It happened in stages.My father left.My twin sister died of an incurable autoimmune disease.My mother started breaking down.Then I was diagnosed with the very thing that took my other half from me.That was when I realized Mama’s eyes turned gold when she cried.So I moved in with my father and his new family—new wife, new son, new stepbrother.Kaiden Monroe made me feel normal.Hated. Cared … stepbrother.
Kaiden Monroe made me feel normal.
Hated. Cared for. Loathed. And … loved.
Somewhere along the way, I’d found solace in the boy with brooding eyes.
But everything happens in stages.
And nothing good ever lasts.
more
I am sitting here after finishing this story and I am not okay. I am so gutted and extremely emotional after finishing Emery’s story.
UTST really hot deep with me. My mom suffers from the same disease as Emery and Barbara. My moms case isn’t as severe as theirs but there are still days when she can’t get out of bed or days when she is in so much pain, she can’t move. Being able to see the other side of the disease just ripped a whole in my heart and poured salt in my wound.
Barbara did such an incredible job with this story. It’s raw and emotional. It’s eye-opening and real. I can’t and I won’t EVER get over or forget about this book. I won’t spill too much more into this review because I won’t do spoilers, but this book is one of my favorite reads of this year. Hands down.
Great job Barbara. I know this book couldn’t have been easy to write knowing how hard it was for me to read. But just know, you are a warrior.
In Underneath the Sycamore Tree author B. Celeste takes us on a heartbreakingly beautiful journey along side Emery who is striving to survive with Lupus. Along the way she learns some hidden truths and regains a relationship with her father and finds a best friend, a first love, and a safe haven/an ally in Kaiden. This author is always phenomenal with packing in the emotions and this book was no different; I felt everything from beginning to end – the good and the bad.
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Underneath the Sycamore tree is as heart-warming as heartbreaking, but totally worth the read. It’s a masterpiece!!
The story, the characters, the romance, the writting style. Everything about it is so perfectly told.
The story follows Emery Matterson, whose life was never easy. She lost her twin when she was a kid, her dad left and her mother doesn’t deal well with grief, but at the top of that she deals with the same illness her twin had, which is lupus.
When she is 17, she moves on to her dad’s and his new family, where she meets Kaiden Monroe, her stepbrother. Besides his tough attitude, since day one he cares and protects her. As they spend together, they realize they have a connection and together they help each other to be better.
Emery is the most selfless and sweetest girl I have ever came across, but at the same time she is the strongest. Thru all the book we see how she deals with her illness, which totally broke me, but I am so proud of her journey.
Kaiden is so sweet and attentive and cute. He is definitely one of my favorite heroes ever. He helped Em a lot and gave her the strength, when she was feeling weak.
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Their romance story is the most beautiful I have came across. There aren’t enough words to express how beautifully it is.
It’s an emotional book with NO HEA, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a worthy read. I totally recommend you to read it, to experience the feeling I have felt thru all the book. It’s unique, raw, tough, beautiful and heartbreaking.
The last chapters are the saddest, but told in a way that felt realistic, which I totally appreciated. I also learned a lot about lupus, an invisible illness that not many people talk about.
Besides the romance, the book has a lot of values about life, that makes you question your own life. Also, I appreciated to see the characters evolve and everyone embracing their mistakes and fixing them.
I would like to mention Mr Nichols and Cam, my favourite side characters, which was a pleasure to read
Overall, if you haven’t read this one, please DO IT. You want to experience the emotions the book gives you and met Kaiden and Emery
There a books in our life that are going to break our heart but also must be read and this book was no exception. I have wanted to read this book for so long but just had to build my self to read it and i am so glad i did.
Sometimes i like to read a book and get a reality check i know reading takes us out of reality and that’s why a lot of people read but sometimes i need to reminded that life can always be worse so yes as much as this book broke my heart and cried all the way through it i was smiling as well because it was such a beautiful story it hurt but i think i will look at rainbows very differently now i will think peace and beauty.
This is the first book i have read of B Celeste and i know it won’t be the last the way this book was written was so beautiful and one story i will never ever forgot and it will be in my top books for emotional heartbreak, i don’t read these books often but when i do it won’t be one i will forget
I loved Kaiden and Emery the fight she fought through her disease and dealing with the lose of her sister there was no doubt that she a fighter and the effect she had on Kaiden was just beautiful, he was a very closed off human and reading him open up was something special and so was their relationship.
