I’ve been texting the wife I lost, the woman I loved beyond measure . . . Now someone else has answered back.
Gunnar Bond is broken.
Three years ago, he lived through the car crash that took his wife and twins away from him—though “lived” barely describes his current state. Giving up professional hockey, going off grid, and drinking himself into oblivion are his coping mechanisms. Another is … oblivion are his coping mechanisms. Another is texting his dead wife about his days without her. Therapeutic? Doubtful. Crazy? Definitely. But those messages into the ether are virtually the only thing stopping him from spiraling to even darker places.
Until someone texts back …
Sadie Yates is losing it.
Suddenly guardian to a little sister she doesn’t know and a misbehaving hound she’d rather not know at all, she’s had to upend her (sort of) glamorous life in LA and move back to Chicago. The nanny has quit, the money’s running out, and her job is on the line. The last thing she needs is her sister’s hockey camp counselor, a judgmental Viking type, telling her she sucks at this parenting lark. Thank the goddess for her sweet, sensitive, and—fingers crossed—sexy text buddy who always knows the right thing to say. In the same city at last, they can finally see if their online chemistry is mirrored in real life. She just needs to set up a meeting …
A ruined man who claims to have used up all his love is surely a bad bet, but Sadie’s never been afraid of a challenge … even if this one might shatter her heart into a million pieces.
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The entire premise of this book was just so sad! The start and end, literally, are both heart-wrenching! It was all my sensitive soul could do to make it through this book.
There is definitely a lot of humor, affection and heat, as well as plenty of fun and good times, but there are also a huge amount of negative situations that impact the two main romantic leads, as well as some of the people around them.
Sadie was an absolute gem of a person. She was so positive, devoted, resourceful, and just plain nice. She was really willing to do anything for the people she loved; and this went beyond her general propensity to act as a human door-mat.
And Gunnar was just the epitome of a tragic hero. His back-story was almost more than I could bear. Yet watching him slowly return to the land of the living was great to see. He had such a capacity for love and affection that just needed to be expressed.
It was amazing when, where, why and how these two were able to get together. They were definitely good for one another, despite all of the harm that they (mostly inadvertently) caused one another. I was very happy to see them eventually work through all of the issues plaguing them, and especially for Gunnar to take the first steps toward getting the help he needed to deal with his grief in the best way possible.
It was delightful to see so many familiar faces from the Rebels family of friends, and to get to know some of them a bit more or from a different perspective. I adored Cooper, despite his propensity to make a monumental mess at the most inopportune times.
Basically, this was a great read, even with all of the tissues required. Another wonderful addition to the Rookie Rebels series!
Fair warning, get out a tissue box, not just one tissue, but a whole box. I have cried while reading books before but this emotional telling of a man who lost his family and keeps in touch by texting his deceased wife is so heart wrenching that I not only cried but totally lost it so that I could not even see the pages I was reading. I am at a lost on what to say without being all sappy the entire review. But it cannot be helped. This story explores the inner feelings of Gunnar and how Sadie answers his call. Not that everything is smooth because it is not. There are lot so hurdles to overcome on both sides. The last couple of chapters and the epilogue are so beautifully written. An outstanding story!
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Booksprout.
Gunnar and Sadie’s love story in Man Down by Kate Meader, book 3 in the Rookie Rebels series, was an emotional, intriguing, sexy, and enjoyable tale. I will warn to keep tissue nearby while reading. Gunnar Bond has barely existed since the car crash, three years ago, that took his wife and twins from him three years ago. Hiding away in a cabin in the woods and off grid, he gave up professional hockey and was drinking himself into oblivion. One more thing was texting his dead wife about his days without her. How sad that he had become that crazy person. He thinks it’s therapeutic that these messages are they only thing keeping him from spiraling down even further. Then he receives a reply; an understanding and sarcastic woman, replying to his messages and thoughts; basically his saving angel. Sadie Yates is working for the worse boss in LA, a wannabe instagram star. When her estranged father is sent to prison she becomes the guardian of her little sister, who she hardly knows and a misbehaving dog, she has to return to Chicago, take charge, and try to do her job long distance. Then there’s her sister’s hockey camp counselor, a judgment type telling her she stinks at this parenting gig. Thank goodness for her sweet, sensitive text buddy who seems to always know the right thing to say. Since they are in the same city at last, maybe they can meet up and see if their online chemistry crosses over to real life. Neither one expected the fireworks caused by a meet up or the consequences to them and her sister.
