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Everlong
2021 IAN Book of the Year Finalist for Romance & Paranormal
Lily doesn't remember her death, or even her reawakening, but she knows the sun is to be feared, words are her salvation, and-above all-the bench facing the playground is hers . She is the pin holding the hands of the clock, watching the world move and change around her while she remains fixed, lonely, and unchanged... until a boy takes a seat beside her.
A story about love, loss, and what it means to live forever.
Lily doesn't remember her death, or even her reawakening, but she knows the sun is to be feared, words are her salvation, and-above all-the bench facing the playground is hers . She is the pin holding the hands of the clock, watching the world move and change around her while she remains fixed, lonely, and unchanged... until a boy takes a seat beside her.
A story about love, loss, and what it means to live forever.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2021
291 people are currently reading
6529 people want to read
About the author
R. Raeta
8 books747 followersR. Raeta lives in Northern California with her husband and young son. When she isn’t agonizing over word choices, she enjoys telling the dog how handsome he is and sitting in on the nightly therapy sessions the cat so generously provides for her. She is a Trigiminal Neuralgia survivor and believes in living your best life day by day.
Her traditionally published works are written under the name Rachelle Raeta.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Her traditionally published works are written under the name Rachelle Raeta.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 458 reviews
July 20, 2021
Oh wow, I loved this slow burn paranormal romance! When we meet Lily and Sam, Lily has been sitting on a park bench for a long time. She’s not really sure how long. She knows something bad happened. She’s not sure what. She knows the sun is to be feared. She writes stories. She just can’t remember hers. With time, Sam helps her work out the pieces.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
March 16, 2024
Sobbing 😭
This is extremely slowburn. This story felt like our author created two characters that they loved so much so we could just follow their lives. It’s almost slice of life…not really…but maybe.
Lily sits on her bench, collecting stories with only the stars for company. When one day she meets Sam.
And this one moment changes both their lives.
They are soulmates, but not in the magical destiny way. In the we fill in the dark space for each other kind of way.
This is my second book by this author and even though I could tell this was an earlier publication I was so enchanted by how their stories like to sit in the moments with characters. They are 1000% a show not tell storyteller and if you like the slowest slowburn *points at book* but also know we are low steam if any in these books. It’s about emotional connections not super sexy times.
**also as someone who’s major pet peeve is when southern characters use nonsensical colloquialisms (because we have so many good ones why are you not just at least trying to make it sound real!!!)this book does it right! One- they don’t over use them, and two- they are real things people would actually say. Ok I’ll get down off my soapbox now 😂
This is extremely slowburn. This story felt like our author created two characters that they loved so much so we could just follow their lives. It’s almost slice of life…not really…but maybe.
Lily sits on her bench, collecting stories with only the stars for company. When one day she meets Sam.
And this one moment changes both their lives.
They are soulmates, but not in the magical destiny way. In the we fill in the dark space for each other kind of way.
This is my second book by this author and even though I could tell this was an earlier publication I was so enchanted by how their stories like to sit in the moments with characters. They are 1000% a show not tell storyteller and if you like the slowest slowburn *points at book* but also know we are low steam if any in these books. It’s about emotional connections not super sexy times.
**also as someone who’s major pet peeve is when southern characters use nonsensical colloquialisms (because we have so many good ones why are you not just at least trying to make it sound real!!!)this book does it right! One- they don’t over use them, and two- they are real things people would actually say. Ok I’ll get down off my soapbox now 😂
October 24, 2025
"I tell stories", "To who?"
"Just because they aren't shared doesn't mean they don't exist."
-------
those last 15 pages... 😭
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is this one going to make me cry?
"Just because they aren't shared doesn't mean they don't exist."
-------
those last 15 pages... 😭
-------
is this one going to make me cry?
July 13, 2021
I picked this book up after hearing so many amazing comments on it. I just had to find out what it was about. This is the first time I read anything paranormal, so I was excited to dive into the genre.
I was not disappointed.
The greatest strengths of this book are the beginning and ending. It starts with such beautiful, vivid and powerful descriptions. There is poetry decorating the lines, especially in the first few chapters. I don't want to spoil anything, so I will say this: the story is beautifully written, a sweet slown burn romance with simple yet unique plot and a perfect ending.
