How do you define yourself when others have already decided who you are? Six years ago, when Camden Daniels came back from war without his younger brother, no one in the small town of Alba, Colorado, would forgive him–especially his father. He left, swearing never to return. But a desperate message from his father brings it all back. The betrayal. The pain. And the need to go home again. But … need to go home again.
But home is where the one person he still loves is waiting. Willow. The one woman he can never have. Because there are secrets buried in Alba that are best left in the dark.
If only he could tell his heart to stay locked away when she whispers she’s always loved him, and always will…
Great and Precious Things is a heart-wrenching story about family, betrayal, and ultimately how far we’re willing to go on behalf of those who need us most.
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This story was a really hard read. It was heartbreaking. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Considering the subject matter and how one part of it hits very close to home. Alzheimer’s, war, death, and a broken family are the ingredients of a story that breaks your heart completely.
Cam in this book is the villain from everyone’s point of view but I tell you from the off he wasn’t. People judge him from the past and not for the man he has become. He for me is a hero. All his actions deserve the respect that I don’t truly believe he gets.
Willow for me seems a little timid and a yes girl until she isn’t. Until she stands up for a friend and a cause that she believes in. Cam and Willow are old friends and as the story goes on they both admit to so much more. But ghost and angry people who believe in false truths, try to keep them apart and constantly whisper in her ear, try to break them.
This book is a love story about revealing the truth, helping the people that no longer know their own mind most of the time and bringing families and a town together. To make for a great and tearful read. It’s a total recommendation for me. This is my first read from this author and certainly won’t be my last.
Reviewer: Donna
It had been awhile since I had read this author with forgetting that the ability the author had in totally taking you away. When you open one of her novels you are soon somewhere else than in where ever you started out at. Camden has your heart in his hand as his story unravels. But time has a way of changing our directions with Camden getting a different call. Oh my do I smell second chance in this also. Willow will also have our attention and will he hear her? This is for sure one that will be heavy in pulling on the heart strings with all the emotions that were not spared in this.
5 Stars
This story is heartbreaking, heartwarming and thought provoking in a way I have yet to experience. The tangled history and past of the characters, as well as their emotions at present are relatable to anyone. This is more than a love story or a romance, it is a story about family, commitment, dignity and respect. I absolutely loved every word of this book. Yet again Ms. Yarros has given us a story that will fill your heart with love while causing you to think deeply about life and what is most important.
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Breathtaking, powerful and utterly compelling.
It’s a riveting story that’s more than a romance, and I was completely captivated by Willow and Cam’s story.
This a story of love, family, and second chances.
The storyline resonated with me as author touched upon a subject that has affected me personally. This sensitive subject was addressed with such integrity I was swept into the story from beginning to end.
Needles to say, I was impressed and intrigued with the perfectly flawed characters as this story evolved and developed.
The writing was solid sharp and smart, the scenes were so vivid and for me so relatable. The characters so well developed and realistic.
Heartwarming, passionate and overflowing with emotions.
Cam and Willow have a long history as friends and neighbors. Told in dual perspective I got front and center seat as their slow burn romance evolved. When Cam returns home unexpectedly, perceptions of who he is overshadows the critical decisions he is forced to make. Things are not what they appear and difficult decisions give wrong perceptions.
Can he redeem himself?
This standalone military romance is a must!!
5 stars are not enough for this book!!
Title: Great and Precious Things
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Stand-alone
Rating: 5 stars
Wow!!! Ms. Yarros knocked it out of the park with this story. I know that every single time I pick up one of her stories, I am going to be feeling ALL THE FEELS and this time was no different. I know that this review will not even come close to describing the amazingness this book truly was. There were so many emotions felt while reading-heart wrenching sadness, love, and hope. So much hope.
Camden was such a beautifully flawed character. His relationship with his family was toxic especially with his dad which made him not go home for years. Having to face his past by going home to help take care of his sick father, was not what he wanted. But it was needed. Determined to right some of his wrongs, Camden has no idea what lies before him. The trouble with running from your past is it eventually catches up and he will have no choice but to face his truths.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this story. Yarros is an exceptional writer that is able to make you feel so many emotions and get so caught up in the story, that you never want it to end. Great and Precious Things was so much more than a love story. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!
