From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker comes an epic story about sacrifice, friendship, and the awe-inspiring power of love.Maggie: Ten years ago, Cash Armstrong stole my heart. Then he promptly joined the army—dragging my best friend with him—and left me crying on the front porch in a red sequined prom dress. Now he’s back. They’re both back. Cash, the one who … he’s back. They’re both back. Cash, the one who still has my heart. And Luc, the one who saved my life.
Cash: How do you know if you’re at the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end? That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out since a traumatic brain injury made me “unfit to serve.” I’m back in New Orleans, and picking up the shattered pieces of my past means I must confront where my life’s journey began… and where it all might end.
Luc: Long ago, Maggie May was mine. Not mine in the way you might think. She was mine because she was my only friend. Then Cash came along and we became brothers by something stronger than blood. We became brothers by choice. When tragedy struck, I was forced to make a decision that changed all our lives. I thought, after ten years, it was safe to come back home. I was wrong…
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This is a trilogy of books that takes us on a journey with the 3 main characters. What starts off seeming to be a love triangle, in reality it truly isn’t. Part 1 gives us a lot of the back story and shows us where the characters are in their lives currently. Part 2 expands on that and starts laying the groundwork for how their future relationships may become. But it also highlights how much people can hurt along with the lengths they will go to in order to deal with them. Part 3…oh part 3. It may have broken my heart. But it also shows just how much someone can love other people and want to do what they know is right for them. I really don’t want to go into a lot of details with the way this all plays out because I honestly feel like that will ruin the journey that these books take you on. Let me just say, be prepared with tissues in part 3. Because not only do events happen that will break your heart-they just show the depths that someone people feel and what they are willing to do for those people. I definitely recommend reading all 3 but just remember that this is a trilogy so the first 2 are left on cliff hangers although they are full length novels. Well worth the reads though!
Oh, goodness–have the tissues ready. The last quarter of this one is killer…
Though I spent a good portion of the first half annoyed with all of the characters (except Luc, mostly, because–LUC) they managed to pull things together in the end to make me more than forgive them and left me with all. The. Feels. And no tissues left. Darn you, Ms. Walker!
I thought I’d figured out Cash’s “Plan” earlyish into this volume, and I had–well, half of it, anyway–but I still wasn’t prepared for the emotions Ms. Walker was going to make me feel about it. Of course, characters make plans, and authors laugh (that’s how the saying goes, right? 😉 ) and things got so much worse than either Cash or I’d hoped for before we got to the end. But what a ride…
So apparently Ms. Walker can write contemporary romance just as well as she can write romantic suspense, and in a way such that even my allergy to love triangles didn’t effect my enjoyment of this one (much). I guess I’m here for whatever she want to write, then…not that I’m surprised.
Definitely do not attempt to read this one without reading the other two–as the “volume” labels indicate on these books, they are in no way, shape, or form standalones. Reading all three is a heck of a commitment (900 pages, according to Goodreads) but worth it, IMO. Now excuse me while I got book a trip to New Orleans… 😉
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Great story from the great Julie Ann Walker. It was different in tone than her other books but was so good!
Wowza! This is something different for this author and just let me say Julie Ann Walker. nailed it!
This is a 3 part series that follows the lives of 3 people who are tied together by more than friendship.
Young love is always something that shapes a part of our souls. And that first love, though not anything close to being lasting is something most of us hang onto, remember and appreciate.
Cash, Luc, and Maggie are just finding out who they really are and what they really want.
This book is written about one of the best cities in the world. New Orleans is full of history and magical stories. All of which this Author included in every page. It’s so very obvious that Julie spent a lot of time with research.
Please don’t miss this sweeping saga of love, reconnections and loss
Moonlight and Memories made me sigh, laugh and cry.
Thank you Julie Ann Walker for writing this book!
In the final volume of M&M series, I have to say that there a very few authors who leave me stunned, at a complete loss of words, as I sit here trying to write this review. I just don’t know if I can put what I felt reading this into words but I am going to try. It is epic reading on a scale so large, so grandiose, that you are left emotionally bereft. I cried and cried some more and then I sighed as it ended. Just Wow! Now, I have read all of Ms. Walker’s Black Knights Inc., series. Those books are what made me fall in love with you and I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical going into this series but you have done it again. Flawlessly, I might add. Ms. Walker please take a bow to a standing ovation, on another job very well done. 5 STUPENDOUS, OUTSTANDING, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, GUT-WRENCHING STARS******
BRAVO MS. WALKER! BRAVO!!!!
****I voluntarily reviewed this book, provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.****
Make sure you have a box of tissues for this book. How to review this book without giving so much away. You must read all the books in order. This is the story of love and all its different facets. Love of family and friends. A true love that was meant to be. Maggie, Cash and Luc. Of making lists of places to see just because. The tradition of getting together every week for beignets. Everything about celebrating in New Orleans.