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Stillwaters
Jonathan Sharpe is an engineer, a Gemini and a liar. He also kills people in his sleep. But now, he’s met the woman of his dreams, and he never wants to fall asleep again.
Cayman Stillwater is on a business trip to Sonthofen, Germany. Never in her wildest imagination did she think she would meet the man of her dreams. Or that he might kill her with his.
Hauntingly beautiful, a love story for the ages.
Cayman Stillwater is on a business trip to Sonthofen, Germany. Never in her wildest imagination did she think she would meet the man of her dreams. Or that he might kill her with his.
Hauntingly beautiful, a love story for the ages.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2020
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Brasington-Crowley
22 books47 followersJennifer Brasington-Crowley is an author, illustrator, artist and animal advocate. She is a graduate of E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and an advertising copywriter and graphic designer.
She is the author of the Lyndsay and Lainey Lion children's book series (www.sunnyvillezoo.com), as well as unconventional romance series Raven Song and Stillwaters, available for download from Amazon.com.
She is a little obsessive about things like music and animals and has finally come to terms with being sorted into Slytherin.
Learn more at www.sunnyvillezoo.com
She is the author of the Lyndsay and Lainey Lion children's book series (www.sunnyvillezoo.com), as well as unconventional romance series Raven Song and Stillwaters, available for download from Amazon.com.
She is a little obsessive about things like music and animals and has finally come to terms with being sorted into Slytherin.
Learn more at www.sunnyvillezoo.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 20, 2020
Pulled into the still waters and under I went
This book pulled me in from the first chapter. I had to know Johnathan Sharpe. Johnathan watches people die in his dreams and then he reads about their deaths the next day. His story is a sad one, but through a chance encounter, he finds the light in his world of darkness. His light is Cayman. She's sassy, she's smart, and she's dreamed of him the way he has dreamed of her. Their dreams of each other were never about death, but as silent observers in each others lives. They are two broken souls who have been crushed by the weight of their pasts. When they come together though, their souls are one. Their thirst for each other is enough to make the reader blush. Their whirlwind romance lets them dream of a future they didn't think was possible. It gives them hope when is hard to have any.
This book pulled me in from the first chapter. I had to know Johnathan Sharpe. Johnathan watches people die in his dreams and then he reads about their deaths the next day. His story is a sad one, but through a chance encounter, he finds the light in his world of darkness. His light is Cayman. She's sassy, she's smart, and she's dreamed of him the way he has dreamed of her. Their dreams of each other were never about death, but as silent observers in each others lives. They are two broken souls who have been crushed by the weight of their pasts. When they come together though, their souls are one. Their thirst for each other is enough to make the reader blush. Their whirlwind romance lets them dream of a future they didn't think was possible. It gives them hope when is hard to have any.
June 13, 2020
Jonathan and Cayman are perfect for each other in the most unbelievable way, you'd think they're soulmates. Now that they have found each other, what could possibly go wrong? Nothing, it seems... until you get to the end of the book.
From the very first paragraph, I was immediately intrigued by the dark setting. But after diving in a little bit further, I found the light in the smart and funny conversations between the main characters. While the dark undertone is clearly there throughout the book, it was easy to brush it aside as I followed the dynamics of this adorable couple. Perhaps that was why the ending shocked me quite a bit and it took me a while to recover, only to realize that it was the perfect ending. In fact, it was so perfectly done that there was really nothing else I could do but to applaud the brilliant author for making it as it is.
As with the author's previous books, Stillwaters is one of those stories that will stick to my mind long after I finished reading it. It's funny, scary, light, and deep all at once; it's definitely a hard one to 'classify' into a specific genre. But essentially, the story is all about love and everything that could happen between two lovers, whether expected or unexpected. To me, it was an unforgettable ride... or swim.
If you are a fan of the classic Romeo & Juliet with an even darker twist and a hint of Hamlet, I highly recommend you to take a dip into this book of modern-time romance--with a dash of suspense.
From the very first paragraph, I was immediately intrigued by the dark setting. But after diving in a little bit further, I found the light in the smart and funny conversations between the main characters. While the dark undertone is clearly there throughout the book, it was easy to brush it aside as I followed the dynamics of this adorable couple. Perhaps that was why the ending shocked me quite a bit and it took me a while to recover, only to realize that it was the perfect ending. In fact, it was so perfectly done that there was really nothing else I could do but to applaud the brilliant author for making it as it is.