~~TOP 1- RECOMMENDED~~
Okay really there is just something about Rebecca Yarros and the men she creates they are well just wow. She takes us to a little small town called Alba where there is favorite son, the son everybody tries to be and well the troubled son aka the Daniels boys. The thing is that Camden has his reasons why he is called trouble yet to Willow is her love. I loved that Camden is a man almost shunned from the townspeople come back to the one person that wishes him dead to help him die. The feelings these two have, yet afraid for it to be known is like thunder and lightning clashing, it is explosive. Now Rebecca Yarros doesn’t just write a romance story she writes one filled with romance, lies, betrayal and most of all hot scenes that will make you swoon. Willow and Camden, two star crossed lovers in their own way seeing that sometimes you just have to leave it to fate for things to go right. One thing about Rebecca Yarros is there is nothing but happiness, love and never disappointment loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Deep, Emotional, Beautiful
I went into this book a little nervous because I had the pleasure of reading Yarros’s The Last Letter previously and while it was one of the most amazing books I’ve read, I had a huge book hangover afterwards because it was so heartbreaking.
Great and Precious Things was emotional as well, but in a different way. Parts of it were extremely deep and there were many lessons to be learned throughout the story. Yarros has such a way with making her characters come to life. Her story and characters both had so many layers and such depth that once I picked up the book I could not put it down.
Camden appears to be the black sheep of the family but as the story goes on we learn just how amazing of a person he really is and how he would do anything for the people he loves. I loved this story, I loved the characters, and I just want to read it all over again for the first time.
This story checks off so many boxes: Dual POV, Military Romance, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn, Childhood friends to lovers. If you enjoy any of these, you need to read this book!
4.5 Stars
This book is so much more than a beautiful romance. It’s about family, community, war, lies, hidden truths, and Alzheimers. Camden has been gone for 10 years with the exception of a brief stay when he returned with Sullivan, his younger brother’s body, to bury six years ago. He vowed never to return after the words his father said to him. The guilt and shame Cam carries is relentless and as unforgiving as that of his dad and the people of Alba where he grew up. But he gets a voice mail asking for help from his father and realizes he needs to go back to the one place he thought he could avoid forever. He’s confronted with his dad who doesn’t recognize him and his other brother, the good son, Xander, who is now the Mayor of their little town. And the one person he just can’t face, his childhood friend and the girl who was supposed to marry Sully and also the woman Cam has always been in love with all his life, Willow.
This is a slow burn as we learn about the past and see the struggles of the present. Cam and Willow have an undeniable connection that is so much more than physical chemistry. “There is no me without you.” Rebecca Yarros writing is incredible as always, very detailed making the characters come to life. It’s emotional and thought provoking and Cam & Willow’s love is passionate and fierce. “I’ll never not want you. Wanting you is all I’ve ever known. You’re in my blood, my bones, my soul.” This will easily be your next 1 click!!! – By Lulu
It didn’t take but a page or two of GREAT AND PRECIOUS THINGS by author Rebecca Yarros for me to know that this book was going to wreck me in the best possible way. Rebecca’s beautiful words, a world that I fell immediately into and became a part of, and a story that broke my heart and put it back together, make this a great book, and I was riveted, from beginning to end.
A decorated war hero back home in a town filled with people that have never understood him, Camden Daniels’s real strength is the lengths that he will go to for those that he loves, even when that love is not returned. Black sheep, town bad boy, the Daniels boy that will never measure up to either of his brothers, Cam knows what others, including his own father, think of him, but he’s ready to face his demons in order to help his family and the town that he loves. Cam had my heart from early on, and I absolutely adore him.
This book is, at its heart, a love story, but not just one of romantic love. Familial love, love of a place, and self-love are themes that Rebecca weaves throughout this beautiful book. Angst, anger, hatred, desire, love, reconciliation, heartbreak, all of these elements are here, and the story wouldn’t be the same without them. GREAT AND PRECIOUS THINGS is a book that will remain with me for a very long time, and have made me an immediate fan. My first 6-star read of this year, I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I look forward to my next great read from Rebecca.
