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Review

AL Jackson has once again reduced me to a blubbering mess only to put me back together, falling in mad love along the way. This is a story of love, loss, tragedy, grief and healing, and mostly, it’s an achingly beautiful love story and OMG, the feels!

Austin Stone is the younger brother of Sebastian (Baz), lead singer of rock band, Sunder and hero of the first two books of this series. From the series so far we know that Austin has been through hell and is struggling to cope with his reality, and he took off on his own in an effort to find himself and figure out what he wants from his life. For three years he has been travelling up and down the West coast of the US, singing in bars and living a life free of entanglements, but while performing a regular gig in a bar one night, and his whole world stops when Edie walks into the bar .

Edie is the only girl Austin has ever loved. They met as teenagers – a broken boy and a broken girl who were each other’s solace, and who became the only light in the darkness that was their lives at that point.

The girl was the only one who shed a light strong enough to pull me from the dark. The one who held the power call me from the blackened waters where my lungs were filled. At the cusp of succumbing.
But that girl…that girl had given me air.

Edie has been through her own hell and is also running from her past, and never expected to see a huge part of it standing on stage and singing. She lives in with a constant ache in her heart over all that she has endured, and has spent the last years avoiding anything that could take her back to that place again, but her fear of being hurt battles with the emotion that comes flooding back when she lays eyes on Austin once again. And though she desperately wants to protect her heart from the boy who once broke it, they both see their reunion for what it is – a second chance to have what they have both so desperately wanted.

I wished upon every damned star in the sky for a second chance.
For something I could do to truly make it right when I’d done her so fucking wrong.
To be good enough for this girl who was so obviously created for me.

The progression of this relationship is beautiful. Austin and Edie are both struggling with the pain of their pasts, but their shared history means that they know each other’s secrets, they know what the other is still dealing with, and they know when to push and when to take things gently. Their relationship is natural, sweet and functional, yet full of the intensity of all that they are feeling, and the emotion is absolutely beautiful!

“You think you don’t still affect me the same? That I don’t look at you and just about come undone? I get your boundaries, Edie. Respect them. But you gotta know I’ve never wanted anything…anyone…the way I want you.”

But can they ever overcome the pain of their pasts to be free to love each other and live the life they want? And can they survive the evil of Edie’s past and the heartache of long-held secrets when all is revealed?

He would be my ruin. My utter demise. My chaotic, blissful end.

I loved this story! It’s so beautifully written – emotional and heartfelt and swoonily romantic. These two damaged souls are so perfect for each other, and I happily lost myself in their love story. Their backstories are utterly, utterly tragic, and I was in tears when the full extent of everything they have been through was revealed. I could feel their torment and devastation, and my heart ached for the both of them. Their story isn’t easy, but they acknowledge that, and they acknowledge that there are still things they need to deal with before they can move forward, but I love that they found the strength in themselves, and in each other, to try to find happiness. Their journey is a testament to the strength of their love for each other and the depth of their connection, and it is absolutely gorgeous!

“You’re safe. Nothing can hurt you. I won’t let it.”

The Sunder boys all make an appearance and there is some fantastic story progression for them. Again, I love seeing the boys all together in a group, and there were some really amazing scenes with the whole band, and I love the way that Austin is included in the family that they have created together.

I’m loving this series, and looking forward to Ash’s story coming up next.

4.5 stars.