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Tennessee #4
Not About Love
“These are not love lessons,” I said, shaking my head. “This is not about love.”
Tally Taylor is definitely not the woman to instruct anyone in that particular topic. Life hasn’t given much love to her, but it isn’t what she wants, anyway. It’s certainly not what she’s after from men—like, not even her own father loves her, but that’s just the way things are. She’s fine with it.
So, love? No way. Sex? Sure, lots. Friendship? Well…she wouldn’t have thought so, not until she meets Owen. He’s cute and also sweet, also funny, also not interested in her at all. At least, he isn’t interested in her body, which is what every other guy seems to care about. Instead, he says that he wants to be friends. Friends?
But it turns out that they both really, really need one. Owen has been struggling through life alone, and Tally has been struggling with everything, as much as she doesn’t want to admit to it. As she deals with old problems with her father, new problems with his new family, with secrets from her childhood and secrets from the present, with some scary truths that she never wants to admit—Owen is there for her. He becomes the most important person in her life.
But love? No. That's not what this is, not for Tally and not for Owen, either. She’ll be his friend, sure, but this is not about love.
Until it is. And what is Tally Taylor going to do about that?
Tally Taylor is definitely not the woman to instruct anyone in that particular topic. Life hasn’t given much love to her, but it isn’t what she wants, anyway. It’s certainly not what she’s after from men—like, not even her own father loves her, but that’s just the way things are. She’s fine with it.
So, love? No way. Sex? Sure, lots. Friendship? Well…she wouldn’t have thought so, not until she meets Owen. He’s cute and also sweet, also funny, also not interested in her at all. At least, he isn’t interested in her body, which is what every other guy seems to care about. Instead, he says that he wants to be friends. Friends?
But it turns out that they both really, really need one. Owen has been struggling through life alone, and Tally has been struggling with everything, as much as she doesn’t want to admit to it. As she deals with old problems with her father, new problems with his new family, with secrets from her childhood and secrets from the present, with some scary truths that she never wants to admit—Owen is there for her. He becomes the most important person in her life.
But love? No. That's not what this is, not for Tally and not for Owen, either. She’ll be his friend, sure, but this is not about love.
Until it is. And what is Tally Taylor going to do about that?
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2022
58 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 13, 2022
Really good tearjerker of a romance, but like another reviewer I felt ambiguous about Tally's father by the end - he was the hero of a previous book, and I get that, but at the same time he didn't step up as a parent in any way until Tally was an adult, and what we eventually learn of her absolutely atrocious childhood makes that kind of unforgivable. We're supposed to believe that because he feels really bad about it now, and "blames himself more than Tally blames him" (because she's convinced that she's absolutely unlovable), and was very young when Tally was born, it's okay - but there's never a real reckoning with the damage he did. While we see Tally struggling to build a relationship with Aubree (her stepmother), we never really see Wyatt (her father) putting in the work. That relationship is simply closed off with "Tally needs to accept that her father loves her, the end."
May 10, 2022
Not everyone deserve a redemption and def not Tully.
I couldn’t for the life of me find it in my heart to forgive her abhorrent behaviour.
I couldn’t for the life of me find it in my heart to forgive her abhorrent behaviour.
April 23, 2022
I love a good redemption romance and this book delivers the redemption and the romance in a slow and sweet love story!
Tally is a porcupine of a young woman - rub her the wrong way and you're going to walk away with a few quills in your behind. Of course, her attitude and over the top reactions to the world around her is 100% due to the abuse and neglect she suffered from the people who were supposed to protect her.
Owen is a big sweet marshmallow man. He's also "seen some things" in his life but instead of making him harder, it's made him quiet and reflective. He avoids conflict and attention as much as he can.
We were introduced to these characters in The Best Luck. Tally was pretty terrible in that book, but it was obvious why she was, the way she was. Owen seemed even more vulnerable and alone when we first met him. I'm so glad that Jamie Bennett chose to give them their own story.
From the start of Not About Love I felt that Tally and Owen would give each other the things they both needed so badly to grow and mature into their best selves. I enjoyed watching their love story unfold immensely.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.
Tally is a porcupine of a young woman - rub her the wrong way and you're going to walk away with a few quills in your behind. Of course, her attitude and over the top reactions to the world around her is 100% due to the abuse and neglect she suffered from the people who were supposed to protect her.
