The Bonds that Make Us

Upper Echelon Duet (Updated) #2

by Dee Garcia

I got the girl.
I lost the girl.
I realized I couldn’t live without the girl.
And then I won her back.
Waiting for Benni was easily one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. She’s it for me, and while it wasn't easy, I’d do it all over again if I had to. I’d do anything for her.
Her freedom comes with a price, though.
She’s fighting a silent battle, warring with demons living rent-free in her head, and unfortunately for us, that’s not the only battle we’ll have to face…
That almost-ex of hers, the man who I’m only just learning she went down for, has made it perfectly clear he wants her back, that he wants what’s mine. He also claims to have answers.
Answers Benni’s family have been hoping for since Tomás was left for dead.
I thought learning the truth would bring them peace, but you know what they say: fuck around and find out.
My biggest mistake wasn’t allowing her to meet with him.
It was thinking nothing would change, that nothing could shake us, not even after she suffers the greatest of losses.
But it does.
Communication fades, lies and secrets fill the silence, an imminent sense of doom hanging heavy in the air, and in the end, it’ll be proven some bonds can never be broken—no matter how toxic and screwed up we think they may be.

Genres: Dark Romance, Contemporary

494 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2022

About the author

Dee Garcia is a voracious fan of romance novels and a long time lover of the written word. Her mission is to craft unique, compelling stories that will give her readers a place to briefly escape the trials and tribulations of everyday reality. With headstrong heroine's who don't need a man to stand on their own two feet, Dee hopes to leave her mark in the Indie world, one plot twist at a time.

Reviews

[Kelly G (Now Accepting Book Boyfriend Applications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨A TOP READ OF 2022✨

Woah! I am at such a loss right now. My heart is in a billion pieces! I am still 100% #TeamAndres.... that man is the swooniest and hottest (excuse me while I fan myself!) While Angel has come in and made a great argument for himself.... I can't let go of Andres! And I am hoping beyond all hope that Benni doesn't either! I will say that I did struggle to get through parts of the book because Benni was suffering from PTSD and Anxiety..... when she had panic attacks I had to put the book down for a bit because I was having to calm myself.... and the scene where her mother dies (not a spoiler because we all knew it would happen) I cried my freaking eyes out! And through it all Andres is there! He is there!!! And now Benni is not at all sure who she will end up being with! I just can't with the heart break.... and now I have to wait for the next book to get a resolution! I can only hope that it is the one I am looking for..... but I am not going to lie.... my track record isn't great y'all...... normally the heroine doesn't choose the man I want her with in love triangles .


Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Swoon 😍😍😍😍
Angst 💔💔💔💔

[blank ⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah things went downhill.

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely worth the wait! Omg I don’t even know what to say this one was so much more emotional the angst the heartache the emotional roller coaster ride this author takes us on and that ending stabbed me right in my heart I can’t even speak after finishing it I finished it late last night and I haven’t been able to move on since ! Dee Garcia has such a way with writing her world building is amazing her details and descriptions are so on point and all her feelings she puts in to this story this makes for a amazing book that left me screaming crying and wanting to throw my kindle this one hurt so much more than the first one if that’s possible and I am dying for the third and final book in Bennies story. Dang girl way to leave us with our hearts in our throats! And no I can’t decide if I’m on team André or team Ángel don’t even ask me to choose because I can’t!

[Vero Exposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

WHAT THE FUCK. That ending was crazy man. Omg I’ve been left speechless. Damn. Anyways, first of all, I’m definitely team Andres. I know Benni isn’t going to end up with him but wtv. His my child, my baby, I love him. I’ll protect him with everything.

I love Benni but she made me so mad at the end. Lying to Andres and just hurting him. I gotta protect him. And I honestly think she doesn’t deserve because she can’t give him all the love he deserves.

I don’t care much for Angel. Andres won my heart but I see the vision with him and Benni. I just want my baby Andres to be happy. I was thinking it would be pretty cool and funny if he ended up with Nono 😝. I’ll just have to wait for the next book. Toodles!

