Just an Illusion - Encore

What a beautiful way to close this epic series! It's an emotional roller coaster for sure, but as quickly as the story breaks you, it also heals you. Though the original story concluded with book 3, the story was retold from Sawyer's POV in books 4 & 5, so Just an Illusion - Encore should only be read after enjoying the previous books.

This final part of the story from Sawyer's POV was pure heartbreak at times. The conflict he faced and the vulnerability he experienced had me reaching for the tissues a time or two. Throw in the videos and messages from Noah and I was a goner. Having this insight into his thoughts and feelings was pure gravy for this amazing series, and I loved also being able to see the things that had occurred off the page when we heard Mel's side. I don't want to give away too much, but even if you know the story, you don't really know the story until you've read Sawyer's side. Plus, the Rhymin' Rieanne cameo couldn't have been better! ;) The epilogue was fantastic and will leave reader's hearts so full (Oh, Nate! *cue high pitched squealing*). It's bittersweet to say goodbye to this story, but fans can rejoice that D. Kelly isn't leaving the Bastards and Dangerous world yet. Books for Darren, Jordan, and Eli are all in the works and so I'm looking forward to seeing the Weston family again.

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

Dawn Cunningham Roether

300 reviews3 followers

I LOVE SAWYER.

This book is written from Sawyer's POV, for Nate. So Nate will know Sawyer's love for Him, Noah and Mel. Sawyer loves Nate so fiercely and this book outlines how his love for Noah morphed into a great love for Nate. Encore showcases how strong, yet vulnerable Sawyer can be. When Sawyer reached out to Eli for help, Eli made me proud talking about his faith with Sawyer. MercyMe --You got me with that song, D. Kelly-- Now I can't wait for Eli's story.

This story could only be shared by Sawyer. He gets his HEA even though it wasn't in the easiest way. Now for Darren, Eli and Jordan... I can't wait for their stories. I am so happy I took a chance on this series when Side A & The B Side Series was featured on Bookbub, earlier this year (On My birthday - March 29). What a great gift, an awesome series that I now dearly love!

To really appreciate this book, it is best to read all five books consecutively. This is definitely a binge-worthy series!!! I will say, having several months between Unplugged & Encore, caused me to want to go back and catch up on some details that D. Kelly didn't repeat in this book. I really like the way she wrote the story without redundancies; unfortunately, I have a short memory for details. Crazy as it sounds I read Side A & the B Side and it wasn't until EP that I was absolutely invested 100%, Ride or Die. However, that is only because I am Team Sawyer from day one.

If you love a great Rockstar series, I think this one is a great one.

arc rockstar

KDRBCK

7,377 reviews67 followers

Melissa ❤️ bookaddict_fanatic

OMG what did I just read? I can't believe it. Just an Illusion - Encore by D. Kelly was nothing like expected and at the same time more I had dreamed of.
Just an Illusion - Enore is book five in her Just an Illusion series and not a standalone. I strongly recommend to read first the previous book, Just an Illusion - Unplugged.
While Just an Illusion A Side - B Side and EP are told in Mel's POV, are Just an Illusion - Unplugged and Encore are told from Sawyer's POV. I knew reading this book would hurt, but I believed the authot when she wrote, yes you'll need some tissues, but it's not so bad. Ha, no , it was worse. I cried my way through the book, had more than one ugly cry and it hurt, like really Hurt. And I loved it. I loved getting a new picture of Sawyer and his emotions, his reasons why he did what he did and my opinion of him changed a great deal. He isn't what I thought of him. He isn't the heartzless, careless player. He's a caring, loving man, broken by the tragedy of his brother's death and trying to hold everything together at the same time.
Reading this book gutted me to the core, gave me a cryfest, a sleepless night, a beautiful and heartbreaking story, and then put me back together - and I loved it. The writing is excellent and the story is more than captivating. I promise, if you cried over Amelia and Noah, be prepared to have a lot of tissues at hand for this one too. I higly recommend the book and the series and give 5++ stars.

1,129 reviews109 followers

2018-arc 2018-reads absolutely-must-reads

"We always had a spark, but our story is one best lived slowly." - Sawyer Weston

How do I even begin to put into words how much this book means to me? I have read this series from beginning to end and this is definitely one of those reads that will stay with you long after you've inhaled the final words, one of those that you'll have to re-read, one you'll highly recommend. Encore was an emotional journey filled with loss, heartbreak, friend/family bonds, second chances and LOVE. This book is and was EVERYTHING with ALL the feels and so much more. The Just an Illusion series is a PHENOMENAL, must read that will always have a special place in my heart! Thank you Dee Kelly for your amazing words and blessing us with this amazingly beautiful journey! I'll leave you with these words "We'll write our ending as we go. Each day will be a new page of our story. If we stumble or fuck up, we'll start a new page the next day and all will be right with our world."

Crissy

2,797 reviews5 followers

November 17, 2018

Just an Illusion Encore was such a fantastic read. It really is a must read story after you've read the previous books in this series. Trust me, you will want to read this series from the very beginning. We get to experience everything from Sawyer's point of view. The wanting, loving, heartache, resentment, heartbreaking, devastating, heartfelt, happy moments and so much more. Sawyer's journey to redemption, love and his happy ever after is one that can only be told by him. There were no tears on my part and I'm surprised I kept it together. Being in love with someone you can't have is hard enough, but the feeling of losing everything while being strong emotionally and physically for others has both it's down and up moments. However, in the end the journey was worth every minute of it. I not only loved this book but I absolutely loved this whole series and I highly recommend it. This truly was one of the best Rockstar romance reads I have ever read and it will remain on my top ten list. You will love these characters and they will take you on a journey you will never forget. I'm more than excited that Jordan, Darren and Eli will get their own story. To be honest, I would also love for Nate to have his own story and if it's with Cadence that would make my day, but when it comes to these characters I will happily take whatever I can get.

Misti Sonntag

439 reviews6 followers

What is fate to you? Do you believe in it? Sawyer & Mel may have not believed in it at first. After everything life has thrown at them there is no other may to explain it.

This book is written from Sawyer’s perspective. If you have read the other books from the series you may know how the story goes. But you don’t know it all. There are things that only Sawyer can tell and hasn’t been said yet. Also lots of the end of the story that’s not been told yet.

Dee did a beautiful job finding all the music for this story. I think that’s always been one of my favorite things about these books is the music. The songs Mel and Sawyer send to each other are always so perfect for the scene that’s playing out.

Sawyer has been my favorite from the very beginning. There was times that Dee scared me on where she was taking this series. So happy how it all played out. Sawyer has came full circle.

I can not hardly wait for the spin-offs to this series to come. But what I’m most curious about is the kids. I’m hoping somewhere down the line we get more from them. *Especially from Nate and Cady 😉*

If you start this series I promise you be as hooked to the characters as I am. I feel like I want to soak up any thing that might happen in any of their life’s. It is a definite MUST READ.

Karie Gibson

2,148 reviews14 followers

Let me say I savored this book! This series has been in my heart would from the very first book. This author made me feel like I actually knew the people in them. This last book was Sawyer's view. It pulled at my heart and made me fall for him even more. I can tell she poured her heart and soul into this book. It was a perfect ending and I'm sad to see it's over. I know we'll get more in the spin off series and I absolutely can't wait!!!

Nerdy Dirty & Flirty

3,985 reviews362 followers

November 25, 2018

Incredible ending…

This story/series has had me in its grip from the start. If you haven’t read the previous books do that before starting this satisfying ending. There is an overarching plot that binds the characters together in an emotional whirlwind of love, loss and life…

Sawyer and Mel have had a bumpy relationship and if you’ve come this far you know what has happened to them and their friends and family. I stay away from stories that make me cry – I run from them – but I couldn’t help but become invested in them and what happened to them. This ending, told entirely from Sawyer’s point of view, revisits their tragedy, its aftermath and the effect on everyone in their circle. While I may not have reached for the tissues as often as in the past, just because I knew what was coming didn’t mean I was ready for Sawyer’s raw and honest emotions. The way he dealt with things became clearer and, if possible, I fell more in love with him and this family of characters.

