I love you; I loathe youJackson Thorn was my best friend and worst enemy, but that didn’t stop me from wanting him.From first words to high school halls, our childhood years braided a bond that wove in a direction neither of us could predict or outgrow.Forbidden became a word we ignored.It wasn’t that we didn’t care.It was that we cared too much. We had it all planned out.We thought we could make …
We had it all planned out.
We thought we could make it.
We thought we’d been careful.
But all we managed to do was prolong the inevitable.
Our destruction.
Hearts and Thorns is a standalone full length new adult novel from bestselling author, Ella Fields.
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This author has an incredible talent for breaking my heart and making me mad at her male characters. She’s a specialist on men who are stubborn and stupid and totally gorgeous. All through the book I was always sorry for Willa because she was dealt a raw deal with her parents, and then with Jackson. This is one of those books that you don’t want to put down!
Willa and Jackson are step siblings, have lived together since they were babies, and their parents want to raise them as blood brothers. So when they develop feelings for each other, they first reject the feelings, then hide the feelings, then sneak around until the situation implodes and all hell breaks lose.
As to be expected, since Willa and Jackson are only eighteen, they don’t deal well with the situation, miscommunications occur and Jackson makes decisions but doesn’t share them which further implodes the situation.
Needless to say, from siblings who loved each other, they change over to enemies, and throughout their story, Jackson behaves with relentless cruelty and vengeance. I say he’s stupid because as he hurts Willa, he’s also hurting himself because they were best friends and he lost half of his world when they were estranged. I saw Willa so broken from her mother’s treatment that she wasn’t in a good place to fight back, so she just slinked away, licked her wounds and made the best life she could.
Moderately happy with the life she had created for herself, with two good friends and a supporting father (the real one), she took up her real father’s surname and created her own successful business. When Jackson suddenly comes back into her life, fireworks ensue and we are treated to a yummy angsty second part of the story.
I loved this story, even though I cringed at the initial chapters, when Willa and Jackson were sneaking around. Later on, I was frequently angry with Jackson and couldn’t wait for him to get his comeuppance, which he did. Eventually he grew out of his stupid and we got our HEA and I loved everything between the first chapter and The End. The only characters I didn’t like from beginning to end were Willa’s mother and Jackson’s father. Their mistakes brought on all the suffering everyone went through and although to err is human, I hate it when it happens for the wrong reasons, which is fear of public opinion. They were snobby and they paid for it.
If you like angsty stories and stubborn alpha a-holes, and having strong feelings as you read a book, this is your author.
I’ve never thought a book could have made me feel all the emotions and feelings I felt such as this one did. Passed from loving the story, to feeling my heart shatter in pieces and then feeling alive again. This is what Ella did to me with Hearts & Thorns (Magnolia Cove #3).
I remembered it got kinda crazy while chatting with my friend (who introduced me to Ella’s world) and telling her how much I loved Willa & Jackson, then I was yelling at her because I hated Willa so much and then I hated Jackson and I was blaming her for all these mood swings and then finally telling her how much I LOVED the story. That’s what Ella does to us. She consumes our feelings until there is nothing left, of course in an amazing way!! There is nothing more pleasant to get a happy ending after struggling for one.
The love that Willa & Jackson have, was meant to be, whether they wanted or not, they will have to end up together. They grew up loving each other and when a love is so pure, it can’t be wrong, of course it could have been easier for them, but you know Ella right?
Hearts & Thorns is my new fave book from Ella’s and my fave from this amazing series. A forbidden story that will steal your heart, will rip it and then mend it. You can’t miss this one and I hope in the near future we can have more of Willa & Jackson.
Hearts and Thorns is the third installment on Ella Fields’ Magnolia Cove series of standalones. This step-brother taboo love story is full of angst and painful heart aches that you’ll want to devour in every page.
I’m being torn between loving the story to the core or hating Ella for writing such an angsty love story. I like how she managed to build the story from. When their love started. Those first few chapters squished my heart into pieces. I think I even heard my heart break piece by piece. And if that’s not torture enough, she had to end part one like that. But as much hype as the first part got to me, the middle portion or the beginning of part two was a little lull for me. I didn’t like the way things were still a lot loose when I already starting the book come to an end. But I had to forgive Ella on that one when that twist came into perspective. It was really something that you would never see coming. And the way that the ends are slowly being tied makes me love the story again. Expect Ella to surprise you just like that.