[Daena♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still an Andres stan🤷🏻‍♀️

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m typing this with a stupid fucking smirk on my face. dee garcia, girl 😭 ima need you to hand over book 3, AHORA! i ate this book up. shit, i ate both books up within 24 hours.

as far as the rating is concerned i give this book 4.5 stars. it was great and i loved it, but i do feel like there was a bit of filler and just not enough ángel. [anything after this contains spoilers] i know a part of it helps character/world build, but i just felt like we could’ve had a bit less of the back and forth with andrés and benni. i felt like benni withdrew way earlier than she even realized because she doesn’t really love andrés as much as loves the idea of him. her dream before her release signified that for me! benni wanted to please her mom, stay clean and be loved the way she thought ángel couldn’t, but boy was she fucking wrong.

SPEAKING of ángel, dee you sprinkled crack on that man. i was always holding my breath hoping he was about to pop up. your writing has me feeling just as hooked as benni! i need more and i need their hea BAD.

honestly i could sit here rambling forever about how much i loved this book or how much i love this series, but i just want to thank dee for the love she clearly put into these books. as a heavily tattooed puerto rican woman in florida, i feel seen. i also would love to touch on how relatable benni is! being a daughter in a latinx family having to constantly be strong and putting on a mask to make it through is so fucking real. even the little details like your family not taking your mental health seriously or downplaying the severity.

this was WAY longer than intended, but again i just love these books and i can wholeheartedly say that benni and ángel have a place in my heart and this series will be a comfort read.

[Lightening · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you thought book 1 was brutal, The Bonds That Make Us will SHATTER you. You are in for such an emotional rollercoaster ride. I wanted to cry, scream and even throw this book against the wall, Garcia slays in this. She will mess you up and leave you on such a cliffhanger, you’re dying for more. The feels, the angst, the last scene, it’s all designed to tear at your heart. Hands down, her best book to date.

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a time that I was really sad because I thought I would never get the conclusion of Benni, Andrés, and Ángel. When this author decided to rebrand this and add additional content and give it a conclusion, I was ECSTATIC.

I have not hidden my love of Andrés from the very beginning. This continuation continued that devotion because he was so amazing to Bennie. The amount of swoon-worthy moments in this book was numerous. Honestly, I am not sure what he could have truly done to make me love him anymore. I adored how patient and understanding he was in helping Benni transition to life on the outside, as well as coming to terms with what she had experienced on the inside. The author did a great job showing that PTSD comes in a myriad of ways. She also reminds her readers that what a person did in their past does and that they still deserve to experience beautiful things. The chemistry and steam between these two was FIRE. One word; Ribbons. IYKYK

Benni grew in this book. Instead of just seeing her as this strong take no crap person that she showed everybody around her in the first book, this book allowed her to be softer in a manner of speaking. There was a vulnerability to her that I adored as I watched her traverse a life that was not on the shadier side of things. I watched her blossom with her mom and sister and also with A's family. That was beautiful because she deserved that. I was invested in watching her and Andrés that I forget about Ángel for the most part until he would make an appearance. When he finally started to play a pivotal role in the story again and had interactions with Benni, I have to say, I felt for him but not the way that I was supposed to feel.

From the beginning, I have known that the likelihood of Andrés and Benni being end game was not likely to happen because it seemed like it was always going to be Ángel as the winner and that Andrés was just a fill-in until that time. Even knowing that I still was devoted to my A man. It didn't matter that he was a GOOD guy and normally I am all about the BAD guy in my romance novels. I could see the appeal of Ángel because, hello he is FINE. However, in this book, I still did not feel like he was truly the man for Benni. I get that there were extenuating circumstances as to why things went down the way that they did but I still didn't feel it with him in this book. Maybe, it was the fact that he wasn't being as aggressive or assertive as I would have thought someone like him would be in his pursuit of getting his woman back. I am sure that will all change when the next book comes because the author did steer her audience into knowing that the tides were changing with how this book will go by the way that it ended. I am not going to lie, it stung a lot.