As with the author's previous books, Stillwaters is one of those stories that will stick to my mind long after I finished reading it. It's funny, scary, light, and deep all at once; it's definitely a hard one to 'classify' into a specific genre. But essentially, the story is all about love and everything that could happen between two lovers, whether expected or unexpected. To me, it was an unforgettable ride... or swim.
If you are a fan of the classic Romeo & Juliet with an even darker twist and a hint of Hamlet, I highly recommend you to take a dip into this book of modern-time romance--with a dash of suspense.
July 8, 2020
Ah, a work trip to Germany, to a place most people have probably not heard of before. Idyllic, German, meeting a BFF there as well. What could possibly go wrong? The BBF gets sick. Okay, but there's still the German beer, so what could possibly go wrong? What the question Cayman Stillwaters really asks herself, is what could go right? Rediscovering life after a really bad relationship, Cayman is open to new things and new adventures, and she finds it in a reserved British man who comes with some pretty heavy baggage of his own. It's a (near) instant soulmate connection and the question of what could possibly go right is answered pretty quickly. The festive, German cows moo the romantic atmosphere to life and the demons too. Maybe Cayman should have spent more time asking what could possibly go wrong....
"Stillwaters" is a book full of surprises. Surprises that you, the reader, just learnt a new, random fact from Jennifer Brasington-Crowley's unique reservoir of knowledge; surprises that a book can fit a couple different genres together so interestingly; surprises that the book you thought you were reading ended up with such an unexpected ending...
"Stillwaters" is a book full of surprises. Surprises that you, the reader, just learnt a new, random fact from Jennifer Brasington-Crowley's unique reservoir of knowledge; surprises that a book can fit a couple different genres together so interestingly; surprises that the book you thought you were reading ended up with such an unexpected ending...
February 17, 2022
Utterly haunting.
Without giving away too many spoilers, this first book in the Stillwaters series draws you in initially like a dream. You fall in love with it the way you fall asleep - slowly then all at once as you're taken on this quiet, humble but passionate and all consuming romance set in the heart of Bavaria.
Jonathan is an enigmatic character that your heart instantly encircles with as much comfort and love as you can possess. And then there's Cayman. Cayman Stillwater encompasses for me so much trauma and her pain just oozes from the pages like a poison you want to cure.
The talent of Brasington-Crowley never ceases to amaze me and when it comes to writing unconventional romances, she nails it everytime. But what she does the best is not just pour her soul into every one of her books and creates authentic living breathing characters - she writes about mental health with such unforgiving and yet sensitive skill, with personal soul, and with a total understanding.
Each of her books live within me as some of my very favourites. I'd say if you haven't read this one or any of her others yet, you're a mere mortal compared to the people who have.
Without giving away too many spoilers, this first book in the Stillwaters series draws you in initially like a dream. You fall in love with it the way you fall asleep - slowly then all at once as you're taken on this quiet, humble but passionate and all consuming romance set in the heart of Bavaria.
Jonathan is an enigmatic character that your heart instantly encircles with as much comfort and love as you can possess. And then there's Cayman. Cayman Stillwater encompasses for me so much trauma and her pain just oozes from the pages like a poison you want to cure.
The talent of Brasington-Crowley never ceases to amaze me and when it comes to writing unconventional romances, she nails it everytime. But what she does the best is not just pour her soul into every one of her books and creates authentic living breathing characters - she writes about mental health with such unforgiving and yet sensitive skill, with personal soul, and with a total understanding.
Each of her books live within me as some of my very favourites. I'd say if you haven't read this one or any of her others yet, you're a mere mortal compared to the people who have.
December 28, 2021
Jonathan and Cayman are two souls searching for each other in this fairytale romance where knights can be in distress and not all dragons can be slain.
Jennifer Brasington-Crowley is an elegant, humorous writer, humanizing such difficult topics as abuse and mental health. Stillwaters is a must-read.
Jennifer Brasington-Crowley is an elegant, humorous writer, humanizing such difficult topics as abuse and mental health. Stillwaters is a must-read.
June 13, 2020
The love story between Cayman and Jonathan is pure and honest. Both of them are broken, hurting, and haunted by their past, but they find in each other the strenght to go on.