Owen is a big sweet marshmallow man. He's also "seen some things" in his life but instead of making him harder, it's made him quiet and reflective. He avoids conflict and attention as much as he can.
We were introduced to these characters in The Best Luck. Tally was pretty terrible in that book, but it was obvious why she was, the way she was. Owen seemed even more vulnerable and alone when we first met him. I'm so glad that Jamie Bennett chose to give them their own story.
From the start of Not About Love I felt that Tally and Owen would give each other the things they both needed so badly to grow and mature into their best selves. I enjoyed watching their love story unfold immensely.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.
March 13, 2023
Omgosh, I have so many emotions about this book. Owen must be one of the best heroes ever. And Tally, she’s completely redeemed for me. Completely. ❤️❤️😭😭😭
April 25, 2022
amazing!
What an emotional roller coaster. If you want a book that makes you feel this is it! Lovely and romantic.
What an emotional roller coaster. If you want a book that makes you feel this is it! Lovely and romantic.
June 9, 2022
I devoured this one. Finally, a fresh story. Something different. Unique characters. A plot that hasn't been repeated a million times. Tally is unexpected, difficult, rough around the edges and yet wonderfully entertaining. The layers of the story peel back to really tug at the heartstrings. I wanted to savor and rush at the same time.
May 6, 2023
The book’s title definitely relates to the plot for me as I was thoroughly more invested in Tally’s storyline and growth than her relationship with Owen…
Tally, in the last book, was the epitome of everything I hate in a character so I was so curious to see what this book was about and was ready to hate it because I honestly felt like Tally could never be redeemed…
Honestly, I feel she was!
I was very confused about her continued hatred for Aubree and really, REALLY wished someone at least told Tally that hating Aubree was the most absurd thing on the planet when Tally literally was part of the reason why Aubree and her children’s lives were ruined but somehow no character was mean enough to go there with her, including her father, Aubree’s new HUSBAND…he really needed to whoop Tally’s ass at some point, but I get how he felt so guilty for how he treated Tally when she was growing up (honestly, I would cry myself to sleep with guilt)
I also was confused on how Tally could see that Aubree wasn’t so bad at some points and then completely turn around and hate her the next time she saw her, it just seemed extreme and unwarranted at a certain point.
But overall, Tally’s story is so, so sad and once again Jamie did such a good job on truly showing how someone’s past can really dictate their future.
————- SPOILER:
Tally’s sexual abuse at such a young age made me want to SOB, especially how it was Aubree she told who she thoroughly hated throughout the story until the last 10%. Wyatt was also such an amazing character and I hated seeing him hurt over Tally’s refusal to be apart of their family.
Also, Owen and Tally’s story was sweet and loving but I feel as though their relationship was mostly just a way to guide Tally’s story and redemption along as Owen played a huge part in making her question her views on things. I also disliked how Owen barely defended Aubree in moments when Tally was extremely mean but he made it up by telling Tally how much he loved Aubree so you win some and you lose some…
Also, was NOT a fan of Tally not feeling remorse for cheating with Clayton, Aubree’s husband, until she weirdly apologized at the end. Even though we never saw her thinking about it previously because she was so adamant she would never feel bad because Aubree couldn’t “hold onto her man” —— PLZ
She saw and hung out with Aubree and Clayton’s kids all the time and it kind of turns me off that she could see what she destroyed and still not feel any remorse over it, but once again her past trauma definitely played a role in her not caring about mother figures and their men.
Overall, this story definitely kept my attention but not specifically the romantic part. I honestly would sometimes skip the Owen and Tally parts because they usually came right after something interesting happened in Tally’s storyline and I wanted to see the previous event talked about more. If you feel like you couldn’t read this because you despised Tally so so so so so much like I did because of the previous book, I promise this book is worth the read.
Did it make me love her? No. But it did make me understand her more and hope for further growth down the line.
Tally, in the last book, was the epitome of everything I hate in a character so I was so curious to see what this book was about and was ready to hate it because I honestly felt like Tally could never be redeemed…
Honestly, I feel she was!
I was very confused about her continued hatred for Aubree and really, REALLY wished someone at least told Tally that hating Aubree was the most absurd thing on the planet when Tally literally was part of the reason why Aubree and her children’s lives were ruined but somehow no character was mean enough to go there with her, including her father, Aubree’s new HUSBAND…he really needed to whoop Tally’s ass at some point, but I get how he felt so guilty for how he treated Tally when she was growing up (honestly, I would cry myself to sleep with guilt)
I also was confused on how Tally could see that Aubree wasn’t so bad at some points and then completely turn around and hate her the next time she saw her, it just seemed extreme and unwarranted at a certain point.
