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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Rebecca Yarros takes you on a man’s journey home with her new release Great and Precious Things.
Camden Daniels was the forgotten Daniels boy. Always the troublemaker, rule breaker and problem child of the three, Camden left over ten years ago for the military and is now returning to his small mountain home to be a caretaker for his alzheimer ridden father. Camden did whatever he could to escape the town and the feelings he had for this childhood neighbor, Willow. However, just minutes after returning, Camden is faced with all the great and precious things he holds dear as he tries to win over the father who forgot him and the town that wished he’d stayed forgotten.
Yarros always brings one emotional story to the table with every novel she has written. Although this is another one of her emotionally charged driven novels, it comes in a completely different form of love. Camden’s journey of self love is one that I didn’t expect, but was very happy that I read. Countless times did I find myself highlighting the deep meaningful passages, quotes and thoughts of Yarros. This book was more than a romance. While it gave me all those romantic feelings between Camden and Willow, it also gave me a lot of ponder about life. I truly loved every minute of his journey.
This riveting and emotional novel is one that has all the attributes to make it the great book it is. Great And Precious Things is flawlessly written. An emotionally charged romance with angst and emotion that comes from not only the plot, but from the subplots as well. Rebecca Yarros wrote with so much depth and understanding that held such delicacy to the details, that I found myself hooked on Camden and Willow’s story because the flow of this story was effortless. This 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.
Cam and Willow were perfect complements of each other. Their connection was palpable from the first page they shared together, and it only got stronger as the story went on. Their history, their struggles, the connections between their families and their siblings; it was wonderfully told from the first to the last page.
The characters and the depth of the storyline will reaches deep. Rebecca crafts such incredible twists and turns in this book. The medical issues, the military history, the romance, the family drama. She just blends it all together so beautifully, there are definitely unexpected turns in this story! The combination of the main characters, the storyline, the supporting characters, the family dynamics, the angst, the backstory were fantastic. Such a brilliant story that brings ALL the feels!
Camden Daniels is home…to the small town of Alba that he was basically run out of years ago. He was always the bad boy and returned from serving his country, while his well-liked younger brother did not. He is loaded down with guilt and regret and is used to being the black sheep. He swore he would never come back until he got a call he could not ignore. Unfortunately, his return is met with relief from some and resistance of others…and the tension and antagonism just seem to spread as events unfold.
Willow Bradley is the girl he has loved since childhood…but she ended up becoming his brother’s girlfriend and suffered the great loss as well. She is caring, smart, outspoken, and has always known her own feelings for Cam…even if she kept them to herself.
Cam will have an uphill battle to do some of the things he feels he needs to do. But he finds an unlikely ally in Willow. And the more time they spend together, the more unresolved feelings begin to surface. But they will both have to be honest and vulnerable to be able to try to move on. Cam has a long way to go as far as self-forgiveness and gaining self-worth. And it is even harder when it seems like the whole town has an opinion on every decision made.
My heart broke for Cam. He took so much of the blame for things he could not control. And despite how he was treated, he was trying to do the right thing most of the time. But he was constantly being judged and baited by others, and I was frustrated and upset for him! And his protective side often either got him into trouble or made him try to push her away. I loved that Willow had an inner strength and was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in.
The story and town is layered in history and some secrets. There are a lot of dynamics and conflicts, and even some surprises. The issues his father is dealing with are challenging and frustrating, and I feel the author did a good job explaining how hard they are for both the individual and the family in a sensitive way.
In addition to the slow-burn and emotional romance, this book touches on various larger issues and has good messages about life and how to be a good person. There are threads weaved into the story tying events and people together past and present. Ultimately this is a heartfelt and inspiring story about choices, balance, second-chances, redemption, and unconditional love.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Author Rebecca Yarros knows how to pen a story that will keep you up all night…Great and Precious Things is more evidence of that. This slow burning, second chance romance of Camden (Cam) Daniels and Willow Bradley will rip your heart out and then slowly attempt to repair it.
“There is more beauty in truth, even if it is dreadful beauty.”
Cam has returned to the town of Alba, because his father has asked him to come back…even though neither he, nor the townsfolk, truly wants him there. People don’t think highly of Cam, and heartbreakingly enough, neither does he.
He’d always been content to let others think the worst of him, and I guess nothing had changed.
The characters and the depth of this storyline will reach deep into your soul. And once again, (as with many books by Rebecca Yarros) you will need tissues within reach! She wrote such incredible twists and turns in this book. The medical issues, the military history, the romance, the family drama…GAH! She just blends it all together so freaking beautifully! There are definitely unexpected turns in this story, so be prepared to not come out of this one unscathed! The combination of the town, the people, the storyline, the supportive characters (family and close friends), the family dynamics, the angst, the backstory…WOW! Such a brilliant story that will give you ALL the feels! **5 great and precious stars from me!**
**I received a copy of Great and Precious Things from Entangled Amara Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. The opinions expressed below are mine and not solicited in any way**
Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros is what I hope will be a new series for the author (Please??) because I can’t be the only one who would love to have more stories about Alba, Colorado.
But I digress, this story will grab your heart and put you into the shoes of both Camden (The black sheep of the Daniels family) and Willow Bradley who came back to Alba with her Graphic Design degree. The two have history but both feel the loss of Sullivan who died during a fire fight but he’s come home to help his Dad convince his older brother understand his medical request for a DNR. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease stealing away the mind of a loved one no matter the age. It affects so many families as I well know because it’s touched mine twice.
But Camden is back in Alba to stay with hopes of opening the Rose Rowan mine and storefront for tours during the tourist season. Willow tries hard to convince him that even though Sullivan was her first love it’s Camden who has had her heart since childhood. There will be a lot of ups and downs and of course family squabbles as a trying to convince the town to trust him but the ending will be a huge surprise not only with a trial, a lost child in the mine but the revelation of perhaps a bit of healing between father and son. I loved this book and can’t wait to read more about Alba, Colorado.
There is just something special about Great and Precious things. I guess that it has something to do with that “there is more beauty in truth,” and this books exposes multiple characters’ truths throughout. The truths are each their own particular lesson not only for the characters but for the reader as well.
There hasn’t been another Yarros man quite like Camden Daniels. He is his own select category of the fictional hero. Without going too much into the plot, his tenacity for protecting what/who he loves is inspiring. His family and loved ones come first always. He is unapologetically confident throughout despite the sneers, ridicule, and gossip he endures. This is probably because he cares more about his actions than his perceptions, which is my absolute favorite characteristic of his.
Willow intrigued me from the beginning. Yarros does a beautiful job of showing the many ways a heroine can be beautiful AND strong. Willow was no exception, and her love-fueled, but calm rebellion was a perfect representation of her character. Love comes before all for her as well, making Camden her one true match.
This book is for the “black sheep” of their families who continue to do good anyways. This book is for those who want to believe love always finds away. This book is for those who understand and firmly believe that “all great and precious things are lonely” in their own beautiful way.