Never again would I allow my heart to become the plaything of someone else. Never again would I let a man (or men) come between me and my goals. Never again would I love without feeling the fullness of that love in return. Not until I knew it was real. And if that took me a lifetime to find, so be it. Those were my vows, and after all that had happened with Connor and Weston, I was determined to … Weston, I was determined to keep them. To protect my heart.
And then he came home, and my vows became his promises.
He held my heart in his hands with reverence and care.
He helped me find my soul’s greatest purpose in life.
He loved me with a love so pure and vibrant, I knew I’d never feel anything like it in a hundred lifetimes.
It was real.
Until it wasn’t.
Until it all came crashing down when I discovered the deep love I thought I’d found was nestled in a web of lies—so soft and silken I hadn’t noticed it was there.
Until it was too late.
**********
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is the emotional, heart-wrenching conclusion to the Beautiful Hearts Duet by bestselling author, Emma Scott, and is inspired by the classic tale, Cyrano de Bergerac. (Roxanne) THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE TRIANGLE #confusedhearts #notamenage
THIS BOOK IS NOT A STANDALONE. It should not be read without first reading Bring Down the Stars
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There aren’t enough words…
This duet was just beautiful. I wish I had a better word for it. Emma, the lessons you’ve taught throughout the duet won’t be forgotten by anyone that reads it. In a perfect world, everyone’s heart would be as bottomless as the characters you’ve written, but we don’t live in a perfect world. But your words show us that this is a choice. We can choose to close ourselves off and turn a blind eye to things that truly matter, or we can dwell in the now with the people we love and try to make a difference; a positive change.
Weston and Autumn’s (and Connors) story, or beginning of, was one I will hold with me.
Long live the beautiful hearts, the ones that shine as bright as your darling girl’s.
I don’t think I can adequately express how much this series meant to me. Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is the second book in the Beautiful Hearts series, Bring Down the Stars is book #1. I highly recommend reading book #1 first before ever attempting to read this book. You need to get the full effect of ALL of the emotions in both books.
There aren’t a lot of books I say this about but holy cow, this book was perfect. It was so full of thought provoking thoughts and so MANY feelings. The angst. The love. The relationships. The friendships. JUST SO MUCH. In the best way. This series is amazing. The relationship and friendships that have been created in book #1 and this book just flew off the pages. They were so organic and real. Emma Scott certainly has a way with words and pulling the heart strings.
I found myself crying so many times. I won’t lie – there is unrequited love and broken trust in this book. However, there are some great life lessons interwoven with these story lines. Long Live the Beautiful Hearts finishes up the love triangle between Autumn, Weston, and Conner <-- this is why you need to read book #2. Also, without giving away too much, this series also covers topics as broad as veterans and PTSD which was informative to read about. I honestly can't say enough good things about this book and this series. I'm in love with Emma Scott's writing!
Wow! This was incredibly poignant and at times so utterly gut wrenching, but in the end this amazing conclusion to the Beautiful Hearts duet put all the shattered pieces of my heart back together. What an amazing epic love story about so many different kinds of love, pain, strength and forgiveness. I am in such awe of this author’s talent after reading this phenomenal, beautiful and emotional story! It is definitely up there in my top 10 of 2018 to date!
Bravo! Standing ovation is what this book deserves. Knowing ones self worth is tantamount in life, love and relationships. Forgiveness, belief in yourself and achieving your dreams are huge themes in this story. Sacrifice and the choice to do it again even knowing what its costs, shows how much love and brotherhood there is between Wes and Conner and why their dynamic with Autumn is so precarious. Grabs you from the start and mends your heart by the last page. A must read after Bring Down the Stars.
War….it’s never something that you think about changing the course of your life. Good or bad, the reality of having fought for our country brings along with it a new set of challenges. The ones you leave behind when you make the commitment to our country. When Connor made the choice to enlist, Weston wasn’t far behind. Two friends who have traveled through life by one another’s side, but now find themselves in the midst of a world unlike any they have experienced before.
