How do you heal after tragedy? Is it even truly possible?Ashlyn and Garrett have been friends forever, nursing each other through the unimaginable. Over the years, they’ve learned to lean on each other and keep going. But there’s a huge difference between moving forward and merely standing still.
Standstill
By nicoledykes
Audio Review:
Standstill is a new adult standalone novel told in dual pov with the perspective of Ashlyn and Garrett. The writing style exhuberates deep thoughts and depth. The calamitious prologue is so heart-rending that pieces of your heart will shatter. Tear drops and tissue boxes, a beautiful lovestory with the sake of cherishble friends. I found the characters compelling with complex personalities. I loved getting the history and the timeline was tenable. I’m just sad to see it end as I loved it so much.
Looking forward to more by this talented author.
Narrator Verla Bond is a talented narator. Her performance was smooth and her sweet inflection was just perfect i loved her performance of the characters. She was ability to give the characters their own voice. I’m looking forward to listening to more audio’s performed by this narator.
Nicole actually wrote a stand-alone book!
This book was amazing!! The characters are so great in this story, you really feel everything they feel. All the heartbreak & love! Run to snatch this HEA up. You’re gonna love it too!!
“Sometimes I worry we’re just drifting through the wreckage of this life we were left with.”
Standstill is one of those stories that makes you think hard about things you hope never happens. It makes you realize that there is so much in life that is out of your control. Everyone reacts differently to tragedy, some run to escape and others hold in place unable to move on. Garrett and Ash shared an experience that short-circuited their life plans.
Their dreams got lost in their pain and their past derailed their present. They’re existing, but “I’m stuck in a limboish hell I’m afraid I’ll never escape.” They are everything to each other, but that doesn’t stop them from hurting each other. They can’t see past the past to move on. Honestly, I reached a point of frustration with them. I felt like being the adult and locking them in a room and refusing to let them out until they faced their problems and started getting along.
But, at the same time, my heart broke into a million pieces right along with theirs and I felt their pain. There is no easy way to get through hell, you can’t stand still, you just have to keep going till you get to the other side, right? That’s the thing about reading a book with dual POV, I felt their pain. I suffered right along with the characters. What an emotional journey. I’m exhausted. But, I also felt love and passion with them too. The author is a beautiful storyteller. She took me on a ride that sometimes had me searching for a rest stop, and other times showed me things I’ll pack away in my memory box for safekeeping.
This books is a sweet but heart breaking story of life and the crap it throws at you. A story of tragedy and how those tragedies can impact and change your life. A death of a friend changed the course of two people’s lives putting them in a standstill. A friends to lovers book that is worth the read.
This book shows the hard aches a group of friends go through after a tragic loss of a friend. Garrett and Ashlyn both feel guilty for having feelings for each other. They both were just making it through day by day not truly living life. When they finally pushed the guilt aside and gave into their true feelings for one another they both were happily in love with each other.
I really enjoyed this audiobook, It’s my first by the author and I really liked her writing. The narrator Verla Bond did a great job narrating it all. Ashlyn and Garrett’s story hooked me up, I love friends to lovers story and this one hit the mark, I would’ve liked to know more about the world surrounding them and the rest of the characters. Love the angst and emotions it got me through the story. Definitely one I would recommend and look forward to more by this new author to me.
Paige was Garrett’s everything in high school. She was Ashlynn’s best friend. One night, a tragic car accident took Paiges life. Garrett, Ashlynn,.2 others , had scars, both mentally and physically.
After her death, Garrett wasn’t interested in another relationship. He would just go out, bring different women home.
Ashlynn had her share of guys, a relationship. but her thoughts always went back to Garrett. Ashlynn thinks He’s still in love with a ghost. Does he really want her? Tormented, jealousy, guilt, unsure of taking a next step. both have survivors guilt, unable for them to move on in life.
They found love in all their pain when they both let go of the loss of Paige. Instead of standing still, they began to live again.
Verla Bond narration is very good, Her ability to transition from one character to the other is flawless. I was gifted this audio and offered my honest review.
I’m an angst addict and this book hit the spot.
I listened to the audiobook version and ended up keeping my air pods in long into the night to listen. The story was so good I NEEDED to keep going so there I sat, in the dark, on my couch at 11pm like a creeper because turning my book off wasn’t an option.
I was all in to watch these two battle their guilt over undeniable emotions for one another because they both never moved forward in healing from grief that hit them both incredibly hard.
