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Ribbon #2
The Girl & Her Ren
“What do you do when you write down all your secrets? No…that’s not enough. What do you do when you write down all your secrets and the one person who should never read them does?
I’ll tell you what you do.
You hope.”
REN
Ren didn’t know the meaning of love until he took Della for his own.
To begin with he hated her, but as the months bled into years, he learned the opposite of hate, dedicating his life to giving her everything.
Every sacrifice, every gift, he gave wholeheartedly.
But then love turned to lust and ruined everything.
DELLA
I was stupid to write my secrets down, but I’d been stupid before so it was nothing new.
I couldn’t blame him, hate him, fix him.
I tried to move on without him.
But no matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to delete the secrets I’d written.
Until something happened.
Until he came back and read my stupid secrets.
And nothing was the same after that.
I’ll tell you what you do.
You hope.”
REN
Ren didn’t know the meaning of love until he took Della for his own.
To begin with he hated her, but as the months bled into years, he learned the opposite of hate, dedicating his life to giving her everything.
Every sacrifice, every gift, he gave wholeheartedly.
But then love turned to lust and ruined everything.
DELLA
I was stupid to write my secrets down, but I’d been stupid before so it was nothing new.
I couldn’t blame him, hate him, fix him.
I tried to move on without him.
But no matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to delete the secrets I’d written.
Until something happened.
Until he came back and read my stupid secrets.
And nothing was the same after that.
18 pages, Audiobook
First published June 5, 2018
1157 people are currently reading
5704 people want to read
About the author
Pepper Winters
99 books17k followersPepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters@gmail.com
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters@gmail.com
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 1,719 reviews
June 9, 2018
"Come find me on the meadow where the sun always shines, the river always flows, and the forest always welcomes."
This review is about 4 days late. Truth is, when this little gem made its way over to my kindle - I stopped every single thing to read it. After the mess I was in from the first book, I needed to read about the Wild's.
I really wish I didn't pick this up.
____________
Confession #1: I don't know if I want to give this 3 or 4 stars.
And because of Goodreads wonderfully painful rating system, I'm stuck with a conundrum.
Whenever I look back at some of those books that I have given 4 or 5 stars too, I always want to slap myself or sit down and have a .... bottle.... of wine. More times than not, I find myself giving books that I read a higher rating if it has emotionally touched me. If it made me cry - you fucking bet I'm riding over with 4 stars. If it made my heart skip a couple beats - Look, there's Alex wearing a cowboy hat and 4 stars on her jacket.
If it did both. No one and No thing can stop me from reaching up to the damn sky and bringing that last star down.
The Girl and her Ren is something that I regret reading, because it shattered my heart into twenty thousand tiny pieces. But it is something that will stick with me nevertheless. It was beautifully and intricately fabricated to take your heart with every page, and each time I think about Della and Ren, I feel the ache inside me from the missing organ.
Confession #2: I nearly DNFed this at 22%
This is what happened with the first one as well.
The last quarter of the book felt like a 4/5 star read but the first quarter felt like a cop out. It just felt like I was pushing myself to keep reading, but don't get me wrong I am glad I did. Once I got to the halfway mark, I was so invested - someone would have to had to rip my kindle from my hands to get me to have dinner.
So this is why I have my conundrum.
But let me not bore you with the details. Instead if you haven't already read this duet. Do yourself a fucking favor and get your heart shattered.
Confession #3: Pepper Winters is a force to be reckoned with.
This was more than just a romance.
This was a psychological thriller.
This was a parenting book.
This was a bildungsroman.
This was a cookbook for life.
This was a beginners guide to getting your heart repaired.
This was everything and anything in the middle.
Pepper Winters dealt with so many beautiful assets of literature and pulled together this fucking heartache. Lead by an unreliable narrator, and dealing with philosophical theories of Nature vs. Nature, I have fallen in love with the whole premise of this book. I cannot begin to explain how much I kept thinking about it after that epilogue and that's just half of what I can say about it.
It reminded me so much of Les Miserables. Because any realistic romantic book will remind me of Les Miserables, where the direct translation of the story is "The Miserables." Because love is sticky, and painful, and beautiful and broken. And anyone and everyone that falls into is miserable.
This review is about 4 days late. Truth is, when this little gem made its way over to my kindle - I stopped every single thing to read it. After the mess I was in from the first book, I needed to read about the Wild's.
I really wish I didn't pick this up.
____________
Confession #1: I don't know if I want to give this 3 or 4 stars.
And because of Goodreads wonderful
Whenever I look back at some of those books that I have given 4 or 5 stars too, I always want to slap myself or sit down and have a .... bottle.... of wine. More times than not, I find myself giving books that I read a higher rating if it has emotionally touched me. If it made me cry - you fucking bet I'm riding over with 4 stars. If it made my heart skip a couple beats - Look, there's Alex wearing a cowboy hat and 4 stars on her jacket.
If it did both. No one and No thing can stop me from reaching up to the damn sky and bringing that last star down.
The Girl and her Ren is something that I regret reading, because it shattered my heart into twenty thousand tiny pieces. But it is something that will stick with me nevertheless. It was beautifully and intricately fabricated to take your heart with every page, and each time I think about Della and Ren, I feel the ache inside me from the missing organ.
“If I touch you, I’ll never be able to stop.”
Confession #2: I nearly DNFed this at 22%
This is what happened with the first one as well.
The last quarter of the book felt like a 4/5 star read but the first quarter felt like a cop out. It just felt like I was pushing myself to keep reading, but don't get me wrong I am glad I did. Once I got to the halfway mark, I was so invested - someone would have to had to rip my kindle from my hands to get me to have dinner.
“I’ll always be inside you, Della.”
So this is why I have my conundrum.
But let me not bore you with the details. Instead if you haven't already read this duet. Do yourself a fucking favor and get your heart shattered.
Confession #3: Pepper Winters is a force to be reckoned with.
This was more than just a romance.
This was a psychological thriller.
This was a parenting book.
This was a bildungsroman.
This was a cookbook for life.
This was a beginners guide to getting your heart repaired.
This was everything and anything in the middle.
Pepper Winters dealt with so many beautiful assets of literature and pulled together this fucking heartache. Lead by an unreliable narrator, and dealing with philosophical theories of Nature vs. Nature, I have fallen in love with the whole premise of this book. I cannot begin to explain how much I kept thinking about it after that epilogue and that's just half of what I can say about it.
It reminded me so much of Les Miserables. Because any realistic romantic book will remind me of Les Miserables, where the direct translation of the story is "The Miserables." Because love is sticky, and painful, and beautiful and broken. And anyone and everyone that falls into is miserable.
“I promise that every breath I take is for you. I’ve never loved anyone else and I never will.”
August 10, 2021
this actually ruined me. wholly and devastatingly ruined me.
there are no words strong enough to hold this feeling.
della comments that 'this isnt a love story. its a life story.' and honestly, it would be such a privilege to have both the love and life ren gave her. what an amazing partnership.
a love story, a life story, whatever you want to call it, this story will always have a special place in my heart.
↠ 5 stars
there are no words strong enough to hold this feeling.
della comments that 'this isnt a love story. its a life story.' and honestly, it would be such a privilege to have both the love and life ren gave her. what an amazing partnership.
a love story, a life story, whatever you want to call it, this story will always have a special place in my heart.
↠ 5 stars
Want to read
June 5, 2018
Book 2 of 2.
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS |
Books in The Ribbons duet should be read in order:
Book 1: The Boy and His Ribbon
Book 2: The Girl and Her Ren
June 23, 2018
MY REVIEW can also be found on my blog:
KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
‘The Girl & Her Ren’ is the stunning conclusion in P. Winter's ‘The Ribbon Duet' series. It picks up where the first book left off. Spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives.’
This story is no longer about a baby and a boy who were never mean’t to be family, but a woman and a man who were always destined to be soulmates.
Ren still questions how Della made it into his backpack all those years ago when unbeknown to him he’d whisked away with a stow away, since that day he’s cared for her, stolen for her, loved her. An undeniable unshakeable bond was forever formed by them. That selfless decision to keep her changed both their lives dramatically.
Until Della crossed that line and demanded more, one little kiss changed everything between them in a blink of an eye, things between them will never be the same again..Which had Ren fleeing back into the wild.
The reality was, I was in love with Della. Not just platonic, parental, brotherly, friendship love but bone crunching, heart-pounding, air stealing, delicious f#cking love that broke me down until I no longer knew who I was.
2018: Ren’s still MIA, days, weeks and even months go by where Della hasn’t seen him.
When Ren finally makes his way back to Della and admits his true feelings to her, this is where the true magic begins, their feelings know no bounds. Such a beautiful undeniable love, soul mates that were destined to meet. Even though their feelings for each other were unleashed theirs wasn't an easy journey. But that's what made this stand out above the rest.
God nothing prepared me for this duet, nothing I have ever read compares to this book, so unique in it’s entirety, this pushed me to my limits, I’ve never loved so hard, hated so hard, giggled so hard, swooned so hard last but not least cried so hard, it ripped my heart to shreds.
It ticked all my boxes, the feels just kept coming and coming, my heart broke, and tears cascaded down my face, I loved the real ness of this story, it was life, it was bittersweet, I loved these characters wholeheartedly, what a heart felt journey they took us on. Their taboo feelings towards each other, pulled me in, it was so pure, their love for one another poured off the pages and into my heart. Once I’d reached that last page I didn’t want to let them go!! Loved this book hard!!
Pepper Winters is in a league of her own, there is nothing she can’t write, and this duet just proved it!!
Highly recommended!! 👍
June 13, 2018
My god, I can't stop my tears.. This book was so beautiful, I LOVED it so much. ❤
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤
The Girl & Her Ren by Pepper Winters
The Ribbon Duet Book 2. Final Conclusion
Publication Date: 5th June 2018
Genre: Coming of Age Romance
“What do you do when you write down all your secrets? No…that’s not enough. What do you do when you write down all your secrets and the one person who should never read them does?
I’ll tell you what you do.
You hope.”
REN
Ren didn’t know the meaning of love until he took Della for his own.
To begin with he hated her, but as the months bled into years, he learned the opposite of hate, dedicating his life to giving her everything.
Every sacrifice, every gift, he gave wholeheartedly.
But then love turned to lust and ruined everything.
DELLA
I was stupid to write my secrets down, but I’d been stupid before so it was nothing new.
I couldn’t blame him, hate him, fix him.
I tried to move on without him.
But no matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to delete the secrets I’d written.
Until something happened.
Until he came back and read my stupid secrets.
And nothing was the same after that.
READ THE FIRST BOOK The Boy & His Ribbon TODAY!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H6981q
iBooks: https://apple.co/2FAxazG
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2p5Zpzj
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2p0pKQ3
Nook: http://bit.ly/2FrgcrF
Amazon.uk: https://amzn.to/2H69Bkc
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2GJjkz7
Amazon.au: https://amzn.to/2EdP89O
Paperback: http://amzn.to/2u3lrs6
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2DAOiYo
PRE-ORDER THE SECOND BOOK The Girl & Her Ren HERE!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uk8vyy
iBooks: https://apple.co/2Fxl9v4
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IkTtvm
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2FHfB4g
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Ii3Hwf
Amazon.uk: https://amzn.to/2I1xd8F
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2FZ0STn
Amazon.au: https://amzn.to/2FZtw6L
Paperback: http://amzn.to/2HM2sEL
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2p4XgEM
About the Author:
Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 19 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-six times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian and Turkish. Audio Books for her entire back-list will be available in 2017.
Connect with the Author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepperwinter...
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lLHxdG
Twitter: @PepperWinters
Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/15116...
