The final book in the Something in the Way series, a love saga. Now a USA Today bestseller.Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .A home he built us on the unshakeable foundation we fought for.A life of laughter carved out of heartache and betrayal.A love story to stand the test of time.But between a trust that can’t be broken, joy that can’t be bridled, and passion that would … can’t be broken, joy that can’t be bridled, and passion that would scorch the sun, the empty spaces are becoming more and more difficult to ignore . . .
Fears that keep Manning up at night as he slips from our bed.
Our complicated relationship with a man he respects and one I don’t know how to forgive.
And a sprawling, beautiful home with one small room I’m afraid I’ll never be able to fill.
Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .
But I’ll beg the heavens for just one thing more.
more
Full circle. Perfect ending to a perfect series.
My heart is on an emotional overload.
I don’t even know how I’ll be able to read anything else after Lake and Manning’s story.
This was literally a series that spans over the course of their entire lives together, apart, and the journey they made to move the stars and find their happily ever after.
Breathtaking!!!
There are literally no words to describe this book other than it is so beautifully written! It’s an amazing ending to such an amazing couple that have had just as many downs as ups. This book will have you going through every emotion possible!
I don’t think there ever was a series that I’d read in which every book deserved a 6-star rating. Except this one. And the weird thing is, every book was better than the last one, and… finally, we were given the most beautiful ending to the love story of Lake and Manning. Jessica Hawkins moved my standards and expectations so much higher, and I’m positive that this series will be the one to stay in my mind (and my heart; read: favorite) for a long, long time. Talk about a book hangover!
I must say I was so excited when I heard there would be the fourth book in the series. Even though Lake and Manning ended up together at the end of Move the Stars, I felt there was so much more to their happily-ever-after. And the author gave us so much more in this book. I’ve read it in one breath. It was romantic… it was touching… it was sexy… it was heartbreaking… it was raw… it was beautiful, and scorching and amazing and hope-lifting and… I think this is the moment where words fail me: because there is not such an amazing word – that I know of – that can describe the experience of reading this book, laughing and crying with these characters, feeling for them; the closest I can come to describing it is with breathtaking! I don’t want to divulge too much into the story, but let me say: all the loose ends are finally tied up, and happily-ever-after was never truer to everything it represents. If you loved the series this far, you have to read this book. It’s a must-read conclusion to one EPIC love story, that will stay with you for as long as your memory serves you. I know for sure because it feels so hard for me to let go of this story, of these characters, and I’m sure it’s evident considering this review has come to be from pure emotions: I didn’t really think it through, I just wrote. Because I loved this book. Because it was beautiful. Because the Bear and the Birdy finally found their sky full of stars.
~5 ‘unforgettable’ Stars~
Lake + Manning by Jessica Hawkins is the perfect conclusion to the Something in the Way series! So without giving away any huge spoilers, let’s get started with this review.
I have been a fan of Lake and Manning from the very start. Even through all the angst and turmoil this couple put me through. The many sleepless nights and the promises of ‘just one more chapter’. Let’s not forget the many breaks my heart received. But no matter what the obstacle I was still cheering for these two. I’m thrilled to see this happily ever after come to an end!
These two are still tested and put through the emotional wringer throughout this novel, but as you all know if you’ve read the previous three books in the series….They’ve been through much worse.
I loved the way Jessica Hawkins concluded this series. With the typical Hawkins flare, Lake and Manning are tested with situation that are close to home and personal. Your heart will break over and over again but rest assured, it will be put back together.
Overall, I’m sad to see this series end, but I’m happy with the way it ended.
After finishing Move the Stars back in October I never expected to get more of Lake and Manning’s story so imagine my surprise when Jessica Hawkins announced that she was giving her readers what they wanted…MORE! I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story, but I feel as if I got everything I needed and everything I never expected with the final story in the Something in the Way saga. This is the kind of story that gives readers ALL THE FEELS and will leave their hearts reeling right until the very end (and long after).
Lake + Manning is a beautifully captivating story with a that gut-wrenching emotion in the pit of your stomach. My heart wept for these two because although they moved the stars, neither one of them expected their life to turn out the way it did. Love will conquer all, but that doesn’t mean the heartache is over for these two. This was an extraordinary story and I can’t believe that it is officially over, but I am so fortunate that Jessica Hawkins gave us more because we needed to see more of their happily ever after.
Beautiful ending to the series. Absolutely LOVED it.
I sit here trying to write my review feeling both happy and sad. Happy we got this unexpected fourth book from Lake & Manning and sad that their story is truly over.
I adore these two characters so much. Their love. Their fight for happiness. I even adore their heartbreaks. They made me swoon, cry and rage like no other couple. I have lost count of the number of messages and conversations I have had about this series.
Theirs is truly the love of a lifetime. This book ended things perfectly for me. I got the final chapter I needed for my Bear & his Birdy. I am content.