I was not disappointed.
The greatest strengths of this book are the beginning and ending. It starts with such beautiful, vivid and powerful descriptions. There is poetry decorating the lines, especially in the first few chapters. I don't want to spoil anything, so I will say this: the story is beautifully written, a sweet slown burn romance with simple yet unique plot and a perfect ending.
September 15, 2025
“I’m just… a footnote for you. Maybe a chapter—I don’t know. But, I’m ok with that. I am, really. I just—damn it, Lil. I just want a life with you in it.”
I signed up for tears but sadly this one didn’t pull at my heart strings! Despite being heavily character driven the two main characters lacked depth, Lily despite her age remained childlike the entire book and Sam was nice… that’s it 😅 Damn I wish this was the 5 star heartbreak I was looking for!
“He would make a home in her if she would allow it; wrap himself in the blinking stars and inky skies she paints for him and never let it go. Lily knows better than to let him. He has dreams of his own to paint; dreams that will never be realized if she continues to rob him of the brush.”
I signed up for tears but sadly this one didn’t pull at my heart strings! Despite being heavily character driven the two main characters lacked depth, Lily despite her age remained childlike the entire book and Sam was nice… that’s it 😅 Damn I wish this was the 5 star heartbreak I was looking for!
“He would make a home in her if she would allow it; wrap himself in the blinking stars and inky skies she paints for him and never let it go. Lily knows better than to let him. He has dreams of his own to paint; dreams that will never be realized if she continues to rob him of the brush.”
November 7, 2025
3.0 ★— Was I just not in the right headspace for this, or did this book really feel like a boring guy finding a pretty girl on a bench and moving her into his apartment because of some manic pixie dream girl aspirations he had for her and not much else?
I regret to say that while this story is rich with beautiful prose and starts off intriguingly, it ultimately left me cold.
Lily and her introduction on that bench were promising, and I was with the author up until about halfway through, when it really stalled for me. The pace of this book is slow, and nothing, absolutely nothing, happens. That can work when you enjoy the characters, but unfortunately, that was lacking here.
Aside from Lily and the MMC’s relatives, who were lovely and warm, everyone else felt pretty dull. The romance was just as boring. The MMC himself was so uncompelling, and his dynamic with Lily never grabbed me, which made me just want to get to the end.
I also couldn’t stop thinking about some of the logistics near the end. Certain choices the author made left me scratching my head a bit, especially when it came to how things would realistically work out for Lily.
I know this is meant to be a sad, emotional romance about deeper themes of loneliness, life, and how connection can transform someone’s existence, but in the end, I just came away thinking that a story about Lily settling somewhere else, with a love interest who had more personality and better synergy with her, would have been a more enjoyable way to deliver this story.
I regret to say that while this story is rich with beautiful prose and starts off intriguingly, it ultimately left me cold.
Lily and her introduction on that bench were promising, and I was with the author up until about halfway through, when it really stalled for me. The pace of this book is slow, and nothing, absolutely nothing, happens. That can work when you enjoy the characters, but unfortunately, that was lacking here.
Aside from Lily and the MMC’s relatives, who were lovely and warm, everyone else felt pretty dull. The romance was just as boring. The MMC himself was so uncompelling, and his dynamic with Lily never grabbed me, which made me just want to get to the end.
I also couldn’t stop thinking about some of the logistics near the end. Certain choices the author made left me scratching my head a bit, especially when it came to how things would realistically work out for Lily.
I know this is meant to be a sad, emotional romance about deeper themes of loneliness, life, and how connection can transform someone’s existence, but in the end, I just came away thinking that a story about Lily settling somewhere else, with a love interest who had more personality and better synergy with her, would have been a more enjoyable way to deliver this story.
October 18, 2021
This book gave me a thousand and one feels and honestly I'm just a wreck of a person after reading it. I want to formulate my thoughts into something sophisticated and coherent because it's what this book DESERVES, but I'm afraid all you're getting is a rant, because my heart is pulverised and my feelings are in tatters.
It's a gorgeously written story. Raeta is a true master of her craft with lyrical prose that's just pure poetry. The opening dragged me in and still hasn't released its hold.
