Growing up in an idealistic home, Sparrow Fisher is sheltered and innocent. When she meets Ian Sterling, a musician who is rising in popularity, she instantly falls for his charm. They run into each other over the next few months and eventually begin an unconventional relationship.
At different places in their lives, Sparrow is off to college in New York, and Ian is traveling the country with … with the band. When they see each other, all seems wonderful and lighthearted, but when they’re apart, Sparrow is left to wonder if Ian really cares about her the way he says he does, or if she’s just another pretty face to him.
Once their relationship steadies, they’re both happier than they’ve ever been, and it’s hard to not get caught up in the magic they have together. Until something so devastating comes to light that threatens to shatter everything they’ve built with each other.
True Love Story is a story about the real highs and lows that come with a relationship — happiness, pain, angst, and finding out if love really is enough.
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When perfect innocent Sparrow meets bad boy musician Ian Sterling there was an immediate spark. But as things progress they also digress, then progress and so on. Ian is hot and cold and Sparrow has a hard time figuring out what is going on. As she moves to New York with her best friend Tessa and starts broadening her horizon she meets Asher, she tells him she just wants to be friends but events unfold that leaves her knowing that he was never her friend. I hurt for all he took from her. When things start to go really well with Ian, she finds out information that leads her to believe that love isn’t enough, she isn’t enough and life will never be the same again. Ian isn’t perfect by any means but life hasn’t been easy on him and sometimes those that we think have everything turn out to really not have it all.
I live for a good cheat romance, and True Love Story is a great one!
What made this romance so good was Sparrow’s strength. Though 9 years younger, and miles more innocent than Ian, she has the strength and resolve in which we rarely see a heroine written in infidelity romances. Although she is madly in love with Ian, and is shattered by his betrayal, Sparrow knows without trust they have nothing and she refuses to accept less than she deserves.
But what made this cheat romance great was the grovel. Willow Aster gives us grovel in a way I’ve never read before. Ian is honest, forthright, and emotionally raw in his apologies, and he lays himself bare again and again for Sparrow.
Willow’s writing is beautiful throughout, but especially in Ian’s letters to Sparrow. His words feel raw, honest, and heartfelt, and nothing like the overdone and flowery way I’ve read grovel done before.
I want a hundred more infidelity romances as well done as this one. I sincerely hope this becomes Willow Asters’ preferred trope, as she has done it better than I’ve ever read before.
This is the first book I have ever read written by Willow Aster and I am having a serious book hangover the next day. I had to wait a day to write this because I stayed up until 4 in the morning finishing it. Then I still had to contemplate it during the day today. Relish it. Savor it like a fine wine or delicious dessert you don’t want to finish. You want it to go on and on. Well now I am finally trying to write the review on this heart wrenching book. My heart broke. For Sparrow Fisher. For her innocence that was ruthlessly ripped from her and her unconditional love that was trampled on like it was yesterday’s trash. For Ian Sterling, who was used by his friends, told he wasn’t good enough, and believed what he was told. I so wanted them to work things out. It was a slow burn, gave us time to get to know their backstories, know what was going on in their heads. Gave us time to root for their HEA. And we weren’t disappointed. We were finally able to breathe a sigh of contentment and know that true love does really win. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars because it certainly deserves it! I will be rereading this book again and again. I received this book as an ARC for an honest review
Oh man, there’s angst all over the place in this book. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. Ian and Sparrow are up and down, it was a lot for my black soul. It’s a good story and it made me feel…things. Readers who like emotional stories, this one is definitely for you!
Finished this fabulous, heart rendering story yesterday. I’ve spent the hours since mulling it over in my mind with introspect and appreciation.
Appreciation for Willow Aster’s amazing ability to weave an alluring, beautifully powerful story that captured my heart! Introspection over how I could in some ways relate to idealistic young Sparrow who grew up in a sheltered environment.
The age gap between Sparrow and Ian added to the allure. The draw between them was palpable and yet Ian’s experienced life style as compared to Sparrow’s led to those around her to advise her to tread with caution and not be hurt. The way in which Willow Aster weaves a very well developed plot, and complex characters whom evolved in an almost transposed way kept me totally enthralled with emotions.
I loved this story!
FLOVED THIS!!!!!
I went in blind. I did not read reviews, afraid of spoilers (No spoilers here) I’m glad I did because the journey was magnificent. I didn’t even know if this would be a HEA and I was okay with whatever ending I got. I fell so in love with Ian & Sparrow, I believed the author would do right by them.
The ending was perfect. Magical. It was right.
When you read page after page that turn into chapter after chapter and your heart won’t stop twitching, skipping, swelling…. You know you’ve got a good read.
Throughout the book my thoughts were “I’m in wonderful-torture-book-heaven”
This was not a story about perfect people. These were flawed, scared, scarred, beautiful and amazing people.
We can only be “better” when we recognize where we went wrong.
Sparrow has Tessa and she is the BEST friend anyone can ever have!!!! I love them. Their friendship added so much more to this story.
If only you could know my whole heart. How much love is there for you. Love that you haven’t seen yet. Love that no one has ever seen. A lifetime of love withheld. Concealed.
Every day and every night, I’m loving you. Steadfast love in my heart for you. Nothing can ever take it away.
Quote No pain, no rejection, no separation, no depression, no opposition, no fiery hell can drive you out of my heart.