Synopsis:
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents’ house. If I’d known then what I do now, would I have kept on walking? Manning was older, darker, experienced—and I’d trusted him when he said the story would only ever be about us. I’d held those words close and challenged fate, but I had lost.
A part of me is still that sixteen-year-old girl squinting up at Manning, but no matter how far I fall or high I soar, I’ll always be a bird without her bear and nothing without him.
Manning
When I close my eyes, I can no longer see her. The decisions I made were to push Lake in the right direction—away from me. But now that she’s gone, would I have made those same choices?
I’d walked away like I was supposed to. I’d kept my distance. I’d bent over backward to keep Lake pure, but she’s no longer that girl, and I don’t know if I can stay away anymore. I only know I don’t want to. She’s still everything I want and nothing I should ever have, but if anyone can move the stars, it’s her great bear in the sky.
My Review:
4.5 EPIC STARS!!
OMG what do I read now?! My heart is FILLED with Lake and Manning. A truly epic and passionate series. A must-read!
“You wanted me to move on, so I did, and I no longer need you. You can’t have it both ways.”
All the love to Jessica Hawkins for crafting an unforgettable and heart-wrenching love story. This series spans decades and is truly one of my favorite contemporary romance sagas ever. Lake and Manning have an emotional connection that is stunning, heartbreaking and simply beautiful.
How to write a review that is completely spoiler-free? Just know that this series kept me up many nights reading because I just had to know how Lake and Manning’s epic journey was going to end. From two completely different worlds, these two only ever needed each other. Even if real life constantly got in their way.
“I didn’t know it would turn out this way, Lake. Your life, and mine, nothing is how I thought it would be.”
I literally read the books in this series back to back, and honestly had no clue where the author would take me as a reader. Ms. Hawkins stayed true to her main characters and developed the secondary characters perfectly. Dare I say that Tiffany was misunderstood? And that I would love to see a story based around her as well as Corbin? (But not together!) But this is Manning and Lake’s story and I lived and breathed them for every page of this gorgeous story. Angst, joy, true love, heartbreak, despair – this series has it all and then some.
“These are the pieces, and they might not look like much to you, but they’re all I have. I’ve found a way to be happy. You can’t come back into my life and tell me it’s a mess when you’re the one who created it.”
Manning is one of THE sexiest and most unforgettable main characters I’ve ever read. The self-sacrifice and heartache he endures is almost unbearable! And I literally felt as if I was THERE during the New York City scenes.
“I thought I’d never have you, Lake, you have to understand that. I thought there was no chance. That people like me didn’t get a life like this.”
Jessica Hawkins doesn’t take any shortcuts and it shows in her writing. Nothing in this series felt rushed, forced or left undone. Every event felt necessary and fit perfectly. This is not an easy story to read – there is heartache, cheating, and tons of angst – but it was gripping and completely satisfying. If you love an adult, very sexy story with real depth and brutal honesty, then don’t miss this series. And now I might actually have to do a re-read!
“You and me, we’re you and me. Nobody’s earned the right to know our story.”
BUY THE SERIES: