USA TODAY BESTSELLING LOVE STORY “What do you do when you meet your soul mate? No wait…that’s too easy. What do you do when you meet your soul mate and have to spend a lifetime loving him in secret? I’ll tell you what you do.You lie.” REN Ren was eight when he learned that love doesn’t exist—that the one person who was supposed to adore him only cared how much he was worth.His mother sold him and … doesn’t exist—that the one person who was supposed to adore him only cared how much he was worth.
His mother sold him and for two years, he lived in terror.
But then…he ran.
He thought he’d run on his own. Turned out, he took something of theirs by accident and it became the one thing he never wanted and the only thing he ever needed.
DELLA
I was young when I fell in love with him, when he switched from my world to my everything.
My parents bought him for cheap labour, just like they had with many other kids, and he had the scars to prove it.
At the start, he hated me, and I could understand why.
For years he was my worst enemy, fiercest protector, and dearest friend.
But by the end…he loved me.
The only problem was, he loved me in an entirely different way to the way I loved him.
And slowly, my secret drove us apart.
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This story requires you to suspend your disbelief quite a bit, but the characters make it so worth it. I loved Ren – how serious and determined he was, how he sacrificed to take care of Della. I liked Della, too – the way she just rolled with all of the crazy uncertainty of their lives and how kind she often was to Ren. Their relationship throughout their lives was sweet, although extremely codependent. I’m interested to read the next book in the series to see if they find their way back to each other.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read. An unusual story about a boy who escapes a tragic life but and grows to love in an unexpected way. I don’t want to give anything away but it isn’t a normal love story. It’s hard and it’s tragic but it’s worth the read. Pepper writes a good story. A book you don’t want to put down.
I loved this book.
So many people told me that I needed to read this book, and now I hate them and wish I’d listened sooner.
Ren and Della are so incredible, their lives so unique and hard to imagine, you fall in love with them, and your heart surely breaks.
Ren runs away from the people who bought him from his mother, and unknowingly take their only natural child. This is probably a saving grace for Della in many ways, as those people were horrible and had no business around kids.
Over the course of Della’s life, Ren will become her world, but Della becomes his as well. He will do anything for Della, except the one thing she wants.
This is the first in a duet, and I’m eager to see how their story finishes.
This book was so different for Pepper. I was a little surprised in this book but once I committed to finishing the book I was pleasantly pleased. The writing was brilliant as always for Pepper but the story was a little slow. I am a huge fan of Pepper and am committed to her. Great story
Title: The Boy and His Ribbon (The Ribbon Duet #1)
Author: Pepper Winters
Publisher: Self Published
Amount of Pages: 300
Genre: Romance, Dark, YA & NA, Coming of age
Date Read: 02-04-2018 – 03-04-2018
Favorite Quote: ”I will always love you, Della Ribbon. Until the day I die and past that.”
“Give me a few more years, Della Ribbon. Just a few more before you leave me.”
Review:
This book is amazing! I think this might turn into my favorite book of the year. It was oh so good. Ren became my favorite book boy friend written by pepper winters.
What I also liked, no loved about this book is that it wasn’t something I’ve read before. It felt like something unique. A very different take on a coming of age story. And with a hint of something taboo.
I loved that it was mostly from Ren’s pov. I don’t read many books that are mainly from a males pov. Pepper wrote it so wel.
I seriously need book two ASAP. I can’t wait. I need more of Ren
note: this book isn’t as dark as pepper other books. Its also not nearly as graphic but there is a certain taboo factor and certain things are hinted at.
What is this book about:
This book is about Ren and Della. Ren has had a hard live. He was sold by his mother to two people who used children for labor and physically abused the children they bought, emptionally, physically and the girls sexually. Its not all described on graphic detail but the sexual abuse is hinted at.
Anyway Ren managed to escape but what he didn’t realize is that he took something from the people that bought them that wasn’t his to take, their infant daughter della.
Ren has to decide what to do and figure out how the hell he’s not only going to survive and provide for himself but Della as well?
What did I love about this book:
I just love Ren. He is such an amazing character. My heart went out to him every time we saw him struggling. He is loyal, hard working, selfless, and fiercely protective. He is willing to give anything for the person he loves.