Never miss an update! Sign up for Pepper’s newsletter today!
http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
https://pepperwinters.com
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤
The Girl & Her Ren by Pepper Winters
The Ribbon Duet Book 2. Final Conclusion
Publication Date: 5th June 2018
Genre: Coming of Age Romance
“What do you do when you write down all your secrets? No…that’s not enough. What do you do when you write down all your secrets and the one person who should never read them does?
I’ll tell you what you do.
You hope.”
REN
Ren didn’t know the meaning of love until he took Della for his own.
To begin with he hated her, but as the months bled into years, he learned the opposite of hate, dedicating his life to giving her everything.
Every sacrifice, every gift, he gave wholeheartedly.
But then love turned to lust and ruined everything.
DELLA
I was stupid to write my secrets down, but I’d been stupid before so it was nothing new.
I couldn’t blame him, hate him, fix him.
I tried to move on without him.
But no matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to delete the secrets I’d written.
Until something happened.
Until he came back and read my stupid secrets.
And nothing was the same after that.
READ THE FIRST BOOK The Boy & His Ribbon TODAY!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H6981q
iBooks: https://apple.co/2FAxazG
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2p5Zpzj
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2p0pKQ3
Nook: http://bit.ly/2FrgcrF
Amazon.uk: https://amzn.to/2H69Bkc
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2GJjkz7
Amazon.au: https://amzn.to/2EdP89O
Paperback: http://amzn.to/2u3lrs6
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2DAOiYo
PRE-ORDER THE SECOND BOOK The Girl & Her Ren HERE!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uk8vyy
iBooks: https://apple.co/2Fxl9v4
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IkTtvm
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2FHfB4g
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Ii3Hwf
Amazon.uk: https://amzn.to/2I1xd8F
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2FZ0STn
Amazon.au: https://amzn.to/2FZtw6L
Paperback: http://amzn.to/2HM2sEL
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2p4XgEM
About the Author:
Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 19 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-six times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian and Turkish. Audio Books for her entire back-list will be available in 2017.
Connect with the Author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepperwinter...
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lLHxdG
Twitter: @PepperWinters
Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/15116...
Never miss an update! Sign up for Pepper’s newsletter today!
http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
https://pepperwinters.com
Want to read
May 27, 2024
I can't escape this story...
😭💗
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
♡•°`. “Love transcends time, space, distance, universes.
“Love can’t be confined to pages or photos or memories—it’s forever alive and wild and free. Romance comes and goes, lust flickers and smolders, trials appear and test, life gets in the way and educates, pain can derail happiness, joy can delete sadness, togetherness is more than just a fairy-tale...it’s a choice.
“A choice to love and cherish and honor and trust and adore.
“A choice to choose love, all the while knowing it has the power to break you.
“A choice, dear friends, to give someone your entire heart.
“But in the end, love is what life is about.
“And love is the purpose of everything.” ₊˚⊹♡
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
♡•°`. “Love transcends time, space, distance, universes.
“Love can’t be confined to pages or photos or memories—it’s forever alive and wild and free. Romance comes and goes, lust flickers and smolders, trials appear and test, life gets in the way and educates, pain can derail happiness, joy can delete sadness, togetherness is more than just a fairy-tale...it’s a choice.
“A choice to love and cherish and honor and trust and adore.
“A choice to choose love, all the while knowing it has the power to break you.
“A choice, dear friends, to give someone your entire heart.
“But in the end, love is what life is about.
“And love is the purpose of everything.” ₊˚⊹♡
Want to read
June 5, 2018It's LIVE!!!!
THE GIRL & HER REN
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uk8vyy
iBooks: https://apple.co/2Fxl9v4
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IkTtvm
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2FHfB4g
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Ii3Hwf
Amazon.uk: https://amzn.to/2I1xd8F
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2FZ0STn
Amazon.au: https://amzn.to/2FZtw6L
Paperback: http://amzn.to/2HM2sEL
THE GIRL & HER REN
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uk8vyy
iBooks: https://apple.co/2Fxl9v4
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IkTtvm
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2FHfB4g
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Ii3Hwf
Amazon.uk: https://amzn.to/2I1xd8F
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2FZ0STn
Amazon.au: https://amzn.to/2FZtw6L
Paperback: http://amzn.to/2HM2sEL
June 3, 2018
★6 Stars! The Girl and Her Ren... Is brutally heartbreaking, utterly breathtaking, powerfully raw, intense and a utter masterpiece!
Rating: { ★★★★★★ }
“I loved that girl as if she were my very own blood, sweat, and tears. Girl made from my bones. Child made from my heart. Woman made from my soul.”
Okay, I admit...I was not ready to get my heart broken.
This masterpiece has stunned me speechless, destroyed me, and changed me.
I am all cried out.
Ren Wild and Della Ribbon.
They’re one. Beautiful and intimate. Inseparable. Full of love and anger. Overwhelming. Soulmates. A timeless love. Fierce and rough. Honest and real. Selfless and selfish. Desperate for each other's time, jealous of anyone else who claims it. Perfectly imperfect.
Too painful to read, too breathtaking to leave.
They have a love that runs so deeply it almost hurts. A love that every man and woman waits a lifetime for.
They’re without a doubt one of my top favorite book couples!
You suffer because you feel so deeply, you love hard and despite the pain, it makes it all worth it. -Unknown
The Girl and Her Ren has captured my soul and entire being with the beautiful, the emotions, the unexpected, and it’s breathtaking and unforgettable moments.
I commend and praise Pepper Winter for this journey. This is a book that has displayed her true talent in writing, it’s mesmerizing and poetic. I felt her love, passion and emotion through her lyrical words. I felt like I could see the blood, sweat and tears she endured while writing this book.
It takes a lot of courage and bravery to write a story that has so much meaning.
A story that goes beyond love.
A story that will make you feel so deeply.
A story that will change you and make you see a different perspective, a new light.
A story that will make you open your eyes, question everything, and bring you back to reality.
“This is a life story.
This is a story of truth.”
This is Pepper Winter’s best work to date.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, Pepper...you have not only outdone yourself, but you have inspired me and taught me a lot of lessons with this book.
Here are my favorite quotes from The Girl and Her Ren.
1. For the first time...I saw her. Truly saw her. Not as a baby. Not as a toddler. Not as a child. I saw her as Della. Herself. Her own creation.
A creation I’d had no hand in, no part in nurturing or raising. She was no longer mine; she belonged only to herself, and she’d utterly crushed me beneath her written honesty.
2. Della was no longer a little girl I’d die for. She was a young woman destined to kill me.
3. We reached a level that sometimes scared me. The depth of love I felt for him. The depth of love he felt for me. It demanded our hearts beat to the same rhythm, our bodies be near, our minds be in-tune, our breaths be in-sync.
I’d never felt anything like it.
4. We loved each other, even though it hurt. We were bonded, so there would be a forever.
5. “The moment you saw me, you crawled so fast. You knew you were mine, and I was yours, even then. I’d never had anyone be so excited to see me. So innocent with their affection. So trusting that I’d keep her safe.”
6.
Right.
Wrong.
Home.
Wild forever and always.
Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-
S
Rating: { ★★★★★★ }
“I loved that girl as if she were my very own blood, sweat, and tears. Girl made from my bones. Child made from my heart. Woman made from my soul.”
Okay, I admit...I was not ready to get my heart broken.
This masterpiece has stunned me speechless, destroyed me, and changed me.
I am all cried out.
Ren Wild and Della Ribbon.
They’re one. Beautiful and intimate. Inseparable. Full of love and anger. Overwhelming. Soulmates. A timeless love. Fierce and rough. Honest and real. Selfless and selfish. Desperate for each other's time, jealous of anyone else who claims it. Perfectly imperfect.
Too painful to read, too breathtaking to leave.
They have a love that runs so deeply it almost hurts. A love that every man and woman waits a lifetime for.
They’re without a doubt one of my top favorite book couples!
You suffer because you feel so deeply, you love hard and despite the pain, it makes it all worth it. -Unknown
The Girl and Her Ren has captured my soul and entire being with the beautiful, the emotions, the unexpected, and it’s breathtaking and unforgettable moments.
I commend and praise Pepper Winter for this journey. This is a book that has displayed her true talent in writing, it’s mesmerizing and poetic. I felt her love, passion and emotion through her lyrical words. I felt like I could see the blood, sweat and tears she endured while writing this book.
It takes a lot of courage and bravery to write a story that has so much meaning.
A story that goes beyond love.
A story that will make you feel so deeply.
A story that will change you and make you see a different perspective, a new light.
A story that will make you open your eyes, question everything, and bring you back to reality.
“This is a life story.
This is a story of truth.”
This is Pepper Winter’s best work to date.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, Pepper...you have not only outdone yourself, but you have inspired me and taught me a lot of lessons with this book.
Here are my favorite quotes from The Girl and Her Ren.
1. For the first time...I saw her. Truly saw her. Not as a baby. Not as a toddler. Not as a child. I saw her as Della. Herself. Her own creation.
A creation I’d had no hand in, no part in nurturing or raising. She was no longer mine; she belonged only to herself, and she’d utterly crushed me beneath her written honesty.
2. Della was no longer a little girl I’d die for. She was a young woman destined to kill me.
3. We reached a level that sometimes scared me. The depth of love I felt for him. The depth of love he felt for me. It demanded our hearts beat to the same rhythm, our bodies be near, our minds be in-tune, our breaths be in-sync.
I’d never felt anything like it.
4. We loved each other, even though it hurt. We were bonded, so there would be a forever.
5. “The moment you saw me, you crawled so fast. You knew you were mine, and I was yours, even then. I’d never had anyone be so excited to see me. So innocent with their affection. So trusting that I’d keep her safe.”
6.
Right.
Wrong.
Home.
Wild forever and always.
Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-
S
Read
August 16, 2020NO RATING
i read this 2 months ago and i am still not okay. i put off writing this review because this book actually made me cry, like, a lot. i am- dammit i don't know even know what i'm feeling??
☑ angry
☑ upset
☑ depressed
YES. all of the above because fuuuck this you're telling me you're gonna end it like that ???!!!? i KNEW it was gonna happen because i spoiled myself by accident but i wasn't readdyyyy. my mind, body, and soul WERE 👏🏼 NOT👏🏼 READY.
and you're telling me that i had to suffer through painful unrequited and OW shit in the first book and now this is how it ends??
I NEED ANSWERS.
this is the first time where i won't rate anything because this is either a 1 or 5 stars for me - there's no in between. i loved the beginning of this because after suffering through painful longing and OW sex scenes from the first book, Della and Ren are FINALLY fucking together. and when they're finally together, the author did a full 180 and ended with that.
i was gonna do a full-on rant review right after i read this but nahh i don't wanna go through that traumatic experience ever again.
im not even gonna say anything just in case y'all wanna read this but just get ready for a depressing ending - and yes, it's considered bittersweet but HELL NO - and it's kinda like the ending of // SPOILERS: a walk to remember // and DO NOT GET EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED . soo prepare for that. k that's it. so this is me saying atemporary goodbye to depressing books
see you (maybe later when i feel like crying and feeling some typa way cuz im listening to Drake??) NEVER.
The Ribbon duet
#1: the boy & his ribbon ↠ 3.5-3.75 stars
#2: the girl & her ren ↠ no rating
i read this 2 months ago and i am still not okay. i put off writing this review because this book actually made me cry, like, a lot. i am- dammit i don't know even know what i'm feeling??
☑ angry
☑ upset
☑ depressed
YES. all of the above because fuuuck this you're telling me you're gonna end it like that ???!!!? i KNEW it was gonna happen because i spoiled myself by accident but i wasn't readdyyyy. my mind, body, and soul WERE 👏🏼 NOT👏🏼 READY.
and you're telling me that i had to suffer through painful unrequited and OW shit in the first book and now this is how it ends??