When I read the first three books in this series, I read them with my heart in my throat and my stomach hurting the entire time. These two people went through hell before they finally found their way back to each other. And when they finally did, I was so elated!! But I have to be honest, I felt a little ripped off that we didn’t really get to spend any time with them once they reached the end of the long road they traveled to get to there. I was like, “yay! they’re finally together!” but I was also like, “that’s it? what’s next for them?”
So when Jessica announced she was going to give us more of Lake and Manning’s story, I was over the moon! Get it, over the moon? Okay, bad joke, but seriously, after suffering through SO many things over the years, I desperately needed these two to find their happily ever after. Without anyone conspiring to keep them apart, without anyone judging them for being in love, without that weird awkwardness of Lake being in love with her sister’s ex-husband. Because come on, we all know she loved him first and they should have been together from the get go!
I should have realized that Jessica wouldn’t just give these two a smooth ride down their road of happily ever after. But the best things in life are the things you work the hardest for. And Lake and Manning both know that fate is fickle and it has a tendency to put the worst of challenges in your path and then sits back to watch how you handle them. These two have already been through so much, I wasn’t sure there was anything else that could block their path to happiness. But alas, another huge obstacle threatened to put a dark cloud over them.
I started this book not very happy with Manning. I hadn’t really forgiven him for all of the decisions he made over the course of this series. Decisions that, with all of his good intentions, ended up hurting Lake way more than I think he ever realized they would. And he was making another one that I was sure was just going to be another thing that would hurt Lake. But it didn’t turn out that way, and as the story progressed, Manning showed that he really did have nothing but the best intentions when it came to Lake and how he felt about her. Time and time again, he was such a source of strength for Lake, supporting her and holding her up when she was at her weakest, lowest points. I think I liked Manning way more in this book than Lake, so kudos to Jessica for changing this overly stubborn reader’s mind about him!!
This was a very emotional read. By the time we reach the end of this book, and now the series, 25 years have passed. Lake and Manning persevered over all the years, and move heaven and earth, the moon and the stars to get their happily ever after. I finished this story with sappy tears in my eyes, and a heart full of love and happiness. Thank you, Jessica, for giving us such a beautiful ending to Birdy and her Great Bear!
I think we as readers, can’t get enough of Lake + Manning and their incredible love story, which has defied all odds, stood tests of time and fate and has been a series of Bad Timings
This couple can’t seem to catch a peaceful break. Now that they’re together, don’t for a second think that God’s have cleared their path of all obstacles aka somethings in the way
The family still doesn’t know they’ve found their way to the Big Bear, Tiffany doesnt know they’re happy and moved on, Val & Corbin dont know their best friends secret and Daddy & Mom are still not talking to them
And it hurts Lake +Manning
This wasn’t the same kind of obstacle we’d come up against in the past. Back then, we’d had a sliver of control over our destiny , and we’d taken that little bit and pushed it wide enough to make room for ourselves. This time, it was out of our hands. This was the circle of life, and I was being weeded out of the ground.
Manning has a rock solid constitution and a calm demeanour. His job to make Lake happy and protect her always !!
Protect, Provide, Mate
And he’s a master of all 3 ! He has crossed insurmountable mountains to be with her and he plans to keep her tightly by his side, come what may !
“You know I’ll always move the stars for you if need be,” he said. “Whatever it takes.”
Manning and I had thought we’d moved the stars, but fate would get the last laugh.
But fate still holds back the tiny piece of happiness from them and the control has been taken from them.
My heart just was full and I so wanted every happiness in the world for them
I have to mention here, the story is so TRUE at this point of time, it’s heartbreaking. I have torn through exact same scenario in my life and I can actually feel Lake’s anguish and hear her pleas. Like seriously!! So this story has been kind of personal for me and i loved the writing, the sentiments echoed and the smiles thereafter.
Manning Raymond Sutter saw Lake Dolly Sutter one hot day in July at a construction site and she lost a bracelet , while he lost his heart. Now almost 25 year later, while moving together in their backyard, surrounded by family of kids and dogs, & A Badass mom who can drive a stick their hearts are full, so is ours!
It was more than I could have asked for. A perfect ending to an epic love story. Lake + Manning will stay in my heart forever, because if anyone can move stars and re align them it’s them! Great Bear + birdy it’ll always be them!
Stop whatever your doing unless you have read books 1-3 then continue on, otherwise go read those first before you turn the page. I loved how book 3 ended with Lake and Manning’s story but true fans like myself wanted more and that’s exactly what the author did. I loved every page the happiness, love , strength and stress and then so much love. You end up smiling through tears while reading Lake and Manning’s ending story. We even got to see where other characters ended up and I giggled out loud while reading. It began with one look and it ends with finally the stars where they belong. 5/5 stars ****Reviewed by Sweet & Spicy Reads a voluntarily Advanced Reader Copy of this book ****
I’m simply in awe of Jessica and the entire Something in the Way series. I continued on a ride of emotions like I did with the first three installments; however, this one hit so close to home. At this time in my life, Lake is a character I could identify with unlike any other. So, while I still may be crying, and I may be in slight denial that this is it for Lake and Manning—at this moment, my heart is so full. Lake + Manning is absolute PERFECTION. A perfect ending that these beautiful characters deserved. If you’ve not started this series, please check it out. It will forever be a favorite of mine!
