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Blackbird #1
When the Night Is Over
Are the bonds of our first true love as strong as they feel when we’re young, innocent and consumed with the promise of forever?
The last time Charlotte Mason saw Simon Wade, he was shoving a paper bag from the pharmacy into her hands with a morning-after pill inside.
Even though he literally left her holding the bag, when love is true it’s limitless...and sometimes it's blind. Charlotte wants more for Simon than the ties that bind him to their dead end town. He has one shot at a better life, and she’ll stand aside so he can take it.
Nearly four years later Charlotte is still nowhere to be found, and it’s not as if Simon hasn’t been looking. How can he forget the girl who still haunts his dreams?
Find out why readers are calling the Blackbird series "beautiful, heartbreaking and sexy." Lily Foster's newest series features second-chance romances with enemies to lovers, forbidden age gap love stories, and men in uniform. Each can be read as a stand-alone and are intended for readers 17 and older due to mature language and content.
The last time Charlotte Mason saw Simon Wade, he was shoving a paper bag from the pharmacy into her hands with a morning-after pill inside.
Even though he literally left her holding the bag, when love is true it’s limitless...and sometimes it's blind. Charlotte wants more for Simon than the ties that bind him to their dead end town. He has one shot at a better life, and she’ll stand aside so he can take it.
Nearly four years later Charlotte is still nowhere to be found, and it’s not as if Simon hasn’t been looking. How can he forget the girl who still haunts his dreams?
Find out why readers are calling the Blackbird series "beautiful, heartbreaking and sexy." Lily Foster's newest series features second-chance romances with enemies to lovers, forbidden age gap love stories, and men in uniform. Each can be read as a stand-alone and are intended for readers 17 and older due to mature language and content.
384 pages, ebook
Published September 20, 2020
851 people are currently reading
1808 people want to read
About the author
Lily Foster
14 books207 followersLily Foster writes "genuinely engrossing" contemporary romance (Publishers Weekly) and coming of age fiction that "will satisfy more discerning fans of the new-adult genre" (Kirkus Reviews).
In addition to writing, Lily is an avid reader, snail-paced runner, and lover of all things falafel and red wine-related.
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In addition to writing, Lily is an avid reader, snail-paced runner, and lover of all things falafel and red wine-related.
Sign up for the newsletter for free bonus content, to get the first scoop on sales, and for sneak peeks at works in progress.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
November 2, 2020
3.5 stars
Hmm, this was hard to rate because on the one hand it was a really good book for the "unexpected/secret baby" trope, and on the other hand, I don't know.. there was something missing in terms of the couple's connection or love. I do believe that they care about each other and are good together but something was missing and I can't pinpoint what.
All that being said, I loved that for the first time in like ever, in a book that involves a teen pregnancy, nothing is glossed over. Also we don't get the customary "after 3 years". Nah, we get a play by play of how hard it is, of how much support a teenager in that situation needs. Also the reason for keeping the child a secret, again, I totally bought it. Was it morally right? Definitely not, and I am that person that does not in any circumstance agree with keeping paternity a secret (except for extreme and believable situations) but here, these are kids basically. A 16 and an 18 year old. He was a boy who grew up in poverty and worked so hard to get a scholarship and leave his hometown for good, and she was a girl whose family had the money but nothing else. I think he needed those 3 years in which to focus on his academic achievements and make the most out of opportunities. And she knew that, even at 16. She always planned to tell him, just not when he was scared and desperate for a better life, 18 year old. Plus, she had a support system, an inheritance and the drive to continue her education, so in a way, she made a very mature decision by weighting the pros and cons of when and where to drop the news to him.
Overall, I liked this, it was believable and even realistic.
Hmm, this was hard to rate because on the one hand it was a really good book for the "unexpected/secret baby" trope, and on the other hand, I don't know.. there was something missing in terms of the couple's connection or love. I do believe that they care about each other and are good together but something was missing and I can't pinpoint what.
All that being said, I loved that for the first time in like ever, in a book that involves a teen pregnancy, nothing is glossed over. Also we don't get the customary "after 3 years". Nah, we get a play by play of how hard it is, of how much support a teenager in that situation needs. Also the reason for keeping the child a secret, again, I totally bought it. Was it morally right? Definitely not, and I am that person that does not in any circumstance agree with keeping paternity a secret (except for extreme and believable situations) but here, these are kids basically. A 16 and an 18 year old. He was a boy who grew up in poverty and worked so hard to get a scholarship and leave his hometown for good, and she was a girl whose family had the money but nothing else. I think he needed those 3 years in which to focus on his academic achievements and make the most out of opportunities. And she knew that, even at 16. She always planned to tell him, just not when he was scared and desperate for a better life, 18 year old. Plus, she had a support system, an inheritance and the drive to continue her education, so in a way, she made a very mature decision by weighting the pros and cons of when and where to drop the news to him.