Autumn is the one waiting in the wind. The strength that keeps both men fighting the turmoil that life throws their way. Each loves Autumn in their own way, but only one can hold her heart. A love the extends far beyond the confines of a simple relationship. This trio will test the boundaries of friendship, devotion, and an all consuming love.
Long Live The Beautiful Hearts is the final book in the duet by Emma Scott. It is a testament to love, longing and the bonds that bind friends. The journey picks up right where the characters led us in the first book. A realization that something was ‘brewing’ on the horizon for the characters. Connor and Weston are facing a reality that will forever change the bonds of their friendship. Autumn is left behind to face life on her own terms, and rediscover what she really wants out of life and her future.
This novel is full of moments that will pull on your heart strings. The type of situations that no one wants to face, but Autumn tackles them with a strength that even she doesn’t realize she possesses. Connor and Weston….well….their journey is one that you will just have to read to unravel. What I can tell you though is nothing about this trio is ‘ordinary’. Their journey is one that will lead you out of the shadows when times are the darkest.
This novel holds so much meaning within the pages. Words that will crush you and inspire you all at the same time. The light will come after the darkest of days, even when the impossible is the only thing in sight. True love is the catalyst you will find when uncovering the details of this novel, and its one journey you don’t want to miss!!
This was such a beautiful conclusion to this story. This story felt real and had me tearing up more than once. It was as if I was feeling the same pain, fears and regrets these characters faced and that made me love this story more. I love books that get me emotionally involved in a story and this one did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the characters in this story, faults and all. I hope readers take a chance on this story because it is definitely one worth reading. The ending was sweet and pleasing. I look forward to reading more books from this author and I will definitely be recommending this duet to my romance loving family and friends.
This is the second book in the series and book 1 needs to be read first. That being said this review is so difficult for me to write as I can not give away a single thing!!
At the end of book 1 we are left hanging as we have no idea who was survived and my heart is broken for Autumn Caldwell not knowing what is happening and why she hasn’t heard from either Connor Drake or Weston Turner.
There was so much guilt in this book for what went on and it was so heartbreaking to see how everyone coped with what they were up against. I hated how people were pushed away and there was so much sadness.
That being said this book also contained so much positivity and beauty in trying to find the upside of things and coping with everything that had happened. I was so upset for one character and how their life and dreams were taken away and it took so long for them to discover how to live their life again.
I knew something was up when the one character left and then how another character kind of disappeared and I guessed that they had found each other. I was disappointed in how they handled it but I knew it was coming and that it was ultimately a good thing for everyone involved.
I was so sad when the lies came out and how that tore apart two people and I was crossing my fingers they would find a way to work it all out!
The end was awesome and this was such an incredible book that took my heart on such a journey!!
One of the best book of Emma Scott. This is part two of the Beautiful Hearts series. Very inspirational book 1 and 2.
5+ MAGNIFICENT STARS!! My heart pounding, my feels on overdrive and at times my heart quit beating. Autumn, Connor and Weston’s story will crush you, hold you and make you smile again, but it is so worth the journey. Emma Scott’s magnificent words are so perfect and flow flawlessly in this duet. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS DUET!!
What to say about this book? Is it possible to want to say everything and be speechless at the same time? Do you know that kind of book that will stay with you for the rest of your life? This is it. Emma has a gift with words. She transforms them into emotions so effortlessly, that you feel them in your soul. She weaves them together in such a way that they become another thing altogether. Poetry and prose, happy and sad, hate and love. It’s impossible to say too much abou the book without ruining it, but I have to say that Wes is one of the most complex character that I have read. One of my favorite things in this book (or this duet) is that it is not about a couple, it is about a group of people and how each decision affect everyone. I cried, I laughed, I sobbed, hated a certain mother, wanted to throw my kindle at the wall and displayed almost all possible emotion. The only one I didn’t feel was indifference. Read this book, it will change you.