There is a different vibe about this book. This author really knows how to write emotions that the reader feels deep inside with every word. This entire book had a more calm undertone, but was so very emotional at the same time. Be prepared for a few surprises and unknowns that make this story that much more exciting.
If you’re made it this far you already know Lake and Manning are together. They’ve finally made it to their happy ever after, but there’s still one more dream they’re both hoping to fulfill and things aren’t going as planned. I loved the calm and cool Manning who loved Lake with so much intensity that it gave me goosebumps. You can absolutely feel the love Lake and Manning exhibit toward one another all throughout this story. I did a complete 180 with my feelings for Manning from the first book until the end. I really felt that Manning was the true hero here and loved Lake beyond measure. Big Bear + Birdy forever!
Again, I laughed, I cried, and felt Lake & Manning’s intense love for each other all throughout this story. I was so distraught for their situation and found my own self begging for their dreams to come true. I loved that Manning was so careful and patient with Lake, but he was also a totally dirty-talking alpha. It’s like he saved it all up for their special times together and it totally rocked. I thought book three was a perfect ending, but it doesn’t come anywhere near to what this book showed us. Thank you so much for this last bit of Lake and Manning’s story. It definitely wouldn’t have been the same without it.
This is book 4 of the series and is not a standalone book. These books must be read in order. I can’t recommend this series enough! If you’ve not read it, you need to get on it ASAP. This hit a 6-star category for me. As Lake & Manning Move the Stars, so did I…. to 6-stars.
I love the final book of Lake and Manning. This series has been an emotional rollercoaster ride and so worth the read. Jessica you did an amazing job in capturing my heart. Your book did an amazing job in its final call. Here’s to the stars.
If you’ve been following this series from book one you know how tumultuous this series has been. This is the epic conclusion to Lake and Manning’s story. This series has definitely been an emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows. This series is a must read and must be read in order.
4.5 stars
I have to be honest. When Jessica first announced this book I thought, “Do we need this? Do I need this?” Having read it, my answer is yes, yes we do 🙂
This was a perfect ending to this series. It’s not all hearts and flowers as there are still challenges to face, but the difference is the challenges they face, they face together. What I loved the most about this book was how much of a voice Manning had. He was always the strong, stoic, silent type and while he still is this we get to see him do what he does best in this book and that’s love, support, and protect Lake. All the lose ends get tied up and I like the outcomes because they make sense. Really enjoyed it!
Finally! This was the story I’ve been waiting for. Lake + Mannings real beginning. Finally we get to see something just for them. This story is definitely a roller coaster of emotions without a lot of the angst from previous books. Which make me extremely happy.
“You know I’ll always move the stars for you if need be. whatever it takes.”
The past is in the past. Now we get to see the challenges Lake and Manning endure as their life together begins. My heart was with them this entire book and I just kept hoping that they would finally get all their stars aligned.
They faced a lot of emotional challenges as a couple. The thing that makes this story different than the others is that they finally get to face these challenges together. I loved seeing how they worked together and grew together.
“We were two stars forever locked in a triangle that only seemed to hurt us. But at least we had each other. ”
I was surprised there wasn’t more angst.There were times I was like oh man things are going to get intense and angsty. Then nothing really happened so that threw me but I was happy with how things worked out. It was refreshing.
Definitely loved that little added love connection. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of these secondary characters.
I think this was a great conclusion to Lake and Manning. I will miss them terribly but I’m so happy for them!!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This is supposed to be the happily ever after for Lake and Manning, but is it? They have the house he built and they are together but it seems there is always something in the way. Will they get their happily ever after? What happens to Lake and Manning? This is an ending that you don’t want to miss. The fourth book in the Something in the Way series. It is a great series, start reading yours today.
Every once in a while you come across a great story.. one that effects your mind, body and soul! Elizabeth @ White Hot Reads
Lake + Manning’s conclusion wasn’t an easy one but they know how to move the Stars to get what they want.
Well Done Jessica! Well Done!
4.5 Stars
This is book 4 of a series. Please do not read this one without reading the first 3 books. The ending of Move the Stars (Book 3) left us needing more. Wanting more. Lake+Manning delivered!
Spanning over years, we get the insight into what happens with Lake + Manning. The stars aligned for Happy Ever After and now their lives take off.
But when Lake needs to beg the heavens just one more time, will the man above listen one more time to her or will this be the straw that breaks the camel’s back?
It was great to read the closure of this fantastic series. Getting a quick follow-up on all the characters from the books, hearing what everyone is doing, who is in relationships, who is having babies. Can families truly overcome bad history and become a family once again with everyone at the family dinner table or is it once a family is broken, they can’t overcome what has happened and everyone goes their separate ways?
Thank you, Jessica Hawkins, for delivering on a fourth book for us all to get closure on these two wonderful characters you brought to us!
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