Jamie McGuire has turned into an author I cannot support based on personality/political views, rather than quality of her work.

This book should come with a warning. Your going to lose yourself so far into this book it will have you reading so much you will be shocked when you look up and your done with the book. This ismthw story or Derby who is one strong character. She finds herself pregnant on her weddingnday. Instead of marrying the man whom is abusive and just awful she runs. She knows that is the only way she can save herself and her unborn child. The future is scary at that point but Darby wants her child to have a better life than what she would have gotten. But luck is on her side andshe lads a job at a hotel. I loved this about Darby. She is determined but she is also blessed with a personality that draws people to her. A wildfire has the hotel buzzing with firefighters and other officials and this leads to Trex coming into her life. Can he break through her walls and get her to give him a change. You have to read to find out, I loved Trax so freaking much, He is one of those men that you yourself would want to meet and go out with when I loved that about hi,. I have been a Jamie McGuire fan since Beautiful Disaster. That book ismehst lead to my passion of reading and my love for indie authors. Somimowe Jamie McGuire a huge thank you too. Go get this book and dont miss this amazing story

Written in a personable, straightforward style that invites you in, Jamie McGuire’s From Here to You portrays a woman learning to value herself more and trust others (specifically men).

Learning that she’s pregnant motivates Darby Dixon to jilt her abusive fiancé and escape to Colorado. There, she meets Scottie “Trex” Trexler, a generous man who thinks she’s The One as soon as they meet...and who’s keeping some pretty big secrets from her.

If you like stories with heroes who want to take care of the heroine & accept and love her just as she is, this book might be for you. Their relationship is sweet and loving and predicated on his immediate devotion.

But there are many times the relationship feels imbalanced to me, and many more times when I couldn’t understand why he was keeping secrets, especially when she told him not to. There isn’t a sufficient discussion during the grovel moment—how can she be sure this won’t happen again? Instead, it seems like she’s going to take advice from his book for their daughter. And while I appreciate the nuance of the religious conversations, they don’t seem to actually serve a purpose in the larger scheme of the book.

In the end, the book’s very readable with a determined heroine and uber devoted hero, but it falls short in execution for me.

2.5⭐️

CW: sexual and physical abuse (off page for former)

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

This was so depressing and dark... and the guy in this book is so messed up that I wanted to quit reading because I was so uncomfortable. And the pile of dead bunnies did me in. I quit right there. I refuse to read books with animal cruelty in them, no matter how minuscule the mention. I also add the author to my will-not-read list because once they've done this once I can't trust them again. Pity.

From Here to You is a sweet slow-pace romance.
Darby has been through a lot that she decides to make a change. And it is a big change from her name to appearance. She is on the run from ex. And she is willing to keep it that way. But she definitely catches an eye from Tex. Tex is a whole sexy package in one that she wants to enjoy but needs to be very careful cause he has some skeletons in his closet.
Tex has finally getting a break when he return to his hometown. But he needs to lay low cause he is not ready to expose his secrets. But that will not go over well when he meets Darby. He instantly knew she was the one and he is willing to do everything to convince her so.
Their romance was a cute but it seem draw out a bit. I wish there was a little more depth to them and their relationship.
3 Stars

This book has everything that we have come to expect from Jamie McGuire. This book is about a woman who realizes that who she thought she needed in life, turned out that she didn't need him or want him at all. We all find ourselves in a position where we question do we do what is best for us, or do we do what it best for others, and something the answer should be do what's best for you, especially, if there is a child present. This book gives you hope that even if you feel alone at one point in time, you won't always feel that way.

As with many of the books Jamie writes, this one had that raw and gritty feel to it. With all the hot romance someone could ask for.

I really enjoyed how on my toes I was this whole read. I like a fast paced and thrilling book. And this one was definitely that.

But it also has some incredibly sweet and tender moments, and some pretty memorable charters too.

I found myself not able to turn the pages fast enough on this one, and couldn't wait to see just how everything was going to end.

Definitely a 4 star read

Absolutely fell in love with this one! Jamie McGuire is a must read author and if you loved her previous books you will definitely have to grab it immediately!

I haven't read McGuire since the days of Travis Maddox. I should have kept it that way.

While the relationship between Darby and Trex wasn't as toxic as Travis and Abby, it was still unsound and flimsy, at best.

Darby escaped the controlling, abusive fucker she was set to marry and have a baby with. Running right into the arms of Trex, after repeatedly stating she was avoiding men at all costs. Which I guess she did for about a week. A lot of readers adored the hell out of this man. Not me. He wasn't an abusive asshole. Not like Shawn. No, he was wicked sweet. However, he was controlling. He lied to manipulate his relationship with Darby. Things he knew could change her outlook on their relationship. Darby was done with Military men, due to the ex-fiance. But that didn't matter to our Trex. Oh, no.

