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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OMG i don’t think my words would be enough to tell you how much i love love love this book!
Emma Scott shattered me to little pieces of broken heart, hopes and dreams . And in the end of this journey… She broke me some more for me to start build a new me from all the love and hope and dreams that just stronger than ever
I know i’m not making since right now, but i promise you these are my feelings right now. Too raw to tell you anything actually but couldn’t wait to tell you how beutiful this book is. Even the word beutiful feel so small and unsignificant compare to Emma’s words. She’s right though. She didn’t write all these words. She unearthed them. Thankyou for giving us this amazing journey of love, friendship, brotherhood, passion and… Just giving us hopes of true love. Perfect double ten star for you Emma Scott!
Beautifully written, you’ll experience the entire emotional spectrum while reading this one! I loved the story so much, it’s hard to put down. I recommend!
I finished this book gasping for air, tears running down hot because that’s what the enormity of Long Live The Beautiful Hearts feels like…the story settles in your chest, asks for more space, expands your understanding of humankind, of sadness, of the effort it takes to overcome trauma for the sake of love….your lungs may collapse temporarily complaining as your marrow is being carved to make room for these emotions… Your inside, in the form of exulted breath and tears, yells to outside that it feels too much.
Aggg I’m trying hard for no spoilers but humm what else can I say without giving too much away…ok message to Emma:
Emma you are changing me with every book you write but this one in particular is guilty of stealing my heart making no promises or even setting ransom to give it back… nor do I want you to because I have developed a deep connection to your characters. Yes it’s absolutely weirdo crazy talk to speak about a book in terms of Stockholm syndrome… but everyone that will read it will be captive to your words. Not only because it celebrates the overcoming but because it honors the falling as well…this brokenness in all of us. Weston Autumn, Connor….we are all broken. Emma you know this phenomenon so so intimately now (it shows through one character in particular)…you live, study, and celebrate brokenness …then god-damn-excuse-my-French-woman you take this ‘falling apart’, put it back together with stories making art with the pieces. What I need to do is put on all the hats I own all at once and tip them to you.
So dear readers I leave you with these notes:
If you are contemplating reading this…absolutely go for it; you will be understood, but more importantly understand so much more about Love, the human condition, why people do things the way they do in moments of frailty. As this happens I advise everyone to take the day off, call off sick to work, get your alibi ready for your family friends before you read Long Live The Beautiful Hearts. You will need time, need privacy to adjust as your own heart is being chiseled with words, to remove your tough. You at that point would rather be doing nothing else but clearing the rubble left from a book… I one hundred thousand percent guarantee Emma Scott will leave your emotions decimated and your heart naked running for cover…. you will love every minute because everything bare is so much more precious in the aftermath…. Adjust your lungs back to the air slowly…do you get it now when people say things like ‘a book left you breathless’…you’re gonna be ok.
…please forward all thankyouthankyouthankyou thank yous, all complaints, tears and gratitude to Emma Scott..And on my behalf P.S her a note asking for more stories.
When Ms. Scott announced she was writing the Beautiful Hearts duet, and that there were 2 male leads, I’m not gonna lie, I was scared. I don’t DO love triangles, like, at all. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that Emma, (like Kennedy Ryan), would never do me wrong. But even so, it was with more than just a bit of trepidation that I read the first book, Bring Down the Stars. And even though I knew this wasn’t going to be your typical love triangle, I couldn’t help but worry that my heart was going to be shredded. I’ll just say, that book left me drowning and I NEEDED to know what was to become of Autumn, Weston, and Connor.
Ok look, this is where I could try to wax poetically and coherently about Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, where I could go on and on about how beautiful and amazing and wonderful this book is, but let’s be honest- it’s Emma Scott we’re talking about, so really, could it be anything less??? That would be a resounding NO.
I’ve given up trying to write a review for one of Ms. Scott’s books without the tears flowing…I’ve finally learned to embrace the tears and realize it will take me more than a day or two or 12 to come to terms with how one of Ms. Scott’s books leaves me feeling. And Long Live the Beautiful Hearts has left me feeling ALL.The.Feels.