It will be interesting to see how the author tends to make everything all right for all the characters. In particular, my man because he sure deserves something good, and if that isn't going to be Benni after everything he has done to help her heal then I need to see he has hope for something good. I know she won't leave me hanging, or at least I hope she won't. I can't believe that I am getting a third book to answer these questions when for the longest time I didn't think I was even going to get a book 2.

[Nolagirl29 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deserves so much more than 5 stars! I knew it was going to be amazing but it superseded my expectations. It checks all of my boxes! This is a must-read that I was unable to put down. Dee Garcia has quickly become a one-click author for me. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil this experience for you and trust me, this is a whole experience that you don't want to miss! You NEED (not just want) to read this book! It has buried itself deep down in my soul and I never want it to end.

I am not okay after reading this book. Not at all. It shredded me in the best possible way and my mind is blown! My emotions are all over the place. My heart is aching, shattered, and torn. I cried twice and I don't cry easily reading books. This book picks up where book #1 leaves off. Secrets are uncovered but now there's a different layer of betrayal and more secrets being kept. There is no shortage of angst, steam, passion, and gut-wrenching emotions. The danger and action kept me on the edge of my seat. It is intense, heartbreaking, and twisted but there are also sweet and sexy moments. I love these complex, multi-layered characters who are real and relatable. Each one holds a special place in my heart. In the end, I was left with an ache in my chest and shaking my head, wondering what the heck I just read. It is well-written with a plot that has me addicted and feigning for another hit of Dee's words! I loved every minute of this book from start to finish. In a way, I can't wait for the third book (and conclusion to this trilogy) but in another way, I don't want it to come because I don't want it to end.

[Bookish Barbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si es Garcia, tiene que ser buena.

When we left La Jefa, she was released from her sentence. During that she found someone she didn’t know she really needed….Andrés. Not to mention some chicas that were like family.

Benni is enjoying life on the outside, she’s enjoying love with Andrés and time with her family that she missed. But things are not perfect. Ángel is lurking and Mama is sick.

Andrés will do any and everything to keep his girl. He ain’t having no other dude trying to claim his territory. He has been there for her since she was released and plans to make it permanent.

Ángel is out there lamenting his loss. Watching from afar.

On top of all this, Benni is going through it. She is feeling the pressure of being incarcerated and it’s impacting her mental health. She experiences one of the greatest losses of her life. Can the man that is there for her keep her? Or does the man that still creeps into her thoughts still have a hold over her.

The Upper Echelon Trilogy will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what Birdy will do, and what each man will do in reaction to her actions. Each book leaves you wanting the next ASAP and Dee makes sure you won’t know which direction Birdy decides to turn.

Looking forward to the conclusion, but also not. I’ve loved these characters for a long time and am not too sure I am ready to let them go….just yet.

[Keri | Reads & Salt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dee Garcia’s Upper Echelon series continues with The Bonds that Make Us and it will make you feel ALL the feels. Not only does this author give us a closer look into our favorite characters but she also gives us an epic and unpredictable plot that had me at the edge of my seat.

I definitely had some theories after The Games that Break Us and this book totally threw me for a loop at first. I kind of loved the breakdown in this second book. Everything was high stakes in the first book but this second book was all about Benni trying to navigate life after prison. Andrés and Benni are finally able to focus on their relationship now that Benni is out of prison. Everything seems great now that they have their own place, careers, and get to spend time with family. Until it isn’t. Ángel is determined to get his Birdy back and make amends, which doesn’t help Benni’s anxiety and stress that came from being locked away for years.

The second half of the book felt like a slow moving car crash where Benni was stressing me the hell out. I was literally freaking out for her where as the reader, I could feel the pressure building on Benni’s back. That ending though. Dee, you are killing me! I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to see how this trilogy wraps up.

Thank you to the author for sending me this ARC to review. The Bonds that Make Us releases 03/22!