Ella Fields makes her characters easy to love and jard to hate regardless of the actions they make. At one point, I want to smack Willa on the face for her decisions but then she turns around and all you could do is empathize with her. While Jackson on the other hand is the typical book boyfriend that we love to hate and hate to love all at the same time.
I’m giving this a 4.5 stars because of the little hitch in the middle, but this is definitely a book worth recommending.
Hearts And Thorns by Ella Fields is an emotionally charged and angsty rollercoaster romance. It is a pull on the heartstrings kind of read.
Without giving any spoilers away, just be prepared to have your heart ripped out of your chest, shredded and pierced back together in the way that only Ella Fields can do- with drama, angst, twists, forbidden love, passion, heartbreak, feels , 2nd chance romance and that glorious HEA. What you will be reading is forbidden love, friends to lovers /enemies to lovers, and 2nd chance at love. This is a deliciously tempting romance that will have you on the edge- hooked from start to finish. What a great romance with complex layers and feels.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
This is the third book in the series. It can be read as standalone. This book is about Willa and Jackson
This is a standalone full-length new adult stepbrother romance, how ever it doesn’t qualify as enemies to lovers in my definition or book. I was ok with stepbrother romance; however this was too emotional and taboo for my taste. Taboo because, if you are brought up from childhood or from being infant, as a brother and sister(may be step), its tough to accept love between them atleast for me.
Willa and Jackson Thorn are step siblings and have been bought up together in the same house from the time they were infants. They shared a special bond during childhood but over the years, the dynamics changed, and their relationship became so much more than friendship.
Initially they have conflicting feelings and will struggle to accept their relationship and once they do, it becomes their dirty secret. You can see Jackson quoting as below.
“ ’ , ’ .”
From the time their relationship started, they were young and immature and make several mistakes. Since its tough to accept that even for them along with teen hormones they struggle to trust each other which results in their destruction. Once their secrets and lies are exposed all their best lied plans will be exploded.
It was little strange for me to think how Victoria’s reaction was bad (their mother). Me being a mother and from my cultural background maybe I would have reacted worst than described in this book. Victoria going ape sh*t crazed on her kids felt normal to me and Willa’s actual father’s reaction as extremely matured and level headed.
It wasnt easy for them. they have suffered, lonely, broken and concerned. They have had it all.Going through darkest and painful feelings cannot be easy.
” I m not sure how it happened, but somewhere along the way to our forever, i lost track of right now”
“I hate you because i could never actually hate you, and that makes me hate you so much”
As I said, its too much of twists, turns, angst and taboo for my taste. Read with open mind. If you are ok with this sort of concept, go ahead and enjoy.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
Ella Fields continues to capture my heart and soul with her words. Every book captivates me and takes me to another place where I am totally engrossed in the journey to love, the angst and heartbreak along the way. And in the end, I am always left satiated by an enthralling roller-coaster ride that always includes some shocking details, frustrating emotions, a few tears, and lots of steamy sexual chemistry. Hearts and Thorns was no different and I loved every word.
The plot of this story may be deemed forbidden and taboo by many, but I found myself hoping and praying Jackson and Willa could find a way to make their love open and real. The events that played out in this book kept my rapt attention from chapter to chapter. I couldn’t put it down and I swear the book was calling my name in the night to come back and join characters for just one more chapter. The underlying message I got from this book is that people do many things in the name of love. They sacrifice all, they make rash decisions that they may end up regretting, they do all the wrong things for right reasons. But in the end, love is what heals us, lets of forgive and move past all the hurt to ultimately love again.
Jackson and Willa were young and communication may have been their greatest challenge. Society shunned them, family was stunned, and reactions sent them into a tailspin that they were powerless to escape. Jackson became the man I hated but still hoped for. His frustrating actions had my heart beating like a stampede of wild horses until he had some wise advice that made me smile. And then my heart started beating for another reason. I saw hope and I saw possibilities. Through all the pain and anguish Jackson had brought on himself, I saw that just maybe forgiveness was in the air, and just maybe, things would be ok.
I highly recommend all of Ella’s books. I have never once been disappointed. I crave how her words make me feel. Hearts and Thorns was a beautiful story with an amazing epilogue to tie up all the loose ends. The only thing I am sorry about is that it’s over, for now anyways. I look forward to seeing Jackson and Willa and all of the Magnolia Cove characters that I love in future stories.
