My first read from Ella Fields and it was a smashing success! I didn't realize that this is her debut novel until after I had begun, but what is more fitting than starting your own journey with a new-to-you author than where their career has taken off from? Pull up a chair and buckle up, because this review might be more quotes than actual review, due to the fact that you really need to go into this one blind, but also because her writing is just that powerful.



"It's not love you should fear but, rather, the things you might do for it."

Where to begin? I had zero expectations going into this buddy read with Jenn @storiesandcoffee. I purposefully stayed away from reading reviews, because I have a habit of spoiling myself unintentionally, and this was most definitely the best route to go. What you need to know is that Dahlia and Leo's marriage is on the rocks, and Dahlia is really feeling the loneliness and heartache associated with the loss of intimacy in their relationship. What follows is a reckoning of epic proportions, and secrets are unveiled from all sides that have contributed to this falling out.

"I love you. Only ever, always you."

ALL. THE. FEELS. Stepping cautiously, you should know that this book deals with some heavy subjects. I'll include content warnings below, but I want to touch on the subject of cheating. If it is a trigger for you, I wholly respect your decision to steer clear of this story. However, if you are ok reading about this element so long as the cheating is not glorified or shown in a positive manner, then I highly recommend you give this book a go. I won't say more than that, but I will say that the reveal of why the marriage was in crisis completely took me by surprise; I could not predict where this was going, and I'm grateful the author took a sensitive and somewhat taboo subject and, not only gets the conversation going, but also follows through with steps towards healing. Ok, enough from me, just read the dang book! <3

"Life doesn't always follow the rules and plans you lay out for your future. Something always happens to make you realize that while yes, you are in control, some things just can't be predicted. And simply won't fit into the mold of your plans or dreams but rather, will smash them to pieces and force you to rebuild. So finding a way to be happy and live despite that is what matters. It's where you find your true strength and find out just how much you have."

CW-

Cheating, date rape, a scene involving physical outburst with damage to property, reference to past experience of child abuse and neglect.