My first issue: Trex lied, over and over and over. Even when given multiple chances to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. You see Trex was a Marine. He didn't want Darby to know that since she'd sworn off all military men. So he piled on the omissions and lies. It irked the ever loving shit out of me. There was no real reason for the lies, other than they created contrived drama that was forgiven within seconds.

My second issue: After years of abuse, Darby just lets the lies slide and continues on with Trex, knowing he's lying to her. She never really makes him work for it. Dumbass. No sympathy here.

My third issue: the INSTANT and I do mean INSTANT love. Like set your eyes on the person for the first time, and know within a second INSTANT. Except in Trex's case, his instant started when he was back in high school. He just knew the minute he laid eyes on "the one" she'd be his soul mate. And Darby got to be the lucky contestant. Didn't matter that he knew not a thing about her. She was the one he'd been waiting his whole life for. Now I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of instant. But to me, this took it to the extreme. It was hard to connect and feel for a couple who barely knew one another, especially when all one of them did was lie. Plus, it is boring if there is no real character development when it comes to the relationship and chemistry. I miss the work up and totally don't get off on the whole BAM! I love you! You are it for me the second I breathe the same air as you.

My fourth issue: the whole Atheist vs God overtone. This should have been in the synopsis somewhere. Instead of taken readers by surprise. I don't want to sit down and read a book that argues over whether there is a God or isn't. I get enough of that in real life. This was not a small aspect of the book, either. I don't appreciate being ambushed like that.

My fifth issue: the fact that everyone and their mother wanted Darby. No lie, they all wanted her. I am soooo over the super duper hot heroine that everyone wants to get all up in. You know the type of heroine that no one can compare to because her looks are so stunning and unique, she can't be matched. This seems to be a major trend in romance books. It is beyond boring and stale. *sigh*

My sixth issue: the fact that I felt like I was missing things. Not to mention, there were choppy spots where the story line just kinda drops and picks up much further along in the characters lives, like there was another book or info the reader should have read/known. If you are doing a spinoff, at least delve into the story enough to give us some back story.

I gave this book two stars due to Trex's team and some of the secondary characters.

This book overall sucked and I don't foresee myself picking up another by this author.

It's been a while since I've read anything by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed From Here to You. It's the first book in her new Crash and Burn Series. I was immersed into the story from the very first page it has Insta-love on our hero's part which I really liked as lots of books I've previously read show this from the heroine's side and lots of aghast to keep you enthralled throughout.

Darby is about to marry her worst nightmare, when she's given her last chance to escape she grabs it with both hands and finds herself in Colorado Springs with nothing but a few hundred dollars and her wedding dress.

Trex is an ex marine, he's now working a high level security job. When he meets Darby he's instantly attracted to her but she's holding back. Both have secrets they need to share if they want any sort of relationship but will those secrets and lies tear them apart before they even have a chance to begin.

A great start to this new series and I can't wait to read more!

3.5 Stars

I wasn't wowed nor was I completely disappointed in this story there were just a LOT of things that rubbed me wrong. I felt for Darby right from the beginning; however, as the story evolved I just wanted to reach into the story and shake the crap out of her. Trex was an appealing male lead but I didn't completely believe his actions. There was way too many side characters and additional storylines jumbled into the mix. I felt like I really needed to read the previous series of books to get a grasp on when in the time line of the books this one occurred. Then I can't even start to dissect the religious overture that was laced throughout the story. Just not my fave.

This specific video review will be included in the December 2018 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my Youtube Channel: Step's Romance Book Talk.

Jamie McGuire writes a breathtaking story with suspense, emotion and sweetness.
On her wedding day, Darby runs away from her abusive fiancé to Colorado Springs.
Darby is gorgeous, yet unaffected by all the male attention she receives and anyone looking at her would assume she has an easy life, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sadly, it has been a long time since anyone has been kind to Darby and she has been hurt so many times she is afraid to trust. What I admire most about Darby is that through all her adversity, she remains strong and doesn’t let life bring her down.

Once Trex meets Darby, he is immediately attracted to her and he knows she is the woman meant for him. He works in private security and his employer will not allow him to divulge anything about his job. This causes problems between them because Darby is afraid to trust someone who keeps secrets from her.

This is a feel good story about a troubled yet strong woman and a protective alpha male. Trex has always known he would meet the woman of his dreams and when he meets Darby, he knows she is the one. It takes Darby a little longer to trust Trex. Trex is afraid to share everything with Darby because he doesn’t want to scare her away. Trex is a good guy. He is loyal and protective and he will not let anything get in the way of being with Darby. I enjoyed the story and the characters. Trex and Darby have great chemistry and I wanted them to work everything out, so they could be together.