I don’t read love triangles or duets…but Emma Scott is one of my favorite authors so I broke my rules and read this duet…5 stars are not enough for this series..I am speechless..it is a truly wonderful story…I loved these characters..and am sad that their story is over…I also don’t re read books but will also break this rule too…please read this amazing duet..it is Emma Scott s best and most beautiful work yet..
Writing this review without giving away spoilers to either this, or book one, is certainly a challenge, so I’m going to be vague and try to go with feelings, of which there are plenty.
Given the events at the end of book one, I knew that Wes and Connor’s lives were about to take a dramatic turn. What I didn’t realise was how much this book would tug at my heartstrings. There is so much love and longing in this story, deep and intense and powerful. The most heart wrenching scenes for me were the ones between Wes and Connor. The guilt, the grief, the loss, are almost too much to bear. There are challenges too, life changing ones which require these characters to draw on every ounce of strength they have in order to carry on and keep fighting. Those struggles were so well written, so real and understandable.
As the story progressed and the initial shock and despair felt by these characters turned to determination and perseverance, a friendship began to re-emerge. It was thrilling to see it develop. Although by this time I could see where the story was leading us, I enjoyed the journey enormously. Albeit this is a continuation, I much preferred the storyline in this book to the previous one. I may be unable to be specific about the scenes I loved, or quote my favourite lines, but if I could, a large portion of those would most definitely come from the wonderful poems which feature throughout this series. They are at times hugely poignant and just beautiful.
I have such admiration and respect for this author. Thank you for continuing to write such amazing stories for your readers to fall in love with.
“There is nothing that love can’t forgive.”
This book will change your view of the world. This I can promise you. At least it changed my view in so many ways. This book will make you feel, cry, smile, hope, love. It will take the heart that was cracked by Bring Down The Stars and it will shatter it in many pieces. And like an glass artist, Emma Scott, with her incredible talent, will put the pieces back together to create an even more beautiful heart with all the feels.
“Autumn. Her name, the answer to my heart’s every question.”
Have you ever read a book with a constant sheen of tears in your eyes? Tears that threaten to fall any time. Constantly feeling physically sick like you carry a ton of stones in your stomach?
I always thought that BDTS broke me, but what LLTBH does to me is beyond shattering and healing again. It’s beyond something I’ve ever experienced while reading a book.
“The love I have to give isn’t my weakness but my strength.”
LLTBH is full of so much love on so many different layers: lovers, best friends, soulmates, family. It consumes you, it wraps you up and it will change you without knowing: It awakens your hero within yourself.
“I feel us. I see us in his eyes. I hear us in the way he says my name.”
This book is like an intensifier of feelings. It influences your senses like what an amplifier does to the sound of a rock guitar. The feelings of this author pour out of this story between all the lines and words like they are the pores of this book. Magic becomes real here.
“It’s real, this feeling. I love him. And I love this love because it’s ours.”
Every character has so much personality, they feel so real and raw. Wounded in so many ways, shaped by life like everyone of us. In this book we learn through the characters about the strength within us. They show us that we can be able to find our own worth through the love we feel and experience with others. It’s a journey you simply have to read for your own good. It takes your breath away and at the same time it breathes life you back into you.
“Because he stirs my heart. And my body. And my soul.”
For the lack of a better wording I describe this book as heartbreakingly beautiful. But deep down in my core this feels too normal/usual/general. I need a word with much more depth and meaning. Not even in my mother tongue German I find the right word. I guess I have make one up.
“Fight for you. For who you are. Fight for yourself and what you love. Who you love.”
The Beautiful Hearts Duet is by far the most incredible duet I’ve ever read. It takes up a place in my heart like it’s already a resident. By all means I’m no writer nor a poet and I wish I’d be so I would have all the words to express my feelings for this duet. I just close this review with a simple: I’m in love with the soul of these books.