Overall, I liked this, it was believable and even realistic.
September 5, 2021
This was very well written and eons more realistic than the majority of teen high school romances with teen pregnancy which also means sadder.
Premise is an 18 yo hero and a 16 yo Romeo and Juliet story with pregnancy. I think it’s important to remember their age during the book as it explains the choices they make. The tension is the heroine’s worthless brother beat his brother and got off the hook because of the right connections during the pretrial stage.
The H moves on to college before he knows she’s pregnant, and she’s kicked out by her horrible father and goes and lives with her aunt. The heroine contemplates telling the hero but chooses not to as she doesn’t want to be strong-armed into an abortion or deal with a resentful father-to-be so secret baby alert.
Some of the reviews have given the hero guff because he moves on with other girlfriends, but thankfully, the author spares us the usual gratuitous hero’s oral gratification scenes and hookups. The H is driven to succeed as a lawyer so he can prevent the miscarriage of justice that happened to his brother and his desire to “make connections” teeters on using people. His latest girlfriend is the daughter of his mentor and the H knows he’s getting groomed by both. Their agenda is that he become a wealthy corporate lawyer while he wants to stay true to his goal. Making money AND helping people.
The heroine has a tougher time moving on than the H as she would in real life. Dating a little, she acknowledges that teen mother’s aren’t at the top of the dating pile and subject to condemnation.
The heroine eventually sends him information on their child which gets waylaid by another (evil) source, but the H finds out in the end. Yes, he’s angry about the time he was robbed, but again Foster spares us the ridiculous and OTT angsty accusations YA heroes are known to do. No punching holes in the walls or crushed beer cans or laying the rubber down to drive away from the heroine. It lowers the angst a little, but it was nice not to read the same old tropey eye-rolling OTT behavior. The scenes as the father and son get to know each other were pretty sweet. I’m a sucker for plot moppet done well and thankfully we don’t have a three year old channeling Little Grasshopper, but a toddler that sounds pretty much like a toddler.
I’m not doing the book justice, but I really liked it and the writing style. There were some grammar issues that made me grit my teeth as in Me and her went…, and I wasn’t sure if the couple were going to get together. Almost 4 stars, but Foster dropped the ball on the heroine’s family left behind and a couple of other issues.
Premise is an 18 yo hero and a 16 yo Romeo and Juliet story with pregnancy. I think it’s important to remember their age during the book as it explains the choices they make. The tension is the heroine’s worthless brother beat his brother and got off the hook because of the right connections during the pretrial stage.
The H moves on to college before he knows she’s pregnant, and she’s kicked out by her horrible father and goes and lives with her aunt. The heroine contemplates telling the hero but chooses not to as she doesn’t want to be strong-armed into an abortion or deal with a resentful father-to-be so secret baby alert.
Some of the reviews have given the hero guff because he moves on with other girlfriends, but thankfully, the author spares us the usual gratuitous hero’s oral gratification scenes and hookups. The H is driven to succeed as a lawyer so he can prevent the miscarriage of justice that happened to his brother and his desire to “make connections” teeters on using people. His latest girlfriend is the daughter of his mentor and the H knows he’s getting groomed by both. Their agenda is that he become a wealthy corporate lawyer while he wants to stay true to his goal. Making money AND helping people.
The heroine has a tougher time moving on than the H as she would in real life. Dating a little, she acknowledges that teen mother’s aren’t at the top of the dating pile and subject to condemnation.
The heroine eventually sends him information on their child which gets waylaid by another (evil) source, but the H finds out in the end. Yes, he’s angry about the time he was robbed, but again Foster spares us the ridiculous and OTT angsty accusations YA heroes are known to do. No punching holes in the walls or crushed beer cans or laying the rubber down to drive away from the heroine. It lowers the angst a little, but it was nice not to read the same old tropey eye-rolling OTT behavior. The scenes as the father and son get to know each other were pretty sweet. I’m a sucker for plot moppet done well and thankfully we don’t have a three year old channeling Little Grasshopper, but a toddler that sounds pretty much like a toddler.
I’m not doing the book justice, but I really liked it and the writing style. There were some grammar issues that made me grit my teeth as in Me and her went…, and I wasn’t sure if the couple were going to get together. Almost 4 stars, but Foster dropped the ball on the heroine’s family left behind and a couple of other issues.
September 17, 2020
Where do I start? You know when you finish a book and you're kind of sad knowing you have to say goodbye to characters you just love? That's what reading When the Night is Over is like.
Simon and Charlotte are just wonderful leads, and the backstory and supporting cast of characters are so well-written. Heartbreaking, sexy, emotional...this book has it all.
Simon and Charlotte are just wonderful leads, and the backstory and supporting cast of characters are so well-written. Heartbreaking, sexy, emotional...this book has it all.
December 21, 2021
.
