5⭐️/ 3🌶️

*Check trigger warnings before reading.

Quick note before reading this book. This story is connected to, “Still Beating” and “Lotus” as the characters and storylines are connected to Tabitha and Gabe’s. If you read this book without having read the previous two, it won’t make sense so, it’s highly recommended you read the other books before jumping into this one. Also, the other books are great and those characters appear a lot in this book as well.

Gabe and Tabitha have been characters who we have met and gotten to know over the course of the previous two books written by, Jennifer Hartman. Gabe and Tabitha were no stranger to trauma, grief, loss, and experiencing emotional rollercoasters within their lives. Gabe’s own father was the man who planned his stepbrother, Oliver’s abduction and tried to kill him and his best friend, Sydney in a house fire. Tabitha experienced torture, sexual assault, and other horrors when she was taken by the Matchmaker alongside her professor/ father of her baby daughter. This story expanded on Tabitha’s past and how even years after all the horrific abuse she experienced still remained a present thing in her mind and her emotional state which subsequently affected her from moving on. Gabe was head over heels in love with Tabitha, but while she was still dealing with everything that happened to her, Gabe remained patient and stood by her side as a friend no matter what. 

I had been saving to read this story for quite a bit, and I’m glad that I did. First off, I’m glad I reread, “Lotus”, because I LOVE OLIVER AND SYDNEY, but also because it jogged my memory on Gabe and a bit about Tabitha. Before Tabitha, Gabe lived his bachelor life to the fullest from partying, casual hookups, and doing what he wanted. The moment Gabe met Tabitha it was an instant attraction and that man instantly became enamored by not only Tabitha’s beauty, but also how he couldn’t stray away from her. Tabitha felt a similar feeling towards Gabe, but it was a bit more subtle since she was still trying to acclimate herself to going out and potentially in the dating world. As much as Gabe and Tabitha then started to spend time together and their chemistry together was clear as a sunny day, there was still a roadblock preventing them from fully moving towards a romantic relationship. Tabitha’s trauma was always a lingering presence in her mind, and its hold hadn’t lessened despite the monster who tortured her being gone. In order for Tabitha and Gabe to go from friends to lovers, it was a long journey and process that involved patience, and understanding which Gabe wholeheartedly put his every fiber into showing Tabitha how much he cared for her and her wellbeing.

(Sniff) I’m sorry, but why did I think I would make it through this story without being able to cry?!?! Jennifer Hartman always has my gripped and unable to stop reading her stories because, not only are they full of emotional depth, but it’s also the way I find myself caring so much about the characters. Reading this story was an emotional rollercoaster (no surprise there) that took me from Tabitha’s past and present as she recounted the most horrific moments from her abduction to losing the man she loved, Matthew. The more I read, the more I felt a sense of urgency, a need to protect Tabitha as she delved back into her memories, which wasn’t easy for her. Tabitha’s account on what she went through was heartbreaking, but it also shed light on the man I never really knew which was, Matthew. Matthew was an unexpected character who I found myself curious to see as Tabitha recounted her experience. Matthew was the one character who I also found myself genuinely liking despite not necessarily being an actual main character in the story. Matthew and Tabitha’s story was an unexpected part of the book that had me sobbing my eyes out, and feeling the heartache, the loss, and grief that Tabitha experienced. Aside from feeling like I got wrecked and broken apart by all that I read, specifically in the chapters that included Tabitha and Matthew, my heart broke reading that certain chapter. (Sigh) I’m still reeling from all that I read, but it was truly a visceral feeling I felt while reading. I genuinely felt connected to Gabe, Tabitha, Matthew, and all that they had endured. This story also connected back to the previous books by including, Dean, Cora, Sydney, and Oliver which I was happy to see them, but it also helped in shedding more light into Tabitha and Gabe’s story.

This story was an automatic five stars for me, and I couldn’t stop myself from reading. From the moment I started reading, to waking up as early as possible, and reading throughout the day, this book became my priority because, I needed to know more about Tabitha, seeing how Gabe progressed in his pursuit of Tabitha, and the general direction of the story. In addition, this story also had some suspense, and danger that made the story more dramatic, but also give Gabe and Tabitha a sense of urgency with all that they were already dealing with. I cannot recommend this book enough, and a part of me wants to read this book again! I literally just finished it and I already miss Tabitha and Gabe! Goes to show how well Jennifer wrote this story as I already want to do a re-read. I love Gabe and Tabitha and to be honest, I didn’t expect to have such strong feelings for them, but I really do love those two. Gabe and Tabitha’s story was perfect as they went from being friends to lovers, and finding the ultimate happiness with each other. The book ended on the best note, and I loved seeing how all the characters were connected as they had their own found family together. Please, read this book after reading, “Still Beating” and “Lotus” not only will it make more sense, but it will make the story so much more gratifying to see all the characters together! Wonderful job Jennifer! As always you captured my heart with your book!