The tears started 3% into this book, even though I had already read that same part at the back of Bring Down the Stars, and they didn’t let up until I finished reading the Author’s Note.
Oh who am I kidding, the tears haven’t stopped, they’ve just taken a hiatus so I can get through the work day without looking more foolish than normal.
This is truly a beautiful, heart-wrenching, all-encompassing love story. I want to gush and rave and rhapsodize about how magnificent this story is. I want to share my favorite quotes and scenes. I want to talk about how much I loved this book and why. I want to, but I won’t. Because you deserves to experience all those feelings, all those emotions, all the LOVE yourself. So I’m just going to say this book will, like all Emma Scott books, live in that part of my heart that’s reserved just for her.
To say that Long Live the Beautiful Hearts was my most anticipated book of 2018 would be a huge understatement. I craved Emma’s words and to know what would come of Weston, Autumn and Connor. To say that it was better than I could’ve ever anticipated is an even bigger understatement. I devoured this book! I can’t possibly put into words how this made my heart feel. I felt every word! Every trial…every victory…every beautiful beat of these characters hearts! The magnificence of Emma’s rise to write a story of such powerful determination; finding honesty and love in the depths of despair moved me beyond measure. These phenomenal characters will never leave me and the message of loving yourself and letting go in order for others to love you in return, will be with me always
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review
Weston Turner and Connor Drake were best friends who always had each other’s back. When they both enlisted in the army, they knew the risks they’re willing to take. Autumn Caldwell cared for both of them but she was the one trapped in the middle and left to pick up the pieces.
I love how this book tackled the subject of post war trauma in both physical and psychological form. It was sad to see how the characters had to cope from both sides of the situation. Their behaviors could be frustrating but understandable.
What I loved the most about book 1 was the connection between the characters. However I felt that was lacking in this book due to certain situation that was not addressed thoroughly. The story direction was also predictable to me.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is the conclusion of Beautiful Hearts duet. It would appeal to readers looking for a story of rising up from the ashes.
From the first page, I knew my heart was going to be ravaged. What I didn’t fully realize, that by the end of the story my heart would be completely healed. The story was beautifully tragic and beautifully wonderful. The gift of the author’s talented words made for a moving, emotional, deeply touching story of finding happiness and love against an inner turmoil of not following your own destiny and of shrouding your soul with an armor that does not let you move forward with life.
I do not want to spoil the story so what I’m going to say is…… This duet is about three souls who are intertwined with the good, the bad and the ugly of family, friendship, and love. The flawless, soul touching words that flow from this author’s heart is at times earth shattering as well as captivating enchantment.
—> Run, do not pass go, and get this duet. It will move you to feel many emotions. From happiness, to hurt, to anger, to love, to hate, to despair and to absolution.
This Duet will be a #MustRead and #AFavoriteOf2018
For lovers of Emma Scott, this duet exceeds any and all expectations of her brilliance in spite of her tragedy. I believe her strength to continue to write comes from her guardian angel that knows her mother’s words and stories need to be read by all.
And for those of you who haven’t experienced this author…..I employ you to read this duet and see #BeautifullyWonderfulWriting that will move you beyond measures.
Bring Down the Stars (book one in this duet) ended in a cliffhanger of sorts. Well, Emma Scott fans can now release a collective breath in this magnificently beautiful conclusion to the story, but not before some well-earned sobs of course. Nobody- at war or at home- remains unscathed as themes of love, war, friendship, honor, trust, worthiness, and a million others weigh heavily on the characters’ hearts and minds.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts proved to be a meaningful, important, perfect completion of the heart wrenching story set up in book one. I was unsure how the story would proceed, given some of the challenges that were faced by the characters, but as usual I had already given my heart and soul over to Ms. Scott for safekeeping, and once again, she has earned that privilege in spades.
