Evergreen - The Complete Series

Evergreen

by Cassia Leo

Includes exclusive bonus scene from Jack's POV and a free bonus read!

Jack and I had everything. Then, in one brutal instant, the universe tilted on its side, discarding us into black nothingness.

Now, I have a cocky jerk for a husband. The only way we communicate anymore is in the bedroom.

With nothing left to lose, I write Jack a goodbye letter and head for Portland, where I quickly meet a neighbor who helps me find a job.

My new neighbor—hot, tattooed ex-soldier Isaac Evans—is complicated. Nevertheless, we form a fast friendship, bonding over our mutual desire to create something beautiful from the wreckage of our lives.

But despite the distance between us, Jack and I are still trying to make things work—fighting and playing dirtier than ever. And he doesn’t appreciate my new friendship with Isaac. Not one damn bit.

Genres: Contemporary

817 pages, ebook

Published May 9, 2018

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo grew up in California and has lived in three different countries. She loves to travel and her dream is to one day score a record deal based on her awesome shower singing skills. She is the author of the Shattered Hearts series (Relentless, Pieces of You, Bring Me Home). She is also the author of the popular Luke and Chase series.

Come chat with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcassialeo or Twitter:www.twitter.com/AuthorCassiaLeo

Or you can follow her blog at http://cassialeo.com to stay up to date on new releases and giveaways.

Thanks for reading!

Reviews

[Letty (Cover to Cover Book Blog Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

DIRT
This story about a married couple going through a very tough time after a tragic event had me pulling out my hair a few times. Jack’s constant desire to find out the WHY of the tragedy and reluctance to move on force Laurel to move out. The separation only serves to prove the love they still feel for each other and the passion that still exists between them, but there were some holes in the story that I was a little frustrated with.
Laurel is relatable and you can feel her pain. I still think she could’ve done more to save her marriage, but I understand how her depression and anxiety got in the way.
Jack is a complicated character and I thought he was untrustworthy at times. I had a love/hate relationship with him.
Isaac is another character I was unsure of and still need to find his place in this story.
This first book into the series showed us how intriguing it will be and how hot those scenes with Jack and Laurel can get.
SEED
This installement is just as intense as the first. There is so much angst, so much love, so much hurt, and not to mention confusion. The relationship between Laurel and Jack is even more strained and both are constantly grasping at straws trying to figure out what their life has become. Her relationship with Isaac is growing and Isaac is also confused about his closeness with another woman.
Secrets are uncovered (I was shocked!) and the love between Jack and Laurel is still as strong as before.

We see huge changes in the main characters, as they all go through personality adjustments. Laurel seemed more of a mess this time around and I found that her actions upset me more than once. Jack captivated me more this time. Isaac was less intriguing in my eyes. Seed is full of OMG moments. I was upset, hurt, happy, confused, and everything else that you can think of. I read this in one sitting and possibly stopped breathing until the end.
BLOOM
What a fitting way to end the Evergreen series!

After all the ups and downs, Laurel and Jack need to make some tough decisions. The love between them is still there and you can just feel it, but so many things have happened that just forgetting and starting over seems impossible. They have grieved, but I think they spent so much time reliving the past events that they’ve had no time to really sit and think about how that has affected them.

They had so much growing up to do in relation to their marriage. This is where all their frustrations have fallen and the reason they aren’t doing so well. This book finally gives them a chance to right the wrongs they have done to themselves and each other. We see how they both work to get better and possibly save their relationship.

I have always been #TeamJack and I am happy with the way things worked out for him. I won’t say what happens, but I will say that I was glad. I was also satisfied with the way things worked out for Laurel and even Isaac. They were all great characters who deserved to get a happy ending. The story was beautifully written from the beginning in Book 1 until the end of book 3 and I couldn’t have been more satisfied with the way things turned out.

