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Chances #1
Eleanor & Grey
Greyson East left his mark on me. As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near. Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again. When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined. I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man. The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain. When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only. He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time. But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for. I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,060 reviews
August 23, 2020
**Spoilers**
Cherry recycles the same characters and plot. Really, would it kill her to deviate from the norm by writing a story that doesn't include
A) Death of an off-page /on-page character which is then ruthlessly and simultaneously utilized as a tearjerker and plot twist.
B) The heroine "rescuing" the mostly despondent yet completely gorgeous widower/father/douchy hero
C) A heroine who's neither ambitious nor self-aware; living only to ensure the "happiness" of the widower/father/douchy hero.
Without a doubt Cherry is a talented writer, however, she's become a one-trick pony who somehow doesn't know that heroines can be both ambitious and loving; also, it wouldn't hurt if she wrote one with layers and nuance.
On to the book. Which starts off in 2003 with 16yo Eleanor and 17yo Grey, when both characters are battling with emotional situations that cause them to rely on and fall in love with each other eventually getting separated geographically, which in turn led to a complete breakdown of the relationship.
Fast forward to 2019 and Eleanor is still doing the exact same job she had at 16, with her life seemingly on pause, while, of course, the guy (whatshisname) is very wealthy and had proceeded to not only love ANOTHER WOMAN in the intervening years but also had TWO children by this woman who, by all accounts, should have her name on the cover of this darntastic-frustrating-af book. <----------Note to authors: This is what not to do. Don't keep the OW (dead or alive) on-page beyond 1 page, max 2. Anything more and you'll risk alienating your readers.
And, wait for it...Eleanor conveniently loses her current nannying job then almost immediately gets employed as a nanny to Grey's two children. Riiiiiight. I did not see that coming. At all.
As if that wasn't contrived enough, Eleanor quickly surmises that she never fell out of love with Grey hence why she never really dated during the 16y separation. 16yrs she put her life on hold only to become the nanny? Excuse me while I giggle.
The worst part? Grey was still irrevocably in love with his late wife and, sweet baby corn, I was disappointed that this completely misogynistic %@# was written by a female author.
May 18, 2021
5 stars!
No one writes a story quite like Brittainy C. Cherry. She is exceptional. I felt every word of this book in my heart. My words are feeling inadequate right now because this book was just that beautiful and sensational and I can’t properly describe how much I adored it.
Eleanor and Greyson met when they were teenagers and they became friends. Ellie was an introverted teen in need of a friend, and Greyson was that person for her. Through losing her mom, moving away, Grey was there. Time tore them apart and they lost touch but fate brought them together many years later.
Greyson is a widow with two grieving daughters and when Eleanor applies for a new nanny job, she has no idea Greyson is the father of the girls. It’s quite the shock to them both. Ellie hasn’t changed much, she’s still the sweet, bright light she’s always been, but Grey… Grey is not the same. His loss has crushed him. He’s completely detached. And all Ellie wants to do is to help him and his daughters heal. She knows what it’s like to lose someone. Maybe not a spouse, but a mother. Things aren’t easy for them at first. It’s a lot. But with time, the old Greyson starts to appear. And things start to change between them. That connection they always shared is back full force.
Eleanor was such a relatable character to me in so many ways. She’s so kind, pure, and I loved everything about her. Greyson is a little more tricky. He’s genuinely the best person, but he’s been through so much and it’s changed him. He’s not the same man he once was and he’s drowning in his sorrow and his grief. He desperately needed Ellie. They needed each other.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a million more times, no one writes like Brittainy and not many others can evoke the kind of emotions she does. She writes with her whole heart and soul and you can feel that. This story had moments that lifted my spirits so high, and moments that gutted me, but in the end I felt whole and complete. It had one of the best endings/epilogues ever, and after all Ellie and Grey had been through they were so deserving of it.
Eleanor and Grey was stunning. It’s a story of love, loss, healing, and second chances. It’s a book that needs to be read. If you’re a lover of emotional books, second chance romances, and beautiful words, pick this one up. I’ll continue to read any and everything this author writes forever and always.
People didn’t have to talk about love to know that it existed. Love wasn’t only real because people said it out loud. No, love just kind of sat there quietly, in the shadows of the night, healing the cracks that lived on our heart.
No one writes a story quite like Brittainy C. Cherry. She is exceptional. I felt every word of this book in my heart. My words are feeling inadequate right now because this book was just that beautiful and sensational and I can’t properly describe how much I adored it.
Eleanor and Greyson met when they were teenagers and they became friends. Ellie was an introverted teen in need of a friend, and Greyson was that person for her. Through losing her mom, moving away, Grey was there. Time tore them apart and they lost touch but fate brought them together many years later.
Greyson is a widow with two grieving daughters and when Eleanor applies for a new nanny job, she has no idea Greyson is the father of the girls. It’s quite the shock to them both. Ellie hasn’t changed much, she’s still the sweet, bright light she’s always been, but Grey… Grey is not the same. His loss has crushed him. He’s completely detached. And all Ellie wants to do is to help him and his daughters heal. She knows what it’s like to lose someone. Maybe not a spouse, but a mother. Things aren’t easy for them at first. It’s a lot. But with time, the old Greyson starts to appear. And things start to change between them. That connection they always shared is back full force.
I love everything about you, even the parts that you think are too sad to be loved. I think those parts are the most beautiful.
Eleanor was such a relatable character to me in so many ways. She’s so kind, pure, and I loved everything about her. Greyson is a little more tricky. He’s genuinely the best person, but he’s been through so much and it’s changed him. He’s not the same man he once was and he’s drowning in his sorrow and his grief. He desperately needed Ellie. They needed each other.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a million more times, no one writes like Brittainy and not many others can evoke the kind of emotions she does. She writes with her whole heart and soul and you can feel that. This story had moments that lifted my spirits so high, and moments that gutted me, but in the end I felt whole and complete. It had one of the best endings/epilogues ever, and after all Ellie and Grey had been through they were so deserving of it.
Eleanor and Grey was stunning. It’s a story of love, loss, healing, and second chances. It’s a book that needs to be read. If you’re a lover of emotional books, second chance romances, and beautiful words, pick this one up. I’ll continue to read any and everything this author writes forever and always.
His soul was born to be loved by mine.
January 31, 2023
3.75 Stars
“Nothing in life is personal, not really. Some people will love you for who you are today, others will hate you for it, and none of their opinions matter either way—not the good or the bad. Only you can define who you are. No one else has that right.”
“He was just him, I was me, and we were us.”
May 10, 2020
Wow this is so emotional grief and friendship story! I loved Brittainy Cherry’s talented writing! I adore her Elements series !( Silent Waters and The Air he breathes are all my favorites) This book is a little softer if you compare it with her previous works.
This book is mostly about two people’s reconnection to pass through the obstacles the life throws at their way and share their loneliness after they lost their loved ones.
It’s a sweet, heartwarming family story. It’s about surviving against traumas and finding your own way by being reborn from your ashes.
Only thing that worried me was Eleanor’s sacrifices for Grey and her over patience even that breaks her heart to fight for him. She’s smart, talented, intellectual woman and I know their special unconditional connection but sometimes it was overwhelmed me to see her sad especially after his big slip about calling her by passed away wife!
I felt like she tried so hard to keep their unique togetherness alive.
But mostly storytelling was so genuine and fascinating. The book gave me a big smile on my face and warmed my heart. So as a summary I liked Eleanor and Grey’s story. It made my inner dragonfly free to fly and enjoy the life.
This book is mostly about two people’s reconnection to pass through the obstacles the life throws at their way and share their loneliness after they lost their loved ones.
It’s a sweet, heartwarming family story. It’s about surviving against traumas and finding your own way by being reborn from your ashes.
Only thing that worried me was Eleanor’s sacrifices for Grey and her over patience even that breaks her heart to fight for him. She’s smart, talented, intellectual woman and I know their special unconditional connection but sometimes it was overwhelmed me to see her sad especially after his big slip about calling her by passed away wife!
I felt like she tried so hard to keep their unique togetherness alive.
But mostly storytelling was so genuine and fascinating. The book gave me a big smile on my face and warmed my heart. So as a summary I liked Eleanor and Grey’s story. It made my inner dragonfly free to fly and enjoy the life.
April 7, 2019
I am a huge Brittainy fan but this book fell short for me.
I loved teen Ellie and Grey. The first 30% of the book happens in 2003 when Grey is 17 and Ellie 16. I adored their relationship and how much they loved each other. Sadly life happened and they lost touch.
Fast forward 15 years and Grey and Ellie meet again. This is the part where the book lost a little of its magic for me. Grey lost his wife, which he loved deeply, and is father to 2 girls. Ellie is a nanny and starts working for him. She helps him and his family to heal but I am not sure Grey is ready to love someone else again. I am just not convinced that he loves her as much as she does. He still loves his wife and even though I completely understand, it‘s still a bit of a turn off for me cause that makes me feel there’s no room for Ellie. There’s one scene in particular where he calls Ellie by his wife’s name (this was at the 84% mark) that felt like a cold bucket of water. After that I just couldn’t believe he loved Ellie like she deserves. I don’t know, maybe its a me thing but I am not convinced by this couple.