I liked della as well but not as much as Ren. Della was more fierce and irresponsible than ren.She showed some typical teenage behavior and we see her struggling with the consequences of her actions.
Like I said above I really need the second book. This one ended with a cliffhanger and i’m desperate to find out what happens next.
Rating:
5 Amazing Stars
Loved it!
If there were 500 stars it wouldn’t be enough to rate this duet series. Weeks after reading them, Ren and Della still haunt me. I hear certain songs on the radio and I think about them. This series moved me, absolutely life changing. I laughed and I cried. I cursed and I cheered. Expertly written. Makes you think. Pepper Winters has phenomenal talent. One of the few books I know I will read over and over again.
This book is at the top of my most favorite books of all times, An absolute MUST READ!!
Absolutely loved this book
In Love with this book!!!
It took me a while to pick The Boy and His Ribbon, I kept seeing it all around I’m so glad I did as it really blew me away..
The story of Ren is a very different story of anything I’ve ever read, Ren is living in very poor circumstances, he is a young boy enduring hard work, hunger, violence, and slavery.. tired of this awful life Ren runs away from this terrible environment without knowing he was carrying a little precious girl with him that sooner or later will become his everythig..
“Ren taught me to be grateful and to enjoy each little thing no matter how awkward or fleeting. To me, Ren was magical”
Della didn’t know anything, she was just a baby, she grew up with Ren, she was just a blank canvas trying to learn and find her place in this world, for her Ren was her everything, her brother, father, friend and even more..
“My heart stopped with how perfect she was. How smart. How kind. How brave. I’d never look at the colour blue again without thinking of her. I’d never hold another ribbon again without wanting to hold her.”
Together they kept moving around trying to find a home, a place to live, but with so many scary things and people around, they keep hiding in the forest, a place that Della and Ren love so much because they always felt freer and more open. A place where they could be themselves and not hide or pretend to be someone they were not. so many years passed by and Della and Ren kept traveling around.. during these years they hunted and found a few places they’ve called home.. but never staying that much time so they won’t get caught or put in a very hard situation..
“People have forgotten so much, Della Ribbon. They’ve forgotten that behind their supermarkets and houses, beneath their fancy dresses and suits, they’re still just animals. We’re not bad for eating meat because we only eat what we need and don’t waste. It’s everyone else who doesn’t appreciate the cost of things who are bad.”
This is a story of survival of two souls trying to survive this life, in a world full of people who didn’t understand their nature, the love Ren and Della had for one another.. this is a story of two people finding their place in this life and this world.. finding their love and understanding what it meant.
“I love you. No one will ever come close. You have my heart. You know that, and it kills me to hear you doubt it.”
I have so much to say about this book, the story is amazing, Della is a great character that we get to see how she grows and becomes a woman, she sometimes acts without thinking but still we have to understand she still a kid and doesn’t really know what is going on with her feelings and emotions as wells as with all her changes.. she is an amazing heroine, with a very unique personality and fire.. she is bold but still kind of shy.. she is a fighter, she is a light on Ren’s life..
“You’re the one teaching me now, Della Ribbon. Please don’t ever stop.”
Ren is also a great hero .. his character also evolves so much with the story.. he was small and sometimes afraid but at the same time he was very brave and took charge of his life and Della’s life.. at such a young age he was using all his skills to be able to continue surviving this journey that at times was really hard.. winter, animals, hunger, humans so many things trying to bring them down. but Ren was a warrior always fighting for what he love the most ..
“I would always be hers, but I couldn’t be what she was looking for. I couldn’t block her from growing into who she needed to become”
There are so many great secondary characters that made this story deeper and more enjoyable, Like Cassie, Patricia, John or the Wilsons family That I really love. they really made this story more dear With their help and all the love they showed to Della and Ren, being always so patient and so forgiving when they were so out of sort..
So in love with this story and this series, I really recommended!! super excited to continue reading The Girl And His Ren!!
“There was never a day in my life when I haven’t loved Ren Wild.”
You never cease to amaze.
The deepest love and heartache I have ever read in a story. You left me speechless.
A 6 star read! If you’ve never read Pepper Winters.. It’s a must!
