% undeniably perfect and made for each other. These two are without question meant to be together. Their crazy is the best kind of crazy.
Sever took me on the most topsy turvy ride, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I asked for more and Mary delivered. I wanted more and got my two favorite tornadoes back. I needed more and I got more than I expected. And now that I've finished Sever I'm a greedy f*** because I still want more. I mean, if Mary writes a novella just letting us know that Ella and Teller didn't kill each other, I wouldn't be mad. I'll just never get enough of Smella and Prick, EVER!
Hands down recommend you read about these chaotic tornadoes. Obviously read Closer first. And meet my two favorite crazies.
5 "Dysfunctional at its finest" Stars!!!!!
To say I've been waiting for more Ella and Teller would be a huge understatement. Honestly, I've been waiting ever since I read the last word in Closer, no joke. I needed and wanted more of this crazy duo. And then FINALLY, Mary announced Sever was coming and it was the best birthday-Christmas gift I've ever gotten. My life, month, and year was made when I read the great news. My babies, I was getting my babies, Ella and Teller back. My life was complete.
Ella and Teller are f***ing chaos! These two are every national disaster you can think of. They're hazardous together, pure toxic. They're made of hardships and then some. They're a mess of epic proportion. They wreck everything in their path and do it with a smile on their face. You'll think to yourself, why the f*** are they even together? Well, as much as they're destructive they're 100% undeniably perfect and made for each other. These two are without question meant to be together. Their crazy is the best kind of crazy.
Sever took me on the most topsy turvy ride, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I asked for more and Mary delivered. I wanted more and got my two favorite tornadoes back. I needed more and I got more than I expected. And now that I've finished Sever I'm a greedy f*** because I still want more. I mean, if Mary writes a novella just letting us know that Ella and Teller didn't kill each other, I wouldn't be mad. I'll just never get enough of Smella and Prick, EVER!
Hands down recommend you read about these chaotic tornadoes. Obviously read Closer first. And meet my two favorite crazies.
Want to read
March 28, 2018
April 12, 2018
Teller and Ella for life!
Love is not always pretty. Sometimes its fucked up. And sometimes we get lucky and we find that person we are made for but what do we do when our soulmate could also be our own destruction? Teller Reddy and Gabriella Mason never do anything half way... much to their family's dismay this includes fighting. This volatile pair is full of passion and oh my gosh so much drama. But I LOVE IT! This two characters go beyond just a drama filled love story. They are about growth. Finding out who you really are and owning that.
Trauma comes in many shapes and sizes and if we do not address it the trauma leaks into our lives in ways we may not even recognize. Being able to see this in ourselves can be a life saver and I always appreciate books that make it okay to admit we need help. Mary does this in almost all of her books in some way or another and its simply perfect. Another key thing that Mary brings to the book world and keeps her in my top 5 list is the emotions all of work brings out. I want a book that reaches into me and makes me feel what is happening and EVERY SINGLE BOOK MARY WRITES DOES THIS!!! This amazing author admitted to struggling with writing this book and I for one appreciate that the heart and feelings we find in her work did not suffer. The year long wait was worth it just to get the genuine work that is Mary Elizabeth. This is one author I would wait forever for and you know I will always be one clicking when the books come out.
Love is not always pretty. Sometimes its fucked up. And sometimes we get lucky and we find that person we are made for but what do we do when our soulmate could also be our own destruction? Teller Reddy and Gabriella Mason never do anything half way... much to their family's dismay this includes fighting. This volatile pair is full of passion and oh my gosh so much drama. But I LOVE IT! This two characters go beyond just a drama filled love story. They are about growth. Finding out who you really are and owning that.
Trauma comes in many shapes and sizes and if we do not address it the trauma leaks into our lives in ways we may not even recognize. Being able to see this in ourselves can be a life saver and I always appreciate books that make it okay to admit we need help. Mary does this in almost all of her books in some way or another and its simply perfect. Another key thing that Mary brings to the book world and keeps her in my top 5 list is the emotions all of work brings out. I want a book that reaches into me and makes me feel what is happening and EVERY SINGLE BOOK MARY WRITES DOES THIS!!! This amazing author admitted to struggling with writing this book and I for one appreciate that the heart and feelings we find in her work did not suffer. The year long wait was worth it just to get the genuine work that is Mary Elizabeth. This is one author I would wait forever for and you know I will always be one clicking when the books come out.