The overall storyline is A+ angst, but I didn’t feel like it totally dived as deep as it could have into all the angst goodness so I’d call it more of a sweet angst. While the potential for hardcore angst was there I don’t think it could have been done properly without the story being much longer (which I would have swooned over). This one moved quickly in my opinion and it’s a stand alone book thats a great option for anyone looking for shorter and sweet with some angst sprinkled in there.
I am sad to see this one go. I’m leaving off feeling greedy because I want more of them-their angst, their love, their flirting, their chemistry and their growth as individuals and as partners.
The performance for the audio was also done well. I only noticed a few spots where there were awkward longer pauses that had me checking my phone to see if I accidentally paused the book or if it was transitioning to a new chapter.
Nicole, is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I find myself unapologetically impatient while waiting for the next book she is spoiling us with.
Standstill
By: Nicole Dykes
Narrated by: Verla Bond
There are events that happen in life that shape who we are. Nicole Dykes has written a beautiful love story of a mutual loss, incredible heartache, love and healing. Ashlyn and Garrett both have experienced a tragedy at an impressionable age that has both locked them together and is tearing them apart. Their feelings for each other are evident, but the memories and guilt keep them apart. Will they ever let go of the past to move on to the future? This is my first Nicole Dykes book, and it definitely will not be my last. Romance stories like this, written with relevant issues, compassion and healing are one of my favorites. I love that it makes me feel and I learn and grow with the characters. This is an emotional story and Dykes truly had me, tears and all. I loved the journey Ashlyn and Garrett had, and it’s a book that will stay with me.
Verla Bond narrates this gem. She immerses herself in the characters so we get all of their pain and grief, and at the same time fell their bond. She has tuned into each character and enhances the story with each line. I enjoyed her interpretation of the story and will be watching for more of her releases.
https://adbl.co/30Jh83A
Beautiful, Heartfelt Story! Great Narration
Standstill
By: Nicole Dykes
Narrated by: Verla Bond
This is my first book written by Nicole Dykes and it certainly will not be my last. She is a gifted author, I enjoyed her writing style and the story and characters she created. The storylines are interesting and original, they grabbed my attention right from the start and held it straight to the end. The characters are complex and well developed, they are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. Ashlynn and Garrett have been friends since they were young, a devastating loss left both of them broken hearted and their lives were forever changed. They both struggled to move on from it, they lived their lives the best they could, becoming roommates and merely just existing. And when they finally open their eyes they see what they were denying themselves, true happiness and living their lives. This is one heartfelt story, it is cleverly plotted and there is never a dull moment in the book. My favorite line of the book is so true, moving and meaningful, “Life doesn’t every truly stand still~ Everything is constantly moving forward whether you move with it or not”. Nicole Dykes, thank you for for this amazing story and the emotional rollercoaster ride. I loved where you took the characters and their story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Verla Bond is a fabulous narrator and voice artist. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality, as well as heart and attitude. She does a great job portraying each character, capturing their persona and humanizing them with their emotions which is heard in her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen
What an emotional journey. Ashlyn and Garrett are best friends and have leaned on each other following a crazy tragedy in high school that turned their worlds upside down. Losing someone is never easy but for these two, it caused them to almost stop and the dreams they planned to pursue were frozen. As their friends are moving on, they are at a standstill but situations happen that force them to wake up and just maybe, realize what they are doing. At the same time, the connection and bond they share is intense and their chemistry is wonderful. However, out of guilt they have never allowed themselves to be a couple. Facing grief is never easy and as these two start to realize that they need to deal with the emotions, they may find something ever better on the other side as long as they don’t let fear and guilt drag them down. I felt this journey with them. These are hard issues that we as humans have to face or hide from. It’s embracing that fear and accepting that allows joy back into our worlds. Will they be willing to take that risk?
The day of high school graduation five friends are enjoying themselves at bonfire. With a responsible sober driver, Paige, they all leave only to be in a car accident that Paige doesn’t survive. Eight years later, Ashlyn (Paige’s best friend) and Garrett (Paige’s ex-boyfriend) are going through the motions of life but aren’t truly living. They both abandoned their dreams, bought a house together and are just getting by as friends. But neither one can deny the attraction that they feel for each other but don’t know how to deal with it because of Paige.