The writing was flawless as always but this book was just ok for me.
I loved teen Ellie and Grey. The first 30% of the book happens in 2003 when Grey is 17 and Ellie 16. I adored their relationship and how much they loved each other. Sadly life happened and they lost touch.
Fast forward 15 years and Grey and Ellie meet again. This is the part where the book lost a little of its magic for me. Grey lost his wife, which he loved deeply, and is father to 2 girls. Ellie is a nanny and starts working for him. She helps him and his family to heal but I am not sure Grey is ready to love someone else again. I am just not convinced that he loves her as much as she does. He still loves his wife and even though I completely understand, it‘s still a bit of a turn off for me cause that makes me feel there’s no room for Ellie. There’s one scene in particular where he calls Ellie by his wife’s name (this was at the 84% mark) that felt like a cold bucket of water. After that I just couldn’t believe he loved Ellie like she deserves. I don’t know, maybe its a me thing but I am not convinced by this couple.
The writing was flawless as always but this book was just ok for me.
March 4, 2020
ELEANORE & GREY: Is a full length standalone romance novel by Brittainy C. Cherry. Spoken in Dual POVs. Split up into two parts. This review will be as spoiler free as I can possibly make it.
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
❝ He was him..I was me..And we were us..This was us..This was our story. ❞
Eleanore & Grey is so unpredictable, utterly unique and unputdownable in every sense. This is not just your ordinary romance. It is completely addictive and intensely consuming. Heartbreakingly real in all its entirety.
PART ONE: Takes us back to 2003, this is the year when she finds out that her mother is ill but also the same year where she develops a crush on a boy.
It all started at a party that her mum talked her into attending, the sixteen year old girl in a nook enjoying the latest Harry Potter book instead of partying like her peers. Everything I knew about life, I learned from Harry Potter. I called him the greatest teacher of life lessons. Wearing a crocheted dragonfly cardigan, and seventeen year old Greyson the star basketball player who is coerced into talking to her by his best friend in the hopes that he'd worm his way back into her cousins graces.
When opposites attract. Eleanor is your nerdy Harry Potter book nerd introvert, she has her quirks, wears weird cardigans And Greyson is the schools heartthrob, the all round popular jock with a heart of gold. If he were a book character, he'd be the hero.
Eleanor's mother is sick so Greyson came into her life at the perfect time when she desperately needed someone to take her mind off her mother's illness. Eleanor's mother was her best friend. Greyson had lost his Grandfather not so long ago so he was sad and lonely without him.
"We don't have much in common, I don't think."
"Well, we can find out and go from there."
"Okay, well, once you discover something that we have in common, I'll hang out with you."
"Pinky promise?"
"Fineee," I groaned as I wrapped my pinky around his.
Grey was determined to find something they would have in common, he wanted to become her friend.
"I'm a Gryffindor," he remarked
"You read Harry Potter?"
He nodded. "Yup, sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but these are long."
"You read all the books?"
"All five, and now I'm counting down the days until the next one releases.
Why did you read them all?"
"So we'd have something in common.
And so on a weekly basis a beautiful friendship grew. From Harry Potter books to kung fu movies and red licorice on Tuesdays. We started seeing each other more and more, and if we weren't seeing each other, we were talking on AOL messenger.
But when Eleanor's mothers illness progresses further they decide to move away and live by the beach in Florida. Which means leaving Grey behind.
When hard things happen, we lean on each other. Okay?
Pinky promise.
And this is where the first load of heart break will occur. Grey yet again comes into Eleanor's life when she needed him the most.
PART TWO: The second part of the story jumps fifteen years. Grey and Eleanor are all grown up. But one of them is damaged beyond repair. This is where I felt a world of pain. Gone is that beautiful boy and in its place is a cold distant, heartbroken man. She becomes his employee, He's the CEO of Easthouse Whiskey his father's company.
He seemed so checked out from reality, I was surprised he was able to even complete hos daily work tasks. Yet, that seemed to be the one thing he excelled at doing. Greyson was a professional workaholic, and he took that role seriously.
A slow burn second chance romance ignites between the two.
Oh god my heart
Read
March 19, 2019Eleanor & Grey, a Second Chance Romance, is coming this April 8th! <3
***
Greyson East left his mark on me.
As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.
Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.
When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.
I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man.
The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.
When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only.
He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time.
But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.
I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.
**Eleanor & Grey is a complete Standalone novel**
***
Greyson East left his mark on me.
As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.
Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.
When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.
I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man.
The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.
When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only.
He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time.
But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.
I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.
**Eleanor & Grey is a complete Standalone novel**
January 18, 2022
***6 STARS***
I am emotionally drained. Spent. Mentally exhausted and on a reader’s high. I have been in a reading slump lately and this story was what I needed to get my groove back.
Eleanor and Grey meet the summer before their senior year of high school at a party. Grey is the popular jock and Eleanor is the shy girl that prefers to read over social interaction. Grey meets her to fulfill a favor for a friend but he finds himself utterly smitten in who Eleanor is. This couple endures so much. Eleanor has to endure her mother’s fight with cancer and then years later when they are reunited Grey is dealing with the untimely loss of his wife and being a father.
This book had so much! Amazing storytelling, fast pacing, excellent character development. This is truly a gifted author. Her words flow effortlessly and touches the soul. Like they say on Booktok I give this a chef’s kiss and will go down as an all time favorite.
No smut here. Truly a slow burn but an epic love story.
Highly recommend.
I am emotionally drained. Spent. Mentally exhausted and on a reader’s high. I have been in a reading slump lately and this story was what I needed to get my groove back.
Eleanor and Grey meet the summer before their senior year of high school at a party. Grey is the popular jock and Eleanor is the shy girl that prefers to read over social interaction. Grey meets her to fulfill a favor for a friend but he finds himself utterly smitten in who Eleanor is. This couple endures so much. Eleanor has to endure her mother’s fight with cancer and then years later when they are reunited Grey is dealing with the untimely loss of his wife and being a father.
This book had so much! Amazing storytelling, fast pacing, excellent character development. This is truly a gifted author. Her words flow effortlessly and touches the soul. Like they say on Booktok I give this a chef’s kiss and will go down as an all time favorite.
No smut here. Truly a slow burn but an epic love story.
Highly recommend.
April 9, 2019
- Spoilers
Eleanor & Grey? Should have been called Nicole & Grey because the second half was all about her and how much Grey loved her with all his heart.
Yes, I am in the minority here, but I despised this book. Although, I did adore part 1 but that adoration was completely ruined by the last half so that's always nice.
Note to self: ALWAYS FUCKING READ THE REVIEWS BEFORE STARTING A BOOK YOU ABSOLUTE DICKHEAD. I can only blame myself, it was my mistake reading this but never again.
Hero hung up on his dead wife? If I had known then best believe I wouldn't have wasted my money on this "tear-jerking love story." There was tears, tears of fucking anger. I loved Grey in part one but part two? I skimmed that half like a bitch. Absolutely horrible, I had zero sympathy for all the characters. Am I cold hearted bitch? Yes, without a fucking doubt. He is grieving for his dead wife all throughout it which is understandable but I do not consider this as a love story between Eleanor and Grey anymore. Part 1? Yes, I 100% saw the love that grew beautifully but it went fucking sideways with his stupid wife and his daughters. There wasn't any chemistry between the two anymore, it disappeared. Maybe that's why there was a part one, to see the love they once had. Grey was shattered and miserable over the death of his wife, he made declarations of his love for her in pretty much every page and I was done. So when Grey started having feelings for Eleanor again, it felt hollow and less than what it was. But my mum didn't raise a quitter so I still finished this dickhead of a love story. I felt betrayed because I enjoyed these characters in the beginning.
Every book I have read by this author, the hero is always fucking hung up on the ex or he tragically lost his significant other. This is by far the worst hero. These plots piss me off, because the loss of an wife/husband/child means tears and that means sales, right? But I have enjoyed her other books with MCs losing their partners. This one just lacked the chemistry, it was horrid. I was told Grey loved Eleanor but I didn't feel it. It felt forced.
Also, there was a scene where he called Eleanor by his dead wife's name. So fucking cliche. Eleanor said it was just a speed bump. If I had a physical copy of Nicole & Grey, I think I would have honestly ripped it to shreds at this point. Eleanor was pathetic in part two. Part one, she was amazing, I loved her quirks and everything.
I've said this a million times but imma say it again: IF NICOLE WAS TO MIRACULOUSLY COME BACK TO LIFE , GREY WOULD LEAVE ELEANOR FOR HER WITHIN A SECOND. I hope one day there will be a book like this but the difference would be that I'll be able to truly see the love the hero has for the heroine despite his dead partner. I want that love to knock the love for the ow out the fucking universe so then I can finally say if the ow was to come back, that he wouldn't leave the heroine and have zero doubts about the matter.
