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The Sister Between Us
The Sister Between Us is a second-chance contemporary sports romance.
One night is all it takes to change everything.
Leah
He was my best friend’s brother. My neighbor. The one person I was never supposed to fall for, until lines got blurred – stolen kisses and lies told to the people we loved most.
Jake
When the secrets we’d been keeping came out, broken hearts weren’t the only casualties. Though I’ve spent years chasing my dreams of being a professional soccer player, I’ve never forgotten the one who got away.
A chance encounter brings me back face to face with the only person I’ve ever loved.
Can we repair what's been broken?
Has time healed the scars that run deeper than the surface?
Will the sister between us bring us back together or push us apart yet again?
One night is all it takes to change everything.
Leah
He was my best friend’s brother. My neighbor. The one person I was never supposed to fall for, until lines got blurred – stolen kisses and lies told to the people we loved most.
Jake
When the secrets we’d been keeping came out, broken hearts weren’t the only casualties. Though I’ve spent years chasing my dreams of being a professional soccer player, I’ve never forgotten the one who got away.
A chance encounter brings me back face to face with the only person I’ve ever loved.
Can we repair what's been broken?
Has time healed the scars that run deeper than the surface?
Will the sister between us bring us back together or push us apart yet again?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2023
439 people are currently reading
8480 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews
June 13, 2023
4.5 🌟 this made my second chance romance heart so happy omg!! pulled me out of the biggest slump ever, the writing is very fast paced and addicting!! once i hit the “8 years later” mark, i could not stop reading
i swear i was tabbing every page, there were just so many good quotes!! this is definitely a book i will be flipping through again just to reread my tabbed parts 🤍
will forever think about this book now any time i see tulips 🌷🌷🌷 (all of a sudden i want to get 3 tulips tattooed on me)
i swear i was tabbing every page, there were just so many good quotes!! this is definitely a book i will be flipping through again just to reread my tabbed parts 🤍
will forever think about this book now any time i see tulips 🌷🌷🌷 (all of a sudden i want to get 3 tulips tattooed on me)
March 22, 2023
i have no words, this book is so special 🥹 def one of my news faves and the perfect mix of emotional and heartwarming. i cant get over it 🥹
December 27, 2022
I can't even put into words how much I loved this book. I strongly believe that the book found me and reading it made me realized how badly I needed it.
Leah is a strong, confident, and artistically gifted young woman. It's actually always has been Chloe and Leah their whole lives. Both are destined best friends, but what happens when you suddenly want more than just friendship from your best friend's brother, but you just can't let that happen?
Jake is hot, a soccer player and the twin brother of Leah's best friend Chloe.
Jake would do literally anything for his loved ones and isn't afraid to mess with his goals.
Let me tell you that in general, he's just the perfect fictional boyfriend, but I don't want to take too much away from you.
You should better discover him for yourself and learn to love him and his actions.
recieved the book as an arc
Leah is a strong, confident, and artistically gifted young woman. It's actually always has been Chloe and Leah their whole lives. Both are destined best friends, but what happens when you suddenly want more than just friendship from your best friend's brother, but you just can't let that happen?
Jake is hot, a soccer player and the twin brother of Leah's best friend Chloe.
Jake would do literally anything for his loved ones and isn't afraid to mess with his goals.
Let me tell you that in general, he's just the perfect fictional boyfriend, but I don't want to take too much away from you.
You should better discover him for yourself and learn to love him and his actions.
recieved the book as an arc
January 10, 2023
I was incredibly lucky to receive an early ARC copy of Hailey Dickert's debut novel, 'A sister between us'. I couldn't be more blown away from a debut novel if I could try! I have been reading books for nearly 15 years now and a common thing I have found is that romance novels can sometimes lack good plot points, it can miss conflict and plot points and while cute romance is a favourite, nothing draws me in and captivates me more than getting attached to characters and their trials and tribulations through a good plot.
For a debut novel, Hailey did just that, she wrote a beautiful story about the complexities of life and learning to grieve and grow as adolescents into young adults.
Our story follows our two main characters Leah and Jake, they've been best friends since they were children, their bond formed over back yard hangouts, but as they grew and formed into young adults the spark and attraction couldn't be dimmed, but one storming night changes the tragectory of Jake and Leah's lives and leaves them shells of the people they were before. We are then transpored 8 years into the future where we see our beloved characters again but with maturity and living their adult lives.
This book needs to be on everyones TBR! I absolutely adored the characters, the romance and the plot. This book had me laughing, smiling, sobbing and then smiling again.
For a debut novel, Hailey did just that, she wrote a beautiful story about the complexities of life and learning to grieve and grow as adolescents into young adults.
Our story follows our two main characters Leah and Jake, they've been best friends since they were children, their bond formed over back yard hangouts, but as they grew and formed into young adults the spark and attraction couldn't be dimmed, but one storming night changes the tragectory of Jake and Leah's lives and leaves them shells of the people they were before. We are then transpored 8 years into the future where we see our beloved characters again but with maturity and living their adult lives.
This book needs to be on everyones TBR! I absolutely adored the characters, the romance and the plot. This book had me laughing, smiling, sobbing and then smiling again.
April 6, 2023
I really wanted to love this but I didn’t get emotionally invested 🤔it was just really fast paced and didn’t work for me.
April 10, 2023
The hype was not to be believed - choppy storytelling, contrived plot, and I was just left not caring about these characters…
April 23, 2023
Lame and boring. For a second chance romance, they didn’t have any build-up, anguish, angst or palpable chemistry. They just jumped at each other and picked up right where they left. And their break up, didn’t even feel like a breakup lmao. I didn’t even feel their romance. Served nothing. I want my time back.
December 30, 2022
∞/5
𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.
THIS. FREAKIN. BOOK. What a masterpiece. 👏🏼
Words cannot describe how much I loved this book. I had goosebumps reading the prologue - GOOSEBUMPS. What an absolute emotional roller-coaster and I loved every minute of it (I laughed, I cried, I gasped). The character development was amazing, their humour and banter was everything! There was always something to keep me reading and I was so invested.
I 100% recommend this book with every fibre of my body, PLEASE add to your TBR and is also available for pre-order via Amazon.
I am so excited for everyone to meet Jake and Leah!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to recieve an early arc copy. 🤍
- Dual POV
- Second Chance Romance
- Sports Romance
- Best Friends Brother
- Childhood Friends
- Shared Trauma
- Family Drama
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.
𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.
THIS. FREAKIN. BOOK. What a masterpiece. 👏🏼
Words cannot describe how much I loved this book. I had goosebumps reading the prologue - GOOSEBUMPS. What an absolute emotional roller-coaster and I loved every minute of it (I laughed, I cried, I gasped). The character development was amazing, their humour and banter was everything! There was always something to keep me reading and I was so invested.
