Member Reviews
Wow! Where does one even begin to write a review?! Like with all of Mia's work, this book took my breath away. It was heartbreaking, sweet, full of hope and forgiveness, of finding love for others, but most importantly, loving yourself. This story truly made me FEEL what the characters felt, made me feel anger and hurt when something happened to the characters that I didn't agree with (to the point I wanted to jump inside the story and throat punch someone lol). It also made me feel joy and love and hope, to see the beauty in everyday things. Mia truly has a way with words that just pull the reader right in and refuses to let us go until we reach the very end.
I loved how Ellie/Crystal was broken, yet strong and caring, even if she didn't think she was. She endured much in her young life, yet she still pushed on, pieced back together the broken pieces. I loved watching her grow into the woman she was meant to be, basically clapped and cheered her on while she was achieving her mission to love herself. It was beautiful to see (read) unfold.
Gabe was just so sweet and swoon worthy, so strong, kind, loving, caring, and protective. When we learn his story, my heart broke for what he endured, yet felt proud that he'd overcome what he did and was even stronger and better than ever, full of love and able to forgive. He was so courageous to step out of his comfort zone and seek help, never ashamed at where and how he got the help he needed.
Thank you Mia, Forever Romance, and NetGalley for this ARC. I may not be the best reviewer, but I truly appreciate the opportunity to read and write an honest review for this wonderful story.
What can I say about this author? I simply enjoy her work. This was another beautifully written story and it made you feel so many emotions all the way through till the end. It is a wonderful love story and it is a must read. I definitely recommend this book and this author.
All the stars! 2017 Top Favorite.
THIS! This story needs to be read by anyone looking for all the feels, uniqueness, heart pounding suspense, and romance. I've followed this author for years, and I must say that while I enjoyed every single one of her books (Archer's Voice in particular is one of my all time favorites), there is something so indescribably special about this story that words fail me.
The writing alone is outstanding, but the characters (all of them except the villains of course) are so endearing in their own way you'll wish you could meet them in person. Most of All You is so encompassing, I found myself immersed for hours, savoring the beautiful words that made me cry, smile, and pray for a happy ending for these incredible characters who deserved nothing less.
I'm so fortunate to have received an advance reader copy of this unforgettable novel. There's no doubt in my mind that this will be one of those memorable stories I carry in my heart for a long time along with my angel Gabriel.
A second-chance romance about surviving the unthinkable, 'Most of All You' pulls at your heartstrings while you shake your fists in outrage!
Gabriel Dalton is timid and unsure. His life was ripped from him at an early age in an unthinkable way. Despite his past, he is unbelievably strong and resilient. He has decided to take life by the horns. In order to take charge, he realized he needed some help.
Crystal is a cynic. She is suspicious of everyone and their motives. She hadn't had anyone treat her with love since she was a young child. Crystal was used to people taking and never giving. She is resigned and allows life to happen. When Gabe entered her life with a proposition for help, she was skeptical and second-guessed him at every turn.
These were two broken characters with dark pasts, but each approached the world around them differently. Given Gabe's past, he seemed to trust too easily. The issue he had for which he sought help, seemed too easily solved. Crystal, while strong in some ways, appeared weak and frightened. She lashed out and questioned others so much, she was a difficult character for me to like. I'm not dismissing her background but given that Gabe's was so much more worse, her reactions to him and situations seemed to stand out like a glaring beacon. And perhaps this was where I had issues.
There were many things I loved. Of course, Mia Sheridan's writing always flows flawlessly. The concept was one I was afraid to read about and true to Sheridan's gift, she had me crying and wanting to throw my Kindle all in one sitting. She always plays with my emotions and seems to break my heart with each story she writes.
Most of All Of You
Mia Sheridan writes the most beautiful stories, I think this one will be a top favorite!
Two broken souls, one has learned to heal and find the beauty in life except for being able to be near people. The other lost the 2 most important people in life when young then used and abused until that's all that is known. This is their story one of healing and love and the acknowledgement that sometimes love isn't enough if we can't learn to love ourselves.
A book filled with emotions and a little twist that you pray you didn't figure out that'll have you turning the page until the end.