Ms. Meader wrote an emotional, amazing, sexy sports romance that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, sizzling chemistry, sarcasm, revealing conversations, and endearing characters giving Gunner and Sadie a chance at love and the chance for a future together. I highly recommend Man Down to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I loved this story.
I was a little nervous about the summary before I actually started the book as I didn’t believe I would like most of the main parts of the story. I’m glad I trusted the author (based on previous books) and just dove in. I was hooked within the 2nd chapter. I realized I was going to be entertained during the story while it also pulled on my heartstrings. You need that relief when situations become heavy so that you can enjoy the complete story.
While you don’t need to have read any of the previous books in the series, it of course helps you understand the characters and this team a little better. I love the flaws of the characters and that none of their activities were ‘deal-breakers’ for me. I appreciate all of the friendships and how these characters show how amazing your chosen family can be in multiple situations.
This author’s hockey books have been some of my favorite sports romances I’ve ever read! I really enjoyed this book, but it was just such a heartwrenching backstory for our hero. A Dead Ex is usually a pass for me, and there have been TWO in this series! But this author keeps me loving her characters, and coming back for more of her words, no matter what.
Gunnar Bond lost his family in a horrific car accident three years ago. Then, he quit hockey and left his whole life behind to go toil away, and suffer in peace, in a rustic cabin in New Hampshire. After a few months of not coping well at all, he started texting his dead wife’s phone number, telling her all the things he wished he could still say in person. Then, after almost 2 years, someone texted back. Though he initially was angry at the interruption of this ongoing, one-sided convo with his wife, and thought of blocking the number, he didn’t. Turns out it was easy to talk to this stranger, whose name and story he didn’t know, and who didn’t know him. He started to come out of his drunken, depressed fog, with her daily jokes, and his slow release of some truths to another, living person. When the Chicago Rebels came calling, he felt he could still play, so he went back to work, and slowly started to make his way back to life. But his Angel in LA was still a mystery to him. Until she wasn’t.
Sadie Yates is having a hard time. She left home at 18, with her mother long dead- and her father uncaring, having moved on with a new wife a baby daughter- and never really looked back. She moved to LA with dreams of being a designer, but she’s been working menial jobs ever since. Now she’s the personal assistant for a crazy Instagram influencer, who hocks ridiculous products related to a woman’s “intimate” health. But, Sadie’s father has just been on trial for defrauding his hedge funds clients out of millions, only months after his wife passed away, and now he’s been convicted, and sent to prison. So, Sadie must return to Chicago to care for her teenage half sister, Lauren, who doesn’t know her, but still hates her guts. Her only bright spot is the texts with the mysterious man she’s nicknamed LonelyHeart, but when they decide to meet in person, everything gets crazy, because they’ve recently met before. Gunnar is Lauren’s hockey camp coach, and he and Sadie got WAY off on the wrong foot at their first meeting. How can someone she’s come to care for so much over text, be this grumpy, jerk of a Viking, who doesn’t seem to like her at all??
Sadie and Gunnar had mega chemistry from the beginning, which was super inconvenient for them both, since they made each other crazy too, and not in a fun way. But Lauren really loved her hockey camp, and Gunnar was so good with her, that Sadie couldn’t help but continue interacting with him. Then, she got even more involved when she met the group of Rebels players, and WAGS, and other friends of the team who all showed up at the camp throughout the weeks. When she finally set a meet up with LonelyHeart, and figured out he and Gunnar were one and the same, she didn’t know what to do. Once she came clean to him, they both had to figure out how to feel about their prior knowledge of each other, and how it affected their attraction to each other even more.