⠀⠀
Cayman has been in an abusive relationship that left a deep wound in her heart which she is sure will never fade.
Jonathan is tormented by guilt and believes himself to be the cause of the deaths that he is forced to witness in his premonition dreams.
⠀⠀
When they meet in a small village in Germany, Cayman is at a stage in her life where she is unsure about what her future holds. Jonathan, on the other hand, is determined to kill himself to put an end to his torment.
⠀⠀
They are not expecting to be drawn to the other. They are not expecting to discover a bond between them that had been there for a long time, without them even noticing.
⠀⠀
A fascinating, supernatural element ties these characters together in a tragic romance that will leave you wondering: if love hurts so much, is it worth to love at all?
⠀⠀
Cayman has been in an abusive relationship that left a deep wound in her heart which she is sure will never fade.
Jonathan is tormented by guilt and believes himself to be the cause of the deaths that he is forced to witness in his premonition dreams.
⠀⠀
When they meet in a small village in Germany, Cayman is at a stage in her life where she is unsure about what her future holds. Jonathan, on the other hand, is determined to kill himself to put an end to his torment.
⠀⠀
They are not expecting to be drawn to the other. They are not expecting to discover a bond between them that had been there for a long time, without them even noticing.
⠀⠀
A fascinating, supernatural element ties these characters together in a tragic romance that will leave you wondering: if love hurts so much, is it worth to love at all?
March 20, 2021
A must read!
Stillwaters is the kind of love story that reels me in hook, line, and sinker! A book about soulmates predestined to meet? Yes please! An all consuming love that fills all the cracks and chinks in the characters’ hearts? I’m in! A book that leaves you screaming at the page? Well - I’m still recovering. Brasington-Crowley pulled everyone of my heartstrings and Cayman Island (Stillwaters Book 2) is on my TBR.
Stillwaters is the kind of love story that reels me in hook, line, and sinker! A book about soulmates predestined to meet? Yes please! An all consuming love that fills all the cracks and chinks in the characters’ hearts? I’m in! A book that leaves you screaming at the page? Well - I’m still recovering. Brasington-Crowley pulled everyone of my heartstrings and Cayman Island (Stillwaters Book 2) is on my TBR.
February 22, 2022
Poignant, Unforgettable. Time and time again, I’m awed by how author Jennifer Brasington-Crowley can take a difficult subject and turn it into relevant art. Her exceptional writing allows the reader to experience a deeply emotional journey from the safety of their own personal space. Some readers will feel “things” more than others. Some will want different futures for her characters. Some readers will laugh, others will cry. But all readers will walk away from a Brasington-Crowley book changed.
Last week I finished reading “Stillwaters” - the first installment in her three-book Stillwaters Series. Already a fan of her Raven Song Series, I wanted to dive into this other world for comparison.
Unsurprisingly, I was immediately drawn into this new storyline where we meet likeable protagonist Jonathan Sharpe, a tragic figure with an unusual affliction. We’re also introduced to Cayman Stillwater – the honest, everyday woman who’s just trying to make the best of her life. Through their shared secrets, Cayman proves to be Jonathan’s soulmate, maybe even the other half of his soul. With an element of the paranormal afoot, we explore the mysterious world of dreams and what our roles are in the dramas that play out while we’re sleeping.
A standout in this book was the setting of the story, and how the author managed to keep it small while the characters dealt with such a big problem. This can be difficult to accomplish since many of today’s readers are used to being pulled all over a novel’s world in some sort of epic adventure.
Brasington-Crowley, however, can make a story epic in such a small space without drifting into hyperbole. And in fact, the author’s talent shines in “Stillwaters” because it IS a huge drama but written in such a quiet way that we’re pulled closer to the page, listening intently to the thoughts of her protagonist (Sharpe) and the dialogue between her characters. We still ourselves to better hear the worries whispered into our brains by the author. The balance between such a weighty topic and the gentle – but troublesome – way in which it unfolds was beautifully crafted.
As readers we bring our own lenses to the books we read. Some books stick a finger in old wounds and stir up difficult feelings. This is the risk we take as booklovers. After finishing “Stillwaters,” I wanted to give myself a few days to think about the story and what memories it stirred up inside me. This is the gift we receive when reading an exceptional novel. We can take our thoughts and “their thoughts” (the characters) and think about what we feel and why we feel it.