She also excels at character writing. Every one of the good guys was just so damn likeable and authentic. Sam has my heart for life. The way she writes Lily, too, is insanely good, especially given her very unique perspective at the start. The use of 3rd person present tense works PERFECTLY with this story.
While the slow-burn romance is straight up my street, it does lag a bit in the middle, I felt two of the characters leapt a bit as to what our heroine is, and the climax was over a little bit quickly... with 10% of the story dedicated to the heartbreaking end. I knew, KNEW we weren't going to have a 'happy' end, and yet it absolutely broke me nonetheless.
Broken. This book has broken me. I have a headache from the sads. It has not yet released its hold and I fear may never.
Despite the slight lag, I've recommend it to all my friends, but I have warned them how much it's going to hurt, nay, DESTORY them.
I cannot wait to see what Raeta will do next and am honestly quite jealous that this is her first book. How much better can she possibly get?
Also props to that insanely beautiful cover and the perfect blurb.
It's a gorgeously written story. Raeta is a true master of her craft with lyrical prose that's just pure poetry. The opening dragged me in and still hasn't released its hold.
She also excels at character writing. Every one of the good guys was just so damn likeable and authentic. Sam has my heart for life. The way she writes Lily, too, is insanely good, especially given her very unique perspective at the start. The use of 3rd person present tense works PERFECTLY with this story.
While the slow-burn romance is straight up my street, it does lag a bit in the middle, I felt two of the characters leapt a bit as to what our heroine is, and the climax was over a little bit quickly... with 10% of the story dedicated to the heartbreaking end. I knew, KNEW we weren't going to have a 'happy' end, and yet it absolutely broke me nonetheless.
Broken. This book has broken me. I have a headache from the sads. It has not yet released its hold and I fear may never.
Despite the slight lag, I've recommend it to all my friends, but I have warned them how much it's going to hurt, nay, DESTORY them.
I cannot wait to see what Raeta will do next and am honestly quite jealous that this is her first book. How much better can she possibly get?
Also props to that insanely beautiful cover and the perfect blurb.
November 30, 2021
I need to write this review now, while the emotions are still super fresh and my vision is still blurred with tears!
I read a ton of books. A ton. Everlong was the 102 book I finished this year. So when I say it is easily in my top five favorites, that is nothing short of amazing. But it is. Everlong is by far one of the most wonderful, well-written, emotional reads I've ever had the pleasure of picking up.
I could go on and on and on about everything thing I loved about this book, but in order to do it justice I'd need to have my own bench, in my own park, with my own street light overhead. But since I don't, suffice it to say that this book is pure literary perfection. I loved everything about it. I giggled, I smiled, and I most certainly cried.
Lily was lost, teetering on the brink of losing her very existence when Sam showed up. Sam. Omg. He is probably the sweetest boy in all the world. Sweet and patient and loving. I can't even begin to describe how amazing he is. I loved him. Pure and simple.
Like I said, this review could go on forever, but why waste your time? Every second you spend here is a second you should be spending with this book in front of you. It's flawless. R. Raeta is a marvelous writer and I, for one, will be reading every single book she releases from here on out. That, my friend, is a promise.
Everlong deserves so so much more than 5 stars. And that's all there is to it.
I read a ton of books. A ton. Everlong was the 102 book I finished this year. So when I say it is easily in my top five favorites, that is nothing short of amazing. But it is. Everlong is by far one of the most wonderful, well-written, emotional reads I've ever had the pleasure of picking up.
I could go on and on and on about everything thing I loved about this book, but in order to do it justice I'd need to have my own bench, in my own park, with my own street light overhead. But since I don't, suffice it to say that this book is pure literary perfection. I loved everything about it. I giggled, I smiled, and I most certainly cried.
Lily was lost, teetering on the brink of losing her very existence when Sam showed up. Sam. Omg. He is probably the sweetest boy in all the world. Sweet and patient and loving. I can't even begin to describe how amazing he is. I loved him. Pure and simple.
Like I said, this review could go on forever, but why waste your time? Every second you spend here is a second you should be spending with this book in front of you. It's flawless. R. Raeta is a marvelous writer and I, for one, will be reading every single book she releases from here on out. That, my friend, is a promise.
Everlong deserves so so much more than 5 stars. And that's all there is to it.