Meanwhile Gunnar is still heavily grieving for his family, and he’s never really done anything about it. He’s never gotten any kind of professional help, and until he does, he won’t be able to move on in any real way. The problem is, though he knows it’s not “healthy”, he doesn’t WANT to move on. His pain keeps him feeling close to them, and he’s not ready to let that go. In addition to the pain, is the GUILT, not only for surviving, but for feeling responsible for the accident that killed them. He can’t let it go. When he offers a no strings arrangement to Sadie, he hopes to burn off his attraction to her in a way where neither one of them can get hurt, and where he doesn’t have to actually change anything about his life.
Sadie’s family situation was a hot mess. Lauren was a total pill, but as a hormonal teenager, who recently lost both parents, one to death and one to prison, it was understandable, and mostly forgivable. However, Sadie’s dad was a nightmare, and so callous and cold to her, especially considering all she was giving up to take care of Lauren, when she had no one else. This was made even more galling since her dad is the one to blame for Lauren being alone in the first place, because of his crimes. Sadie just took everything her crazy boss, and her sister, and her dad, dished out to her without a word. Not to mention anything anyone else wanted to yell at her about her dad too, as if any of that was her fault. She had become something of a people pleasing doormat, and she didn’t know how to fix it. Then, she took whatever crumbs Gunnar was willing to give her, because she was falling for him, and knew he could never feel the same about her, and she only had so much time with him. I was sad for her turning her power over to everyone else, until she finally figured out how to get it back, and fight for herself again.
This book was really heartbreaking in so many ways, but there was a lot of heart-mending along the way too. The side characters here were awesome as they always are in this series full of awesome people. I enjoyed the ways that Gunnar and Sadie cared for each other, even when they didn’t realize it, and how that affected their connection when they tried to figure out if, and how, to move forward. I really believed in them, in the end, though the journey they had to take was so painful. Ultimately this was a hopeful story, about moving on from tragedy and making the best of your life. I really cared about these characters, and I’ll always be thrilled to keep reading more in this series.
This is an all about the feels, gut-wrenching, angst filled romance. Trust me when I say Gunner and Sadie’s story will pack a powerful one-two punch right to your heart. I loved both of these characters so much. I found Sadie super relatable. She was sassy, strong, sweet, incredibly caring and vulnerable. I wanted to be her friend and champion to anyone that would listen just how awesome she was. As for Gunner, his painful and tragic past simply broke my heart right in two. We all know that the loss of a loved one is always devastating but Gunner’s loss was truly catastrophic and horrifying. My heart bled for this man and even if I had moments when I felt frustrated with him just because I wanted him to find love and happiness again, I couldn’t really be mad at him. That kind of loss and suffering is much more than most of us will ever know and we should all be beyond grateful for that. The storyline is filled with raw emotion, tension, drama, turmoil, heartache, sweetness, heat, heart, poignancy and surprising splashes of humor. I fell quickly and rooted so hard for this pair and I honestly believe you will to. Just be prepared for the soul-stirring journey you must undertake with them. I am choosing to post a forthright review.
Romance Reader Down!
Y’all this book…woah…
Gunner and Sadie “meet” via text at a turning point in both their lives. Neither expected to feel the connection that they feel to one another; they also didn’t expect to meet in person, not knowing who each other is, and rub each other the wrong way while also feeling very good about it.
On the surface the tough stuff about this book is Gunner’s grief but Sadie’s issues of inadequacy and self doubt are just as heart wrenching. I loved the epistolary style of the texts, allowing for so much intimacy and emotional growth while also not making the story or relationship feel rushed or superficial. And his interactions with Lauren were so sweet.
