When I walked up the steps to Meager Senior High that September morning I had no idea that by the end of the year my life as I knew it would be over.
Every high school senior anticipates having their best year ever. I certainly did. Senior year, here I come! Watch out for Grace Hastings!
I had everything going for me.
Only the everything I thought was real... Was so wrong. Everything I believed in, everything I was holding onto up until that moment, turned out to be meaningless. Well, no. That’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it? This is more accurate — everything can crack, break, crash. Flip the f*ck over and burn.
And it did.
++The Year of Everything is a 30,000 word New Adult coming of age novella in the new “Legends of Meager” series which are a blast from the MC romance saga, Lock & Key Series past++
I daydream all the time, "what if" way too much, and am a lip-biting romantic. And I don't want to be cured of any of those. Ever. A New Yorker who now lives on a beach in beautiful Greece, I've been writing since forever because I need to. I have two children's books traditionally published and I've self-published my romantic suspense series, spinoff standalones, and a historical. Join me in my world!
Of course I’m going to devour anything Lock&Key and Cat Porter. I loved meeting my girl, Grace at the tender age of 18 before all the chaos went down, or as it was going down I should say. Loved her bumping into a younger Miller in high school, and the fact that his amazing art work caught Grace’s eye. We get insight as to why Ruby spiraled down the way she did, compared to the tremendous strength that Grace had and showed throughout this novella. And then we get those few sprinkles of Dig..the man under the shades. My heart will always belong to him. Love all of these books so much!!
This was a fairly quick read, but it was packed full of everything I’ve come to expect from Cat Porter. As a massive fan of this series it was such a treat to go back to where it all began, and discovering the events that led Grace to the life that we now all know and love. Cat’s writing is as spectacular as ever, and my only negative was that it ended too soon. I neeeeed more!!!!
The Year of Everything is the second in the Legends of Meager series. The Dust and The Roar focused on how they became the One-eyed Jacks and this focused on how Grace became Little Sister. The author does a good job bringing the reader into the 80’s. I was younger than Grace, but I can remember going to see Ghost at the theaters and using a land line. While simpler times; for Gracie, Ruby and Tania they were approaching adulthood and facing their future head on. These are strong women who knew how to stand up for themselves and support each other. It wasn’t as heavy as the previous book but it was still interesting and enjoyable. I liked seeing a young Miller and Wreck and spending a little time in Meager.
This back story of Grace, before it all began for her, was everything you never knew you needed from Cat Porter and her Lock and Key series. Sometimes a series comes along and everyone says we want more, more, more! What Cat gives us here is exactly perfect, exactly what we had to know. To have the base of why we love Grace so dearly. The Year of Everything is a short story that has a punch that most full length novels can’t give a reader. Thank you Cat Porter for giving us Grace and Tania and Ruby, our beloved Meager girls.
I am completely in love with this book! This is Grace through the time she started her senior year of High School. The year her Dad left. It broke me heart. I love reading about Grace and I LOVED we got to see Miller in high school. Loved it!
So excited to get my hands on another Meager, SD story! This is a fantastic coming of age novella in a time of nostalgia. A page turner full of the outstanding characters we've come to love in Cat Porter's spectacular stories. It's terrific learning about a young Grace and events that formed her into the fierce woman she becomes in the Lock & Key stories. So many disappointments in her young life but she's a survivor. I love this time period and the ties to my fav Dust & Roar. We see Grace encountering the Jacks for the first time, how she becomes "little sister", meeting her future in the caramel-eyed Jack and even glimpses of a young Miller. I love big sis Ruby and her wild child personality. So many tense moments and danger when Ruby lets loose. Don't let the high school/young adult setting fool you. The story deals with real life family issues, teen drama that's not light or easy, and the heightened awareness of the local MC that's always present in small town Meager. I will always love any glimpse of my favorite heartthrob, Wreck and my heart cracked when he gazed with sadness at the five and dime while helping Grace. (You'll have to read Dust & Roar to find out why). I love these Meager stories and long for more in this time period from one of my favorite authors with her beautiful writing and unforgettable characters. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC thanks to the fabulous Cat.
The Year of Everything is a great addition to the Lock&Key series. Cat Porter gives us another glimpse into Grace's world, pre-Dig. The buildup so to speak of her life as 'little sister' as her time in high school nears its end and her world is in a constant state of turmoil.
I love the strength Grace continues to demonstrate, whether it's with wildly horny boys who only want one thing from her, or the way she steps up to the plate when her family is coming apart, she will always be a favorite heroine of mine. To see that strong spirit even at a young age is definitely something to be admired.