February 4, 2022
I just want to start off by saying the writing in this? Absolutely beautiful. And the story that went with it was sweet and slow in the best of ways. After hearing everyone say the ending gutted them, I was braced for the worst the entire way through, but was actually surprised to a find the ending delightfully bittersweet. Great book; would definitely recommend.
January 9, 2025
3.5. The start of this book was PHENOMENAL! The writing and the storyline were stunning. The middle kind of dips in interest and pacing. To be honest our big bad kind of felt out of place. I know it was a super short book but we barely got any of the villain actually being a successful villain so that was kinda funny. I sobbed my way through the ending though. Was still a gorgeous beautiful heartbreaking read.
November 25, 2021
This book is beautifully written, poetic and lyrical and I fell in love with the writing instantly.
Sam and Lily were perfect, written so well they felt like old friends.
Everlong coaxed every emotion from me and left me in tatters by the end. Honestly my heart is still hurting.
This is a beautiful contemporary romance with a twist and I can't wait to read more of the authors work. 🖤
Sam and Lily were perfect, written so well they felt like old friends.
Everlong coaxed every emotion from me and left me in tatters by the end. Honestly my heart is still hurting.
This is a beautiful contemporary romance with a twist and I can't wait to read more of the authors work. 🖤
March 20, 2022
I heard great things about this one through the Twitterverse, and when I saw it pitched for my little free library contest, I knew I had it grab it. It totally did not disappoint!
Everlong is a whimsical paranormal that follows Lily as she walks to "her bench" every night to write. There, she runs into sweet Sam, and they strike up an easy friendship. From there, things get a little more complicated for the pair as they come to learn more about each other.
The writing is beautiful, and the relationship that grows between the two feels incredibly natural. If you like friends-to-lovers, this story gets it exactly right. It is sweet, and poignant, and though we are in the mysterious world of paranormal, this story uses it to cast a light on the human side of it.
After the things I'd heard about this book, I was braced for the end, but honestly I found it a wonderful, poignant end to a great love story. (No tissues required over here, but if you're a crier you might want to be armed in case.)
This story hits right in the feels, capturing our humanity in a little jar of whimsical paranormal. I'm so glad I picked this one up and can’t wait to share it with our little free library. Highly recommended to anyone who wants paranormal romance that goes beyond the surface.
Everlong is a whimsical paranormal that follows Lily as she walks to "her bench" every night to write. There, she runs into sweet Sam, and they strike up an easy friendship. From there, things get a little more complicated for the pair as they come to learn more about each other.
The writing is beautiful, and the relationship that grows between the two feels incredibly natural. If you like friends-to-lovers, this story gets it exactly right. It is sweet, and poignant, and though we are in the mysterious world of paranormal, this story uses it to cast a light on the human side of it.
After the things I'd heard about this book, I was braced for the end, but honestly I found it a wonderful, poignant end to a great love story. (No tissues required over here, but if you're a crier you might want to be armed in case.)
This story hits right in the feels, capturing our humanity in a little jar of whimsical paranormal. I'm so glad I picked this one up and can’t wait to share it with our little free library. Highly recommended to anyone who wants paranormal romance that goes beyond the surface.
August 14, 2021
I am super impressed with this debut novel by R. Raeta. I must admit that this book was being heavily discussed in a writing forum that I frequent, so I decided to dive right into this one, pretty much sight unseen. I am so happy I did! From the very opening page, I was hooked. The author's gift of description will leave you immersed within a world that you will find refreshing and innovative. There are twists and turns, wonderful dialog, strongly developed characters, and a swiftly moving plot. I really did feel a sense of loss when the novel ended—as I had become accustomed to living inside these pages. The author's creations will stick with you for quite a while, I promise. I don't want to spoil the plot, as you'll find it much more rewarding to discover it for yourself. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. This work is a terrific beginning for a new author, whom I will be following for future tales to come. Go read this book now!
July 29, 2021
I fell in love with this book. It made me smile, it made me cry... I loved Lily's character, loved every single word of her relationship with Sam... To be honest, it's been forever since the last time I read a romance that beautifully written. (I wish I had a Sam in my life haha.) I also grew fond of the other characters, each of them relatable and endearing in their own way, and the plot was very interesting to see unfold. I can say without a doubt that R. Raeta is going to become one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to read more from her. Thank you for sharing Everlong with us !