This book took my heart and chewed it back up,
and then spit it back out…but then put it together
and mended it. It’s probably my TopRead for the end
of the year(2019-2020). Willa and Jackson, ohhh my gawwdd
I was feeling for them all the way through the end.Ever since
they were introduced in the other “Magnolia Cove” books ,I
was dying to read about them. The wait was soooo worth it.I
have a serious case of book-hangover at the moment.
Wow!!! This book was everything and more than I could have ever expected. Willa and Jackson’s story sucked me in from the very beginning and didn’t let me come up for air until the very end. Gosh…their story really did a number on me. To say that I’m left with a book hangover is an understatement. Ella Fields did such an amazing job with this story and had my heart all over the place with this one. She absolutely ripped my heart to shreds and stomped all over it while still giving me hope to hang on to. The story is a story unlike any other that I’ve read before and it played on my emotions harder than most have. The angst in this book is freaking off the charts good. I can go on and on about this book, but this is one that you have to read for yourself to see what I’m talking about. Really this is a can’t miss read and one that I am highly recommending that you one-click ASAP!!!
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
Reviewed by Jeanette Oglesby
I swear every time I go to start a new Ella Fields book, I think to myself… She’s already obliterated your heart in the past so honestly.. she really can’t do it again or make it any worse.
Every time I am wrong.
So. So. Wrong.
ARC kindly provided, all thoughts in this review are my own.
I read a lot of romance. There are things that I enjoy in books that others hate and then there are things that can happen in stories that turn me off from them so fast, and I’m thinking who enjoys this mess. I have yet to find an Ella Fields book that falls into that latter category. For me, I want angst. I love the push and pull, the give and the take. The seemingly unrequited. I want conflict and miscommunication. (Unpopular opinion.) And then I want it to all be okay because they beat the odds. I want to feel what the characters are feeling because I am so wrapped up in it. I want the story to remind me of a time when I wasn’t so jaded and believed love could concur all. Ella Fields hands all of that to me and more every time she graces me with a new story.
This is book three of a series of standalone books but you do see previous couples in this book. This book touched on the taboo subject of step siblings and let me just tell you, I ate it up!! I was gonna read this book regardless but when I saw the word ‘stepbrother’ I said, GAME ON. Willa and Jackson grew up their entire lives together. Almost since day one. Which I didn’t see coming. But I didn’t mind it in the least. I loved seeing them and what their relationship to each other was at different stages of their lives. Watching it evolved from one thing into another and find their way. Then try to sort through the things they’re feeling and thinking. Weighing it against the standards of what society deems normal and/or proper. I just really loved both Willa and Jack. I don’t want to get into may more specifics than that though.
So I knew that source of tension was coming and I tried to brace for the impact but if you’re familiar with Ella’s writing then you already know.. there is no way to prepare your heart for the wringer you know she’s about to put it through. I absolutely wanted to throttle Jackson on more than one occasion. I wanted to shake them both and then give them hugs. Ella is going to shred your heart into a million little pieces. That’s just her modus operandi. The good news is that she will mold it back together again but as with any broken thing, you’re still gonna see effects of the trauma. I wouldn’t have it any other way though.
I read so many romances for the steamy factor, and never find myself reaching for the ugly cry books or the ones that others have said will invoke all of your emotions. Except when Ella has a book and I hand over my heart to be tortured and traumatized freely and willingly. It also helps that she gives me what I want/need on the steamy scale too. But it all just takes a backseat to the love story she weaves. Seriously, my heart was racing while reading this. It blows my mind that there are writers out there that can draw that sort of emotion out of another human being with words written on a page. And that is why I will continue to keep coming back time and time again for Ella’s stories. Honestly, I think too many readers are sleeping on her. So if you’re one of those people then I implore you to just pick up one of her books and I promise you will find yourself reaching for all the others after. And definitely pick up this one. Your heart will be in your throat but you will love every minute of it. Ella Fields
New Adult | Forbidden | Stepbrother Romance
Hearts & Thorns is the third book in the Magnolia Cove series but can stand alone. This book is a young adult/new adult crossover, but I recommend it more for new adult readers rather than young adults. This is because the book has a slightly taboo plot , sex, drinking, and all that other fun stuff we adults enjoy! Half of the book takes place in high school, the other half when the characters are adults. Hence the reason I’m saying it’s a crossover.
