This isn’t a story about a love triangle. There is no triangle involved. This isn’t a story about an accidental pregnancy. Although having a baby with her . . . I would. This isn’t a story about lies and deception, even though at times I’ve lied to myself. No, this is my story.A story about sacrifice. A story about a man who fell in love with the wrong girl. A story I wish I never had to tell. … story I wish I never had to tell.
This is a story about the true meaning of the downside of love.
more
Rate: 5 / 5 stars
I’m pretty sure this was the hardest duet I have ever read. Book 1 was absolutely beautiful even though Meghan tore my heart out of my chest with that ending. I was actually afraid to start book 2 because I had an idea of what was about to happen and I didn’t want it to happen. Let me tell you I put it off a day or two because I knew I wasn’t ready for what I was about to read even though I had been dying to read it since finishing book 1.
>>If you haven’t read The Upside of Falling then be warned there are spoilers ahead. Keep reading at your own discretion.<< Reading this book was like someone was stomping on my heart, that had been previously been tore out of my chest, right in front of my eyes and it hurt to watch and I felt every little, every big stomp with my whole being. I don’t think I’ve EVER felt so conflicted in my life. As much as I love Colby, I’ve always loved Stryder too and watching him be treated so badly by his family and still be an amazing guy made me fall more for him, and feel bad and want to see him happy. Him and Colby are a lot alike in that way. Stryder was just amazing and he loved Rory so fiercely, and all the little things were enormous. He was so beyond sweet with her, he was perfect and he deserved to get his happiness just as much as anyone. What he did for Colby was so selfless but now reading all that happened with him in this book was so bad at first that I was so apprehensive. What’s even worse is that I felt happy for him and super angry and sad at the same time for the other guy.. It is so conflicting. I wanted both of them to be happy, but they couldn’t be happy at the same time, not while they were in love with the same girl. At one point I lost all hope for what I had been wishing fot and I’m the kind of person who holds on to hope until the end... I was desolate and actually sick to my stomach, which was a first. This book pulled out feelings from me I’d never experienced while reading a book before. I have never in my life felt so conflicted and angry/hurt/content over a love triangle. I always have a favorite even when I love them both but between Colby and Stryder I honestly don’t have a clue. I truly wanted them both to be happy and it hurts to know that they all went through such heartache. But I also can’t help but love they way this book ended and the promise of the other guy’s book which I’m praying will happen as soon as possible; I need to see my other boy get his happy ending. And from how this book ended I know it's gonna be good and interesting. Even though I hated the betrayal, I loved all these character fiercely and I know without a doubt these will be characters I will never never forget due to the strong emotions they pulled from me from the very beginning until the very end. I think this truly might have been the greatest duet I’ve read, not only because it was beautiful and unbelievably heart-wrenching but because it was not at all what I was expecting it to be when I first read the blurb of book 1 or ever when I finished book 1. And despite being so so different from what I thought it was gonna be, it was truly remarkable and haunting and just amazing that I loved it like none other. Meghan Quinn thank you for this crazy & marvelous ride. I honestly had no idea what I was getting into when I first started this duet but it all came full circle, including my emotions and feelings about everything that happened and I was quite happy with that ending which knowing me is a surprise. So thank you for that as well.
This!!!!!! This is why I love to read!
Ms. Quinn’s ability to write a story so entwined with ups/downs/sideways and in between grabs you right from page 1.
This Duet is pure perfection and is another example of why I am a fan of Ms. Quinn’s.
NOTE: THE DOWNSIDE OF LOVE IS THE CONCLUSION OF THE BLUE LINE DUET, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WITHOUT READING THE UPSIDE OF FALLING, FIRST!
*Breathing deeply* … OK, I’m going to start with that I definitely will have the unpopular opinion when it comes to this duet. Guys, I wanted to love this duet so much, but I just couldn’t quite get there. But I didn’t hate it, some things worked for me and some that didn’t work for me. After finishing The Upside of Falling, I was left in a state of being angry, extremely torn and heartbroken, and just darn nervous for the conclusion. After getting through The Downside of Love, more than anything, I wished this wasn’t a duet, I think I would have appreciated the stories and characters so much more if they were just standalone. It has taken me days to not only get through this book but to write this review. I had to read books in between to just calm the eff down before I dove into this one.
Another thing about writing this review is that I have to keep it spoiler-free, which nearly feels impossible. There’s so much I want to say, but can’t. I was so torn by the end of The Upside of Falling, my heart was so broken, I was questioning how the heck we’d get a happy ever after. I was still fuming during most of this book and it almost made me not want to read it, but I had to, I was completely hungry for the ending. You’ll feel everything as you make it through this story, this duet tells two very different stories and that’s why I wished it wasn’t a duet at all. It’s true, you’ll be on the emotional ride of the century and Quinn does a phenomenal job with her storytelling, there’s no doubt about that.
Did I like all the characters? No, absolutely not, but yet again, didn’t hate them either. I wasn’t on board for a couple of the characters reasons for some of their actions. And that seated heavy on my mind for the entirety of the story. As much as I tried to get past that, I just couldn’t… However, one of the characters was redeemed and I just loved him by the end.