Don’t miss out on this roller coaster ride of lows and highs of love and commitment. Of family.

Ps. There is a small epilogue, separate from this story, that fast forwards into the future and gives a glimpse of what has happened over the next years. A beautiful send off to characters, and a story, that is firmly on my re-read shelf. Right beside the tissues…

Marina Skinner

1,637 reviews48 followers

Eileen (Bangor Belles) Robinson

5 stars plus

I need to start by saying you had to have read the previous books in this series before reading this one, as it's a series that must be read in order.

This book though....I had so many tears....so much heart and soul in Sawyer's story I had trouble reading through my tears.
What he goes through along with his family and friends is nothing short of devastating and to end up the way he has, will not only surprise you but make you see his huge heart.
It goes without saying that Sawyer, Mel and all those that surround them closely, have some rather heartwrenching times, however there are some beautiful moments as well. The words coming off the pages made for a beautifully Epic book, one I read in one sitting and powered through as I just couldn't stop reading.
I'm not sure what more to say to let you know how amazing, how wonderful the whole support group of friends and family are within this story and there are some profoundly beautiful words too.
This book had my heart in my throat....it made me feel so very much for the characters as though they were real. I'm not lying. I feel like I got to know them all on an intimate level by seeing how they cope, live and go beyond the tragic events.
Encore is an epic story of love, bonds of friendship and family and honesty as well as hard truths.
The Just an Illusion series is the most heartwarming but heartwrenching series you will ever read.

1,164 reviews30 followers

I knew having read other books in this series that this would be an emotional read and boy was wrong. It was more emotional than i prepared for!!
Sawyer Weston is a complicated man, the arrogant rock star, doing everything in excess, but as we all know, life can change in an instant, and change so dramatically that we have to give up almost everything we thought or planned. From the darkness of grief and loss to the healing and learning to live without a part of your soul, this book takes us on an incredible journey in Sawyers POV.
The worst senario has happened, Sawyer fell in love with the same woman as his twin brother. But when the devastation of his death rocks their world, how do you even begin to pick up the pieces? OMG i just don't wanna give too much away, but Sawyer, wow that man lays it out and shows you what real love should be. A man that will give his heart and soul for those he loves, a man that will take on whatever pain and heartbreak he has inside and still want to make it right for others. This band of friends stole every part of me, their love for each other, and their families. Sawyer and Mels journey left me in a pool of tears with this beautifully written story. One that will touch your heart and warm your soul.

5-star-reads

Vickie

274 reviews6 followers

The chemistry of this series continues in this last installment as the sexy heartbreaker Sawyer Weston shares his side of this poignant story as he try’s to win the heart of his Princess Amelia Triton Greyson. This book is as heart melting as the first . The characters are flawed and real. Mel and Sawyer will have you crying, laughing and feeling everything. Dee Kelly’s words are magical as she details the heartbreak of the royalty of rock and you realize that tragedy and happily ever-after sometimes coexist and that they take no sides. It’s a story of family and of friends who are family. The character development is off the charts as you learn more of Sawyers, Darwin, Noah and Wyatt’s secrets. This series has everything you could possible want. The epilogue is the best...so laugh, cry, and love as you follow the Sawyer and his Princess on their journey. Saying good bye to the Weston’s is difficult, but I look forward to the spin offs to read about Darrin, Eli, and Jordon. This book is a five star plus read! Enjoy.

Susan Trewick

571 reviews19 followers

This is not a standalone, you must read the previous books in this series and what a series it is! What a journey the reader has been taken on, now we finally get Sawyers point of view, he wrote this for Nate about his love for Amelia, Noah that fateful night and the aftermath. Once again the reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster, I felt like my heart had been ripped out again, shredded and then handed back to me! Sawyer puts his heart and soul on the line in this book, we get to see his vulnerable side and the person he truly is. What shines out most in this story is his love for Amelia, Nate and Noah, it’s taken him a while to get his happy ending but boy does he deserve it! This is an amazing rock star romance, tissues and alcohol are needed while reading this series, do yourself a favour and one click today!