“It sang. Love and lust in perfect harmony, building and building until the wave peaked and crashed.”
Reading this book is like walking into a storm, you are buffeted by so many emotions! The thunder equals the anger and despair that Weston and Connor feel after their war experience, the lightening equals the slivers of brilliance from Weston’s poetry, the rain equals the huge sadness that permeates in the characters during the story. All three characters are embroiled in this miasma of selfless love, unrequited love, deceit, guilt, anger, remorse. All three characters walk through dark moments until love forces them out of the dark and into the light, and the prize after the pain is forgiveness and acceptance.
Weston’s darkness comes from his feelings of abandonment by his father; he created a personal armor and didn’t let himself give or receive love. Connor always felt inferior to his brother and Weston, a screw-up who couldn’t live up to his parent’s expectations. Autumn lived a magical childhood that instilled her desire to help humanity. At the moment, her anguish is the hard times her family is going through at their farm in Nebraska. She loves Connor, but dreams of Weston. She loves Connor’s words but feels bereft of them when they are together. When Weston looks at her or is near her, there is magnetism and tingles. It’s not really a triangle because Weston loves them too much to interfere.
I loved each and every aspect of this story. The character I admired less was Connor because I saw him as a taker, he used Weston to make his way easier through life. Later on, I realized that Weston needed him too, Connor was his passage from the darkness to the light, Connor kept Weston centered. The feelings between all three were so multilayered, so intertwined. Autumn was the most admirable of them, altruistic, kind, generous, and considerate. She fell in love with Weston’s poetry and Connor’s lightness.
The most intriguing character was Weston. He was selfless with Connor, gave and gave and needed his friend. He wanted to study Economics to give his mother and sisters a good life, but his real talent, his drive, was his poetry. Like his professor said, he was a warrior and a poet. He was such a combination of light and darkness, and I admired his fortitude.
Without giving any spoilers on the plot, I can only say that the book is very emotional, and I felt the pain of the characters deeply. I waited impatiently for the HEA and was not disappointed. The poem at the end was priceless but the one that stole my heart was the one Weston when they were at war and was lost most of the book. It had so much love and angst, regret and longing. That one was the jewel of the book for me.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts by Emma Scott is the conclusion to her Beautiful Hearts Duet and is not a standalone. Book one must be read first. I have no idea where to start with my review, as anything shared would be a spoiler and honestly, this a story that should just be experienced. What I do know is this book makes you feel with every word read. It was emotional, at times heartbreaking and full of hope. It is more than a romance, but a story of friendship, grief, loss and courage.
I do not want to give anything away, but I want to express how much this duet should be read. It is a story that was captivating, raw and touching. Autumn, Weston and Connor are three people who lives are entwined and I absolutely adored them. Their journey was not an easy one and at times I could not control my tears and yet I could not stop reading.
One day when I am ready, I would love to read these books again back-to-back. Once my heart is ready to experience this journey again. This duet is a must-read, but I warn you, tissues, chocolate and wine will be needed. Long Live the Beautiful Hearts took my breath away and left me a mess in the best way possible.
~ Liz
Yup, that’s me, over there, a great big puddle of emotional goo. Watch your step. What a great way to spend the day reading these two phenomenal books. It’s storytelling like this is why I love reading so much. I loved everything. Everything. Professor O about killed me with his nuggets of knowledge and words of wisdom. *sigh* Ahmahgah I have book hangover!