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀
- Mafia/Cart3l
- PTSD
- Character Development
- Love triangle
- HOT HOT HOT!!

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shock: 😱😱😱😱
Tears: 💧💧💧
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

[We Like them Dark Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not often when you finish a book and it leaves such an impression where you’re just shaking your head, feeling like you were straight up punched in the gut. That ending… I’m so excited we’re getting yet another book because it’s so obvious this author has poured so much into not only Benni, Andres, and Angel, but their dynamic and the chemistry that has evolved between Benni and the two men. I really felt so many times I wasn’t sure who to love more, but Andres sucked me in from the very beginning, and I’m standing firm on my love for him and every sweet thing he did emotionally and physically for Benni.
This isn’t just your ordinary love triangle-because I really have anxiety thinking about what way the author is going to continue the book, and who she is going to chose for Benni. I literally have gone over so many different scenarios but I’m sure I’m nothing close to the twisted and creative mind that is Dee Garcia. I was thoroughly impressed with Benni’s character-she has done so much growing, but we were constantly right there in her mind justifying and knowing exactly how she felt. It was easy to see that this character is just written so flawlessly in her point of view. This series has me utterly hooked, and I’m so, so excited for the next book!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A look that became a wink, a wink that became stolen whispers and kits passed in the hallways, and a separation that proved to me there was no way I could live without this girl by my side.” – Andrés

OMG! Are you kidding me! That was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. My heart can’t take anymore. You have broken me! I laughed, I cried a lot and man did I ever scream my heart out!

The angst, the passion, the pain – all of the raw emotions in this part of the story just poured off the pages and hit me hard. The suspense, twists, shocking revelations and unpredictable turns this story took had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails with anticipation and then leaving me breathless with my jaw on the floor at the end.

Benni, Andrés, and Ángel – what a conundrum this triangle is. Benni goes through so much growth in this part of the story, but she is still the badass queen that we have all come to love. She’s fierce and strong even when faced with some life altering decisions.

Brilliantly written with such amazing characters that you can’t help but fall hopelessly in love with, and with a storyline that literally blew me away. After the way it ended, I don’t know who I am rooting for now!

[Jenny The Spine Is Stitched · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, okay I lied. I’m sorry! This book! Was wow! I’m seriously blown away by this series. I’m over here impatiently waiting for book 3!!!! This series is definitely my top reads of 2022.


This book we follow more of Benni and Ándrés relationship. Which Ángel stalking in the shadows.

This book made my heart break in so many ways. I felt every emotion @deegarcia_author wrote.

Christmas Ribbon. Read and you will understand and won’t be able to look at ribbon the same.

Benni is just a straight bada** MFC!!!🖤

The cliffhanger we are left with has given me crazy anxiety waiting for book 3.

Once again I can’t choose. #teamángel && #teamándrés

I’m obsessed with this series!!! The writing is amazing, the story is an emotional roller coaster of a ride. The drama is perfect. The characters are beyond amazing (yes even the one people don’t understand, he just wants his girl)

“𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕚𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕨. 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝, 𝕞𝕪 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕛𝕒𝕚𝕝 𝕓𝕚𝕣𝕕, 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕗**𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕞𝕖. 𝕊𝕙𝕖. 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕤. 𝕄𝕖“
.......................................................
“𝕀’𝕞 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕝𝕪, 𝕠𝕓𝕤𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕪, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕣𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕪 𝕚𝕟 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝔹𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕚.“

[Sydnie Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. THIS book. THIS BOOK. When I tell you that the MOMENT it hit my kindle I devoured it in one sitting, and then LITERALLY SCREAMED at the cliffhanger(Dee, why must you do this to me?)...
Once again, Dee Garcia has poured her heart and soul into her novel and it feels so raw and emotional, you find it difficult to know where you stand by the end. There are so many deep moments in the second installment of the Upper Echelon Duet, and we finally get some answers we've been searching for since way back when we read Birdy. But, this newer version feels edgier and more dangerous and keeps you on your toes as Benni goes through each new phase and change in her life. The character development keeps getting stronger and stronger and the story keeps getting better and better. I look forward to seeing what Dee will doo with Book three!
**I feel so fortunate to have received an ARC from the Author but all opinions are my own.**