April 9, 2018
I'd been looking forward to reading Sever, as I had been wanting to find out how this pair would work through their issues ever since I finished Closer when it released in 2016. I was holding on to hope that this dysfunctional duo would finally find a way to be together happily, without all the insecurities and constant chaos.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel as though Teller and Ella's relationship showed much growth, change, or repair in this novel. For the vast majority of the story, the couple/ non-couple are explosive and volatile. He wasn't fighting people so much in this one, but she was continually physically violent towards him, and I hated that. I believe they loved each other, but I viewed their love as damaging, toxic, and unhealthy.
While I thought the story was well written and it kept me flipping the pages, I did not invest in or root for the success of the romance between the two main characters.
The ending also felt rushed, I would have liked to have seen a bit more development in this area- to avoid spoilers I won't expand on that point.
Even though the second part of their story and romance didn't have the impact I had hoped for, I am glad that I read Sever.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel as though Teller and Ella's relationship showed much growth, change, or repair in this novel. For the vast majority of the story, the couple/ non-couple are explosive and volatile. He wasn't fighting people so much in this one, but she was continually physically violent towards him, and I hated that. I believe they loved each other, but I viewed their love as damaging, toxic, and unhealthy.
While I thought the story was well written and it kept me flipping the pages, I did not invest in or root for the success of the romance between the two main characters.
The ending also felt rushed, I would have liked to have seen a bit more development in this area- to avoid spoilers I won't expand on that point.
Even though the second part of their story and romance didn't have the impact I had hoped for, I am glad that I read Sever.
March 29, 2018
Smella are back and doing what they do best... dysfunction.
Mary Elizabeth is one of the most uniquely talented writers of our time and I honestly get sad when someone says they have not read one of her books. So if you are debating, turn around and read Closer first and then come back for this book. It’s worth it!
Ella and Teller have been painted so vividly from Closer to Sever, that they have become such real people. Their actions and reactions were felt so deeply that it could have been that of a family member and I would have given the same reaction. I would have expressed the same level of irritation or thrown out the same expletives, huffed out the same frustrations. At this point, I’m taking their relationship real personal and let me tell you... there was a lot of cursing, huffing and feeling the frustrations.
But then there were also the moments of complete and utter swoon. Those moments that took my breath away and reminded me why I went through all this torture and heartache with these two.
Of course, this was the end of the duet so we get our big finish and it was a beautiful BIG FINISH. The big finish that leaves you rocking side to side, holding your kindle tight... sad to see it over but glad you were there for the journey.
Mary Elizabeth is one of the most uniquely talented writers of our time and I honestly get sad when someone says they have not read one of her books. So if you are debating, turn around and read Closer first and then come back for this book. It’s worth it!
Ella and Teller have been painted so vividly from Closer to Sever, that they have become such real people. Their actions and reactions were felt so deeply that it could have been that of a family member and I would have given the same reaction. I would have expressed the same level of irritation or thrown out the same expletives, huffed out the same frustrations. At this point, I’m taking their relationship real personal and let me tell you... there was a lot of cursing, huffing and feeling the frustrations.
But then there were also the moments of complete and utter swoon. Those moments that took my breath away and reminded me why I went through all this torture and heartache with these two.
Of course, this was the end of the duet so we get our big finish and it was a beautiful BIG FINISH. The big finish that leaves you rocking side to side, holding your kindle tight... sad to see it over but glad you were there for the journey.
March 30, 2018
Well.
I fcking devoured this book.
“He is wrecked, and I am damaged. But together, we’re going to be okay. Before we head back to our lives, I ask him once more, just to hear the words again, “Tell me what this is.” And without hesitation, he says, “This is everything.”
I love Mary’s writing and I love this story and Teller and Ella are my favorite. The end ☺️
I fcking devoured this book.
“He is wrecked, and I am damaged. But together, we’re going to be okay. Before we head back to our lives, I ask him once more, just to hear the words again, “Tell me what this is.” And without hesitation, he says, “This is everything.”
I love Mary’s writing and I love this story and Teller and Ella are my favorite. The end ☺️
April 5, 2018
Author's words penetrate reader's heart heavy. Magic on the page not to be duplicated, manufactured. Experience unparallel to another's pretense.
April 19, 2018
"When two fuck-ups come together, chances are it'll end badly."
OK. I’m going to try my hardest to not fan girl during this review, but we all know how I feel about Mary Elizabeth, and if you don’t, well I’m sort of obsessed.
Sever, the second book following Closer, was seriously so amazing. If you’ve never read any of Mary’s books:
1. What are you waiting for?
2. She is seriously one of the most poetic, amazing, talented writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Seriously, her writing is so freaking addicting.