I 100% recommend this book with every fibre of my body, PLEASE add to your TBR and is also available for pre-order via Amazon.
I am so excited for everyone to meet Jake and Leah!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to recieve an early arc copy. 🤍
- Dual POV
- Second Chance Romance
- Sports Romance
- Best Friends Brother
- Childhood Friends
- Shared Trauma
- Family Drama
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.
June 3, 2023
4.5 stars!
I loved this book, it was an emotional roller coaster and I read this in one sitting. I'm also definitely going to hell for assuming the worst of Chloe, wherein she was an absolute angel.
I'd have liked it even more if I got to see more of Jake's life when he was in the pro leagues, and what happened with Lysa at the end? I have no clue.
Anyway, the point is, it left me sobbing sappy mess at the end, don't worry - it's an HEA (phew)
I loved Jake's and Leah's characters so much, they were so relatable, understanding and mature throughout the book, I can't wait to read what Hailey has in store for Sophie in the next book, I LOVE THAT GIRL!!!!!
It was a satisfying read till the end, definitely recommend.
I loved this book, it was an emotional roller coaster and I read this in one sitting. I'm also definitely going to hell for assuming the worst of Chloe, wherein she was an absolute angel.
I'd have liked it even more if I got to see more of Jake's life when he was in the pro leagues, and what happened with Lysa at the end? I have no clue.
Anyway, the point is, it left me sobbing sappy mess at the end, don't worry - it's an HEA (phew)
I loved Jake's and Leah's characters so much, they were so relatable, understanding and mature throughout the book, I can't wait to read what Hailey has in store for Sophie in the next book, I LOVE THAT GIRL!!!!!
It was a satisfying read till the end, definitely recommend.
June 21, 2023
Лія та Джейк - друзі дитинства, які кохали один одного і як класика жанру потрібно приховати це від Хлої, яка є найкращою подругою гг і сестрою Джейка.
Їхні стосунки, але чи можна їх так назвати ? Усе було по дитячому.
І крапку цьому всьому поставила одна трагічна правда. Хлоя і Лія потрапили в аварію.
Що сказати. Я досі не розумію чому автор вирішив таким чином зробити з цього всього трагедію. Смерть Хлої надто вплинула на кожного по своєму і я не можу сказати, що хтось з них страждав більше. В цьому випадку їм потрібно було пробачити себе за усе і намагатись жити далі.
Та автор вирішила через трагедію розлучити їх. І знаєте та біль досі з ними, знаю, що втративши когось це переслідує тебе довго. Сумно. Сумно, що вони саме так розійшлись. Та кожен з них здобув те що прагнув, ресторан та подорожі. Їхня зустріч була очікуваною, і звісно що комусь з них буде лячно. І картина яку він купив свідчить про те, що він досі її кохав. Але дивно, що вони не намагались знайти одиночного раніше. Невже потрібно стільки років відчувати це?
Та одна випадкова зустріч повертає все назад. У дорослому житті вони мені сподобились трішки краще.
І ці три тюльпани- у саме серденько.
Їхні стосунки, але чи можна їх так назвати ? Усе було по дитячому.
І крапку цьому всьому поставила одна трагічна правда. Хлоя і Лія потрапили в аварію.
Що сказати. Я досі не розумію чому автор вирішив таким чином зробити з цього всього трагедію. Смерть Хлої надто вплинула на кожного по своєму і я не можу сказати, що хтось з них страждав більше. В цьому випадку їм потрібно було пробачити себе за усе і намагатись жити далі.
Та автор вирішила через трагедію розлучити їх. І знаєте та біль досі з ними, знаю, що втративши когось це переслідує тебе довго. Сумно. Сумно, що вони саме так розійшлись. Та кожен з них здобув те що прагнув, ресторан та подорожі. Їхня зустріч була очікуваною, і звісно що комусь з них буде лячно. І картина яку він купив свідчить про те, що він досі її кохав. Але дивно, що вони не намагались знайти одиночного раніше. Невже потрібно стільки років відчувати це?
Та одна випадкова зустріч повертає все назад. У дорослому житті вони мені сподобились трішки краще.
І ці три тюльпани- у саме серденько.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2023
Я ставлю "Сестра між нами" 3.5 із 5⭐.Історія прикольна. Були моменти не допрацьовані до кінця.
На мою думку Лія ляклива дівчинка, яка боїться бути з хлопцем, який є братом найкращої подруги через якусь обіцянку.
Джейк все робить для інших і для себе, хотів розповісти все сестрі про стосунки.Тому,що не хотів приховувати від рідної людини. Сестра і так все знала, але підштовхувала їх, щоб вони зізналися.
Хлоя на перший погляд була не найкращою подругою, кидала на довгий час подругу заради хлопця, а потім підсувала Лії хлопців, щоб вона найшла собі хлопця для першого разу. Але та аварія на совісті Хлої ну подумати дощ великий і їхати в далеку дорогу це не припустимо. Було жалко, що вона померла.🥲
Герої, які мені сподобалися на 💯 - Метт і Софі, вони найкращі, мені більше Софі була подругою Лії чим Хлоя. Їхні жарти🔥
Вісім років не бачитися і не чути один одного ну це капець, як? Джейк прям бусінка, купляв картини її і друзів заохочував на це, він зробив ті тату в пам'ять Хлої, і троянди для найкращих дівчат🥰😍.
Коул придурок, на що він розраховував, коли арештував Джейка.
Кінець самий мені сподобався більше чим початок .
На мою думку Лія ляклива дівчинка, яка боїться бути з хлопцем, який є братом найкращої подруги через якусь обіцянку.
Джейк все робить для інших і для себе, хотів розповісти все сестрі про стосунки.Тому,що не хотів приховувати від рідної людини. Сестра і так все знала, але підштовхувала їх, щоб вони зізналися.
Хлоя на перший погляд була не найкращою подругою, кидала на довгий час подругу заради хлопця, а потім підсувала Лії хлопців, щоб вона найшла собі хлопця для першого разу. Але та аварія на совісті Хлої ну подумати дощ великий і їхати в далеку дорогу це не припустимо. Було жалко, що вона померла.🥲
Герої, які мені сподобалися на 💯 - Метт і Софі, вони найкращі, мені більше Софі була подругою Лії чим Хлоя. Їхні жарти🔥
Вісім років не бачитися і не чути один одного ну це капець, як? Джейк прям бусінка, купляв картини її і друзів заохочував на це, він зробив ті тату в пам'ять Хлої, і троянди для найкращих дівчат🥰😍.
Коул придурок, на що він розраховував, коли арештував Джейка.
Кінець самий мені сподобався більше чим початок .