[Ola Adamska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this author had the power to write an amazingly intensive story with an emotional rollercoaster. And here I am - once again amazed by ms. Garcia.
What I liked was the beginning where the author reminded us what exactly is going on there where we left our beloved character - Benni. She's out of prison after quite some time, so this change can be quite enormous for any person. She's trying to start living a new life, especially when she has a new love on her way. New love and new life are what she needs, but later on what will happen when her past will call for her, Angel in particular.
There will be drama, lots of drama along with the pages and there will be twists (which I loved). I'm in for both options when it comes to Anders and Angel, so I don't know who to choose in the end. So... I need book 3 like yesterday!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I can die now. This girl, my little jail bird, she fucking loves me. She. Loves. Me.”

They way these characters are written is so real and raw. It really feels like Benni could be someone you know, a sister or a friend.

SHE DID NOT!!! That cliffhanger!? How are you gonna just stop there!? This will haunt me until the next book come out I swear!

Omg Benni 🤦🏼‍♀️ poor choice after poor choice. Girl, get it together, you’re killing me.

Andres, my baby 😍 he is so ridiculously good for Benni and her family loves him. He is truly an Angel.

Angel, I know, we love the bad boy. And he’s growing on me, I can’t deny that. But contrary to his name he would be the devil on her shoulder.

Can Noely and Julian please get together 🤞🏻

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story continues with more angst, lies, and betrayal....

The Bonds that Make US by Dee Garcia....
Book 2 picks up where book 1 left off.... Benni getting released and into the arms of Andrés.... she's ready to move forward and start a life with him, his family and her family.
However Angel is lurking in the shadows and Benni goes through something devastating and her world gets rattled up.
TBTMU is raw, full angst, suspense, betrayal, secrets, hot seggy time and twists you never saw coming.... I wanted to scream, yell, cry while reading...
Book 2 is amazingly well written and Dee continues great world building .....
Storyline is freaking awesome
The story ends in a cliffhanger that leaves you WANTING more and OMG WTF just happened...

[Carlie Drury · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bonds That Make Us lived up to how amazing book one was! This is a book that will make you feel everything, every emotion Birdy feels. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next and I was not prepared for the ending! Book 3 can’t come soon enough. Dee did an amazing job showing Birdy’s mental health struggle and her resilience in a realistic way. I was laughing, crying and cursing throughout the whole book. I didn’t want it to end but now I can’t wait to see what happens next. Aside from the amazing plot the spice just makes it even better. Dee Garcia killed it again!

[Tasha Talks Books Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so worth the wait. Let me just scream Team Angel all the way. This story had me holding my breath. This book was full of passion, deceit, fight, pain, determination and so much love. There were moments I was cursing Dee for some twists and turns and other moments I was falling apart.

As usually the writing which comes from Dee Garcia is so on point and checks all the boxes.
✔️ Well written
✔️ Sucks you in
✔️ Angst
✔️ Makes you want to strangle said author
✔️ Love the MCs
And so many more boxes. As we await our final installment all I can say is, hurry!!!! Please lol. Dee you slayyyyed this story B.....

[Corrinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow , this book… it broke me ! I cried so much through one bit ..you will know which bit , it wasn’t funny it got me so bad ! This book brings out all the feels like ..wow, I love Benni so hard and Andres more now …. But then there is Angel. Reading this book had me on team Andres more and more as I read but still was this niggle (ok more of a bite ) for Angel and bam reading more towards the end that niggle/bite turned into a big bite ! So much has happened in this book that I couldn’t put it down , I couldn’t read it when I could (life sickness) but boy when I did , I love this, it’s a must read !! The ending boy oh boy , need book 3 stat!