Sever picks up exactly where Closer leaves off. After a bad break up between Teller and Ella, Teller tries to right his wrongs, but with these two its never that easy. So if you’ve read Closer you know that Teller and Ella’s relationship is the furthest thing from normal. Some would call it dysfunctional, or toxic. For me, its just who they are. They’re hatred mixed with passion. Wounded mixed with tenderness. They’re enraged mixed with compassion. Together they’re this beautiful contradiction that just… works.
Both Teller and Ella fucked up their relationship in their own ways. One is too scared to commit, the other wants the relationship so bad, they’ll do whatever it takes to have it.
Sever is the story of redemption. It’s what happens when two people who are so damaged, crash and have to pick up the broken pieces. This book has it all. The hurt, the pain, the love, the forgiveness. IT IS EVERYTHING. I FELT EVERTHING. I LOVED EVERYTHING.
"The stars don’t need to hear her tender moans. The moon doesn’t deserve them. The universe didn’t fight as hard as I did. I cover her mouth with my hand because those sounds belong to me, and the sky won't rob me of them."
One of my favorite types of stories to read are dysfunctional/toxic relationships because they are real. Some stories are worse than others, but I love a crazy relationship, and Teller and Ella, though there is a light at the end of their tunnel, the shit they went through to get there was one hell of a rollercoaster.
If you haven’t read Sever, you need to. But, you have to read Closer first, since it is a continuation. Seriously, do yourself a favor and read these books. They’re addicting. I promise you, you will love these characters, the words, you’ll love it all.
Mary, it goes without saying, you have a forever fan in me <3
OK. I’m going to try my hardest to not fan girl during this review, but we all know how I feel about Mary Elizabeth, and if you don’t, well I’m sort of obsessed.
Sever, the second book following Closer, was seriously so amazing. If you’ve never read any of Mary’s books:
1. What are you waiting for?
2. She is seriously one of the most poetic, amazing, talented writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Seriously, her writing is so freaking addicting.
Sever picks up exactly where Closer leaves off. After a bad break up between Teller and Ella, Teller tries to right his wrongs, but with these two its never that easy. So if you’ve read Closer you know that Teller and Ella’s relationship is the furthest thing from normal. Some would call it dysfunctional, or toxic. For me, its just who they are. They’re hatred mixed with passion. Wounded mixed with tenderness. They’re enraged mixed with compassion. Together they’re this beautiful contradiction that just… works.
Both Teller and Ella fucked up their relationship in their own ways. One is too scared to commit, the other wants the relationship so bad, they’ll do whatever it takes to have it.
Sever is the story of redemption. It’s what happens when two people who are so damaged, crash and have to pick up the broken pieces. This book has it all. The hurt, the pain, the love, the forgiveness. IT IS EVERYTHING. I FELT EVERTHING. I LOVED EVERYTHING.
"The stars don’t need to hear her tender moans. The moon doesn’t deserve them. The universe didn’t fight as hard as I did. I cover her mouth with my hand because those sounds belong to me, and the sky won't rob me of them."
One of my favorite types of stories to read are dysfunctional/toxic relationships because they are real. Some stories are worse than others, but I love a crazy relationship, and Teller and Ella, though there is a light at the end of their tunnel, the shit they went through to get there was one hell of a rollercoaster.
If you haven’t read Sever, you need to. But, you have to read Closer first, since it is a continuation. Seriously, do yourself a favor and read these books. They’re addicting. I promise you, you will love these characters, the words, you’ll love it all.
Mary, it goes without saying, you have a forever fan in me <3
March 23, 2018
Sever is everything you want for the follow-up of Closer. Mary Elizabeth's writing is poetic, beautiful, angsty, a work of art. Just read it and fall in love with Teller all over again.
Read
March 29, 2021NEW LOOK. SAME BOOK.