It's sweet to read about young love that survived the curve balls life has thrown its way. Makes me ponder if it's better or not to have that love at a young age.
H is the only reason for low stars. 🙁
I feel that H didn't love h much especially when they were young. For me, it was more on attraction and need to protect h from harm. I do get that they were young, but I prefer my Hs to be equally, if not more into h.
His focus on his studies and drive to succeed are admirable. I also understand that in his own way, H cared for the people (OW's family) who were there for him - a struggling nobody but smart law student.
Like H, I drew the line when OW (H's gf) burned h's letter for H. But the way he handled it was too soft for the gravity and intent of what she's done. She got off wayyy too easy. 🤷🏻♀️
Yes, h could've tried harder to reach out H, but she already tried multiple times. At sixteen, her entire life changed and her plate has been full ever since. She's very young but strong, mature and a loving mother.
And really, there's only so much h could do with OW attached to H's hip. 😒
I find H's efforts on his search for h lacking. He knew that there was a possiblity that he'd gotten h knocked up. But H just up and left cuz he didn't want h to get pregnant anyway. His personal dreams mattered the most. Thus, he gave up on h easily and early, he moved on and lived life like h didn't exist. For someone who's supposed to be intelligent and hardened by his past, it was easy as pie for OW's claws to sunk on him. He became a doormat.
h reached out to H because of their child. Assuming there's no child and therefore no reason for h to initiate communication, would H search again for h and reach out? NO, I don't think so, tbh. 🙂
I like the h, their child, and the author's writing style. ❤️
〰️〰️
Safe?
▪️ Some OW/OM drama.
▪️ A scene of intimate H/OW. Non descriptive.
It happened during H/h 4 yr separation, and before H/h reunited.
▪️ Celibate h.
▪️ Premature birth, H/h's son.
▪️ Explicit scenes H/h only.
〰️
It's sweet to read about young love that survived the curve balls life has thrown its way. Makes me ponder if it's better or not to have that love at a young age.
H is the only reason for low stars. 🙁
I feel that H didn't love h much especially when they were young. For me, it was more on attraction and need to protect h from harm. I do get that they were young, but I prefer my Hs to be equally, if not more into h.
His focus on his studies and drive to succeed are admirable. I also understand that in his own way, H cared for the people (OW's family) who were there for him - a struggling nobody but smart law student.
Like H, I drew the line when OW (H's gf) burned h's letter for H. But the way he handled it was too soft for the gravity and intent of what she's done. She got off wayyy too easy. 🤷🏻♀️
Yes, h could've tried harder to reach out H, but she already tried multiple times. At sixteen, her entire life changed and her plate has been full ever since. She's very young but strong, mature and a loving mother.
And really, there's only so much h could do with OW attached to H's hip. 😒
I find H's efforts on his search for h lacking. He knew that there was a possiblity that he'd gotten h knocked up. But H just up and left cuz he didn't want h to get pregnant anyway. His personal dreams mattered the most. Thus, he gave up on h easily and early, he moved on and lived life like h didn't exist. For someone who's supposed to be intelligent and hardened by his past, it was easy as pie for OW's claws to sunk on him. He became a doormat.
h reached out to H because of their child. Assuming there's no child and therefore no reason for h to initiate communication, would H search again for h and reach out? NO, I don't think so, tbh. 🙂
I like the h, their child, and the author's writing style. ❤️
〰️〰️
Safe?
▪️ Some OW/OM drama.
▪️ A scene of intimate H/OW. Non descriptive.
It happened during H/h 4 yr separation, and before H/h reunited.
▪️ Celibate h.
▪️ Premature birth, H/h's son.
▪️ Explicit scenes H/h only.
〰️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2020
I know from reading this book that I have another great series to look forward to from Lily Foster.
She writes stories that you can't help but just lose yourself in. I was heartbroken reading this book, like I was actually crying at times. But the HEA for Charlotte and Simon makes all the pain worthwhile. Highly recommended...The best thing I've read all year.
She writes stories that you can't help but just lose yourself in. I was heartbroken reading this book, like I was actually crying at times. But the HEA for Charlotte and Simon makes all the pain worthwhile. Highly recommended...The best thing I've read all year.
September 16, 2020
Probably the most sweet, heartbreaking, and loving romance story I’ve ever read. I absolutely loved this book even though it had so much heartache. While the main characters were struggling, so much of their choices were done out of love.
This story follows the heartbreaking romance of Charlotte Mason and Simon Wade. Two people in a Romeo and Juliet situation from the opposite sides of the track who are destined for bigger and better things that their small Pennsylvania town can’t offer. Their romance is short lived but the outcome is long lasting. After personal ambitions cause them to separate, they find one another after years of longing for each other. Thankfully this story is a happy ever after.