August 13, 2021
Amazing!
A wonderful story with beautiful characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Lily is unique & intriguing from beginning to end & Sam compliments her perfectly. The side characters are great, pushing Lily & Sam’s growth further & providing the beautifully written narrative with a dose of humour & a lovely family dynamic. There’s an elegance to the author’s writing that keeps you hooked & longing for more. An amazing novel I highly recommend reading.
A wonderful story with beautiful characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Lily is unique & intriguing from beginning to end & Sam compliments her perfectly. The side characters are great, pushing Lily & Sam’s growth further & providing the beautifully written narrative with a dose of humour & a lovely family dynamic. There’s an elegance to the author’s writing that keeps you hooked & longing for more. An amazing novel I highly recommend reading.
October 24, 2021
The first word that comes to mind when I think of this book is enchanting. If ever there was a story about unconditional love, this is it. It’s emotional, unique, the characters are vivid, and the dialogue is top-notch. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2021
Read this book!
What a book, I didn’t want to put it down. The story is told in such a unique way. Poetic and beautiful descriptions accompany rich characters. I shed tears more than once. Highly recommend!
What a book, I didn’t want to put it down. The story is told in such a unique way. Poetic and beautiful descriptions accompany rich characters. I shed tears more than once. Highly recommend!
September 29, 2021
Not what I expected, but definitely enjoyable. Had trouble putting it down.
May 6, 2021
Breathe out
So I can breathe you in
Hold you in...
Had to have this one from the title alone. A song I always turn up.
I had a feeling this book would be special. I was not wrong.
Another reviewer said lyrical. I agree! Excellent prose and heart tugging story.
There’s a uniqueness to the opening act. A mysterious innocence that left a cold chill around the edges. I don’t have the words...
There’s minor flaws in the editing, proofreading. But I am going to forgive them 1000 percent. The story is touching, gut wrenching and still hopeful.
The end was the one the book needed, but part of me wished for it to end sooner. To remove the last chapters like Lily’s copy of a famous play...
I’ll read from this author again. Fantastic work!
So I can breathe you in
Hold you in...
Had to have this one from the title alone. A song I always turn up.
I had a feeling this book would be special. I was not wrong.
Another reviewer said lyrical. I agree! Excellent prose and heart tugging story.
There’s a uniqueness to the opening act. A mysterious innocence that left a cold chill around the edges. I don’t have the words...
There’s minor flaws in the editing, proofreading. But I am going to forgive them 1000 percent. The story is touching, gut wrenching and still hopeful.
The end was the one the book needed, but part of me wished for it to end sooner. To remove the last chapters like Lily’s copy of a famous play...
I’ll read from this author again. Fantastic work!
April 20, 2025
500 stars this is required reading
February 28, 2022
R. Raeta has created a potent work of narrative poetry with her debut novel, Everlong. The author weaves beautiful imagery with unbearably relatable emotion in this tale showcasing the importance of human connection and the fleeting nature of human life.
The story is about Lily, who at the start, has utterly lost everything tethering her to life. She’s adrift in a sea of time, which has no meaning to her and can’t see a future amongst the endless days of sameness. The one solace she has is writing. She writes about the mundane, giving every scrap in the park a story, providing for inanimate objects what she herself is lacking—purpose.
Enter Sam. Throughout the tale, Sam brings Lily back to life in countless ways. He is patient and compassionate and never once judges Lily no matter how odd or alarming her behavior or the situation becomes. He’s the kind of hero that finds strength in kindness, and he not only creates Lily’s story, but he makes Everlong the emotional journey it is.
Looking at life and humanity through a unique, paranormal lens, Everlong is a remarkable work. There is something for absolutely everyone to relate to in this story—loneliness, love, loss, existential crises, found family, and a bit of action as well. R. Raeta is an exceptionally talented author, and I will definitely be picking up her next work, Ladybird.
The story is about Lily, who at the start, has utterly lost everything tethering her to life. She’s adrift in a sea of time, which has no meaning to her and can’t see a future amongst the endless days of sameness. The one solace she has is writing. She writes about the mundane, giving every scrap in the park a story, providing for inanimate objects what she herself is lacking—purpose.
