Perfection.
Pure emotional, romantic, blissful perfection.
I mean, I have loved every single book in the Lark Cove series, so maybe it's no surprise that the only words I have for this final installment are of the "glowing praise" variety. But honestly, I don't think there could have been a more perfect ending for this series. And at this moment I'm hard pressed to think that there could have been a more perfect love story than that between Dakota Magee and Sofia Kendrick.
Simply put, I completely adored Dakota. I loved him fiercely. Almost as fiercely as he loved Sofia, who I was primed not to like (based on previous books in this series) and yet who captured my heart almost as effortlessly as Dakota did. The magic of this story is in how these two beautiful souls care for each other, how they lifted each other up, how they encouraged each other to be the best versions of themselves. It tugged at my heart, causing much swooning and fluttering, and overflowing emotion. There are many time jumps in the story, which is a thing that doesn't always work for me, but for these characters in this story, it was, well, perfection.
I was completely captivated by this richly layered, beautifully told love story. It is somehow complicated and stripped down at the same time. Both Dakota and Sofia find themselves dealing with some heavy life issues, which lent their relationship a fair amount of adversity. However it felt authentic, the struggles felt very real and my heart ached for them while they sorted through their demons and found their way to their happily ever after.
And, as a series ender, it gave just the right amount of update on the couples I'd already met along the way. So much good, happy closure here. When you invest in a series the way I had invested my heart in this one, you can only hope that it will leave you on a high note and, I am so happy to say, Tinsel left me on the highest of notes. And, while there is a slight feeling of bittersweet that there will be no more visits to Lark Cove, I truly could not be more satisfied.
It was just lovely. Tinsel is romance at its finest. It's heartwarming and packed with emotion. It's the perfect balance of lightness and heaviness. And the characters are so special, my heart may never let them go. I cannot say it enough, this book (this series, really) is perfection, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. ~ Shelly, 5 Stars
***
Pride.
A small word, only 5 characters, but one that carries so much power.
Pride can be positive. Something that can propel a person forward. Help forge someone’s personality and drive to make themselves better. Be better.
And just as equally hold someone back. Keep someone from bettering themselves because they shouldn’t want to be better if that comes with accepting help or giving someone the power to hurt or betray.
Acceptance. Forgiveness. More powerful words. With meanings and actions that can determine how someone will face the future. Accepting one’s own hopes, wants, needs and how they mesh with someone else’s—be it a lover, a friend or a family member. And forgiving those who are unwilling or unable to accept that you are your own person, and that your decisions are your own to make.
Where am I going with this? Well, pride, acceptance and forgiveness are woven throughout the story of Sofia and Dakota’s romance.
Sofia’s lived a life of a rich socialite—never worked a day and when confronted with the cold, harsh reality of her life, she finally realizes that she needs to find her way. Find her own self, her passion in order to truly find happiness.
Dakota is a proud man. His family is Native American and their strict, focused beliefs have forced him to choose between a life he wants to live and obligation to his family and heritage. He’s worked hard to make something for himself—to build a life, but will his family ever be as proud of him as he is for himself? And will his pride get in the way of his future?
And this is where acceptance and forgiveness come into play. Sofia and Dakota need to forgive themselves for wanting a better life. For loving the wrong people. For leaving or staying home, a job, a relationship. For wanting more and for not settling. For being who they are.
For Sofia and Dakota to have a future, they’re going to need to accept things that they cannot change about themselves, their lives and each other. Like past loves, family history and wealth. They both need to grow up, mature and truly figure out what they really want in life and if they’re happier together forging that future or if they’ll let each other go.
I absolutely loved the romance that developed between Sofia and Dakota. Loved what seemed like a fast burning, smokin’ hot love that would snuff out quickly but really turned into a slow burning, intense heat that could not be put out, no matter how hard time and distance tried. Their relationship was passionate. Emotional. Loving. Fun. Sexy. Smart. Respectful. And wholly satisfying. I loved Tinsel from start to finish and it was the perfect ending to this fantastic Lark Cove series. ~ Missy, 5 stars