But overall, Tally’s story is so, so sad and once again Jamie did such a good job on truly showing how someone’s past can really dictate their future.
————- SPOILER:
Tally’s sexual abuse at such a young age made me want to SOB, especially how it was Aubree she told who she thoroughly hated throughout the story until the last 10%. Wyatt was also such an amazing character and I hated seeing him hurt over Tally’s refusal to be apart of their family.
Also, Owen and Tally’s story was sweet and loving but I feel as though their relationship was mostly just a way to guide Tally’s story and redemption along as Owen played a huge part in making her question her views on things. I also disliked how Owen barely defended Aubree in moments when Tally was extremely mean but he made it up by telling Tally how much he loved Aubree so you win some and you lose some…
Also, was NOT a fan of Tally not feeling remorse for cheating with Clayton, Aubree’s husband, until she weirdly apologized at the end. Even though we never saw her thinking about it previously because she was so adamant she would never feel bad because Aubree couldn’t “hold onto her man” —— PLZ
She saw and hung out with Aubree and Clayton’s kids all the time and it kind of turns me off that she could see what she destroyed and still not feel any remorse over it, but once again her past trauma definitely played a role in her not caring about mother figures and their men.
Overall, this story definitely kept my attention but not specifically the romantic part. I honestly would sometimes skip the Owen and Tally parts because they usually came right after something interesting happened in Tally’s storyline and I wanted to see the previous event talked about more. If you feel like you couldn’t read this because you despised Tally so so so so so much like I did because of the previous book, I promise this book is worth the read.
Did it make me love her? No. But it did make me understand her more and hope for further growth down the line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
The writing is really bad, so much telling and the sentence structre middle school level. The heroine was unlikeable, not so much in her attitude, I get that she is supposed to be a bad person because of her rough childhood. What bugged me was her icompetence on top of that and the constant refusal to accept, that live goes on and people do love her. She had NO risiliant fiber in her bone, and I say that as a person who grew up as a refugee in poverty.
I liked that the author only hinted on the sexual abuse the heroine had experienced. It made the whole thing much less melodramatic.
Her father was such an idiot: she's been living with him for 6 years and she still didn't believe he loved her? Well, that's on him not being able to built a meaningful relationship with the daughter he'd abandoned for 16 years of her life.
But for her to always be so immature and childish, I just couldn't believe it. How she kept calling the kids by the wrong names, the way she didn't acknoledge her fault in having an affair with a married man. If she started out like that and then tried to built a relationship with the kids at least, well yes, I would've given her some slack. But she just treated everybody so bad and begged for breadcrumbs of affaction from them.
Now to the relationship with Owen: it had potential, but I felt little to nothing with these two. I don't think that anything about Owen would keep her longtime. Honestly I don't think she has the ability to love anybody.
Dnf at 70%.
I liked that the author only hinted on the sexual abuse the heroine had experienced. It made the whole thing much less melodramatic.
Her father was such an idiot: she's been living with him for 6 years and she still didn't believe he loved her? Well, that's on him not being able to built a meaningful relationship with the daughter he'd abandoned for 16 years of her life.
But for her to always be so immature and childish, I just couldn't believe it. How she kept calling the kids by the wrong names, the way she didn't acknoledge her fault in having an affair with a married man. If she started out like that and then tried to built a relationship with the kids at least, well yes, I would've given her some slack. But she just treated everybody so bad and begged for breadcrumbs of affaction from them.
Now to the relationship with Owen: it had potential, but I felt little to nothing with these two. I don't think that anything about Owen would keep her longtime. Honestly I don't think she has the ability to love anybody.
Dnf at 70%.
April 25, 2022
crappy life is no excuse for bad behavior but it sure explains a lot!
