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Lost Stars #4
When Wrecked Meets Ruined
Ridge McCallister.
King of the junkyard. God of the gridiron. Cypress Springs’ beloved bad boy.
With just a wink and a smile, he has most girls at his beck and call. Good thing I’m immune to his (debatable) charms.
Don’t get me wrong, he is beautiful. With the body of a Greek god and the face of a fallen angel, who could resist?
Too bad he’s so… Ridge. Every time he opens his mouth, I want to punch him. Or kiss him.
No, I don’t want that. Not at all. Not even a little bit.
Yet here I am in a no-strings-attached summer fling with the guy I love to hate, and my traitorous heart is calling the shots.
The problem is he’s a wreck, and I’m ruined. And as anyone can tell you, when wrecked meets ruined things tend to get… messy.
Make no mistake about it.
We are going to destroy each other.
King of the junkyard. God of the gridiron. Cypress Springs’ beloved bad boy.
With just a wink and a smile, he has most girls at his beck and call. Good thing I’m immune to his (debatable) charms.
Don’t get me wrong, he is beautiful. With the body of a Greek god and the face of a fallen angel, who could resist?
Too bad he’s so… Ridge. Every time he opens his mouth, I want to punch him. Or kiss him.
No, I don’t want that. Not at all. Not even a little bit.
Yet here I am in a no-strings-attached summer fling with the guy I love to hate, and my traitorous heart is calling the shots.
The problem is he’s a wreck, and I’m ruined. And as anyone can tell you, when wrecked meets ruined things tend to get… messy.
Make no mistake about it.
We are going to destroy each other.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
554 people are currently reading
3902 people want to read
About the author
Emery Rose
18 books1,796 followersEmery Rose is a former New Yorker currently living in London, and loves creating angsty, emotionally-charged stories with all the swoons, spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
When she's not busy crafting love stories with swoon-worthy, flawed heroes and the strong heroines who bring them to their knees or immersed in a good book, you can find her experimenting with new recipes, listening to her vinyl collection, or traveling the globe in search of sunshine and the perfect wave.
When she's not busy crafting love stories with swoon-worthy, flawed heroes and the strong heroines who bring them to their knees or immersed in a good book, you can find her experimenting with new recipes, listening to her vinyl collection, or traveling the globe in search of sunshine and the perfect wave.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
June 9, 2022
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog: ➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
📚 '🆆🅷🅴🅽 🆆🆁🅴🅲🅺🅴🅳 🅼🅴🅴🆃🆂 🆁🆄🅸🅽🅴🅳' 📚 Is a full length, second chance romance book by Emery Rose. Spoken in Dual Pov's
This book played havoc with my heart, a slow burn which got it's hooks into me and ruined me, wrecked me with their uncoordinated timing, like ships passing each other in the night their timing was always off kilter.
From the moment these two met there was always something igniting in the background, their flame never going out. He was on a fast track of realizing his dreams of becoming a great NFL player, she was on a fast track of putting a bad experience behind her but never forgetting her one true love.
I felt everything this author threw in this book, the few tears flowed freely, this series with each and every character we meet along the way stamped their identities on my heart.
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
July 24, 2022
4 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was a good surprise! I liked it more than I thought I would. I’m going to try something new here…
The good: I liked the characters. I liked their banter and hate/love type dynamics. I liked the angst. I liked that I got emotional for these two. I also really liked their HEA for a change!
The not so good: While I got through it and didn’t feel too lost, at times I felt like I needed to know the back story for the other characters in the other books in the series. It just didn’t truly feel like a stand-alone to me. There were way to many references to things that I didn’t get because I didn’t know those storylines. I would’ve also liked to have some more time with them as adults in a healthy relationship before the HEA.
The bad: The pacing. It had a lot of time jumps. Like I say below, I get that this story spans a long time period so they were necessary. I just didn’t like the way they were executed. It felt choppy and confusing at times.
Overall: This was an angsty story about two broken people that find solace and love in each other. I am a sucker for these types of stories, so this was right up my alley! I might need to try out the other books in this series because I liked this author’s voice. I liked it!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Evie and Ridge’s story. They meet one night their sophomore year of high school in a junkyard when Evie is running away from her mom’s druggie boyfriend and Ridge is drinking off the fact that he has to rely on a brother he doesn’t know after moving across country because he doesn’t have anyone else. They both see the damage they have in each other and instantly bond even when they don’t want to. Through the years of high school they play a cat and mouse game that eventually comes to a head the summer before Ridge is set off to college. They agree to a summer fling, feelings get developed, life gets messy, there’s some sexy times, years go by…and they eventually get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Evie and Ridge’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: I struggled here. I get that it covered a span of about a decade, but the time jumps didn’t feel all that smooth and a lot of the time I was confused by them. I never skimmed though.
Instalove: No. Instant connection and attraction? Yes.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Ridge. I liked him. I appreciated how protective he was and how he allowed himself to be vulnerable with the h.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Evie. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for those she got close to and she was a pretty tough cookie.
Sadness level: Moderate. I shed some tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with two cute epilogues and what I would call a HEA ending
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Overall Opinion: This was a good surprise! I liked it more than I thought I would. I’m going to try something new here…
The good: I liked the characters. I liked their banter and hate/love type dynamics. I liked the angst. I liked that I got emotional for these two. I also really liked their HEA for a change!
The not so good: While I got through it and didn’t feel too lost, at times I felt like I needed to know the back story for the other characters in the other books in the series. It just didn’t truly feel like a stand-alone to me. There were way to many references to things that I didn’t get because I didn’t know those storylines. I would’ve also liked to have some more time with them as adults in a healthy relationship before the HEA.
The bad: The pacing. It had a lot of time jumps. Like I say below, I get that this story spans a long time period so they were necessary. I just didn’t like the way they were executed. It felt choppy and confusing at times.
Overall: This was an angsty story about two broken people that find solace and love in each other. I am a sucker for these types of stories, so this was right up my alley! I might need to try out the other books in this series because I liked this author’s voice. I liked it!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Evie and Ridge’s story. They meet one night their sophomore year of high school in a junkyard when Evie is running away from her mom’s druggie boyfriend and Ridge is drinking off the fact that he has to rely on a brother he doesn’t know after moving across country because he doesn’t have anyone else. They both see the damage they have in each other and instantly bond even when they don’t want to. Through the years of high school they play a cat and mouse game that eventually comes to a head the summer before Ridge is set off to college. They agree to a summer fling, feelings get developed, life gets messy, there’s some sexy times, years go by…and they eventually get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Evie and Ridge’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: I struggled here. I get that it covered a span of about a decade, but the time jumps didn’t feel all that smooth and a lot of the time I was confused by them. I never skimmed though.
Instalove: No. Instant connection and attraction? Yes.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Ridge. I liked him. I appreciated how protective he was and how he allowed himself to be vulnerable with the h.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Evie. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for those she got close to and she was a pretty tough cookie.
Sadness level: Moderate. I shed some tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with two cute epilogues and what I would call a HEA ending
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
June 16, 2022
What a beautiful story! I loved every word in this book. My only sadnesses was that the things went so fast…
It’s worth the reading.
It’s worth the reading.
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February 19, 2024
2.25 ✰
though i typically love emery’s books, this one just didn’t work for me at all.
i didn’t believe in ridge and evie’s love for each other. their dynamic and relationship as a whole felt so lust-driven that the emotional aspect between them was lacking, and even when it was emotional, and we would be getting more depth to the both of them, it didn’t feel convincing nor believable to me. there was too much back and forth between them and so much miscommunication that it became annoying and frustrating. the story reads very jarring and choppy, with the time jumps specifically thrown in how they were. it was missing that effortless and smooth flow.
also, i felt like they got back and reunited every time way too easily that it all seemed low stakes and underwhelming and made me think "why are you even broken up at this point still", after all the years apart and the reasons behind it, they would pick up right where they left off without communicating or addressing anything.
these two had a few sweet moments, but it wasn’t enough to hook me into their relationship and story. i couldn’t care less if they found their way back to each other or not; that’s how disinterested in them i was. i just wanted to get to the epilogue and be done with the story already. 🥲
i loved seeing old characters again, though, as I enjoyed their books so much. 🥰
i'm intrigued about noah’s book since it's second-gen and the baby of the family is all grown up, i’ll still be reading that one next (plus its childhood-friends-to-lovers / second chance and that’s my fav ever, so hopefully, it delivers better than this one did). 🤭
though i typically love emery’s books, this one just didn’t work for me at all.
i didn’t believe in ridge and evie’s love for each other. their dynamic and relationship as a whole felt so lust-driven that the emotional aspect between them was lacking, and even when it was emotional, and we would be getting more depth to the both of them, it didn’t feel convincing nor believable to me. there was too much back and forth between them and so much miscommunication that it became annoying and frustrating. the story reads very jarring and choppy, with the time jumps specifically thrown in how they were. it was missing that effortless and smooth flow.
also, i felt like they got back and reunited every time way too easily that it all seemed low stakes and underwhelming and made me think "why are you even broken up at this point still", after all the years apart and the reasons behind it, they would pick up right where they left off without communicating or addressing anything.
these two had a few sweet moments, but it wasn’t enough to hook me into their relationship and story. i couldn’t care less if they found their way back to each other or not; that’s how disinterested in them i was. i just wanted to get to the epilogue and be done with the story already. 🥲
i loved seeing old characters again, though, as I enjoyed their books so much. 🥰
i'm intrigued about noah’s book since it's second-gen and the baby of the family is all grown up, i’ll still be reading that one next (plus its childhood-friends-to-lovers / second chance and that’s my fav ever, so hopefully, it delivers better than this one did). 🤭
July 1, 2022
‘That’s what it was all about, wasn’t it? To love someone madly and deeply, you had to put it all on the line and trust that the person wouldn’t break you.’