Very few books have left their footprints across my heart in the way “Stillwaters” did. If you are a fan of Lisa Van Allen (The Night Garden); Juliet Blackwell (her “in France” standalone novels); or Sarah Addison Allen (in particular, Lost Lake), you will absolutely love reading Brasington-Crowley’s “Stillwaters.”
Last week I finished reading “Stillwaters” - the first installment in her three-book Stillwaters Series. Already a fan of her Raven Song Series, I wanted to dive into this other world for comparison.
Unsurprisingly, I was immediately drawn into this new storyline where we meet likeable protagonist Jonathan Sharpe, a tragic figure with an unusual affliction. We’re also introduced to Cayman Stillwater – the honest, everyday woman who’s just trying to make the best of her life. Through their shared secrets, Cayman proves to be Jonathan’s soulmate, maybe even the other half of his soul. With an element of the paranormal afoot, we explore the mysterious world of dreams and what our roles are in the dramas that play out while we’re sleeping.
A standout in this book was the setting of the story, and how the author managed to keep it small while the characters dealt with such a big problem. This can be difficult to accomplish since many of today’s readers are used to being pulled all over a novel’s world in some sort of epic adventure.
Brasington-Crowley, however, can make a story epic in such a small space without drifting into hyperbole. And in fact, the author’s talent shines in “Stillwaters” because it IS a huge drama but written in such a quiet way that we’re pulled closer to the page, listening intently to the thoughts of her protagonist (Sharpe) and the dialogue between her characters. We still ourselves to better hear the worries whispered into our brains by the author. The balance between such a weighty topic and the gentle – but troublesome – way in which it unfolds was beautifully crafted.
As readers we bring our own lenses to the books we read. Some books stick a finger in old wounds and stir up difficult feelings. This is the risk we take as booklovers. After finishing “Stillwaters,” I wanted to give myself a few days to think about the story and what memories it stirred up inside me. This is the gift we receive when reading an exceptional novel. We can take our thoughts and “their thoughts” (the characters) and think about what we feel and why we feel it.
Very few books have left their footprints across my heart in the way “Stillwaters” did. If you are a fan of Lisa Van Allen (The Night Garden); Juliet Blackwell (her “in France” standalone novels); or Sarah Addison Allen (in particular, Lost Lake), you will absolutely love reading Brasington-Crowley’s “Stillwaters.”
November 28, 2020
Stillwaters is the heart wrenching love story of two people who happen to meet by chance and quickly realize they have a connection that transcends the physical world, that defies the laws of nature. The author always beautifully writes realistic female characters, which is why I keep coming back for more. Cayman, the main character, is sensitive and sassy in just the right combination. She’s not perfect, but is made stronger from her troubled past.
The author understands the long lasting effects of mental abuse, the constant feeling of never knowing if you’re about to trigger your abuser, and how the entire relationship can be full of trappings to keep you there. She’s always so intuitive when it comes to writing sensitive situations and always gets them just right.
I’m looking forward to reading the next installment of Cayman’s story and getting to know her brother better.
The author understands the long lasting effects of mental abuse, the constant feeling of never knowing if you’re about to trigger your abuser, and how the entire relationship can be full of trappings to keep you there. She’s always so intuitive when it comes to writing sensitive situations and always gets them just right.
I’m looking forward to reading the next installment of Cayman’s story and getting to know her brother better.
September 18, 2020
A gripping story
Jonathan Sharpe has been plagued with horrific nightmares his whole life. When he sleeps, he dreams of death. The next day, the dream comes true. He can't take it anymore. He wants to end it all...until he meets Cayman Stillwater. She gives him a reason to live, hope for the future, things he thought were forever out of his reach. Can she help him escape the demons that haunt him? Or will she fall victim to his curse?
This was a great read. The only reason I gave it four stars was the ending. It was good, but I wish it had gone differently. I personally don't like the direction it took. But that's just me. Overall, it's a great story! Looking forward to the sequel!
Jonathan Sharpe has been plagued with horrific nightmares his whole life. When he sleeps, he dreams of death. The next day, the dream comes true. He can't take it anymore. He wants to end it all...until he meets Cayman Stillwater. She gives him a reason to live, hope for the future, things he thought were forever out of his reach. Can she help him escape the demons that haunt him? Or will she fall victim to his curse?