I really believed it would get better and his feelings for Eleanor would be exhibited much more, but it was just all about fucking Nicole.
If I could give this less than one star, I would.
Eleanor & Grey? Should have been called Nicole & Grey because the second half was all about her and how much Grey loved her with all his heart.
Yes, I am in the minority here, but I despised this book. Although, I did adore part 1 but that adoration was completely ruined by the last half so that's always nice.
Note to self: ALWAYS FUCKING READ THE REVIEWS BEFORE STARTING A BOOK YOU ABSOLUTE DICKHEAD. I can only blame myself, it was my mistake reading this but never again.
Hero hung up on his dead wife? If I had known then best believe I wouldn't have wasted my money on this "tear-jerking love story." There was tears, tears of fucking anger. I loved Grey in part one but part two? I skimmed that half like a bitch. Absolutely horrible, I had zero sympathy for all the characters. Am I cold hearted bitch? Yes, without a fucking doubt. He is grieving for his dead wife all throughout it which is understandable but I do not consider this as a love story between Eleanor and Grey anymore. Part 1? Yes, I 100% saw the love that grew beautifully but it went fucking sideways with his stupid wife and his daughters. There wasn't any chemistry between the two anymore, it disappeared. Maybe that's why there was a part one, to see the love they once had. Grey was shattered and miserable over the death of his wife, he made declarations of his love for her in pretty much every page and I was done. So when Grey started having feelings for Eleanor again, it felt hollow and less than what it was. But my mum didn't raise a quitter so I still finished this dickhead of a love story. I felt betrayed because I enjoyed these characters in the beginning.
"..just feels like a betrayal.. like I'm betraying Nicole."I wonder if he felt like that about Ellie when he met Nicole.
Every book I have read by this author, the hero is always fucking hung up on the ex or he tragically lost his significant other. This is by far the worst hero. These plots piss me off, because the loss of an wife/husband/child means tears and that means sales, right? But I have enjoyed her other books with MCs losing their partners. This one just lacked the chemistry, it was horrid. I was told Grey loved Eleanor but I didn't feel it. It felt forced.
Also, there was a scene where he called Eleanor by his dead wife's name. So fucking cliche. Eleanor said it was just a speed bump. If I had a physical copy of Nicole & Grey, I think I would have honestly ripped it to shreds at this point. Eleanor was pathetic in part two. Part one, she was amazing, I loved her quirks and everything.
"Sometimes the best love stories are about those who waited."No sweetie, Grey already had the best love story with Nicole and it sounded epic.
I've said this a million times but imma say it again: IF NICOLE WAS TO MIRACULOUSLY COME BACK TO LIFE , GREY WOULD LEAVE ELEANOR FOR HER WITHIN A SECOND. I hope one day there will be a book like this but the difference would be that I'll be able to truly see the love the hero has for the heroine despite his dead partner. I want that love to knock the love for the ow out the fucking universe so then I can finally say if the ow was to come back, that he wouldn't leave the heroine and have zero doubts about the matter.
I really believed it would get better and his feelings for Eleanor would be exhibited much more, but it was just all about fucking Nicole.
If I could give this less than one star, I would.
February 22, 2022
HERZENSBUCH | 5/5 ⭐️
Beendet: 14.02.2022 | Nr. 21
Wow, wow, wow. Was für eine wunder-, wunderschöne Geschichte voll von Trauer, Schmerz und unendlich viel Liebe.
Die Charaktere sind so wundervoll einzigartig & authentisch, dass sie sich sofort in mein Herz geschlichen haben.
Und Brittainy C. Cherrys Schreibstil? Atemberaubend.
Absolute Herzensempfehlung, ich bin ein bisschen sehr verliebt. 💛
Beendet: 14.02.2022 | Nr. 21
Wow, wow, wow. Was für eine wunder-, wunderschöne Geschichte voll von Trauer, Schmerz und unendlich viel Liebe.
Die Charaktere sind so wundervoll einzigartig & authentisch, dass sie sich sofort in mein Herz geschlichen haben.
Und Brittainy C. Cherrys Schreibstil? Atemberaubend.
Absolute Herzensempfehlung, ich bin ein bisschen sehr verliebt. 💛
April 9, 2019
3.75 Stars
Overall Opinion: Right off the bat I have to say that Ms. Cherry always taps into my emotions, and she definitely did that with this book! I know to expect to shed at least a few tears when I pick her books up, and this didn't disappoint! I f-loved their past relationship. I f-loved Grey in the past. I, however, struggled some with the Grey of the present. I also struggled a lot with the fact that we don't hardly get any time with them as a couple in the present! It was mostly time-jumped and glossed over. Why?! We get so much angst of the stuff they are going through, in both past and present, but why not some more of the good stuff to balance it all out in the end? This was my biggest gripe about the book, because I did enjoy a lot of the other parts. I don't feel like I can quite justify a 4 star rating after writing out my issues, but it was darn close...
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Eleanor and Grey's story. They meet when they're seniors in high school and Eleanor is forced to go to a party by her parents. Grey is the popular guy who nobody understands is really hurting and lonely inside, and Eleanor is an introvert that isn't interested in anything but getting through her mom suffering from cancer. They form a quick bond of finding everyday reasons to smile regardless of their situations. Circumstances create distance between the two and they are separated for something like 16 years. They're reunited when Eleanor is shockingly hired on as Grey's new nanny for his two daughters. Grey is not the boy that Eleanor remembers, but she soon realizes that it's now her turn to support him through some hard times. There are some sad scenes, a few funny moments, and a few sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between Eleanor and Grey's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. This has two parts -- the past and the present. I thought it flowed well (except for the ending) and I never skimmed.
Instalove: No, but strong feelings do return quickly when reunited because they had cared deeply for each other in the past.
H rating: 3.5 stars. Grey. I liked him, but he was a little hard to take when they are first reunited. I understand that he was in pain, but it was a little bit too hard for me to get over.
h rating: 4.5 stars. Eleanor. I really liked her. She was sweet, loyal, and unconditional in her love.
Sadness level: Moderate/high. I cried a good bit. This hit close to home , and that might have impacted my reaction to this where other readers might not have the same reaction.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good/low. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not very many and not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This is my biggest issue with the book! Why not some more closure?! I feel like I had a lot of unanswered questions left in the end and I felt like there wasn't nearly enough time with them as a couple after the conflict was resolved! I'm classifying this as a HFN ending, but I'm sure other people will be fine in calling this a HEA .
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: Right off the bat I have to say that Ms. Cherry always taps into my emotions, and she definitely did that with this book! I know to expect to shed at least a few tears when I pick her books up, and this didn't disappoint! I f-loved their past relationship. I f-loved Grey in the past. I, however, struggled some with the Grey of the present. I also struggled a lot with the fact that we don't hardly get any time with them as a couple in the present! It was mostly time-jumped and glossed over. Why?! We get so much angst of the stuff they are going through, in both past and present, but why not some more of the good stuff to balance it all out in the end? This was my biggest gripe about the book, because I did enjoy a lot of the other parts. I don't feel like I can quite justify a 4 star rating after writing out my issues, but it was darn close...
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Eleanor and Grey's story. They meet when they're seniors in high school and Eleanor is forced to go to a party by her parents. Grey is the popular guy who nobody understands is really hurting and lonely inside, and Eleanor is an introvert that isn't interested in anything but getting through her mom suffering from cancer. They form a quick bond of finding everyday reasons to smile regardless of their situations. Circumstances create distance between the two and they are separated for something like 16 years. They're reunited when Eleanor is shockingly hired on as Grey's new nanny for his two daughters. Grey is not the boy that Eleanor remembers, but she soon realizes that it's now her turn to support him through some hard times. There are some sad scenes, a few funny moments, and a few sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between Eleanor and Grey's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. This has two parts -- the past and the present. I thought it flowed well (except for the ending) and I never skimmed.
Instalove: No, but strong feelings do return quickly when reunited because they had cared deeply for each other in the past.
H rating: 3.5 stars. Grey. I liked him, but he was a little hard to take when they are first reunited. I understand that he was in pain, but it was a little bit too hard for me to get over.
h rating: 4.5 stars. Eleanor. I really liked her. She was sweet, loyal, and unconditional in her love.
Sadness level: Moderate/high. I cried a good bit. This hit close to home , and that might have impacted my reaction to this where other readers might not have the same reaction.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good/low. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not very many and not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This is my biggest issue with the book! Why not some more closure?! I feel like I had a lot of unanswered questions left in the end and I felt like there wasn't nearly enough time with them as a couple after the conflict was resolved! I'm classifying this as a HFN ending, but I'm sure other people will be fine in calling this a HEA .