I NEED ANSWERS.
this is the first time where i won't rate anything because this is either a 1 or 5 stars for me - there's no in between. i loved the beginning of this because after suffering through painful longing and OW sex scenes from the first book, Della and Ren are FINALLY fucking together. and when they're finally together, the author did a full 180 and ended with that.
i was gonna do a full-on rant review right after i read this but nahh i don't wanna go through that traumatic experience ever again.
im not even gonna say anything just in case y'all wanna read this but just get ready for a depressing ending - and yes, it's considered bittersweet but HELL NO - and it's kinda like the ending of // SPOILERS: a walk to remember // and DO NOT GET EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED . soo prepare for that. k that's it. so this is me saying a
see you (
The Ribbon duet
#1: the boy & his ribbon ↠ 3.5-3.75 stars
#2: the girl & her ren ↠ no rating
June 19, 2018
This book led me through a very emotional ride. I loved it! It is about Della and Ren and the chances they took with each other. Their story made my heart hurt. It's a story of two people weathering the challenges life can throw at people and coming out stronger because of it. Both Della and Ren are drenched in feelings, both for each other and about themselves. These two survived obstacle after obstacle because of the love and deep connection they shared.
Yeah, you’re gonna cry. Hard, ugly crying. But you’re still gonna love it because it’s a fantastic story.
The author’s ability to make the reader feel what the hero and heroine feel made me want to reach out and save them, because I was drowning in their sorrow, too.
Della and Ren’s story is one of the most powerful love stories I’ve ever read! It’s an epic romance, a love story between two people who share a deep, soul connection.
There is no way I can do justice to this book in my review. It simply kept me spellbound from beginning to the ending. If you are looking for an emotional read, this is a great choice.
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 2/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 5/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 5/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 3/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 4/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Yeah, you’re gonna cry. Hard, ugly crying. But you’re still gonna love it because it’s a fantastic story.
The author’s ability to make the reader feel what the hero and heroine feel made me want to reach out and save them, because I was drowning in their sorrow, too.
Della and Ren’s story is one of the most powerful love stories I’ve ever read! It’s an epic romance, a love story between two people who share a deep, soul connection.
There is no way I can do justice to this book in my review. It simply kept me spellbound from beginning to the ending. If you are looking for an emotional read, this is a great choice.
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 2/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 5/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 5/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 3/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 4/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2018
Release: June 5, 2018
Reading with fellow Shhluts : SueBee, Lu, Timitra, C, Ann, Sophie, Susan, Megan, Ammie, Dayna & Myla
Well, I did, look forward to it... and then, well...I was stunned speechless, gasping for air and silently sobbing...
cause I actually expected the ending - that ending, it was hinted, it was looming and lurking around the corner of every single page...
And I was brave
I knew what I was getting into and I wanted to experience this journey...
even though it hurt...
and even though it broke me...
and I cried...
I believed in Pepper Winters' words...
As this story of Della and her Ren is an epic love and it's also real...in each and every one of us that felt love...in its purest, undulated form...
It's not an easy read, it's raw and realistic in its pain and profound and deep in the beauty of simplicity of the miracule called life.
I went to kiss my kids, who were long past blissfully asleep and my husband beside me, I thanked the Heavens above for my own love story and all the moments I took for granted but now brought them back in one fleeting moment of awareness...
We are all on borrowed time, one way or the other...and I want to make the most of it...and that's what this story, this journey reminded me of...
Thank. You.
Reading with fellow Shhluts : SueBee, Lu, Timitra, C, Ann, Sophie, Susan, Megan, Ammie, Dayna & Myla
Well, I did, look forward to it... and then, well...I was stunned speechless, gasping for air and silently sobbing...
cause I actually expected the ending - that ending, it was hinted, it was looming and lurking around the corner of every single page...
And I was brave
I knew what I was getting into and I wanted to experience this journey...
even though it hurt...
and even though it broke me...
and I cried...
I believed in Pepper Winters' words...
Love transcends time, space, distance...
As this story of Della and her Ren is an epic love and it's also real...in each and every one of us that felt love...in its purest, undulated form...
It's not an easy read, it's raw and realistic in its pain and profound and deep in the beauty of simplicity of the miracule called life.
I went to kiss my kids, who were long past blissfully asleep and my husband beside me, I thanked the Heavens above for my own love story and all the moments I took for granted but now brought them back in one fleeting moment of awareness...
We are all on borrowed time, one way or the other...and I want to make the most of it...and that's what this story, this journey reminded me of...
Thank. You.
July 2, 2018
Unpopular opinion incoming ~~~~~~
Spoilers!!
It seems like everyone is talking about the newest book of Pepper Winters. I really liked the first book, The boy and his Ribbon. It was just so unique and interesting and I also was intrigued by their life style, how they survived and how strong their bond was. I realized some aspects of the story wasn't that plausible - for example surviving that long without identification, how little Ren took care of baby Della but I gladly overlooked those small errors, because the story was interesting and relayed mostly on their character development and the bond of Della & Ren.
I expected different things from the lengthy second book, but I would have never suspected that the author chose this path for the main protagonists.
It started out well, right where the first novel ended. It instantly focused on the relationship between Della and Ren and understandably so, because that is the strength of the story.
After a while when they got together and everything was heading towards a happily ever after on page 140 while I still had 340 pages to read, I knew the story would have a lot of fillers and some main problem/secret to come.
The next 150-ish pages were fillers. Almost nothing was really happening and it all took too long. The novel slowly started to lose that magical feeling from the first book. The angst, the conflict, the intensity. And then the book took a completely different direction with making Ren incurable sick. The signs were all over the book, but I didn't really want to believe it.
I just didn't see a reason for the author to choose this direction, their was no need to add that layer of drama as well after everything that happened in the story. I know what you are thinking now: this is reality and these things happen all the time and while are you still wearing pink glasses??
Because I like my pink glasses, okay?! ^.^
My point is, there was no need to add that subject in this story. I know some people find meaning in these kinds of subject-matters in books. It's almost emotional manipulative, because I cried, too. The cancer slowly eating Ren while he fights for his life and wants to have more time with Della. It's heartbreaking, emotional and a guarantee for having a lot of feelings for the story, but I think this wasn't the story I signed up for when I chose The Ribbon Duet. It wasn't necessary for Ren to get incurable sick and to get a suddenly very emotional ending for a series that started out completely different.
Although I enjoyed the beginning of the story and some parts in the middle, I do believe that the author chose a path for the story that wasn't necessary and made the lengthy novel completely different from the first book.
2 stars.
Spoilers!!
It seems like everyone is talking about the newest book of Pepper Winters. I really liked the first book, The boy and his Ribbon. It was just so unique and interesting and I also was intrigued by their life style, how they survived and how strong their bond was. I realized some aspects of the story wasn't that plausible - for example surviving that long without identification, how little Ren took care of baby Della but I gladly overlooked those small errors, because the story was interesting and relayed mostly on their character development and the bond of Della & Ren.
I expected different things from the lengthy second book, but I would have never suspected that the author chose this path for the main protagonists.
It started out well, right where the first novel ended. It instantly focused on the relationship between Della and Ren and understandably so, because that is the strength of the story.
After a while when they got together and everything was heading towards a happily ever after on page 140 while I still had 340 pages to read, I knew the story would have a lot of fillers and some main problem/secret to come.
The next 150-ish pages were fillers. Almost nothing was really happening and it all took too long. The novel slowly started to lose that magical feeling from the first book. The angst, the conflict, the intensity. And then the book took a completely different direction with making Ren incurable sick. The signs were all over the book, but I didn't really want to believe it.
I just didn't see a reason for the author to choose this direction, their was no need to add that layer of drama as well after everything that happened in the story. I know what you are thinking now: this is reality and these things happen all the time and while are you still wearing pink glasses??
Because I like my pink glasses, okay?! ^.^
My point is, there was no need to add that subject in this story. I know some people find meaning in these kinds of subject-matters in books. It's almost emotional manipulative, because I cried, too. The cancer slowly eating Ren while he fights for his life and wants to have more time with Della. It's heartbreaking, emotional and a guarantee for having a lot of feelings for the story, but I think this wasn't the story I signed up for when I chose The Ribbon Duet. It wasn't necessary for Ren to get incurable sick and to get a suddenly very emotional ending for a series that started out completely different.
Although I enjoyed the beginning of the story and some parts in the middle, I do believe that the author chose a path for the story that wasn't necessary and made the lengthy novel completely different from the first book.
2 stars.
June 8, 2018
2.5 Stars
Please forgive my phrasing but a solid portion of this book was simply a FOREST FUCK FEST.
"He’d shed the brotherly side of himself, allowing me to see him as a man and not just my protector.”
It’s not until after the 50 percent mark that the drama unfolds and well I didn’t love the drama either. Still the author did a solid job of bringing a legendary feel to this taboo couple.
I did however still love the writing and many of the quotes. All the ribbon references still tugged at my heartstrings. I was simply bored with the first half and rolled my eyes a bit at the rest of the story. Overall it’s not a terrible conclusion to the 5.5 Star first novel of this duet.
"We were real.”
Please forgive my phrasing but a solid portion of this book was simply a FOREST FUCK FEST.
"He’d shed the brotherly side of himself, allowing me to see him as a man and not just my protector.”
It’s not until after the 50 percent mark that the drama unfolds and well I didn’t love the drama either. Still the author did a solid job of bringing a legendary feel to this taboo couple.
I did however still love the writing and many of the quotes. All the ribbon references still tugged at my heartstrings. I was simply bored with the first half and rolled my eyes a bit at the rest of the story. Overall it’s not a terrible conclusion to the 5.5 Star first novel of this duet.
"We were real.”
June 10, 2018
Live Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Her-Ribbo...
5 EPIC STARS
This is by far the most beautiful,unforgettable, heartbreaking,emotional,intense and passionate story!I'm still processing what I just read!I loved this duet so much and I can't believe it's over!I have so many feelings, my heart is aching I'm crying and omg I'm still thinking about it!I have a book hangover the moment I finished it!
The love I have for Della and Ren is so strong, it's exactly how I felt about The Bronze Horseman for Tatiana and Alexander!Della and Ren's love is so powerful,so unique,so intense and full of lust and passion!
If you are looking for a poignant story and an epic love this is exactly what you need!Pepper Winters take the reader to another level with this story!The writing is poetic,flawless and beautiful This duet is a must read!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Her-Ribbo...
5 EPIC STARS
This is by far the most beautiful,unforgettable, heartbreaking,emotional,intense and passionate story!I'm still processing what I just read!I loved this duet so much and I can't believe it's over!I have so many feelings, my heart is aching I'm crying and omg I'm still thinking about it!I have a book hangover the moment I finished it!
The love I have for Della and Ren is so strong, it's exactly how I felt about The Bronze Horseman for Tatiana and Alexander!Della and Ren's love is so powerful,so unique,so intense and full of lust and passion!
If you are looking for a poignant story and an epic love this is exactly what you need!Pepper Winters take the reader to another level with this story!The writing is poetic,flawless and beautiful This duet is a must read!!!
February 8, 2023
2nd re-read 02/02/2023
Part 2
🔝5🔝💙💔💔💔💔✨🤩🌟✨🌟🤩✨s❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Challenges.
Choices.
Sacrifices.
Ethics.
Boundaries.
Devastation.
“Neither the earth blossoms without rain, nor the soul without tears.” Unknown
Beautifully tragic…
I adored it and hate it at the same time.