With a few well-timed encounters with both Miller and Dig, I found myself both happy and nervous once more with the knowledge of what's to come and the pain Grace will undoubtedly endure. But it was great to see their young faces once more with Tania and Erica rounding out the beautiful memories.
But for those who don't know her story, The Year of Everything is the perfect introduction and will definitely encourage many to read the entire Lock&Key series.
THE YEAR OF EVERYTHING was simply that; everything! For those of us who have been following Cat Porter and her work, this glimpse into Meager and Grace’s beginnings has been long awaited. This book feels like a warm, cozy sweater; we get to spend some time with characters we love and miss. All of Cat’s special writing talent is included in this story. There is sass, giggles, sighs, tears, and sexy moments. We get to see how Grace is first introduced to Miller AND Dig. We see the family dynamic that shapes Grace. And we see Tanya and her relationship with Grace from their high school times. Take a chance on this book and peek at the wonderful world Cat created for us!
I literally CAN NOT get enough of this story, of all of the characters, of this magical place!
The Year of Everything encompasses Grace’s senior year. We get to experience it through Grace’s eyes and feelings. And boy does Cat Porter have a way to give you ALL the feels. You get to experience a few scenes that have been written in other books but in a new and fresh way. I can’t say enough goodness about this. I can’t wait for more!
If you have read this series, then please don’t miss out on this gem.
Today I'm thankful for the gift of more words from Cat Porter and her fictional world in Meager,SD. I couldn't help but relate to my own experiences from my senior year in high school, on the cusp of a hopefully bright future but still anchored to home and family. Grace (and grace) is the constant in this series, and it is beautiful to see her strength and steadfastness, even as a teen. I'm also thankful for the gift of more time with other unforgettable characters, especially Dig, Wreck and his brother. This book was a literary hug. <3
There was a lot of things in this book that tied up the loose ends from the Lock & Key stories. I would highly recommend reading this series prior to beginning that one, but only if you want to learn about the early years of certain characters. It cleared up quite a few questions that I had. I would definitely recommend this book, series, and terrific author.
There were a few other characters that I would love to see what happened to them from both this series, and the Lock & Key MC series. Hopefully one day soon we'll see their stories.
It was fun going back to Grace's life to see what it was like when she was a senior in high school. It was interesting to see how Ruby tried to be there for her, but circumstances spiraled out for her. Grace held her head high throughout which was a precursor for the rest of her life. We got a few glimpses of Dig too, and even a sighting or two of Miller. It was a quick, easy read and definitely worth my time at this busy holiday season.
If you've read Lock & Key, this is just a short glimpse into Grace's life in the year she turns eighteen. How she first met Miller, Dig and Wreck. We're also given a brief glimpse of her bestie Tania. It really is a must read. It may just put a few more things into perspective about her sister Ruby too.
Overall, a good quick read that links just about everybody in the Lock & Key series.
A great glimpse into Grace's life before we meet her in Lock & Key. The Legends of Meager series is so far well written, seeded with Easter eggs, and filled with epic characters we've come to love. Don't miss this one!
It was so great going back to Meager with Grace and Ruby in their earlier years. I loved the Lock and Key series and this did not disappoint. If you’ve not read L&K I suggest reading the Year of Everything first before you dive in for one Very Emotional Ride. Cat Porter Rocks!
The Year of Everything....a short story prequel is heart breaking and heartening all at one time. Also if you have read the Lock and Key books, you know what is coming....so there is that anticipation also. I loved this peek from Grace's point of view.
Wow what a great introduction to much loved characters. This legacy series is turning out to be epic filling in the years prior. Was great seeing a younger Grace and hints of Miller. Definitely a must read for either old or new fans of this author.
It's been a little bit too long since I've read the Lock and Key series so I don't remember if this book would be better read before or after the series. Sorry, I know, not helpful. It seemed a little repetitive for me but maybe it's because I was reading a prequel to a series
What a beautiful inside look at the family that made Grace into what we know & love. Big Plus also was how truly a special soul resided inside Dig Wreck Boner.....oh I'm in love with this series! Cat Porter you are an amazing writer/author !
The ideas and thoughts that went through the mind of a 17-18 year old, so very memory provoking. I like the way that you portrayed them. That Grace was some kind of special.
Their backstory (Grace and Ruby) was surprising and heartfelt at the same time. They shared an unbreakable bond that sustained them through thick and thin. A definite must read!
Seems like this series b is backwards. These short books would have made more sense in the beginning . I like the first books in series but not the history after the tragedies
Another great book in this series! Loved getting to read about Grace as a teenager and meeting the Jacks for the first time. Truly a great series to read!