Easily, undoubtably, unquestionably the best book (I’m considering the full story arc here, so the duet) that I’ve read this year. It is without parallel, and I wish that I were able to shout its praises from the mountain tops more effectively, but I refuse to spoil the story for any potential readers.
Do not pass go (or collect $200). Return to the beginning; read book one first, then this one. Then come back and thank Emma for the ride (and me for the recommendation). Go ahead… We’ll be right here waiting. (Richard Marx sold separately)
The wait on this book was excruciating and let me tell you it did NOT disappoint. Emma Scott is so amazing and has such a way with words. You really feel like you are apart of the story.
Be ready to feel ALL of the emotions. You will be mad, devastated and happy. I really did not think it was possible to fall more in love with these characters, but well here I am!
It would be impossible for me to tell you all of my favorite parts, lines and things about this book without containing a spoiler. I will just say READ THIS BOOK. It is such a great ending to such a powerful duet. My heart has truly been captivated by the beauty of this story.
A million stars! Be still my heart!. Emma’s words slay me …every book, every time. I’m a blubbering mess. THIS is why she is and always will be my favorite author. She is a unicorn. She never disappoints and I set reading time aside ,for her books ,so that I am alone and will not be interrupted. I am 100% focused on her words,every time.
Such a breathtaking, beautiful story. It’s raw , real, heart wrenching and heartwarming. So much more than a romance and I loved every single minute of it. My heart is full and my Kleenex box is empty. An unforgettable duet. Simply perfect
I’ve loved you in a thousand lifetimes. Do you feel it ?
Fight for you. For who you are. Fight for yourself and what you love Who you love.
Long live the twice born hearts.
I’m again left without the words to accurately convey my thoughts and feelings about this duet from Emma Scott. Long Live the Beautiful Hearts was so exquisite and moving, I could nary rip myself away from the pages, I felt like I owed it to myself and the characters to ensure they found their strength and happiness before I put the book down.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts transcended the romance genre and became something more. It was tragic and hopeful, full of loss, healing, and finding happiness. Autumn and her men had all been broken in so many ways before this book, and in the opening chapters of Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, they each had so much to overcome, to relearn, to accept. Watching them navigate the turbulent waters of lives and situations they’d never anticipating was heartwrenching at times, but it was also beautiful to see them begin to accept and thrive in their new normals.
The love story that began in Bring Down the Stars was more than just a love story between a man and a woman; it explored the love between two men who were closer than brothers, a love manipulated for the purest reasons, and a love that had been concealed and denied to protect something precious. The dynamics by the three people in this beautiful and complicated love triangle was unique and compelling. I was completely entranced by every word on every page of both books in this duet. I’ve never read anything like it, and I feel like a more compassionate person having had the privilege of reading these words and seeing the world from a view I’d never considered.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is the second book in Emma Scott’s Beautiful Hearts duet. This book is not a standalone and must be read after Bring Down the Stars. There is one more companion novella coming from this world, focusing on another couple introduced in this book. Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is written in dual first-person perspective.
The Beautiful Hearts duet is my first experience reading Emma Scott’s work. I am so blown away by her skill in these books; I can’t adequately convey how deeply her words affected me. Not only was her prose among some of the most stunning I’ve read, but the story itself was also so engaging and poignant I’m not sure when was the last time I experienced something so vital and magnificent. With these books, Ms. Scott has quickly and easily earned herself a place at the top of my must-read list.
Oh my how you’ve once again outdone yourself Ms. Emma Scott. Such poetry, such grace, such characters full of realism, love, fury & compassion. I wish I could find the proper words to express how much Autumn, Weston, Connor & Ruby have left indelible marks on my soul. I can’t recommend this book highly enough, nor this duet, (or should we call it a trio)?
If you, as a reader do one thing today, let it be a one-click to obtain this duet and I promise you, there is no disappointment in that click. There is love. A few tears (ok, a whole lot of tears), but the good kind, the kind that leave you feeling whole, not empty.
It’s always hard putting thoughts into words when it comes to an Emma Scott book, and it’s especially hard this time because of the potential for spoilers. But as I begin hour three of staring at my screen, I realize neither of those reasons are exactly my problem.