[Dawn Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this just for the bonus scene that was Jack's point of view. It was nice to see that Jack could be human and get choked up looking at his wife. I liked getting the update of everything both Jack and Laurel had accomplished. If you liked Jack and Laurel's story then I think it's worth reading. It's a quick read.Cassia Leo really knows how to write about damaged lives. She takes a horrific incidentin Jack and Laurel's lives and shows the how each is dealing with it. In both cases neither is dealing very well. One is in denial there is a problem the other is trying to to acknowledge there is a problem. One is set on revenge the other is prone to panic attacks. It is an interesting study of both lives. Cassia Leo knows how to write suspense entwined with heartache and hot angry sex. I believe there is love there under all the heartache.
Book #1 Dirt I really don't like Jack and the way he exploits Laurel's weaknesses. I'm not sure he is going to be able to redeem himself in the next two books. I like Laurel and the fact she knows there are problems and they need to be addressed, I just wish she was strong to say no to Jack. The best thing I can say about Dirt is it left me wanting more. Not sure when Seed is coming out, I believe that is the next book. If you are a Cassia Leo fan, in my opinion she did not disappoint. I would recommend, but does end in a cliffhanger. Ugh!!! I was given an ARC edition for honest and voluntary review.
Book #2 Seed In my opinion this book had a little different feel to it than Dirt did. Things seemed to be a little rushed. Overall I liked the book and was entertained, even with things a little predictable for me. I saw the ending coming a mile away. I still can't stand Jack and wished he would get his head out of his behind. I still relate with Laurel and feel her trying and not succeeding at trying to move forward. I do understand the struggle she is going through. I want Isaac to stop pining after Laurel, he just annoys me. Cassia Leo knows how to write the drama filled love story. In my opinion this is a pretty good second book even with all the questions created. I can't wait for Bloom the third book. I received an ARC edition for my honest and voluntary review.
Book #3 Bloom For me this was an emotionally trip, through grief, wanting justice, anger and love. Both Laurel and Jack grow in this book, there is not the suspense from Dirt and Seed. In my opinion Cassia Leo did a good job of bringing me into the emotions of Laurel and Jack. I saw the growth in both characters and I never failed to see the love between Laurel and Jack. In my opinion this was a good conclusion to the Evergreen Series. My only complaint was the ending was a little drawn out for me. I received an ARC edition for my honest and voluntary review.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG I just loved this whole series. I haven't enjoyed a series this much from Cassia Leo since the Shattered Hearts series.

Jack and Laurel have the seemingly perfect marriage. They go out to celebrate their anniversary and leave their 3 month old baby boy with Laurel's mom for the evening. They have a great time, but when they return the ultimate tragedy rocks both their worlds. Fast forward in time and both Jack and Laurel are struggling to come to terms with their grief, both in very different ways. Jack is obsessed with finding out who is responsible and Laurel is going through life having panic attacks and afraid of everything. They fight and have sex, fight and have sex. One day Laurel decides enough is enough and goes to her Mom's house to clean it out and stay for a while. There she meets Isaac, a veteran with PTSD and a tragic past of his own. They soon realize they both have similar issues for very different reasons.

Jack wants Laurel back and Laurel wants Jack back but somewhere along the way they both realize they can't continue in the endless loop they have been living in. Meanwhile, Laurel and Isaac are growing closer and Jack stuns Laurel by demanding a divorce.

I won't spoil anymore for you because you just have to read it to fully experience how wonderful this series is. I devoured the whole thing in a couple of days. I will say that I was very pleased with the ending and I am glad that all the characters were followed so that we know how it turns out for everyone.

[Cynthia Settimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and reviewed this series voluntarily.
Jack and Laurel will break you down, tear your heart out and then put you back together.
After a tragic loss Jack and Laurel deal with their grief differently, and causes them to to drift apart. Can they get past their grief and regain their happily ever after?
As always Cassia has nailed it. I couldn't put these books down.

[Thaínes Recila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sinopse não faz jus à grandiosidade emocional que Cássia Léo consegue construir ao redor não apenas de uma história de amor tão visceralmente real e apaixonante, como, principalmente, de uma incrível narrativa acerca de como aprender a viver, apesar das dores e do luto. Uma das melhores leituras do ano.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m stopping about 25% in. I don’t know which book that puts me at but I just can’t stay focused. The writings good. The characters are interesting. It’s just moving too slow for me right now. 🤷‍♀️

[Teresa Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved but I wished for more

There were parts that I loved, brought me to tears. But I wish the editor did more as there were things that didn’t need to be in the book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Series!!!!
"Every flower must grow through dirt"

Dirt is book one in the Evergreen series. I was blown away! The blurb tells a little about the story but it is so much deeper. Love & loss are hand in hand. Chapter one was so moving. I was emotionally drained! The story took me in and would not let go!