This book was amazingly painful. I hated Ashlyn feeling like she was never going to be enough and I hated that Garrett was afraid that Paige would be angry for acting on his feelings for Ashlyn. I wanted to smack some sense into both of them. I hated that they couldn’t find their way out of their grief to realize that they are perfect for each other and that Paige would want them to be happy. Not muddling by miserable in the life they have created. It was almost as if they were punishing themselves because they wanted to move on but were afraid of how Paige would react even though she is dead. While was bawling my eyes out for the majority of this book and wanted to smack them both I really enjoyed this story. I respected that this wasn’t an insta quick get to the finish line of them being together. That they had to step away for some time for both of them to realize that they are perfect for each other and that Paige would be happy for them to be together. My first Nicole Dykes book it will not be my last.
I loved this emotional, gut-wrenching, ALL THE FEELS standalone from new-to-me author Nicole Dykes!!!! THIS is why I love to blog…finding new authors to add to my MUST READ list is what blogging is all about!
Ashlyn and Garrett are really struggling with a tragedy that occurs when they are just starting to live their lives as young adults, finished high school and moving on to college that has them locked in a cycle of grief and guilt that would crush the strongest soul! The underlying chemistry between these two is addictive and I found myself, at times, wanting to smack their heads together and tell them to open their eyes and hearts and SEE what is right in front of them!!!! And when they FINALLY start to understand that what they’re feeling is a love like no other? EPIC!!!!
The twists and gut-wrenching turns in this one had me flipping the pages and reading like that GIF of the baby reading frantically (which makes me laugh every time I see it!) until the soul-satisfying end of this MUST READ, imo! I WILL get into the series this author has on offer at some point, but I am soooooo glad that I got to read this one first! ALL the feels, angst and chemistry-packed goodness wrapped up in a satisfying HEA!
When four friends lose someone, each copes in different ways and while some are getting on with their lives Ashley and Garrett are standing still. This book broke my heart a few times but in the end it was worth it.
Just finished Standstill and I loved it! I will admit I was getting a bit annoyed at Garrett and Ashlyn because they seriously needed to get their shit together. Nicole such a great read! I loved the desire and angst in these two. Very well written!
So yeah…. this book did me in! I read this in 1 day! I could have lost my job because I kept pulling out my Kindle while I was supposed to be working! But I just couldn’t leave Ash and Garrett! It just wasn’t possible! I didn’t ugly cry with this book, but it had me crying! Like I would have a couple tears leak out …. and then would move on… another chapter or 2 later I had the tears again! Non-stop! Through the whole book!!! This was not the kind of book that had one side in the wrong. Both of them had stuff to work through and get themselves together. And no one of them left the other … they both continued to go back and forth, which I thought was awesome because you didn’t think you had to choose sides. You didn’t feel like you had to hate any one. Now I went into this book totally blind. I only knew the name and the cover… I did not read any blurbs or teasers. And in this case it was totally worth it because right off the bat I was taken aback by the direction of the story! I absolutely love Ash and Garrett! (And I love Erin and Reed too!!!) It was a wonderful, heartfelt and completely touching story that really really had my emotions on high today! Great book! Worth more than 5 stars but that’s all they allow me to give.
I love this book! The love between friends and 3 way love like no other. One of the most real feels and emotions I’ve felt reading this book. Lots of love, hate, denial, and happiness.
You will get whiplash trying to keep up with all the emotions this book inspires. A tragedy in their past has Ash and Garrett stuck in limbo. They lost a friend that they both loved. Garrett’s girlfriend and Ashlyn’s best friend was lost in a tragic accident. They can’t move forward. they are stuck in jobs they hate, relationships are not happening and life is passing them by. They both have feelings for each other but the guilt they feel keeps them pinned down. Something has got to give.Ash makes the first move and Garrett is left reeling. A tragic story that leads to love and happiness. The characters are great. Even the supporting characters make you love them.
I think i cried within about 5 minutes of starting this story and there may have been some yelling too. This book is by far my favorite of Nicole’s and it’s an actual standalone! Do yourself a huge favor and read this story. Then head right back and read everything else she has ever written! You won’t be mad!
I don’t even know where to start with this book; I am absolutely speechless with the feels this story made me feel, I can’t believe this is a stand alone, I would love more time with ashlyn and Garrett, but their story has been told.
This book has everything you want in a romance novel, the heartbreaking anguish and the heartstopping love. I laughed and cried with the characters throughout their story, it shows how ugly life can be, but if you persevere through, there will be light at the end of the darkness