April 2, 2018
I love Teller and Ella. And not only because I love reading about dysfunctional people, but because I love their characters. I love how persistent Teller is with her and I love when Ella says things that we've all wanted to say at one point or another. But more than that, the relationship between these two is so rich. The character development is more than I could have asked for, even side characters. Ella's sister-in-law, Maby, has an interesting dynamic with Ella simply because of how Ella is and these two share some great moments together in this book. I became so invested in this story that I was afraid to keep reading at somewhere around 60%. Everyone around them knows they're hopelessly in love, but their tendency to self-sabotage always trips them up. Ella and Teller start to really speak to each other and I just knew that something was going to go wrong and Ella would start shutting down like she does so well. I was dying for Teller to get what he's needed for so long but I was still afraid it wasn't going to happen. I also want to mention that Mary wraps up her stories so well. I love that these messed up people that have battled each other for years don't just instantly resolve all their problems and ride off into the sunset together. Yes, things end well for Ella and Teller but we see that they've acknowledged they need to get their shit together, and this isn't always easy to do. Even when you love someone so much it's like your love has its own physical presence in the room. Everyone loves a nice, neat HEA sometimes but it's so refreshing to see relationships that still need work. Mary's writing is gorgeous, Ella and Teller are my favorite train wreck to watch, and the wait for this was totally worth it.
July 24, 2025
2.75 stars
I felt this was needlessly dramatic and the MCs were immature. She wants to leave so he takes a bat and smashes her car? They are jealous before actually listening to the other side and then beat people up or each other up for the the barest hint of offense? He lies about his actions, more than once, and really, I get why she wouldn't be with him. He's a bit of a loser. Ugh. So annoying. I did, however, like how he kept acting like they were a couple, even though they were with other people. And his obsession with her. I skimmed to the end cause I wanted to see how it ended but didn't read all the details. It was a long road of more of the same, carried over two books. I saw the twist coming a mile away. But that's ok - it was an HEA and I'm glad.
One thing that kind of made me crazy was the way the author would use descriptors instead of the character's name in the writing. There was a teenager who was a peeping tom with Ella and instead of referring to him as Trevor, the author would say, Peeping Tom said....This happened innumerable times throughout the story. I know this is just her writing style but it was confusing at times as to who she was referring to and other times, just grated on my nerves. There were quite a few grammatical errors and typos, as well.
So...overall, I liked the premise of obsessive love but didn't like the execution or the characters, really. They didn't act like adults, more like bratty kids. It was a good effort by the author and I think if she keeps writing, she'll get better, as I think there is potential. I was compelled to keep reading to the end, and as an unapologetic DNFer, that says something.
I felt this was needlessly dramatic and the MCs were immature. She wants to leave so he takes a bat and smashes her car? They are jealous before actually listening to the other side and then beat people up or each other up for the the barest hint of offense? He lies about his actions, more than once, and really, I get why she wouldn't be with him. He's a bit of a loser. Ugh. So annoying. I did, however, like how he kept acting like they were a couple, even though they were with other people. And his obsession with her. I skimmed to the end cause I wanted to see how it ended but didn't read all the details. It was a long road of more of the same, carried over two books. I saw the twist coming a mile away. But that's ok - it was an HEA and I'm glad.
One thing that kind of made me crazy was the way the author would use descriptors instead of the character's name in the writing. There was a teenager who was a peeping tom with Ella and instead of referring to him as Trevor, the author would say, Peeping Tom said....This happened innumerable times throughout the story. I know this is just her writing style but it was confusing at times as to who she was referring to and other times, just grated on my nerves. There were quite a few grammatical errors and typos, as well.
So...overall, I liked the premise of obsessive love but didn't like the execution or the characters, really. They didn't act like adults, more like bratty kids. It was a good effort by the author and I think if she keeps writing, she'll get better, as I think there is potential. I was compelled to keep reading to the end, and as an unapologetic DNFer, that says something.
February 4, 2021
Closer is one of the best duets ever and Teller and Elle are one of my top couples of all time, I don't know why it took me so long to read it but it's so brilliant and original, this story where wrecked and damage have collided is a masterpiece that I leave my heart overflowing with love, I don't think I'll ever be able to recover, I love this duet and all its characters madly!!
Sever continues where Closer ends, and narrates the difficulties of the characters to move forward and overcome their own fears, we can see the story of Teller and Elle is not easy, their personalities are so explosive and they collide and get hurt, but at the same time they love so intensely, so fiercely, their relationship is far from perfect but is exactly how it has to be, I cried, laughed, sighed with them, the author is a genius, her story is poetic and intense, full of emotion and anguish, a story about love, second opportunities, pain, hope and friendship, and even if it sounds cliché, I will never forget it, get ready for an explosion of emotions that will be etched under your skin and will possess all your senses!!