*** reviewed for sweet & spicy reads-ARC provided for honest review ***

Reading to Escape

1,103 reviews

This whole series was absolutely amazing, but this book was EVERYTHING! These characters, the love, the loss, the heartache, the pain...this book makes you feel it all. Mel and Sawyer's love story is imperfect and challenging, but their happily ever after is so very deserved.

I never want to let these characters go!!! Reading this book and learning about how this group of friends/family moves forward following unimaginable heartbreak both tore at my heartstrings and healed a piece of my heart. D. Kelly is an amazing author with a beautiful gift of words. I went through every emotion under the sun reading this book and enjoyed every moment of the journey. Five Stars isn't enough for Encore!

Doris

3,597 reviews139 followers

November 20, 2018

An Outstanding Heartfelt Rock Romance

For those of us who have been following the Just An Illusion series you think the next book cannot out do the last book. How sorely mistaken we have been!! Ms. Kelly has thought of another way to have our hearts soaring and then has your heart breaking in no time.

This whole series has been exceptional and Encore only adds to this. This is Sawyer’s story and even though I love Noah I’ve always had that special place in my heart for the bad boy rock star. Even bad boy rock stars deserve a happily ever after, even if it comes with utter heartbreak.

Ms. Kelly cannot stop with Encore because if you have read her work I am sure you will feel the same way many of us do…we need more. (even though she pulls you through the emotionally wringer that has made this series so near and dear to my heart) She writes these characters with so much depth that you actually do feel everything they are going through which at times means you better keep them tissues handy. But it’s more than that because for me I feel such a connection and understanding to these people that I want to be a part of their story for years to come.

Pick up the first books in this series and inhale them just as I did. You won’t be disappointed!

arc rock-star-romance

Avidez Literaria

534 reviews26 followers

December 21, 2019

“I hear you Noah. It’s all a bit much to handle right now, but I’m trying, I promise. Damn, I miss you.”

Continuing the story from Sawyer's point of view, the fifth book in the series again brings all the feeling of loss, pain, despair and anguish. Showing the events after the accident, we see how Sawyer got lost, and we follow all his questions, his grief and even his guilt.
As already said in the previous book review, the story has already been told, we are only revisiting it, but even so, the sensation of novelty remains. In the original trilogy, the focus was on Amelia's grief, here in this volume, we see how Sawyer deals with the new situation. In addition to the sadness over the loss of his best friend and brother, he deals with feeling guilty about loving Amelia, with the pressure and opinion of others, and with the sadness that Nate will grow up without knowing his father. By the way, Sawyer's love for this boy is huge.
The road to his happiness was not beautiful and easy. It was cemented in pain, loss and tragedy. But just as Noah said, fate is very powerful, and in the case of these characters, they are all interconnected.
Amelia was lucky, even with everything that happened. Had the opportunity to be loved intensely twice. If Noah was the calm and controlled love, Sawyer is the storm and the passion. But the intensity and size of the feelings are exactly the same. They both love her. Each in their own way. And they will always be part of her story.
The story of these three ends in a beautiful and sad way. Amelia, Noah, and Sawyer accomplished their missions.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *

https://avidezliteraria.wordpress.com/

Jackie Wright

6,508 reviews123 followers

Where to start ... what to say that hasn’t already been said....
Well I guess I need to say you need to read the previous books to really get the best out of Just an Illusion-Encore. This is book 5 and just when you think it can’t get any better this author ups her game once again and gives us a book that I certainly didn’t want to end, I was captivated as this book took over , I couldn’t put it down. This series is one that I will read over and over again and finally getting Sawyer’s point of view was everything I could have wished for and more, yes I cried and I mean really ugly sobs but I also shed a few tears of happiness as well as a few smiles along the way because this book is full of emotions it’s full of heart and it will touch your soul and leave you with a memory of a love story like no other. This series is centred around the bonds and loyalty this group of family and friends share but in this book some hard truths need to be faced are their bonds strong enough to get them across the line ........
An epic journey of love and friendship whilst facing some heartbreaking tragic events make this a brilliant read and I’m not going to go into those perfect epilogues I’m just going to leave you with if you have read the previous books then this is a must read and if you haven’t started this series why not!!
I highly recommend this amazing series that fans of rockstars and fans of romance will love.