When Wrecked Meets Ruined is the fourth book in the fabulous Lost Stars series by Emery Rose, and it’s one of our favourite finds. Each book is in dual POV, telling us the story about each McCallister man and his rocky road to love. So far, we’ve met Jude (When the Stars Fall), Brody (When the Storm Breaks), Jesse (When We Were Reckless), and now it’s bad boy, talented future footballer, Ridge McCallister, the younger brother of Brody.
‘We would either save each other. Or destroy each other.’
When Wrecked Meets Ruined is a story of bad timing, young love, suffering, bravery, and loyalty. The unyielding supporting family bonds which carry through each book is the thread that weaves the Lost Stars series together, and it’s one that draws us back each time. We adore this series! Each book has been emotional, angsty, swoony, and really pulls at the heartstrings.
‘He’d stolen something he had no right to – my privacy. My pride. He saw more than I’d ever wanted him to, and I had no intention of giving him another chance to see more.’
Evie Bellamy is a fighter, a survivor, and a girl who has had to grow up way beyond her eighteen years. The daughter of a drug addict, tied to Cypress Springs, a place she’d sooner escape, is vilified by her peers for her home life, and carries the responsibility of her two-year-old sister, Wren. Evie loves her sister and would do anything to hide their deplorable home life from little Wren.
‘Damaged people recognize each other. I think I must have seen it from the first time I ever laid eyes on him.’
Eighteen-year-old Ridge McCallister has seen a lot in his young years. The murder of his best friend, the loss of his mother to a drug overdose, and living in squalor for most of his life. Given a lifeline from his long-lost 36-year-old brother Brody, Ridge has the chance of a real future as a professional footballer. If he can keep his temper, drinking, and partying under control that is. Brody wants his brother to have the life he deserves and was denied for so long.
‘I looked at him over my shoulder. A fallen angel with messy hair, the body of a Greek god, and a face that could break hearts with just one look.’
The meeting of these two lost tortured souls sees Ridge and Evie form a bond, which flourishes as the summer progresses, but bad timing, miscommunication, and devastating circumstances see their lives upended and their relationship at risk. Can these survivors triumph in the biggest test of all?
‘I wanted to fix her. Put all her broken pieces back together.’
Emery Rose takes us on an angsty and heart-wrenching journey from first soul-deep love, through the ups and downs of maturity, about believing in yourself and learning you are good enough, that you’re worthy of happiness. A beautifully written soulmate story that spoke to our hearts and once again elicited an array of emotions as we became so invested in these wonderful characters. Now we’re DYING for the mysterious Gideon’s story that’s for sure!
Ebook
Paperback
June 9, 2022
5+⭐️
🍒Enemies-to-Lovers
🍒Second Chance
🍒Small-Town
.
“Will you be my ride or die?”
“In a heartbeat, baby.”
.
Review: This is book 4 in the Lost Stars series. Each book is based on one of the McCallister men. I absolutely love this world that Emery has created. We got a glimpse of Ridge and Evie in book 3, When We Were Reckless and you could just feel the tension between these two. It was delicious and I couldn't wait for their story! I was so excited when I found out they were the next book.
Ridge and Evie have both had rough starts to their lives and neglected by the ones who should love them most. These two have so much in common and have such a deep connection. Evie is the strongest and most stubborn heroine I have ever met. I wanted to shake her a few times, but the more you learn about her and her past, it completely makes sense. My heart broke for her and all she endured. Ridge was the sweetest man and so perfect for Evie.
“If you’re tired of treading water, I can hold you up.”
Oh these two! I felt every emotion with this book. I laughed, I cried (A LOT) and I swooned hard for Ridge! I thought I was broken because I haven't been feeling everything like usual. But this book brought me back to life. I think their story may be my favorite of Emery's! My heart is so full, I didn't want their story to end. I stayed up till 2am and then neglected my adulting duties the next day because I just had to finish. I knew I would love Ridge, but he was even better than I imagined. His grand gesture and their HEA was PERFECTION. It was sooo good! I just love the McCallister family. I loved how much we got of Jude, Lila, Brody, Shiloh, Noah, Jesse, Quinn and all their kids. I just love this world and this family. I can't wait for the last McCallister man. Gideon is so mysterious and uptight, so I cannot wait to see this woman that will bring him to his knees!😁 DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
🍒Enemies-to-Lovers
🍒Second Chance
🍒Small-Town
.
“Will you be my ride or die?”
“In a heartbeat, baby.”
.
Review: This is book 4 in the Lost Stars series. Each book is based on one of the McCallister men. I absolutely love this world that Emery has created. We got a glimpse of Ridge and Evie in book 3, When We Were Reckless and you could just feel the tension between these two. It was delicious and I couldn't wait for their story! I was so excited when I found out they were the next book.
Ridge and Evie have both had rough starts to their lives and neglected by the ones who should love them most. These two have so much in common and have such a deep connection. Evie is the strongest and most stubborn heroine I have ever met. I wanted to shake her a few times, but the more you learn about her and her past, it completely makes sense. My heart broke for her and all she endured. Ridge was the sweetest man and so perfect for Evie.
“If you’re tired of treading water, I can hold you up.”
Oh these two! I felt every emotion with this book. I laughed, I cried (A LOT) and I swooned hard for Ridge! I thought I was broken because I haven't been feeling everything like usual. But this book brought me back to life. I think their story may be my favorite of Emery's! My heart is so full, I didn't want their story to end. I stayed up till 2am and then neglected my adulting duties the next day because I just had to finish. I knew I would love Ridge, but he was even better than I imagined. His grand gesture and their HEA was PERFECTION. It was sooo good! I just love the McCallister family. I loved how much we got of Jude, Lila, Brody, Shiloh, Noah, Jesse, Quinn and all their kids. I just love this world and this family. I can't wait for the last McCallister man. Gideon is so mysterious and uptight, so I cannot wait to see this woman that will bring him to his knees!😁 DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
June 7, 2022
“He was wrecked, and I was ruined, but God, we burned so bright.”
5 stars!
Wow, what an amazing read! This book had my heart pounding, and delivered all the feels from start to finish. I was captivated by these two characters and their emotional and dramatic frenemies-to-friends-to-lovers story, I felt everything alongside them, and I loved every moment of this one!
This is the fourth book in the Lost Stars series, though you could read it as a standalone (I definitely recommend the earlier books though, they’re so good!). This is the story of Ridge (younger brother of Brody from When the Storm Breaks, book #2) and Evie (best friend of Quinn from When We Were Reckless, book #3).
17-year-olds Ridge and Evie have both experienced the worst of what ‘family’ should be. But while Ridge has finally found stability with his older brother, Evie is still living in the middle of her hell, and they’re both angry, hurt and emotionally scarred by all they’ve witnessed and been through.
Their interactions at school are bitter, but underneath all of the snark, they understand each other, which sees them forming a bond that neither of them anticipated. Things between them change slowly, and when they decide to put all of the anger behind them and actually become friends, the connection between them becomes even deeper, and they just can’t stay away from each other. A summer fling very quickly turns into more, and pretty soon these two are falling hard for each other.
This is an absolutely gorgeous love story! It’s slow burning, with a wonderful sense of anticipation that kept my heart pounding, waiting for them to take that final step, and holy hell, it’s hot, steamy and so freaking intense. But always with the playfulness and honesty that is such a key part of their friendship. These two share everything, they open up to each other in a way they haven’t with anybody else, and watching them together is an absolute joy.
Life hasn’t been kind to these two, and as they leave high school behind, they continue to find themselves at the mercy of their circumstances. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, and I ached so much for them and all that they go through. My heart broke for them, and though it hurt so bad, I was secretly kinda thrilled that the story became a second-chance-romance (my fave!), because watching them come back together was even better.
OMG, the feels! Again! Ridge and Evie are absolutely made for each other – it’s clear in every single interaction between them, they’ve just been dealt a really bad hand, and they have a lot that they need to deal with. But they have an undeniable connection that is soul-deep and watching them find each other and effortlessly reconnect is something truly special.
All of that emotion between them as teenagers translates naturally into adulthood, even though their situations could not be more different. The honesty, playfulness, emotion and sexual tension is all very much there, and I relished every moment of it! They have a lot to work through, and it’s definitely not an easy ride, but when two people are meant to be together as much as these two, it’s just a matter of riding out and waiting for the stars align for these two to finally get their much-deserved HEA.
I love these characters so much! Both a little bit broken and vulnerable, but so strong and determined to make a better life for themselves - and Ridge! *dreamy sigh*. He's just the perfect amount of cocky and confident to make him utterly and completely irresistible, and damn, the boy is swoony.
Emery Rose writes the most beautiful angsty, dramatic and emotional romance, balancing the elements perfectly so that it creates tension and feelings, without overwhelming the story with stupid drama or pointless angst. I could feel everything between Ridge and Evie, and though it may not have been the story I wanted for them, they fought so hard for each other, and it was so worth all of the pain to get such a gorgeous love story.
I absolutely adored this one! 5 huge stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
5 stars!
Wow, what an amazing read! This book had my heart pounding, and delivered all the feels from start to finish. I was captivated by these two characters and their emotional and dramatic frenemies-to-friends-to-lovers story, I felt everything alongside them, and I loved every moment of this one!