5+++ Stars
Unputdownable! The buzz leading up to the release of Long Live The Beautiful Hearts wasn’t in the least bit exaggerated. Emma has delivered a splendid read yet again. She’ll suck you into her protagonists’ story with ridiculous ease, hit you hard with waves of emotion where you least expect them to, leave you with your mouth agape and your heart racing. But before I go any further, Bring Down The Stars must be read first and if you haven’t, you don’t know what you’re missing! So ladies, we were left on a huge precipice and if like me, you’d been yearning for the outcome of a love match which seemed to be doomed for reasons which can’t possibly be divulged without spoiling it for future readers, now is the moment to one-click. What I can let on a tad is the direction Wes, Autumn and Connor’s story takes and their heartbreaking accounts of it won’t just gut you…ooh no, it’ll be so much more. Make yourselves comfortable, put your phones on silence and if necessary, tell your folk not to disturb ‘cause this read needs all of your attention.
We don’t think like guys. On another sphere to us, grasping the deep respect they have for each other, the ties that bind and an unwavering loyalty is at times, difficult. Wes and Connor’s friendship suffered because of past circumstances. It all felt like their present had a snowball effect which only got more intense, more self-destructive, more desperate. With Autumn stuck in the middle, it was clear to see that in one way or another, the backlash would affect her, too. But what stood out more in this read than in the first book was her inner strength. She’ll it need tenfold as her love for Connor and Wes is divided and will be tested to the limits.
Two gorgeous guys in the prime of life, a redhead whose beauty is breathtaking, who has a heart of gold and the character mix Wes and Connor offer is nothing short of mind-blowing. But please don’t jump to conclusions, this duet isn’t what you’re probably thinking it is. Guilt weighs heavily on her friends for reasons you will only find out by reading the book. What they’d done wasn’t out of spite, it wasn’t meant to hurt. It was a means to an end that backfired. Confusion abounds; however, it was just a matter of time before the cat’s let out of the box. Feelings of failure and incompetence, their desperate need conquer traumas of one kind or another has more bumpy roads than smooth ones. And then after understanding the whys and wherefores comes the forgiving which believe me, is a path of complexities they all have to find the courage to go down.
Scott’s story is perfect, beautiful, heart-crushing and heart-lifting. I read it from the beginning to end on a Sunday only stopping for a bite to eat and tea…lots of tea. The author’s words at the very start had me in tears and it was to become the norm. Reviewing this book was a real challenge as I wanted to say so much and knew I couldn’t. Please give this duet a chance. You won’t regret it. Emma’s writing is compelling, awe-inspiring and more importantly, throughout this outstanding finale, she gives the reader hope. Bravo!
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Book 2 in the Beautiful Hearts Duet from Emma, book 1 Bring Down the Stars must be read before attempting to read this. This is not your typical love triangle read.
Book 2 picks up straight after book 1 and the cliffhanger we were left with!! Did Connor and Weston survive, and if so what were their injuries?? What happened with Autumn??
This must be one of the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given for a book – this duet was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I have been reading Emma’s books for a while now and I am always blown away by her writing, but this time she outdid herself, with was a truly magnificent read, one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
I was so invested in this story, in all three main characters, I wanted the best for them all. The book took me down a path I wasn’t quite expecting to go, and that made the story all the more beautiful and emotional for me. It was such an emotional read, the love, the friendship, the loyalty for each other. The darkness they had to get through before finally coming out and into the light, they fought and they didn’t give up on their wants and needs in their friendship.
My heart broke, it was raw and gut wrenching at times, before Emma carefully knitted it back together again with love and hope and just what was meant to be. A truly beautiful and real read, so many feels, one of my top 2018 reads, a must read for anyone.
I finally had my hands on the last book of this duet. It was excruciating to wait, especially on how the first book ended. It started where it left off, still on the edge of my seat, waiting for news on how Connor and Weston are. Are they okay? Will the both of them survive?
I can’t say I like the two men here for some time. One was an a** after the incident. Although he has his own demons to fight, and his guilt is eating him alive. It didn’t help that Connor’s parents didn’t really acknowledge that he was beyond wrecked and needed help more than his trust fund.
“Stay with him. And keep holding his hand, Autumn. No matter what happens. Don’t let go of him.”