LaDonna

508 reviews20 followers

5-star arc backstage-books

I fell in love with the Just An Illusion series shortly before the second book came out and it continues to be one of my most recommended and most cherished series. Encore simply reinforced everything that has come before it. I guess I should point out that this book is not a standalone, you really need to start with Just An Illusion Side A and work your way up from there. Invest in a case of tissues. I am not a crier, but Encore saw more shed. Maybe not as much as some books in the series, and perhaps a few more than others, but all worth every single tear. That is a testament to Ms. Kelly's amazing skill. I read voraciously, but few books find me emotionally invested, and even fewer series continue to have that kind of effect. It's a bit bittersweet to know that this is the end of the focus on Mel, Noah and Sawyer, but I have heard that books of other characters introduced in this series are upcoming. I will be first in line.

To focus on Encore itself, this is the second book of the Sawyer duet. The first three books were written from Mel's POV, so while there is overlap in events, it is not the same story. I will not include any spoilers, but I will say that it goes beyond where Mel's memoirs ended. The bonus epilogue may be one of the greatest things I have read all year. If you have followed the BAD saga from Day 1, you've probably already in picked this one up, but on the off chance you haven't, don't miss it. If you are new to the author, start at the beginning and read in order. In any case, this is simply a must read series.

Jasmine | Filthylittlereader

1,430 reviews77 followers

December 10, 2018

Sawyer Completely Steals Your Heart
I think my title sums up the story of Encore. This is part two of Sawyer’s POV. The best thing about this POV is that it wasn’t a typical POV where it’s simply a repeat of the story you read in someone’s else words. Dee Kelly took you in the heart, mind and soul of Sawyer and it was absolutely beautiful. If he didn’t manage to make you fall for him in Unplugged, your heart will seriously be completely and utterly stolen in Encore. Keep your tissues handy, it’s nowhere near as bad as EP but it will bring tears. Despite the sadness and ache in your heart, these characters have become so engraved in your heart it’s so when you get to that last page the last thing you want to do is say good bye. Everything about Mel and Sawyer’s story is so unlike anything I’ve ever read and that’s what makes it so compelling, unmatched and transcends other romances in its genre. Oh and that bonus epilogue: perfection doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Taoanebr

233 reviews9 followers

favorite-read-books read-for-blog read-in-2018

This book is all about Sawyer POV, his heart out about Nate, Noah and Mel.

I’ve been waiting for this book forever and OMG Dee you’re AMAZING!

This series kept my heart on the sleeve, so much love and heartfelt and tears so much tears.

Sawyer is a family man.

The love he has for his family is so overwhelming, the memory of Noah, all his kids, Nate and Princess, the series was a gift to us.

I genuinely believe that life gives us no more than we can carry, sometimes we lost sometimes we gain, but life goes on every day.

Can’t wait to read more about Jordan, Darren and Eli.

And please, Nate and Cadence need they own love story.

My heart is full, my eyes are red, and I’m happy with Encore.

2018

Andi

1,192 reviews

November 24, 2018

I took my time reading this one. I kept going back to another Thanksgiving a few years back when Side A stole my heart & I couldn’t get the characters out of my head after I finished it. What an absolutely breathtaking way to end this series. I have cried happy & sad tears throughout this entire series, but I think Sawyer’s POV gutted me the most. Bravo Dee Kelly! Thank you for sharing your masterpieces with us!

Pam

1,718 reviews54 followers

November 26, 2018

Dee is very good at telling the story from the male POV and making it seem like a whole new story. This one didn’t quite feel like a new story, but it didn’t feel like a rehash either. While there were tears (both happy and sad), this book wasn’t quite as emotional as all the others. This was an excellent ending to the journey. I loved the bonus epilogue.

arc kindle

Stefanie Kral

761 reviews25 followers

December 11, 2018

✯✯5 Beautiful Stars!!!✯✯

What an amazing conclusion to an amazing story!! While this might not be the end for the men of Bastards and Dangerous. But, it’s the end of Mel, Noah and Sawyer’s story.