This is the fourth book in the Lost Stars series, though you could read it as a standalone (I definitely recommend the earlier books though, they’re so good!). This is the story of Ridge (younger brother of Brody from When the Storm Breaks, book #2) and Evie (best friend of Quinn from When We Were Reckless, book #3).
17-year-olds Ridge and Evie have both experienced the worst of what ‘family’ should be. But while Ridge has finally found stability with his older brother, Evie is still living in the middle of her hell, and they’re both angry, hurt and emotionally scarred by all they’ve witnessed and been through.
“I feel so helpless … it seems like an impossible dream that anything will change for the better.”
Their interactions at school are bitter, but underneath all of the snark, they understand each other, which sees them forming a bond that neither of them anticipated. Things between them change slowly, and when they decide to put all of the anger behind them and actually become friends, the connection between them becomes even deeper, and they just can’t stay away from each other. A summer fling very quickly turns into more, and pretty soon these two are falling hard for each other.
No other girl had ever brought me to my knees. But Evie could do it so easily. She made me weak with just a word or a brush of her lips.
This couldn’t be good, but I was powerless to stop it. Hell, I didn’t even want to stop it. That’s how far gone I was.
This is an absolutely gorgeous love story! It’s slow burning, with a wonderful sense of anticipation that kept my heart pounding, waiting for them to take that final step, and holy hell, it’s hot, steamy and so freaking intense. But always with the playfulness and honesty that is such a key part of their friendship. These two share everything, they open up to each other in a way they haven’t with anybody else, and watching them together is an absolute joy.
I was amazed that we’d found each other. Two damaged people in a broken world that didn’t feel as broken or as ugly with him in it.
Life hasn’t been kind to these two, and as they leave high school behind, they continue to find themselves at the mercy of their circumstances. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, and I ached so much for them and all that they go through. My heart broke for them, and though it hurt so bad, I was secretly kinda thrilled that the story became a second-chance-romance (my fave!), because watching them come back together was even better.
“There is no us.”
“There’s still an us. There will always be an us.”
OMG, the feels! Again! Ridge and Evie are absolutely made for each other – it’s clear in every single interaction between them, they’ve just been dealt a really bad hand, and they have a lot that they need to deal with. But they have an undeniable connection that is soul-deep and watching them find each other and effortlessly reconnect is something truly special.
“You were so good at love, Ridge. You just…nobody’s ever loved me the way you did.”
All of that emotion between them as teenagers translates naturally into adulthood, even though their situations could not be more different. The honesty, playfulness, emotion and sexual tension is all very much there, and I relished every moment of it! They have a lot to work through, and it’s definitely not an easy ride, but when two people are meant to be together as much as these two, it’s just a matter of riding out and waiting for the stars align for these two to finally get their much-deserved HEA.
She is mine, and I am hers.
And we are everything.
I love these characters so much! Both a little bit broken and vulnerable, but so strong and determined to make a better life for themselves - and Ridge! *dreamy sigh*. He's just the perfect amount of cocky and confident to make him utterly and completely irresistible, and damn, the boy is swoony.
Emery Rose writes the most beautiful angsty, dramatic and emotional romance, balancing the elements perfectly so that it creates tension and feelings, without overwhelming the story with stupid drama or pointless angst. I could feel everything between Ridge and Evie, and though it may not have been the story I wanted for them, they fought so hard for each other, and it was so worth all of the pain to get such a gorgeous love story.
I absolutely adored this one! 5 huge stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2024
My heart is so full from this book, it’s been a while since I’ve read something that truly resonated with me. I fall in love with these characters more and more each passing day.
I have been severely discouraged and have began believing I would never get this feeling again from a book. I was in the worlds biggest reading rut. I am so glad I went into this with no pretense, I jumped in head first and what I found was something so raw and beautiful, you will be hooked from the very beginning.
These two characters are flawed and both from troubled pasts. They are kindred spirits, and understand the other in a way that no one else could. The bond and the connection they had, has me still smiling, I get those butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. This story deals with past trauma, and broken characters who haven’t had the easiest home life. The journey for these two isn’t always easy, but it is totally worth every moment the author puts us through. I rarely cry and I totally did with this one.
The author takes us on a journey, this story is written linear, so there is a lot to unpack… but it is all needed to build the type of narrative Emery rose has. The love they share I believe is truly infinite.
If you are looking for an intense read that will make you cry, because you are just overcome with emotions.. then look no further. This story is unlike anything I have ever read. I’d give this a million stars if I could! Ridge and Evie are now one of my all time favorite couples!
Merged review:
My heart is so full from this book, it’s been a while since I’ve read something that truly resonated with me. I fall in love with these characters more and more each passing day.
I have been severely discouraged and have began believing I would never get this feeling again from a book. I was in the worlds biggest reading rut. I am so glad I went into this with no pretense, I jumped in head first and what I found was something so raw and beautiful, you will be hooked from the very beginning.
These two characters are flawed and both from troubled pasts. They are kindred spirits, and understand the other in a way that no one else could. The bond and the connection they had, has me still smiling, I get those butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. This story deals with past trauma, and broken characters who haven’t had the easiest home life. The journey for these two isn’t always easy, but it is totally worth every moment the author puts us through. I rarely cry and I totally did with this one.
The author takes us on a journey, this story is written linear, so there is a lot to unpack… but it is all needed to build the type of narrative Emery rose has. The love they share I believe is truly infinite.
If you are looking for an intense read that will make you cry, because you are just overcome with emotions.. then look no further. This story is unlike anything I have ever read. I’d give this a million stars if I could! Ridge and Evie are now one of my all time favorite couples!
I have been severely discouraged and have began believing I would never get this feeling again from a book. I was in the worlds biggest reading rut. I am so glad I went into this with no pretense, I jumped in head first and what I found was something so raw and beautiful, you will be hooked from the very beginning.
These two characters are flawed and both from troubled pasts. They are kindred spirits, and understand the other in a way that no one else could. The bond and the connection they had, has me still smiling, I get those butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. This story deals with past trauma, and broken characters who haven’t had the easiest home life. The journey for these two isn’t always easy, but it is totally worth every moment the author puts us through. I rarely cry and I totally did with this one.
The author takes us on a journey, this story is written linear, so there is a lot to unpack… but it is all needed to build the type of narrative Emery rose has. The love they share I believe is truly infinite.
If you are looking for an intense read that will make you cry, because you are just overcome with emotions.. then look no further. This story is unlike anything I have ever read. I’d give this a million stars if I could! Ridge and Evie are now one of my all time favorite couples!
Merged review:
My heart is so full from this book, it’s been a while since I’ve read something that truly resonated with me. I fall in love with these characters more and more each passing day.
I have been severely discouraged and have began believing I would never get this feeling again from a book. I was in the worlds biggest reading rut. I am so glad I went into this with no pretense, I jumped in head first and what I found was something so raw and beautiful, you will be hooked from the very beginning.
These two characters are flawed and both from troubled pasts. They are kindred spirits, and understand the other in a way that no one else could. The bond and the connection they had, has me still smiling, I get those butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. This story deals with past trauma, and broken characters who haven’t had the easiest home life. The journey for these two isn’t always easy, but it is totally worth every moment the author puts us through. I rarely cry and I totally did with this one.
The author takes us on a journey, this story is written linear, so there is a lot to unpack… but it is all needed to build the type of narrative Emery rose has. The love they share I believe is truly infinite.
If you are looking for an intense read that will make you cry, because you are just overcome with emotions.. then look no further. This story is unlike anything I have ever read. I’d give this a million stars if I could! Ridge and Evie are now one of my all time favorite couples!
June 10, 2022
Oh my god this book was literally everything I love about a Emery Rose romance story! The characters tragic backgrounds the heartache the emotions the angst this is a story that hit me in all my feels. Ridge and Evie’s journey isn’t easy it’s heartbreaking emotional but also beautiful the love these two have for each other is everything I’m so happy to see this couple finally get their HEA !
July 2, 2022
I loved this!! Ridge was perfection and I loved Evie just as much, which is super rare for me. I flew through this book in less than a day, I couldn’t put it down. I just wish there was more time spent on the present day. 4.5 stars
arc
arc
avoid
October 13, 2022Self note
Slow burn
Constant time jumps
- not my jam.
Slow burn
Constant time jumps
- not my jam.
July 2, 2022
‘That’s what it was all about, wasn’t it? To love someone madly and deeply, you had to put it all on the line and trust that the person wouldn’t break you.’
When Wrecked Meets Ruined is the fourth book in the fabulous Lost Stars series by Emery Rose, and it’s one of our favourite finds. Each book is in dual POV, telling us the story about each McCallister man and his rocky road to love. So far, we’ve met Jude (When the Stars Fall), Brody (When the Storm Breaks), Jesse (When We Were Reckless), and now it’s bad boy, talented future footballer, Ridge McCallister, the younger brother of Brody.
‘We would either save each other. Or destroy each other.’
When Wrecked Meets Ruined is a story of bad timing, young love, suffering, bravery, and loyalty. The unyielding supporting family bonds which carry through each book is the thread that weaves the Lost Stars series together, and it’s one that draws us back each time. We adore this series! Each book has been emotional, angsty, swoony, and really pulls at the heartstrings.
‘He’d stolen something he had no right to – my privacy. My pride. He saw more than I’d ever wanted him to, and I had no intention of giving him another chance to see more.’
Evie Bellamy is a fighter, a survivor, and a girl who has had to grow up way beyond her eighteen years. The daughter of a drug addict, tied to Cypress Springs, a place she’d sooner escape, is vilified by her peers for her home life, and carries the responsibility of her two-year-old sister, Wren. Evie loves her sister and would do anything to hide their deplorable home life from little Wren.