This is a must read and i loved everything about this story but you do need the chocolate and tissues but if you need a good cry do not go past this book
“Disease is the monster in the dark. It lingers, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It veers its ugly head and takes what it wants, when it wants.“
This book was sad! I was constantly fighting the tears! Emery had to watch her twin sister die of Lupus. It took a toll on her family. Her mother never really got over her death. So when Em became sick with the same disease she totally checked out. The dad left before his daughter was even put in the ground.
Em had to deal with so much at a young age.
So, when she got sick… she just accepted it. Knew what to expect. It was sad to read.
“Pain comes in countless forms. The worst is seeing what your suffering does to everyone around you. Mama is my biggest victim.”
To give her mom a much need break from what Em was going through. She moves in with her dad. I felt horrible for em. She was in so much pain. Dealing with her illness. Knowing her mom needed time. Moving in with a man she knew was hiding from her. He checked out once Lo (the twin sister) died. The dad remarried and has a new stepson. Em swallowed all that to give the mom time.
I had a love hate thing with Kaiden. He was mean most of the time. His kindness was genuine but he never liked to show it fully. He would do nice things but hide it behind sarcastic/rude remarks.
He was also so blunt. Sometimes too blunt. He definitely had a chip on his shoulder. He acted out a lot.
Em had so much patience with him. She knew when he needed time. They got each other.
The ending of this book just broke me! I was just straight up crying. This book just broke my heart. I just can’t put it into words. This book was good. It pulls on your heart strings. It’s going to take me a little bit to get over this book and these characters.
“I have to watch healthy people with thousands of chances live like they’re not afraid of death at all. Time is a luxury we can’t all afford.“
*ARC provided for an honest review.*
Emery lost her twin sister and with her mother unable to cope looking at her everyday, Emery decided to go and live with the father that left her and her dying sister alone. When she gets there she meets her “new” family and step-brother Kaiden who was determined to hate her. Em feels so alone but little by little her and Kaiden become friends but she is hiding a huge secret that will destroy everything. Wow, I don’t know what to say about this book and how to write what I felt. This book was such an emotional journey of real life. This story was so thought provoking and it taught me the true meaning of living your fullest life. I highly recommend this book and author. AMAZING!!!
O.M.G. What just happened?!?!? I need to process this book.
* More review to come after I stop crying….
UPDATE….
O.M.G. What did I just read?!?! I couldn’t even write a review on this one because I was crying so hard and I needed to process what just happened.
I have never read a B. Celeste book before. So, to read Underneath the Sycamore Tree was a real treat and devastating at the same time! This book is a stepbrother book. But at the same time, it really isn’t. I can’t even explain into words what it is other than an ugly cry book!
Emery Matterson is a twin to Logan Matterson. There is a tragedy that happens with Logan that alters Emery’s life forever! I am not going to tell you simply because you need to discover that for yourself… I know, I know, you are killing me right now.
Needless to say, I could relate to Emery. Emery has chronic pain and deals with it the best she can. B. Celeste’s descriptions within this book are spot on and leave you completely speechless. I too have chronic pain and have had it for over 25 years. I understand what it is like to have an “invisible pain” that others cannot understand.
One of things that I love about this book is that even though Emery goes to live with her dad and meets her stepbrother, Kaiden Monroe, the focus is not on the stepbrother story. It really is a love story between Emery and her twin, Logan. I don’t mean a romantic relationship. I mean the twin love that they have for one another. I have twins and I see that bond each and every day.
A quote that completely broke me was in the acknowledgments.
“Just remember Emery got her happily ever after. She’s with Logan and they are both pain free.”
~ B. Celeste
UGLY CRY!!!
There is a point where you just want to cry for Kaiden. I would love to see B. Celeste write an additional book for him. Although we do see him two years past Emery, it doesn’t seem complete. B. Celeste, please, please write a book for him!!
In the end, I became such of B. Celeste’s work. I am a fan for life! I am so glad that I took a chance on this one. It was the right book at the right time for me.
~ Review by Heidi Pharo
I swear this book is going to stay with me for life!! There are just books that will change your life and this is one of them! The way Barbara writes is an absolute gift! She’s amazing at ripping open a readers emotions and leaves us lying on the floor in a puddle of tears!! Now that’s skill!!
There’s something I’m taking away from this book and that’s I think from now on I’ll remind myself that I won’t always see people’s struggles and that life is sometimes cruel but still people continue to fight everyday just like Emery!! This was unlike any romance I’ve ever read and let me tell you if you don’t read Underneath the Sycamore Tree you’re truly missing out on a phenomenal story!