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book title: The Bonds We Break
Author: Dee Garcia
Book Series: Upper Echelon Duet #2
Genre: Romance, Drama
Tropes: Gangs, love triangle, PTSD

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3.5/5
Angst: 3/5

Plot: following on from book 1. Between Benni, Bala, and Angel. One is happy, one is in love, and one is angry. Benin’s reeling over a loved one's death and has another seriously Ill and an old flame who’s back on the scene.

Thoughts: I’m so glad I went straight into this one after book two. Book two was highly emotional. I cried at some scenes. This book was angsty, heartbreaking, and riveting. The ending left me with my jaw dropping. Dee has a way with her words that reels you into her world. Brilliant.

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m dead… DOA after this one. Benni is my girl and this one has her going through it. Angel is coming, and he just keeps coming. He’s determined to get his girl back, to at least make her hear him out. Benni has him to deal with on top of family, and still adjusting to life on the outside. Let’s not forget that she had Andres too, a man she very much loves, a man who has her at the center of his universe. What’s a girl to do? Adjusting is harder than she thought, especially when her past refuses to stay in her rear view. Miami may be hot, but this girl and her men are even hotter!!

[Lost Within The Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I the only one that is Team Angel??? Im sorry I love Angel I fell in love with him in book one and yes I know he is far from perfect but I still love him. I hate Andres in my mind he is trespassing Benni belongs with Angel always has and always will in my opinion that being said Dee how could you break my heart and leave me on tears this way. I need book three like yesterday!!! I need to know how it will end, I need the pieces of my shattered heart put back together again and I need you to fix it ASAP.

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible journey! Dee Garcia takes you on a extremely emotional whirlwind! Grief, anxiety, and secrets! Torn between right and wrong! You could literally feel her turmoil through the pages! Even though it was heart wrenching at times, the passion and love was still there! The Latin culture and duel language was an added bonus, along with the food and traditions! Things are heating up, and then a bombshell of an ending which makes me anxious waiting for the next installment!! Such a phenomenal read!

[Karlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Us birdy fans have been waiting for this book an by gosh dee doesn’t disappoint us either,you will feel every emotion in this book an even some of them will be directed at our favourite people,we get to hear from some of your fav side characters too.
I don’t wanna say anymore with out giving shit away,but please grab this book but make sure your read the first one too.
BRING On the final book.
Dee your shining bright girl

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dude I was dead after book one, but number two??? Get tf out. Benni girl, I love you to bits, but you had my heart ALL over the place until the very last second. I legit read the last page and out loud yelled, WHAT, and I’m sure I freaked my neighbors out.

Like I said in my review for book one, if you haven’t read this series, what are you waiting for? Unless you’re trying to deprive yourself of top tier smut PLUS killer plot.

Book three seriously can’t come soon enough!!!

[Ash Morzfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugggggh! I don't even know what to say. I cant wait for the next book! This book was just as awesome as the first. There's so much I want to say but I dont want to give up any spoilers. I love all the main characters and honestly dont know who I am hoping for Benni to choose, I would be okay with an awesome throple idea lol The cliff hanger, oof. That definitely left a mark. I finished this book and stared at the wall for like 5 min contemplating life lol the book was great!

[Ashley Cowsert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional Storyline

I am fully invested in this story. As someone who has anxiety, and going through personal drama, it did take me a few days to finish this story because I could feel each characters emotions throughout the story. But the fact that an author can write with such emotion and feeling for their characters truly shows the impact, and amazing writing that Dee Garcia achieves with her books.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is because I wanted more Ángel content. 🥵💚

But my oh my, this was NOTHING how I expected it to be.

Things took a dark turn for Benni really quick.

Adapting to society again, dealing with her mom’s illness, getting involved with the UE… learning the truth about her brother’s death, about Ángel’s innocence in all this mess, and accepting she still loves him just the same while trying to live a ‘normal’ life with Andrés? phew my girl had a lot on her plate.

I do like Andrés but he got nothing on Ángel and his history with Benni.

I’m so ready for the third book, there’s so much to unpack, but the main concern is how is Benni going to clean up her mess 🫣