‘Damaged people recognize each other. I think I must have seen it from the first time I ever laid eyes on him.’
Eighteen-year-old Ridge McCallister has seen a lot in his young years. The murder of his best friend, the loss of his mother to a drug overdose, and living in squalor for most of his life. Given a lifeline from his long-lost 36-year-old brother Brody, Ridge has the chance of a real future as a professional footballer. If he can keep his temper, drinking, and partying under control that is. Brody wants his brother to have the life he deserves and was denied for so long.
‘I looked at him over my shoulder. A fallen angel with messy hair, the body of a Greek god, and a face that could break hearts with just one look.’
The meeting of these two lost tortured souls sees Ridge and Evie form a bond, which flourishes as the summer progresses, but bad timing, miscommunication, and devastating circumstances see their lives upended and their relationship at risk. Can these survivors triumph in the biggest test of all?
‘I wanted to fix her. Put all her broken pieces back together.’
Emery Rose takes us on an angsty and heart-wrenching journey from first soul-deep love, through the ups and downs of maturity, about believing in yourself and learning you are good enough, that you’re worthy of happiness. A beautifully written soulmate story that spoke to our hearts and once again elicited an array of emotions as we became so invested in these wonderful characters. Now we’re DYING for the mysterious Gideon’s story that’s for sure!
Ebook
Paperback
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June 6, 2022
ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴡʀᴇᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴍᴇᴇᴛꜱ ʀᴜɪɴᴇᴅ
-Emery Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘺!
𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯
𝘛𝘞
𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺/𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘦, 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳
Let me just start by saying that I am new to The Lost Stars series...and this story made me know for sure that I will go back and enjoy the rest of all the side characters stories after devouring Ridge and Evie's story this week! (I was intrigued by Brody and Shiloh throughout this book, so I will probably start there next!)
" 𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐟, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝."
Ridge and Evie both come from a troublesome past...in which both are wanting to be resilient from to make a better life for themselves. Ridge finds his heart engorged in the sport of football. Being from a small Texas town with a well known family, it doesn't take long for this jock to make it big! Evie's heart is set on getting into medical school.
"𝐈'𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭."
When Evie stops him in his tracks one night at a junkyard, he is hooked on her from that night on. As they learn more about the other and slowly fall, plenty obstacles obscure the path of achieving their sought after HEA.
"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭."
I had a love/hate relationship with Ridge. Once you read for yourself and get to know him throughout the timeline, you may find that their relationship gets a bittttt toxic. There isn't any cheating, but it was still hard to read...(especially after a traumatic experience Evie went through beforehand) and the miscommunication between Ridge and Evie was just heartbreaking at times! As far as Evie goes, I found her to be a very strong and resilient FMC. The way she stays strong for Wren(her baby sister) while living and dealing with their careless ,drug addicted, excuse of a mother...made me love her even more.
"𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚙...𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚘 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛."
The phrase above stuck with me the most! That scene was written beautifully and Emery Rose has a way of getting my heart to pull in so many directions during her stories. This story will rip you to shreds....help you glue yourself back back together, but wait...the glue doesn't even have time to dry, because you fall apart AGAIN and AGAIN.....until you finally are put back whole again. LOL. Soooo much angst...heartache...and pain. Yet also, so much chemistry...longing for one another...and mending of the heartache by the end.
"ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴍʏ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇꜱᴛ ᴡᴇᴀᴋɴᴇꜱꜱ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ᴡʜᴏ ᴄᴀɴ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ᴋɴᴇᴇꜱ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴍᴇ. ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴍɪɴᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴀᴍ ʜᴇʀꜱ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ."
Ridge and Evie were made for each other ,and their story was so beautifully written! I hope you decide to pick this one up and just dive in to watch these two broken and damaged souls wish upon the stars for a better life and develop such an emotionally raw love that's worth reading about!
10/10 recommend!
-Emery Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘺!
𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯
𝘛𝘞
𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺/𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘦, 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳
Let me just start by saying that I am new to The Lost Stars series...and this story made me know for sure that I will go back and enjoy the rest of all the side characters stories after devouring Ridge and Evie's story this week! (I was intrigued by Brody and Shiloh throughout this book, so I will probably start there next!)
" 𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐟, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝."
Ridge and Evie both come from a troublesome past...in which both are wanting to be resilient from to make a better life for themselves. Ridge finds his heart engorged in the sport of football. Being from a small Texas town with a well known family, it doesn't take long for this jock to make it big! Evie's heart is set on getting into medical school.
"𝐈'𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭."
When Evie stops him in his tracks one night at a junkyard, he is hooked on her from that night on. As they learn more about the other and slowly fall, plenty obstacles obscure the path of achieving their sought after HEA.
"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭."
I had a love/hate relationship with Ridge. Once you read for yourself and get to know him throughout the timeline, you may find that their relationship gets a bittttt toxic. There isn't any cheating, but it was still hard to read...(especially after a traumatic experience Evie went through beforehand) and the miscommunication between Ridge and Evie was just heartbreaking at times! As far as Evie goes, I found her to be a very strong and resilient FMC. The way she stays strong for Wren(her baby sister) while living and dealing with their careless ,drug addicted, excuse of a mother...made me love her even more.
"𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚙...𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚘 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛."
The phrase above stuck with me the most! That scene was written beautifully and Emery Rose has a way of getting my heart to pull in so many directions during her stories. This story will rip you to shreds....help you glue yourself back back together, but wait...the glue doesn't even have time to dry, because you fall apart AGAIN and AGAIN.....until you finally are put back whole again. LOL. Soooo much angst...heartache...and pain. Yet also, so much chemistry...longing for one another...and mending of the heartache by the end.
"ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴍʏ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇꜱᴛ ᴡᴇᴀᴋɴᴇꜱꜱ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ᴡʜᴏ ᴄᴀɴ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ᴋɴᴇᴇꜱ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴍᴇ. ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴍɪɴᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴀᴍ ʜᴇʀꜱ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ."
Ridge and Evie were made for each other ,and their story was so beautifully written! I hope you decide to pick this one up and just dive in to watch these two broken and damaged souls wish upon the stars for a better life and develop such an emotionally raw love that's worth reading about!
10/10 recommend!
June 16, 2022
3.5 stars
Emery Rose always transfixes me with her sweeping romances- heartfelt, angst, and emotionally rich stories that are equal parts growing up and figuring yourself out as they are finding the person who sees the entirety of your heart. The love stories are beautiful but painful, deftly capturing the full spectrum and heady emotion of falling in love. The hope and fear, the contentment and confusion, the ease and complications, the joy and thrill. I’ve adored this series, and there’s much I adored about this book.
This is a story told in parts, and my feelings about Ridge and Evie’s story too came in parts. I truly loved the first ⅔ of this story- the epicness of first love, the beautiful connection of two characters who have been broken and harmed by the world around them, two characters who hesitantly, but earth-movingly, find healing and safety in one another. It’s not an easy journey- it’s the kind of love story that ruins you, tears at your heart, because these are characters so mired in adversity and pain, that it’s hard to truly open their hearts to another. But the falling is so magical- watching how authentically they connect, the peace and restorative calm they find in caring for each other. I loved them both so intensely, I loved their LOVE so intensely, and I loved how passionately and sincerely they find their way into each other, find a relationship that heals and empowers rather than hurts. We have angst, we have push-pull, we have a heart pounding chemistry. I was mesmerized.
But again, this story is told in parts, so we wait, for the proverbial shoe drop we know is coming,, and drop it does. I can’t fault Emery to challenging these characters further, for giving them countless obstacles and the most challenging path yet. Artistically, I understand. Understandably, it warps these characters, and the next phase of their story relies heavily on a plot convention that I don’t enjoy and that I personally think shorts changes authentic character growth, particularly when we’re seeing versions of these characters that feel like strangers, to us and each other. And given that, after ALL that went through, it felt like we never got to settle into that version of them (versions I was disappointed in), to see them work through much together, or to really sit in their tension and HEA. It’s hard to say much without spoiling, but after a narrative decision that I already struggled with, I struggled more to feel like their HEA was shortchanged. We get one, and I’m so happy we do, but I’m not sure I feel closure in it- because we didn’t dwell in what they’d become.
I still loved a lot of this story, and even if I personally didn’t love how their story progressed in places, I am madly, passionately rooting for this couple. And thankfully we also get to see a few favorites along the way as well. I adore this author and this series, and this story, regardless of how messy or toxic is it in places, is still beautiful and worth diving into- just prepare for quite a journey, and a lot of heartache.
Emery Rose always transfixes me with her sweeping romances- heartfelt, angst, and emotionally rich stories that are equal parts growing up and figuring yourself out as they are finding the person who sees the entirety of your heart. The love stories are beautiful but painful, deftly capturing the full spectrum and heady emotion of falling in love. The hope and fear, the contentment and confusion, the ease and complications, the joy and thrill. I’ve adored this series, and there’s much I adored about this book.
This is a story told in parts, and my feelings about Ridge and Evie’s story too came in parts. I truly loved the first ⅔ of this story- the epicness of first love, the beautiful connection of two characters who have been broken and harmed by the world around them, two characters who hesitantly, but earth-movingly, find healing and safety in one another. It’s not an easy journey- it’s the kind of love story that ruins you, tears at your heart, because these are characters so mired in adversity and pain, that it’s hard to truly open their hearts to another. But the falling is so magical- watching how authentically they connect, the peace and restorative calm they find in caring for each other. I loved them both so intensely, I loved their LOVE so intensely, and I loved how passionately and sincerely they find their way into each other, find a relationship that heals and empowers rather than hurts. We have angst, we have push-pull, we have a heart pounding chemistry. I was mesmerized.