I have read every single one of Jamie Bennett’s novels. After I discovered Lost to Light, I read everything else and now pre-order or 1- click. I’ve gotten to follow where she’s leading the reader so was not at all surprised- but not necessarily pleased - to find Tally Taylor as the heroine. Not just because there was nothing heroic about Tally in the last two books, but because I knew there were reasons why and those reasons would hurt. Thank you, Jamie, for giving us what we needed instead of necessarily what we wanted. Fiction is definitely the best and most inventive vehicle we have to 1. Process hard things, 2. Shine the spotlight on hard things, and finally 3. Show us a possible scenario for a way out or through these hard things. I can tell that you coupled your usual panache with a great deal of research (I used to stutter horribly) and a heart for all of the characters. It was great spending more time with the extended McCourt crew, except David!
No spoilers, but Owen and Tally make me happy and hopeful. The human spirit is strong, and made stronger still by community, support , and healing. If you have not done so, read them ALL and join her Facebook group, Rocinant!
Best quote of ALL TIME: “You checked every inch of her body?” he repeated to Owen.
I have read every single one of Jamie Bennett’s novels. After I discovered Lost to Light, I read everything else and now pre-order or 1- click. I’ve gotten to follow where she’s leading the reader so was not at all surprised- but not necessarily pleased - to find Tally Taylor as the heroine. Not just because there was nothing heroic about Tally in the last two books, but because I knew there were reasons why and those reasons would hurt. Thank you, Jamie, for giving us what we needed instead of necessarily what we wanted. Fiction is definitely the best and most inventive vehicle we have to 1. Process hard things, 2. Shine the spotlight on hard things, and finally 3. Show us a possible scenario for a way out or through these hard things. I can tell that you coupled your usual panache with a great deal of research (I used to stutter horribly) and a heart for all of the characters. It was great spending more time with the extended McCourt crew, except David!
No spoilers, but Owen and Tally make me happy and hopeful. The human spirit is strong, and made stronger still by community, support , and healing. If you have not done so, read them ALL and join her Facebook group, Rocinant!
Best quote of ALL TIME: “You checked every inch of her body?” he repeated to Owen.
June 2, 2025
Well, I think I have daddy issues, hahahahah.
I cried a lot while reading this book and I have to say: what a terrible father! He was never a good dad just a frustrated person dealing with his past actions. He didn’t even know what his daughter had been through. He even paid for the mother’s rehab… How did he think she was a good person to raise his daughter?
It seems like they tried to downplay his mistakes a lot, just because now he’s a good person and loves his new family.
Honestly, I would have cut all contact with him and moved on with my life. He was never a father in the past, and he’s not a father now.
About Tally — what an interesting character! So well written and so flawed. I absolutely loved her.
Owen was such a sweetheart.
I loved how at one point he protected Tally by sending her crazy family away.
I definitely recommend reading it! I love a flawed character seeking redemption. It’s so refreshing to see characters like this that break the mold. The book is very well written and flows beautifully.
Tally, I just want to keep you in a little jar. ❤️
Waytt is the worst father in the world.
I cried a lot while reading this book and I have to say: what a terrible father! He was never a good dad just a frustrated person dealing with his past actions. He didn’t even know what his daughter had been through. He even paid for the mother’s rehab… How did he think she was a good person to raise his daughter?
It seems like they tried to downplay his mistakes a lot, just because now he’s a good person and loves his new family.
Honestly, I would have cut all contact with him and moved on with my life. He was never a father in the past, and he’s not a father now.
About Tally — what an interesting character! So well written and so flawed. I absolutely loved her.
Owen was such a sweetheart.
I loved how at one point he protected Tally by sending her crazy family away.
I definitely recommend reading it! I love a flawed character seeking redemption. It’s so refreshing to see characters like this that break the mold. The book is very well written and flows beautifully.
Tally, I just want to keep you in a little jar. ❤️
Waytt is the worst father in the world.
May 2, 2022
Nossa que romance sofrido!!! Chorei horrores!
Romance com uma personagem principal difícil de gostar (pelo menos no início e um pouco no decorrer da história), mas é um romance com personagens sofridos, e cada um com seu passado traumático.
No decorrer da história você passa a ter mais empatia com a personagem feminina e sofre com ela e tem raiva também.
Esse romance fala sobre a falta da auto estima, de você não se valorizar, achar que merece tudo de ruim que acontece e dói tanto ver isso acontecer com a personagem. Cada frase que ela solta que dá um vislumbre do passado dela dá uma tristeza tão grande.
É uma história envolvente, a escrita é fluida, mas acho que a autora focou demais na parte dramática e ruim da personagem, queria que tivesse mais sobre ela aprender a se valorizar, ter orgulho de si e senti falta de uma conversa dela com o pai sobre o passado dela.