Rebecca Yarros’ writing is STUNNING. This book is an emotional journey like no other. A true work of art! Be sure to have your tissues near by as there will plenty of ugly crying going on! (or there was for me anyway). Rebecca has weaved a heart wrenching story of second chance, healing, forgiveness and a deeply intense and beautiful love story. Camden is 28 years old, and has just returned home to Alba, Colorado from the army. He has been through a lot and adjusting to civilian life wasn’t an easy one. He has some hearts to mend and has some things from his past to make up for. Willow is Camden’s young love. He has always loved her and the moment they run into each other again you know that they have an uphill battle ahead. Willow has the most beautiful heart. She has a caring soul and is one of the only people happy to have Cam back home. The emotional connection was INTENSE with these two. I couldn’t get enough. She really fought for him through all his pain and what he was going through and I thought that was so special. This story is so much more than romance though, the family dynamic and Camden dealing with his fathers Alzheimer’s was so real and painful. In this story there is so much for Cam to overcome. The angst and the twists and turn I did not see coming had me reeling at times but the ending is so very beautiful. Rebecca has an incredible talent at creating these deeply connected emotional characters and I felt so attached to them that I didn’t want the story to end. There is so much more I could say but to avoid spoilers I will end my review here and hope that you pick up this book to experience it all. 5+++ STARS!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange of an honest review.
Cam and Willow’s story is heartbreaking, hopeful and full of emotion. There are so many pieces to this story. Great And Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros is not only about a couple falling in love. It’s also about family, about friends and about navigating through what seem to be insurmountable odds to do the right thing for the people you love the most. I highly recommend adding this book to the top of your must read list.
What a read.
Here we have Willow and Cam; they’ve known each other their entire lives, and being friends for that long too; too bad that, to them, it makes it more difficult to say what they really feel about each other.
I loved Willow, she was such a pretty soul and so strong as well. To live in a town that saw you one way, and basically doesn’t allow you to change in their minds. Man, talk about pressure. Yet I loved that she went against those believes in some aspect of her life and lived her life HER way. 🙂
I adored Cam so much, such an amazing soul; and heartbreaking to see how tough he was on himself. Now, the town didn’t help either, they were vicious to Cam and how they saw him. I so wanted to punch them. But he rose above that and even helped the town!
Such beautiful people, these two. I loved them separately, but together they truly were a sight to behold.
Beautifully written and precious to read. A must read.
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
5++ STARS!!!
WooHoo! One of the BEST BOOKS I’ve read this year! Rebecca Yarros did it again with this breathtakingly beautiful story. She has once again brought to life a story that will pull at every one of your heart strings and make you feel ALL the emotions. Cam and Willow and the folks of Alba, Colorado will consume you and pull you into their world. A world so full of heartbreak, loss, love, and hope. I loved Cam and Willow. Their story had me holding on to every word. There were so many times I just wanted to reach out and hold Cam. I felt so bad for him. The burdens he carried were heavy, but nothing was too heavy for Cam. He was strong enough, man enough, to stand up and face those challenges head on. Willow was just as amazing. She wasn’t about to let anything come between what she had wanted… first and always. I really enjoyed the storyline and the tenacity of the characters. Rebecca Yarros is in her lane with military romance and continues to deliver phenomenal stories with extraordinary heroes and heroines. I loved this book, and I think you will too!
Review by Lys
Whenever you pick up a Rebecca Yarros story, you know she will make you feel. Every single time! In Great and Precious Things, we get a story about family, love, second chances, regrets, hope and so much more. Camden Daniels is a good man. The readers can see it right from the start. But the town he is from only sees what they want to see. They judge and whisper. But he is back and he is here to stay. His father may not be ready to forgive him, but he is ready to take on the town to do what is right.
Now if he could only stay away from the only woman he has ever loved and can never be his. Willow is sweet, beautiful, smart and independent. She knows the man Cam tries to hide, but he pushes her away at every turn. But this time around she is a different woman and one ready to fight for what she wants. Can two people so meant to be together but torn apart by secrets and a town find their way to each other?
Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros riveted me from start to finish. You could feel the love Cam feels for those he cares about in every page, but he is his own worst enemies. The demons that haunt him are not easily thwarted. While Willow carries the expectations of an entire town. My heart just broke for them, even as I cheered them on. A story of family, betrayals, hope, expectations and ultimate what you would do for those you love. A definite must read!