”A love like this isn’t confined to pages or photos or memories—it’s forever alive and wild and free.
Love.
That is what our story is about.
Because of love, life is a war of moments and time and bargaining for more of everything.
But in the end, love is what life is about.
And love is the purpose of everything.” Della
The hardships Della and Ren endured were tough and they conquered all of them but one…
There wasn’t anything that Ren wouldn’t do for his Ribbon.
”But…the reality was, I was in love with Della.
Not just platonic, parental, brotherly, friendship love but bone-crunching, heart-pounding, air-stealing, delicious fucking love that broke me down until I no longer knew who I was.” Ren
Their journey, despite all the difficulties, brought me to my knees.
”I hope I die before you. Because if I don’t, I know I won’t survive a day without you. I can’t.” Ren
The Ribbon duet was one of the most enthralling and heart wrenching stories I have read.
“I’ve loved you every second of my life.” Ren
💔
My respects to the author.
NOTE: This duet is not for all readers due to its uncomfortable and unconventional theme.
1st read 09/11/2018
🔝5🔝💔💔💔💔💔🔝✨🌟✨🌟✨s❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Pepper Winters 💔 HAS 💔 JUST 💔RUINED 💔 ME 💔
Although the first book nearly broke my heart, the second one wrecked me entirely ...
I broke down, cried my eyes out, my heart was scattered and shattered into a million Wild pieces...
There are really no words for me to use for all the feelings I went through...
Ren and Della existed only to be together... to be an ultimate one... “a woman and a man who were always destined to be soulmates.”
Ren and Della’s journey was the most heartbreaking life story I have ever read....
“I hope to be the man you deserve, Della Ribbon. I hope I can give you everything your heart desires. And then, when we’ve lived a life rich in so many things, I hope I die before you. Because if I don’t, I know I won’t survive a day without you. I can’t.” Ren
Part 2
🔝5🔝💙💔💔💔💔✨🤩🌟✨🌟🤩✨s❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Challenges.
Choices.
Sacrifices.
Ethics.
Boundaries.
Devastation.
“Neither the earth blossoms without rain, nor the soul without tears.” Unknown
Beautifully tragic…
I adored it and hate it at the same time.
”A love like this isn’t confined to pages or photos or memories—it’s forever alive and wild and free.
Love.
That is what our story is about.
Because of love, life is a war of moments and time and bargaining for more of everything.
But in the end, love is what life is about.
And love is the purpose of everything.” Della
The hardships Della and Ren endured were tough and they conquered all of them but one…
There wasn’t anything that Ren wouldn’t do for his Ribbon.
”But…the reality was, I was in love with Della.
Not just platonic, parental, brotherly, friendship love but bone-crunching, heart-pounding, air-stealing, delicious fucking love that broke me down until I no longer knew who I was.” Ren
Their journey, despite all the difficulties, brought me to my knees.
”I hope I die before you. Because if I don’t, I know I won’t survive a day without you. I can’t.” Ren
The Ribbon duet was one of the most enthralling and heart wrenching stories I have read.
“I’ve loved you every second of my life.” Ren
💔
My respects to the author.
NOTE: This duet is not for all readers due to its uncomfortable and unconventional theme.
1st read 09/11/2018
🔝5🔝💔💔💔💔💔🔝✨🌟✨🌟✨s❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Pepper Winters 💔 HAS 💔 JUST 💔RUINED 💔 ME 💔
Although the first book nearly broke my heart, the second one wrecked me entirely ...
I broke down, cried my eyes out, my heart was scattered and shattered into a million Wild pieces...
There are really no words for me to use for all the feelings I went through...
Ren and Della existed only to be together... to be an ultimate one... “a woman and a man who were always destined to be soulmates.”
Ren and Della’s journey was the most heartbreaking life story I have ever read....
“I hope to be the man you deserve, Della Ribbon. I hope I can give you everything your heart desires. And then, when we’ve lived a life rich in so many things, I hope I die before you. Because if I don’t, I know I won’t survive a day without you. I can’t.” Ren
June 3, 2018
This story is no longer about a baby and a boy who were never meant to be family, but a woman and a man who were always destined to be soulmates.
The Girl & Her Ren was HANDS DOWN my most highly anticipated read of 2018. The Boy & His Ribbon left my heart in a vice, had me salivating for the conclusion of this EPIC love story, had me thinking about this storyline no matter what else I was reading while I anxiously awaited this sequel. This duet is bigger, more monumental, more powerful than anything I can even describe. If you're hoping for a cliche romance, this is not for you. If you're expecting a fast paced, predictable read, this is not for you. But if you're looking for a story that will carry you away, that will reshape your heart in ways no book EVER has, that will hurt and that will bring you joy and that will deliver such a refreshing, absorbing, thought provoking account of love and loss and longing, well, this duet is EVERYTHING you're looking for and so much more you don't even know exists yet. Pepper Winters creates a soul searing, breath stealing masterpiece with this storyline and there are no words that can properly explain how much I loved it.
Ren and Della grew up in the wild, survived in seclusion, dependent upon only each other. The first book in this duet saw them come of age, followed them through infancy and childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, through the constantly evolving physical and emotional changes within their dynamic. They were sometimes parent and child. They were once siblings. They were care giver and dependent. They were friends. But as they grew older, the current that tethered them changed, the tenuous ribbon that bound them together became something else. It's tortuous and exquisite and beautiful watching the escalation of this dynamic; it's heartbreaking and consuming witnessing their struggle with reconciling all of it. Everything that happens on these pages hooked me, reached into my skin and my heart and clawed inside, gutting me, shattering me, devastating me, but leaving me both grateful and profoundly fulfilled by where this story ultimately went.
This sequel follows Ren and Della into adulthood as they navigate the revelations and fierce attraction between them. All the wrongness and all of the rightness about their relationship is picked apart and examined and agonized over in this book and it is PERFECTION. It's what makes it so RIGHT. Ren's inner struggle in this book -- his reluctance, his insufferable battle between reconciling the past with the future, the torment he feels as he comes to terms with what was and what could be -- it's such a palpable war he fights. I just got him, I felt it all. His need to protect and fight and to do right by the one thing he loves most is what will keep you rooted in these pages until the very end. His inherent goodness warring with his insatiable need will keep you riveted. The worry over what people might think, the fear of what it would truly mean to relent, the juxtaposition between who Della was to him as a baby and what she's come to mean as a woman, and the realization of what truly matters in the grand scheme of it, all culminate in this breathtakingly wild adventure of the heart and I was LOST in it.
This story is so much larger than anything I anticipated going into it. I expected romance but, as it turns out, romance is fleeting. But love? Love is timeless, endless, limitless. This isn't a romance as much as it is an epic, timeless love story that far exceeded any expectation I had set for it. It's an adventure. It's a tale of survival. It's a lifetime of moments and events and obstacles that all come together to illustrate the most wildly heart stopping, harrowing love story. In the first book, these characters grew up together in the wild, with nothing but a stolen tent and the trees and each other. This sequel finds these characters returning to the wild, retracing their steps as adults to rediscover each other in ways they never have, to unearth all the answers to the questions I didn't even know I still had. It's an intoxicating, awe inspiring, devastating tale of love that transcends time, circumstance and impropriety. If, in the end, you grasp the profound message on these pages, you'll agree that it's 'brutal, heart-breaking, but somehow uplifting, knowing love never dies.' It has left my heart aching, it's left tears in my eyes, but I'm so overjoyed that I took this journey. The Ribbon duet is unequivocally one of the most unforgettable, remarkable storylines I've read in my life. It is extraordinary. It's unforgettable and it's undeniably Pepper Winter's finest work to date.
The Girl & Her Ren was HANDS DOWN my most highly anticipated read of 2018. The Boy & His Ribbon left my heart in a vice, had me salivating for the conclusion of this EPIC love story, had me thinking about this storyline no matter what else I was reading while I anxiously awaited this sequel. This duet is bigger, more monumental, more powerful than anything I can even describe. If you're hoping for a cliche romance, this is not for you. If you're expecting a fast paced, predictable read, this is not for you. But if you're looking for a story that will carry you away, that will reshape your heart in ways no book EVER has, that will hurt and that will bring you joy and that will deliver such a refreshing, absorbing, thought provoking account of love and loss and longing, well, this duet is EVERYTHING you're looking for and so much more you don't even know exists yet. Pepper Winters creates a soul searing, breath stealing masterpiece with this storyline and there are no words that can properly explain how much I loved it.
Ren and Della grew up in the wild, survived in seclusion, dependent upon only each other. The first book in this duet saw them come of age, followed them through infancy and childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, through the constantly evolving physical and emotional changes within their dynamic. They were sometimes parent and child. They were once siblings. They were care giver and dependent. They were friends. But as they grew older, the current that tethered them changed, the tenuous ribbon that bound them together became something else. It's tortuous and exquisite and beautiful watching the escalation of this dynamic; it's heartbreaking and consuming witnessing their struggle with reconciling all of it. Everything that happens on these pages hooked me, reached into my skin and my heart and clawed inside, gutting me, shattering me, devastating me, but leaving me both grateful and profoundly fulfilled by where this story ultimately went.
This sequel follows Ren and Della into adulthood as they navigate the revelations and fierce attraction between them. All the wrongness and all of the rightness about their relationship is picked apart and examined and agonized over in this book and it is PERFECTION. It's what makes it so RIGHT. Ren's inner struggle in this book -- his reluctance, his insufferable battle between reconciling the past with the future, the torment he feels as he comes to terms with what was and what could be -- it's such a palpable war he fights. I just got him, I felt it all. His need to protect and fight and to do right by the one thing he loves most is what will keep you rooted in these pages until the very end. His inherent goodness warring with his insatiable need will keep you riveted. The worry over what people might think, the fear of what it would truly mean to relent, the juxtaposition between who Della was to him as a baby and what she's come to mean as a woman, and the realization of what truly matters in the grand scheme of it, all culminate in this breathtakingly wild adventure of the heart and I was LOST in it.
This story is so much larger than anything I anticipated going into it. I expected romance but, as it turns out, romance is fleeting. But love? Love is timeless, endless, limitless. This isn't a romance as much as it is an epic, timeless love story that far exceeded any expectation I had set for it. It's an adventure. It's a tale of survival. It's a lifetime of moments and events and obstacles that all come together to illustrate the most wildly heart stopping, harrowing love story. In the first book, these characters grew up together in the wild, with nothing but a stolen tent and the trees and each other. This sequel finds these characters returning to the wild, retracing their steps as adults to rediscover each other in ways they never have, to unearth all the answers to the questions I didn't even know I still had. It's an intoxicating, awe inspiring, devastating tale of love that transcends time, circumstance and impropriety. If, in the end, you grasp the profound message on these pages, you'll agree that it's 'brutal, heart-breaking, but somehow uplifting, knowing love never dies.' It has left my heart aching, it's left tears in my eyes, but I'm so overjoyed that I took this journey. The Ribbon duet is unequivocally one of the most unforgettable, remarkable storylines I've read in my life. It is extraordinary. It's unforgettable and it's undeniably Pepper Winter's finest work to date.
September 24, 2025
The Girl & Her Ren (Ribbon, #2) by Pepper Winters
6/5 stars
THIS REVIEW IS FULL OF SPOILERS ABOUT THE ENTIRE PLOT. READ AHEAD AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
My heart still hasn't recovered from this book. Even though I read it for the second time, it still broke me to smithereens. This is such a beautiful, agonizing, painful and all-consuming story. It's the epitome of love with characters that are more than the earth, stars and moon combined. It is that epic, and that bloody painful.