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
April 9, 2019
*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
We weren’t touching, but I swore I felt him. I felt his heartbeats. When he hurt, my heart cried. When he was in pain, my eyes were the ones to weep. That’s how close the two of us were. Our love story was so much more than a romantic tale. Our story was about friendship. About family. About looking out for those who always looked out for you. His soul was born to be loved by mine.
AMAZING!!! I am so in love with this story and Brittainy C. Cherry right now! I don’t think she has it in her to write anything that isn’t truly exceptional. ”ELEANOR & GREY” is an angsty, heart-felt story of friendship, innocent first love, and an epic romance formed through unimaginable heartbreak and second chances. I loved these characters. From the moment you meet them, you’ll find it hard not to care deeply for them, to feel their pain, and to shed many tears. I truly felt I was put through an emotional ringer from the angst and at times I thought it was beyond torturous, but I get that it made the story that much more poignant.
Eleanor and Grey became friends during their senior year of high school. Ellie was the shy, nerdy introvert, and Grey was the ”IT” guy at school. He was captain of the basketball team and the object of every girl's affection, but Ellie was not impressed by Grey. She had judged him unfairly and was so completely wrong in her assumptions. Grey, on the other hand, was intrigued by Ellie and saw the beauty in her that others were too blind to see.
Grey comes into Ellie’s life just when she needed him the most. He becomes her best-friend and savior during one of the most painful times of her life. He helps break her out of her shell and together they build a beautiful bond that eventually turns into a sweet and innocent first love. But just as they start to explore this new aspect of their relationship, Ellie’s parents decide to sell their house and move to Florida. They try to keep in touch through emails, texts, and phone calls but after Ellie goes through a traumatic loss, the two eventually drift apart.
I didn’t enjoy this part of the story. I really hate it when a couple that belongs together are forced to go their separate ways and then many years pass before they reunite, and yet I understand that this has to happen in order for the plot to develop and to keep readers engaged. I was so upset that they went about their lives for nearly sixteen years without any interaction and that they were able to love other people.
When Ellie and Grey meet up again, it is not the reunion that I was hoping for and these two are not the same people that they were when they were seventeen. Life has been hard and it’s changed them. It’s Ellie’s turn to be the savior. She’s the one offering to help pick up the pieces and bring light back into Grey’s life. Grey is nothing like the sweet and loving boy he once was. He’s become everything he swore he wouldn’t be all those years ago when they were the best of friends.
Can Ellie help Grey find the sweetness that was embedded deep in his soul before it’s too late? Will Grey open up his heart to love again?
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5++++
Plot: 5
Angst: 5+++++
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5++++
ELEARNOR & GREY releases tomorrow! This is a book you need to drop everything and get to asap!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FTOiSy
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/EleanorGrey
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
We weren’t touching, but I swore I felt him. I felt his heartbeats. When he hurt, my heart cried. When he was in pain, my eyes were the ones to weep. That’s how close the two of us were. Our love story was so much more than a romantic tale. Our story was about friendship. About family. About looking out for those who always looked out for you. His soul was born to be loved by mine.
AMAZING!!! I am so in love with this story and Brittainy C. Cherry right now! I don’t think she has it in her to write anything that isn’t truly exceptional. ”ELEANOR & GREY” is an angsty, heart-felt story of friendship, innocent first love, and an epic romance formed through unimaginable heartbreak and second chances. I loved these characters. From the moment you meet them, you’ll find it hard not to care deeply for them, to feel their pain, and to shed many tears. I truly felt I was put through an emotional ringer from the angst and at times I thought it was beyond torturous, but I get that it made the story that much more poignant.
Eleanor and Grey became friends during their senior year of high school. Ellie was the shy, nerdy introvert, and Grey was the ”IT” guy at school. He was captain of the basketball team and the object of every girl's affection, but Ellie was not impressed by Grey. She had judged him unfairly and was so completely wrong in her assumptions. Grey, on the other hand, was intrigued by Ellie and saw the beauty in her that others were too blind to see.
Grey comes into Ellie’s life just when she needed him the most. He becomes her best-friend and savior during one of the most painful times of her life. He helps break her out of her shell and together they build a beautiful bond that eventually turns into a sweet and innocent first love. But just as they start to explore this new aspect of their relationship, Ellie’s parents decide to sell their house and move to Florida. They try to keep in touch through emails, texts, and phone calls but after Ellie goes through a traumatic loss, the two eventually drift apart.
I didn’t enjoy this part of the story. I really hate it when a couple that belongs together are forced to go their separate ways and then many years pass before they reunite, and yet I understand that this has to happen in order for the plot to develop and to keep readers engaged. I was so upset that they went about their lives for nearly sixteen years without any interaction and that they were able to love other people.
When Ellie and Grey meet up again, it is not the reunion that I was hoping for and these two are not the same people that they were when they were seventeen. Life has been hard and it’s changed them. It’s Ellie’s turn to be the savior. She’s the one offering to help pick up the pieces and bring light back into Grey’s life. Grey is nothing like the sweet and loving boy he once was. He’s become everything he swore he wouldn’t be all those years ago when they were the best of friends.
Can Ellie help Grey find the sweetness that was embedded deep in his soul before it’s too late? Will Grey open up his heart to love again?
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5++++
Plot: 5
Angst: 5+++++
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5++++
ELEARNOR & GREY releases tomorrow! This is a book you need to drop everything and get to asap!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FTOiSy
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/EleanorGrey
April 11, 2019
Wow.... Don’t you absolutely love a read where you get lost in it, taken away?? This read was it for me. It was like don’t touch me, do not talk me, just leave me alone so I can get to the end of this book
I have no doubt this journey will effect you, in many ways, but at the end, who can deny love
Hands down recommend this book for all you second chance trope lovers. Be prepared to smile, to cry-and I mean ugly cry, and be ready to love. This author has that beautiful magic to sweep you away ♥️
I have no doubt this journey will effect you, in many ways, but at the end, who can deny love
Hands down recommend this book for all you second chance trope lovers. Be prepared to smile, to cry-and I mean ugly cry, and be ready to love. This author has that beautiful magic to sweep you away ♥️
September 20, 2022
(I read the german translation of this book)
I was very excited to read this book and then I was punched in the face with the "I AM SO DIFFERENT" "I AM NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS" syndrome.
Eleanor is one of the most annoying teenagers I have ever read about so here is a list:
1. she is very obsessed with Harry Potter and calls other humans muggles. yes you read that correctly. MUGGLES.
2. She brought a PHYSICAL copy of a Harry Potter book to a party. She then proceeds to say that she hopes none of the muggles see her. (little tip from a person that likes to be alone at parties: do not bring a physical book since that pulls more attention to you since you are bringing a giant block with you. read on your phone.)
3. she wears converse to home coming but not because it is comfortable but because she is just "different" and not into this girly stuff. Same with make up btw.
OH AND LET US NOT FORGET THAT GREY IS MISOGYNISTIC
Now about the plot:
There is a love confession at the 30% book mark and then puff: OVER 10 YEAR TIME SKIP WTH AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT???
This book was extremely fast and I was so confused on why this happened now I need to list a few things that made me uncomfortable while reading this book.
spoiler from now on since yeah:
-
-
-
-
-
-
So Eleanor becomes Grey's nanny (what a coincidence) 10 months after his wife died in a car crash in which his wife, him and the two daughters Lorelei and Karla were involved.
Here is where my real issues with this book start:
Grey is clearly still in love with with dead wife and Eleanor is just there to forget which is clear when he says her name during a fun moment they have. It has been 10 months what do you expect?
Now on top of that Eleanor just exists to make Grey happy? I am sorry but what? She just wants to make him happy happy happy because of their teen relationship but as a nanny, she completely neglects Karla.
I am aware there were a few moments where she helps Karla and Lorelei but overall fuck no. I think the kids in this book were mistreated by the father and by the nanny. Especially Karla.
If I was Karla I would have never forgiven Grey for how he treated her after the accident.
Since I read the german book I am not sure if ableist slurs (in english) were used at all but Karla gets bullied throughout the book and called many ableist German words too.
Now this is where I knew this book was really going downhill because instead of focusing on helping Karla and making sure she does not get bullied anymore right when it first happens, BOTH GROWN UPS LET IS GO AND FOCUS ON WANTING TO FUCK.
FUCK YOU ELEANOR AND FUCK YOU GREY. I am so utterly disappointed and mad at these two adult that are both over 29 years old.
I also think I need to mention that Karla only sustained these intense injuries because during the car drive of the accident, her younger sister Lorelei kept unbuckling her???????
Excuse me what?
I do not know what parenting was done before this but I have three younger siblings and we have fought during almost every car ride with screaming and crying till I was what 17?.
Not once did anyone ever come up with the idea to annoy a sibling by unbuckling their seat belt??? And to top it all off how did the parents not react clear to any of this???
Now post accident, I have no idea if this was talked about with Lorelei since it was not mentioned at all but clearly Karla held the short end of the stick throughout the entire book.