Loved it! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Wow! This book was so so good. Good on a whole other level from The Last Letter. And bonus is this won’t make you cry! LOL. I fell in love with Camden and his big heart. My heart ached for him and all he had been thru over the years. But damn is this book didn’t start with a literal BANG! These characters they capture your heart don’t let go too easily. Willow was such a strong, independent woman character that this author is great at writing! Another note, one of these characters made so so stabby. Had a bad feeling and didn’t like him to begin with but he cemented that in the end. Seriously, guys the book was phenomenally good. And a perfect follow up to the success of The Last Letter! I can’t wait for everyone to read this.
This book was absolutely amazing! It was, I feel this in my bones, amazing! It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything from Rebecca (due to time, not for anything else) and I could kick myself for it! There are so many layers to this story and so much compassion. It truly grips every heart string you have!
Camden is one of those characters that you can feel every emotion for and with. I felt the ache when he felt the ache, and I was angry with him when he was angry. He came back from a life of purpose to a town that absolutely hated him, I can’t even imagine what that would feel like. Rebecca took us through so many journeys with him in this book and I really felt one with his character.
Insert Willow, when we first get introduced to her my curiosity was beyond peaked!! I instantly NEEDED to know more about this girl! Who was she, why did she have so much faith in Cam’s dad and why did she have the reaction she did to seeing Cam again? So many things swirled through my head, and to be honest, it definitely took a while for me to pull all of the pieces together. Both Willow and Cam had a really harsh family dynamic, and I think that is definitely something that so many of us can relate to.
The push and pull between Willow and Cam was completely intoxicating. I was so addicted to the slow burn these two had. From the forbidden factor to the town being against them both, it was so much. But, in the absolute best way! They had all of these obstacles to overcome, but it didn’t stop them. And then of course we have Cam’s dad. He was such a sad man with such a sad disease. The situation Cam was in was a really tough one. It brought on so many more emotions.
Overall, this is hands down, my favorite book so far this year. I was super emotional reading this, and that’s my absolute favorite!! I loved the twists and turns, and the constant battle these characters had, it was just so good!
Great and Precious Things was good. It’s sweet, has an unrequited and forbidden-ish quality to it as well as packs an emotional punch as it deals with difficult matters. It’s about perception and the ways in which it impacts the lives of the main characters, Cam and Willow and those around them. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
Copy won in a contest hosted by author
This book was such an emotional story about redemption. It was beautifully written and one of my favorite books by Rebecca Yarros.
Willow and Cam grew up together who have unresolved feelings. She was the girlfriend to Cam’s dead brother. He is now back and retired he carries a lot of guilt because he blames himself for his brother’s death. He is back home in the small town of Alba. These two were perfect for each other. Willow is heartbroken and has Cam to lean on and help her. He is the strength she needs to move on.
This was a beautiful story. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. IF you are looking for a story full of emotions this is the book for you. I can’t recommend this book enough, it’s a must read.
Whew! THIS BOOK! I know Rebecca is going to slay me and BOY DID SHE! And I loved every minute of it! Camden had always protected and loved Willow. And she had always loved him. They’ve always danced around each other, never admitting feelings. When circumstances bring Cam back home, he has to face Willow again. Turns out, he’s still protective of her and she’s equally as protective of him. They learn they have to lean on each other and they have to work together in order to accomplish their task to bring money into their town. There were so many factors tugging on this couple and the things they had to overcome wasn’t easy. But it was beautiful and real and solid. I devoured this book and couldn’t read it fast enough. Highly recommend this read!
I have a confession- I’m not really sure where to start with telling you about this book. I know I need more than Great and Precious Things is awesome, but trying to do that without giving a ton away is hard.
I think the best way to describe Great and Precious things is evocative. By using two interesting and dynamic people in Cam and Willow as our story tellers, Ms Yarros takes us on a pretty emotional journey.
We see family relationships challenged and reshaped, preconceived notions turned upside down, grief, guilt, unrequited love, friendship, and devotion just to name a few things touched on in this story.
I genuinely liked Cam and Willow and found myself rooting for them. I enjoyed watching them go to bat for each other and seeing how that faith paid off.
I didn’t really know what to expect going in to this read – other than I knew it would be good. What I got wasn’t just good, it was great and seeing love like this was a pretty precious thing too.