Darby is no longer alone. She needs to get away and protect them. With the help of a friend, Darby is able to get a bus ticket to their new life.
Trex has always known she was out there and he'd know it was her when he met her. What he didn't know was how hard he would have to fight for her.
Jamie McGuire's writing will suck you in, chew you up, and spit you out in one piece.
I loved this book. I couldn't wait to get home to get back to Darby and Trex.
It can be read as a standalone and has a HEA.

I wasn’t sure she could do it, but Jamie successfully delivered a read that I couldn’t put down page after page. It was emotional and had a plot that truly just pulled at you.

Jamie has such a twist in her writing that I never quite get this feeling with anyone else. Its just a way she crafts her worlds and her characters that you instantly form strong enough bonds with it that you will find yourself yelling at your book as you read, page after page.

This was also one of those stories that had the perfect blend of chaos and swoon for me. I wanted the out-of-the-bos crazy ex and we definitely got it with this read. I can’t wait to get more for this new gang!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good read with great characters. I hadn't really enjoyed the last couple of books by McGuire so it was kind refreshing to read this one.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

So, I love McGuire's Beautiful series, with the Maddox brothers. So, I was very excited to see that McGuire was starting a new series.

This is Trex and Darby's story. Right from the start, Darby is in trouble. She knows that marrying her fiancé is going to be a mistake. She runs with just her wedding dress and a few hundred dollars that her best friend gives her. She winds up in Colorado and gets a job in a hotel.

Trex is starting a new job. He's security for a top-secret facility. He has known that he would find his partner sometime in his life and would know the moment he laid eyes on her. When he sees Darby, he knows she's supposed to be with him.

I think for me, this had great potential. However, it just didn't deliver for me. The relationship between Trex and Darby was an insta-love and with Trex's belief, it was just a little too hinky for me.

However, I did like the mystery aspect of Trex's job and I hope that we get to see more of this. I am also hoping that each of the secondary characters gets their own story because they were awesome. While I wasn't super impressed with the start of this series, I do want to see where it goes. There's a definite mystery in this series and I want to figure it out.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This may be the start of a new series, but we get to see quite a lot of the Maddox clan through the story – which for a fan is great news... I won't say more!

This is a story which starts with Darby on her wedding day, making the bravest choice in the world, to leave her abusive fiancé at the altar – no romantic picture of a runaway bride in the film sense, but rather one who fears for the survival of her just discovered to be on the way baby. No family to support her, and no funds to cushion the way.

So when Trex fixates on her and determines that she is his one and only, it is in some ways an answer to a prayer – but I did find his persistence, coupled with his dishonesty, difficult to reconcile with someone who truly cares. He, too, had had an abusive childhood, but somehow his karmic attitude to having found her was a little too superficial. We do learn more about what he does, who he is, and why he is honourable, but more by getting to know his friends than him directly. One of my favourite books by Thomas Hardy The Well-Beloved has a similar idea of "the one" and I liked the idea a lot, I just think that his lack of honesty and trust in her feelings made it just a little too uncomfortable for me.

I liked the stories in the hotel, and Stavros and his family are really good to Darby, and great foils to the chaos going on around with the fires, and the mysterious goings on up the mountain. I will watch with interest to see where this goes in future installments and hope that the rest of Trex's team who deserve happily ever afters get them, and some of the Alpine team too.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I absolutely adored this book! I read the Maddox Brothers books back when they very first came out (and LOVED them) and I haven’t read a Jamie McGuire book since – I’m definitely going back to rectify that after reading this one! I was completely obsessed from page one and read the entire book in one sitting.

Darby Dixon wound up in an abusive relationship and almost wound up marrying the man, until a positive pregnancy test finally gave her the courage to leave. Literally leaving her fiancé at the altar, Darby flees to Colorado Springs and winds up finding work at a small hotel – where the owner also allows her to live. It’s a bit hectic in said hotel as there is a wildfire not too far out and all of the fire fighters are lodging at the hotel. Trex is a former Marine and has recently taken a job at a local complex where there are top-secret experiments happening. Trex has always known that he’d just know the love of his life when he saw her and the moment he lays eyes on Darby, he knows it’s her.

Darby and Trex’s story is really the sweetest, Trex is the kindest man while also being just the right amount of alpha-awesomeness. When Darby’s abusive ex shows back up, Trex doesn’t leave her side, even when she forces him away. The ending of this book has so many twists and turns – I’d say dedicate a few hours to reading once you start it because you absolutely won’t be able to put it down. I can’t wait for book two!