I want to say, I loved it and you will too, then list off compelling reasons to convince you to dive in, because seriously, you should. But the truth is, while I loved it for the same reasons everyone else did, I had a deeper connection to it that went beyond the basic plot. If you’re familiar with Emma and you read these pages closely, you might notice how her carefully crafted words tend to have dual meanings. These beautiful, heartwarming tributes are subtle, and I imagine reading the book cover to cover would make them easy to miss. But I read LLBH slowly, a chapter at a time, and those little details stood out to me like beacons.
So for me, it wasn’t so much what was on the page, but rather what was behind it. The parts that affected me the most may not even register with other readers. A yellow sundress is just a yellow sundress, after all.
I’m now on my third read. I don’t want to let go and maybe I’m not supposed to. This book is holding me hostage.
“I’m not going anywhere,” it says, “and neither are you.”
I think I’m okay with that.
After I finished this story, This fantastic duet. I thought, how am I going to write this review. This book was more than any words that I could quickly type up and move on to the next book. Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, is one of those stories that will stick with you long after you’ve read it. Like you left a piece of yourself deep within the pages. That you left part of your soul with these characters and this story that had to be told.
Wes, beautiful Wes his poetic heart so full of fire. Autumn, a character so full of heart, wanting to help anyone and everyone. Their love transcended the pages. Emma Scott has this place in my heart. She’ll always be that one writer, that takes every part of you, with every word that is written.
I’m so grateful that Emma wrote this story, that I’m lucky enough to read it, to love it. This will go down as one of my all-time favorites. I can count on one hand, how many books have affected me in that way. This is what I live for as a reader, as a blogger, and just as me.
Five (million) Boundless Stars
Emma Scott’s much anticipated conclusion to a brilliant duet left me in awe. I love these characters. I feel like I was allowed an intimate view to the deepest part of their hearts where love is so profound even with the pain so starkly present around it. The connection Emma Scott invokes between her readers and her emotional writing coupled with her unbelievable talent for storytelling shines in Long Live the Beautiful Hearts. It’s a duet that will stay with me forever, one I will cherish and re-read for years to come.
I think the real testament to the duet is the how personal it feels. As though not only did Emma Scott allow readers to really see inside the beating hearts of her characters but she gave us a view into her very own, beautiful, forgiving, compassionate soul. This story, part two of the duet, especially illuminates love, hope, trust, and friendship in a fresh, unique perspective where you can’t help but truly believe in the magnificent power of those emotions. How the faith Scott instills in this story magically wraps around your reading soul and heals you one page at a time. No matter the pain, no matter the trauma, no matter the tragedy – we all have this faith inside of us. Wes, Connor, Autumn, Emma Scott, and us as readers we all possess this magic if we open ourselves up to the possibility.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is what true romance is made of and it’s exactly the kind of story I always and forever want to read. And with the beautifully poignant, real, raw, and extremely talented voice of this author I know I’ll always get something straight from the soul. Deeply emotional with desperate, sharp pain ensconced in an exquisite love story of trust, friendship, and conviction in ones self – well, Long Live the Beautiful Hearts and this Beautiful Hearts duet is truly not to be missed. Two of my most very favorite stories ever.
Let me start by saying that part 1 was a hard limit for me. There was some indecisions about who she wanted. It was still an addictive story. I have a difficult time with duets, meaning that if they come far apart I forget important details. In this case I didn’t because it all came back to me rather quickly.
This part was just plain AMAZING, a 6 star that I read in less then a day. It was totally different from part 1.
Spoilers. You aren’t getting any from me. Read it, trust me.
It was such a raw and emotional story that had me hooked from the first page to the last one. Even then I wanted more. It was written with heart and the emotions where felt in my entire being. This is one story that will stay with me for a long time coming.
This is part 2, that picks up where part 1 ended with a cliffhanger. Told in a dual POPV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this duet.