Gabriel Dalton is perfect book boyfriend material and an absolute classic, classic Mia Sheridan character. The vulnerability of Archer, the strength of Kyland, the devotion of Calder all rolled into one amazingly resilient man. I'm totally smitten and a little bit exhausted. In a good way though; all passion spent as my lovely English teacher Mrs Satterthwaite used to say.
Mia describes the book as a love story, but it is so much more than that. It is a story of hope. Of redemption. Of self-belief. A message that we can all be broken but we have the power to put the pieces back together.
The writing is stunning, moving, breathtaking. As the story unfolds it morphs from being about Crystal healing Dalton, to Dalton healing Eloise, to Eloise holding my heart in her hands. I enjoyed every single word.
Initial thoughts: Only the 5th book I've rated 5 stars in 2017 (out of 109).
Perfection.
Most of All You will make you feel. This is an amazing story. I loved it!
Review: Most of All You is a standalone contemporary romance novel. It was one of my most anticipated books of Fall 2017 and I devoured it in one day. I was hoping that it would be as amazing as some of the author's previous books. And I was not disappointed.
The book has alternating narrators: Ellie and Gabriel (1st person POVs). The story takes place in Vermont.
The book starts with a super sad prologue, which really set the tone for the entire book. Both narrators had really painful childhoods. But Gabriel became a positive and happy person. Whereas Ellie believed the worst in people.
The book took an interesting turn just after the one third point. And I loved that it forced certain characters to spend a lot more time together. The more I read this story, the more I loved it.
There were so many exceptional characters in this book. The first being Gabriel. I just loved him. Let me count the ways. I think that he is one of my favorite male leads ever. He was such an incredible person, especially considering everything that he went through in his past. I truly cannot say enough good things about him.
I also loved Chloe and George. I did not think that I would like Chloe, considering where I thought the story with her could be headed. But she was also an amazing character. And George (Gabriel's friend and business partner) had to be one of my favorite older male characters ever. I loved the advice that he gave. I loved how he interacted with the other characters. I especially loved his scenes with Ellie.
I like books that bring out emotions in me and make me feel. Most of All You made me feel.
The story is upsetting at times. It is heart-breaking, sad, happy and everything in between. There was something that happened towards the end that tied up a minor storyline (view spoiler). This made me love the book even more. I honestly can't say enough good things about this book. One of my favorites of 2017.
What a gut wrenching ride Most Of All You is. Ellie and Gabriel have led lives of such horror. Gabe has somehow maintained a surprisingly positive attitude after being held captive and abused for years but he still deals with understandable emotional scars. Ellie’s childhood was also filled with abuse. Unlike so many romance novels, these two don’t meet and instantly fall in love. Their love doesn’t immediately heal them either.
I loved that Sheridan takes the time to really explore the emotions and actions as Gabe and Ellie work through so much and become closer. She creates very complex individuals struggling with real world issues. Many times I wished I could give each of them a hug and make their lives better.
Most Of All You is a well written, intense character study with a sigh worthy happily ever after.
reviewed by Jem Stone
Ohmygawd. I'd only got past the prologue and I was ready to ugly cry!
5 chapters in and I was grasping a tissue with semi dry eyes thinking 'damn this author can write.' And it carried on.....
Trust is a hard thing to come by with 2 broken people but Ellie and Gabe desperately need to piece themselves together. And need each other to do that.
This was just so beautiful. Heartbreaking but beautiful. I found it a bit slow in places but honestly I was trying hard not to cry that I welcomed those bits!
Its been a few hours since I finished and I can't stop thinking about this book. That's the mark of a fantastic book. Grab yourself a box of tissues and read, you need to.
Most of All You is another awe-inspiring story by Mia Sheridan. Mia is a true story-teller and always writes meaningful books that leave my heart happy. This book had the emotion, romance, and unique plot that always comes with a Mia book.
I don’t want to talk at all about Gabriel or Crystal’s story. Their pasts play a huge role in their present and I loved how that was incorporated in the story. Gabriel was such a fantastic hero. I felt for him, adored him, and fell for him. Crystal on the other hand… well, Crystal has led a life many don’t understand. She’s made choices that a lot of us would never make. What I loved about this story is that it really made me think about ‘choices’. Something being a choice is kind of subjective. Depending on your past and situation, sometimes ‘choices’ are anything but.