Sarah – ☆☆☆
Sparks fly when a runaway bride and a secretive government contractor meet in a Colorado hotel. Several plot strands weave through this romance as Darby restarts her life away from an abusive ex and she starts a new job running a hotel front desk during a busy forest fire season.

Darby had my sympathy the moment she ran away from her wedding. And she earned my respect when she started to rebuild her life. She is proud and brave and capable. Despite her problems, Derby is a Jesus-loving, rainbows and sunshine girl and there are a few too many moments when she is irritatingly perfect.

Trex is a more difficult character. He is a sexy, former Marine but his love at first sight obsession with Darby feels slightly stalkerish. After one meeting, Trex is convinced that Darby is the dream woman he has been waiting his whole life for. I found Trex’s obsession with Darby a tiny bit creepy – especially as she has already run away from a controlling ex.

I feel like there is too much going on in this book. We get Darby and her baby and her history. We get Trex, his reunited Marine Corps team, and their secret jobs. We’ve got a hotel full of hotshot firefighters and an out of control wildfire. We also get into the hotel owner’s family drama, a jealous co-worker, Trex’s difficult relationship with his parents, the threat from Darby’s ex… Anyways. There is so much going on here and several of these plot strands are awkwardly dropped before the end. For the most part, I liked the characters and relationships in this story but I was a little bit overwhelmed by everything going on around them.


Erica – ☆☆☆
I was hooked from page one when a victim of domestic abuse is ready to set foot down the aisle to be married to her abuser. The runaway bride takes off with precious cargo in her belly, with only the bridal gown on her back. This resonated with me for varying reasons.

Darby flees to Colorado Springs, and that was yet another tie linking me to the novel itself, as I visit there and Estes Park every summer, along with Pikes Peak – I even laughed when Trex suggested a trip to Mt. Rushmore for fireworks, because that was a trip we took with all the same destinations. This connected me to the story, investing me in what happened next.

The little hotel, run by a tight-knit family, with all the firefighters added a warm and fuzzy, feel-good, lighthearted vibe to a story that could have gotten too dark due to fear of Darby’s abuser showing up. The side cast of characters were individuals and captivating.

The start of the novel had me clicking and clicking, then stumbling slightly over Trex’s narration at first. It felt like a lot of information bombarding me, with something far too close to insta-love for my liking.

Darby just escaped an abusive relationship with a military man, while trying to put her life back together from literally nothing, while worrying about the baby in her belly and how she was going to survive. While I think Trex had a good heart at the beginning, his tenaciousness felt too much to me, like give the girl a break for five seconds to get her head on straight, especially when hormones make it difficult to recognize real emotions from rampant mood swings. So what should have felt like warm and fuzzy support felt like yet another version of smothering manipulation. I felt the friendship and need for comfort and support from Darby, but never any true romantic feelings on her end, but plenty of fear and worry for what was happening in the blink of an eye.

Trex pressured Darby on every page, to the point it was taxing to read for me – triggering, if you will. I knew exactly how Darby felt – let the woman breathe. On Trex’s end, it felt more like obsession than love, with his ‘I’ve waited my whole life for you, knowing you were the one from first sight.’ While romantic for most readers, from the standpoint of a survivor of domestic violence, that is beyond creepy as I’m sure her abuser thought/felt the same thing. This was Trex’s immediate thoughts on Darby. Immediate.

Trex needed to get to know Darby, not just love the idea of her he built up inside his head over decades and the outside package. While I’m sure many readers will swoon over Trex and his unflinching tenacity, and I’m sure many will say I’m taking this too seriously… I left my ex, taking nothing I’d built over my entire adult life, if a man approached me that same day and pressured me day after day, I would have gotten a restraining order. Then to continually lie and gaslight Darby by saying she has trust issues… I actually wanted Darby with Zeke, because it felt more organic, natural, more getting to know you with real friendship, not pressure to be romancy from word-one.

Why 3 Stars?

A book that was resonating with me suddenly went south for me, because it hit just about every single one of my pet peeves. The editor in me sat back and stopped reading, noting where the author should have been reeled in. Less is more. Adding layers of irrational, immature, manufactured conflict lessens the experience.

Insta-love. Fated to nearly paranormal levels for Trex, while Darby was obviously reluctant. It felt pressuring, like the guy in the friend-zone who keeps buying you gifts and being helpful, but it’s all phony manipulation to get you to love the fake side they are showing, just as what they love about you isn’t real, only an ideal. It’s false friendship, showing you the best parts of them while hiding/lying/evading – once you’re hooked, you’re stuck with someone not as advertised. FYI: this is called ‘LOVE BOMBING’ and it’s a form of manipulation predicating abuse.