This was a great read. The only reason I gave it four stars was the ending. It was good, but I wish it had gone differently. I personally don't like the direction it took. But that's just me. Overall, it's a great story! Looking forward to the sequel!
June 20, 2020
Stillwaters is my new favorite book! It made me cry and laugh and then cry again.
Cayman and Jonathan meet in a little town in Germany and the connection is undeniable. The author takes the concept of soulmates to a whole new level, and it couldn’t be clearer that these characters are meant to be together.
Stillwaters is a perfect mix passion, humor, and tragedy and has a nice touch of the supernatural. It kept me up way past bedtime, from the start all the way to the shocking end. I can easily recommend it to anyone who’s looking for an exciting read!
Cayman and Jonathan meet in a little town in Germany and the connection is undeniable. The author takes the concept of soulmates to a whole new level, and it couldn’t be clearer that these characters are meant to be together.
Stillwaters is a perfect mix passion, humor, and tragedy and has a nice touch of the supernatural. It kept me up way past bedtime, from the start all the way to the shocking end. I can easily recommend it to anyone who’s looking for an exciting read!
September 21, 2020
I love this book so much. The characters are real and their feelings are palpable. Jennifer Brasington-Crowley always impresses me with her creativity, thoughtfulness, and passion for her works. Such an amazing story by a wonderful writer. READ THIS BOOK. YOULL LOVE IT.
June 25, 2020
This story is an interesting experiment of mixing genres.
However, here's a trigger warning for those who turn to love stories in search of comfort and a way to escape reality: better not read it if your mental state is not completely stable, as it may cause completely opposite effect.
However, here's a trigger warning for those who turn to love stories in search of comfort and a way to escape reality: better not read it if your mental state is not completely stable, as it may cause completely opposite effect.
December 1, 2020
I was worried before I read this book that I’d be disappointed in the relationship just based on the Cayman Island book, but I was wrong! Involved a great love story with some creative twists and turns.
February 24, 2021
This is a fantastic story. I couldn't put it down! The characters are so well done and the ending floored me! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.
February 16, 2024
Jonathan Sharpe kills people in his sleep!!! And he’ll never get caught! But Cayman, oh Cayman. Jonathan falls in love with Cayman and they are adorable together. The ending is both shocking and perfect.
September 18, 2024
🚨spoilers🚨
This book is about Jonathan and Cayman.
I am feeling a bit defeated because i just wrote a really nice review and then accidentally swiped it way and i am hoping i can do the same good job the second time 😕 (fix that swipe away thing goodreads!! This isn’t the first time this had happened to me)
This book IS REALLY great! I was completely blown away by it.
The book starts off with Jonathan kinda telling the story, talking about for as long as he can remember he has had these really awful dreams and then he wakes to find out that what he dreams really happens. He is pretty upset over this and after seeing more then 100 deaths of people or pets or seeing sad bits of people lives in some way he just doesn’t feel like he can go on so he plans a business trip to Germany ( he is from England) to a place that he dreams of often about a girl named Ophelia who haunts him and who drowned in a body of water near where he is going. He has a plan and he is prepared to follow through when he has a chance meeting with Cayman.
Cayman is in Germany from the USA on a business trip and her bff Indy( i can’t remember for sure but i am pretty sure her name is indy but she is the girl in the 2nd Raven book). Indy speaking German and Cayman doesn’t so it was good travel together but Indy gets sick and Cayman ends up trying to navigate on her own and is trying to order food and Jonathan sees her struggle and steps in to help.
They soon discover they have an undeniable connection and the spend the entire night hanging out and just getting to know each other. At the end of the night Cayman never really expected to see him again but then he comes to her rescue again with another unpleasant man that she works with. They discovered more and more they are connected and after some time Jonathan tells her about his dreams. She get very upset and thinks he is full of poop and try’s to leave when he suddenly realizes that one of the girls in one of his dreams was her losing her baby. When he tells her he knows her this was she is upset and shocked because no one was there, and she never told anyone the details he knows.
Soon she realizes that she also knows things about him too. A toy his aunt gave him and stuff like that. She then calls her twin brother( and they have that psychic twin connection )to see if he remembers some of the odd stories she would tell him in their youth. He does remember some and reminds her.