To top it all off, Karla is clearly depressed and have s- thoughts but no one is picking up on it and I am feeling so much anger against every person expect Karla and Lorelei, these kids were mistreated.
I could go on about this for at least another 1000 words but I am getting agitated so my last note is:
FUCK YOU GREY AND FUCK YOU ELEANOR
I was very excited to read this book and then I was punched in the face with the "I AM SO DIFFERENT" "I AM NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS" syndrome.
Eleanor is one of the most annoying teenagers I have ever read about so here is a list:
1. she is very obsessed with Harry Potter and calls other humans muggles. yes you read that correctly. MUGGLES.
2. She brought a PHYSICAL copy of a Harry Potter book to a party. She then proceeds to say that she hopes none of the muggles see her. (little tip from a person that likes to be alone at parties: do not bring a physical book since that pulls more attention to you since you are bringing a giant block with you. read on your phone.)
3. she wears converse to home coming but not because it is comfortable but because she is just "different" and not into this girly stuff. Same with make up btw.
OH AND LET US NOT FORGET THAT GREY IS MISOGYNISTIC
Now about the plot:
There is a love confession at the 30% book mark and then puff: OVER 10 YEAR TIME SKIP WTH AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT???
This book was extremely fast and I was so confused on why this happened now I need to list a few things that made me uncomfortable while reading this book.
spoiler from now on since yeah:
-
-
-
-
-
-
So Eleanor becomes Grey's nanny (what a coincidence) 10 months after his wife died in a car crash in which his wife, him and the two daughters Lorelei and Karla were involved.
Here is where my real issues with this book start:
Grey is clearly still in love with with dead wife and Eleanor is just there to forget which is clear when he says her name during a fun moment they have. It has been 10 months what do you expect?
Now on top of that Eleanor just exists to make Grey happy? I am sorry but what? She just wants to make him happy happy happy because of their teen relationship but as a nanny, she completely neglects Karla.
I am aware there were a few moments where she helps Karla and Lorelei but overall fuck no. I think the kids in this book were mistreated by the father and by the nanny. Especially Karla.
If I was Karla I would have never forgiven Grey for how he treated her after the accident.
Since I read the german book I am not sure if ableist slurs (in english) were used at all but Karla gets bullied throughout the book and called many ableist German words too.
Now this is where I knew this book was really going downhill because instead of focusing on helping Karla and making sure she does not get bullied anymore right when it first happens, BOTH GROWN UPS LET IS GO AND FOCUS ON WANTING TO FUCK.
FUCK YOU ELEANOR AND FUCK YOU GREY. I am so utterly disappointed and mad at these two adult that are both over 29 years old.
I also think I need to mention that Karla only sustained these intense injuries because during the car drive of the accident, her younger sister Lorelei kept unbuckling her???????
Excuse me what?
I do not know what parenting was done before this but I have three younger siblings and we have fought during almost every car ride with screaming and crying till I was what 17?.
Not once did anyone ever come up with the idea to annoy a sibling by unbuckling their seat belt??? And to top it all off how did the parents not react clear to any of this???
Now post accident, I have no idea if this was talked about with Lorelei since it was not mentioned at all but clearly Karla held the short end of the stick throughout the entire book.
To top it all off, Karla is clearly depressed and have s- thoughts but no one is picking up on it and I am feeling so much anger against every person expect Karla and Lorelei, these kids were mistreated.
I could go on about this for at least another 1000 words but I am getting agitated so my last note is:
FUCK YOU GREY AND FUCK YOU ELEANOR
May 6, 2023
Das Buch war okay für mich. Nicht mehr, nicht weniger. Es hat mich gut unterhalten können, und es gab auch durchaus Stellen, die mich sehr berührt haben (wenn es um die zwei Kinder von Grey ging), aber die Liebesgeschichte von Grey und Eleanor hat mich nicht wirklich gepackt.
Was ich mochte: Eleanor ist ein Bücherwurm und Harry Potter- Fan. Das hat es mir leicht gemacht, sie zu mögen :)
Und ich mochte auch die beiden Töchter von Grey! Die sind mir tatsächlich beide ans Herz gewachsen.
Ich habe das Buch als Hörbuch gehört immer während der Fahrten zur Arbeit, und da konnte es mich sehr gut unterhalten. Ich hatte aber auch kein Problem damit, das Hörbuch dann zu unterbrechen.
Was ich mochte: Eleanor ist ein Bücherwurm und Harry Potter- Fan. Das hat es mir leicht gemacht, sie zu mögen :)
Und ich mochte auch die beiden Töchter von Grey! Die sind mir tatsächlich beide ans Herz gewachsen.
Ich habe das Buch als Hörbuch gehört immer während der Fahrten zur Arbeit, und da konnte es mich sehr gut unterhalten. Ich hatte aber auch kein Problem damit, das Hörbuch dann zu unterbrechen.
April 15, 2019
3.5 STARS!
And sorry, my wonderful GR friends, my review will also be mixed - though not for the same reason as many others.
0 - 40%: 5 STARS!
Nerdy, reserved teenage girl meets popular, outgoing teenage boy. Sounds cliché, I know, but honestly, the first half of this book was FABULOUS.
The writing was on-point. Every scene built up the story and the characters. Every scene was polished and heartfelt. Every scene left me wanting more. In fact, the word-nerd in me ooohed and aaahed quite a few times.
And holy crap! The reason for their separation tore my heart out. The author's depiction of grief and loss was so well done. It felt genuine and I cried my eyes out.
40 - 100%: 3 STARS
The idea of Eleanor coming back into Grey's life at a time when he needed her most was UNBELIEVABLY appealing to me. The potential for this story to be epic was HUGE.
But the truth is that the second half of the story needed another round (or two) of beta/editing.
SO MANY big scenes missed the mark; their emotional impact was polluted by a sudden plethora of clichés, forced situations, superficial consequences, and cheesy dialogue - all of which should have been smoothed out before publication.
As a result, the connection between Grey and Ellie was never re-established in any meaningful way. The difference in the writing was like night and day.
I finally decided to round down because I was only able to skim the last 5% - I'd just had enough.
"I think people underestimate how important just showing up is."So . . . all the mixed reviews, I get it now.
And sorry, my wonderful GR friends, my review will also be mixed - though not for the same reason as many others.
0 - 40%: 5 STARS!
Nerdy, reserved teenage girl meets popular, outgoing teenage boy. Sounds cliché, I know, but honestly, the first half of this book was FABULOUS.
The writing was on-point. Every scene built up the story and the characters. Every scene was polished and heartfelt. Every scene left me wanting more. In fact, the word-nerd in me ooohed and aaahed quite a few times.
There was nothing worse than when an extrovert tried to understand the deep corners of an introvert's mind.I loved Eleanor and Grey together at this point of the story.
My brain never wanted me to be that girl, but clearly my heart didn't care what the mind wanted.The author did a superb job of laying the foundation of their relationship. I BELIEVED every word of the build-up and the reason for their separation.
And holy crap! The reason for their separation tore my heart out. The author's depiction of grief and loss was so well done. It felt genuine and I cried my eyes out.
40 - 100%: 3 STARS
The idea of Eleanor coming back into Grey's life at a time when he needed her most was UNBELIEVABLY appealing to me. The potential for this story to be epic was HUGE.
But the truth is that the second half of the story needed another round (or two) of beta/editing.
SO MANY big scenes missed the mark; their emotional impact was polluted by a sudden plethora of clichés, forced situations, superficial consequences, and cheesy dialogue - all of which should have been smoothed out before publication.
As a result, the connection between Grey and Ellie was never re-established in any meaningful way. The difference in the writing was like night and day.
I finally decided to round down because I was only able to skim the last 5% - I'd just had enough.
July 28, 2023
Why!!! Why did Goodreads delete my review??? 😭😭Since it was deleted I will just leave a brief review.
This book wrecked me in the best possible way!! I absolutely loved it so much!! ❤️❤️ I remember almost putting the book on pause because I had just read a story that was heart wrenching but I am so glad I didn’t stop!! Because not only did it destroy me it put me back together again. I felt this one deep in my soul and felt all the emotions!! What an emotional story about love, loss, grief, healing and second chances. I cannot recommend this book enough!! All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book wrecked me in the best possible way!! I absolutely loved it so much!! ❤️❤️ I remember almost putting the book on pause because I had just read a story that was heart wrenching but I am so glad I didn’t stop!! Because not only did it destroy me it put me back together again. I felt this one deep in my soul and felt all the emotions!! What an emotional story about love, loss, grief, healing and second chances. I cannot recommend this book enough!! All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 20, 2019
4.5 stars
"More of that"
Ughhhh this book was so good. I had a feeling I would love it because Brittainy C Cherry is a favorite of mine, but damn this book made me emotional. Thanks to my bff Jacqueline for sending me a copy of this book! This story follows Eleanor and Greyson, who first meet as teenagers in high school and fall for each other very quickly. Then they lose touch and we follows them years and years later as they reconnect.