This one took me a while to get into, which isn’t normal for a Mia book. That’s the only reason it’s not a five star read for me. The beginning felt a bit on the slow side and it struggled with keeping my interest. Once the story picked up (maybe around 30-40% for me) I was completely captivated. There wasn't a thing about the last half I would change.
My favorite part of this story was the healing and growth. Nothing makes me happier in a story than to see characters grow and change on their own, and the same characters helping heal each other. Broken souls coming together and healing… there is nothing better. Most of All You is one of those books that will stay with you. These two characters have a beautiful journey that isn’t always easy, but most definitely worth it. An enjoyable, heart-warming read!
I am not sure how I feel about this story… I know in my heart it is a good story and the writing is great but for some reason I kept feeling like I wanted more. It may be my reading mood because I cannot pick out anything wrong with this story whatsoever; I just know that even though I read it from the beginning to the end I was never fully devoted to it. Maybe because I couldn’t fully connect with Crystal/Eloise, I get her standpoint on life and all that jazz but it’s something that was missing from her character or could simply be too much resistance, which I totally get why – like I mentioned, I cannot pinpoint the specific reason.
A story of two utterly broken individuals leading absolutely different lives; how their haunting past had shaped them into the person they have become and their perspective on life. One wilted and the other thrived from their traumatic past, but when the two collided will they find their balance or cause each other more harm?
It’s about a second chance at life, about new firsts and is hope enough to survive on?
Overall, I am a bit sad I didn’t like it more because my heart was truly set on this beauty but I am positive most of you will love it.
This book gutted me! This is a stunning story about self-discovery, forgiveness and journey of letting go. Two broken people having to love their selves and finding love and acceptance in one another. Mia did not disappoint this book had everything.
"I wondered how trees knew to let go of the things they no longer needed, and I wondered if I could do that, as well."
"Just sand and pressure and time."
I don't know what I can say in this review that will actually do this story justice. To me this is Mia Sheridan at her best!! Probably one of my favorite books of hers to date.
Most Of All You is a poignant love story between two broken souls. Who when they find each other don't realize how much they need each other.
This book will have your emotions going all over the place. All the "feels" I was feeling while reading this story took my breath away. This book was so well written!!
This is a slow burning love story but I truly feel it had to be written this way to truly build the connection between the characters. It made you more connected to the characters and helped you feel what they were feeling.
It was truly a story about healing and learning to love again. This story is told in Dual POV and I am so thankful that is how the author decided to tell this story. This is a complete standalone and has NO cliffhanger. The pace and flow were perfect. Even though this story might seem predictable to some readers, just know you won't see some thing coming. I loved that Mia took me by surprise as I continued to read this story.
In this book we follow the journey to love and healing between Gabriel and Ellie. This was such an emotional love story. Both heart wrenching and heart warming. I don't want to say much about this storyline because this is a story you need to experience for yourself. I loved following Ellie and Gabriel..their story will live on in my mind for some time. Ellie did take me some time to warm up to...I felt she was on the harsh side but after her story unfolds it makes a lot of sense. Gabriel....oh how swoony his is. I loved that man from the very beginning. I think he is my favorite Mia Sheridan Hero. He is one man you have to meet.
I would definitely recommend this book to all Mia Sheridan fans but also to anyone who loves a great love story . If you want a book that will pull at your heart strings....this is the one to read!!!!
Crystal never had the memorable happy childhood that most have, hers was a rough journey filled with lots of disappointments and losses and now that she is in adulthood it's much of the same. She doesn't have faith in love, nor does she believe that she is meant to find...she doesn't really want to look for it either. She wandered down that road once and she has no intention of ever making that mistake again, so she put an impenetrable wall around her heart and keeps everyone just out of arms reach. Then she unexpectedly meets Gabe, and all bets are off, no matter how much she tries to keep him at a distance and not let him in, he keeps finding a way to sneak under her radar, and as much as it scares the hell out of her, it also brings her a sense of comfort she has never known.