I could not get enough of this book. I basically read it in a day and lost sleep over it. At times it was gut wrenching and the heartache was terrible but watching Charlotte overcome was uplifting and refreshing. I would recommend this book to everybody!!! Loved it!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
This story follows the heartbreaking romance of Charlotte Mason and Simon Wade. Two people in a Romeo and Juliet situation from the opposite sides of the track who are destined for bigger and better things that their small Pennsylvania town can’t offer. Their romance is short lived but the outcome is long lasting. After personal ambitions cause them to separate, they find one another after years of longing for each other. Thankfully this story is a happy ever after.
I could not get enough of this book. I basically read it in a day and lost sleep over it. At times it was gut wrenching and the heartache was terrible but watching Charlotte overcome was uplifting and refreshing. I would recommend this book to everybody!!! Loved it!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
November 24, 2020
This is my top romance of 2020.
I really love this author's style. The characters are believable, well-developed, and their struggles are realistic.
Simon and Charlotte are meant to be. Their chemistry jumped off the page for me. I was heartbroken when they were parted, which made their happily ever after even more satisfying.
Book 2 in the series is also fantastic. I just finished books one and two back to back, and now I can't wait for Grace's story to release after Christmas.
I really love this author's style. The characters are believable, well-developed, and their struggles are realistic.
Simon and Charlotte are meant to be. Their chemistry jumped off the page for me. I was heartbroken when they were parted, which made their happily ever after even more satisfying.
Book 2 in the series is also fantastic. I just finished books one and two back to back, and now I can't wait for Grace's story to release after Christmas.
October 7, 2020
This book was so good. I love romance. Contemporary, paranormal, new adult, chick lit, YA, basically anything. I'd recommend this book to anyone who reads romance. She is a great writer.
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October 26, 2025
“Love will always be stronger than hate.”
I’m just going to dive into this review I loved this coming-of-age story. There was so much substance that I couldn’t put it down at times; I just wanted to keep reading. Charlotte feels like a stranger in her own home. Her father and brother are horrible, and I felt so sad for her. But despite everything she went through, she remained strong and resilient, pushing forward even when she felt completely alone.
Then we have Simon, who struggles with his feelings toward Charlotte due to the family drama between them. He’s trying to come to terms with the fact that she’s just an innocent bystander who doesn’t fully understand the bigger picture. The way he left her broke my heart, and with everything that followed, I just wanted him to come back. As time passed, I ached for a reunion though, of course, it came with its own challenges.
Lastly, this is a closed-door romance, which I really appreciated. It didn’t take anything away from the emotional depth of the story.
I truly enjoyed this book!
That said, I do think the story could have easily been 100–200 pages longer. The way the author structured it sometimes felt a bit jumpy. The story would flow nicely, then suddenly skip ahead in time. It happened quite a few times, and I would have preferred more detail in some of those moments.
I’ve already bought the next book because I want to continue with the series. I’m really enjoy the emotions the author makes me feel.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle Read
Pages: 349
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 0.5 🌶️ (Closed Door)
Series or Standalone: Book One In The Blackbird Series
Tropes or Themes: Enemies To Lovers, Coming Of Age, Second Chance, Accidental Pregnancy, First Love, Right Person Wrong Time, Letters, Violence, Death, SA Attempt, Family Drama, Medical Content, Mine, Secrets, Lies, Sexual Content (Closed Door) and Virgin.
Mentions: Drugs
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I’m just going to dive into this review I loved this coming-of-age story. There was so much substance that I couldn’t put it down at times; I just wanted to keep reading. Charlotte feels like a stranger in her own home. Her father and brother are horrible, and I felt so sad for her. But despite everything she went through, she remained strong and resilient, pushing forward even when she felt completely alone.
Then we have Simon, who struggles with his feelings toward Charlotte due to the family drama between them. He’s trying to come to terms with the fact that she’s just an innocent bystander who doesn’t fully understand the bigger picture. The way he left her broke my heart, and with everything that followed, I just wanted him to come back. As time passed, I ached for a reunion though, of course, it came with its own challenges.
Lastly, this is a closed-door romance, which I really appreciated. It didn’t take anything away from the emotional depth of the story.
I truly enjoyed this book!
That said, I do think the story could have easily been 100–200 pages longer. The way the author structured it sometimes felt a bit jumpy. The story would flow nicely, then suddenly skip ahead in time. It happened quite a few times, and I would have preferred more detail in some of those moments.
I’ve already bought the next book because I want to continue with the series. I’m really enjoy the emotions the author makes me feel.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle Read
Pages: 349
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 0.5 🌶️ (Closed Door)
Series or Standalone: Book One In The Blackbird Series
Tropes or Themes: Enemies To Lovers, Coming Of Age, Second Chance, Accidental Pregnancy, First Love, Right Person Wrong Time, Letters, Violence, Death, SA Attempt, Family Drama, Medical Content, Mine, Secrets, Lies, Sexual Content (Closed Door) and Virgin.