The first part of the story is where they are separated. Della regrets her outburst and misses him like crazy. And Ren cannot help himself and watches her. Della feels him but doesn't instantly connect the dots. She moved in with David and Ren started using their old apartment again. Until she decides to go back.. and suddenly they are reunited. Feelings explode, anger surfaces but their love? Their love ignites in sharp, painful bursts and suddenly they know their lives are agonizing apart and they finally choose each other.
Slowly Ren starts developing a cough that doesn't go away. And he starts to lose weight. They settle in a bungalow while fixing up the house for an older lady. After that they move to a place where they pick fruit and everything changes when Cassie calls them to tell them that Patricia died. They return to the Wilson's and their lives completely change.
Home. They got home. And John? He does everything in his power to prove that Ren and Della are his family and that they deserve a place on the farm.
But that damn cough... how Ren withers away and doesn't talk about it. Until he cannot deny it anymore and has to go to the hospital. And Ren? His fate is sealed and they have to deal with a truth both want to deny.
They want to start a family. And what I think is quite bold and you don't see or read very often. Is that they admit in their shared whispers that they could never, ever love anyone like they love each other. How boldly they state that their life begins and ends within the other person. And no.. it is NOT tacky, it is not selfish, it is not a cliche. It's the fucking truth. And I understood it. Please don't get me, or them wrong, they love, love, love their child. And it's unconditionally. But it is different. And it just made sense. I am explaining myself horribly. Pick this beauty of a book up and experience it for yourself. How real it feels. How truthful. How realistic. And how agonizingly painful.
And it's not only their own burdens they carry in this book. The past comes at them fast and they need to confront it. Reading that letter from Della's birth mother was just... I felt anger, loathing, hate and so much more. And Ren's mom? She is just as awful.
The last few chapters of this book were the hardest to read. The pain was heartbreakingly powerful and I felt all her grief blast through my own body.
I wish I could turn back time and prevent things. But in preventing certain things you would prevent this epic love story.
I will always grieve for these characters. They feel so real, so vivid. It's not a question of having a good cry and you move on to the next book. No, I am carrying them inside me. And their pain will always ache and tug at me.
A million, billion stars for The Girl & Her Ren. One of my favorite series ever. ♥
6/5 stars
THIS REVIEW IS FULL OF SPOILERS ABOUT THE ENTIRE PLOT. READ AHEAD AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
My heart still hasn't recovered from this book. Even though I read it for the second time, it still broke me to smithereens. This is such a beautiful, agonizing, painful and all-consuming story. It's the epitome of love with characters that are more than the earth, stars and moon combined. It is that epic, and that bloody painful.
The first part of the story is where they are separated. Della regrets her outburst and misses him like crazy. And Ren cannot help himself and watches her. Della feels him but doesn't instantly connect the dots. She moved in with David and Ren started using their old apartment again. Until she decides to go back.. and suddenly they are reunited. Feelings explode, anger surfaces but their love? Their love ignites in sharp, painful bursts and suddenly they know their lives are agonizing apart and they finally choose each other.
Slowly Ren starts developing a cough that doesn't go away. And he starts to lose weight. They settle in a bungalow while fixing up the house for an older lady. After that they move to a place where they pick fruit and everything changes when Cassie calls them to tell them that Patricia died. They return to the Wilson's and their lives completely change.
Home. They got home. And John? He does everything in his power to prove that Ren and Della are his family and that they deserve a place on the farm.
But that damn cough... how Ren withers away and doesn't talk about it. Until he cannot deny it anymore and has to go to the hospital. And Ren? His fate is sealed and they have to deal with a truth both want to deny.
They want to start a family. And what I think is quite bold and you don't see or read very often. Is that they admit in their shared whispers that they could never, ever love anyone like they love each other. How boldly they state that their life begins and ends within the other person. And no.. it is NOT tacky, it is not selfish, it is not a cliche. It's the fucking truth. And I understood it. Please don't get me, or them wrong, they love, love, love their child. And it's unconditionally. But it is different. And it just made sense. I am explaining myself horribly. Pick this beauty of a book up and experience it for yourself. How real it feels. How truthful. How realistic. And how agonizingly painful.
And it's not only their own burdens they carry in this book. The past comes at them fast and they need to confront it. Reading that letter from Della's birth mother was just... I felt anger, loathing, hate and so much more. And Ren's mom? She is just as awful.
The last few chapters of this book were the hardest to read. The pain was heartbreakingly powerful and I felt all her grief blast through my own body.
I wish I could turn back time and prevent things. But in preventing certain things you would prevent this epic love story.
I will always grieve for these characters. They feel so real, so vivid. It's not a question of having a good cry and you move on to the next book. No, I am carrying them inside me. And their pain will always ache and tug at me.
A million, billion stars for The Girl & Her Ren. One of my favorite series ever. ♥
June 11, 2018
“Because I can promise you, the ending... it’s better than you think.”
While dripping with some of the most beautiful heart-achingly beautiful romantic tableaus described in any book in the romance genre, Pepper Winters has written a duet of books that goes beyond the tropes of the contemporary romance and challenges the reader to consider the very nature of love…true, fated and redeeming love. If you listen closely as you read, you will also hear her challenge to consider your beliefs concerning the nature of existence. Do you believe that everlasting love is the purpose for everything?
The Girl and Her Ren is an answering to the questions posed by the first book of the The Boy and His Ribbon. We were left with the agonizing separation of Della and Ren at the end of the first book. Despite their lack of early guidance or reasonable adult care and escaping an intolerably abusive situation, Ren and Della developed into honorable and wholly decent human beings whose love changed complexions as Della grew into womanhood. Ren was only a boy of ten when he found the baby Della in his backpack as he ran from the terror on McClary’s farm. He chose to keep her, care for her, provide for her, love her, raise her and sacrifice everything for her.
As decent as Ren is and perhaps because he is so decent, he was terrified of having corrupted Della with his lustful and indecent urges. He was ever cautious around her, always wanting her to feel safe and comfortable with him. It wasn’t until he read her manuscript that he had the epiphany discovering she desired him as much as he did her. Still it took some careful processing for him to feel comfortable with their new-found reality. In this careful writing about how Ren makes peace with himself and his feelings, we soon abandon any idea that their relationship is the least bit taboo.
Actually, I can’t believe I am being so calm when what I truly want to do is find a way to scream at all of you about the moving…beyond angst…it’s just too simple a word, heart-filleting read this second book in the duet is. Every important aspect of love was examined through these two indelible characters…including the burden inherent in any perceived or actual separation from the one you love whether emotional or physical.
Their couplings were the heady stuff of unleashed, near violent emotion and tender, sweet ministrations. They often retreated to the forest, their true home of their early days and a sacred place for their wild longings and desire for isolation.
This is the type of story that grabs ahold of you and will not let go…it did me. This review is my urgent need to let some of my turbulent thoughts and emotion out, begin to let go and trust in my own deep-seated belief that the supreme being pervasive in all the universe and creation and all of us is “love” itself. He/She has been sending us signs, messages, prophets, a Messiah who even told us through John, the Revelator who He was…and that was…Love. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” He wasn’t talking about his outward appearance y’all.
Which brings me back to my personal answer to the question asked in the beginning of this review. Because I believe in “Almighty and Everlasting Love”, this book ended touchingly and beautifully, albeit bittersweet, for me. For indeed it is “Love” which is the purpose of everything. All is well with my soul.
Alternatively, if the limits of your belief only extend to that which can be observed or empirically known, then it may be perhaps quite a different story for you. Beyond feeling love is knowing love. Love can only be known in experience and the wholesale belief that you are loved (and the love you share) will exist with you and your beloved forever, eternally, beyond the veil of this world into the next ad infinitum.
As I thought long and hard…this is what Pepper Winters said to me in this duet. Living in love is a choice to believe in the immortal, the infinite and the divine. To choose to do otherwise is simply to exist.
This is a (F)BR with my Shhlutty Sisters: SueBee, Lu, Timitra, C, Ann, Sophie, Susan, Snow, Megan, Ammie, Dayna & Myla! I was completely honored to have participated with these exceptional Shhluts!!!
Special thanks to SueBee!!!
Very special thanks to Pepper Winters!!!
While dripping with some of the most beautiful heart-achingly beautiful romantic tableaus described in any book in the romance genre, Pepper Winters has written a duet of books that goes beyond the tropes of the contemporary romance and challenges the reader to consider the very nature of love…true, fated and redeeming love. If you listen closely as you read, you will also hear her challenge to consider your beliefs concerning the nature of existence. Do you believe that everlasting love is the purpose for everything?
The Girl and Her Ren is an answering to the questions posed by the first book of the The Boy and His Ribbon. We were left with the agonizing separation of Della and Ren at the end of the first book. Despite their lack of early guidance or reasonable adult care and escaping an intolerably abusive situation, Ren and Della developed into honorable and wholly decent human beings whose love changed complexions as Della grew into womanhood. Ren was only a boy of ten when he found the baby Della in his backpack as he ran from the terror on McClary’s farm. He chose to keep her, care for her, provide for her, love her, raise her and sacrifice everything for her.
As decent as Ren is and perhaps because he is so decent, he was terrified of having corrupted Della with his lustful and indecent urges. He was ever cautious around her, always wanting her to feel safe and comfortable with him. It wasn’t until he read her manuscript that he had the epiphany discovering she desired him as much as he did her. Still it took some careful processing for him to feel comfortable with their new-found reality. In this careful writing about how Ren makes peace with himself and his feelings, we soon abandon any idea that their relationship is the least bit taboo.
“I was kissing my goddamn soulmate, and who fucking cared how we’d met or how long we’d known each other? Fate had decided to throw us an unconventional beginning by giving her to me the moment she was born.”
Actually, I can’t believe I am being so calm when what I truly want to do is find a way to scream at all of you about the moving…beyond angst…it’s just too simple a word, heart-filleting read this second book in the duet is. Every important aspect of love was examined through these two indelible characters…including the burden inherent in any perceived or actual separation from the one you love whether emotional or physical.
Their couplings were the heady stuff of unleashed, near violent emotion and tender, sweet ministrations. They often retreated to the forest, their true home of their early days and a sacred place for their wild longings and desire for isolation.
This is the type of story that grabs ahold of you and will not let go…it did me. This review is my urgent need to let some of my turbulent thoughts and emotion out, begin to let go and trust in my own deep-seated belief that the supreme being pervasive in all the universe and creation and all of us is “love” itself. He/She has been sending us signs, messages, prophets, a Messiah who even told us through John, the Revelator who He was…and that was…Love. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” He wasn’t talking about his outward appearance y’all.
Which brings me back to my personal answer to the question asked in the beginning of this review. Because I believe in “Almighty and Everlasting Love”, this book ended touchingly and beautifully, albeit bittersweet, for me. For indeed it is “Love” which is the purpose of everything. All is well with my soul.
Alternatively, if the limits of your belief only extend to that which can be observed or empirically known, then it may be perhaps quite a different story for you. Beyond feeling love is knowing love. Love can only be known in experience and the wholesale belief that you are loved (and the love you share) will exist with you and your beloved forever, eternally, beyond the veil of this world into the next ad infinitum.
As I thought long and hard…this is what Pepper Winters said to me in this duet. Living in love is a choice to believe in the immortal, the infinite and the divine. To choose to do otherwise is simply to exist.
“It was about love. True love. Love that spans decades, infects souls, and turns you immortal because, when you love that deeply, nothing can ever die. It transcends time, space, distance, universes.
A love like this isn’t confined to pages or photos or memories— it’s forever alive and wild and free. Love. That is what our story is about. Romance comes and goes, lust flickers and smoulders, trials appear and test, life gets in the way and educates, pain can derail happiness, joy can delete sadness, togetherness is more than just a fairy-tale... it’s a choice.