Gabe comes from a troubled world that most wouldn't even begin to be able to understand or cope with, but somehow he has, but he is missing something and he is certain that the beautiful woman who has captured his attention can help him find it. Trouble is he doesn't know if he can even find the courage to approach her, nor find the words to speak to her, the mere idea of it leaves him completely rattled. But he eventually wanders into the club, watches her in her element, and works up the nerve to talk to her, and as much as it scares him, he knows he was meant to be there. Now he just has to find a way to convince her to give him a chance...
Most Of All You is a breathtakingly beautiful story about two wounded souls setting out on an unexpected journey that pushes them to their breaking points, heals them, and unites them as one. As soon as I finished reading the first few paragraphs of this one I knew I had discovered something really special, almost immediately I felt the words take a hold of me, and begin to invade my soul. And before long it was all I could think about, walking away wasn't an option, I had to devour every page and learn all there was to know about these two... and I loved every single second of it! Within the pages of this book you will find that Ms. Sheridan has created a truly beautiful and poignant love story, that is sure to leave you moved beyond words! It is a story that cannot be missed, highly recommend it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
Mia Sheridan has always been one of my all-time favourite authors. She is such an amazing storyteller, and has a way of drawing you into her books from the very first page. I know that when I pick up one of Mia’s novels, I will experience a wave of emotions and a gut wrenching ache that will leave me a wreck. But, I know without a doubt by the time I get to the end of the book, Mia will have pieced my broken heart back together. Each book is completely different from the next, and every one of them is a little piece of heaven. Nobody writes a love story like Mia Sheridan, she makes the hurt feel worth it. Most of All You is currently my favourite so far, it is so different from anything else out there and written in such a way, that you can’t help but be right there and experiencing everything the characters are feeling. The story reminded me so much of Archer’s Voice, and just like with that book, I was left reeling. I wish I could explain it in a more articulate manner, but all I can say is with each book Mia writes, a piece of my heart is left with it.
Most of All You is a heart breaking read, it had me crying throughout most of the book. The things the characters went through, no one should have to experience, especially a child. The loss, the pain, and the abuse is horrendous, and how the Gabriel and Eloise react to it, is completely relatable. I loved the chemistry these characters had with each other. There was no insta-love, it wasn’t easy, it was messy and it was real. The demons that still haunted these people had to be fought every single day, but together, Gabriel and Eloise’s love created a some-what balm that helped heal their pain.
I don’t want to give anything else away, this is a book that must be read to experience everything it has to give, and believe me when I tell you, there is just so much. I can’t praise this book enough, I just wish I had the words that could describe what this book deserves. Most of All You deserves all the stars, five is nowhere near enough. The most amazing and epic love story I have had the pleasure of reading for a very long time. I love to read, I wouldn’t be a blogger/reader if I didn’t, but even I am completely blown away by the capacity I have to love a book.
A huge thank you to Mia Sheridan and Forever & Forever Yours Grand Central Publishing for providing the ARC via Netgalley
“The force of our connection shocked me, as if he had reached out and touched me in some way I didn’t understand, and certainly never experienced before.”
“It was too much. This. And him. And it was worthless because I couldn’t help him. He needed someone warm and caring, someone who would nurture him and piece together the broken parts, someone who would look in his eyes and be his calming spirit. I was not that girl. i couldn’t even begin to piece together all my broken parts as I’d lost them long ago.”
“He wanted to give me the peace of this moment, the…poetry of this place, the romance, the scents and the sounds and the serene beauty all around us. He wanted to give me love. And, God, I wanted to take it, I was just so scared to reach out and grab it. Still so fearful it would be taken away. And if it was, I would never be able to go on. I would never recover.”
True to Mia Sheridan fashion, Most of All You takes you on a heartbreaking and difficult journey. You know from the very first page, that this book is going to take your emotions on an intense ride and that the road to happily ever after won’t be an easy one.
Told from dual points of view, Most of All You follows the story of Gabriel and Crystal. They are brought together in the most unlikely of situations. They are opposite in every possible way, yet are both broken, lost and trying to escape their pasts. Their story is highly addictive and compelling; you won’t be able to put it down. The chemistry between Gabriel and Crystal is beautiful and intense. You can’t help but root for these two characters as they try to navigate their way through life.