Mentions: Drugs
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
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August 17, 2021
This is not your typical enemies to lover book, neither it is a "teen pregnancy, single mother" trope and it is definitely not your typical YA. This book is all of this and then some more wrapped up in one.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I have to admit it was a bit slow in the beginning, part one nearly made me give up a couple times, but I wanted to see how it plays out and boy, I am not disappointed. It's not like those books where the heroine is already pregnant and then the guy comes in, sweeps her off her feet without any effort once more. No, this book made sure that both hero and heroine put in the effort that comes in building a relationship, and then rebuilding it.
What I loved the most is the characters. The storyline is popular enough to make it cliche and boring; girl ends up pregnant, boy leaves her to go through everything all by herself and then one day comes in and he's the brightest sun that has ever shined in the lives of the heroine and her child. But this book does not follow this line of events, instead it takes two broken people, mends them slowly and beautifully, then breaks them again like fragile China dolls, then people around them, the circumstances, the hardships, the ups and downs, rebuilds the two MCs and then it slowly rebuilds our hero and heroine. Both the MCs have a spine and are not afraid to stand up for themselves, and for the ones they care for, this is the second most likeable thing.
Five "blueberry" stars for everything in this book - plot, storyline, characters, events, romance and angst. I never thought I'd write this, but the angst in this book is what kept me going.
- M. M
SPOILERS AHEAD
I have to admit it was a bit slow in the beginning, part one nearly made me give up a couple times, but I wanted to see how it plays out and boy, I am not disappointed. It's not like those books where the heroine is already pregnant and then the guy comes in, sweeps her off her feet without any effort once more. No, this book made sure that both hero and heroine put in the effort that comes in building a relationship, and then rebuilding it.
What I loved the most is the characters. The storyline is popular enough to make it cliche and boring; girl ends up pregnant, boy leaves her to go through everything all by herself and then one day comes in and he's the brightest sun that has ever shined in the lives of the heroine and her child. But this book does not follow this line of events, instead it takes two broken people, mends them slowly and beautifully, then breaks them again like fragile China dolls, then people around them, the circumstances, the hardships, the ups and downs, rebuilds the two MCs and then it slowly rebuilds our hero and heroine. Both the MCs have a spine and are not afraid to stand up for themselves, and for the ones they care for, this is the second most likeable thing.
Five "blueberry" stars for everything in this book - plot, storyline, characters, events, romance and angst. I never thought I'd write this, but the angst in this book is what kept me going.
- M. M
September 19, 2020
Charlotte and Simon had so much going against them from the beginning, but that didn't stop them from falling in love. Their two families hated each other and while you wouldn't normally picture these two coming together, it makes total sense in that they are both from seriously dysfunctional backgrounds and have both suffered their share of trauma. They both shared the desire to get the hell out of town after graduation, but only Simon did it on his own terms. Charlotte's crappy dad had her driven out of town and dumped like a piece of trash. Charlotte had to make some choices that a girl her age shouldn't have to make, and I agree with the path she chose even though Simon found it hurtful. He made choices that hurt her as well so I feel that they are even in that respect. When they meet up again, they still have a lot of unresolved feelings to work through. Can they get over everything that has happened while they were apart and make a future together? I really enjoyed this story, even though there were a few parts that dragged on a little. These characters experienced a lot of heart break but also a lot of joy.
I did receive a copy of this book from Hidden Gems and this is my honest review.
I did receive a copy of this book from Hidden Gems and this is my honest review.
February 25, 2021
New to me but not for long
Wow.
Just, wow.
Lily is a new to me author but she won't remain that way for long. After finishing this power-house of an angsty, secret baby second chance romance I searched out and downloaded samples from the rest of this series.
Charlotte ends up pregnant by her boyfriend of only four months, Simon (super smart but poor, super motivated son of a single mom brother of a felon, super hot but so single minded in his pursuit of his future even our heroine realizes that telling him of his impending fatherhood won't end well). There's so many minor spoilers I could include here to interest another reader, but this story fits together so seamlessly I don't want to ruin the reading experience for anyone. Let's just say that a weakness that secret baby stories frequently share is "doormat complex", but although our heroine here has a bit of the martyr going on, it stems from a sense of strength so deep in her soul that it's a pleasure watching her overcome story plot obstacles.
Keeping this short and sweet because I cannot wait to start the next one in this series, and really that's the highest compliment of all!
Wow.
Just, wow.
Lily is a new to me author but she won't remain that way for long. After finishing this power-house of an angsty, secret baby second chance romance I searched out and downloaded samples from the rest of this series.