This book left me raw and exposed feeling. I haven’t had a good “ugly cry” in a while. This book did it. B Celeste brought these characters straight off the pages and into your life. It was real, emotional and sad.
This is the story of Emery & Kaiden. I don’t want to give away too much and spoil the book. Going in blind is best, that was my approach and I’m so glad I did.
The author does not shy away from the ugly side of real world illness, issues and struggles that come with it.
Don’t miss this real, raw and emotional book. It is definitely worth every feeling it brings out.
Where do I start on this review when my head and my heart are hurting so much.
Emery’s twin sister died just before she was 10 from an autoimmune disease, now at 18, Emery also has the disease. This book hit me so hard at times. I have twins and seeing their relationship together is so special. Just thinking about Emery’s pain with not having Logan there causes me so much pain.
Emery lives with her Mum and Gran but there is so much sadness from her mum that’s putting a strain on their relationship and decides she needs to give her a break from seeing her, from seeing her dead sister looking back at her each day and goes stay with her dad.
When she moves in with her dad, she meets her new stepbrother, who gives her a hard time to begin with but slowly they come together. I liked their relationship with each other. He was the one person she had fully on her side especially since things were tense in the relationship she had with her mother and father.
Emery, what a strong character. I had so much love for her and her strength, knowing what was ahead for her, she fought her battle with courage and with peace.
Kaiden, I never really bought into his bully nature, there was always something there that showed he cared, loved Emery. He was broken and in pain from the loss of his father but he let her in and he always seen her. My heart burst for him so many times with his gestures and just being there for her.
Celeste wrote this book with so much realness, not shying away from the real pain and totally struck my heart. I had teary eyes 95% of the book and let’s not talk about the ending. I even welled up hours later just thinking about this book. You wrecked me and I admire you being able to write this as it would not have been easy, especially after reading your Author’s Note .
This book is not an easy read, especially knowing how it will end and will tug at all your heartstrings. It’s raw, so raw and at times near the end I didn’t want to read on, knowing what was to come. I felt all the emotions. I’ve been luck enough to read ARC’s of all Celeste’s books and this is by far my favourite and one I won’t forget and I look forward to reading more.
*An ARC received for an honest review*
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene -68%
POV – First, Heroine
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Angst –
Steam –
Chemistry –
I’ve learned my lesson and this time I remembered to save Underneath the Sycamore Tree until the weekend. B. Celeste has delivered another beautifully written, touching and slightly taboo romance which made me ugly cried and emotionally overwhelmed. Kaiden and Emery’s journey was heartbreakingly painful which made the sweet times so much more precious and endearing. The author had given a dose of realism to the story which made the characters so unforgettable. I empathized Emery’s struggle with her invisible illnesses. It reminded me that we should always treat people with respect and kindness because they might be struggling underneath their normal appearance. My heart may have been shattered throughout the pages but I loved every minute of it. Be brave and give this phenomenal story a chance, you will not regret it!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Holy…just, this story. Not gonna lie when I read the synopsis, I KNEW is was going to gut me. I was totally right. This book left me in tears, and made me realize to appreciate the little things. This was just so beautifully written, and I wish I could find the right words to express what a fantastic book this is. THis will be a book people will be talking about for years to come.
Wow, just wow I am still stumped over how much this book touched my heart with everything going on in Kaiden and Emery’s life.
I love a good freaking ugly cry book and this certainly reached that expectation.
To have to sit here and read a book that will literally obliterate you and tear you apart then you know that the author has done a great job with her book.
UTST is definitely a book that will last in my thoughts for a long time. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what we could expect when we got to the end.
B. Celeste has touched my heart with UTST. It is certainly a book that you should give a try especially if you love these types of books (emotional with angst)
Wow…
This isn’t my first book from this author and I knew I had to be prepared for it but this was like a punch in the gut. But in the most beautiful way.
This story is exquisitely written and it shows us how hard it is to deal with an invisible illness.
It’s an eye opening,heart-wrenching and utterly emotional read in which B.Celeste doesn’t leave a single detail out.
I’ve found myself through a whirlwind of emotions and at some points even fighting the tears wanting to escape.
Emery’s story is so unique and raw…I just couln’t put it down.
This is a book will that will stay with me for a very long time.
Underneath the Sycamore Tree is a full lenght standalone novel by B.Celeste.