November 1, 2022
I LOVED this book. I was given an advanced copy to review and could NOT put down. the characters were so well-developed and easy to love! the plot triggered some serious emotions for me - but i’ve found the best books typically do! Take a chance on this talented indie author and fall in love with the story and characters ❤️ the best happy ending!
June 27, 2023
Not a Good Read of 2023
June 21, 2023
Початок був краще, а потім...
October 1, 2023
i’ve seen this book making the rounds on bookstagram and i wanted to give it a read. what shocked me is that i read it in 4-5 hours. i had a good feeling about it going into it but i had no idea how much i was going to love it.
i wanted to talk about a few things that i believe needed some more development or crafting before i get into the good stuff.
first off, the time jump threw me off yet i knew it was coming since this is a second chance romance. it just felt a little sudden. i think the transition would’ve been more smooth if leah said something about this moment would be last time she’d see jake for a long time or something like that.
there wasn’t a lot of build-up or tension between leah and jake. i know they’ve loved each other since they were really young but i think adding that element of angst would’ve made the reader want them together even more. this happened when they reunited later on in the book and it just felt a little insta-lovey to me. insta-love isn’t a trope i particularly love but i didn’t mind it too much in this.
if someone asked me to describe this book in one word, it would be consuming. the story consumed me during and after i read it. it was evident that jake and leah belong together. they had that connection that many of us dream of having with a future partner. it’s such a heartbreaking and beautiful story about love and loss.
i really enjoyed leah’s connection with the rest of the summers’ family. it was interesting to read how chloe made such an impact in leah and jake’s individual lives and their life together.
leah is an aspiring artist and jake is a soccer player. leah is a sensitive and selfless character. she’d do anything for the people she loves. i related a lot to leah because of her creative mind and how much she cares for her loved ones. jake is a headstrong and loving character. the love jake has for leah could easily move giant mountains and the way he shows her how much he loves her is everything.
i wasn’t emotionally ready for the plot twist. it definitely caught me off guard. i sobbed uncontrollably.
hailey dickert is a gifted writer. it’s hard for me to believe that is her debut novel because it feels like she’s been writing books for years. her writing is poetic yet simplistic at the same time.
if you’re searching for a second chance sports romance that is full of heartache and an all-consuming love, you need to read this.
rating: 4.5⭐️
i wanted to talk about a few things that i believe needed some more development or crafting before i get into the good stuff.
first off, the time jump threw me off yet i knew it was coming since this is a second chance romance. it just felt a little sudden. i think the transition would’ve been more smooth if leah said something about this moment would be last time she’d see jake for a long time or something like that.
there wasn’t a lot of build-up or tension between leah and jake. i know they’ve loved each other since they were really young but i think adding that element of angst would’ve made the reader want them together even more. this happened when they reunited later on in the book and it just felt a little insta-lovey to me. insta-love isn’t a trope i particularly love but i didn’t mind it too much in this.
if someone asked me to describe this book in one word, it would be consuming. the story consumed me during and after i read it. it was evident that jake and leah belong together. they had that connection that many of us dream of having with a future partner. it’s such a heartbreaking and beautiful story about love and loss.
i really enjoyed leah’s connection with the rest of the summers’ family. it was interesting to read how chloe made such an impact in leah and jake’s individual lives and their life together.
leah is an aspiring artist and jake is a soccer player. leah is a sensitive and selfless character. she’d do anything for the people she loves. i related a lot to leah because of her creative mind and how much she cares for her loved ones. jake is a headstrong and loving character. the love jake has for leah could easily move giant mountains and the way he shows her how much he loves her is everything.
i wasn’t emotionally ready for the plot twist. it definitely caught me off guard. i sobbed uncontrollably.
hailey dickert is a gifted writer. it’s hard for me to believe that is her debut novel because it feels like she’s been writing books for years. her writing is poetic yet simplistic at the same time.
if you’re searching for a second chance sports romance that is full of heartache and an all-consuming love, you need to read this.
rating: 4.5⭐️
July 22, 2023
THIS!!! This book was beautifully written! I cannot tell you how much I laughed and cried during this book! It was the utmost perfection!
Hailey Dickert, I pray that you always have a fully charged phone!! You are a genius!
I fell so hard for these characters right from the jump. I love a book that can hook me right from the start without of the unnecessary drama and BS. That's exactly what this book did. Not to mention the writing style!! OMG!!
When she said "We are the ocean, and Longwood is our shore. After all these years, we've found our way back to where the sea kisses the sand." 🥺🤍😭 I LOST IT. I literally bawled !! That is the purest most beautifully written thing I have ever read.
I want to fall in love like Leah and Jake. The way they found themselves back to each other despite everything that happened! Losing a sister is devastating. Losing a TWIN sister would completely WRECK me!! 😭😭😭 This man said Ima perfect myself and my hurt for this woman! Because she's it for him !! LIKE WHAT !!!!
Moral of the story, go give this book a read!! I don't hand out 5 stars to just anyone!! This book deserved every single star it received !!
Hailey Dickert, I pray that you always have a fully charged phone!! You are a genius!
I fell so hard for these characters right from the jump. I love a book that can hook me right from the start without of the unnecessary drama and BS. That's exactly what this book did. Not to mention the writing style!! OMG!!
When she said "We are the ocean, and Longwood is our shore. After all these years, we've found our way back to where the sea kisses the sand." 🥺🤍😭 I LOST IT. I literally bawled !! That is the purest most beautifully written thing I have ever read.
I want to fall in love like Leah and Jake. The way they found themselves back to each other despite everything that happened! Losing a sister is devastating. Losing a TWIN sister would completely WRECK me!! 😭😭😭 This man said Ima perfect myself and my hurt for this woman! Because she's it for him !! LIKE WHAT !!!!
Moral of the story, go give this book a read!! I don't hand out 5 stars to just anyone!! This book deserved every single star it received !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2023
I started this book yesterday and have already finished it. It was exactly what I needed.
This warm magical atmosphere absorbed me from the first chapter🌴🐚☀️🌊⚽️💛
Of course, when I started reading, I expected it to be a light rom-com. I did not expect what happened there. It broke my heart. I don't want to say much because it needs to be read. But I'm glad that in the end, Leah and Jake found their happiness, individual identity and build their own family.
Thank you, Hailey, for this amazing story🥹
I’m also so excited for Sophia’s story and can’t wait for June❤️🔥
This warm magical atmosphere absorbed me from the first chapter🌴🐚☀️🌊⚽️💛
Of course, when I started reading, I expected it to be a light rom-com. I did not expect what happened there. It broke my heart. I don't want to say much because it needs to be read. But I'm glad that in the end, Leah and Jake found their happiness, individual identity and build their own family.
Thank you, Hailey, for this amazing story🥹
I’m also so excited for Sophia’s story and can’t wait for June❤️🔥
April 9, 2023
I actually only made it 92% of the way through this before I considered it done. Over half this book is the teenage years and I really don’t need more than a “lights dim” description of two teenagers going at it.