Weston didn’t wake up immediately after the accident. His injuries were a bit serious, and it was a miracle he was alive. But the extent of the damage was terrible, and when he woke up, even with Autumn on his side he was just miserable. Connor is no where to be found, and when he finally showed up, he wasn’t the same. He wasn’t interested in talking to him or being his friend. He told him to tell Autumn the truth. Nevertheless, the lies had been intricate and too complicated for him to unravel the truth. So he stick to it, and drove Autumn away.
“You have them, Wes. You can tell her the truth so she’ll understand. Tell her you love her. Take a f****ng chance at being happy for once in your life.”
Autumn was done with both men. One broke up with her, the other one pushed her away. She had enough. She decided she will concentrate on working for her application in Harvard. But things aren’t always as what we planned. Both boys are back in school, the place is too small for the three of them. But then her friendship with Weston came back, so is the attraction. Despite everything that happened to them, and Weston’s present – the attraction remains. What happens when she discovers the lie then? Will they have a future?
The characters might be on your bad side at times, but they have their good sides. Connor redeemed himself in the end. His story was a surprise, but I saw that one coming. I was just glad he found help before he totally self-destruct. Weston is a strong character. He went through the grief stages after what happened to him – but when he finally accepted his fate, and realized Autumn will always be there, he started to accept his limitations and make the most out of it. And Autumn, she finally found her niche, a project to work on to get to Harvard. She’s amazingly resilient, and strong and determined.
This book talked about struggles and hardships of the men who worked for freedom. The soldiers who are often forgotten for their service to the countries. Most of them do not come home the same, some of them in boxes, some in grave injuries, and other might look well, but deep inside their a complete mess. It’s amazing how Emma talked about these issues, and how her characters dealt with it. There was no miracles, but plain reality and possibilities.
I am totally in love with this duet. It was worth the read. I love the words: the poetry, the dialogues and everything it between. It will just give you the feels. It’s a story of hope, forgiveness, resilience and love. A must-read!
“I have loved you with both
hands tied behind my back
bound with pen and ink
paper and words
sealed with someone else’s name
until this moment
in which I am nothing
but a man
who loves a woman.
There is nothing left to say
except to give
all of my heart for you.”
I can’t begin to truly capture the barrage and array of emotions that I feel each and every time I read an Emma Scott story. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of her words speaks to me, and even if some resonate more than others, the romanticism and poetic nature of her writing flow into my bloodline and straight to my heart, forever changing how I view the world and the lives of those around me.
I know I’m not the only one who felt completely undone at the end of Bring Down the Stars; my heart broke for Connor and Weston, but it was destroyed for Autumn, because I knew her future would be irrevocably changed and what that meant for her and for the two men who had captured her heart was completely unclear.
Beautifully brutal – that’s how I would describe the events that take place throughout Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, and while it’s impossible to get into the reasons why I felt such contrary emotions in my second go around with Autumn, Connor, and Weston, what I can say is that their story teaches valuable and relatable life lessons – ones that might be difficult to accept or to completely understand, but they’re ones that explore the idea of the human condition and what’s at stake when there are multiple hearts on the line.
I also will say that the main characters’ pain became a tangible and, at times, a debilitating emotion as various aspects of their lives’ imploded due to secrets, lies, and self-recriminations. None of them come out of this situation unscathed, not only due to how everything unfolded among them but because of their emotional investment in regards to what was at stake – love, friendship, and ultimately, happiness.
I continue to stand in awe of everything that Emma Scott puts into her stories, into her writing, and into her characters. So much of herself is found in all three, and while that undoubtedly makes her an amazing writer, I’m sure it can be emotionally taxing, to say the least, and with everything that Scott has had to endure this year, the fact that she still puts all that she is into every aspect of her craft is beyond inspiring, and I hope that, in some ways, it helps her to slowly heal some of her fractures, reveling in the light and love she continues to capture.
5+ Poison Apples