That being said, Ella has given her readers another angst filled and DRAMATIC read with the best kind of slow burn around. This book set my heart on FIRE. I read it in one sitting because I honestly couldn’t look away from the pages. I was enamored with the story and hooked to it from beginning to end. There were a few things that got on my nerves of course, doesn’t every book have SOMETHING that niggles at you? But other than that, I found it to be a fantastic read. I know romance readers who have enjoyed Ella’s books in the past are going to go CRAZY for this one!
If you’ve read the first two books in this series, you’ll remember Jackson and Willa. They are the stepsiblings that got caught “being together” (to put it nicely). Willa was shown in those books to be sent away to live with her father because of their forbidden relationship but we didn’t know EXACTLY what went down. Until now…
Readers will get an in depth look at how Jackson and Willa got together in the first place and the aftermath of getting caught. This is a FORBIDDEN , stepbrother romance of the PUREEST KIND. You will feel each and every emotion that goes through both of them and feel as if you’re there living the hell they are put through with them. Their story isn’t an easy one to read in terms of emotions and what happens between them, but so worth it! I can’t wait to see what the rest of the world thinks!
Of course, I enjoyed this book (duh, who doesn’t enjoy an Ella Fields book). However, I did mention that one thing annoyed me which prevented me from giving it the full five stars and that’s how STUPID Jackson got with Willa. I couldn’t STAND how easy it was for him to push her away and I wanted to go into the book and slap him! He’s the reason for the angst and my wanting to toss my iPad out the window! Some readers are bound to feel the same. Other than this, he redeemed himself and I loved Willa to pieces!
So, go forth and read this beautifully FORBIDDEN read. I know so many of you are going to LOVE IT!
Wow!!! This book was everything and more than I could have ever expected. Willa and Jackson’s story sucked me in from the very beginning and didn’t let me come up for air until the very end. Gosh…their story really did a number on me. To say that I’m left with a book hangover is an understatement. Ella Fields did such an amazing job with this story and had my heart all over the place with this one. She absolutely ripped my heart to shreds and stomped all over it while still giving me hope to hang on to. The story is a story unlike any other that I’ve read before and it played on my emotions harder than most have. The angst in this book is freaking off the charts good. I can go on and on about this book, but this is one that you have to read for yourself to see what I’m talking about. Really this is a can’t miss read and one that I am highly recommending that you one-click ASAP!!!
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
So I’ve been a die-hard fan of Ella Fields ‘s work since late 2018 she has a unique way of writing heartbreaking yet powerful love stories.
Hearts and Thorns was no different, for me. She delivered, damn did she deliver a romance novel that was filled with tears, heartbreak, angst, and very human emotions. She’s to blame for my obsession with love stories that make me want to throw my kindle at the wall(constantly).
What I loved the most about this book, is that it wasn’t what I was expecting, like at all. She wrote beautifully imperfect characters that went through complex and difficult situations.
Willa Grace, god do I feel for her…I don’t want to give anything away but just give her a chance to fall in love with her, just like I did. And Jackson Thorne…that dude, he has my heart.
I loved this whole series and I just can’t wait to see what else Ella has in store for us this year!
Willa and Jackson gave us a heartbreakingly beautiful love story. Ella Fields was crowned the Queen of angst a long time ago, and it looks like she will keep the crown once again.
I want to say that this was my favourite story in this series. I thought nothing could top Daphne and Lars, but then came Willa and Jackson. The bond between Wil and Jack is everything. Their friendship is so precious and their love is so beautiful. My heart broke for them. It’s forever bruised from their emotional beating. But after finishing their story, it’s now a beautiful pain.
I loved Jack. He is so stubborn and could be really frustrating at times. But he adore his Willa. There is no one like her and there never will be. She is his person. Willa is such a sweetheart. She loves to fuss over Jack. Because she wears her heart on her sleeve, it’s easy to hurt her feelings. But Jack is always there to protect her. The question is, who will protect her heart from him?
OMFG!! PHENOMENAL!! ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!! ELLA FIELDS ALWAYS & FOREVER WILL SLAY ME…EVERY FREAKN TIME!! HEARTS AND THORNS IS BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN and HANDS DOWN A MUST READ BOOK!!
If you Haven’t Read Any of HER BOOKS…You Are TOTALLY MISSING OUT & NOT FROM THIS EARTH!!
This author is one that I immediately put her books on my TBR. They don’t even have to have a blurb and I will eagerly wait for it to be released. I know that it will be good because this author, from her debut book to her most current one, has NEVER let me down. She is the personification of sublime. I know that there will be angst galore, that she will create characters that feel real, and that the story will jump off the pages as if it was happening before my very eyes.