This is the last part of Sawyer’s book. He’s been writing his POV down so one day Nate and Cadence will get his side of the story of their parents Noah and Belle and the story of him and Mel falling in love.

Even though this and the previous book are kinda retelling Mel’s story but it’s in Sawyer’s POV and there’s so much stuff we’ve never heard of and getting Sawyer’s POV on things like when Mel went to Belle and Noah’s grave that night.

And, getting Sawyer’s POV on his time with the guys is great. We get the story of when the guys took Nate on his first fishing trip.

There’s so many feelings in this book. Sawyer puts everything into his story. He wants Nate to really understand how much Sawyer truly loves him and Mel. The hole he has since he lost Noah is unbearable.

Sawyer loves Mel and yet he feels guilty that he’s still there with Mel and Nate and watching him grow when Noah isn’t. He’d switch places with Noah in a heartbeat if he could.

The guys are still very much around Sawyer and Mel. Sawyer’s relationships with Jordan and Darren are great. Then you have him and Eli and OMG they had me smiling and lol bc Sawyer A- can’t believe how much he likes Eli and continues hanging out with him and B- he can see the evil glare on Noah’s face and it’s hysterical to me.

But, Sawyer and Darren really got to me. These two understood each other without the other one even saying a word. They both lost Belle and Noah. They’re living together keeping their eyes on Mel and raising Nate and Cadence. When they watched Noah’s video it broke me.

And, that epilogue was everything!! It had me no joke it left me a wreck and in the best way possible.

Needless to say this books amazing!!! Even though Sawyer, Nate and Mel’s story is ending they’re def not going anywhere bc the other guys from this rock band are getting ready to have their stories told. I can’t wait!!!

Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P -

3,860 reviews46 followers

This story broke me, I can't get enough of these characters and story!
I love this series so much, highly recommend this book.

Bel McQuillan

67 reviews1 follower

November 20, 2018

Epically Sensational Dee Kelly Truly Delivers 1,000,000,000%

Raw, Visceral, heart wrenching and ever so amazing

Be capitulated into the final book in The Illusion Series
Experience first hand account from Sawyer's perspective

From the moment the page loaded, I became captivated by Sawyers intro
and into where Unplugged left readers eager for more..

Definitely a recommended read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s all the way

Words cannot convey the true organic experience of Encore --
From soul wrenching tears, to joyous laughter, some shock and
disbelieving moments which render the audience speechless and feeling
A tumultuous array of varied emotions all at once or in quick succession.

Seeing Sawyer's progression through the weeks to months preceding the accident
The grief and pain he moves through whilst also picking up the care of Nate and the
Pillar that are Darren and Jordan along with my suprise at how Eli truly steps up and
Is there for Sawyer in many ways whilst Mel is working through her grief and devastation.
So many times I was just floored by Wyatt, Jordan, Darren even Eli -- the support and love they
Have for Sawyer, Nate and Mel is unequivocal -- Noah just wise beyond almost otherworldly insightful
and intuitive just decimated me -- I hugged my pillow and just sobbing from the deepest most cellular
aspect of myself As the tears fell (nose running -- full ugly cry) I remember saying to myself -- its just a book character -- get a grip -- but theyre not Dee's outstanding ability to make every person in The Illusion Series human in every way shape and form I literally felt like I was there with them in those moments feeling amd seeing what they are feeling and seeing on such a raw visceral level like I truly connected with each and everyone in this series.

Sawyer and Noah's mum initially I got upset with her for her request -- but it was short lived as it was through grief and wanting to hold on to Noah -- I truly love how she got Sawyer and Mel and albeit she at times presented as though she didnt understand, I highlighted so many things which resonated deep in my core -- she was truly an avid supporter.

Darren on many occasions brought tears and laughter -- I cannot wait for his story its going to be truly something else entirely and i'll have 2 boxes of tissues, wine and chocolate for his story.... he broke me with his plea after Sawyer and Mel returned from their honeymoon --

Jordan many times he too just floored me my only response being tears or laughter -- I cant wait for Jordan's story to be published 💖

I love how BAD and SOS stayed tight and a family including the security team they were truly one united family ❤❤

The last few chapters and the epilogue and bonus chapter oh my word
Just ever so amazing how Nate, Cady and Noelle became the Three Muskateers almost like their bond
Was just amazing and so truly awe inspiring to see and actually experience

And I loved how through every aspect Noah and Belle were almost tangible on the ethereal plane
their energy lived throughout the delivery ....