Then the main male character. An international soccer player is arrested by his high school rival and everyone is panicking and the absurdity of the situation just had me throwing in the towel on this one.
Then the main male character. An international soccer player is arrested by his high school rival and everyone is panicking and the absurdity of the situation just had me throwing in the towel on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2023
Not much to say. Really wasn’t my vibe, the second chance romance flopped for me. The characters were childish, the plot twist I saw coming from miles away and the reunion was very anti climactic.
1 ★, I finished it painstakingly and was relieved when I hit the epilogue.
1 ★, I finished it painstakingly and was relieved when I hit the epilogue.
May 18, 2023
Not for me, probably it’s a good book as I see a lot rating it 4****, I on the other hand find it lacking the depth and the characters bond, it has too much lines between the family story and the memories that I lost focus and interest on the Hero and heroine.
July 5, 2023
I am so very conflicted and undecided about my rating.
I went into this with high expectations and I want to preface this by saying I most definitely still intend on reading this author’s future novels. There is so much potential in her writing and even in this book alone, you could see there was a lot of growth. To my understanding, this is Dickert’s debut novel, and it is clear she’s going places.
I absolutely loved the idea behind this story. It was inspired, if though cliché at times.
That being said, I was very wary from the beginning. Personally, I cannot read open, or even closed-door steamy romances involving teenagers. Seniors in high school or not, it just feels wrong. I definitely would’ve preferred to see Leah and Jake as college students and while I want to defend the author’s choice by saying it would take away from the vision if it were different, there were still ways the same plot could’ve taken place even if the characters weren’t in high school. I do want to clarify that this is just a personal preference and the author did nothing inherently wrong.
The characters were also radiating strong overly touchy rollercoaster couple vibes. Let me just set the scene for you…
“He’s not worth it, Jake.” she says to me intently.
I tried to let it slide. Truly, I did. But then we got…
“Jake,” she booms, grabbing my chin and forcing my gaze to meet hers. “I’m fine, okay? I’m fine.”
I just…can’t. It’s every high school stereotype ever. Jake also admits his undying love for our female protagonist not even a week into dating her. The obsessive and jealous love interest just did not do it for me this time around.
I feel a little guilty saying this because it does end up being more sentimental toward the end of the book, but I cringed at Leah’s nickname, Scaredybug. Or perhaps, it being used in a sentence.
“Shit, I’m such a Scaredybug.”
Moving on…
There were too many plot points that seemed like they were going to develop into something more and never did. I definitely would’ve enjoyed the story more if the author would’ve just stuck with the forbidden relationship and unexpected loss plot points. We could've done away with the deadbeat, jealous high school rivals being used as a source of conflict.
I was a little confused seeing this book being advertised as a second-chance romance because initially when we’re introduced to the characters, we’re experiencing the very beginning of their relationship. I thought after a couple of chapters, we’d move into the present day, but alas, the book is actually split into two parts. So we get an equal amount of time spent in the past as we do in the present. I absolutely adore this setup and I wish more authors would take this approach when writing alternating timelines. Even though I didn’t enjoy the characters as much as I wanted to, I understood them. We saw what kept them ticking and the depth of their bond, only then making the climax of the story even more heartbreaking.
As for their reunion, being an angst lover, I wished they didn’t just start where they left off. They needed to talk about their past, not just bury it.
I did not see the plot twist coming at all until the actual scene itself started to play out. Then I saw it coming from miles away. But I will say, this book does discuss a dark and unexpected loss in the present and past tense. While it didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would, being as out of the blue as it was still brought up some stronger emotions of mine. So if you are currently grieving, please just be wary going into this. Even if you are further into your journey with grief like I am, just make sure you put your emotional and mental well-being first. You can always come back to this book later.
“Healing doesn’t mean that the grief is gone. It just means that it no longer controls our lives.”
Everything about this line made me sob. Guilt is an emotion that coincides with grief. The fear to keep living your life when the one you love can’t. I’ve been processing my own loss from different directions, and this has encouraged me to see my loss more as a celebration of a life lived, however short it may’ve been.
Overall, I am still very excited to read Sophia’s story in Return Policy. I want to love this series so bad and I’m manifesting better vibes this time around. I can’t do any more heartbreak.
I went into this with high expectations and I want to preface this by saying I most definitely still intend on reading this author’s future novels. There is so much potential in her writing and even in this book alone, you could see there was a lot of growth. To my understanding, this is Dickert’s debut novel, and it is clear she’s going places.
I absolutely loved the idea behind this story. It was inspired, if though cliché at times.
That being said, I was very wary from the beginning. Personally, I cannot read open, or even closed-door steamy romances involving teenagers. Seniors in high school or not, it just feels wrong. I definitely would’ve preferred to see Leah and Jake as college students and while I want to defend the author’s choice by saying it would take away from the vision if it were different, there were still ways the same plot could’ve taken place even if the characters weren’t in high school. I do want to clarify that this is just a personal preference and the author did nothing inherently wrong.
The characters were also radiating strong overly touchy rollercoaster couple vibes. Let me just set the scene for you…
“He’s not worth it, Jake.” she says to me intently.
I tried to let it slide. Truly, I did. But then we got…
“Jake,” she booms, grabbing my chin and forcing my gaze to meet hers. “I’m fine, okay? I’m fine.”
I just…can’t. It’s every high school stereotype ever. Jake also admits his undying love for our female protagonist not even a week into dating her. The obsessive and jealous love interest just did not do it for me this time around.
I feel a little guilty saying this because it does end up being more sentimental toward the end of the book, but I cringed at Leah’s nickname, Scaredybug. Or perhaps, it being used in a sentence.
“Shit, I’m such a Scaredybug.”
Moving on…
There were too many plot points that seemed like they were going to develop into something more and never did. I definitely would’ve enjoyed the story more if the author would’ve just stuck with the forbidden relationship and unexpected loss plot points. We could've done away with the deadbeat, jealous high school rivals being used as a source of conflict.
I was a little confused seeing this book being advertised as a second-chance romance because initially when we’re introduced to the characters, we’re experiencing the very beginning of their relationship. I thought after a couple of chapters, we’d move into the present day, but alas, the book is actually split into two parts. So we get an equal amount of time spent in the past as we do in the present. I absolutely adore this setup and I wish more authors would take this approach when writing alternating timelines. Even though I didn’t enjoy the characters as much as I wanted to, I understood them. We saw what kept them ticking and the depth of their bond, only then making the climax of the story even more heartbreaking.
As for their reunion, being an angst lover, I wished they didn’t just start where they left off. They needed to talk about their past, not just bury it.