Jack and Laurel are fighting to survive a life altering event. They are both coping in different ways. Theirs is a journey of survival. Emotional connections, loss, revenge are all sowed throughout the story.

"We weren’t just lovers. We weren’t husband and wife. We weren’t just best friends. We weren’t just occasional enemies. We were survivors, bound to each other by the kind of excruciating torture no human should ever have to endure."

Jack is such a strong character and very well written. His strength, tenacity, boldness are combined with absolute loyalty and alpha hotness! However, Jack cannot let go of the past. This is what needs to be done in order to heal and be present.

Jack and Laurel have a strong marriage, but even the strongest marriages can only take so much. Laurel in many ways was Jack’s equal, fierce and intelligent. Laurel is drowning. She has transitioned from an easy going, loving wife to a grief ridden shell of herself. She is a work in progress. Although she was absolutely shattered she is slowly healing and finding her way.

The story has other layers and characters as well, people associated with Jack and Laurel. It was not made clear what their connection really is. There are things going on in the background that are left unanswered.

I wondered about the title “Dirt” and then realized that as every flower must grow through dirt, Jack and Laurel’s story too is growing and blooming. But will the flowers blossom or wilt away?

I was surprised when the story ended on a cliff. All I have to say is I.Need.More.

"The seeds of doubt have been planted."

Why Why Why are my first thoughts!!! Seed is book #2 in The Evergreen series. You must read Dirt before reading Seed. Dirt, (book #1) blew me away and ended with a powerful and almost volatile scene! And then the wait began…. Or in my case, the most impatient wait ever!

"He was, without question, the great love of my life. He was my best friend, my lover, my protector, my caregiver, my everything."

Seed is just as intense as Dirt. Cassia Leo is weaving a web that will trap you!

“The ones we love are the ones with the power to hurt us most.”

I can't say anything more without spoiling Seed....

Finally the conclusion - Bloom!!!
“You need to decide if it is more important to be righteous or to be in love.”

Bloom is the conclusion to the three part Evergreen series and was just as I had hoped. Dirt took us in, introducing us to Jack and Laurel. We could feel the emotions that are sowed into their story. Every flower must grow through Dirt. Would Jack & Laurel’s grow or wither away? Dirt ended with a powerful, volatile scene and more questions left unanswered.

And so the Seeds of doubt have been planted….. Confusion, denial, and revenge continue to grow. Seed is no less emotional or intense as Dirt, overtaking us like a weed. With and intense circumstances that left me breathless.

As so here we are. The conclusion. Bloom. The soil is rich in uncertainty, the seeds are scattered. Will they bloom? Cassia Leo continues to surprise us. Revelations are around every corner.

"For Jack, it was always about justice. Justice came before everything. Even me."

Marriage is like a seed that is planted. When given water and sunshine it will grow and bloom. Sometimes the weeds can take over and stunt its growth. Other times it will grow beyond what is expected. For Jack and Laurel their seed has done both. How would they cope with their unexpected circumstances?

I was captivated from the beginning by Jack & Laurel’s story. Their love story, their passion for each other is felt throughout all three books. Their vulnerabilities, insecurities and mistakes made this journey an amazing ride! I have gone from excited to devastated and back throughout this series. I loved the epilogue as well! A beautiful and touching place to end. And one last thing….those covers! Absolutely amazing!

[Angief · Rating 2 out of 5]

I HATE cliffhangers and for the most part feel like they are a scam to divide up what should be one book. This really should have been one book. It was drug out and had useless characters added to take up space. Very disappointing.

I have read more by this author and liked them but this is definitely not my favourite series. This series actually makes me not want to read more from her, unless it is a standalone.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Jack's POV.