This book has two things in it that I usually don't like in romance novels, but they worked so well in this story. I usually don't like "second chance" love stories, but I think since we got to see the beginning of their relationship it worked for me, but I usually hate when books spend the first 100 pages of the story when the characters are teenagers, but for some reason I really loved reading about their teenage years and them falling in love was so freaking sweet and I cried a lot.
I think the thing about this book that was so emotional that made me love it so much is Ellie's relationship with her parents. She has the most beautiful relationship with her Mom, and we find out right away in this book that her Mom has cancer and gosh the way this book describes grief is unreal, it freaking broke my heart. She also has a slightly complicated relationship with her Dad, and her relationship with both of them felt so real and authentic and imperfect, it made this book so special to me.
I especially loved watching Greyson and Eleanor reconnect after years and years of not speaking. It was that perfect trope of two broken people coming together and finding hope in each other again, and one of them being incredibly optimistic and the other pessimistic and negative - they just really balanced each other out beautifully.
I just really loved this one - I don't think it's my absolute favorite from this author - but it's definitely up there. I can't believe how many times I sobbed while reading this book though, it was at least three our four separate times that I cried. This is literally how I looked while reading most of this book:
"More of that"
Ughhhh this book was so good. I had a feeling I would love it because Brittainy C Cherry is a favorite of mine, but damn this book made me emotional. Thanks to my bff Jacqueline for sending me a copy of this book! This story follows Eleanor and Greyson, who first meet as teenagers in high school and fall for each other very quickly. Then they lose touch and we follows them years and years later as they reconnect.
This book has two things in it that I usually don't like in romance novels, but they worked so well in this story. I usually don't like "second chance" love stories, but I think since we got to see the beginning of their relationship it worked for me, but I usually hate when books spend the first 100 pages of the story when the characters are teenagers, but for some reason I really loved reading about their teenage years and them falling in love was so freaking sweet and I cried a lot.
I think the thing about this book that was so emotional that made me love it so much is Ellie's relationship with her parents. She has the most beautiful relationship with her Mom, and we find out right away in this book that her Mom has cancer and gosh the way this book describes grief is unreal, it freaking broke my heart. She also has a slightly complicated relationship with her Dad, and her relationship with both of them felt so real and authentic and imperfect, it made this book so special to me.
I especially loved watching Greyson and Eleanor reconnect after years and years of not speaking. It was that perfect trope of two broken people coming together and finding hope in each other again, and one of them being incredibly optimistic and the other pessimistic and negative - they just really balanced each other out beautifully.
I just really loved this one - I don't think it's my absolute favorite from this author - but it's definitely up there. I can't believe how many times I sobbed while reading this book though, it was at least three our four separate times that I cried. This is literally how I looked while reading most of this book:
November 4, 2019
h was definitely second best and y'all know that's my number one hated trope.
BUT the first half was so good and the writing is beautiful. though, can't forget how Greyson got over Eleanor really quickly and got together with his wife so fast, even while he was still talking to the girl he "loves" aka our h.
was she not worth it?
was she, dare i say, forgettable ?
i don't know but i've read another book with similar situation to this (Fighting Solitude by Aly Martinez) but it was kinda worse since the OW and h became bffs and H and this OW kept rubbing their "love" in front of the h for years before OW dies. BUT i loved it.
why? because the h was definitely NOT second best and instead of grieving and mourning the whole time, he fought for the h and showed that she is his soulmate. granted, the H here has daughters he needs to take care of and that is pretty selfless but damn... i just wish we spent more time reading about them as a couple so i can really believe h is H's soulmate and one and only.
now about Landon and Shay...
my babies are the saving grace here. they're the only reason why i read this.
and apparently Landon is blonde?? i thought he had dark brown hair?
and he called my girl Shay a bitch?
and they apparently made out during their short separation?!
i thought Shay went all "radio silence"...
and Landon knows my husband, CHRIS EVANS?!
and he never came back for Shay and now they HATE each other?!
i honestly can't wait for their book anymore and it's only been a day since i finished reading theirs.
but i swear to god if Landon became a man ho during their separation... imma riot.
BUT the first half was so good and the writing is beautiful. though, can't forget how Greyson got over Eleanor really quickly and got together with his wife so fast, even while he was still talking to the girl he "loves" aka our h.
was she not worth it?
was she, dare i say, forgettable ?
i don't know but i've read another book with similar situation to this (Fighting Solitude by Aly Martinez) but it was kinda worse since the OW and h became bffs and H and this OW kept rubbing their "love" in front of the h for years before OW dies. BUT i loved it.
why? because the h was definitely NOT second best and instead of grieving and mourning the whole time, he fought for the h and showed that she is his soulmate. granted, the H here has daughters he needs to take care of and that is pretty selfless but damn... i just wish we spent more time reading about them as a couple so i can really believe h is H's soulmate and one and only.
now about Landon and Shay...
my babies are the saving grace here. they're the only reason why i read this.
and apparently Landon is blonde?? i thought he had dark brown hair?
and he called my girl Shay a bitch?
and they apparently made out during their short separation?!
i thought Shay went all "radio silence"...
and Landon knows my husband, CHRIS EVANS?!
and he never came back for Shay and now they HATE each other?!
i honestly can't wait for their book anymore and it's only been a day since i finished reading theirs.
but i swear to god if Landon became a man ho during their separation... imma riot.
Shelved as 'nope'
April 7, 2019First I was hesitant to read this book as I needed to know why they were separated in the first place so that I could decide if I wanted to read it or not. But the problem lies elsewhere, not why they were separated.
My dear friend Sanzida suggested that I read the following review, which she thought would help me to decide to read this book or not. And it really did.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Shortly, the heroine seems to be the second best to the hero who lost his wife and still deeply mourns for her. He loved his wife so much that the book lost its appeal for me. He even calls the heroine by his dead wife's name at the 85% mark, which is really sad for the heroine :(
My dear friend Sanzida suggested that I read the following review, which she thought would help me to decide to read this book or not. And it really did.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Shortly, the heroine seems to be the second best to the hero who lost his wife and still deeply mourns for her. He loved his wife so much that the book lost its appeal for me. He even calls the heroine by his dead wife's name at the 85% mark, which is really sad for the heroine :(
February 12, 2020
“5 - More of This, Stars!”
“Our love story was so much more than a romantic tale. Our story was about friendship. About family. About looking out for those who always looked out for you. His soul was born to be loved by mine.”
More of This. Yes, please More of This. More amazing, beautiful and quality writing like this is what we need in this world. Brittainy Cherry is so freaking talented. I don’t know how she does it but every new book of hers tops the last, and so on. She’s always in my top list and definitely a one-click/must read ARC/must have the paperback as well. She’s just amazing. And this book, was simply beautiful!
“I just wanted you to know I see you, you know, the you that the rest of the world doesn’t see.”
First, I need to be super honest about something. If you follow my reviews you know I love second chance romances, I live for them. Also if you follow my reviews, you know that stories that deal with dead spouses stories are not my thing, like at all. I normally run away from them or end up hating them (with very few exceptions). Since this is B. Cherry, and I simply read her books without even looking at the blurbs, I had no idea what this was about, and even though this is indeed a second chance romance, the hero is a widower in the present time. I have to admit that once I realized there was a dead spouse involved I hesitated for a second, but this book, this book was so beautiful and engaging that I just couldn’t stop reading it and it just simply broke all my walls and biases.
Eleanor and Grey meet as teenagers and share a very special relationship full of pure teenage love. Grey was there for Ellie when she needed him the most, during the hardest moment of her life. But as with life, things change and they simply grew apart away from each other. Over 15 years later, Eleanor finds herself working as a nanny for Greyson, now a widower and father to 2 girls (one little, the other a teenager). Greyson is now a shadow of what he used to be, mostly due to his family life crumbling around them due to the death of his wife. Eleanor’s job is not easy, at all, she has to deal with a family that experienced the greatest loss of all and it’s in her nature just to help, whether it’s welcomed or not. And what a ride it is. This book explores all kids of different love, it explores loss, it explores grief, but above all it gives you so much hope, especially after heartbreak.
“You’ve been my true north since the day I met you. You’ve healed my family in more ways than I could count. You brought me back to life after my soul had died. You save my life each and every time you cross my mind. Just the thought of you heals me. I know we have things to figure out. I know there are hurdles that we have to jump, but if you’re willing, I am willing to take the leap. I want to leap and fly with you and only you for the rest of my life. So, what do you say?”
I loved how this story developed, it was just so perfectly paced, nothing was rushed. It’s written in two parts. First it established the relationship between Ellie and Grey when they were teenagers and then moved on to the future and the current situation. Like love, the story was patient, it took its time and everything was just explored and explained in such a way that you just can’t help but feel completely satisfied with the outcome. Like I said, I’m normally not a fan of these stories, mostly because I feel like they’re usually not done well and there’s always a second best feeling always lingering. But this one was nothing like that, this one just raises above all others and I truly believe it’s the pacing and the slow burn, not to mention the development of the main character’s relationship in the front-end (when they were teenagers).