Cayman and Jonathan start to believe they are soul mates just finding each other and start to make plans to stay together and Jonathan thinks that now that he has met her that he is cured because he stoped being haunted by Ophelia for the first time in years but he is still dreaming about the deaths. Cayman gets in a car to head to the airport more than an hour away. ( Jonathan puts a love letter in her luggage and some pictures he drew of her and himself, for her to find later basically saying he loves her so much and he is so incredibly thankful for her coming into his life and that he can not wait to see what their future brings. This isn’t exactly what it says but its the general idea)
Jonathan stays in his hotel room a little longer because it still smells like the girl he loves and he is feeling so optimistic for the first times since his parents were killed and these dreams started. He try’s to stay awake because he is so afraid to fall asleep and ruin things somehow.
Cayman calls Indy on the way to the airport but her phone is dying and Indy convinces her to turn around and go back to him because this is true love and she should throw caution to the wind. She decides that just what she will do because she can’t not wait the two weeks till they will be together again and she calls him with the last of her phone battery to tell him to wait for her, they will travel and figure it all out together.
Jonathan suddenly wakes up and he didn’t even know he had fallen asleep and feels like something is not right and begins to try to figure out why he is so troubled. He soon figures out Ophelia is not gone and he has a hand drawn picture of her looking very smug that he does not remember drawing at all and as he starts to remember what he dreamed he is very upset and then Cayman calls to tell him she didn’t leave and wait for her she can’t bare to be so long without him and he feels the same but armed with all this new information he try’s to get her not to come that it’s not safe! She says he isn’t making sense and she will be there soon and they can talk about it, then her phone dies. Jonathan in a panic so save her anyway he probably can makes and drastic choice. Cayman a little later comes in the sliding door worried about him and walks into her worst possible nightmare. ( I am not going to tell u what happened, you will have to read it but i would like to say that i was utterly shocked and just very surprised, but maybe i shouldn’t have been but i did not see that coming at all.)
The remainder of the book is the fall out of that day. I feel like i said it better the first time i wrote this but still you get the idea.
I cannot tell you how much i enjoyed this book, and i cannot wait to start the next book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️= so worth every second.
☀️= they talk about sex and have a few moments but not real details.
🤯= absolutely shocked with the turn out.
⚠️= rape, abuse, loss of loved ones, suicidal ideation.
🔊=audiobook made possible with speechify app
®️= rented it on kindle app but plan to buy it.
Off to the next 📖 book in the series 🤩
This book is about Jonathan and Cayman.
I am feeling a bit defeated because i just wrote a really nice review and then accidentally swiped it way and i am hoping i can do the same good job the second time 😕 (fix that swipe away thing goodreads!! This isn’t the first time this had happened to me)
This book IS REALLY great! I was completely blown away by it.
The book starts off with Jonathan kinda telling the story, talking about for as long as he can remember he has had these really awful dreams and then he wakes to find out that what he dreams really happens. He is pretty upset over this and after seeing more then 100 deaths of people or pets or seeing sad bits of people lives in some way he just doesn’t feel like he can go on so he plans a business trip to Germany ( he is from England) to a place that he dreams of often about a girl named Ophelia who haunts him and who drowned in a body of water near where he is going. He has a plan and he is prepared to follow through when he has a chance meeting with Cayman.
Cayman is in Germany from the USA on a business trip and her bff Indy( i can’t remember for sure but i am pretty sure her name is indy but she is the girl in the 2nd Raven book). Indy speaking German and Cayman doesn’t so it was good travel together but Indy gets sick and Cayman ends up trying to navigate on her own and is trying to order food and Jonathan sees her struggle and steps in to help.
They soon discover they have an undeniable connection and the spend the entire night hanging out and just getting to know each other. At the end of the night Cayman never really expected to see him again but then he comes to her rescue again with another unpleasant man that she works with. They discovered more and more they are connected and after some time Jonathan tells her about his dreams. She get very upset and thinks he is full of poop and try’s to leave when he suddenly realizes that one of the girls in one of his dreams was her losing her baby. When he tells her he knows her this was she is upset and shocked because no one was there, and she never told anyone the details he knows.
Soon she realizes that she also knows things about him too. A toy his aunt gave him and stuff like that. She then calls her twin brother( and they have that psychic twin connection )to see if he remembers some of the odd stories she would tell him in their youth. He does remember some and reminds her.