My favorite things about a Kate Meader book are the extremely witty dialogue, humor, and steamy sex but also that she’s not afraid to delve deep with the dynamics of relationships and emotions, but even that didn’t prepare me for the emotional wallop Man Down delivered. Snappy banter, laugh out loud Theo moments, panty stealing scenes (literally), and so much loss and love are packed into this one story.
I adore this series and just more as fast as possible.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
Fabulous. Beautiful. Heart wrenching. So many ways to describe this wonderful book. It was so beautifully written that I felt my heart ache for Gunnar when he sent texts to his dead wife. And when Sadie answers his texts one day… curse you AT&T… it starts Gunnar on a path he doesn’t think he is ready for or I should say he doesn’t think he wants. I loved the random texts they exchanged over a period of time and never knowing who the other was but they each filled something for the other that they needed at the time.
When Gunnar and Sadie meet in person I loved that they both were not at their best and actually disliked each other. Yet they both were attracted to each other and confused since they didn’t hit it off. And still not knowing they did actually know each other.
This whole story just had me loving these two from the very beginning and just rooting for them to find their way through everything to realize they both needed each other to move on.
I started this book and didn’t put it down for more than 15 min. And I definitely needed a tissue to get through some spots. This was just a beautiful story and so well done.
As soon as I read about Gunnar Bond in the previous book, I knew I wanted his story and eagerly awaited Man Down.
Gunnar and Sadie had such a unique “meet-cute.” It was heart-breaking and wonderful all at once, and I loved the progression of their friendship via texts.
I couldn’t wait for the two of them to meet in person, anticipating a really great reveal when they discovered who the other person was. Unfortunately, that moment was somewhat disappointing to me.
I liked the snappy banter and back-and-forth between Sadie and Gunnar. She was snippy and sassy; he was a bit grumpy and overprotective. It worked though. They had connection and chemistry and sexy, intimate moments.
I was frustrated with Sadie at times. I felt like she let too many people walk all over her. I understand she had issues to resolve from her childhood, and she needed to grow and evolve. However, I just wanted her to speak up for herself multiple times and it took much too long for her to do so. By the time she did, it was pretty late in the story, and everything didn’t get resolved quite the way I hoped.
Gunnar’s perspective was everything. The devastation he went through in losing his family was absolutely heart-breaking. Kate Meader did such an excellent job portraying his emotions: guilt, grief and everything in between. I loved his character. His relationship with Lauren, Sadie’s half-sister was such a joy to read about as well.
I wish he would have gotten the help he needed sooner. Again, selfishly on my part, I wanted things settled and resolved between Sadie and him sooner and/or more definitively before the end.
All in all, I enjoyed Man Down. I laughed, I shed some tears, and as always, I enjoyed the other Rebels and characters from previous books woven throughout the story. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of Theo Kershaw.
I look forward to the next installment of the series.
***I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.***
My heart ached for Gunnar Bond the instant his tragic backstory was mentioned in book two of Kate Meade’s Rookie Rebels series. When it was announced Gunnar’s story, Man Down, would be next, I fully expected to bawl from beginning to end. However, not even a flood of tears could stop me from learning Gunnar’s tragic story. Box of tissues close by, I dove in.
I needn’t have worried. Surprisingly, tears were few until the very end. Yes, parts are heartrending but told in such a way not to be maudlin. That’s due to the author’s ability to craft a compelling story that could have easily been extraordinarily sad but is surprisingly, overwhelmingly fun and heartwarming.
I imagine most readers will fall hard for Gunnar Bond. Not only because of his excruciating loss and his grief-stricken struggle to regain some semblance of happiness, but because of his big heart. I imagine him as a larger than life mountain of a man. Whether that’s by description or just how he seems due to his protectiveness towards those he cares about, I’m not sure.