I finished this book two days ago and have been putting off writing my review simply because I had no words – only tears – tears of sorrow, tears of happiness, tears of mourning, tears of hope, tears of love. As I am writing now thinking about what I want to say, the tears are building again. Everyone needs to read this book! I would give it 10 stars if I could!
The Beautiful Hearts Duet will forever remain some of my favorite books of all time. Emma Scott has a way of creating characters who are so raw and real that you can’t help but insert yourself into their lives and truly feel that you know them. In Bring Down the Stars, you get to know Autumn – the compassionate, positive, brilliant farm girl with so much love to give; Connor – the misunderstood, confident, handsome baseball player; and Weston – the poet who hid behind numbers and ran track with an attitude. The friendship and adoration that develops between these three runs so deep. There is so much history and loyalty between the boys, and so much hope for what Autumn deserves and wants in her life. At the end of BDTS, we are left with not one but two possible tragedies, and Autumn is left back at home torn between following her heart and her loyalty. It is so raw and gut-wrenching that I could NOT wait to get my hands on LLTBH.
What makes this duet so spectacular are these three characters. Emma created them all with their own broken parts, but especially Weston. Weston stole my heart in BDTS and he sealed it in this book. He will hit the lowest of lows, and it is so awe-inspiring him to watch him fight his way out. His relationship with his professor – with Connor – with Autumn – they ALL were so detrimental to the development of his character, and ran so deep. There were so many times I just wanted to jump into the pages and give Weston a hug, a kiss, and cheer him on. This man was brought to life for me. He is passionate, loyal, brilliant, and his words…..oh his words!!! They will forever bring tears to my eyes.
“Long Live the Beautiful hearts
like yours
That beat with infinite depth
Canyons of forgiveness
Cathedrals of beauty and love
Their doors wide open
A haven to weary runners
Whose race has ended.”
This book is about forgiveness – for ourselves and others. It is about loyalty, honesty, the fight between right and wrong, fighting for what you want, and letting go when you know it’s time. But it also represents the strength, tears, fight, mourning, and love of a mother who lost her child this year, Emma Scott. I have so much love and admiration for you – for fighting your way through the darkness, for writing this book for Isabel, for writing it for yourself. Your passion, heart and soul are in these pages… and we see them. I know Isabel can too!
I will admit I was almost scared to read this conclusion to the Beautiful Hearts duet. Bring Down the Stars (book 1) was delicately powerful in the way the love triangle between Autumn, Connor and Weston was depicted. We were left bereft as the last pages were written and all of our hopes for the ‘right’ happy ending was suddenly in disarray.
Then Emma Scott had her own life suddenly upended and I wondered what her ‘after’ would offer in terms of the way this story would proceed. Well, I’m here to say that Love Live the Beautiful Hearts delivers much more than I could have ever envisioned and I am awestruck at the masterful way the Author continued this most remarkable journey.
Still at the very heart of this duet is Autumn Caldwell. She is the very epitome of selfless, always finding that silver lining when even the most darkest of clouds may come her way. She’s nobody’s fool and more than ever, her ability to forge her way through disappointment and tragedy was never more evident. I truly admire her and her fierce ability to continue to love and forgive no matter how much that might hurt.
This book and duet has many facets that make it extremely enthralling and addictive. I found myself waiting with bated breath more than once for what would be around another corner as everyone’s lives are affected by both matters of the heart and the desperate desire to simply be happy. There is a constant quest for acceptance and for absolution and timing seems to always be an obstacle. And yet the friendships that are both strong and tentative at times are the true tethers that keep everyone connected. THAT above all the carnage of love and war is the true core of this story.
As the Author brilliantly pieces together an intense story that is full of heartbreak, missed chances and rash decisions, there is still that promise of hope that the stars would properly align and every misguided thought would finally be set righted. Just like the characters before me, I experienced my own maelstrom of emotion as twists and turns and courageous detours guided me through this book. I have deep respect for the Author’s attention to detail and the research she performed to make sure this story was always on point.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, together with Bring Down the Stars is true perfection. Beautifully flawed characters, incredible circumstances and the wonder of love come together to form a story that I will not soon forget.