But again, this story is told in parts, so we wait, for the proverbial shoe drop we know is coming,, and drop it does. I can’t fault Emery to challenging these characters further, for giving them countless obstacles and the most challenging path yet. Artistically, I understand. Understandably, it warps these characters, and the next phase of their story relies heavily on a plot convention that I don’t enjoy and that I personally think shorts changes authentic character growth, particularly when we’re seeing versions of these characters that feel like strangers, to us and each other. And given that, after ALL that went through, it felt like we never got to settle into that version of them (versions I was disappointed in), to see them work through much together, or to really sit in their tension and HEA. It’s hard to say much without spoiling, but after a narrative decision that I already struggled with, I struggled more to feel like their HEA was shortchanged. We get one, and I’m so happy we do, but I’m not sure I feel closure in it- because we didn’t dwell in what they’d become.
I still loved a lot of this story, and even if I personally didn’t love how their story progressed in places, I am madly, passionately rooting for this couple. And thankfully we also get to see a few favorites along the way as well. I adore this author and this series, and this story, regardless of how messy or toxic is it in places, is still beautiful and worth diving into- just prepare for quite a journey, and a lot of heartache.
June 10, 2022
A TOP READ FOR THE YEAR
This book wrecked my heart, ruined my sleep schedule and absolutely obliterated everything I thought I knew about Ridge—and you know what? I'm not even sorry about it.
Stuffed to the brim with angst, grief, separation, happiness, swoon-worthy moments, fun, and (of course) the "McCallister ego"—you will find yourself drowning in Ridge and Evie's emotions, swamped by the harsh truths their stories expose and then beg for more.
An absolutely amazing read, highly recommend! It's going into my top Reads of the year list.
This book wrecked my heart, ruined my sleep schedule and absolutely obliterated everything I thought I knew about Ridge—and you know what? I'm not even sorry about it.
Stuffed to the brim with angst, grief, separation, happiness, swoon-worthy moments, fun, and (of course) the "McCallister ego"—you will find yourself drowning in Ridge and Evie's emotions, swamped by the harsh truths their stories expose and then beg for more.
An absolutely amazing read, highly recommend! It's going into my top Reads of the year list.
December 21, 2023
4.5⭐️
tropes: enemies to lovers, second chance,small town romance,angsty
ridge and evie’s book did not disappoint!! this was one of my most highly anticipated reads and i loved every single second of it. emery is the queen of angst and i couldn’t put this book down, i’m so in love with ridge and evie, all the angst was 100% worth it. i loved seeing the McCallisters throughout this book and seeing what they were up to. The epilogue was perfection!! i just adore this entire universe and everyone in it <3
thank you for the arc!
tropes: enemies to lovers, second chance,small town romance,angsty
ridge and evie’s book did not disappoint!! this was one of my most highly anticipated reads and i loved every single second of it. emery is the queen of angst and i couldn’t put this book down, i’m so in love with ridge and evie, all the angst was 100% worth it. i loved seeing the McCallisters throughout this book and seeing what they were up to. The epilogue was perfection!! i just adore this entire universe and everyone in it <3
thank you for the arc!
June 6, 2022
Ridge McCallister and Evie Bellamy were destined to be together. Both outsiders. Two dirty kids from the wrong side of the tracks who met in a junkyard.
This is a beautifully crafted story, that will tear you apart and thankfully, gently piece you back together. When you turn that final page, all will be forgiven.
Lots of witty banter, brilliant side characters including cute funny kids made this a wonderful escape to Cyprus Springs, Texas. Another very visual masterpiece from this super talented author.
This is a beautifully crafted story, that will tear you apart and thankfully, gently piece you back together. When you turn that final page, all will be forgiven.
Lots of witty banter, brilliant side characters including cute funny kids made this a wonderful escape to Cyprus Springs, Texas. Another very visual masterpiece from this super talented author.
June 9, 2022
I've gone back and forth with my rating, but I do wholeheartedly believe that the first half of this book is absolutely beautiful, and had it stayed on that track, it would have been an easy five star read for me. But it was after what happened, happened that made me stop loving it. I totally got Evies reaction, but it was HOW she reacted that I hated. I understood why Ridge reacted the way he did to her reaction, but I hated who he became because of it. I hated how for a while there it seemed like these two wouldn't get their well fought after hea, and there were multiple things that just didn't set right with me for who they used to be.
That all being said though, the beginning is absolutely breathtaking: this author knows how to write, and it shows clearly through this book. You have two broken people discarded by society and shown just how evil and depraved humanity can be, and just come together and connect in such a beautiful way (even if Evie fights it at first, lol) and I just loved how effortlessly Ridge loved her. She was his everything, and he proved that to her over and over again, so watching their demise was extra painful because of that.
That's not to say I'm not happy that they did get their HEA. I truly am. I just wish we had more time with them afterwards. We spent so long on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then it's like BAM, they get back together and that's it. I would have liked to see them grow more from all their mistakes, and truly forgive not only each other but themselves as well.
I will say (and I don't think this is a spoiler, just a fact) I loved how our author handled Evies sexual trauma, because she WAS traumatized, even if she couldn't admit it at first. My heart broke on numerous occasions for this girl, and i really loved seeing her heal. Honestly I loved these two characters individually, it was later on with how toxic they were that made me lose my happy feelings.
I'm in no way trying to be rude or offend this author because she's one of my favorites. I just didn't love this the way I had hoped to. I'm definitely excited for more of this series though, and I so hope Gideon's story is coming next!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions**
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I don't know how to rate this book right now. I loved the first half, but the second half kind of felt like one huge let down. I'm glad that these two got their happy ending, but I just had so many issues with HOW it all came to be. I absolutely adore this author and can't wait for more in this series, but this was just not what I hoped it would be.
**Full RTC once I have all my thoughts/feelings together
** I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions.**
That all being said though, the beginning is absolutely breathtaking: this author knows how to write, and it shows clearly through this book. You have two broken people discarded by society and shown just how evil and depraved humanity can be, and just come together and connect in such a beautiful way (even if Evie fights it at first, lol) and I just loved how effortlessly Ridge loved her. She was his everything, and he proved that to her over and over again, so watching their demise was extra painful because of that.
That's not to say I'm not happy that they did get their HEA. I truly am. I just wish we had more time with them afterwards. We spent so long on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then it's like BAM, they get back together and that's it. I would have liked to see them grow more from all their mistakes, and truly forgive not only each other but themselves as well.
I will say (and I don't think this is a spoiler, just a fact) I loved how our author handled Evies sexual trauma, because she WAS traumatized, even if she couldn't admit it at first. My heart broke on numerous occasions for this girl, and i really loved seeing her heal. Honestly I loved these two characters individually, it was later on with how toxic they were that made me lose my happy feelings.
I'm in no way trying to be rude or offend this author because she's one of my favorites. I just didn't love this the way I had hoped to. I'm definitely excited for more of this series though, and I so hope Gideon's story is coming next!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions**
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I don't know how to rate this book right now. I loved the first half, but the second half kind of felt like one huge let down. I'm glad that these two got their happy ending, but I just had so many issues with HOW it all came to be. I absolutely adore this author and can't wait for more in this series, but this was just not what I hoped it would be.
**Full RTC once I have all my thoughts/feelings together
** I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions.**
February 3, 2024
When Wrecked Meets Ruined by Emery Rose will hit you all the intense feels of an angsty second chance romance. Evie and Ridge went through an emotional rollercoaster and the author's brilliant writing will make you feel every single emotion. Heartaching. Heartbreaking.
The story starts when Ridge and Evie were both in high school and then spreads across ten years.When Evie met Ridge McCallister in Cyprus Springs, she never wanted to give him any space in her heart. He was the bad boy football god and she is the girl from the broken poor home. But Ridge was persistent and slowly Evie got to know him and she realized Ridge also has a broken past. When two imperfect and broken hearts fall in love, that love story is never easy. And they have a long way to go.
The biggest part of the story is spent in high school and college years when Ridge and Evie were both struggling with their identity and emotions. They have seen grief, abandonment, desperation and pain from close. Ridge found a loving and stable home with his newfound family but Evie was not so lucky. I loved to see the characters grow and evolve over the years. Evie is a strong heroine but even the strongest person has vulnerabilities. My heart broke for this girl. She wore this mask of fierce and untouchable and proud Evie hiding her fear and anger and sadness. And naturally she broke down after a particularly savage blow. She worked through her issues but even at the end, the scars remain. Ridge tried his best to be there for her. To love her and cherish her and protect her and save her. But he has his own demons to slay. Evie and Ridge can be many things together. Two wounded souls finding solace, two broken hearts with toxic messy feels, two soulmates who can never stop loving each other..and I was consumed by all of it. The years made them different but their love remained the same. Heartbreak made them stronger over the years and even when they were not together, their feelings slayed them every day.Emery Rose always writes such complex love stories with deeply moving and riveting layers. When Wrecked Meets Ruined is no exception.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
The story starts when Ridge and Evie were both in high school and then spreads across ten years.When Evie met Ridge McCallister in Cyprus Springs, she never wanted to give him any space in her heart. He was the bad boy football god and she is the girl from the broken poor home. But Ridge was persistent and slowly Evie got to know him and she realized Ridge also has a broken past. When two imperfect and broken hearts fall in love, that love story is never easy. And they have a long way to go.