At this point, I’m just rambling and probably not making much sense. But I will say this, this book is amazing. Such a beautiful story. I will admit that I cried like a baby at parts, I just couldn’t stop crying I was so moved by Brittainy’s words and her flawless storytelling. I need a Shay and Landon book, please. The only thing I would’ve loved was an epilogue, just cause I live for epilogues and since this a slow burn, a look into their future would’ve been great. But again, I loved every second of this book. My heart is just so happy after finishing this book. I absolutely recommend it!
“Forever. This kiss meant forever. And I was okay with that fact. We made it. After all these years, we began to descend on to our beautiful chapters. The chapters where pain became beauty. Where heartaches began to heal. Where always met forever. She was she, I was me, and we were us. This was our story. This was our always and forever. And it was going to be beautiful.”
“Our love story was so much more than a romantic tale. Our story was about friendship. About family. About looking out for those who always looked out for you. His soul was born to be loved by mine.”
More of This. Yes, please More of This. More amazing, beautiful and quality writing like this is what we need in this world. Brittainy Cherry is so freaking talented. I don’t know how she does it but every new book of hers tops the last, and so on. She’s always in my top list and definitely a one-click/must read ARC/must have the paperback as well. She’s just amazing. And this book, was simply beautiful!
“I just wanted you to know I see you, you know, the you that the rest of the world doesn’t see.”
First, I need to be super honest about something. If you follow my reviews you know I love second chance romances, I live for them. Also if you follow my reviews, you know that stories that deal with dead spouses stories are not my thing, like at all. I normally run away from them or end up hating them (with very few exceptions). Since this is B. Cherry, and I simply read her books without even looking at the blurbs, I had no idea what this was about, and even though this is indeed a second chance romance, the hero is a widower in the present time. I have to admit that once I realized there was a dead spouse involved I hesitated for a second, but this book, this book was so beautiful and engaging that I just couldn’t stop reading it and it just simply broke all my walls and biases.
Eleanor and Grey meet as teenagers and share a very special relationship full of pure teenage love. Grey was there for Ellie when she needed him the most, during the hardest moment of her life. But as with life, things change and they simply grew apart away from each other. Over 15 years later, Eleanor finds herself working as a nanny for Greyson, now a widower and father to 2 girls (one little, the other a teenager). Greyson is now a shadow of what he used to be, mostly due to his family life crumbling around them due to the death of his wife. Eleanor’s job is not easy, at all, she has to deal with a family that experienced the greatest loss of all and it’s in her nature just to help, whether it’s welcomed or not. And what a ride it is. This book explores all kids of different love, it explores loss, it explores grief, but above all it gives you so much hope, especially after heartbreak.
“You’ve been my true north since the day I met you. You’ve healed my family in more ways than I could count. You brought me back to life after my soul had died. You save my life each and every time you cross my mind. Just the thought of you heals me. I know we have things to figure out. I know there are hurdles that we have to jump, but if you’re willing, I am willing to take the leap. I want to leap and fly with you and only you for the rest of my life. So, what do you say?”
I loved how this story developed, it was just so perfectly paced, nothing was rushed. It’s written in two parts. First it established the relationship between Ellie and Grey when they were teenagers and then moved on to the future and the current situation. Like love, the story was patient, it took its time and everything was just explored and explained in such a way that you just can’t help but feel completely satisfied with the outcome. Like I said, I’m normally not a fan of these stories, mostly because I feel like they’re usually not done well and there’s always a second best feeling always lingering. But this one was nothing like that, this one just raises above all others and I truly believe it’s the pacing and the slow burn, not to mention the development of the main character’s relationship in the front-end (when they were teenagers).
At this point, I’m just rambling and probably not making much sense. But I will say this, this book is amazing. Such a beautiful story. I will admit that I cried like a baby at parts, I just couldn’t stop crying I was so moved by Brittainy’s words and her flawless storytelling. I need a Shay and Landon book, please. The only thing I would’ve loved was an epilogue, just cause I live for epilogues and since this a slow burn, a look into their future would’ve been great. But again, I loved every second of this book. My heart is just so happy after finishing this book. I absolutely recommend it!
“Forever. This kiss meant forever. And I was okay with that fact. We made it. After all these years, we began to descend on to our beautiful chapters. The chapters where pain became beauty. Where heartaches began to heal. Where always met forever. She was she, I was me, and we were us. This was our story. This was our always and forever. And it was going to be beautiful.”
September 9, 2019
I'm feeling just like this... <3
Another wonderful book from Ms. Cherry! :)
Expected publication: April 8th 2019
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤❤❤
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BLURB :
Greyson East left his mark on me.
As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.
Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.
When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.
I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man.
The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.
When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only.
He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time.
But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.
I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.
**Eleanor & Grey is a complete Standalone novel**
Another wonderful book from Ms. Cherry! :)
Expected publication: April 8th 2019
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤❤❤
----------------------
BLURB :
Greyson East left his mark on me.
As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.
Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.
When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.
I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man.
The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.
When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only.
He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time.
But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.
I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.
**Eleanor & Grey is a complete Standalone novel**
April 8, 2019
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Happy"
Starting a Brittainy C cherry book is like cocooning yourself in the most softest blanket that you’ve ever felt. Not only do you feel safe and warm, but there’s this kind of peace that centers you and you will give anything to try and keep that feeling. Her words are like a healing balm over broken hearts diminishing endless tears that had no choice, but to flow in the stream of utter despair on the flesh of the damaged and lost souls.
At just seventeen years old, young shy introvert Eleanaor Gamble and popular Senior Greyson East developed an unlikely friendship. What started out as a timid conversation, later grew into a friendship that became their temporary lifelines in a sea of sorrow. But as life will have it, that was just the beginning for these two.
It’s been fifteen years since Eleanor and Grey have seen each other and a lot has changed. Now a Nanny, Eleanor has been hired by a family that went through something tragic and are trying to get back some sense of normalcy. But when she learns that her high school friend is now her Boss, things are about to get complicated. Can a past friendship save the future of a broken family?
I really loved the premise of this story and I have to say that the beginning had my complete attention. I was all in mind body and soul and I felt that connection between Eleanor and Grey down to the marrow of my bones. I wanted to be the breeze that caressed their skin on the warm summer days, and I would’ve given anything to have a conversation with them in their time and whisper those five words that I know would’ve meant a lot to the both of them. Even though it was a short period of time, I still felt the bond that was formed in the early years and that was my favorite part. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the story moving forward and I loved the addition to the other characters, but to me that time frame was magical in sense and nothing else could have compared to it.
If you’ve read this author’s work before, then essentially you know what you’re going to get: emotion, loss, and unexplainable joy from the beauty of her words. None of her books are to be missed out and this, is no different.
April 10, 2019
4.5 Still Here Stars!
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)
-Sometimes in life you just have to leap.
-You have to take the leap, and just trust that you can fly.
Eleanor Gable is a sixteen year old living in Raine, Illinois when Greyson East enters her life. She’s the awkward introvert who often felt invisible and could usually be found somewhere quiet reading, and he’s the popular gorgeous boy at her high school who could have any girl he wanted. She can’t figure it out, but for some reason he’s decided he wants to be her friend. There’s more to him than what’s on the outside. He’s unbelievably kind and thoughtful, and soon she lives for his smiles and the way he makes her feel. They share a special bond and as they grow closer life happens and they are forced to part ways as their futures take them in different directions. Eleanor never forgets the boy who came into her life and left too soon, and through the years she treasures her memories of Grey.
Fifteen years later Ellie and Grey cross paths again, and it’s hard to see any traces of the open boy she once knew when she looks into the eyes of the cold, hard man standing in front of her. She’d wished to one day find him again, but this man is tangled up in pain and wants nothing to do with her. She’d once seen the real Grey, and hoped he’d show back up. He was worth fighting for, and she knew the boy who stole her heart all those years ago had to be in there somewhere. Is it too late or did fate bring them back together for a second chance at love?
-The best kind of love was the kind that filled one up completely.
-I hadn't known I missed him to this extreme until I started to see the pieces of him that made up our youth. The parts that showed up for me when I needed him the most.
-That heart of mine? It didn't give a damn about what my brain thought. It simply kept beating in the direction of Greyson.
-Every inch of me, was his. Every part of me.
-His soul was born to be loved by mine.
Eleanor & Grey is a standalone second chance romance about first loves, soulmates, friendship, family and heartbreak. It’s also about healing, and beautiful unbreakable connections. As usual Brittainy wrote a stunning story that will touch your heart, and stay with you.
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2OUfQLK
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)
-Sometimes in life you just have to leap.
-You have to take the leap, and just trust that you can fly.