A choice to love, cherish, honour, trust, and adore. A choice to be there when arguments occur, and agony arrives, and fate seems determined to rip you apart. A choice to choose love, all the while knowing it has the power to break you. A choice, dear friend, to give someone your entire heart. It’s not easy. No one ever said it was. Some days, you want it back, and others, you wish you had more than just one heart to give. Love is the hardest thing we’ll ever have to do because love, as miraculous and wonderful as it is, is also cursed and soul-breaking. Because of love, life is a war of moments and time and bargaining for more of everything. But in the end, love is what life is about. And love is the purpose of everything.” – Prologue, “The Girl and Her Ren”
This is a (F)BR with my Shhlutty Sisters: SueBee, Lu, Timitra, C, Ann, Sophie, Susan, Snow, Megan, Ammie, Dayna & Myla! I was completely honored to have participated with these exceptional Shhluts!!!
Special thanks to SueBee!!!
Very special thanks to Pepper Winters!!!
June 8, 2018
”True love is constant. It has no beginning, middle, or end”.
I’m going to be real right now: the moment I finished reading this book, I said these exact words to myself:
WHY THE FUCK DID I READ THIS SERIES?!!!!! My poor heart has been through the ringer, I’ve lost sleep over this series, and don’t even get me started on what its done to my nerves. I feel raw, exposed, tired, hurt, love, happiness ,sadness, and appreciative. I’m so incredibly happy that I had to pleasure to know two of the most beautiful characters I’ve ever read about and I know as I’m writing this review, they’re going to stay with me for a long time.
That’s the beauty about finding books like these. They sneak up on you and consume your world with their heartbreaking words and lovable characters who you have no intention of ever saying goodbye to. And isn’t that the point when we’re reading a story? Enjoying it for the moment but knowing sooner or later, we have to let them go, we have to say goodbye. No one wants to see those two words at the end but for a brief moment, we close our eyes and wish for one more chapter. That’s what I felt, that’s what I hoped for but in the end I got so much more.
“Love is the hardest thing we’ll ever have to do because love, as miraculous and wonderful as it is, is also cursed and soul breaking. Because of love, life is a war of moments and time and bargaining for more of everything.
But in the end, love is what life is about.
And love is the purpose of everything.”
If you read the boy and his ribbon, then you’re fully aware of how that story ended and like me, you were desperate for some answers. The girl and her Ren immediately picks up where everything left off and your thrown into the swarm of emotional despair with high hopes. I felt like I was on something while reading this book!! The things that your heart will have to go through in this is quite unbelievable and just when you think you’ve reached your limit, you realize that this author is not done with you.
I wont be going into ANY type of details about this story because everything is a spoiler. What I will say is that this book was a journey. It wasn’t a short quick read that was wrapped up with a fairytale ending for our pleasure. This was years of timeless love, sacrifice, and a what it meant to have your whole world altered. I was extremely frustrated with these characters at times, but I felt everything they were going through and I loved the fact that this author never rushed the story. She took her time in giving us the answers, made us feel their pain and happiness, and gave us a fitting ending. And for that, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
*Teaser used is from the author's site.
June 8, 2018
I’ve been given an advanced reading copy of this book but it has no influence whatsoever on my willing and always honest review.
Warning: This story is a sequel, part of a duet and is meant to be read after The Boy and his Ribbon. Don’t read this review if you haven’t read the first book!
5 “I have no tissues left” stars
Sorry but this review will maybe be a little jumbled and messy but I am on emotional overload right now. Empty box of tissue, heaving shoulders and sweeping the mascara from my cheeks. Pepper Winters I HATE you as much as I LOVE you right now!
Without giving away any spoiler (and it will be very hard here) I would like to quote Pepper’s “Note to the Reader” when she said: “Ren was rather adamant that his tale would be based firmly in reality”. (…) It was honestly the hardest thing I ever had to write.”
As Pepper said this story is brutal, heart-breaking but somehow uplifting. Ren and Della’s love is all consuming and never ending.
This story, this love is transcendental. It’s the kind of love that moves mountains, breaks the most hardened heart and makes stones weep. It’s a love that will elevate your soul. Romeo and Juliet’s love will pale in comparison to Ren and Della’s feelings.
The Girl and Her Ren happens on the span of years nearly decades.
It opens with Della writing about her loss at being left by Ren. She is hurting so much her body will topple down under sickness. Isolated, alone she’ll find help with an unexpected “friend” from the previous story.
Losing Ren was exactly like grieving. But Della has been raised in the wild, by a strong boy and she has her own strength. She WILL survive.
Ren left Della as he feared he would lose the battle against lust. He also chose the high morale ground. Always Della’s protector his feelings are complicated.
He wants to protect her, love her yet not in the way he truly dreams of.
He wants to guide her, always, yet fears he is not enough. His is the runaway boy. Illiterate and Della is so smart. She taught him to read. He wants to give her the opportunity to grow to he full potential. Find someone worthy of her. Yet it is agony.
Based on the synopsis, you know Ren came back and read Della’s journal/school assignment. I’m not spoiling anything here.
From that moment on I will stop with the blurb as you need to read it, to inhale the story through your every pore. You just have to take Della and Ren’s hands and follow them on their life journey. Through angst and joy, through sickness and hope, through savage abandon and tender feelings.
Be warned that some scenes could be excruciating to read. The horrors that happened at the farm Della was born are unbearable. Yet they are not fa fetched as something similar happened in my country more than twenty years ago. When discovered it left the country in stupor and shock. How could humans be so cruel?
We’ve followed Della from toddler to womanhood. She was the spawn of Satan but had not a single evil bone in her body. She is strong, pure, innocent, joyful and the perfect companion for Ren.
Ren is overprotective of Della. The wild boy given away by his mother just to live a new Hell was saved in more ways than one by the little blond girl with big blue eyes. She’ll be his morale compass. His drive to survive, to do better, to be a better person.
Ren is not only rainbow and unicorns. He shelters a darker side he fears showing to Della. Except that Della truly is his other half. What he gives she’ll take.
He will battle to come to terms with his feelings. Things are …complicated.
This is an exceptional story. One that will maybe test your boundaries and your beliefs. How could two kids survive for so long in the wild? Is it even possible? Is it moral that they who lived like siblings developed an appetite for the other’s flesh? What should they do? What future could they hold?
Pepper Winters made a choice. A very courageous choice. It’s HER choice and in this she is true to herself and to her characters.
Life is not a bed of rose. It has ups and downs. When given too much happiness you deserve a dose of despair. It can elate your soul and crush your bones the next moment. That’s what The Girl and her Ren is about.
An exceptional all consuming transcendental story of love and life.
Have you read it yet? Or plan to?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
Find me on:
Wordpress: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook group : Beware Book Boyfriends Alert
Instagram: @bewareofthereader
Twitter: @BewareOffReader
Warning: This story is a sequel, part of a duet and is meant to be read after The Boy and his Ribbon. Don’t read this review if you haven’t read the first book!
5 “I have no tissues left” stars
Sorry but this review will maybe be a little jumbled and messy but I am on emotional overload right now. Empty box of tissue, heaving shoulders and sweeping the mascara from my cheeks. Pepper Winters I HATE you as much as I LOVE you right now!
Without giving away any spoiler (and it will be very hard here) I would like to quote Pepper’s “Note to the Reader” when she said: “Ren was rather adamant that his tale would be based firmly in reality”. (…) It was honestly the hardest thing I ever had to write.”
As Pepper said this story is brutal, heart-breaking but somehow uplifting. Ren and Della’s love is all consuming and never ending.
This story, this love is transcendental. It’s the kind of love that moves mountains, breaks the most hardened heart and makes stones weep. It’s a love that will elevate your soul. Romeo and Juliet’s love will pale in comparison to Ren and Della’s feelings.
The Girl and Her Ren happens on the span of years nearly decades.
It opens with Della writing about her loss at being left by Ren. She is hurting so much her body will topple down under sickness. Isolated, alone she’ll find help with an unexpected “friend” from the previous story.
Losing Ren was exactly like grieving. But Della has been raised in the wild, by a strong boy and she has her own strength. She WILL survive.
“I’m no longer part of a pair. I’m singular. Just Della. And I have a life that I’m wasting. A life that Ren gave me. As much as I hate him for leaving, I can’t destroy what he gave me. I’m going to move on. For him. Even if it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Ren left Della as he feared he would lose the battle against lust. He also chose the high morale ground. Always Della’s protector his feelings are complicated.
He wants to protect her, love her yet not in the way he truly dreams of.
He wants to guide her, always, yet fears he is not enough. His is the runaway boy. Illiterate and Della is so smart. She taught him to read. He wants to give her the opportunity to grow to he full potential. Find someone worthy of her. Yet it is agony.
"I’d been the one smothering her, and of course, her feelings toward me would morph into something neither of us could have. She hadn’t had the freedom to learn who she was without me there to teach her. I’d screwed her up. I hadn’t been fair. I’d been selfish and possessive, ensuring I was the most important person to her—just like she was to me. That was wrong. I saw that now. John Wilson was right. I’d ruined any chance at keeping her as my sister, and now, I couldn’t have her at all."
Based on the synopsis, you know Ren came back and read Della’s journal/school assignment. I’m not spoiling anything here.
From that moment on I will stop with the blurb as you need to read it, to inhale the story through your every pore. You just have to take Della and Ren’s hands and follow them on their life journey. Through angst and joy, through sickness and hope, through savage abandon and tender feelings.
Be warned that some scenes could be excruciating to read. The horrors that happened at the farm Della was born are unbearable. Yet they are not fa fetched as something similar happened in my country more than twenty years ago. When discovered it left the country in stupor and shock. How could humans be so cruel?
We’ve followed Della from toddler to womanhood. She was the spawn of Satan but had not a single evil bone in her body. She is strong, pure, innocent, joyful and the perfect companion for Ren.
Ren is overprotective of Della. The wild boy given away by his mother just to live a new Hell was saved in more ways than one by the little blond girl with big blue eyes. She’ll be his morale compass. His drive to survive, to do better, to be a better person.
Ren is not only rainbow and unicorns. He shelters a darker side he fears showing to Della. Except that Della truly is his other half. What he gives she’ll take.
He will battle to come to terms with his feelings. Things are …complicated.
This is an exceptional story. One that will maybe test your boundaries and your beliefs. How could two kids survive for so long in the wild? Is it even possible? Is it moral that they who lived like siblings developed an appetite for the other’s flesh? What should they do? What future could they hold?
Pepper Winters made a choice. A very courageous choice. It’s HER choice and in this she is true to herself and to her characters.
Life is not a bed of rose. It has ups and downs. When given too much happiness you deserve a dose of despair. It can elate your soul and crush your bones the next moment. That’s what The Girl and her Ren is about.
An exceptional all consuming transcendental story of love and life.
Have you read it yet? Or plan to?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
Find me on:
Wordpress: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook: Beware Of The Reader
Facebook group : Beware Book Boyfriends Alert
Instagram: @bewareofthereader
Twitter: @BewareOffReader
Read
June 25, 2018DNF 80%
I'm incredibly bummed out about this, especially since absolutely adoring the first installment of this duet.
This book spans many years and, while the pace of book #1 was somewhat slow, it managed to keep me entranced and completely immersed in the story. Well, this second one, unfortunately, didn't. The pace was excruciatingly slow through the first half and I've put it on hold for many days. A lot of internal thoughts seemed repetitive and this just wasn't for me. Just giving my honest opinion. I'm sure a lot of people will absolutely adore the conclusion of these characters' story.
