PRODIGAL SON (The Forever Marked Series Book 2) by Jay Crownover is live!
An intense, emotional, and dramatic story with a childhood-friends-to-lovers, single dad romance between two soulmates that are absolutely meant to be.
Amazon | Universal | Paperback
Blurb
When she was a little girl, Remy Archer fell in love with Hyde Fuller at first sight. In fact, he was the only thing she could see for a very long time. For Remy, it never mattered to her that Hyde was always too serious and always seemed so sad. To her, he was the very best, and the center of her entire world. She never dreamed he would let her down when she needed him the most.
Now Remy is a semi-reasonable adult, one with a better understanding of why her intense feelings scared Hyde away when she was at her lowest point. She’s moved on, and if anyone asks she’s perfectly happy with the chaotic and hectic life she’s built. She’s also really proud that she’s still around to experience all the best and worst that surviving something deeply traumatic has to offer. The last thing she needs or wants, is Hyde coming back and taking over her every thought and feeling the way he once did. Unfortunately, they picked the exact same time to come home to search for a little redemption.
When he was a little boy, the instant they met, Hyde Fuller wanted nothing more than to protect Remy Archer from everything, including herself. She gleefully took up every moment of his free time, and every ounce of his patience, as they grew alongside one another. He was so intent on keeping her safe, he didn’t realize how deeply Remy had worked her way into his heart.
Now that Hyde’s facing the biggest challenge and biggest change of his entire life, he deeply regrets walking away from Remy. She was always the one person who always had his back, no matter what. The way Remy loved him used to terrify him, but now, it’s the way he loves her that scares him to death.
Hyde knows he needs Remy in his life, so he can finally figure out how to be the man she always believed him to be. History has a bad habit of repeating itself, and Remy has a knack for turning even the most simple of situations end over end. This time Hyde is determined to stay by her side no matter what, even though his love for Remy is going to change more than his life this time around.
Review
4 stars
An intense, emotional, and dramatic story with a childhood-friends-to-lovers, single dad romance between two soulmates that are absolutely meant to be. It has some pretty heavy themes such as mental health issues, suicide, grief and life-threatening childhood illness which are wonderfully written and beautifully explored, and Crownover does a great job handling some very sensitive topics, shining a light on very real issues, and wrapping them up in characters that you cannot help but love and root for.
This book is the lovechild of two of Jay Crownover’s series, featuring the daughter of Rome & Cora (from Rome, Marked Men, #3) and the son of Zeb & Sayer (from Built, Saints of Denver, #1). You don’t have to have read the earlier books to understand this one, but it will be a treat for Jay’s fans. If you’re curious how all of the players fit, Jay’s website has a very helpful family tree which helps you piece everybody together.
Remy and Hyde grew up together, and were the best of friends. Remy loved Hyde even from a very young age, and Hyde was always the one to protect Remy and be there for her whenever she needed him – which was all the time. Even as a child, Remy’s emotions were wild, and her feelings for Hyde became obsessive, and though he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, and never led her on, it only took one more rejection from him to send Remy spiralling, and that is the point where this book begins. Remy is at rock bottom, Hyde is encouraged to give her space, and for her own wellbeing, and with no idea what else to do, that’s exactly what he does, leaving town and not looking back.
I knew no-one in my life was ever going to treat me like I was the end-all and be-all of everything the way Remy Archer did. I honestly would’ve appreciated her devotion if it hadn’t scared the shit out of me. And if I had any clue what to do with any of it.
Now, it’s years later. After receiving a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, pulling her life back together, working hard to learn how to live with her illness, and years of chaotic but healing travel and experiences, Remy has returned to her beloved home town to settle down. And now, Hyde is also on his way home. He’s just left the military and is suddenly a single father to a newborn baby girl, he’s coming home to create a comfortable life for the two of them where he can have the support of his family.
There’s no way Remy and Hyde can avoid each other. Their families and friends are so intertwined that it’s only a matter of time before they are reunited. And Remy, being the bold and forthright person that she is, dives right in, seeing no point in delaying the inevitable, and starting an open and honest reconnection between her and the boy she had loved and needed so madly.
His vulnerability had always been my weakness, and I knew if he told me he needed me, I was toast. It was the one thing in life I always wanted more than anything: for him to rely on me the way I’d always had complete faith in him.
I wanted us to be equal. To be balanced. Because I’d always taken without being able to give back to him.
This book is WAY more intense than I was expecting it to be! Both Remy and Hyde have dramatic backgrounds, and their relationship has such a complex dynamic. And watching them come together as adults, be upfront about everything and candidly explore how to be with each other after all they’ve been through is both fascinating and engaging. And what’s even better, is that Hyde finally starts to see something new in his childhood best friend, and he holds nothing back in putting himself out there for her.
“You said I needed to find someone else to hold my hand while I figure out parenting, but the only hand I want to hold is yours. It’s always been that way.”
Given their complicated and heartbreaking history, the reality of Remy’s life, and Hyde only just coming to terms with being a single father to an infant, it’s a terrifying situation to be in. But he approaches it sensitively, and his consideration of Remy’s struggles and her continuing journey to be well, is beautifully handled.
“I may not have known what I wanted or who I was when we were younger, but I do now. You don’t want me to define you by who you used to be. Give the guy standing in front of you a chance to show you who he is and what he has to offer.”
“I just want the chance to get to know you again. I’ve screwed up a lot of things in my life, and I’m doing my best to make them right. I won’t tell you who to be, Remy. I just want you.
But while he’s being all gentle and swoony, he’s also a complete alpha, and as the two of them come to terms with their attraction and he fights for his shot, there is plenty of flirting, banter, teasing and sexual tension, and their passion for each other is fantastic!
I don’t know where this attraction and hunger came from since I’d known her most of my life, but whatever Remy awoke in my blood since I’d been back was insatiable, and I couldn’t get enough of her.
Remy is a wonderful character. She’s fought so hard and come so far, and though she knows her vulnerabilities and limitations, she’s justifiably proud of herself and her journey, and I just loved her. She is bold and intense, and she holds nothing back, and together they are realistic about their issues and the struggles that they face, and I loved how functional they are about it all.
“I’m always going to be a little bit too much and never be easy to handle.”
I leaned toward her, hating the big piece of polished wood that separated us. “I never asked for easy. All I asked for you is you.”
There is plenty drama and emotion, but at the heart of their journey is a beautiful story of reconnection and two soulmates finding their way back to each other. There is a lot of involvement from their family and friends, and there are some great relationships among the group. The theme of family is strong, and I loved getting to see old characters again, while getting to know new ones. There are some great set-ups there for future stories, and I’m really excited to continue on with this series.
This is a beautifully and sensitively written book that pulls on the heartstrings and delivers intensity, heartache and healing. The characters are fantastic, their love story is gorgeous, and I loved watching Remy and Hyde find their well-deserved happy ending together.
Hyde and I were bound to have a beautiful but chaotic life together. It was going to be an imperfect masterpiece.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
Forever Marked Series
A second-generation Marked Men series
Fortunate Son (#1)
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Prodigal Son (#2)
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
About the Author
J
ay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.
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