The biggest part of the story is spent in high school and college years when Ridge and Evie were both struggling with their identity and emotions. They have seen grief, abandonment, desperation and pain from close. Ridge found a loving and stable home with his newfound family but Evie was not so lucky. I loved to see the characters grow and evolve over the years. Evie is a strong heroine but even the strongest person has vulnerabilities. My heart broke for this girl. She wore this mask of fierce and untouchable and proud Evie hiding her fear and anger and sadness. And naturally she broke down after a particularly savage blow. She worked through her issues but even at the end, the scars remain. Ridge tried his best to be there for her. To love her and cherish her and protect her and save her. But he has his own demons to slay. Evie and Ridge can be many things together. Two wounded souls finding solace, two broken hearts with toxic messy feels, two soulmates who can never stop loving each other..and I was consumed by all of it. The years made them different but their love remained the same. Heartbreak made them stronger over the years and even when they were not together, their feelings slayed them every day.Emery Rose always writes such complex love stories with deeply moving and riveting layers. When Wrecked Meets Ruined is no exception.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
June 3, 2022
I had SUCH a love/hate relationship with Ridge. Evie was easy to understand, respect, and love. But Ridge…when he was great and kind and himself, I adored him. And then when he flipped the switch and was cruel and nasty and mean and deliberately condescending or flippant, I despised him. Partially because he kept that ugly hate-mask on so easily for a while. But even with all of that, I had to love their story. Evie and Ridge tore my heart apart, each held into a few pieces while they ruined each other, then helped put it back together when the timing was finally right.
Even with the timing finally matching up with what they could be, Ridge almost deserved to get his rear handed to him by a cousin. And I halfway wanted someone to at least slap him upside the head because he just had to play the flippant jerk one last time. Luckily, he grew up over the years and realized just how close he was to losing the one thing he wanted most and let the truth come pouring out, but it was almost another bloody battle of wits and heartache before he caught that clue.
All that said, this book is oh so worth the read. Get ready to be angry, sad, melancholy, a little hopeless, and then a lot hopeful. If first love could become young love and then hate and then mature love in a way that makes happy and sad sit side by side, it would look exactly like this. Evie and Ridge brought all the angst and truth to these pages and I adored every last one.
Even with the timing finally matching up with what they could be, Ridge almost deserved to get his rear handed to him by a cousin. And I halfway wanted someone to at least slap him upside the head because he just had to play the flippant jerk one last time. Luckily, he grew up over the years and realized just how close he was to losing the one thing he wanted most and let the truth come pouring out, but it was almost another bloody battle of wits and heartache before he caught that clue.
All that said, this book is oh so worth the read. Get ready to be angry, sad, melancholy, a little hopeless, and then a lot hopeful. If first love could become young love and then hate and then mature love in a way that makes happy and sad sit side by side, it would look exactly like this. Evie and Ridge brought all the angst and truth to these pages and I adored every last one.
June 6, 2022
5++++ stars 🌟 ⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
Where do I begin and try and explain how much I loved these characters, their story?! The journey for the Junkyard Queen and Star running back was a strenuous and uphill battle. Their relationship was a battle well fought with way too many obstacles to overcome, obstacles that were not physical but mostly mentally, sometimes mental battles are the hardest and most difficult to overcome.
Their pull was so strong and enduring, steel and magnet, magnet and steel.
ANOTHER out of the park book for this very talented and gifted author.
I highly recommend this book, it will stay with you as I am sure Evie & Ridge will stay in my heart for a very long time.
Where do I begin and try and explain how much I loved these characters, their story?! The journey for the Junkyard Queen and Star running back was a strenuous and uphill battle. Their relationship was a battle well fought with way too many obstacles to overcome, obstacles that were not physical but mostly mentally, sometimes mental battles are the hardest and most difficult to overcome.
Their pull was so strong and enduring, steel and magnet, magnet and steel.
ANOTHER out of the park book for this very talented and gifted author.
I highly recommend this book, it will stay with you as I am sure Evie & Ridge will stay in my heart for a very long time.
June 13, 2022
4 Stars
I really enjoyed Evie's and Ridge's story. I would have given it 5 stars but there was a lot of miscommunication.
This book reminds of Love, Rosie. This is because it definitely has the right person, wrong time trope and in the book it was very frustrating because I felt like at some point it wasn’t necessary, but it was a good book.
If you don’t like miscommunication and getting frustrated by a book this may not be for you but the book does have an amazing couple and it’s full of love. I would recommend reading but it’s definitely frustrating jeje. Toodles!
I really enjoyed Evie's and Ridge's story. I would have given it 5 stars but there was a lot of miscommunication.
This book reminds of Love, Rosie. This is because it definitely has the right person, wrong time trope and in the book it was very frustrating because I felt like at some point it wasn’t necessary, but it was a good book.
If you don’t like miscommunication and getting frustrated by a book this may not be for you but the book does have an amazing couple and it’s full of love. I would recommend reading but it’s definitely frustrating jeje. Toodles!
September 6, 2023
I really enjoyed Ridge & Evie, they were both broken and perfect for each other. There were parts of the story I didn't care for and similar to book 1, I felt like the first part of them in high school was too long. It was great to see Ridge turn out the way he did, especially after the glimpses of him we got in book 2. I liked the angst and pain we got in this but I would've liked more groveling from Evie. There was some unnecessary separation that lasted years and I felt like Ridge took all the blame. All the kids in this were super cute tho!
June 15, 2022
4.5 Stars! And again Emery Rose fills my heart to bursting, rips it clean out of my chest and tramples it, then carefully puts it back together and fills it up all over again. 🥴
Summary:
Evie Bellamy isn’t easily impressed. Especially not by Cypress Springs’ beloved bad boy. Ridge McCallister may be insanely hot and phenomenally good at football, but Evie can see right through his charming smiles and playful winks. He thinks his playboy image hides that he’s a wreck, but like recognizes like. What possible good could come from wrecked meeting ruined? Evie doesn’t want to find out. But trying to steer clear of what could only end in disaster isn’t working. Things are about to get good and messy because Evie finds her unwanted attraction to Ridge taking center stage. Can she indulge in a no-strings affair with the man she loves to hate or are they only flirting with destroying each other?
Remember those days when I avoided angst like the plague and refused to read it?? Well, I’m happy to say those days are gone. 🤣 A BIG reason for that is Emery Rose’s books. Through her, I’ve not only learned to love the angst and crazy ride on the emotional rollercoaster, but crave it. Who knew! 🤷🏾♀️ As for When Wrecked Meets Ruined, it was everything I wanted for Ridge and Evie and more. This book gave me all the feels, and did that deeply. It left me even more in love with Ridge than I was before. Evie was a fighter. She was feisty, independent, strong, brave, and smart (both street wise and book). Very few people saw through her snarky personality to the real Evie, but she loved deeply. And when she let down her guard, her beauty and love shined even brighter. Evie had a hard life, and her struggle broke my heart. But I admired her dreams and motivation to give herself and Wren better. Ridge had a bold and imposing personality. He was strong, outspoken, a rebel, and the life of the party. But like his older brother, Ridge had a difficult and painful past. He hid his vulnerability and insecurities behind his playful, playboy exterior. Like all McCallisters, he loved his family and a select few fiercely and deeply, doing whatever it took to protect those he loved. As a couple, Ridge and Evie were intense. They had an instant connection that was tangible. Even though parts of their story were hard to read and even frustrating, I think it happened exactly as it was supposed to. What Ridge and Evie had was something so much bigger than young adults could handle. I truly believe the time they had to grow stronger, smarter, and steadier was the best thing for them. No matter what, though, their chemistry was off the charts. They were steamy, sexy, and even a bit sweet. These two broken and damaged people were meant to be, but they had to work to find the strength and courage to grab hold of the love they found in each other . Overall, I adored getting to know them more and following them on their journey to love and happiness. I love seeing our past MC’s and where they are now in relation to our new MC’s. Ridge and Evie’s story is not easy, but it is beautifully written. Each book in the Lost Stars series has put me through an emotional wringer. But that is why I love them all so much. Just when I think my heart is well and truly broken, never to be mended, Emery Rose says, “Here. Hold my keyboard.”, and I’m made whole again. It’s magic and brilliance, and I can’t get enough. I’m more than ready for the next book in the series and any others that Emery is prepared to share.♡
Summary:
Evie Bellamy isn’t easily impressed. Especially not by Cypress Springs’ beloved bad boy. Ridge McCallister may be insanely hot and phenomenally good at football, but Evie can see right through his charming smiles and playful winks. He thinks his playboy image hides that he’s a wreck, but like recognizes like. What possible good could come from wrecked meeting ruined? Evie doesn’t want to find out. But trying to steer clear of what could only end in disaster isn’t working. Things are about to get good and messy because Evie finds her unwanted attraction to Ridge taking center stage. Can she indulge in a no-strings affair with the man she loves to hate or are they only flirting with destroying each other?