I couldn't really finish the book because I was kind of depressed and with the current events happening, I just don't think I can go on. T.T
I'm incredibly bummed out about this, especially since absolutely adoring the first installment of this duet.
This book spans many years and, while the pace of book #1 was somewhat slow, it managed to keep me entranced and completely immersed in the story. Well, this second one, unfortunately, didn't. The pace was excruciatingly slow through the first half and I've put it on hold for many days. A lot of internal thoughts seemed repetitive and this just wasn't for me. Just giving my honest opinion. I'm sure a lot of people will absolutely adore the conclusion of these characters' story.
I couldn't really finish the book because I was kind of depressed and with the current events happening, I just don't think I can go on. T.T
June 7, 2018
2.5 – 3 Not my cuppa stars
FIRST let me say I wasn’t a fan of the writing flow for the first book. So I knew going into the second book would be tough for me. If you loved the first book, then I have no doubt you will love this one. I shouldn’t have read this book because the writing didn’t change, but I was curious to see how Ren and Della would end up.
My problem with this book is like I said before the writing flow.
- The book is a story-format kind of writing. HIGHLY descriptive. I can’t stand descriptive writing and so I struggled a lot. I think I struggled more in this one than the first one because the pace was slower.
- The repetitive nature of the writing. I know Pepper Winters is known for this and it came to the point basically after the 50% I started to skim. I felt like there was a lot of the same thing spoken several times.
- The foreshadowing. I didn’t like Della’s future chapters. I found it kind of snarky and I didn’t like how she “warned” me a lot. I get it, shit will go down, I kind of wished I just skipped her future chapters.
I really do love Ren and I do love Della, but I struggled with the pace of this book. I felt like the story was wayyyy too long and it took to long to get to the point.
I struggled a lot with Ren’s issue, especially, I hated that it was sprinkled throughout the book and it was like this DARK cloud that was just hoover over the book. I hated it and I wished I was shocked by the turn of events, instead of slowly being burned alive.
The five major parts of the book were annoying. I didn’t like I kind of knew ahead of time what would happen and when it did happen, a lot of it was glossed over by the story-telling format.
I feel like I’m repeating myself and don’t I hate that?
Overall I needed to know how it would end. I felt like some parts were packaged too neatly and I didn’t like the “realistic” element of it. The author said it wasn’t a love story, it was a life story. Well, it should be a love story.
Look… here are my two cents It’s easy to make it this way in my opinion.
Anyhow, this series wasn’t for me, but there was raving reviews. I’m not sure if I will pick up another Pepper Winter’s book. I’m so picky on the writing style, maybe she isn’t the author for me. BUT good grief she knows how to write dramatic tales.
FIRST let me say I wasn’t a fan of the writing flow for the first book. So I knew going into the second book would be tough for me. If you loved the first book, then I have no doubt you will love this one. I shouldn’t have read this book because the writing didn’t change, but I was curious to see how Ren and Della would end up.
My problem with this book is like I said before the writing flow.
- The book is a story-format kind of writing. HIGHLY descriptive. I can’t stand descriptive writing and so I struggled a lot. I think I struggled more in this one than the first one because the pace was slower.
- The repetitive nature of the writing. I know Pepper Winters is known for this and it came to the point basically after the 50% I started to skim. I felt like there was a lot of the same thing spoken several times.
- The foreshadowing. I didn’t like Della’s future chapters. I found it kind of snarky and I didn’t like how she “warned” me a lot. I get it, shit will go down, I kind of wished I just skipped her future chapters.
I really do love Ren and I do love Della, but I struggled with the pace of this book. I felt like the story was wayyyy too long and it took to long to get to the point.
I struggled a lot with Ren’s issue, especially, I hated that it was sprinkled throughout the book and it was like this DARK cloud that was just hoover over the book. I hated it and I wished I was shocked by the turn of events, instead of slowly being burned alive.
The five major parts of the book were annoying. I didn’t like I kind of knew ahead of time what would happen and when it did happen, a lot of it was glossed over by the story-telling format.
I feel like I’m repeating myself and don’t I hate that?
Overall I needed to know how it would end. I felt like some parts were packaged too neatly and I didn’t like the “realistic” element of it. The author said it wasn’t a love story, it was a life story. Well, it should be a love story.
Look… here are my two cents It’s easy to make it this way in my opinion.
Anyhow, this series wasn’t for me, but there was raving reviews. I’m not sure if I will pick up another Pepper Winter’s book. I’m so picky on the writing style, maybe she isn’t the author for me. BUT good grief she knows how to write dramatic tales.
June 3, 2018
6 utterly ruined stars
Read my entire review on my blog because it's too messy to be here: https://readingunderstreetlamps.wordp...
Trust me, go into this book blindly like I did, because only then is it worth it.
Let me just say that The Girl and her Ren is the kind of book that people read not to escape reality, but to know that love exists, even when life does not. I am not a crier, and this book made me sob. The last few chapters, I read with blurry eyes and a wet face because it was impossible not to. Even now I will say that The Boy and his Ribbon is Pepper’s best book, but The Girl and Her Ren is the kind of book that happens once in a life, and because Pepper was brave enough to let it happen, I beg you- you let it too.
Read my entire review on my blog because it's too messy to be here: https://readingunderstreetlamps.wordp...
Trust me, go into this book blindly like I did, because only then is it worth it.
Let me just say that The Girl and her Ren is the kind of book that people read not to escape reality, but to know that love exists, even when life does not. I am not a crier, and this book made me sob. The last few chapters, I read with blurry eyes and a wet face because it was impossible not to. Even now I will say that The Boy and his Ribbon is Pepper’s best book, but The Girl and Her Ren is the kind of book that happens once in a life, and because Pepper was brave enough to let it happen, I beg you- you let it too.
dnf
December 1, 2020DNF @ 20%
I gave up and started skimming. I got the main points of what went on. I feel cold hearted because I never once got emotional in either book even though so many of my friends did and loved this. I never was tempted enough to start really reading it again once I started skimming. I just struggled with the pacing too much. I also struggled with not connecting with the h. While I liked the H and understood where they came from, his struggles with their relationship changing got really old. It felt like the story was going in circles and dragged too much. I typically enjoy this author and I was really in the mood for an angst fest, which others definitely write about feeling in their reviews — so please don’t just take my word for it! Read those raving reviews, because I’m definitely the minority here and probably don’t know what I’m talking about 🙈
I gave up and started skimming. I got the main points of what went on. I feel cold hearted because I never once got emotional in either book even though so many of my friends did and loved this. I never was tempted enough to start really reading it again once I started skimming. I just struggled with the pacing too much. I also struggled with not connecting with the h. While I liked the H and understood where they came from, his struggles with their relationship changing got really old. It felt like the story was going in circles and dragged too much. I typically enjoy this author and I was really in the mood for an angst fest, which others definitely write about feeling in their reviews — so please don’t just take my word for it! Read those raving reviews, because I’m definitely the minority here and probably don’t know what I’m talking about 🙈
June 3, 2018
5 stars aren't enough! ***Spoiler Free Duet Review ***
‘Love is the hardest thing we’ll ever have to do because love, as miraculous and wonderful as it is, is also cursed and soul-breaking.
Because of love, life is a war of moments and time and bargaining for more of everything.
But in the end, love is what life is about.
And love is the purpose of everything.’
Every now and then we’re blessed to read a book that reaches into our soul, touching us in ways we know we’ll never forget. A story that leaves us in complete awe of an author’s phenomenal talent, pondering how we can ever do justice to the words we’ve been so privileged to read. A story where the words, the feelings, the characters and the journey the author took us on are indelibly etched into our hearts, constantly reliving all the heart-warming, heartbreaking and memorable moments over and over again. The Ribbon Duet by Pepper Winters is that book. We experienced the complete sphere of emotions in Ren and Della’s unforgettable soulmate love story.
‘I stared at the girl I loved more than life itself. The who’d cracked my heart. The girl who would forever have the power to break me….’
We’ve started and stopped this review so many times, questioning how we can adequately convey how much this story moved us. Wondering what to tell you about the story, and what not to tell you for fear of spoilers. We’ve decided we are not going to tell you anything about the story, because so much can affect the full impact of how this story unfolds. We were unprepared, and so thankful we were, as it intensified our emotions. We implore you to trust when we say, if you buy only one book this year, make that book The Ribbon Duet, and live Ren and Della’s story alongside them. Believe us, you won’t just read The Ribbon Duet, you will live it, becoming a part of every challenge, every triumph and every heartache Della and Ren encounter. Nothing anyone will say about this story will ever compare to what you will actually feel reading it for yourself. Nothing! We have pages and pages of quotes.
'True love is constant. It has no beginning, middle, or end.’
As readers we can only wish a story the calibre of The Ribbon Duet crosses our paths. When it does…it’s everything. We tend to recall a year by a book which stood out from the others, one that meant everything to us, one we couldn’t forget, one that defined that year. It may only be June, but we feel The Ribbon Duet will be our ‘we remember the year’ book. From start to finish we became absolutely mesmerised by Ren and Della’s story, hanging off every stunning word the incredibly talented Pepper Winters shared with us.
‘She gave me a life and taught me how to be happy. And if she left me, I would no longer want that life without her.’
Della may tell us this isn’t a love story, but a life story, it's both. An epic heart wrenching, and powerful love story in every sense of the word, and a story of life and survival. A true soulmate tale we will never forget. When we think about The Ribbon Duet in times of reflection it will with happiness, sadness, and a longing to always have these characters live in our hearts. Della and Ren showed us that love truly is worth fighting for, in ways that left us filled with wonderment.
‘I’m a living proof that a heart can be broken a thousand times and still function, still keep you alive— desperately hoping that it won’t happen again, all the while knowing it will.’
As we shared Ren and Della’s confusion as they navigate the complexities of childhood, adolescence and adulthood, we experienced a coming of age story of forbidden love, life, sacrifice, survival and loyalty. Of a once in a lifetime love, the likes of which we haven’t experienced for quite some time.
‘He has his moods. But when he’s in your arms..that’s when he lets himself be seen. His kisses are full of tragedy. His touches are full of sorrow.’
We promise you, Ren and Della’s story is one readers will be clamouring to discuss. They’ll marvel at Della, the feisty girl whose love for Ren was without question and would never wane. They’ll be wanting to talk about Ren…oh Ren! Without question, he is our favourite hero. This man. We’re actually speechless at how soulful and beautiful this character was. Ren made our hearts ache.
‘I would never let her down….I would die for her. I would live for her. I would kill for her.’
So yeah, we could wax lyrical, summarise the story, and use a lot of flowery words to try and convince you to read The Ribbon Duet, but you know what, we’re so passionately in love with this story, we feel it would be your loss if you don’t pick up this book. We want to shout from the rooftops….stay away from spoilers, and implore you to 1Click and allow this magnificent storyteller to grip your heart with a story so unique you’ll be thinking about it long after reading the last word.
‘This is a story of truth. This is a story of my heart.’
Purchase THE RIBBON DUET :
The Boy and His Ribbon Book One
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Girl and Her Ren Book Two
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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March 13, 2019
DNF - 31%
This book is a prime example of why authors should stick to writing standalone stories. One book is always fantastic and the other just drags the story out to milk the reader out of more money!
:-/
The Boy and His Ribbon was beautiful, heartbreaking and captivating. When I finished it I was left with a book hangover that lasted for days! I could hardly wait until the sequel was released so I could find out what was going to happen next. On pins and needles, I not-so-patiently waited for June 5th to arrive to dive into The Girl and Her Ren...
What a disappointment!
The first 25% of this 529 page monster was literally nothing but the two characters yammering on and in their own heads on about how much she wanted him and how much he didn't want to want her. It got tedious and repetitive. There is no need for 130 pages of filler....just get on with the story!