Sadie is a sassy, tenderhearted heroine with the patience of a saint. She prioritizes everyone else’s needs ahead of her own all while keeping a sunny disposition. Sadie is the perfect person to help Gunnar find a reason to go on.
The supporting cast is phenomenal. Many favorite characters make appearances and play an integral part of the story. It’s a Who’s Who from the author’s previous series, which I enjoyed immensely. It reminded me all over again why I adored them in their own stories, making an immediate re-read necessary.
Man Down is a gripping, emotional yet uplifting book that will tug at your heartstrings, inciting tears and laughter alike. I loved Sadie, Gunnar, and every moment of their story.
I was given an advance copy and chose to write an impartial review.
4.5 stars
Amazing addition to the Rookie Rebels series. I felt all the feels while reading-heartbreak, sorrow, acceptance, healing, joy and especially the love. Loved how Gunnar and Angel’s text messages evolved from simple to life-changing. The push and pull between Gunnar and Sadie was evident from the start-loved their initial interactions. Watching Gunnar and Sadie accept their past so they could embrace their future was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Seeing the whole Rebel family was a nice treat. And of course, Theo was there to bring the fun. I can’t wait to see what Kate Meader delivers next. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC
Knock knock. Who’s there? Thisis. Thisis who?
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING BOOKS I’VE READ ALL YEAR!!!!
I mean honestly, I knew Gunnar’s story was going to gut me, but man, I felt like my heart was torn right out of my chest! I bawled my eyes out on more than one occasion, thankfully Theo is around for some much needed comic relief. But as Kate Meader always does after emotional devastation, she makes everything okay so my heart could beat and I could finally breathe again. Gunnar’s story is so heartbreaking and tragic, and he really has been a “man down” since he lost his family. Even hockey has lost it’s appeal for him. I absolutely ADORE Gunnar and really felt everything he was feeling throughout this book!! Barely living himself except in the past, since he’s been texting his dead wife’s phone. But then one day someone answers back. Sadie became his angel as her texts and silly knock knock jokes pull him pretty much back into the land of the living. She honestly comes into his life right when he needs her. She is the light to his darkness. I just love her. She is dealing with so much of her own between her boss and her family situation, yet she always seems to be able to be there for Gunnar. I don’t want to give any major details away about their story, but it truly is the most wonderful of stories. I enjoyed their journey so very much as it was so much more than just two people falling in love!! My emotions got one heck of a workout! I have loved all of the Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels books and I don’t think I can pick just one favorite, but this one is very, very special and definitely one of my favorites.
*I received an arc from author/Booksprout for an honest review.* Man Down is Gunnar Bond & Sadie Yates story. It was funny, entertaining, heartbreaking, so well written & so honestly written. Gunnar lost his wife & two kids in a horrible, tragic accident & retreated to a cabin to live with his grief. He was sending texts to his wife’s old phone# when Sadie responded to him. Sadie was dealing with her own problems after her father (who she was estranged from) ended up incarcerated leaving her 12 year sister, Lauren with no one to take care of her. This book is their journey to move forward in life & healing together to get the HEA they both deserve. Theo adds his usual entertainment to the book as well as other returning characters. You have to love Coop the poop dog too! You also have to love the love & support The Rebel family has for each other. I highly recommend this book & series!! Looking forward to the next one!!
Oh, my heart! It’s still a little battered—and a lot happy—after reading Man Down. Focused on life in all its messy forms, this book proves that living, while hard, can be rewarding, too. I don’t believe I had any choice but to love Sadie and Gunnar, and I only wish that it could read MORE.
Darker and angstier than her usual books, Man Down broke my heart. I’m embarrassed to say how many tears I shed while reading this book.
This is such a beautiful story, dealing with such incredibly heavy and painful topics, bound to give you all the feels.
Sweet and broken, but somehow still magical in it’s own way, it says so much about the human condition, our innate need to connect and the crushing weight of grief and guilt.
Even if you’re not a Rebels fan, do yourself a favor and pick it up.