I did not see the plot twist coming at all until the actual scene itself started to play out. Then I saw it coming from miles away. But I will say, this book does discuss a dark and unexpected loss in the present and past tense. While it didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would, being as out of the blue as it was still brought up some stronger emotions of mine. So if you are currently grieving, please just be wary going into this. Even if you are further into your journey with grief like I am, just make sure you put your emotional and mental well-being first. You can always come back to this book later.
“Healing doesn’t mean that the grief is gone. It just means that it no longer controls our lives.”
Everything about this line made me sob. Guilt is an emotion that coincides with grief. The fear to keep living your life when the one you love can’t. I’ve been processing my own loss from different directions, and this has encouraged me to see my loss more as a celebration of a life lived, however short it may’ve been.
Overall, I am still very excited to read Sophia’s story in Return Policy. I want to love this series so bad and I’m manifesting better vibes this time around. I can’t do any more heartbreak.
July 5, 2023
I needed a hug after reading this book 😅
The Sister Between Us had me in an absolute chokehold, I loved this!!
I loved the connection between Leah & Jake. Like you could actually FEEL it and for the author to get that feeling across in words on paper is incredible. The character development was amazing. The friendship dynamic here was everything 🥹 what a roller coaster of emotions.
As much as this book had me hooked and I was eating it up, there were a couple of things that came about that made me pause.
I felt the storyline with the mum was a little left field at first. I think if we got to know the mum in the beginning and her relationship with the kids and dad it would have hit more real and more heavy for me. I would have also loved more on this after the time jump, especially since this is a huge reason for what happens half way through the book. The couple of mentions felt more like an afterthought.
Also too many bookish references. Trope, Rom com, smutty books. This is a personal preference for me. I just don’t like reading about characters reading & referencing bookish terms.
I want to applaud Hailey tho because this is her DEBUT NOVEL and damn WHAT A DEBUT NOVEL!! If this is your starting point, I am very excited to see your growth as an author and where you take us with your future books.
The Sister Between Us had me in an absolute chokehold, I loved this!!
I loved the connection between Leah & Jake. Like you could actually FEEL it and for the author to get that feeling across in words on paper is incredible. The character development was amazing. The friendship dynamic here was everything 🥹 what a roller coaster of emotions.
As much as this book had me hooked and I was eating it up, there were a couple of things that came about that made me pause.
I felt the storyline with the mum was a little left field at first. I think if we got to know the mum in the beginning and her relationship with the kids and dad it would have hit more real and more heavy for me. I would have also loved more on this after the time jump, especially since this is a huge reason for what happens half way through the book. The couple of mentions felt more like an afterthought.
Also too many bookish references. Trope, Rom com, smutty books. This is a personal preference for me. I just don’t like reading about characters reading & referencing bookish terms.
I want to applaud Hailey tho because this is her DEBUT NOVEL and damn WHAT A DEBUT NOVEL!! If this is your starting point, I am very excited to see your growth as an author and where you take us with your future books.
August 19, 2025
Soooo this is a 6⭐️ read for me!!
I can’t really comprehend what I just read but I absolutely loved it.
I can’t really comprehend what I just read but I absolutely loved it.
June 18, 2023
3.75!
March 6, 2023
I read A LOT of romance…. A lot and I love the familiar tropes and rhythm that come along with reading a specific genre so heavily, but The Sister Between Us surprised me.
This book is so much more than a friends to lovers, second chance romance. In this debut novel Dickert shares a beautiful story with the world about the bonds of friendship, found family, and love in one of the most compelling, real ways that I have ever read. The dynamic and conflict between characters and subplot was so relatable and comprehensible I am shocked at how well I know Leah and the whole Summers’ family.
This is not a smutty romance (there is spice but it’s not overly dramatized - 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5)
Overall read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I highly recommend this book!! ⚽️🎨
This book is so much more than a friends to lovers, second chance romance. In this debut novel Dickert shares a beautiful story with the world about the bonds of friendship, found family, and love in one of the most compelling, real ways that I have ever read. The dynamic and conflict between characters and subplot was so relatable and comprehensible I am shocked at how well I know Leah and the whole Summers’ family.
This is not a smutty romance (there is spice but it’s not overly dramatized - 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5)
Overall read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I highly recommend this book!! ⚽️🎨
May 22, 2023
2.25 stars *
This review is 100% my own opinion!
Book trigger warnings for grief, death, loss of a friend / family member, a car accident, injury detail, mentions of drug misuse - please check the trigger warnings before starting this book in case I have missed any.
The Sister Between Us started off so good and I was hooked from the first page. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes so I was so excited to read this. I enjoyed following Leah, Chloe and Jake over time as Leah and Jake realised their feelings for each other and although it was hard to really feel their connection (I kind of felt we were “told” about how deep their connection and feelings were rather than seeing it), it did still give me butterflies and make me smile. I did find it interesting and unique that Leah and Jake had different hobbies - art/painting and football. This was sort of refreshing and different from other books I’d read which was good! There were some sweet quotes in this book and I definitely felt that the first half was stronger than the second half - if I’m honest, I kind of felt like I was reading two separate books.
I really wasn’t expecting this book to take as dark a turn as it did - please be warned that this book may be triggering. I did feel it handled grief and loss in a delicate way.
After reading the first half of this book, I was heading towards giving it a 4 star rating. But sadly once we hit the point where the book jumps forward in time to follow Leah and Jake in the future, my enjoyment decreased rapidly.
I really felt the pacing was way off. For example, we jump forward around 8 years from when Leah and Jake broke up and I felt like we didn’t really get to know how they had developed during this time? And then they’re brought together again and everything picks up again from then. We’re shown things that are relevant to the story and other things are skipped over and it just felt so choppy and rushed to me? It was so hard to really connect with them when it was hard to determine where they really were in life and as adults, like I felt we didn’t get a full understanding of them as characters.
The miscommunication was probably my biggest issue with The Sister Between Us. It was mainly when Leah and Jake reconnect and start to get more physical and Leah just runs off without explaining anything to Jake because she’s scared HE will be the one to run off and leave her. Yet she’s the one who’s doing the running away? This just frustrated me so much, especially since Leah and Jake apparently know each other so well and they’re in their late 20s. I just felt this was immature and they should be capable of talking to each other like adults about how they’re feeling?
I personally felt like there was no build up and no tension between Leah and Jake, even at the start of the book when they both already were starting to like each other. I didn’t personally feel the tension between them and it made it hard for me to really connect with them? It all felt a bit surface level to me sadly!
This book also felt unrealistic and cringey at times to me, for example Cole turning up and arresting Jake for what really boiled down to jealously and things that happened when they were teenagers? And I just really felt that the characters were immature for their age. I found the ending to be very choppy - e.g. we jump forward from Jake kissing Leah to him suddenly eaten his dinner to Leah being in the bath with him. I felt we were only shown things that were important to the characters which, again, made it hard to get a well rounded understanding of them.