I definitely went through the wringer with Downside and still wishing so hard that this wasn’t a duet (if you can’t tell as I’ve mentioned this a few times). We get two different stories, both emotionally filled, your heart will break and you’ll be conflicted the entire time. Despite any rumors or spoilers you might have read, read this duet and give it a shot with a COMPLETELY OPEN-MIND, I may have had such an unpopular opinion, but this duet could definitely be for you.
Despite my opinions, true and true, Quinn did flawless job with these characters and bringing all of their stories to life. It was so hard for me to write this review because of my hangups with this read. I was left in a bit of a book hangover and just need all the happy and funny reads to get me through the next week.
This was always going to be a five star read for me whether I got the ending I wanted or not. After reading The Upside Of Falling my feelings had done a complete turn around and I was firmly on a certain characters team. Starting The Downside Of Love I was so unbelievably nervous. I stared at my kindle for at least a hour before I dared begin reading. The anxiety was at an all time high before I’d even opened the book. It was evident after reading the prologue that I was still on my characters team and my feelings hadn’t diminished since I read book one. If I thought that my feelings were going to be any less confusing during this book, I was badly mistaken.
I’ve spent the majority of these books with conflicting feelings. I felt like I wanted to hate certain characters but the more I found out about them, the harder it was for me to hold on to my dislike of them. Meghan Quinn makes it so very easy to get inside each characters heads and to show you that they all have flaws, they’ve made mistakes and hurt themselves for the benefit of others and that made it extremely hard not to like them (and believe me when I say I tried REALLY hard not to like them).
In the end I couldn’t help but love all these characters. There is no bad guy or girl. Meghan Quinn has a talent of allowing the reader to really get inside each characters mind and they soon felt like real people. This is an amazingly written, emotion packed, angsty romance that I adored and that’s left me hoping desperately for a certain someone’s story (please Meghan Quinn if you’re reading this, please make that happen soon).
4.8 stars
4.8 stars
It is official this author is a wizard. I had no idea how she was going to resolve this duet without me hating certain characters after the whopper of a cliffhanger from The Upside of Falling. I told myself it was impossible. I should have known that she would prove me wrong. Not only did she prove me wrong she knocked it out of the park.
I cannot even say much about this story because it would ruin it for those that have not read it. Just know that in true fashion, this author did created magic again. She wrote a story about love and all the beautiful and often ugly sides to it. Love comes in a plethora of ways. Sometimes they can be first love, forever love, unrequited love, ex-love. All of them combined in some form or another shape the person we are and leave a lasting imprint. To every season there is a reason. Being selfless in regards to loving someone is often the hardest and most painful lesson to learn and sometimes it is a lesson to love unconditionally no matter the outcome in order to be able to fly free.
This book/duet is not in the normal wheelhouse of this author. She is mostly associated as the Queen of RomCom. Don’t let that moniker fool you because she can do it all. I am not sure how I forgot considering Dear Life was the first book I read by this author and she gutted me with that one. If you are looking for a book that is poignant, raw, sometimes ugly and makes your heart ache then look no further.
Also, can I just say Holy Titfire on that epilogue?!?! It is a Festivus Miracle!
Have you ever been so drawn in by a book that even turning the page becomes too much to bear. The Blue Line Duet Series created that sensation in me. These aren’t your typically Meghan Quinn books folks but don’t let that deter you as they are outstanding reads that run the emotion gamet. I wish dearly that I could review this book without giving away things, but frankly I can’t and that would just be cruel. So buckle up on Quinn and settle in for the Downside of Love.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book
For the second book in this duet I found myself holding on to the edge of my seat, flipping the pages as fast as I could to absorb this amazing story of first love, heartbreak, and true love. This story and these characters will tear at your heartstrings from the beginning to the end. The complications of friendship, guilt, self worth and career choices all had such a huge emotional impact and add in the characters struggling so many feelings, good and bad there was no way to figure out how this was all going work out.
One of the most beautiful quotes that I have ever read! Thank you Meghan Quinn for this amazing story!
“The downside of love is heartache and uncertainty, but the upside of falling is finding an everlasting love that will carry you through a lifetime of happiness.”
That curveball was totally unexpected and yet such a defying moment in The Blue Line Duet. After that shock-worthy ending in The Upside of Falling I wasn’t sure if my heart was going to be able to handle what this story was going to throw at me, but of course my heart can handle just about anything at this point. I mean it would have to be after reading all of these angsty romances lately!
The Downside of Love is the highly anticipated conclusion in The Blue Line Duet by Meghan Quinn and perhaps one of the best books that I have EVER read! When I initially began this story I was slightly against some of the events happening, but the more I read the more I understood that there was no other way for this story to go. The author took this story in exactly the right direction it needed to go even if I was a little apprehensive at times, but now I can’t imagine it any other way.
As much as I adored the character development in book one, I feel as if I connected with them more in book two because I saw them in a whole new light. They captivated me and wiggled their way deep inside my heart. The chemistry was insanely hot and their connection was one of the strongest I have seen (read) in a long time. They took us on an emotionally journey that kept us (the readers) on the edge of our seats until the very end. Seriously the love these two shared was so beautiful and it was impossible not to devour this story in one sitting. Oh and don’t even get me started on that epilogue because I cannot wait to see what future the author has for those two!