Remember those days when I avoided angst like the plague and refused to read it?? Well, I’m happy to say those days are gone. 🤣 A BIG reason for that is Emery Rose’s books. Through her, I’ve not only learned to love the angst and crazy ride on the emotional rollercoaster, but crave it. Who knew! 🤷🏾♀️ As for When Wrecked Meets Ruined, it was everything I wanted for Ridge and Evie and more. This book gave me all the feels, and did that deeply. It left me even more in love with Ridge than I was before. Evie was a fighter. She was feisty, independent, strong, brave, and smart (both street wise and book). Very few people saw through her snarky personality to the real Evie, but she loved deeply. And when she let down her guard, her beauty and love shined even brighter. Evie had a hard life, and her struggle broke my heart. But I admired her dreams and motivation to give herself and Wren better. Ridge had a bold and imposing personality. He was strong, outspoken, a rebel, and the life of the party. But like his older brother, Ridge had a difficult and painful past. He hid his vulnerability and insecurities behind his playful, playboy exterior. Like all McCallisters, he loved his family and a select few fiercely and deeply, doing whatever it took to protect those he loved. As a couple, Ridge and Evie were intense. They had an instant connection that was tangible. Even though parts of their story were hard to read and even frustrating, I think it happened exactly as it was supposed to. What Ridge and Evie had was something so much bigger than young adults could handle. I truly believe the time they had to grow stronger, smarter, and steadier was the best thing for them. No matter what, though, their chemistry was off the charts. They were steamy, sexy, and even a bit sweet. These two broken and damaged people were meant to be, but they had to work to find the strength and courage to grab hold of the love they found in each other . Overall, I adored getting to know them more and following them on their journey to love and happiness. I love seeing our past MC’s and where they are now in relation to our new MC’s. Ridge and Evie’s story is not easy, but it is beautifully written. Each book in the Lost Stars series has put me through an emotional wringer. But that is why I love them all so much. Just when I think my heart is well and truly broken, never to be mended, Emery Rose says, “Here. Hold my keyboard.”, and I’m made whole again. It’s magic and brilliance, and I can’t get enough. I’m more than ready for the next book in the series and any others that Emery is prepared to share.♡
June 11, 2022
"We would either save each other. Or destroy each other.”
When Wrecked Meets Ruined delivers all the feels and will destroy your heart and break it into tiny pieces. Then it will glue the pieces back together again. My angst loving heart was shattered by Ridge and Evie and I am absolutely in love with them.
“She got in her car drove away, leaving me standing there wondering how and when Evie had become that girl. The one you never forget. The one who’s so deeply embedded under your skin that you might as well have her name tattooed over your heart.”
Evie was fighter that was full of sass and vinegar. Her life was not easy and she let very few people see the person underneath the sarcasm, but when she let her guard down, she had the biggest heart and was the person that you wanted in your corner. She was fierce and she broke my heart.
“I was amazed that we’d found each other. Two damaged people in a broken world that didn’t feel as broken or as ugly with him in it.”
Ridge was larger than life. He hide his painful past underneath his rude and arrogant playboy exterior, but this just concealed all of his insecurities and his vulnerable heart. When he cared about you, he was your strongest defender and would do anything to protect those he loved.
“There had always been me and Evie. Right from the very first day I ever laid eyes on her.”
Ridge and Evie had an instant connection that was destined to grow into something bigger than themselves. Their sharp banter hid the intense feelings they had. The chemistry and tension between them was palpable.
“What if I told you that it’s been you all along? What if I told you that I’ve always loved you and nothing had ever changed that? Not when you left me. Not when I left you in California. Not the years in between. Not the time or the distance. It has always been you, Evie.”
These two clashed from the very beginning because they were so much alike. Both only allowed others to see them at a surface level and no one touched their inner souls until they met each other. Their pasts and presents were so painful, but despite that, they fought to better themselves and to have a brighter future. Their journey was painful, but it was necessary for them to grow into the people they were meant to be.
“I exhale. You inhale. I breathe, you breathe.”
Each book in the Lost Stars series has been an emotional masterpiece and Ridge and Evie’s story is no exception. When Wrecked Meets Ruined will touch your heart so deeply and engross you in the complicated love story of these two broken souls that find the strength and the courage to love in one another.
When Wrecked Meets Ruined delivers all the feels and will destroy your heart and break it into tiny pieces. Then it will glue the pieces back together again. My angst loving heart was shattered by Ridge and Evie and I am absolutely in love with them.
“She got in her car drove away, leaving me standing there wondering how and when Evie had become that girl. The one you never forget. The one who’s so deeply embedded under your skin that you might as well have her name tattooed over your heart.”
Evie was fighter that was full of sass and vinegar. Her life was not easy and she let very few people see the person underneath the sarcasm, but when she let her guard down, she had the biggest heart and was the person that you wanted in your corner. She was fierce and she broke my heart.
“I was amazed that we’d found each other. Two damaged people in a broken world that didn’t feel as broken or as ugly with him in it.”
Ridge was larger than life. He hide his painful past underneath his rude and arrogant playboy exterior, but this just concealed all of his insecurities and his vulnerable heart. When he cared about you, he was your strongest defender and would do anything to protect those he loved.
“There had always been me and Evie. Right from the very first day I ever laid eyes on her.”
Ridge and Evie had an instant connection that was destined to grow into something bigger than themselves. Their sharp banter hid the intense feelings they had. The chemistry and tension between them was palpable.
“What if I told you that it’s been you all along? What if I told you that I’ve always loved you and nothing had ever changed that? Not when you left me. Not when I left you in California. Not the years in between. Not the time or the distance. It has always been you, Evie.”
These two clashed from the very beginning because they were so much alike. Both only allowed others to see them at a surface level and no one touched their inner souls until they met each other. Their pasts and presents were so painful, but despite that, they fought to better themselves and to have a brighter future. Their journey was painful, but it was necessary for them to grow into the people they were meant to be.
“I exhale. You inhale. I breathe, you breathe.”
Each book in the Lost Stars series has been an emotional masterpiece and Ridge and Evie’s story is no exception. When Wrecked Meets Ruined will touch your heart so deeply and engross you in the complicated love story of these two broken souls that find the strength and the courage to love in one another.
June 6, 2022
This series has put me through the emotional ringer...so I went into this book expecting to be a crying mess...and I was (shocker).
Ridge and Evie both grew up fast due to the shit hand they were dealt. Sadly, they weren't even close to winning the parent jackpot. You really feel for both of them, what they've seen and experienced, while rooting for them to rise above it and achieve all their dreams. They're both stubborn as hell and have a shit-ton of pride (sometimes pride is the only thing you have left), they're used to being along and handling everything by themselves.
Their story spans over about 8 years and is full of angst, heartbreak, loss, anger, hurt, growth and once in a lifetime love. They take a while to get it right, but it's a beautiful journey.
Favorite Spoiler-Free Quotes:
“Why are you walking around with a crowbar?” he asked, falling into step with me. “Because I don’t have a gun.”
“It’s a McCallister thing. But for the most part, we only fight when there’s something worth fighting for. Or someone.”
“McCallister’s been Bellamyzed.” Bellamyzed. What the fuck? It sounded like a curse because it was. The Evie Bellamy effect. Brutal, vicious, and efficient. She skewered my balls and tossed them on the barbecue.
Mission accomplished. By now, I must be ironclad and bulletproof. Step aside, Tony Stark, Iron Woman is in the house.
"I wasn’t a damsel in distress. I didn’t want him to ride in like a tarnished knight and try to fix my problems or save me."
Ridge McCallister was bigger than life. He filled up every room he entered, and I used to think he sucked all the oxygen from it too. But now… now I felt like I could breathe better when he was next to me.
Guess I liked my horses the way I liked my women. Wild at heart. Stubborn to a fault. And so beautiful, it knocked the breath right out of your lungs.
As Brody had said, “People will let you down. That’s a sad fact of life, and I know you know that. But the minute you give up on yourself, it’s game over. Don’t be that asshole, Ridge. Be better. Show them what you’re made of, and don’t you ever give up, you hear me?”
No other girl had ever brought me to my knees. But Evie could do it so easily. She made me weak with just a word or a brush of her lips.
For the first time in my life, I felt like I had it all—the girl, not just any girl but the girl, a full ride to a D1 college, and a family that gave a shit about me. The only downside to having it all? Now I had everything to lose.
Ridge looked like a bad boy searching for trouble. I think he’d found it. I was sitting right next to him. The boy looking for trouble, and the girl riding shotgun.
Ridge and Evie both grew up fast due to the shit hand they were dealt. Sadly, they weren't even close to winning the parent jackpot. You really feel for both of them, what they've seen and experienced, while rooting for them to rise above it and achieve all their dreams. They're both stubborn as hell and have a shit-ton of pride (sometimes pride is the only thing you have left), they're used to being along and handling everything by themselves.
Their story spans over about 8 years and is full of angst, heartbreak, loss, anger, hurt, growth and once in a lifetime love. They take a while to get it right, but it's a beautiful journey.
Favorite Spoiler-Free Quotes:
“Why are you walking around with a crowbar?” he asked, falling into step with me. “Because I don’t have a gun.”
“It’s a McCallister thing. But for the most part, we only fight when there’s something worth fighting for. Or someone.”
“McCallister’s been Bellamyzed.” Bellamyzed. What the fuck? It sounded like a curse because it was. The Evie Bellamy effect. Brutal, vicious, and efficient. She skewered my balls and tossed them on the barbecue.
Mission accomplished. By now, I must be ironclad and bulletproof. Step aside, Tony Stark, Iron Woman is in the house.
"I wasn’t a damsel in distress. I didn’t want him to ride in like a tarnished knight and try to fix my problems or save me."
Ridge McCallister was bigger than life. He filled up every room he entered, and I used to think he sucked all the oxygen from it too. But now… now I felt like I could breathe better when he was next to me.
Guess I liked my horses the way I liked my women. Wild at heart. Stubborn to a fault. And so beautiful, it knocked the breath right out of your lungs.
As Brody had said, “People will let you down. That’s a sad fact of life, and I know you know that. But the minute you give up on yourself, it’s game over. Don’t be that asshole, Ridge. Be better. Show them what you’re made of, and don’t you ever give up, you hear me?”