Overall, I didn’t really enjoy this book - which is disappointing as it started off so strongly. There were just so many little things that all happened when we jumped forward in time - the miscommunication, how immature the characters were, how choppy the writing was etc. I won’t dwell anymore on this - on to the next book!
This review is entirely my own opinion!
One of my favourite quotes from this book -
“Healing doesn’t mean that the grief is gone. It just means it no longer controls our lives.”
This review is 100% my own opinion!
Book trigger warnings for grief, death, loss of a friend / family member, a car accident, injury detail, mentions of drug misuse - please check the trigger warnings before starting this book in case I have missed any.
The Sister Between Us started off so good and I was hooked from the first page. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes so I was so excited to read this. I enjoyed following Leah, Chloe and Jake over time as Leah and Jake realised their feelings for each other and although it was hard to really feel their connection (I kind of felt we were “told” about how deep their connection and feelings were rather than seeing it), it did still give me butterflies and make me smile. I did find it interesting and unique that Leah and Jake had different hobbies - art/painting and football. This was sort of refreshing and different from other books I’d read which was good! There were some sweet quotes in this book and I definitely felt that the first half was stronger than the second half - if I’m honest, I kind of felt like I was reading two separate books.
I really wasn’t expecting this book to take as dark a turn as it did - please be warned that this book may be triggering. I did feel it handled grief and loss in a delicate way.
After reading the first half of this book, I was heading towards giving it a 4 star rating. But sadly once we hit the point where the book jumps forward in time to follow Leah and Jake in the future, my enjoyment decreased rapidly.
I really felt the pacing was way off. For example, we jump forward around 8 years from when Leah and Jake broke up and I felt like we didn’t really get to know how they had developed during this time? And then they’re brought together again and everything picks up again from then. We’re shown things that are relevant to the story and other things are skipped over and it just felt so choppy and rushed to me? It was so hard to really connect with them when it was hard to determine where they really were in life and as adults, like I felt we didn’t get a full understanding of them as characters.
The miscommunication was probably my biggest issue with The Sister Between Us. It was mainly when Leah and Jake reconnect and start to get more physical and Leah just runs off without explaining anything to Jake because she’s scared HE will be the one to run off and leave her. Yet she’s the one who’s doing the running away? This just frustrated me so much, especially since Leah and Jake apparently know each other so well and they’re in their late 20s. I just felt this was immature and they should be capable of talking to each other like adults about how they’re feeling?
I personally felt like there was no build up and no tension between Leah and Jake, even at the start of the book when they both already were starting to like each other. I didn’t personally feel the tension between them and it made it hard for me to really connect with them? It all felt a bit surface level to me sadly!
This book also felt unrealistic and cringey at times to me, for example Cole turning up and arresting Jake for what really boiled down to jealously and things that happened when they were teenagers? And I just really felt that the characters were immature for their age. I found the ending to be very choppy - e.g. we jump forward from Jake kissing Leah to him suddenly eaten his dinner to Leah being in the bath with him. I felt we were only shown things that were important to the characters which, again, made it hard to get a well rounded understanding of them.
Overall, I didn’t really enjoy this book - which is disappointing as it started off so strongly. There were just so many little things that all happened when we jumped forward in time - the miscommunication, how immature the characters were, how choppy the writing was etc. I won’t dwell anymore on this - on to the next book!
This review is entirely my own opinion!
One of my favourite quotes from this book -
“Healing doesn’t mean that the grief is gone. It just means it no longer controls our lives.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2023
The sister between us by Hailey Dickert 🌷⚽️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I want to thank @haileydickertauthor for giving me the opportunity to be one of the people that received an arc copy of her first ever novel, so thank you Hailey for trusting me with your baby, I was so happy and thrilled to read through it, I devoured it so quickly. This was my first ever arc, so this book will always hold a special place in my heart.
Leah and Jake have a connected friendship because of Chloe, who is Jake’s twin sister. The three of them have been best friends since they were kids, the attraction between Jake and Leah slowly began forming throughout the years, until it just couldn’t be denied for much longer. One night is what changes their lives forever, just one, forcing them to leave behind the older versions of themselves.
I was not expecting this book to turn out the way it did, I was hooked from the very first chapters all the way towards the end. I became so deeply attached to all the characters, enjoying and loving their developments.
I have to admit that Jake is now one of my many book boyfriend characters, he is capable of doing anything for the people he cares the most about. The connection between him and Leah was so strong, their banter had me giggling and their little moments had me tearing up. This book doesn’t just speak about a beautiful love story, but also about how to deal with loss.
I felt so connected with all the characters, I can’t wait for you all to not only read about Leah and Jake but also Sophia, Will, Matt, and Chloe.
Hailey, this book was so beautifully written which makes it seem like you have been doing this forever, this doesn’t even feel like your debut novel. Such an amazing, emotional, real, raw book. Thank you so much for this opportunity.
This book releases on the 4th of April, make sure to pre-order now! You will not regret it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I want to thank @haileydickertauthor for giving me the opportunity to be one of the people that received an arc copy of her first ever novel, so thank you Hailey for trusting me with your baby, I was so happy and thrilled to read through it, I devoured it so quickly. This was my first ever arc, so this book will always hold a special place in my heart.
Leah and Jake have a connected friendship because of Chloe, who is Jake’s twin sister. The three of them have been best friends since they were kids, the attraction between Jake and Leah slowly began forming throughout the years, until it just couldn’t be denied for much longer. One night is what changes their lives forever, just one, forcing them to leave behind the older versions of themselves.
I was not expecting this book to turn out the way it did, I was hooked from the very first chapters all the way towards the end. I became so deeply attached to all the characters, enjoying and loving their developments.
I have to admit that Jake is now one of my many book boyfriend characters, he is capable of doing anything for the people he cares the most about. The connection between him and Leah was so strong, their banter had me giggling and their little moments had me tearing up. This book doesn’t just speak about a beautiful love story, but also about how to deal with loss.
I felt so connected with all the characters, I can’t wait for you all to not only read about Leah and Jake but also Sophia, Will, Matt, and Chloe.
Hailey, this book was so beautifully written which makes it seem like you have been doing this forever, this doesn’t even feel like your debut novel. Such an amazing, emotional, real, raw book. Thank you so much for this opportunity.
This book releases on the 4th of April, make sure to pre-order now! You will not regret it.
March 8, 2023
ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝟑 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬 ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 (h) has always felt something for her best friend’s brother but knew it could never be anything more than longing. 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 (H) doesn't want Leah to be the one that got away and knows that he keeps getting drawn to her because of their shared history. As the two get closer, it becomes clear that they want something more from each other, but it might not be enough to get their HEA.