Enter Sam. Throughout the tale, Sam brings Lily back to life in countless ways. He is patient and compassionate and never once judges Lily no matter how odd or alarming her behavior or the situation becomes. He’s the kind of hero that finds strength in kindness, and he not only creates Lily’s story, but he makes Everlong the emotional journey it is.
Looking at life and humanity through a unique, paranormal lens, Everlong is a remarkable work. There is something for absolutely everyone to relate to in this story—loneliness, love, loss, existential crises, found family, and a bit of action as well. R. Raeta is an exceptionally talented author, and I will definitely be picking up her next work, Ladybird.
December 29, 2024
The art of this book on the authors social media is what caused me to buy this book, but it was so worth it for the story. A beautifully written story about love, loss, and the cost of immortality. Ending caused me to shed a few tears.
“From the moment he took her home- he had rooted himself so deeply into her heart that there was no hope of ever untangling him.”
Lily sits alone on the same park bench every night writing stories. Her body unchanging and her mind slowly forgetting. One night a handsome man sits down on her bench and from that night forward her world changes forever.
🌙- Vampires
🌙- Paranormal Romance set in real world
🌙- Cinnamon-roll MMC
🌙- Slow burn
🌙- No HEA
“What’s the point in writing stories if you’re never going to share them?”
If R. Raeta writes it- I’m going to read it!
“From the moment he took her home- he had rooted himself so deeply into her heart that there was no hope of ever untangling him.”
Lily sits alone on the same park bench every night writing stories. Her body unchanging and her mind slowly forgetting. One night a handsome man sits down on her bench and from that night forward her world changes forever.
🌙- Vampires
🌙- Paranormal Romance set in real world
🌙- Cinnamon-roll MMC
🌙- Slow burn
🌙- No HEA
“What’s the point in writing stories if you’re never going to share them?”
If R. Raeta writes it- I’m going to read it!
October 6, 2024
“She had never been in any danger, but Sam had saved her all the same.”
A girl spends every night on a bench writing in notebooks. Something isn’t quite right. A boy finds her, sits with her, and unravels who she is and what she needs through kindness and patience.
I wanted to live in the soft warmth of love and comfort that Sam and Lily gave me for as long as possible. It hurt to finish this book, and it’s the kind that’s going to hurt for a very long time. Unique characters and slice of life storytelling, everything about this was perfection, and now I’m going to go cry about it for the rest of my life.
“There is only one thing she wants, and she knows it is something she will never get. Time is fickle like that. She was wishes for more of it anyway.”
A girl spends every night on a bench writing in notebooks. Something isn’t quite right. A boy finds her, sits with her, and unravels who she is and what she needs through kindness and patience.
I wanted to live in the soft warmth of love and comfort that Sam and Lily gave me for as long as possible. It hurt to finish this book, and it’s the kind that’s going to hurt for a very long time. Unique characters and slice of life storytelling, everything about this was perfection, and now I’m going to go cry about it for the rest of my life.
“There is only one thing she wants, and she knows it is something she will never get. Time is fickle like that. She was wishes for more of it anyway.”
December 17, 2021
I’m not one for writing reviews. I’m terrible with words, especially with those to express how much LOVE and ADORATION I have for this story.
I was hooked into this book with the first line, and it just kept getting better and better. The lyrical writing style, the descriptions of the characters and their personalities, every single line filled me with joy and anguish and hope. THIS BOOK BROKE ME IN SUCH A GOOD WAY. I sobbed so hard it’s amazing my dog didn’t get worried about me.
I went on this journey WITH Lily and Sam. I haven’t felt so connected to characters in a long time. I even messaged the author on tiktok, and she was amazing to talk to! I rambled at her about my reactions (probably too much haha), but I’m so glad I did!
If you want a book to give you all of the emotions, this is the one. Get it right now. I actually just bought the hardcover copy so I’ll have two copies (:
(Also shout out to the author for mentioning Nashville, TN! As a Tennessean myself, I love seeing my state in books, and to have a character be from there? AMAZING!)