Achei que saiu um pouco do convencional, mas nem tanto, é 80% de sofrimento, com uns respingos de felicidade, mas pelo menos o final não decepcionou, mais clichê impossível (o que é totalmente aceitável).
Romance com uma personagem principal difícil de gostar (pelo menos no início e um pouco no decorrer da história), mas é um romance com personagens sofridos, e cada um com seu passado traumático.
No decorrer da história você passa a ter mais empatia com a personagem feminina e sofre com ela e tem raiva também.
Esse romance fala sobre a falta da auto estima, de você não se valorizar, achar que merece tudo de ruim que acontece e dói tanto ver isso acontecer com a personagem. Cada frase que ela solta que dá um vislumbre do passado dela dá uma tristeza tão grande.
É uma história envolvente, a escrita é fluida, mas acho que a autora focou demais na parte dramática e ruim da personagem, queria que tivesse mais sobre ela aprender a se valorizar, ter orgulho de si e senti falta de uma conversa dela com o pai sobre o passado dela.
Achei que saiu um pouco do convencional, mas nem tanto, é 80% de sofrimento, com uns respingos de felicidade, mas pelo menos o final não decepcionou, mais clichê impossível (o que é totalmente aceitável).
July 15, 2022
A rare perfect 5-star read for me.
If you like Susan Elizabeth Phillips heroines, you will love Tally.
Such an emotional roller coaster ride. The story centered not only on the main couple's romance and personal growth but also on unresolved family conflicts and heartbreaks.
You cry and smile, heart-shattered by what Tally and Owen went through in their childhood.
Tally and Owen are a pair made in heaven, they are imperfect yet made for each other.
I'm so glad I picked up this book in the first place. And I read it until my eye dried at 3 am without any regret because I just couldn't put it down. It warms my heart to see what they achieved so far in the epilogue. This is what an epilogue is supposed to be, a glimpse of their happily-ever-after life and their hope and dream.
This book just made my day. On to the next one!
If you like Susan Elizabeth Phillips heroines, you will love Tally.
Such an emotional roller coaster ride. The story centered not only on the main couple's romance and personal growth but also on unresolved family conflicts and heartbreaks.
You cry and smile, heart-shattered by what Tally and Owen went through in their childhood.
Tally and Owen are a pair made in heaven, they are imperfect yet made for each other.
I'm so glad I picked up this book in the first place. And I read it until my eye dried at 3 am without any regret because I just couldn't put it down. It warms my heart to see what they achieved so far in the epilogue. This is what an epilogue is supposed to be, a glimpse of their happily-ever-after life and their hope and dream.
This book just made my day. On to the next one!
May 12, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I've been wanting to simultaneously shake and hug Tally from almost her first appearance in this series, frustrated by her behavior but aching for the clear damage her painful past wreaked. That feeling persisted through most of this book, where she finally gets center stage, and while that was a bit anxiety-producing for me it was worth it to see her sweet love story with adorable (and so patient!) Owen. I also enjoyed her interactions with Aubree and the kids and of course, their happy ending.
I think this series of interconnected standalones is best read in order but at a minimum you should definitely read at least The Best Luck before this one as the strongest overlap is between that one and this one.
I've been wanting to simultaneously shake and hug Tally from almost her first appearance in this series, frustrated by her behavior but aching for the clear damage her painful past wreaked. That feeling persisted through most of this book, where she finally gets center stage, and while that was a bit anxiety-producing for me it was worth it to see her sweet love story with adorable (and so patient!) Owen. I also enjoyed her interactions with Aubree and the kids and of course, their happy ending.
I think this series of interconnected standalones is best read in order but at a minimum you should definitely read at least The Best Luck before this one as the strongest overlap is between that one and this one.
May 5, 2022
Blown Away
I have a love/hate relationship with Jamie's books. They make you FEEL all the feeling in the world and I love every word but they leave me so raw at the end... This book was just so beautifully written, Tally's mind was so busy that at the beginning I had a hard keeping up but the more I read, the more I started to undertand how unfair her life had been. I thought in the the beginning that there was no excuse for they way she continued to live her life but once I finished, I understood she was a surviver, and she survived the only way she knew how. She was never weak, yes she had week moments, too many maybe but at the end, she did the best she could and was rewarded with Owen's kind soul. Dang it! I'm crying again! Read it, you won't be disappointed.