This story was just another example of how truly talented she is. This is a story that, for all intents and purposes, should have been wrong but instead showed something that was beautiful. It wasn’t dirty or cheesy. It was love. It showed that love is imperfect and comes in many different ways. Love makes people crazy for a plethora of reasons and holy crikey did it make for some crazy moments in this story. I hated some of the moments and struggled with a few of the characters and their actions. However, I also still rooted in the characters as they tried to navigate the best way that they could with the cards that they were dealt.
Was this my favorite story from this author? No. There were reasons for this, (I won’t spoil anything) but there were a couple of parts I questioned or wanted further exploration on. However, this book still gave me some of the most amazing quotes and moments that should be memorialized in a country song or something because they had me touch my heart and took my breath away at their beauty and the emotions that they evoked. Which is why this author is a one-click author. She makes me feel the power of love and helps me find magic in words on paper.
4 Cranky Stars
I will admit the first half of this book I wasn’t sure I was going to carry on. It wasn’t so much the subject matter that made me rethink keeping on was a good idea although at times it felt strange it was just the need to know how this all played out. I thoroughly enjoyed the second half though more than the first. I thought when they were teenagers their sex talk was more for an experienced adult than that of a teenager of 17. I also felt at times their relationship was kind of toxic and maybe that was the point to watch them go through all this and to see how they came out of it at the end. It was messy and childish and at times I didn’t like it at all. I’m sure some people will balk at the subject matter because unlike other step brother/sister romances Jackson and Willa grew up together I’m talking diapers and learning to walk together type growing up. Hearts and Thorns isn’t for the people who dislike this troupe, it’s not for people who hate messy borderline hateful relationships, it’s not for the people who want Hallmark Channel type love yet it’s up to you to say what kind of person you are and if this book is for you.
Willa and Jackson are step siblings who were always close. Her mother and his father met when they were both just mere babies of 6 months old. They were inseparable and they had a bond everyone assumed was just siblings being siblings. Their parents were strict and kept a close watch on Willa and Jackson. As they got older, they grew closer if you catch my drift. It became a game to duck and dodge the parental units because in their mind they knew the world would find their relationship wrong on so many levels. When they are found out is when things take an ugly turn. Willa is forced to leave the only home she’s ever known to live with her father and Jackson goes on a self-destructive streak. They try they really do but it gets ugly. This is where part two comes in and we see them as adults and let me say it’s not pretty and they are forced to grow up and face each other and deal with the aftermath. Willa and Jackson have some serious decisions to make going forward and what’s for the greater good.
I know this may be unpopular opinion I almost felt Jackson was abusive in some way to Willa as they were older. The way he talked to her made me cringe at times, yet I wish Willa wasn’t such a pushover. She did stand up for herself in her own way, but man come on girl. They used sex as a weapon it seemed. I was conflicted with this book. Parts I liked parts I wanted to skip. I haven’t read a book that had me on the fence and undecided as this one in a while. I think if you are willing to take a risk then maybe this book will be for you.
In Hearts and Thorns, book three in Ella Fields Magnolia Cove series, one thing you can be assured of is that no feelings go unheard, unseen or unfelt.
Jackson was comfortably cocky with a side of swoon as he transitioned from childhood best friend to a man in love with his step sibling. Willa’s sweet and genuine personality coupled with her beauty made it impossible not to be captivated by her. The forbidden aspect of this story kept the pages angst riddled and steamy. The fallout in the discovery of this couple’s secret relationship resulting in the censure of their parents, friends and community was well done by this author. Ms. Fields did not take the easy route but showed age appropriate doubts and insecurities as this couple struggled to handle the real life repercussions of their decision to be together and love. Cracking under pressure and less than noble reactions made this story real and heartbreaking. As this couple matured it was nice to see them come into their own and work toward what they originally wanted, to be together, even with some significant stumbling.