Cayman and Jonathan start to believe they are soul mates just finding each other and start to make plans to stay together and Jonathan thinks that now that he has met her that he is cured because he stoped being haunted by Ophelia for the first time in years but he is still dreaming about the deaths. Cayman gets in a car to head to the airport more than an hour away. ( Jonathan puts a love letter in her luggage and some pictures he drew of her and himself, for her to find later basically saying he loves her so much and he is so incredibly thankful for her coming into his life and that he can not wait to see what their future brings. This isn’t exactly what it says but its the general idea)
Jonathan stays in his hotel room a little longer because it still smells like the girl he loves and he is feeling so optimistic for the first times since his parents were killed and these dreams started. He try’s to stay awake because he is so afraid to fall asleep and ruin things somehow.
Cayman calls Indy on the way to the airport but her phone is dying and Indy convinces her to turn around and go back to him because this is true love and she should throw caution to the wind. She decides that just what she will do because she can’t not wait the two weeks till they will be together again and she calls him with the last of her phone battery to tell him to wait for her, they will travel and figure it all out together.
Jonathan suddenly wakes up and he didn’t even know he had fallen asleep and feels like something is not right and begins to try to figure out why he is so troubled. He soon figures out Ophelia is not gone and he has a hand drawn picture of her looking very smug that he does not remember drawing at all and as he starts to remember what he dreamed he is very upset and then Cayman calls to tell him she didn’t leave and wait for her she can’t bare to be so long without him and he feels the same but armed with all this new information he try’s to get her not to come that it’s not safe! She says he isn’t making sense and she will be there soon and they can talk about it, then her phone dies. Jonathan in a panic so save her anyway he probably can makes and drastic choice. Cayman a little later comes in the sliding door worried about him and walks into her worst possible nightmare. ( I am not going to tell u what happened, you will have to read it but i would like to say that i was utterly shocked and just very surprised, but maybe i shouldn’t have been but i did not see that coming at all.)
The remainder of the book is the fall out of that day. I feel like i said it better the first time i wrote this but still you get the idea.
I cannot tell you how much i enjoyed this book, and i cannot wait to start the next book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️= so worth every second.
☀️= they talk about sex and have a few moments but not real details.
🤯= absolutely shocked with the turn out.
⚠️= rape, abuse, loss of loved ones, suicidal ideation.
🔊=audiobook made possible with speechify app
®️= rented it on kindle app but plan to buy it.
Off to the next 📖 book in the series 🤩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
“You wouldn’t know by looking at him that he had killed over one hundred people in his thirty-two years.”
It’s not what you think! Jonathan Sharpe, a successful British engineer who looks like an Armani model, isn’t a murderer, but he does have “death dreams.” His first might’ve foretold his parents’ death, but he was only three at the time, so he’ll never know. Jonathan realizes his dreams are forewarnings of death, not the cause, but he’s had enough. His dream of a beautiful young woman lying dead in a stream haunts him. He names her Ophelia (as in Hamlet) and decides to join her in blissful rest. He travels to a small German town, where he accidentally meets Cayman Stillwater, and his suicidal plans take a back seat. But Cayman has problems of her own, and Ophelia keeps making appearances.
The story begins with a description of what actual death-row inmates had for their last meals. This odd bit of info segues seamlessly into Jonathan’s opinion of what he thinks is his last meal: sauerbraten, just as disappointing as his own life.
What begins as a kind gesture to help American Cayman order her own dinner (her German is non-existent) evolves into something neither one of them is ready for. Both Jonathan and Cayman are broken, but unlike Jonathan, Cayman doesn’t let her haunted past consume her present.
There’s so much to love about Stillwaters! Paranormal romance is not my typical genre, and I was surprised and delighted by the unexpected depth of this book. The love scenes were well written and moderately spicy. A minor character provides common sense and comic relief. I really cared about the characters, admired Cayman’s spunk, and was totally caught up in Jonathan’s tragic life. How did the romance turn out? Good question!
If not for silly things like cooking and laundry, I could’ve read this book in one sitting. Indie author Jennifer Brasington-Crowley has got my attention for sure! I’m definitely up for Books 2 & 3 in the series, but first I need to finish basking in this one.