I have a love/hate relationship with Jamie's books. They make you FEEL all the feeling in the world and I love every word but they leave me so raw at the end... This book was just so beautifully written, Tally's mind was so busy that at the beginning I had a hard keeping up but the more I read, the more I started to undertand how unfair her life had been. I thought in the the beginning that there was no excuse for they way she continued to live her life but once I finished, I understood she was a surviver, and she survived the only way she knew how. She was never weak, yes she had week moments, too many maybe but at the end, she did the best she could and was rewarded with Owen's kind soul. Dang it! I'm crying again! Read it, you won't be disappointed.
July 30, 2022
Holy moly I don't think I've ever cried so much during a book.
Tally deserves every bit of happiness after her horrific nightmare of a childhood. I loved her, even as I hated some of the things she had to do to survive. I loved that she never felt sorry for herself, not even once, even though she felt unlovable and not good enough. Her honest bewilderment when people showed care towards her was heartbreaking.
This was one seriously messed up character who found redemption through love, from both the wonderful Owen and friends and new-made family. She never quite thought she was wrong in her actions, cause she was looking after herself, but she changed so that her actions wouldn't hurt others.
Bring a box of Kleenex if you read this. This book is definitely not for everyone.
Tally deserves every bit of happiness after her horrific nightmare of a childhood. I loved her, even as I hated some of the things she had to do to survive. I loved that she never felt sorry for herself, not even once, even though she felt unlovable and not good enough. Her honest bewilderment when people showed care towards her was heartbreaking.
This was one seriously messed up character who found redemption through love, from both the wonderful Owen and friends and new-made family. She never quite thought she was wrong in her actions, cause she was looking after herself, but she changed so that her actions wouldn't hurt others.
Bring a box of Kleenex if you read this. This book is definitely not for everyone.
June 14, 2024
She's not really a bad person. (Sorry/ spoiler)
I had to make myself keep reading this one because I couldn't stand the main character at first. I'm glad I didn't give up however, because just like all of Jamie Bennett's other books, her character's are highly faceted and have a lot of depth. Miss Bennett writes about damaged people better than anyone, and somehow also manages to give them happy endings that are believable. I need happy endings because I want to feel good when I finish a book, and this one, like all her others, leaves you feeling like the world is mostly a good place, where even the most damaged people can heal when they stop fighting it.
I'm literally inhaling her books at this point.
Everyone of them could be a blockbuster movie.
I had to make myself keep reading this one because I couldn't stand the main character at first. I'm glad I didn't give up however, because just like all of Jamie Bennett's other books, her character's are highly faceted and have a lot of depth. Miss Bennett writes about damaged people better than anyone, and somehow also manages to give them happy endings that are believable. I need happy endings because I want to feel good when I finish a book, and this one, like all her others, leaves you feeling like the world is mostly a good place, where even the most damaged people can heal when they stop fighting it.
I'm literally inhaling her books at this point.
Everyone of them could be a blockbuster movie.
November 22, 2024
Cried, sobbed, weeped like a baby
Just…….could you just try this book, please………………..?
I read the previous one too just so I could understand the background of this book and it was good choice as an introduction to this book.
Then …….wow………This. Book……!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just………….
damn……………….
The journey and growth of Tally…………………..
Tally My Love…..
I cried for her and with her.
This is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, wonderful story.
There’s nothing I can say but Thank You for the author……………
I just wish there’re 100 pages more. There should be. Really. Please. I couldn’t go to the next page as approaching the ending. I couldn’t let them go………………
My face is so salty and crispy now.
I’ll treasure this book always.
Always.
Just…….could you just try this book, please………………..?
I read the previous one too just so I could understand the background of this book and it was good choice as an introduction to this book.
Then …….wow………This. Book……!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just………….
damn……………….
The journey and growth of Tally…………………..
Tally My Love…..
I cried for her and with her.
This is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, wonderful story.
There’s nothing I can say but Thank You for the author……………
I just wish there’re 100 pages more. There should be. Really. Please. I couldn’t go to the next page as approaching the ending. I couldn’t let them go………………
My face is so salty and crispy now.
I’ll treasure this book always.
Always.