The Downside of Love was a unique and unexpected conclusion to The Blue Line Duet! I cannot help but recommend the heck out of this book because it’s one of those duets that readers will love wholeheartedly!
“…the upside of falling is finding an everlasting love that will carry you through a lifetime of happiness.” Unless of course you fall for a man who is always in the clouds. Giving a man his freedom is in my opinion, the downside.”The downside of love is heartache and uncertainty..”
Meghan Quinn leaves no uncertainty in the Upside and Downside of her definition. Apparently, Meghan and possibly the voices in her head (the characters), aren’t on the same page or even book as my pathetically hopeful heart. Am I punishing the author? Probably! I sent her at least 30 messages- so yeah, I’d say I’m punishing her.
What I need to say though is that this duet is worthy every year, fear, and heartache. Despite your wishes for this tale, it will give you all the highs, the lows, and the gut twisting guilt. The fear and pain of being in love and afraid of the alternative.
The Downside of Love will make many of you happy, a few upset, but everyone goes home with a smile and maybe even a weird look. (You will understand that once you finish it!)
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
4
With the way The Upside Of Love ended, I had no idea what to expect with this book. I was a roller coaster of emotion, throughout this well written love story.
I didn’t expect how the story went, but this does end in a HEA.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
So, the first book in this duet I enjoyed. It just didn’t hit my heart at all. I was like am I broken? What is going on here. And then Stryder comes along and changes the whole thing. Stryder and Rory were two people that I would have never expected to get to know each other. First of all, The first book, you get glimpses of who Stryder is. So you don’t know what’s going through in his mind or his heart.
The Downside of Love was all about forgiving, loving and genuinely being someone’s everything. Both characters were just perfect for each other. I don’t want to give anything away in my review if that’s at all possible. The whole time reading I was thinking, why did this have to be a Duet? Why couldn’t we have had both of them in the beginning? Then it dawned on me that, as a reader, you really wouldn’t understand the depth and love those two share, if you don’t have what happened before. Rory may have loved Colby, but it was a different kind of love. I believe it’s true, that certain people were destined to come into your life at that specific time. To help you get through whatever is going on in your life at that time.
Quinn hit it on the second part of the duet. Those words between the two of them, would make any black heart beat again. It was truly beautiful.
So with all of that, of course, it’s Five Boundless Stars.
The sweetest fantasy can turn into the most heartbreaking romance. Life like love has a way of veering off course before we hit smooth sailing again. The Downside of Love is the balm to heal a broken heart. Quinn tilted the world on an axis with the emotional twist at the end of The Upside of Falling, but Downside sets about balancing it out. To get beyond the curve we have to accept the lesson it teaches us. Meghan Quinn hits on the darkness, but the sun is never far behind. Prolifically stunning romance.
FIRST-READS
After being left with one of the biggest book hangerovers I have ever had I was so happy to get my hands on The Downside of Love and once again Meghan Quinn drew me straight into this beautifully written love story and in this book we get all our questions answered. I really don’t want to give any of the story away because that wouldn’t be fair to the readers patiently waiting for this books release on July 1 what I will tell you is no other duet will touch you the way this duet will, you will cry you will get angry you will laugh but in the end you will be left feeling all fuzzy inside. Megan Quinn makes you feel like you are on this journey with your friends you become emotionally attached to the characters as you share their pain as well as their happiness. This book is about realising first love can be but is not always our true love it’s about excepting the good the bad and the ugly times we go through with our soul mates. This author has once again shown how diverse and how extremely talented she is, I’m so glad she took a chance on this duet and you will be too. A MUST READ DUO.
Is any decision the right one? This is the question that kept running through my head as I was reading this.
The Downside of Love is the epic conclusion to the Blue Line duet.
I am still processing my feelings. I ran the gamut when reading. I was sad, I was angry, I was happy.
This story hit so many personal things with me, which in turn made me love and hate this all the more….
The locations: I lived in Colorado Springs for 12 years and I could picture the places and been to quite a few of them. I was in the military, I married a military man. I could empathize with Rory. I could empathize with all of them, but I chose differently.
The dynamic between the characters: I too had to make decisions and choices that seemed right at the time. But at what cost? Luckily I did choose correctly and I have been thanking my lucky stars ever since.
The true testament to this story is that I was so determined about what I wanted the outcome to be. I was so filled with angst and shaking my head and crying when I was reading. But being the brilliant writer that Meghan is, she changed my way of thinking, to see the otherside. Meghan flipped the script! I may not agree on the outcome, but I can understand it better and I could appreciate it more. And that in itself makes me love Meghan’s words even more than I thought was possible!
I am hoping, and praying that Meghan makes sure that all the characters get their happily ever afters! They so deserve it!
This duet proves that Meghan can write more than just funny, sweet romances. She can also deliver one helluva angst, tear filled, love story for the ages!
This is a MUST READ duet! This duet is amazing! This is definitely in the running for my best of 2018 reads! Get your hands on this!