I dont want to write spoilers in my review
This is a series that needs to be experienced because these guys will live on in my mind well
past when Dee writes The End (which she actually hasnt in any of the books in this series)

Truly sensationally EPIC to experience The Illusion Series in its entirety

Good luck and trust me
Take a chance you will not be disappointed

These guys are in my blood -- and will live on 💖💖💖💖💖💖

✨ tweety ✨

471 reviews70 followers

2018 5-stars contemporary-romance

Before my review, a friendly reminder that you need to read the first four books (or at least the first three, Just an Illusion Side A, Side B and EP), or you'll be spoiled big time or either confused about some parts of the story that the author didn't mention in detail like in the books from Amelia's POV.

Encore is the second and last book from Sawyer's perspective. Obviously, if you've read the story so far, you'd know what happened in the past. Sawyer was always good at journaling and writing his songs, so it's just right that he gets his own side of the story, because he wants to explain to Nate and Mel how he felt, just like Mel did in the first three books.

Well, I love Sawyer and I loved reading what was in his mind when we didn't know because Mel wasn't there to witness some of his "moments". I already liked the idea of Sawyer and Mel during Side A, because his actions spoke volumes to me, but it was nice to know more about some particular scenes that Mel may have misunderstood.

Sawyer is a complex individual, moody, protective, and doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve for the world to see like his twin brother Noah, but what he does tells us otherwise. In this book, Sawyer has to face yet another difficult moment in his life. Mel had already decided to be with Noah and have a family, and that was already wrecking his heart alone. But then, an accident decided to remove Noah from everyone's lives and leave Sawyer, Mel and Nate alive. Sawyer felt super guilty he survived and was there to watch over the woman he loved and his nephew, although if he were another person, he might have been broken like them as well. Sawyer kept up for his family and we see his struggles during the aftermath of the painful accident. Acceptance is difficult, but he made it out and got the ending he deserved, the one he's always wanted but believed he couldn't get, because perhaps the timing in the past wasn't right.

The book had a lot of tearful and sad moments but they were necessary for all the characters to accept where they are now and who they lost, and what they can do to move on. There's a lot of angst, and this is one of the strong points of this book because it lets the reader "feel" the story more. Everything is amplyfied in the last part of this story, but the journey is worth.

I'm happy to have read this series ever since the beginning, because like this I let the events of each book sink in and I speculated about the outcomes. It's sad I have to let Sawyer and Mel go, but I'm sure we'll see more of them in the future because we all need a book about Darren, right?

Louise H's Book Thoughts

2,036 reviews317 followers

November 25, 2018

Oh my word, at 13% I'd had to break the tissues out twice!

This book can't be read as a stand alone. It is part of a five, yes FIVE book series. Had I known, at the start, that this was going to be a 5 book journey, I might not bothered to read it. After all, how can one story sustain 5 books you may ask yourself. Well D Kelly has proved that it is possible to write 5 amazing books about a truly wondrous, sometimes heartbreaking but always amazing, love story.

I would highly recommend a re-read of Just An Illusion - EP before reading this, since the two books are so intertwined. Because it's nearly 18 months since I read that book, I found myself having to look up some events. Whilst you retain the major events, the names and the personalities of the characters, some details are forgotten. I couldn't believe how many times Mel and Sawyer got close, fell out, got close again!

There was a LOT of new stuff in here. Some because it was Sawyer's POV of a scene, some because he wasn't always with Mel and quite a lot of extra details that we didn't learn in EP . Don't worry, there wasn't anything that changed the story in there! We also got some stunning epilogues of a 'way down the line' future, which were simply perfect.

