Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 466 pages
Author: Ashley Dill
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 30th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Seven Blooms. Three hearts. A second chance.

Jack Barkley has never been jealous of Jules, his twin sister, until she has something he doesn’t—a family. After his failed marriage and a trail of dead-end relationships, he’s given up hope that there could be anyone else for him.

Miranda Howard has spent the last four years with Chris, an abusive and narcissistic boyfriend. Taking care of her son Kacey has been her only priority, and Chris’ home was supposed to be a temporary landing spot in a time of crisis. But finally escaping his clutches leaves her penniless, stranded, and fresh out of options.

When Jack’s father dies, Jack and Miranda find themselves face to face in an attorney’s office, banking on an inheritance that’s locked down until they meet stipulations. Despite their sour history, they strike a deal to help each other. Miranda doesn’t like the proposed arrangement, but it sure beats the homeless shelter she was counting on to keep her and Kacey off the streets.

Can they piece together the past? Or are they still as broken as the shattered vase that ended their marriage years ago?

CONSUMING.

Y’all. I sat down at 45% one night to read for the evening…proceeded to devour this book. The way that second half totally consumed me (I was enjoying the first half a lot too!). This has allllll the angst. I loved the broken marriage trope when it’s done well and this one was hard. A hard read with many shattered pieces that found a way to be glue back into something new, something stronger.

I loved how both parties, Jack and Miranda had things to work one. Of course there’s some blame moments, but also along the journey the separately acknowledged their own personal issues and things to work on. The moments of communication, laying it all out there, heart on the line, had me feeling all of the emotions.

Beautiful book. I loved how everything came together. I will definitely be reading Ashley Dill’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

• Contemporary Romance
• Language: low
• Romance: closed door
• Violence: low-moderate
• Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple miscarriages, divorce, domestic abuse, loss of a loved one

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