No other girl had ever brought me to my knees. But Evie could do it so easily. She made me weak with just a word or a brush of her lips.
For the first time in my life, I felt like I had it all—the girl, not just any girl but the girl, a full ride to a D1 college, and a family that gave a shit about me. The only downside to having it all? Now I had everything to lose.
Ridge looked like a bad boy searching for trouble. I think he’d found it. I was sitting right next to him. The boy looking for trouble, and the girl riding shotgun.
June 9, 2022
When Wrecked Meets Ruined will break your heart even as you piece it back together with Emery Rose's compassionate writing for an amazing experience.
For all his outgoing charm Ridge McCallister carried as much pain as potential struggling with his dysfunction brought on by a tragic childhood. If one person understood Ridges inner demons it was Evie Bellamy who had more on her plate than she could handle but somehow she managed to muddle through the chaos and cruelty that bombarded her on a daily basis. Covered in emotional armor and surrounded by walls Ridge and Evie's desperation for kindness and love made their road to happiness a hard one even in moments where it seemed they might just let themselves accept each other's love. Their emotional scars often made their attempt to love feel like they were grasping at the unobtainable.
When two people come from similar experiences it can be bonding or a complete disaster, RIdge and Evie's experienced a combination of the two, driving this story with angst and a true love that would not die proving it was meant to be. From tragic to triumphant there was little that did not elicit real feelings from this pair and readers alike. As can be expected from Ms. Rose tears were plentiful as Ridge and Evie found their way through life and to each other. Their relationship one where timing played a significant part, always the right person at the wrong time except for small pockets of perfect opportunities.
Ms. Rose does not make love easy. She makes her characters fight for their love and in kind she finds a way for them to get their happily ever after. There are no perfect lives on her pages but she sees hope and gives it even as her portrayals darkest moments surround them. With insightful writing the scope of this author's emotions is as vast as they are deep. When Wrecked Met Ruined delivers a hard earned love for a beautiful story.
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this work can be read as a stand-alone but for an overall enhanced reading experience reading the previous books in this series is recommended.
For all his outgoing charm Ridge McCallister carried as much pain as potential struggling with his dysfunction brought on by a tragic childhood. If one person understood Ridges inner demons it was Evie Bellamy who had more on her plate than she could handle but somehow she managed to muddle through the chaos and cruelty that bombarded her on a daily basis. Covered in emotional armor and surrounded by walls Ridge and Evie's desperation for kindness and love made their road to happiness a hard one even in moments where it seemed they might just let themselves accept each other's love. Their emotional scars often made their attempt to love feel like they were grasping at the unobtainable.
When two people come from similar experiences it can be bonding or a complete disaster, RIdge and Evie's experienced a combination of the two, driving this story with angst and a true love that would not die proving it was meant to be. From tragic to triumphant there was little that did not elicit real feelings from this pair and readers alike. As can be expected from Ms. Rose tears were plentiful as Ridge and Evie found their way through life and to each other. Their relationship one where timing played a significant part, always the right person at the wrong time except for small pockets of perfect opportunities.
Ms. Rose does not make love easy. She makes her characters fight for their love and in kind she finds a way for them to get their happily ever after. There are no perfect lives on her pages but she sees hope and gives it even as her portrayals darkest moments surround them. With insightful writing the scope of this author's emotions is as vast as they are deep. When Wrecked Met Ruined delivers a hard earned love for a beautiful story.
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this work can be read as a stand-alone but for an overall enhanced reading experience reading the previous books in this series is recommended.
June 21, 2022
HEARTRENDING & CAPTIVATING!!
Not even gonna lie. Emery kind of wrecked me with this one. I should have just known...those dang McCallister boys are always breaking hearts!
These two were just destined to be each other's forever! No doubt about it in my mind! It might have felt like just wishful thinking for a bit there because I don't think anyone tortured themselves more with what they felt like they couldn't have more than Evie did! I can honestly say I might have been a bit scared! That whole RIGHT guy, wrong time....I cried for them! For their love and what they missed out on.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT!!! I'm not sure I've met a stronger heroine than this one in Emery's worlds...and she writes some really strong ones! But everything that was thrown this girls way and even when she was lost and at her worst....she freaking saved herself! My heart hurt when hers hurt!
I loved Ridge from the moment we met him in When The Storm Breaks (his big brother Brody's book!) and the more we got of him in When We Were Reckless (Evie's best friend Quinn's book) the more that I was dying for his book. Emery did not disappoint! Ridge had me swooning more times than I could count but then these two also had me wanting to smack some sense into them many times too. All of these McCallister boys have done a number on me but I think Ridge has been my most heartbreaking yet. Let's just say I'm not surprised that him and Evie found each other and believe they were perfect for each other from the get go. Who better to understand you're life struggles than someone who lived a very similar life. You couldn't get me to discredit destiny after these two finding their way to each other.
The push and pull was EVERYTHING I look for and love in Emery's books. Their love story was so beautifully written and I really hope we get a little glimpse of them in the next Lost Stars book. I truly wish that we had gotten a bit more of them at the end of their story. Could be because I'm selfish like that but I think that I'll just always want more of them.
Not even gonna lie. Emery kind of wrecked me with this one. I should have just known...those dang McCallister boys are always breaking hearts!
These two were just destined to be each other's forever! No doubt about it in my mind! It might have felt like just wishful thinking for a bit there because I don't think anyone tortured themselves more with what they felt like they couldn't have more than Evie did! I can honestly say I might have been a bit scared! That whole RIGHT guy, wrong time....I cried for them! For their love and what they missed out on.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT!!! I'm not sure I've met a stronger heroine than this one in Emery's worlds...and she writes some really strong ones! But everything that was thrown this girls way and even when she was lost and at her worst....she freaking saved herself! My heart hurt when hers hurt!
I loved Ridge from the moment we met him in When The Storm Breaks (his big brother Brody's book!) and the more we got of him in When We Were Reckless (Evie's best friend Quinn's book) the more that I was dying for his book. Emery did not disappoint! Ridge had me swooning more times than I could count but then these two also had me wanting to smack some sense into them many times too. All of these McCallister boys have done a number on me but I think Ridge has been my most heartbreaking yet. Let's just say I'm not surprised that him and Evie found each other and believe they were perfect for each other from the get go. Who better to understand you're life struggles than someone who lived a very similar life. You couldn't get me to discredit destiny after these two finding their way to each other.
The push and pull was EVERYTHING I look for and love in Emery's books. Their love story was so beautifully written and I really hope we get a little glimpse of them in the next Lost Stars book. I truly wish that we had gotten a bit more of them at the end of their story. Could be because I'm selfish like that but I think that I'll just always want more of them.
June 5, 2022
“I’d found my forever love in a junkyard under a full moon. He was wrecked, and I was ruined, but God, we burned so bright.”
This story…I think the words will stay with me for some time. Since I found this series in 2020, I’ll say Jude was my favorite. I loved each McCallister in his own way, but something about Jude and Lila’s story, the pain and ugliness along with the beautify they had as their foundation, tugged at my hear.
Well, that was until Ridge and Evie’s story graced my kindle shelf. This is a long, angsty story. There’s a lot of trauma in bother their lives. The pain they have to overcome within their own hearts and lives is something you can feel deep within the pages of this book. I loved both these characters equally. I was rooting for them individually and as a couple. They were truly magical together and I loved seeing their story unfold, even if it tore my heart at how much time passed and their timing was never right until it finally was.
Emery Rose you have done it again. It has been some time since your books was released and it was worth the wait. Absolutely brilliant writing from an Author I truly admire. I don’t know which McCallister brother is next, but I can’t wait. Because this world of Cypress Springs, Texas is one I love to return to.
If you haven’t taken the time to read this series, I really can’t say this loud enough with words: DOWNLOAD THEM ALL NOW! If you have kindle unlimited, it’s available with your subscription.
This is book 4 in the Lost Stars series. Each can be read as a standalone but don’t do such a disservice to yourself. Read them all. You won’t regret it.
🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈/5
🌶🌶/5
ARC provided for an honest review.
Trigger warnings ⚠️ : physical abuse, attempted rape, murder, abuse of drugs.
This story…I think the words will stay with me for some time. Since I found this series in 2020, I’ll say Jude was my favorite. I loved each McCallister in his own way, but something about Jude and Lila’s story, the pain and ugliness along with the beautify they had as their foundation, tugged at my hear.
Well, that was until Ridge and Evie’s story graced my kindle shelf. This is a long, angsty story. There’s a lot of trauma in bother their lives. The pain they have to overcome within their own hearts and lives is something you can feel deep within the pages of this book. I loved both these characters equally. I was rooting for them individually and as a couple. They were truly magical together and I loved seeing their story unfold, even if it tore my heart at how much time passed and their timing was never right until it finally was.
Emery Rose you have done it again. It has been some time since your books was released and it was worth the wait. Absolutely brilliant writing from an Author I truly admire. I don’t know which McCallister brother is next, but I can’t wait. Because this world of Cypress Springs, Texas is one I love to return to.
If you haven’t taken the time to read this series, I really can’t say this loud enough with words: DOWNLOAD THEM ALL NOW! If you have kindle unlimited, it’s available with your subscription.
This is book 4 in the Lost Stars series. Each can be read as a standalone but don’t do such a disservice to yourself. Read them all. You won’t regret it.
🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈/5
🌶🌶/5
ARC provided for an honest review.
Trigger warnings ⚠️ : physical abuse, attempted rape, murder, abuse of drugs.
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