Sever continues where Closer ends, and narrates the difficulties of the characters to move forward and overcome their own fears, we can see the story of Teller and Elle is not easy, their personalities are so explosive and they collide and get hurt, but at the same time they love so intensely, so fiercely, their relationship is far from perfect but is exactly how it has to be, I cried, laughed, sighed with them, the author is a genius, her story is poetic and intense, full of emotion and anguish, a story about love, second opportunities, pain, hope and friendship, and even if it sounds cliché, I will never forget it, get ready for an explosion of emotions that will be etched under your skin and will possess all your senses!!
April 3, 2018
This was one of those stories that will stay with me forever. It is a beautiful story of fighting for love while all around thinks you should walk away. Tell and Ella have this strong pull towards each other and at times the pull is dysfunctional and other times it's a beautiful love story.
I love this quote and it truly explains their bond towards each other.
"We're addicted to the chaos as we were eight years ago. Madness is our culture. It's our way of life. We come by honestly"
They are in chaos to fight for their love and it is ok. Tell is always ready to give Ella the boost she needs, Ella just needs to see that running away is not the answer. Ella is fighting to stay afloat all along she need Tell to help her. As they work through all their ups and downs they finally see they are meant for each other. They can't breathe without each other.
See more on release day on A Day With Ethel...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC90d...
I love this quote and it truly explains their bond towards each other.
"We're addicted to the chaos as we were eight years ago. Madness is our culture. It's our way of life. We come by honestly"
They are in chaos to fight for their love and it is ok. Tell is always ready to give Ella the boost she needs, Ella just needs to see that running away is not the answer. Ella is fighting to stay afloat all along she need Tell to help her. As they work through all their ups and downs they finally see they are meant for each other. They can't breathe without each other.
See more on release day on A Day With Ethel...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC90d...
April 2, 2018
Well I've been waiting for this book to come out for so long and let me tell you it was worth the wait. I went into reading Closer not knowing it was a duet and at the end I just wanted more. I finally got my more. Teller and Smella are back again to show how us how dysfunctional they are.
"Tell me what this is" "Covering my mouth with my hands to keep from crying out, I squeeze my sad-soaked lashes. "I don't know," I whisper. "I'll tell you what it isn't baby" His voice is so close I feel his breath on the back of my neck. "This isn't over."
As usual Ella has run away and Teller is more than happy to chase her. I really didn't know how this story would go, having read other books by Mary Elizabeth I know that anything goes.
"At least I get to walk you down the aisle once, " Teller whispers.
"Keep your first name, " I say. "But take my last."
Some things did happen in this story that I have to say I didn't expect AT ALL but was soooooo happy about. I really don't want to give anything away because if you're a true Teller and Ella fan you just want to go in blind. I will say that Mary's writing is spot on as always, she has such a poetic way of weaving a story and it's incredible to read. I want more!!!!
"Tell me what this is" "Covering my mouth with my hands to keep from crying out, I squeeze my sad-soaked lashes. "I don't know," I whisper. "I'll tell you what it isn't baby" His voice is so close I feel his breath on the back of my neck. "This isn't over."
As usual Ella has run away and Teller is more than happy to chase her. I really didn't know how this story would go, having read other books by Mary Elizabeth I know that anything goes.
"At least I get to walk you down the aisle once, " Teller whispers.
"Keep your first name, " I say. "But take my last."
Some things did happen in this story that I have to say I didn't expect AT ALL but was soooooo happy about. I really don't want to give anything away because if you're a true Teller and Ella fan you just want to go in blind. I will say that Mary's writing is spot on as always, she has such a poetic way of weaving a story and it's incredible to read. I want more!!!!
April 16, 2018
I’ve been waiting for SEVER to release for what feels like forever. And, boy, was the wait worth it!
Ella and Teller start off as friends when they first meet in CLOSER- the first book in the series. From the very beginning, lines are blurred. Their relationship is volatile and dysfunctional on a good day; you can’t help but want to cheer them one minute and be wary of them the next. They are equal parts perfect and completely wrong for each other, but Mary Elizabeth makes them work.
This story isn’t your typical romance, but they work for their eventual HEA in a way that only suits them.
I love Elizabeth’s distinctive writing style and cannot wait for the conclusion of the series, CRAWL!
Ella and Teller start off as friends when they first meet in CLOSER- the first book in the series. From the very beginning, lines are blurred. Their relationship is volatile and dysfunctional on a good day; you can’t help but want to cheer them one minute and be wary of them the next. They are equal parts perfect and completely wrong for each other, but Mary Elizabeth makes them work.
This story isn’t your typical romance, but they work for their eventual HEA in a way that only suits them.
I love Elizabeth’s distinctive writing style and cannot wait for the conclusion of the series, CRAWL!
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