The attraction, miscommunication, assumptions and mistakes that moved this story were deeply impassioned until the very end. Ms. Fields excelled at showing her portrayals not only at their best but at their worst. The suffering of this writer’s characters was pronounced and heartfelt in its telling with very little buffering. In Hearts and Thorns Ella Fields brings her characters less than desirable attributes to the forefront even as she manages to find a way to make them win her audience over making this book very much worth the read!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*
One would think I’d become immune to the emotional torture over the years. But no, Ella Fields had to prove me once again that she was still capable of writing a heart-breaking story that screwed my heart 10 times over and yet it left me panting for more. Hearts and Thorns is far from perfect. There’s some OW/OM drama, so many moments that I felt betrayed and literally felt the rug being pulled out from under my feet. But you know, that’s the magic of Ms Fields books. She seems to write with the purpose of seeing her readers suffer and livid with anger. Angst. Twists. Mistakes that could be easily prevented. You get all of that wrapped-up in candy cotton; sweet moments and beautiful prose that erase the time when you wanted to piss in the characters’ drinks. Gross. Sorry. Read it if you’re in the mood of a stepsiblings romance that you can’t help but devour in one sitting. I enjoyed the story immensely.
Whenever Ella Fields releases a new book I feel like I have to stop the world, shut out everyone and do nothing but devote myself to the magic that is her words until I have devoured every morsel. This book, this amazingly angsty Step-brother/Forbidden/Second Chance Romance was no exception to that rule. It was emotionally wrecking and beautiful at the same time. It broke me before it put me back together again.
Jackson and Willa were the ultimate experience of inevitable love. Everything about their journey will leave you breathless, in tears, and rooting for them to overcome all the obstacles before them. To ignore everything and everyone that could possibly stand in their way. Jackson the broody, beautiful boy that Willa isn’t supposed to love like that, but she does. Willa so sweet and gorgeous and Jackson isn’t supposed to touch her, but that didn’t stop him.
“I feel like I need you to breathe properly.”
When they’re discovered it brings a world of hurt down on them and the love they share is scandalized and made out to be wrong and vile and they are punished for it. When choices are made to protect one another it causes misunderstandings and starts a domino effect that spans years and miles between them. Can Jackson and Willa right their wrongs and find each other again or have they done irreparable damage to each other’s hearts?
“In the battle of who hurt who the most, you
Fucking won, Willa.”
Y’all this is a much read for fans of edge of your seat forbidden romance fans. That fear for your couple of if and when they will be found out. The heartbreaking moments when they hurt each other unknowingly. GAH!! This book and it’s frustrating “ I’m about to chuck this kindle at the wall” moments. The sensationally sexy moments between this couple that are so forbidden yet sweet, loving and delicious all at the same time. If you haven’t read Ella Fields yet you definitely want to start today. She never fails to hit you straight through the heart plowing through your poor feelings leaving you a devastated and broken mess before she perfectly pieces you back together in the end. You can count on a book hangover for days after one of her books.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book!
My cr8zysockbookblock blog wrap up for this book!
-This book is full of drama, angst, forbidden love and it’s a second chance/step-brother romance all in one. I loved these characters. It literally had everything.
-OMG! HOLY HOT DOGS!! Jackson is nothing short of delicious AF!! Forbidden is just hot! That’s it!
Cliffhanger Warning-No cliffhanger! HEA!
When childhood innocence transforms into forbidden romance, Ella Fields delivers a bittersweet narrative that touches on more than falling in love with someone you shouldn’t—it’s about family, heartache and forgiveness. Hearts and Thorns, evocative in deliverance and angst-ridden in content, traverses the tumultuous waves of first loves and second chances that will leave your heart tattered and bruised, but the true authentic qualities and the overall deliverance ensures this heart-rending narrative will resonate with readers.
“We weren’t an itch we could scratch. We were fire that would never extinguish, and we’d burn anything in our path to keep getting what we wanted.”
Destruction was inevitable for Willa and Jackson. Pure, childhood innocence turned into a forbidden connection—an intoxication and exhilaration, albeit dishonest and secretive as they deceived family and friends. It didn’t diminish or minimise their romance though, it only made it more worthwhile because, despite the unavoidable heartache, true love overcomes adversities. Willa and Jackson’s chemistry rendered my emotions exhausted but soaring as they were allowed a second chance to rekindle a distinct bond difficult to dismantle.
“We’ll never be perfect, Jackson.”
“I know,” he said. “I know, but there’s no one else I’d rather be imperfect with.”
Hearts and Thorns is raw, full of endless heartache, though full with beloved life experiences of falling unconditionally and irrevocably in love; of bittersweet first loves and second chances in romance; of traversing the treacherous waves unfairly hurled at us, but returning with renewed strength and feeling indestructible. Hearts and Thorns is wonderfully enthralling and without fail, it realistically demonstrates that love isn’t easy—sometimes it is bittersweet, complex beyond recognition, full of heart-aching emotions and frayed around the edges, but tender moments and irreplaceable memories await.