Charlotte ends up pregnant by her boyfriend of only four months, Simon (super smart but poor, super motivated son of a single mom brother of a felon, super hot but so single minded in his pursuit of his future even our heroine realizes that telling him of his impending fatherhood won't end well). There's so many minor spoilers I could include here to interest another reader, but this story fits together so seamlessly I don't want to ruin the reading experience for anyone. Let's just say that a weakness that secret baby stories frequently share is "doormat complex", but although our heroine here has a bit of the martyr going on, it stems from a sense of strength so deep in her soul that it's a pleasure watching her overcome story plot obstacles.
Keeping this short and sweet because I cannot wait to start the next one in this series, and really that's the highest compliment of all!
January 26, 2021
A very emotional and heartfelt enemies to lovers, that really made you feel an emotional connection to the main characters. Their heartbreak and struggle was very detailed and not glossed over. It had that modern day Romeo and Juliet vibe but only between Simon and Charlotte, where they have stereo typed each other without knowing the full backstory on why there is bad blood and family hatred between them.
After dating breifly in highschool for about four months, they go their seperate ways after Simon leaves for college, abruptly breakings things off suddenly. It was amazing to get an insight from both their perspectives on the seperate lives they lived for the next four years without any contact. Then the final part is their reunion and what brings them back together. I really went on a journey with these two characters and felt sad when it was over, but happy to see their full circle. This was a great read and I will definitely be reading more from this series.
After dating breifly in highschool for about four months, they go their seperate ways after Simon leaves for college, abruptly breakings things off suddenly. It was amazing to get an insight from both their perspectives on the seperate lives they lived for the next four years without any contact. Then the final part is their reunion and what brings them back together. I really went on a journey with these two characters and felt sad when it was over, but happy to see their full circle. This was a great read and I will definitely be reading more from this series.
November 4, 2021
I am SSOO fed up with the sex double standard.
He leaves her standing on a sidewalk with a pharmacy bag containing the morning after pill. Never looked back or called to see if she was pregnant or not.
We hear him whine about his sporadic piss poor attempts to find her . . none, by the way, included him calling her family or going to their home town . . . ALL the while fucking other girls.🙄🤨😑
Of course . . it was ALWAYS her face he seen as he used someone else's body to get off. Please! 😠
While she BARELY had a few actual dates and NO sexual activity.
A few I'm sorries, it was ALWAYS you I loved and she forgives and gives him some. 🤦♂️
He leaves her standing on a sidewalk with a pharmacy bag containing the morning after pill. Never looked back or called to see if she was pregnant or not.
We hear him whine about his sporadic piss poor attempts to find her . . none, by the way, included him calling her family or going to their home town . . . ALL the while fucking other girls.🙄🤨😑
Of course . . it was ALWAYS her face he seen as he used someone else's body to get off. Please! 😠
While she BARELY had a few actual dates and NO sexual activity.
A few I'm sorries, it was ALWAYS you I loved and she forgives and gives him some. 🤦♂️
September 22, 2020
Ohmigod..,what an amazing read!! This one just ripped my heart out. Lily Foster certainly knows how to turn a phrase. The storyline was excruciatingly real. The characters were well developed—and some you just couldn’t stand! Plot twists and turns popped up at every page. You will definitely need tissues for this one...just don’t let this one get away! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and thoroughly enjoyed it!) ❤️❤️❤️
September 22, 2020
Sweet story.
February 2, 2021
Glad I discovered this book
New author & she didn’t disappoint. Really enjoyed seeing both the characters grow & find their way back to each other.
New author & she didn’t disappoint. Really enjoyed seeing both the characters grow & find their way back to each other.
February 23, 2021
This book was such a wonderful surprise. I don’t typically like teenage romances but this one worked for me. I’m now obsessed with this author.
I do think this novel threw in a lot of characters and it was tough to keep them straight. Also it could’ve used another edit since I found enough mistakes to take me out of the story.
This is a fade-to-black closed door romance with swearing.
CW: attempted sexual assault, death of a parent
I do think this novel threw in a lot of characters and it was tough to keep them straight. Also it could’ve used another edit since I found enough mistakes to take me out of the story.
This is a fade-to-black closed door romance with swearing.
CW: attempted sexual assault, death of a parent
February 14, 2024
It was ok, I guess.
I liked the story, just not the delivery. Plus the subtle errors. Those drive me bonkers but, maybe you won't notice them...
I really really despise inner monologues.
And this book was at least 80% inner monologue.
I would have liked to have closer on Wes and Christain. And I would have loved seeing Simon correct Sam with Charlie present because, Sam hurt Charlie and I think it should have been addressed.
Also, what ever happened to Daisy?
When you introduce so many ppl into the mcs lives, you should.provide closer on their lives.
Especially in a standalone.
Anyway, off to see my cardiology team.
See you on the flip side...
I liked the story, just not the delivery. Plus the subtle errors. Those drive me bonkers but, maybe you won't notice them...
I really really despise inner monologues.
And this book was at least 80% inner monologue.