5 stars and a teddy bear
P.S.
Bonus points for the Hot in Chicago and Hot in the Kitchen tie ins 🙂
Oh, Gunner. Dear, sweet, tormented Gunner. The hero in Kate Meader’s latest installment of her Chicago Rebels series is both tragic and endearing. A family man who lost his wife and children in a horrific accident, Gunner is stuck in limbo. He has abandoned his life as a successful hockey player and is hiding out at a cabin playing mountain man. In an attempt to deal with his suffocating grief, he begins texting his late wife. Unbeknownst to him, her cell number has been re-issued, and instead of his messages disappearing into the ether, they make their way to a woman in the midst of her own problems. Sadie is stuck in her own personal limbo. A thankless job as a personal assistant to an online influencer has her dreams of being a designer stalled. Her estranged father has been caught stealing from his clients, and Sadie suddenly finds herself back in her hometown of Chicago, attempting to reunite with her teenage sister who has now been left in her care. When she answered Gunner’s texts months ago, neither of them realized that they would begin a relationship, but over time they have come to rely on one another, lost “LonelyHeart” and his “Angel.” While they continue to play out their relationship in text, the two are brought together in real life and their first meeting is less than perfect. Slowly the two warm to one another, and eventually Sadie figures out that Gunner and “LonelyHeart” are one and the same. They agree to embark on a fling, but it’s obvious that both are harboring much deeper feelings for each other. Kate Meader manages to make the rather fantastical story seem possible. She handles Gunner’s grief with a deft hand, and while he is a wounded hero she imbues the character with hope. What could be a very weighty and somber storyline is buoyed by the crackling tension between the two main characters. Sadie comes off as a bit of a doormat to the people in her life, but is saved by her spunk and confrontational attitude toward Gunner. As she slowly finds her way in her new reality as a guardian to her antagonist sister, Gunner is still attempting to bury his grief. Their story was engrossing and heartbreaking, their banter witty, their struggles endearing. Ultimately, a story that could have been far too heavy was lifted by Kate Meader’s deft writing and those dark moments never overtook the joy of Gunner and Sadie’s journey. And of course, this being part of a series, we also get glimpses of characters from past installments, as well as mention of characters from other series by Kate Meader. The book can be read as a stand-alone, but those brief moments with the characters is a fun way to catch up with them. I highly recommend this book, as well as all the other books in this series.
Man Down
A Rookie Rebels Novel (#3)
Kate Meader
How do you write a review for a book that still has you thinking about and feeling so emotionally about it…even days later? I doubt my review will do this book justice, but here goes…
After Gunnar Bond lost his wife and twins three years ago in a tragic accident, he was numb. He gave up professional hockey and went to a cabin to try to heal…shutting everyone out of his life. Struggling with anguish, he decided to text his dead wife, Kelly. For two years he pours his heart and soul into these messages…until one night…he gets a text back…
Kelly: Hello! Sorry, but I think you might have the wrong number?
Sadie Yates has a lot on her mind and her own pain in her life. With a boss that expects entirely too much of her, living across the country and getting news that her father is in jail, she was just giving guardianship of a 13 year old sister who doesn’t know her (and can’t stand her), and suddenly becomes the lifeline of a hurting soul.
This book…gah! This book is the epitome of a “roller coaster” read that gives you all the feels…WOW! SEROUSLY…ALL. THE. FEELS. This incredibly written romance by Author Kate Meader had me laughing (so many mood-lightening parts and conversations),crying (more than once), at the edge of my seat, wrapping myself in a blanket to feel “held”, swooning…just literally every emotion went through me during this journey.
“I haven’t been attracted to anyone since my wife died. I haven’t wanted to even think about that, but with you, it’s burning through my veins. A buzz of need that’s almost…painful.”
This storyline flows so well and the way the author blended all of the different aspects of it was perfection! I loved their first IRL meet-up, and all of the circumstances behind it. I loved the different people they became in different situations.