Eleanor Gable is a sixteen year old living in Raine, Illinois when Greyson East enters her life. She’s the awkward introvert who often felt invisible and could usually be found somewhere quiet reading, and he’s the popular gorgeous boy at her high school who could have any girl he wanted. She can’t figure it out, but for some reason he’s decided he wants to be her friend. There’s more to him than what’s on the outside. He’s unbelievably kind and thoughtful, and soon she lives for his smiles and the way he makes her feel. They share a special bond and as they grow closer life happens and they are forced to part ways as their futures take them in different directions. Eleanor never forgets the boy who came into her life and left too soon, and through the years she treasures her memories of Grey.
Fifteen years later Ellie and Grey cross paths again, and it’s hard to see any traces of the open boy she once knew when she looks into the eyes of the cold, hard man standing in front of her. She’d wished to one day find him again, but this man is tangled up in pain and wants nothing to do with her. She’d once seen the real Grey, and hoped he’d show back up. He was worth fighting for, and she knew the boy who stole her heart all those years ago had to be in there somewhere. Is it too late or did fate bring them back together for a second chance at love?
-The best kind of love was the kind that filled one up completely.
-I hadn't known I missed him to this extreme until I started to see the pieces of him that made up our youth. The parts that showed up for me when I needed him the most.
-That heart of mine? It didn't give a damn about what my brain thought. It simply kept beating in the direction of Greyson.
-Every inch of me, was his. Every part of me.
-His soul was born to be loved by mine.
Eleanor & Grey is a standalone second chance romance about first loves, soulmates, friendship, family and heartbreak. It’s also about healing, and beautiful unbreakable connections. As usual Brittainy wrote a stunning story that will touch your heart, and stay with you.
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2OUfQLK
March 5, 2021
Wisst ihr, was dieses Buch für mich ist? Ein Meisterwerk. Es ist ein Meisterwerk, was die authentischen, greifbaren und wundervollen Charaktere angeht. Es ist ein Meisterwerk, was die Handlung - die Idee der Geschichte und dessen Umsetzung - betrifft. Und es ist ein Meisterwerk, wenn es um die Emotionen geht. Denn hier spürt man nicht nur, wie die Worte, die man liest, sich einen direkten Weg ins Herz bahnen, sondern man kann sich auch wahnsinnig viel aus dieser Geschichte für sein eigenes Leben mitnehmen. Kleine Anregungen, Dinge die einem zum Nachdenken bringen oder eine kleine Hilfe dabei, so manches mit anderen Augen zu betrachten
April 26, 2023
He was him, I was me, and we were us. This is our story.
There's no way I can talk about this book without spoilers, so here it is. The spoiler warning.
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In all the years I've been reading romance, I've never had the feeling that the heroine was ever "second-best" to a widower with kids (because let's be real here, that's how most of these stories go, if there's a widower, there's at least one kid around). But now I get it. I do. Because this is precisely how I felt while reading this book.
The important factor here is that the H and h knew and fell in love with each other BEFORE the H meets his wife.
Usually (or at least from what I've read before), the hero would meet his wife first but have no real feelings for her. Due to an unplanned pregnancy or something, he's forced or wants to get married and try for the sake of the baby. So scenario A is where the H is trapped in a loveless marriage. Scenario B would be where the H and wife love each other but eventually fall out of it. Their marriage isn't what they thought it would be.
OR the wife turns out to be a complete bitch.
Then the wife would die at some point and the h comes into the picture.
But this book... I really can't remember a book where the H genuinely grieved over a wife he loved so dearly, making me feel like the heroine was only second-best.
If I think about it a little more, the timeline in this was, frankly speaking, absolute shit.
In June 2003, Ellie (16) and Grey (17) meet for the first time and fall in love.
At the end of November 2003, Ellie and her family move to Florida, but the H and h still stay in contact until around September 2004.
Fast forward to 2019, and they're now 32/33 years old. The H has 2 kids and his eldest daughter is already 14, which means the H had her when he was 19! Only ∼1 year after he and Ellie lost contact. That means he met his wife like really, REALLY early, it was probably love at first sight and they had a baby right after.
And this right there didn't sit well with me. At all. I know Ellie & Grey were young but I wholly believed in their love and rooted for them so freaking hard! I mean the author practically MADE me, they were supposed to be the real deal and then BAM 1-2 years later and both have already moved on. Particularly the Hero.
"I love you, Ellie. I know it's bad timing, and I know I probably shouldn't say it, but I love you. I love everything about you, even the parts you think are too sad to be loved. I think those parts are the most beautiful. I think all the parts of you are perfect, and I just wanted you to know that you are the first person I've ever loved and it's easy to do it. It's so easy to love you." – Grey (18) to Ellie (17)
Do you see my problem? I feel cheated. I feel cheated on behalf of the heroine. Because later when they meet again, it was all about the H grieving over his dead wife. I know that 1 year is nothing compared to the 13-14 years he spent with his wife but did he really have to love his wife so much? Couldn't the author choose any of the other options listed above? The guilt over the accident would have been enough to move the story along WITHOUT cheapening Ellie's and Grey's love for each other.
Ugh, this is so difficult. I don't have a lot to say about the good stuff but not because there weren't any but because I can't find the right words for them. I don't have a poetic bone in my body so all I can say is that, even though the book had its problems, this is a HIT-YOU-RIGHT-IN-THE-FEELS kind of book. I enjoyed it for the most part but the issue with the heroine being second-best was such a turn-off that the romance fell completely flat for me.
April 11, 2019
3.5 Meh Stars
September 6, 2020
Brittainy C Cherry hat es mal wieder geschafft aus einem 0-8-15 Klappentext eine so emotionsgeladene Geschichte zu zaubern, die mich genauso oft lachen, wie weinen ließ. Ich liebe es!
April 22, 2019
Update: I ended up reading this bc it was KU, and I am weak. All my thoughts below still stand. The heroine existed simply to give the hero a reward for having to go through losing the real love of his life. She will never know what it feels to be a first choice or be loved above all. She should have also had a love so they both come to the table from an equal place looking for a second chance at happiness, not a place where the heroine is just a default choice for him. The author tried to equivocate him being there when she lost her mother with her being there for him losing his wife, that does not work in a romantic context AT ALL! I ended the book sad about what Eleanor had settled for.
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I like some of this authors books, but I just dont enjoy feeling like the heroine is second best. I know real life doesn't operate that way sometimes, but in a romance book I dont need realism, I need romance, and having a hero call the heroine by his dead wifes name 84% into the book is a no for me.
I also don't like the double standard that the hero gets to have two great loves and the heroine only gets to have him. There is something very misogynistic about that always being the case. If you are going with realism in a book where the hero loved his wife immensely, and the heroine is his second chance then dont try to maintain the fictional element that the heroine would only have ever been happy with him. It's about writing choices, and a balance between where you insert realism and where you suspend it.
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I like some of this authors books, but I just dont enjoy feeling like the heroine is second best. I know real life doesn't operate that way sometimes, but in a romance book I dont need realism, I need romance, and having a hero call the heroine by his dead wifes name 84% into the book is a no for me.
I also don't like the double standard that the hero gets to have two great loves and the heroine only gets to have him. There is something very misogynistic about that always being the case. If you are going with realism in a book where the hero loved his wife immensely, and the heroine is his second chance then dont try to maintain the fictional element that the heroine would only have ever been happy with him. It's about writing choices, and a balance between where you insert realism and where you suspend it.
April 8, 2019
❤️5 stars❤️
"We were still broken, and cracked, and growing and learning. We were mistakes and perfection, flowing streams and hurricanes."
Such a beautiful story, the journey of Eleonor and Grey is sweet,emotional and intense.It was realistic and original.
I adored the characters,Eleanor and Grey met when they were young , I liked how their story goes it was emotional. Eleanor is a fantastic heroine,strong and sweet. I could feel everything they went through.They have fears ,they make mistakes like everyone.I connected with them and their story.
This story is about so much more than a simple romance.
"People didn't have to talk about love to know that it existed. Love wasn't only real because people said it out loud. No, love just kind of sat there quietly, in the shadows of the night, healing the cracks that lived on our heart."
There are so many quotes I loved in this story, I highlight many and Im going to think about this one for a long time! It was an emotional roller coaster and the writing was amazing and flawless!
"We were still broken, and cracked, and growing and learning. We were mistakes and perfection, flowing streams and hurricanes."
Such a beautiful story, the journey of Eleonor and Grey is sweet,emotional and intense.It was realistic and original.
I adored the characters,Eleanor and Grey met when they were young , I liked how their story goes it was emotional. Eleanor is a fantastic heroine,strong and sweet. I could feel everything they went through.They have fears ,they make mistakes like everyone.I connected with them and their story.
This story is about so much more than a simple romance.
"People didn't have to talk about love to know that it existed. Love wasn't only real because people said it out loud. No, love just kind of sat there quietly, in the shadows of the night, healing the cracks that lived on our heart."
There are so many quotes I loved in this story, I highlight many and Im going to think about this one for a long time! It was an emotional roller coaster and the writing was amazing and flawless!
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