“Fiction has a way of revealing the types of truths that reality obscures. There’s nothing that books can’t talk about, regardless of how readers interpret then. We can accept or deny what we want, but the facts are still immortalized on paper.” – Underneath the Sycamore Tree by B Celeste
This book makes you open your eyes to a reality we don’t all know. I work in the medical field and have a decent knowledge about chronic illnesses and autoimmune disorders. However, reading about a character suffering from one really opened my eyes to how much I don’t know about living with one of these conditions.
Emery is such an inspiring character. Her strength and drive is inspiring. While Kaiden is a strong man who survives lifes challenges in a different way, with a different outlook than Emery. The way they help each other grow, heal, and live is amazing. They needed each other in ways no one could have anticipated.
This book is full of feels, but worth the read.
It’s been three days that I’ve finished this book and still haven’t been able to explain how this book made me feel!
Still fucking gutted….
Yet still left with something thought provoking afterwards!
Going into this book I knew to expect angst because hello its B. Celeste. I was super excited to read one of my favourite tropes Stepbrother romance but done in the way it should be done.
However this book didn’t end up going the usual route for this theme and to be honest I’m so fucking thankful for the way she has written this absolutely master piece. It comes in a time I really needed the wisdom that she left in this book.
“I find that the books with the saddest endings are the best because it makes us feel. We don’t always get a happily ever after no matter how hard we work for it.”
The love between Mouse and Kaiden to me was one of the purest forms of love I’ve seen. It felt like the soulmate kind of love. And to me your soulmate doesn’t necessarily need to be the person you’re Inlove with. Your soulmate is that one person that gets you and loves you unconditionally and forever changes you.
“Thank you.” He blinks up at me. “Thank you for being my friend. My best friend. Anyone could have stepped up and… tried knowing me and they didn’t. It was always just you.”
This love was a kind of love where a brave Heroine in her own story found a unbreakable friendship, opportunity to love and live, heal wounds that would maybe not have ever been healed and have a second chance at something unforgettable.
And it was at this very moment where I ripped my heartout and gave it to B. Celeste! This moment in this book was my lowest point yet my most profound moment!
” It all makes sense. My lack of friends. My unwillingness to settle down, to find a promising career path, to dream. I never wanted to date— to make time for people in my life. I make thousands of excuses that hold me back from truly living, and the final puzzle piece reveals the reason why. I’m not meant to. The realization slams into me, slices through me, opens me up. But I welcome it—the truth.”
B. Celeste gave us her heart and everything in this book.
Underneath the Sycamore Tree has literally flabbergasted me. I really cannot stress enough how well written this beauty is. The research, the time it took to describe each character and their backgrounds, and even the supporting characters. Just .. amazing.
I will tell you that in order to successfully read this book, you will need an entire box of tissues. Whether it be tears of fear, sadness, joy or love, you will cry. I know that I sobbed through many, many chapters. Don’t let that turn you off. That shows you how well it is written. My all-time favorite book is written by Kristin Hannah. Well folks, I am here to tell you that Underneath the Sycamore Tree is ranked right next to it. I never thought that anything would compare, but I was so wrong.
B. Celeste is a new to me author and I don’t know what I was waiting for. I should have read her long ago. This book is brilliance. It’s life. Its raw and real and just everything a book should be. Make sure to pick up your copy immediately!!
“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It just means that it can no longer control our lives.”
Days. It’s been days since I’ve finished Underneath the Sycamore Tree and I still find myself tearing up whenever I think about it. In fact, I’m tearing up AGAIN while I try to write this review.
This is a book that will wreck you to the core. It gives you a glimpse into the life of someone that lives with an invisible disease. It’ll make you think and feel. You’ll feel every painful, heartbreaking moment Emery navigates you through. You’ll also feel all the beautiful, blissful, heartwarming moments life has to offer her. Everything Emery and her loved ones experience, you experience.
Underneath the Sycamore Tree was nothing I was expecting, but everything I found I needed. It’s a captivating, heart-rendering story that everyone should read. Barbara may have left a piece of her heart in this book, but in return, it stole a piece of mine.
I had so many emotions while reading this book. The writer does a great job with is story. Emery is a young women going through health problems. The death of her sister brings her closer to her dad and his new family. Kaiden, her new stepbrother, brings her out of her shell. What starts as tolerating each other turns to true friendship and more. They both learn a lot about life in this emotionally charged book. Be ready to laugh and cry as you read through a roller coaster of emotions!
This is THE book readers did not know they needed. Underneath the Sycamore Tree is so real, messy but beautiful, just like life. Most likely, we all know someone who has a chronic illness and B. Celeste’s raw writing puts us in the shoes of that person. Because the illness is invisible, it takes true talent to that. This is a MUST read!