Whilst I didn't ugly cry to the extent of EP , this is one heck of an emotional journey. Considering that you already KNOW where it's heading and how it 'ends' that is some testament to the awesome writing in this book. Sawyer changes so much and yet doesn't change at all, he is sweet, sexy, dark, demanding and with such a huge and giving heart. We get his devastation at losing Noah, but in more subtle ways than we did with Mel's story. I think that was perfect because we'd already lived that loss and heartbreak so closely.

I'm very torn between giving this 4.5 and the full 5 stars as I did feel the on/off/on/off nature of Sawyer and Mel went on too long. However I never felt that in EP and I'm also wondering if I'd read EP just before this if I would fee differently - I'm fairly certain I would.

So in summary, you may think you know the story of Mel and Sawyer, but there is so much more to learn. There is so much more to feel, experience, laugh at, cry at and rejoice at. If you haven't started the series then set aside a good block of time, because once you start you will want to read all 5 books. If you've started the series, then whatever you may think now, this is most definitely the ending that you need to the story.

amazon-com angst contemporary-romance

Amelia Autin

Author 43 books56 followers

4.25 Stars

Seems as if I've been waiting forever for this last installment of a five-book series I loved. Was it perfect? No. Was it a perfect end to the series? Absolutely.

I didn't think I could get teary-eyed when I knew (and have known since early on in the series) the heartbreaking truths covered in this book, and yet...at the very end, during the second epilogue, that's exactly what happened; the author pulled off a near-miracle, and I found myself blinking rapidly to hold back tears. D. Kelly is truly that wonderful a storyteller.

From the very start some of the language used in these books bothered me. Not enough to keep me from continuing to read the entire series, obviously, but I think I would have rated all five books higher without what I felt was an excessive use of the F-word.

And yet...the author draws you into the story so beautifully, her writing is so emotive, you tend to overlook those faults and read on. And thus I also overlooked typos, grammatical errors, and improper typeface usage in this book (three things I don't usually tolerate) because the story itself was so well-crafted. Only once did an error jar me--"jeans" used when the correct word in that context was "genes." Other than that, my brain noted but dismissed errors because I was so caught up in the tale, which is no mean feat.

JUST AN ILLUSION - ENCORE can be read as a stand-alone book in many respects, but you could easily get lost and/or confused with the large cast of characters if you haven't read the previous books in the series. Even then I occasionally had to think hard to remember who a secondary character was. But if you've read the entire series, this book melds almost seamlessly with the ones that came before it, and brings closure to a beautiful yet heartbreaking story of love. Not merely romantic love between the hero and heroine, but also the love between parents and children, brother for brother, and friend for friend. The depth of emotion is astounding, and all I can say at this point is...read this series.

Jen C

430 reviews15 followers

November 22, 2018

Sawyer is a heart thief

OMG Dee you have had me crying so many times reading this book even with knowing what the future outcome was going to be after reading Unplugged. This book totally slayed me, I don't think I've cried so much reading a book ever.

This book gives love grief, sadness, jealousy, happiness and love of epic proportions

⛔⛔⛔SOME SPOILERS⛔⛔⛔

Sawyer pours all his heart breaking POV out, from the Side-A all the way to his HEA.
He loves fiercely and will do anything to help people. A & B Side a lot of people were Team Noah, but Sawyer has always been my special twin. I thought Noah was quite selfish in some ways, he knew how Sawyer felt about his Princess and that should have been enough for Noah knowing Sawyer never falls for women. Noah's videos just proved the point he already knew who his twin was destined to be with also giving guiding advice from beyond. As for Mel I also think Sawyer was her No. 1 man but was petrified in choosing the more fierce all costuming love, ultimately choosing Noah, so it had me thinking maybe Sawyer was never second but always her first. And then there's Nate he does everything he can to ensure that Nate knows who his daddy was, his love for Nate is a force to be reckoned with, if Noah had lived I don't think Nate could have been anymore loved than he is by Sawyer and those feelings are repaid in abundance by Nate too.

Then we got the Bonus Epilogue Nate has questions and Sawyer is there for him with his unconditional love, and vice versa. You get to see into Nate's future and whether Cadence was his destiny like the family always believed.

This series is so bittersweet, but so, so worth reading.

Ashley Jasper

1,849 reviews24 followers