Most of All You is a well written and completely unforgettable. This is a story of defying the odds and overcoming your fears. It is a story of letting go of the past and finding the strength to stand on your own. It is a story of pain and heartache and forgiveness. And in the end, it is a story of unforgettable and true love. It is a love story that will give you all the feels and is a tale that only Mia Sheridan could write.
A young man, abducted as a boy and escaped his nightmare. A young woman, left by everyone who she ever loved to fight for herself. A love so beautiful and tender like the blossom of a freshly opened flower. This is how I would describe “Most of all you” with my own words. But that’s all I’ll say regarding the blurb, everything else would spoiler too much.
Mia Sheridan’s “Archer’s Voice” is one of my all-time favorite books and a story that I will never in my life forget. Her newest work “Most of all you” reminds me a bit of Archer and Bree’s epic love-story. Really, Gabriel and Archer could be brothers. But unfortunately, I couldn’t really feel the deeply rooted and astounding emotions I was experiencing while reading “Archer’s Voice”. Maybe because in “Most of all you”, the pace was a bit off in my humble opinion. Yes, both MC’s had their own issues to work through. Some of them they worked on to overcome together, some of them separately. But seen as the hero fell in love with the heroine instantly but the first real steps into relationship territory were only happening at the 73% mark, the whole story was too slow paced for me. And then suddenly, everything was happening at once. There was a twist to the story and the characters spend a lot of time separated from each other. So, all that Gabriel has been fighting for has been put on hold. Just like it was in “Archer’s Voice”, too. Even though the author probably didn’t intend to create a novel as much alike as one of her previous ones, I hope she won’t blame readers for pointing out the similarities between the two stories because those can’t be denied.
However, I unfortunately didn’t like the heroine Ellie much in “Most of all you”. She treated Gabriel so badly too many times and didn’t really redeem herself. Only when Gabriel has been in serious danger did she get her head finally straight and fessed up to their relationship. And that was only at the 93/94% mark. Cutting it too close for me and the ending was too rushed as a consequence. I was so frustrated about it that I wanted to cry.
All the ingredients for an amazingly beautiful 5-star-read have been there but mixed together, they just didn’t do it for me. It’s a huge peeve of mine to throw in a wrench within the last couple of percent of the book and then voilà – have the characters solve all their issues within only a few pages subsequently left. Issues they were incapable to overcome until then suddenly disappear like thin air. Without a real resolution. *Sad sigh* Maybe this was only my person interpretation of the book and everyone else will have no problem whatsoever with all this. But I did and so I have to account this into my rating.
Even though I see so much of my beloved “Archer’s Voice” in “Most of all you”, I unfortunately didn’t love the story as much. Mia Sheridan is a true poet with her uncanny ability to create words as beautiful, soft and intricate as bird’s feathers. But even her beautiful words couldn’t dampen the distaste I felt for the heroine or my impatience for the the MC’s to finally take the next step. This is a tough rating for me and I thought the whole night about my review. But I vowed to always be honest and that’s the honest truth about my personal feelings for “Most of all you”. Mia Sheridan is and will always be one of the most talented writers for me, an artist with words. But I just couldn’t really connect with her current work and my next step is to simply accept that fact. Nevertheless, I will anticipate and look forward to her next release like always. 3,5 stars from me and I can recommend “Most of all you” despite all my personal issues.
My advice for everyone who has read and loved “Archer’s Voice” is to simply try to differentiate between the two books from the start and to not let the similarities distract you from the story at hand- maybe if I had been able to do just that, I could have been more emotionally involved in “Most of all you” and would have less to complain about now… Well, too late now. But I do believe that a lot of people will simply fall in love with Gabriel and Ellie.
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Review to be posted on the release day
Ellie didn't have the best life growing up. Her mom loved her very much, but they never had enough money. And then, when Ellie was still little, her mom died and left her with her dad - a man she had never met before - a man who wasn't happy to inherit this little girl.
Gabe's life growing up was just a bad. I'm putting what happened to him in a spoiler thingy just in case ... [He became famous when he was only nine years old, as the kid that got kidnapped! He was able to escape six years later, but of course being held for six years has left him with lots of problems.