It’s not what you think! Jonathan Sharpe, a successful British engineer who looks like an Armani model, isn’t a murderer, but he does have “death dreams.” His first might’ve foretold his parents’ death, but he was only three at the time, so he’ll never know. Jonathan realizes his dreams are forewarnings of death, not the cause, but he’s had enough. His dream of a beautiful young woman lying dead in a stream haunts him. He names her Ophelia (as in Hamlet) and decides to join her in blissful rest. He travels to a small German town, where he accidentally meets Cayman Stillwater, and his suicidal plans take a back seat. But Cayman has problems of her own, and Ophelia keeps making appearances.
The story begins with a description of what actual death-row inmates had for their last meals. This odd bit of info segues seamlessly into Jonathan’s opinion of what he thinks is his last meal: sauerbraten, just as disappointing as his own life.
What begins as a kind gesture to help American Cayman order her own dinner (her German is non-existent) evolves into something neither one of them is ready for. Both Jonathan and Cayman are broken, but unlike Jonathan, Cayman doesn’t let her haunted past consume her present.
There’s so much to love about Stillwaters! Paranormal romance is not my typical genre, and I was surprised and delighted by the unexpected depth of this book. The love scenes were well written and moderately spicy. A minor character provides common sense and comic relief. I really cared about the characters, admired Cayman’s spunk, and was totally caught up in Jonathan’s tragic life. How did the romance turn out? Good question!
If not for silly things like cooking and laundry, I could’ve read this book in one sitting. Indie author Jennifer Brasington-Crowley has got my attention for sure! I’m definitely up for Books 2 & 3 in the series, but first I need to finish basking in this one.
November 1, 2023
This was an unexpected story. It’s not typical of the usual love story which caught me off guard. It is well written but was more of women’s fiction in the way it handled the topic of soul mates, suicide and depression. The ending is very atypical of a love story, so don’t go in looking for a happy ever after.
The characters were vivid, sympathetic and likable, with some funny moments thrown in to lighten up the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
All n all a good read.
The characters were vivid, sympathetic and likable, with some funny moments thrown in to lighten up the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
All n all a good read.
Want to read
June 14, 2021🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (6/14/2021)! 🎁
January 7, 2025
So, I really like the premise of this book. That entire 'you can't run from fate' vibe that tends to become something of a curse, sombre and dire, weighing the pages with knowing what lies ahead is something I'm a sucker for. Premonitory dreams are also something I'm fascinated with, and the idea of dreaming of someone who also dreams of us comes with both a flutter of butterfly wings for the excitement it generates, but also a grain of dread. Because it must be so jarring, so upsetting, coming face to face with the unknown - literal - object of your dreams and realising they actually do exist.
What I liked the most, though, was the incursive flashbacks into Cayman's past and her previous marriage. The threat - and threat - of her former husband's psychological abuse was weaved into the main plot with precision, tainting every single one of her thoughts and actions, making it physically real for anyone who's ever experienced anything like that. The bit about never knowing what to say and editing every single word that comes out of our mouth so as not to stir trouble, all the while knowing it doesn't really matter, because the mere fact we exist WILL stir trouble, hit me hard and swept me off - because that is exactly how you end up. For the rest of your life, and around most people.
The ending was right up my alley, and not only true to character(s) but to the thread weaving along the entire plot. I'll leave you to make your own conclusions about it, but I'll say Alistair isn't wrong in his assumptions, for me. It's a somber, sobering moment when you begin to wonder if you're really in command of your life and your fate, or if you're just following a preordained script written for you, where you have absolutely no command of the outcome, and whatever you do will always lead you there.
What I liked the most, though, was the incursive flashbacks into Cayman's past and her previous marriage. The threat - and threat - of her former husband's psychological abuse was weaved into the main plot with precision, tainting every single one of her thoughts and actions, making it physically real for anyone who's ever experienced anything like that. The bit about never knowing what to say and editing every single word that comes out of our mouth so as not to stir trouble, all the while knowing it doesn't really matter, because the mere fact we exist WILL stir trouble, hit me hard and swept me off - because that is exactly how you end up. For the rest of your life, and around most people.
The ending was right up my alley, and not only true to character(s) but to the thread weaving along the entire plot. I'll leave you to make your own conclusions about it, but I'll say Alistair isn't wrong in his assumptions, for me. It's a somber, sobering moment when you begin to wonder if you're really in command of your life and your fate, or if you're just following a preordained script written for you, where you have absolutely no command of the outcome, and whatever you do will always lead you there.
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