“Of course it’s easier to push back against a stranger.”
“But it shouldn’t be. It should be easier with the people you know and love.”
So much power and so many deep emotions in this book! So touching and healing. I was anticipating it being incredible and it surpassed my expectations. I would definitely recommend reading the first two books in the Rookie Rebels series (and maybe the Rebels series) because you get the background of the Rebel’s characters and families, and the dynamic and characterizations make you feel like you are right there in the story. But whatever you do…DO NOT PASS THIS BOOK UP. So grab your tissues, your e-reader or hard copy of MAN DOWN, something to drink, find a quiet, comfy spot to read and enjoy this masterpiece…it is perfection in a beautiful but tragic and heartbreaking story. This is by far one of the best reads of this year and one that I will reread (once I recover…LOL). 5+++ stars!!!
I have been both excited for and dreading Gunnar Bond’s story. We were introduced to Gunnar in the prior books and knew a bit about his backstory. About three years ago, Gunnar was happy man. He was the Captain of the LA Quakes hockey team, was happily married and a dad to four year old twins. He is in a horrible accident where he loses his family. He has been living off of the grid, and the only thing keeping him going is texting his dead wife’s phone. Eventually someone started texting back. Sadie Yates lives in LA working for an obnoxious Gwyneth Paltrow influencer wannabe, her father has been convicted of embezzlement, and she is now in charge of her twelve year old sister who hates her. The only bright spot in her life are the texts she has been exchanging with the tragic mystery man. Of course, fate brings Gunnar and Sadie together in Chicago where Sadie is dealing with her sister and Gunnar is starting his hockey career again with the Chicago Rebels. This was a bit like “You’ve Got Mail,” but with a wonderfully tragic hero. Make sure you have some Kleenex handy, you will need it. I loved this book and cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Man Down packed a wallop of emotion! If I wasn’t laughing over something Theo did or something Sadie said in jest, I was totally teary-eyed over Gunnar’s grieving text messages to his deceased wife, and omg, those messages could break the heart with his sadness and guilt.
Sadie had her own share of drama with her crazy ‘vajajay promoting’ boss, a criminal parent, and her half-sister, Lauren. Kudos to Sadie for keeping her sanity because oy, I’d have lost my cool long before she did.
Romantically speaking, I felt Sadie and Gunnar were forming strong bonds of friendship that could potentially develop in to a deeper, affectionate relationship. I felt their relationship was a rebound for Gunnar to dip his toes back into the dating pool rather than a potentially serious relationship, which was okay considering Gunnar’s total devastation. However, that left things at a HFN rather than a total HEA (what can I say?! I love my HEA’s and Sadie and Gunnar both really deserve one!) so fingers crossed I’ll see more of these two in the future.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and this is my honest review.
Wow. Words are hard to come by. First, I finished this book a little after 4am. Second, my heart cracked open and all the feelings leaked out while reading Gunner’s story. I have read other books with beautifully broken heros, but Gunner is on a whole other level, on his own, untouchable, lovable, so alone, lonely, almost unrecoverable. Seeing him work through his grief almost broke me as a reader. Then you introduce Sadie into the mix and wow, just reach in my chest and pull my soul out, why don’t you? The writing and the character development in this story, the use of previous, favorite characters is masterful and magical and just perfect. The underlying storylines are meaningful and fulfilling and add life to the story. Along with Sadie who is a caring, loveable, empathic, life size, realistic, favorite character to cherish the author gives us Lauren another broken piece of this small town feeling family oriented book. This is one of those stories that leave you with a major book hangover and I am so absolutely happy to have had the privilege of following Sadie and Gunner as they navigate this journey through life with wit, snark and humor. Truthfully some of the best banter I have encountered. Revisiting with Theo and Elle, Jordan, Jenny, Aurora and the girls, Vadim, Harper and all the rest just adds an element of depth that makes you smile.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.