And one of those problems (hide spoiler)]brings him to Ellie - aka Crystal - as she calls herself as a stripper. Gabe is fascinated by this beautiful girl and he hopes that she will help him overcome his fear of being close to people - of being touched.
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She desperately needs the money - but how can she help heal someone else, when she's so badly broken herself?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ELLIE & GABE???
WILL THERE BE A HEA??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺
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Grrrr Mia - there she goes again - making me cry in the prologue already! ☺
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Ugh, this was such a beautiful story.
Well, nothing about what both our darlings went through was beautiful. But the story was just so ... amazing. So full of pain and fear and desperation ... but also so full of hope!
It takes Ellie and Gabe a long time to trust each other. To hope that this might be the one person they've been looking for their whole lives. Well, it takes Ellie a long time ;) Gabe is way farther along in his healing process.
It's all so very exciting and sad and hopeless, but of course it's also so very sweet and adorable and moving. I loved every moment of this story!
It might have a been a bit slowish from time to time, but that didn't bother me much. I had to keep reading - I had to know if/how Gabe & Ellie would end up with their HEA!
They're so perfect for each other. Gabe has pretty much dealt with what happened to him. He lives a good life. He loves his brother Dominic, his step-dad-uncle George, and his job as a stone sculptor. It's just that he so wants to be loved and needed by someone. He wants to fall in love. He's such an amazing person. When you think about what happened to him ... that's he's grown into such an amazing man ... almost unbelievable.
And Ellie. She's not there yet. She never really dealt with anything in her past. She just shuts down her pain and her momories. But together with Gabe she'll finally be able to heal - if she lets herself. She's so scared to let herself fall for him, she doesn't want to be hurt again.
Ugh. Amazing story!
MOST OF ALL YOU was such a heartbreakingly beautiful love story!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Gabe! This one is MINE!!! But hurry, he'll be sold out in no time! ☺
Therapy can come in the oddest forms, according to Mia Sheridan. And from there, when given enough time, come affection and desire, in the shape of a hardened, cynical stripper who distances herself from her clients and a gentle, sensitive artist who has suffered his own form of childhood abuse.
‘Most of All You’ is a poignant read that deals with two protagonists damaged in very different ways and how the glue to piecing themselves back together isn’t just the quick and shallow version of sex but a connection that happens first in the strangest of places.
There’s also a bit of a role-reversal here as Gabriel—the more open, tenderhearted one—tries to break down those walls that Ellie has built and it’s a refreshing change as masculinity isn’t seen here in the form of a posturing Alpha-male but as a gentle but unrelenting wave of affection that washes away resistance. It’s Gabriel who’s the crutch for Ellie—whose self-loathing didn’t seem like it could be overcome—nonetheless and it’s as though ‘Most of All You’ champions not the man who shouts the loudest or speaks the dirtiest, but the man who paces his approach and uses patience to triumph.
Sheridan's storytelling is slow, as it lingers over a myriad of emotions, draws out the drama and takes apart each character’s state of mind, but it’ll certainly appeal to many who prefer a feel-good and emotional read with a strong thread of idealism that can’t be shaken off. The cynic in me stays a little sceptical, but definitely recognises that this sheen—lacking in romance these days—is something Sheridan recaptures here.
"Just sand and pressure and time."
Most of All You is one of those unforgettable, life-changing, movie-worthy masterpieces that stays with you forever. This is one that needs to be treasured in paperback on my special collection bookshelf to gaze at and fondle occasionally with fond remembrance. Yes, most definitely one of my 'favorites' of all time, right up there with Archer's Voice.
This amazing book took me on such an emotional journey that I can't even find words to express how my heart went from being broken into a thousand pieces to being glued back together one painful fragment at a time. I admit that I'm drawn to broken characters with damaged souls. Seeing them overcome overwhelming obstacles to find love at the end of a dark tunnel gives me hope, and it's an irresistible addiction that I can't resist. Most of All You is so beautiful it hurts.
I won't tell you the details, you need to read this story from beginning to end and feel every word, thought, fear, sorrow, betrayal, hope, whisper, regret, joy, insecurity and devastation yourself. It deserves to be felt and remembered.
Once my emotions are calmed and my mind is clear again, I'll be ready for whatever the author has for me next. Whatever it is, I'll be ready. The line forms here...