When the endless longing finally stopped it was replaced with Fifty Shades of Grey style sex. Seriously, I thought that trend was over. Ugh! After waiting 18 years in book years and 3 months in real time for these characters to finally get together, I thought it would be romantic. Instead they morphed into sex addicts with anger issues. No thanks. I don't really like it when the characters I have become emotionally invested in want to physically hurt each other during sex.
Once I realized this story was taking a turn towards the dark side, I decided to read a couple of reviews to see if anyone else was feeling like I was and discovered that this book does NOT have a happily ever after. Well, that was it for me. I didn't feel like trudging through another 350 pages just to feel depressed at the end, so I am quitting now.
The next time I will remember why cliffhangers and duets are not for me.
This book is a prime example of why authors should stick to writing standalone stories. One book is always fantastic and the other just drags the story out to milk the reader out of more money!
:-/
The Boy and His Ribbon was beautiful, heartbreaking and captivating. When I finished it I was left with a book hangover that lasted for days! I could hardly wait until the sequel was released so I could find out what was going to happen next. On pins and needles, I not-so-patiently waited for June 5th to arrive to dive into The Girl and Her Ren...
What a disappointment!
The first 25% of this 529 page monster was literally nothing but the two characters yammering on and in their own heads on about how much she wanted him and how much he didn't want to want her. It got tedious and repetitive. There is no need for 130 pages of filler....just get on with the story!
When the endless longing finally stopped it was replaced with Fifty Shades of Grey style sex. Seriously, I thought that trend was over. Ugh! After waiting 18 years in book years and 3 months in real time for these characters to finally get together, I thought it would be romantic. Instead they morphed into sex addicts with anger issues. No thanks. I don't really like it when the characters I have become emotionally invested in want to physically hurt each other during sex.
Once I realized this story was taking a turn towards the dark side, I decided to read a couple of reviews to see if anyone else was feeling like I was and discovered that this book does NOT have a happily ever after. Well, that was it for me. I didn't feel like trudging through another 350 pages just to feel depressed at the end, so I am quitting now.
The next time I will remember why cliffhangers and duets are not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2018
3.5 ★'s
After finishing The Boy and His Ribbon, I immediately dove into this one which I think may have been a mistake and it's all due to the subject matter. It's INTENSE!
First, we have the cliffhanger. Luckily, we get a lot of Ren's POV so there's a lot of heart balm going on. Secondly, there's this "thing" that starts happening and as soon as it did, I was sooo upset! There were only two ways it could go and I wished on a gazillion stars that it wouldn't go the way it did. :(
In getting Ren's POV, we learn how much he struggles...and struggles...and struggles with his mixed emotions. He absolutely drove me nuts with his indecisiveness...it literally never stops. I didn't want to skim but I'm sure I did to save my sanity.
Finally, he seems to make peace with things and they can move forward. It's delicate at best but at least that angsty part is dealt with even if ((again)) it's a little (or a lot) unbelievable.
And guess what? There's some good that comes out of it. I was so happy about that part, however, I felt like we didn't get enough of that because the "thing" overshadowed basically EVERYTHING.
There's a lot of resolution in this book and overall, I was pretty happy with the way things worked out. I liked where they ended up and how they dealt with things even if Ren still acted like a parent at times.
I hated, HATED the "thing". I HATE when it's in books no matter how realistic it is I just don't want to read about it. It's an "emotional" part I have no interest in. And while I can understand the author's reasoning's, I still HATE it.
Overall, I was happy with about 50% of the story but the "thing" killed it for me unfortunately.
After finishing The Boy and His Ribbon, I immediately dove into this one which I think may have been a mistake and it's all due to the subject matter. It's INTENSE!
First, we have the cliffhanger. Luckily, we get a lot of Ren's POV so there's a lot of heart balm going on. Secondly, there's this "thing" that starts happening and as soon as it did, I was sooo upset! There were only two ways it could go and I wished on a gazillion stars that it wouldn't go the way it did. :(
In getting Ren's POV, we learn how much he struggles...and struggles...and struggles with his mixed emotions. He absolutely drove me nuts with his indecisiveness...it literally never stops. I didn't want to skim but I'm sure I did to save my sanity.
Finally, he seems to make peace with things and they can move forward. It's delicate at best but at least that angsty part is dealt with even if ((again)) it's a little (or a lot) unbelievable.
And guess what? There's some good that comes out of it. I was so happy about that part, however, I felt like we didn't get enough of that because the "thing" overshadowed basically EVERYTHING.
There's a lot of resolution in this book and overall, I was pretty happy with the way things worked out. I liked where they ended up and how they dealt with things even if Ren still acted like a parent at times.
I hated, HATED the "thing". I HATE when it's in books no matter how realistic it is I just don't want to read about it. It's an "emotional" part I have no interest in. And while I can understand the author's reasoning's, I still HATE it.
Overall, I was happy with about 50% of the story but the "thing" killed it for me unfortunately.
June 5, 2018
The Girl and Her Ren (The Ribbon Duet #2) by Pepper Winters
GENRE: Coming of Age /Romance
NARRATION: Dual POV
BOOK DETAILS: Book 2 of the Ribbon Duet and must be read in order.
AUDIO AVAILABLE? Coming Soon.
THE STORY:
I am not going to explain the story in this review as I do with others. You have read the first book ;you know what it’s about, and I would not even know how to summarise the complexity of the second half of the story without giving away major spoilers. I don’t want to ruin the element of surprise; I want you to make your own assumptions, make your own conclusions and chose the ending that you need for yourself, because you will have choice towards the end. That choice will define the outcome of the depth of your emotions, the message you take from it, and the story you choose to remember.
This quote from the book says it all.
“This story is no longer about a baby and a boy who were never meant to be family, but a woman and a man who were always destined to be soulmates”
MY THOUGHTS:
Pepper your’e one hell of a storyteller!
This is by far the best book I have EVER read, and I say that not just because of the fascinating plot or the amazing characters, it’s because of the authors ability to make me feel real emotions, real tangible emotions. Peppers writing talent had me in a pathetic blubbering mess, I kept trying to remind myself that it was just a book, it’s not real; But my attempt was futile. It felt real, my tears were certainly real, the hollow pain in my chest felt real, my red swollen eyes were the real evidence of how touched I was by this story.
This is not a cliché love story. There is a strong message held within, a harsh reality to it, and it god damn stings! But that is life. Love is not simple, love brings happiness, sorrow and pain. It tests us, throws us, moulds us, guides us. It’s powerful and poisoness and the very thing that makes us survive.
Ren and Della’s love story is wild and free, it’s limitless, timeless, inspiring and their story will stay with me forever.
MY RATINGS: (All ratings are out of 5)
HERO RATING: 5
HEROINE RATING: 5
BLUSH RATING: 3
ROMANCE RATING: 2
PLOT RATING: 5
OVERALL: 5
DO I RECCOMEND THIS BOOK? ,
Yes. Yes. Yes. But be warned get your tissues ready! If your fan of Pepper Winters, then you know her writing style, you know she is not afraid to cross boundaries, challenge her readers and stir your emotions. Even though these elements are present in The Ribbon duet this story is unlike anything she has previously written. Prepare yourself for the journey, it won’t be easy but that’s the point. It’s written with purpose, written with passion and it’s painful but such profound perfection.
I received an ARC of The Girl and Her Ren in exchange for honest review.
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June 16, 2018
NOW AVAILABLE!! https://amzn.to/2MuKN7B
I knew from that first cough. Call it intuition or premonition or chuck it up to my lack of faith in fairytale endings, but I knew. C’mon, this from the woman who gave us the Indebted series. What’s messing me up right now is that I know that she knew that I would know. I’m pretty smart. I didn’t get two degrees and survive law school strictly by my good looks. I KNEW!! I haven’t felt like throwing my kindle at someone’s head in a hot minute. And it wasn’t because I didn’t like the book. On the contrary, I was enraptured by this story. Saying that I was in love with Ren and Della would be an understatement. I just like to hurt those who hurt me and seeing as how these characters are fictionally sitting in my kindle, I felt that my kindle must burn!
What was never in doubt, despite the pain, confusion, potential for suffering, and past, present and future heartache, was the fact that Ren and Della would always choose each other. What’s funny is that they even act like they had a choice. Some call it fate or kismet, but it was obvious that these two were meant to be. Their love transcended rules and social mores and time and distance. There was no one without the other and the author captured their love beautifully.
Even knowing the anguish I would be faced with the further I became invested in this story, I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t put this book down. I realized that there would never be a time that I would have enough of them. I was just as devoted to Ren and Della as they were to each other.
This duet was my first foray into the wonderful world of contemporary romance by this author and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. I love her dark romance but this duet quickly made me realize that I’m probably going to love anything she writes. The Ribbon Duet was a wonderful introduction to the sweeter, more angsty and emotional side to Mrs. Winters, and while it broke my heart over and over again, I got to the end with a huge smile on my face. My heart may have a bittersweet ache to contend with for a little while, but I in no way regret getting to know the beauty that was Ren and Della.
Release: 06.05.2018 | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Dual POV - 1st person | Heat: 3.5 | The Ribbon Duet - Book #2
"We will never end because that isn't what true love is. True love is constant. It has no beginning, middle, or end. Life might end, but love... that's immortal." - Ren
I knew from that first cough. Call it intuition or premonition or chuck it up to my lack of faith in fairytale endings, but I knew. C’mon, this from the woman who gave us the Indebted series. What’s messing me up right now is that I know that she knew that I would know. I’m pretty smart. I didn’t get two degrees and survive law school strictly by my good looks. I KNEW!! I haven’t felt like throwing my kindle at someone’s head in a hot minute. And it wasn’t because I didn’t like the book. On the contrary, I was enraptured by this story. Saying that I was in love with Ren and Della would be an understatement. I just like to hurt those who hurt me and seeing as how these characters are fictionally sitting in my kindle, I felt that my kindle must burn!
Romance comes and goes, lust flickers and smoulders, trials appear and test, life gets in the way and educates, pain can derail happiness, joy can delete sadness, togetherness is more than just a fairy-tale… it’s a choice. - Della
What was never in doubt, despite the pain, confusion, potential for suffering, and past, present and future heartache, was the fact that Ren and Della would always choose each other. What’s funny is that they even act like they had a choice. Some call it fate or kismet, but it was obvious that these two were meant to be. Their love transcended rules and social mores and time and distance. There was no one without the other and the author captured their love beautifully.
I was kissing my goddamn soulmate, and who fucking cared how we’d met or how long we’d known each other? Fate had decided to throw us an unconventional beginning by giving her to me the moment she was born. - Ren
Even knowing the anguish I would be faced with the further I became invested in this story, I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t put this book down. I realized that there would never be a time that I would have enough of them. I was just as devoted to Ren and Della as they were to each other.
"You’re mine," he growled.
"I know."
"And I’m yours."
"I know."
This duet was my first foray into the wonderful world of contemporary romance by this author and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. I love her dark romance but this duet quickly made me realize that I’m probably going to love anything she writes. The Ribbon Duet was a wonderful introduction to the sweeter, more angsty and emotional side to Mrs. Winters, and while it broke my heart over and over again, I got to the end with a huge smile on my face. My heart may have a bittersweet ache to contend with for a little while, but I in no way regret getting to know the beauty that was Ren and Della.
That kiss was our beginning, middle and end.
That kiss bound us past life and death, sickness and health.
That kiss was life itself, never ending, forever existing, two souls entwined…
...for eternity.
Release: 06.05.2018 | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Dual POV - 1st person | Heat: 3.5 | The Ribbon Duet - Book #2
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