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
🤍 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥
🤍 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥-𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
🤍 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶
🤍 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
Without spoiling the book, this romance will put you through a rollercoaster of emotions, especially watching the two fall in love and have a tether between them, keeping them apart. While the relationship develops more in the future years, there are a few moments shared in their youth that showcases how much Jake and Leah cared for each other before a moment split them apart. Their love is apparent, and if it weren't for that driving factor that changed their lives, nothing would have kept them apart. However, the book expresses that if it's meant to be, it will happen, and these two are the perfect example of everything happening for a reason. I wish there had been more light-hearted moments between them in the beginning stages of their relationship because they had to mature so fast, and their relationship was blemished because of the situation that occurred. Regardless, it was a great depiction of how something can change overnight and be entirely out of one's hands.
There was a bit of a disconnect between the past and present versions of themselves, and watching them get a second chance of love was really enlightening to see. These two are soulmates, and while it took time to find their way back to each other, there was a driving force hoping they would reconnect.
*. ⋆𝐎͢𝐕͢𝐄͢𝐑͢𝐀͢𝐋͢𝐋͢
First off, this book was awe-inspiring for a debut book, and I had a great time reading it. I would have loved it if there had been more emotional development and conversation about the night that everything changed, but it moved drastically once they reconnected. However, it was a great book, and the characters were likable.
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬 ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 (h) has always felt something for her best friend’s brother but knew it could never be anything more than longing. 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 (H) doesn't want Leah to be the one that got away and knows that he keeps getting drawn to her because of their shared history. As the two get closer, it becomes clear that they want something more from each other, but it might not be enough to get their HEA.
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
🤍 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥
🤍 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥-𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
🤍 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶
🤍 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
Without spoiling the book, this romance will put you through a rollercoaster of emotions, especially watching the two fall in love and have a tether between them, keeping them apart. While the relationship develops more in the future years, there are a few moments shared in their youth that showcases how much Jake and Leah cared for each other before a moment split them apart. Their love is apparent, and if it weren't for that driving factor that changed their lives, nothing would have kept them apart. However, the book expresses that if it's meant to be, it will happen, and these two are the perfect example of everything happening for a reason. I wish there had been more light-hearted moments between them in the beginning stages of their relationship because they had to mature so fast, and their relationship was blemished because of the situation that occurred. Regardless, it was a great depiction of how something can change overnight and be entirely out of one's hands.
There was a bit of a disconnect between the past and present versions of themselves, and watching them get a second chance of love was really enlightening to see. These two are soulmates, and while it took time to find their way back to each other, there was a driving force hoping they would reconnect.
*. ⋆𝐎͢𝐕͢𝐄͢𝐑͢𝐀͢𝐋͢𝐋͢
First off, this book was awe-inspiring for a debut book, and I had a great time reading it. I would have loved it if there had been more emotional development and conversation about the night that everything changed, but it moved drastically once they reconnected. However, it was a great book, and the characters were likable.
May 25, 2023
first of all, I want to congratulate Hailey on her first debut novel, and for it being amazing!
A little notice before I start, there will be SPOILERS LATER ON I will post another warning beforehand because I feel like you guys need to go into this one blind, just like I did.
to start off, I only remembered that this was going to be childhood friends to lovers & sports romance type of book. (yes my mind flew over the *second chance* part that is literally on the GoodReads title. And I'm honestly glad it did because everything was more shocking and new to me.
We are introduced to Leah, Jake, and Chloe. Jake & Chloe are twins and Chloe is Leah's best friend. (If you've watched The Kissing Booth, you know what's coming but WAY better.) I'm glad that everything was kept easily flowing and even though they were in high school, were mature enough to come to resolutions fairly quickly. I love that this book gave us both POVs bc who doesn't like knowing the guys' thoughts? I grew to love Jake more than Leah because everything he talked about her was the freaking cutest, and I totally believe he loved her for longer. He gives off MAJOR golden retriever vibes too. It's usually not my favorite thing about book boyfriends, but he was just perfect. In their relationship, they start this little 3 squeeze thing that they do. which I find so cute every time I read it in any book.
as we continue into the story, a very major event occurs. I was caught very off guard, I'm not going to lie. At first, I was like, wow this book is very insta-love, like we were only 20% in and they were already dating type beat. (remember that I forgot about the second chance LOL) anywho, obviously, something gotta happen...
so we go into the future 8 YEARS LATER. I was like GYATT, that's a lot but it was perfect in which the story continued tbh. So now we are at the WAYYY BETTER half of the story. Obviously, they reconnect, like it is a fictional romance after all. But what I really loved about Haileys' writing, was her way of changing their way of having conversations and talking about stuff in a more mature way. "Well, duh they are older so they should be talking more mature." It is always a hit or miss in some books though. I feel like some authors just don't HIT, at least with as much ease as Hailey did.
these two grew up so beautifully. I honestly believe their time apart was needed for them to grow into the people they are. and trust me, Hailey didn't write some dumb ass story for the time apart like some miscommunication ordeal. This story is very mature and very well put together. I can tell every chapter was very thought through.
after they reconnect, there is obviously a lot to catch up on that occurred in those 8 years. I'm so happy with the way they talked about EVERYTHING. they communicated their exact feelings about the "nature of events" and their way of starting over was so freaking cute, especially since they both still clearly loved each other. ESPECIALLY JAKEEE. (lit love him bruh)
“Any serious relationships?” I probe. “Just one,” he says softly. My heart drops into my stomach… “Oh…who-"... “In my life,” he interrupts. “Huh?” “I’ve had one serious relationship in my life.” Like bro... marry me.
this quote is a fan favorite and for good reason.
"It's been 2,942 days since we last kissed, and I've belonged to her for all of them.
I loved this book, I would totally read it again, and everyone HAS to read it, at least give it a chance.
P.S. i need a tulip tattoo. like have to do it.
NOW!!! SPOILERS INCOMING SPOILERS INCOMING SPOILERS INCOMING
that climax point GOT MEE. I probably would have cried if I hadn't been in school when I got to it because I really didn't expect it. obviously, it is foreshadowed once they get in the car and Leah asks her to put on her seatbelt, but damn bro. I honestly thought the conflict in the book was going to be caused by Cole (lowkey got this right later on tho LMAO) but I'm somewhat glad it wasn't even though Chloe did not deserve that.
what really got me later on though was the tattoos and the picnic scene with Sophia. I was like, there is no way she is breaking my heart with a scene like that.
I was at the park with Sophia, enjoying the spring weather. The sun was kissing my skin as I leaned back against the picnic blanket I brought, I thought to myself, If I can have more days like this, I'm going to be okay. We were eating the sandwiches I brought for lunch when we were swarmed by freaking love bugs. Sophia and I jumped up, squealing. I thought she was going to run away just like I was, and then... she didn't. She chased them... just like her sister did when we were kids."Leah, come on," Sophia had shouted, waving her hand for me to join her. "Let's dance with Chloe!" LIKE BITCHHH. but the tattoo that Sophia and Leah got on her pinky later on. So freaking cute. I wish Jake would have matched with them too tbh.
apart from that, for those of you that already read this, I wanted an excuse to post some of my favorite quotes too so...
