“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Anything.”
“The day I realized it was you, it turned back on.” “What turned back on?”
“My heart.”


“I love you in a way that’s bigger than love. I love your sun rays and your moon shadows, and I am going to keep loving you and your broken pieces until you feel my love so strongly you forget your heart has any damaged cracks. Then, I’m going to love you more.”

<><>Story Overview<><>

^^ Kennedy has suffered an unimaginable loss and her husband can only berate her for not getting over it. He ends up serving her with divorce papers and she flees to her sister.

While trying to start her new life she runs into Jax and discovers a connection she thought was lost.

Both Jax and Kennedy learn it’s important to lean on someone you love during the storms of life.

^^ ~ “I love your broken pieces, because it shows that you’ve lived. It shows that you are brave enough to give yourself to the world, no matter how hard it can be at times.”

Typical of this author, this story has moments that pack an emotional punch. She always brings the feels.

<><>Characters<><>
Hero: Jax Kilter; Age: 26; Occupation: plumber, but really drawn to landscaping because of his mother

* The following words/phrases were used to describe Hero: not a people person, carries guilt over loss of mother, a loner, has been in therapy since age 13, raised by a cruel and violent father, adored his mother, father is dying, not an angry person, kind, quiet, gentle

Heroine: Kennedy Lost; Age: 28; Occupation: author
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Heroine: married 5 years when the story begins but within a few chapters is no longer with jerk husband, feels at peace in nature, grieving, wants to belong and yet still be free, nice, has panic attacks, fears being unloved, trying to cope with her devastating loss


<><>A Few Thoughts<><>
^^ ~ the first chapter immediately drew me in, but it was painful to read

^^ ~ I liked the little surprise about their past. I wasn’t expecting it but it was a good bonding element

^^ ~ a little bit of a then/now flashback in a few chapters. This didn’t bother me and I thought the glimpse into the past added to the story

^^ ~ Kennedy was so different as a child. It was clear what living with her douchebag husband turned her into. A shell of her former self. As the book progressed it was good to see her gain a little bit of her confident self back.

^^ ~ Connor was a great addition to the story. I was excited to learn he has his own book (next in series)

^^ ~ the brother’s secret was a shock to me. Wasn’t expecting that twist


<><>The Basics<><>
- Content Warning: loss of a child, loss of a parent (a tiny bit descriptive involving a shooting)
- Setting: Havenbarrow, Kentucky
- POV: Dual POV
- Hero likable? yes
- heroine likable? yes
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 64%
- First time they sleep together: 74%
- Safe sex? Yes. Condoms were used.
- First time they say I Love You: 81%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- Chemistry? they had good chemistry
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? 11 years
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? yes, there were a couple twists along the way
- Did I cry? No, but some parts were quite emotional
- Did I laugh? Not really
- Did I swoon