October 16, 2023
Tally has a tragic past. She isn’t angry at her dad for it, but she should be. (I am.) It’s difficult to see that she’s actually the kindest soul with a big heart. She comes off as a crazy mean spirited person right away. But that’s her defense. She is so lonely and hurt and scared. Thank goodness for Owen. He sees through her walls. It took me awhile to actually like her. But then I started to see her as Owen did and understood. This author is JUST SO GOOD at creating characters. They really come to life. In this particular case, it’s a hard life for both Tally and Owen. It’s distressing in fact. But geez, the slow burn hurts so good and now I feel scarred by them.
April 23, 2022
Very much enjoyed Tally's story and found myself liking her more and more. I do think she let her father off a bit easy. The reality is he wasn't there for her when she was younger and it didn't seem like he did a great job balancing old and new once he was engaged. I know she didn't make it easy but he never seemed to want to understand the why behind it.
July 9, 2022
Bitter sweet, bring tissues
She has low self esteem and was a victim of child abuse. She acts out and assumes no one cares for her. We watch as relationships are mended between her and her dad, her step mother and herself. It starts slow and the focus is not necessarily romance, although there is certainly a sweet relationship between her and a quiet boy. It's a slow burn.
She has low self esteem and was a victim of child abuse. She acts out and assumes no one cares for her. We watch as relationships are mended between her and her dad, her step mother and herself. It starts slow and the focus is not necessarily romance, although there is certainly a sweet relationship between her and a quiet boy. It's a slow burn.
December 27, 2023
the best so far...
I have reservations once I knew who will be the heroine in this book :( but damn.... if I don't feel for her, and Owen?? This is the best redemption story, I cried I laugh and I knew this story will stay with me for awhile and a definite re read, Jamie is my new fave slow burn author! I love love love this!
I have reservations once I knew who will be the heroine in this book :( but damn.... if I don't feel for her, and Owen?? This is the best redemption story, I cried I laugh and I knew this story will stay with me for awhile and a definite re read, Jamie is my new fave slow burn author! I love love love this!
June 30, 2025
2.5 🌟
I don't really know how I felt about this one. I love Owen.
I don't know how I feel about Tally, she's had a horrific life and 'hurt people hurt people', which this book was a very good representation of. I think a lot of the book focused on her terrible behaviour and it only adressed the surface level of her trauma.
I think it's a good book but I didn't particularly enjoy it.
I don't really know how I felt about this one. I love Owen.
I don't know how I feel about Tally, she's had a horrific life and 'hurt people hurt people', which this book was a very good representation of. I think a lot of the book focused on her terrible behaviour and it only adressed the surface level of her trauma.
I think it's a good book but I didn't particularly enjoy it.
August 9, 2025
Unexpected and wonderful!
I was not at all sure how the author was going to handle this situation, but this was perfectly done and so very beautiful and sad and sweet. I was worried this would be awkward and uncomfortable, but Jamie tackled the subject with grace, compassion, and sensitivity.
I was not at all sure how the author was going to handle this situation, but this was perfectly done and so very beautiful and sad and sweet. I was worried this would be awkward and uncomfortable, but Jamie tackled the subject with grace, compassion, and sensitivity.
October 3, 2025
It's weird, but it still feels like i don't really know them. like the real story is just about to start by the end of the book. i wish we could've actually seen them confront their past and manage to talk about it. I guess Tally learns to communicate a little bit better but it honestly felt rushed and like something is missing.
November 20, 2025
Very emotional. I wish we got a little bit more from Owen and that he didnt leave the room when things got rocky with Tally… also the whole situation where they were looking for her, her dad was worried but i felt that Owen brushed it off too quicky and why didnt he look for her at the cabin?? Idk that part felt rushed.
April 23, 2022
Amazing book! Like all of Jamie’s book I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put this book down! I really recommend her books if you like emocional books with real people with real struggles and a lot of feelings!
April 25, 2022
excellent
I just love the way Bennett takes a character and tells you what’s going on without excuses. Tally was practically a villain in a previous book but I had a feeling this was coming. I love her and Owen’s quiet connection. One of my favorites!
I just love the way Bennett takes a character and tells you what’s going on without excuses. Tally was practically a villain in a previous book but I had a feeling this was coming. I love her and Owen’s quiet connection. One of my favorites!
April 24, 2022
Tally and Owen deserve the world.
Jamie Bennett is the best♡
Jamie Bennett is the best♡
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April 28, 2022This book just made me sad. I put it down after a couple hundred pages. Not for me at the moment.
May 16, 2022
3.5 stars
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