I would have liked to have closer on Wes and Christain. And I would have loved seeing Simon correct Sam with Charlie present because, Sam hurt Charlie and I think it should have been addressed.
Also, what ever happened to Daisy?
When you introduce so many ppl into the mcs lives, you should.provide closer on their lives.
Especially in a standalone.
Anyway, off to see my cardiology team.
See you on the flip side...
lost-interest
April 30, 2021DNF. Got about 30% in and was bored still, didn't connect with the characters at all.
May 24, 2025
3 stars ⭐️
September 28, 2020
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This was my first book by this author and definitely will not be my last.
This is the first book in The Blackbird series. It's a second chance romance with a HEA ending.
Simon is from the wrong side of the tracks. He's smart and has a bright future ahead of him. He wants to be a lawyer so he can help people like his brother who are wrongly accused. He had a plan but sometimes life throws you a huge curve ball.
Charlotte knew he was leaving for college just never thought he could leave her like she meant nothing. Years later she sees him in passing only he doesn't see her. Maybe it's time to tell him the secret she has kept for the last three years.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for more from this series.
This is the first book in The Blackbird series. It's a second chance romance with a HEA ending.
Simon is from the wrong side of the tracks. He's smart and has a bright future ahead of him. He wants to be a lawyer so he can help people like his brother who are wrongly accused. He had a plan but sometimes life throws you a huge curve ball.
Charlotte knew he was leaving for college just never thought he could leave her like she meant nothing. Years later she sees him in passing only he doesn't see her. Maybe it's time to tell him the secret she has kept for the last three years.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for more from this series.
July 26, 2024
The first half of this book doesn’t count 🤓
December 28, 2020
I absolutely love this author. She doesn't have many books, but I've devoured everything she's written and each book stays with me long after I'm done.
May 27, 2021
A full-length novel that spans coming of age to new adult. I love this author's style and this series, IMO, is pure gold. You will fall for Simon and Charlotte and have a hard time putting the story out of your head long after you're done.
September 24, 2020
I confess that I wasn't expecting this book to be so good. When I read the blurb and realized it would be a hidden pregnancy trope I was ready to hate it. But the h had many very good reasons and didn't wait too long. The love between them was so genuine and sweet that it won me over pretty quickly. The story is also very realistic when it comes to the behavior of a sixteen and eighteen years old couple living in very bad environments. I wish the story gave more focus on the abuse, physical, emotional, and verbal, that the h suffer for so long. I feel like it was glossed over and treated as not a big deal.
The book spent a lot of time on their lives apart and very little on their actual relationship. Normally I would hate that, but I felt like it was necessary to understand both characters. I loved the progression and I loved the moral flaws the H had.
I can't wait for the next book!
The book spent a lot of time on their lives apart and very little on their actual relationship. Normally I would hate that, but I felt like it was necessary to understand both characters. I loved the progression and I loved the moral flaws the H had.
I can't wait for the next book!
October 7, 2020
I loved this author's last series and am seriously loving this new one even more, starting with Simon and Charlotte's story.
Star-crossed lovers, their families hate one another from events in the past. Simon is attracted to Charlotte, but when he finds out who she is he does everything he can to push her away. But it's no use, they're destined to be. But Lily Foster never makes it so easy on her readers. No, we're dragged through some seriously emotional, well done drama. It feels so real. No cheesy plots, no over the top elements. This is real, this is emotional.
I was completely enthralled from page one right through to the end. I cannot wait for the next book and am so glad it's releasing soon.
Star-crossed lovers, their families hate one another from events in the past. Simon is attracted to Charlotte, but when he finds out who she is he does everything he can to push her away. But it's no use, they're destined to be. But Lily Foster never makes it so easy on her readers. No, we're dragged through some seriously emotional, well done drama. It feels so real. No cheesy plots, no over the top elements. This is real, this is emotional.
I was completely enthralled from page one right through to the end. I cannot wait for the next book and am so glad it's releasing soon.
July 27, 2021
Emotional second chance romance
I knew by reading the synopsis that this was going to be an emotional book. I don't think I was prepared for it though. This book is so beautifully written. Its not glamorous in its depiction. The couple goes through a lot of real life struggles together and apart. I loved reading their romance story and was heartbroken when they were separated. I really enjoyed this book and was happy with how it ended. Nothing felt rushed at all. This is a great book.
I knew by reading the synopsis that this was going to be an emotional book. I don't think I was prepared for it though. This book is so beautifully written. Its not glamorous in its depiction. The couple goes through a lot of real life struggles together and apart. I loved reading their romance story and was heartbroken when they were separated. I really enjoyed this book and was happy with how it ended. Nothing felt rushed at all. This is a great book.