I was hooked into this book with the first line, and it just kept getting better and better. The lyrical writing style, the descriptions of the characters and their personalities, every single line filled me with joy and anguish and hope. THIS BOOK BROKE ME IN SUCH A GOOD WAY. I sobbed so hard it’s amazing my dog didn’t get worried about me.
I went on this journey WITH Lily and Sam. I haven’t felt so connected to characters in a long time. I even messaged the author on tiktok, and she was amazing to talk to! I rambled at her about my reactions (probably too much haha), but I’m so glad I did!
If you want a book to give you all of the emotions, this is the one. Get it right now. I actually just bought the hardcover copy so I’ll have two copies (:
(Also shout out to the author for mentioning Nashville, TN! As a Tennessean myself, I love seeing my state in books, and to have a character be from there? AMAZING!)
March 25, 2023
I have heard so many amazing things about Everlong and it lived up to all of my expectations and more.
Everything about this book was wonderfully done, the prose, the plot, the romance, literally everything!
I actually don’t even know how to describe the story when people ask. It’s a vampire slow burn but it’s so much more than that. Also the cover!!! It’s so beautiful that I bought the paperback so I could have it on my shelf.
I had also heard that the end would destroy me and although I did tear up a bit, I actually thought it was a perfect ending for this story. Very bittersweet but beautifully done and I couldn’t think of any other way for Sam and Lily’s story to tie up.
This is my second book by Raeta and she’s officially become a instant buy author for me after this masterpiece.
Everything about this book was wonderfully done, the prose, the plot, the romance, literally everything!
I actually don’t even know how to describe the story when people ask. It’s a vampire slow burn but it’s so much more than that. Also the cover!!! It’s so beautiful that I bought the paperback so I could have it on my shelf.
I had also heard that the end would destroy me and although I did tear up a bit, I actually thought it was a perfect ending for this story. Very bittersweet but beautifully done and I couldn’t think of any other way for Sam and Lily’s story to tie up.
This is my second book by Raeta and she’s officially become a instant buy author for me after this masterpiece.
November 26, 2025
I found a lot of this book to be quite boring, particularly the middle of it, and the writing style annoyed me a bit. It was also going really great until her past was revealed and it was underwhelming. It was such a spooky and mysterious premise that had potential but it felt quite generic. Then the ending wrecked me. Remind me never to read a book without a hea again 😩
Despite my criticisms I did enjoy much of it, so I’d give this one 3.5 rounded up
Despite my criticisms I did enjoy much of it, so I’d give this one 3.5 rounded up
October 12, 2025
Filed under//
Went in with sky high expectations after Peaches &
Honey duo.
I really wanted to love this. 😩
I thought a contemporary vampire thriller would hit the spot in October- but it read more like a cheesy soap opera. 🤷🏽♀️
Went in with sky high expectations after Peaches &
Honey duo.
I really wanted to love this. 😩
I thought a contemporary vampire thriller would hit the spot in October- but it read more like a cheesy soap opera. 🤷🏽♀️
April 23, 2025
THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THAT
also this book is like, littered with typos and someone needs to do something about it
also this book is like, littered with typos and someone needs to do something about it
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December 8, 2025
r. raeta does no wrong.
full review to come <3
full review to come <3
December 11, 2025
It’s definitely not your typical vampire book — in the best way. It has this soft, dreamy vibe that slowly pulls you in… emphasis on slowly. It is a verrry slow burn. Like…I kept hoping something dramatic was about to happen. I found myself wishing for just a bit more, especially when it came to Lily’s relationships and her past. I wanted a few more sparks, a few more reveals.
But even with the slow pacing, I enjoyed it. It feels different in a way that’s cozy and a little haunting at the same time.
And the ending?! Low-key sad, but also kind of beautiful. I loved that Lily never finished the endings to her stories — and then after Sam passed, she finally decides to write a book to share with the world.
So yeah… not the typical vampire story, and not the fastest one either, but still a lovely read. 🖤📖
But even with the slow pacing, I enjoyed it. It feels different in a way that’s cozy and a little haunting at the same time.
And the ending?! Low-key sad, but also kind of beautiful. I loved that Lily never finished the endings to her stories — and then after Sam passed, she finally decides to write a book to share with the world.
So yeah… not the typical vampire story, and not the fastest one either, but still a lovely read. 🖤📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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