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Review

“You are my hope … You’re every hope I’ve ever dared to have.”

OMG, I LOVE THIS BOOK!! Absolutely, freaking love it! It’s an absolutely BEAUTIFUL story of heartache and healing, of a family torn apart and finding their way back to each other, and an epic love that is strong enough to change lives.

5 MASSIVE STARS

This is book 4 in the Sweet Home series, and it ties in closely with the earlier books, so I would definitely recommend not reading it as a standalone. And honestly, this series is rocking my world so I whole-heartedly suggest you read it if you haven’t already.

Ally Prince (cousin of Rome) is now 27 and is living her dream working as a museum curator. When she is given the opportunity to curate an exhibition for her favourite artist, Elpidio, she jumps at the chance, meaning a move to Seattle for the duration – and an excellent opportunity to bring Rome, Molly, Austin and Lexi back into the story. What Ally didn’t expect was for the mysterious and enigmatic Elpidio to her completely change her world. His artwork is tragically beautiful and it speaks to Ally like nothing else ever has, and when she eventually meets the man he is dark, broody and intense, but beautiful, and Ally is immediately intrigued by the enigmatic man.

Elpi is the ultimate tortured, brooding bad boy. Swimming in guilt and self-hatred for the wrongs that he has done in his life, he is incredibly damaged and very much alone. He is trying his best to make up for the mistakes of his past and his art is his way of dealing with his guilt and expressing his pain. He has reluctantly agreed to his very first show but he wants no publicity, recognition, or praise, preferring to remain anonymous.

From the moment that Ally and Elpi meet, there is palpable chemistry between them. Ally sees the pain in him and she is drawn to him, wanting to help him heal. And as she probes the secretive artist, he begins to open up to her and something inside of him begins to shift.

For the first time ever, someone was sharing in this pain with me. A virtual stranger. And I didn’t know what the hell to do with how damn good that felt. I’d vowed to never let anyone in. I didn’t understand why I’d broken that vow with her.

She’d drilled through to my fucking soul…the tainted soul I never ever wanted anyone to see.

It’s not an easy start for them. Elpi’s walls are tall and it takes a lot to break them down, but they are undeniably drawn to each other, and their coming together is a perfect mix of emotional connection and explosive sexual chemistry.

I’d never once thought that I deserved a second chance, never wanted one. As far as I was concerned, I deserved to spend the rest of my life miserable for what I’d done. But here, deep inside the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, the woman who just got me, I was bartering with God to let me keep her…just for a while…to keep feeling…this.

I can’t even begin to describe the intensity between these two. They are hot as all hell together, and the sexy time is fan-yourself-sizzling, but it’s the soul-deep connection that they share that makes their coming together so amazing. It’s not love at first sight, but it’s an instant recognition that something remarkable is happening, and they embrace it with everything that they have.

He was living, breathing poetry. Not love poetry, but the poetry which tears our your heart, rips it to shreds, pushes it back into your chest, and makes you question what the hell just obliterated your soul?

So beautiful!

There is a fantastic side story running parallel to the romance, of Elpi reconnecting with his family and trying to make up for his past. It’s a sensational twist that provides all kinds of drama and I LOVE the direction that the story took. I love the dynamics, the drama, the heartache and the healing, and I thought it all played out perfectly! It was brilliantly written, I honestly loved every single moment of it, and the way it blended with the love story was sensational.

And with all of that going on, I am SO happy that there was no unnecessary relationship drama thrown into the story. Ally and Elpi fell for each other, they were tested but they clung to each other the whole way through. Standing strong with and for each other, and it was absolutely beautiful to see.

Ally, in particular, blew me away with her strength and her unwavering love and support of Elpi. She saw the good in him even when his most shameful secrets were revealed, and I adored the way she loved him unquestionably, protecting him and supporting him and not letting anything come between them.

“I’m not a good person, Aliyana. I’m fucked up. I’ve got a real dark soul and more sins piled at my door than the Devil himself. You should be running away from me, not willingly running into the darkness holding my fucking hand.”
“It’s too late,” she said quietly. “You’ve already consumed me. There is no turning back from you, not now. My hand’s never letting go of yours, eternal darkness or not.”

And in return, Elpi’s love for Ally was gorgeous. The way this big, tough, tattooed bad guy treasures her absolutely melted my heart. That’s not to say he doesn’t get a bit rough with her because he does, and it’s hot as all hell – but his need and love for her, and his recognition of all that she means to him is an absolute swoon-fest!

“You’re my reawakening.”

I cannot gush enough about this story. Elpi’s journey from heartache to healing is written with incredible emotion that had me frequently tearing up, and the way his art was incorporated into that process was beautifully done. And equally as important, the love story absolutely melted my heart. Intense, passionate and all-consuming, Ally and Elpi together are incredible, and I loved every moment of their story – and there’s even a double epilogue to finish the story off perfectly.

Absolutely outstanding – 5 huge stars.

 

The Sweet Home Series 

 

For similar reads, see our NA Recommendations page

And for more reads by this author, see our Tillie Cole Author Spotlight