June 20, 2023
****Trigger Warning: There is abuse, and attempted rape****
We can’t help who our heart falls in love with. Our brains can talk all it wants, but when that person is within eyeshot we will find a way to torture ourselves. Like a heat-seeking missile set on its target, we will find ourselves staring covertly at the one, or at least we think we are. When in fact, nope, it's just a lie we tell ourselves. This is the case with, Charlotte Mason who is always staring at Simon Wade and vice versa. The thing is Simon looks at her with disgust and loathing. He can't figure out how this girl with a family who is, so rich and so admired in their community by some, slums it.
How can she work at the local diner on, the worst side of town, at the worst time of day, six a.m.? What makes matters worse, he works across the street in the hardware store, during the same hours. Now, their breaks are at the same time and everything, pissing him off because he was there first, and, now he can’t eat at the diner.
Yet, her daddy has her driving the newest little sports car off his dealership. The dichotomy just floors him. Yet, at the same time, the burn doesn’t come from her. The hatred for her family started before them.
It started with their older brothers. Let's just say her daddy and brother are more alike than, Charlotte would like to admit. Her brother, Christian’s temper landed him in court for beating up, Timmy who is Simon’s brother, but because he is, a Mason he got off. Hence, the bad blood. One day she shows up at the hardware store, looking for a slide look-out lock. He can tell she looks concerned. So, he hooked her up with even better screws because he said otherwise it would be too easy to push in. It’s not until the next day at school when he as if she had any problem installing, he was worried, then poof he was gone.
Charlotte doesn't show up for work or school the next day and he does notice. But when two days go by he listens for what could be wrong. Her mom had died. He felt bad but, knew he couldn’t help her with the family feud. He’s not heartless when she returns he does express his condolences. Things start progressing with the two of them that bring them closer together. Her brother is more screwed up than anyone knew, when she confronts his friend, Wes about Timmy he said leave it alone.
This is a good book. Intense, fast pace, and irritating. Intense because of her home life and how she is treated by her father and brother. Her relationship with, Wes, and how he has turned around for the better. That he acknowledged his feelings, and that he had feelings for her, for a long time. At least he never acted on it. Simon was pissed because he said, Wes should have never been interested in, Charlotte because he was older and she was underage.
Well, it was the same with them, too. Garth even reminded him of it way before they ever started dating, on his eighteenth birthday. Simon should have been made to suffer longer. He was a taker and a user. He knew he was using, Samantha the way he did, Charlotte. A must-read love story because there is so much more juicy stuff that I can’t fit in this review.
We can’t help who our heart falls in love with. Our brains can talk all it wants, but when that person is within eyeshot we will find a way to torture ourselves. Like a heat-seeking missile set on its target, we will find ourselves staring covertly at the one, or at least we think we are. When in fact, nope, it's just a lie we tell ourselves. This is the case with, Charlotte Mason who is always staring at Simon Wade and vice versa. The thing is Simon looks at her with disgust and loathing. He can't figure out how this girl with a family who is, so rich and so admired in their community by some, slums it.
How can she work at the local diner on, the worst side of town, at the worst time of day, six a.m.? What makes matters worse, he works across the street in the hardware store, during the same hours. Now, their breaks are at the same time and everything, pissing him off because he was there first, and, now he can’t eat at the diner.
Yet, her daddy has her driving the newest little sports car off his dealership. The dichotomy just floors him. Yet, at the same time, the burn doesn’t come from her. The hatred for her family started before them.
It started with their older brothers. Let's just say her daddy and brother are more alike than, Charlotte would like to admit. Her brother, Christian’s temper landed him in court for beating up, Timmy who is Simon’s brother, but because he is, a Mason he got off. Hence, the bad blood. One day she shows up at the hardware store, looking for a slide look-out lock. He can tell she looks concerned. So, he hooked her up with even better screws because he said otherwise it would be too easy to push in. It’s not until the next day at school when he as if she had any problem installing, he was worried, then poof he was gone.
Charlotte doesn't show up for work or school the next day and he does notice. But when two days go by he listens for what could be wrong. Her mom had died. He felt bad but, knew he couldn’t help her with the family feud. He’s not heartless when she returns he does express his condolences. Things start progressing with the two of them that bring them closer together. Her brother is more screwed up than anyone knew, when she confronts his friend, Wes about Timmy he said leave it alone.
This is a good book. Intense, fast pace, and irritating. Intense because of her home life and how she is treated by her father and brother. Her relationship with, Wes, and how he has turned around for the better. That he acknowledged his feelings, and that he had feelings for her, for a long time. At least he never acted on it. Simon was pissed because he said, Wes should have never been interested in, Charlotte because he was older and she was underage.
Well, it was the same with them, too. Garth even reminded him of it way before they ever started dating, on his eighteenth birthday. Simon should have been made to suffer longer. He was a taker and a user. He knew he was using, Samantha the way he did, Charlotte. A must-read love story because there is so much more juicy stuff that I can’t fit in this review.
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