"Ti penso ogni giorno." I think about you every day.
I wait to see if there's a flicker of recognition in his eyes. There is
none.
"Sei il grande amore della mia vita.? You are the love of my life.
“I don't know what you said, but it sounds sexy as fuck.”
"It fucking gutted me that you thought you would be happier without me than with me in your life. I needed you, and you couldn't even look at me. I'm not an idiot. ... You said you wanted space, so I gave it to you. I never wanted to be the person that brought any more pain into your life. All I ever wanted to do was love you." this man and his words dawggg.
"I've known you were the one for me since we were stupid kids chasing each other around the playground," Jake says.
..."Leah, you're my best friend, my favorite person, my whole fucking world. I cannot imagine my life, let alone a single day, without you. I want to wake up with your auburn hair spread across the pillowcase. I want you to teach our kids how to paint while I burn the pancakes for our weekend breakfast buffet. I'll count every new freckle on your perfect body and keep counting every damn day until we die. I'll be your person. The only one in the world who knows you completely. Every thought, every laugh, and every beautiful mark on your skin.
this book is definitely going on my top 10 this year and I hope you all enjoyed it too.
A little notice before I start, there will be SPOILERS LATER ON I will post another warning beforehand because I feel like you guys need to go into this one blind, just like I did.
to start off, I only remembered that this was going to be childhood friends to lovers & sports romance type of book. (yes my mind flew over the *second chance* part that is literally on the GoodReads title. And I'm honestly glad it did because everything was more shocking and new to me.
We are introduced to Leah, Jake, and Chloe. Jake & Chloe are twins and Chloe is Leah's best friend. (If you've watched The Kissing Booth, you know what's coming but WAY better.) I'm glad that everything was kept easily flowing and even though they were in high school, were mature enough to come to resolutions fairly quickly. I love that this book gave us both POVs bc who doesn't like knowing the guys' thoughts? I grew to love Jake more than Leah because everything he talked about her was the freaking cutest, and I totally believe he loved her for longer. He gives off MAJOR golden retriever vibes too. It's usually not my favorite thing about book boyfriends, but he was just perfect. In their relationship, they start this little 3 squeeze thing that they do. which I find so cute every time I read it in any book.
as we continue into the story, a very major event occurs. I was caught very off guard, I'm not going to lie. At first, I was like, wow this book is very insta-love, like we were only 20% in and they were already dating type beat. (remember that I forgot about the second chance LOL) anywho, obviously, something gotta happen...
so we go into the future 8 YEARS LATER. I was like GYATT, that's a lot but it was perfect in which the story continued tbh. So now we are at the WAYYY BETTER half of the story. Obviously, they reconnect, like it is a fictional romance after all. But what I really loved about Haileys' writing, was her way of changing their way of having conversations and talking about stuff in a more mature way. "Well, duh they are older so they should be talking more mature." It is always a hit or miss in some books though. I feel like some authors just don't HIT, at least with as much ease as Hailey did.
these two grew up so beautifully. I honestly believe their time apart was needed for them to grow into the people they are. and trust me, Hailey didn't write some dumb ass story for the time apart like some miscommunication ordeal. This story is very mature and very well put together. I can tell every chapter was very thought through.
after they reconnect, there is obviously a lot to catch up on that occurred in those 8 years. I'm so happy with the way they talked about EVERYTHING. they communicated their exact feelings about the "nature of events" and their way of starting over was so freaking cute, especially since they both still clearly loved each other. ESPECIALLY JAKEEE. (lit love him bruh)
“Any serious relationships?” I probe. “Just one,” he says softly. My heart drops into my stomach… “Oh…who-"... “In my life,” he interrupts. “Huh?” “I’ve had one serious relationship in my life.” Like bro... marry me.
this quote is a fan favorite and for good reason.
"It's been 2,942 days since we last kissed, and I've belonged to her for all of them.
I loved this book, I would totally read it again, and everyone HAS to read it, at least give it a chance.
P.S. i need a tulip tattoo. like have to do it.
NOW!!! SPOILERS INCOMING SPOILERS INCOMING SPOILERS INCOMING
that climax point GOT MEE. I probably would have cried if I hadn't been in school when I got to it because I really didn't expect it. obviously, it is foreshadowed once they get in the car and Leah asks her to put on her seatbelt, but damn bro. I honestly thought the conflict in the book was going to be caused by Cole (lowkey got this right later on tho LMAO) but I'm somewhat glad it wasn't even though Chloe did not deserve that.
what really got me later on though was the tattoos and the picnic scene with Sophia. I was like, there is no way she is breaking my heart with a scene like that.
I was at the park with Sophia, enjoying the spring weather. The sun was kissing my skin as I leaned back against the picnic blanket I brought, I thought to myself, If I can have more days like this, I'm going to be okay. We were eating the sandwiches I brought for lunch when we were swarmed by freaking love bugs. Sophia and I jumped up, squealing. I thought she was going to run away just like I was, and then... she didn't. She chased them... just like her sister did when we were kids."Leah, come on," Sophia had shouted, waving her hand for me to join her. "Let's dance with Chloe!" LIKE BITCHHH. but the tattoo that Sophia and Leah got on her pinky later on. So freaking cute. I wish Jake would have matched with them too tbh.
apart from that, for those of you that already read this, I wanted an excuse to post some of my favorite quotes too so...
"Ti penso ogni giorno." I think about you every day.
I wait to see if there's a flicker of recognition in his eyes. There is
none.
"Sei il grande amore della mia vita.? You are the love of my life.
“I don't know what you said, but it sounds sexy as fuck.”
"It fucking gutted me that you thought you would be happier without me than with me in your life. I needed you, and you couldn't even look at me. I'm not an idiot. ... You said you wanted space, so I gave it to you. I never wanted to be the person that brought any more pain into your life. All I ever wanted to do was love you." this man and his words dawggg.
"I've known you were the one for me since we were stupid kids chasing each other around the playground," Jake says.
..."Leah, you're my best friend, my favorite person, my whole fucking world. I cannot imagine my life, let alone a single day, without you. I want to wake up with your auburn hair spread across the pillowcase. I want you to teach our kids how to paint while I burn the pancakes for our weekend breakfast buffet. I'll count every new freckle on your perfect body and keep counting every damn day until we die. I'll be your person. The only one in the world who knows you completely. Every thought, every laugh, and every beautiful mark on your skin.
this book is definitely going on my top 10 this year and I hope you all enjoyed it too.
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