There is so much to say… Like Della Ribbon… Like Della Wild, I could go on a damn tangent. I could explain the emotional push and pull Ren and Della went through a daily basis. The emotions, which the author can injects, is amazing. The way she describes the characters as they were as children how they grew into young adults was utterly beautiful. The author didn’t hold anything back. She made you feel more than you thought possible as a reader.
There was so many quotes throughout the story, which held my attention. I had to highlight and go back and reread. There was a paragraph within the book where Della described Ren. I loved it. It was him to a T.
“The way Ren looked at you made you suffer beneath his expectation and glow beneath his praise. He touched you deeper than any hand could reach. He affected you harder than any spoken word ever could. He cared with entire soul and committed with entire being.”
The back and forth between present day and the past was done so well. There was no gaps in the time frame, which made you question if something was missing. I was spellbound and worried for Della as well as poor Ren. His life was so hard and he was always willing to put the needs of others before himself. I really NEED book two, The Girl and Her Ren, like right now. I’m emotionally drained and nursing a bad book hangover. That is how good this book is but understand this book emotionally drain you. You will be left in tears at time, laughing at others, and have questions that will never be fully answered.
Mini Playlist
Vance Roy- Mess Is Mine
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay- Something Just Like This
Demi Lovato- Tell Me You Love Me
Ruth B. – Lost Boy
Adele- Water Under The Bridge
Painstakingly innocent and simplistically vulnerable!
Pepper Winters has torn my heart into ribbons of blue. She has written a poignant story of sacrifice, innocence, vulnerability, unconditional love and life changing emotions. This book is one of the most beautiful and exposed stories I have read to date. I am so happy that Ren demanded his tale by told.
Ren and Della’s story will take possession of your heart and never let go. From page one, it fills with the hope that these two stumble through what life throws at them and come out the otherside. Two innocents overwhelmed with emotional obstacles as they face the transformation of growing up through life.
The Boy and His Ribbon is completely unlike anything I have read. It is true perfection and worth the read, prompting the reader to consider not only the parameters but the levels of love. This book can be enjoyed by all and is not to be passed by. It will leave your heart feeling very open, yet very full.
~ How could you not fall in love with a boy who puts you first in everything, protects you at all costs, worships the ground you walk on, gives you things you didn’t know you wanted, who can hear your thoughts and see your fears ? A boy who sacrificed so much without even telling you, leaving you heartbroken when you’re old enough to figure it out for yourself? ~
This duet shattered me. Della and Ren’s story was beautifully written. Pepper Winters has a way to suck you into the story and characters lives. The emotions, the love, the angst!! She truly outdid herself. It took me 5 Hours to finish the last few chapters because I was just so torn up. I kept putting the book down and walking away. I would compose myself and start reading it again. When I finished the story, it was ugly cry time!!! No words…. I could not sleep that night. The story was on repeat in my head. It took me 3 weeks to get over the book hangover. And still I find myself crying, like now writing this review. It is by far the most addictive, beautiful story that I have read in years!!!!
This book is something so special!! So different!! This will be in my top five all time reads. Brilliant!!
I’ve always loved Pepper Winter’s books. She weaves incredible stories. This series was above and beyond amazing. I’m not a person who cries easily so imagine my surprise when I realize I’m gonna lose it. The characters are complex and she does a great job of helping you get to know them.
Ok, so I’ve been scared to read this book because I’ve heard how emotional it. While I did see why readers would have such a hard time, at times it was trying, beautiful, and crazy, I really enjoyed it. I can’t say that it broke me, or made me cry but I really loved the forbidden taboo aspect. Two children running and surviving was hard to read but it was also a beautiful concept. I’m not really sure how much to divulge but I will say Della and Ren are amazing characters. The writing was amazing with past and present, the settings were unique and descriptive, the relationship with the different characters not only just Della and Ren were all plotted out and necessary. I really look forward to seeing what’s going to happen in the next book. I must be broken and that’s why I didn’t find it more emotional then I did. 4 stars #2OCCJD
Masterpiece!
Another fabulous Pepper Winters story. Pen being just a child with no real role models steps up to do what is thrown upon him. Della can’t help but fall in love as she grows up. I can’t wait to see if they can get beyond their past and find a way to stay together.