I greatly admire Emma Scott for digging deep and writing a book that I can only hope will give her a personal peace she more than deserves. The amazing words she continues to deliver is a testament to her strength and courage and I’m honored that I was able to go along for the ride.
This duet is not to be missed. You must read both books! Please know that my review is deliberately vague because you must experience every bit of this remarkable story for yourself. I wouldn’t and couldn’t even think of giving anything away.
And it’s because it is that special that I happily give Long Live the Beautiful Hearts a huge 5+++ stars.
Emma Scott knows how to move me with her words and storytelling. She excels with Long Live The Beautiful Hearts. Her prose is stronger and more poignant than ever. I was in another world while reading this extraordinary book.
I knew this Duet was special just from reading book 1 Bring Down The Stars. LLTBH reaffirmed my thoughts and also blew them away. This story like book 1 is filled with so much love, heartbreak and hope.
Autumn, Connor and Weston’s story gave me so much hope. It was really tough to get through at times but that’s all because of Emma Scott and her impeccable storytelling. She accomplished making me feel every emotion. Pretty incredible.
I was invested in all three of them. I cared about them. Wanted them to succeed. To not give up. Come out of the darkness stronger. Believing in life and in themselves.
The journey Autumn, Connor and Weston embark upon feels real and also why it moved me so much. Their journey encompasses every emotion and is captured beautifully. To perfect as a matter of fact. The love they have for one another is honest and pure. They were meant to be in each other’s lives and that’s also why the emotions in this book were so visual and struck a chord with me. It hurt so damn much and that’s why it was such a stunning reading experience.
This Duet is such a raw and emotional story of friends who love each other. Who loses hope not only in themselves but in one another. They fight back and reclaim their lives. Their new life cause what they’ve been through they could never go back.
Emma Scott has created a new epic masterpiece of a duet. Thank you.
5 Twice Born Stars
I finished Long Live the Beautiful Hearts late last night, and laid awake most of the night thinking about everything that transpires in this second book of the Beautiful Hearts duet. When I finished reading Bring Down the Stars, I kind of became obsessed with what was going to happen with Connor, Autumn and Weston. The ending of book 1 left me with my heart in my throat, panicky and riddled with anxiety over the tenuous situation we are left observing.
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts picks up right where we were left in book 1. The masterful imagery Emma uses in this book had me feeling like I was living and breathing this story right alongside the characters. My heart raced, my pulse pounded, my eyes teared up more times than I can count. I felt SO MUCH emotion for these three young people. I wanted to wrap them in my arms and never let them go, protect them from all the evils of the world. Sounds crazy, right? Trust me, there were times while reading that even I questioned how I could be this absorbed in a story. But honestly I should not be surprised one bit by my reactions, because Emma does this to me with every single book she writes.
If you’re a longtime reader of Emma, you know that she takes her characters on a journey. Not in the literal sense, although some of them do that too, but I mean an emotional journey. A journey where they face trials and tribulations along with triumphs and milestones. Journeys of self-discovery that hit potholes along the way, sometimes little ones and sometimes huge ones. Watching Connor, Autumn and Weston embark on this journey was just as magnificent as it was heartbreaking at times.
There are so many parts of this book that were my favorite part. But I can’t honestly figure out how to talk about them without it revealing something about the story that readers need to experience for themselves. The things that Connor, Autumn and Weston experience in this story were truly transformative. These three characters started their BEFORE journey, each thinking they were heading in a specific direction. But suddenly they find themselves on this AFTER journey
that none of them know how to navigate. And Emma masterfully leads each one of them on their path to discovery, friendship, determination, acceptance and eventually, love.
I know I will still be thinking about this book, this duet, these characters, for a very, very long time. My heart has been stretched in so many directions while reading and living these three young people. This book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I can’t believe it’s over. I want to keep reading about these characters and their lives. They’ve definitely captured my heart.