Every time Trex is caught in a lie, he brings up/thinks how Darby has trust issues. While I know trust issues are a real thing, this is anything but. This is actually called gaslighting, where you make the other person feel as if they are the problem instead of recognizing your responsibility in the problem. Like admitting you lied, instead of turning it around on your victim by saying they have trust issues.

Miscommunication. ALL conflict is miscommunication. If you’re so in love, wish to get married, TALK to each other. I don’t mean classified things, but knowing it will blow up in your face, and doing so, just for the sake of it blowing up in your face to add conflict that was missing from a book without conflict… If the characters don’t speak to one another, the reader is left dealing with redundant inner monologuing at ad nauseum and we learn nothing of consequence about our storytellers. Time and time again, I said to myself, “Trex, right here is where you should be truthful.” Darby doesn’t have trust issues – she literally just escaped a madman a heartbeat ago, but you go ahead and keep lying and evading the big and little things that are actually of zero consequence, so we’ll have some irrational, manufactured conflict later on. Darby didn’t have trust issues – Trex did, as he never trusted Darby enough to tell the truth about anything. It becomes tedious and I lost interest, because I knew what was going to happen, just as the narrator does, and when it does happen, it’s like “C’mon! Really?!”

Characters acting out of character, aka character trait lobotomy. Emotional maturity not matching chronological age, career position, or personality traits. Behavior more befitting those who have had zero life experience. Trex was in the USMC, serving in active duty from a leadership position, he then worked for the FBI. Now he is currently working as an independent contractor for the US Government as a security specialist, with a team under his command… the irrational, immature, out of character behavior he displayed at the climax had me shutting my Kindle. After protecting Darby for 80% of the novel, with the threat literally on the premises, he leaves to go help his sister who has called the authorities and is no worse for wear, while leaving a pregnant Darby with her stalker just because she was being irrational due to his lies and hormones. The hotel isn’t a magical safe zone. She has an excuse, he doesn’t. Trex displayed why he should have never been employed for two seconds by the US Government as no one would be safe under his command.

Manufactured conflict in a novel teeming with conflict unexplored. (see above) We have a runaway bride with an abusive, military ex on the loose, WE DID NOT NEED MISCOMMUNICATION AS A CONFLICT. We didn’t need a flirty, desperate acting grown woman to add conflict, giving women everywhere a bad name when we already had a villain of the story.

Sociopaths don’t run in packs, because they tend to cannibalize each other to protect their secrets. Just as people of faith aren’t unintelligent (a thread I felt was explored in the novel with the force of a hammer to the skull. FYI: I’m not a person of faith, but this was too much). All military men are not sociopaths, to where an abusive ex manages to find more of his kind to commit crimes with him. The novel lost all credibility with me, and I realize this is fiction. Shawn managing to rustle up several other sociopaths is several steps too far. All the conflict necessary was available, adding in a jealous sociopathic girl who somehow manages to hook up with the sociopath pack...

I felt everything was displayed in the extreme. All military men are bad. All firefighters are good (my abuser was a fire fighter). All politicians are corrupt or bumbling. All women under the age of elderly are after your man or irrational (the reporter girlfriend, the new reporter, the new hire, all the women shown besides the grandmother). Every male wanted Darby. Religion is for the unintelligent, atheism is for the intelligent. Domestic violence suffers shouldn’t work through their issues, but immediately latch onto the first man who shows all the precursors of future abusive behavior.

As you can see, what was a book I was so readily prepared to hand out five stars veered off course quickly. It meandered, became redundant and tedious, filled with mundane, inane everyday laundry list of daily events. The premise couldn’t support the page-count as it struggled to figure out how to fill in the gap from the middle to the ending. Generally, I DNF a book because I don’t want to give a critical review, but with domestic violence being something so close to me, I had to read it to its conclusion.

Everything went against human nature and our natural responses to stimuli. I felt Darby’s emotions weren’t properly explored, as Trex slapped a bandage over it by tossing money at the problem and telling her he loved her, instead of getting her real help from a therapist while allowing her time to find herself as a person and to grieve the past that no longer exists – the life and people she left behind. It took me years, and Darby wasn’t afforded HOURS after leaving her previous life behind. She traded in one prison for another, and I’m sorry but I found no romance in that. The journey wasn’t explored because the wrong things were focused on during the novel.

To me, the romance read as the initial stages – the draw, the hook, the clenching force – of abuse. As if the beginning and the climax showed the ending of an abusive relationship with the ex, and the rest of the novel showed how women fall victim to it every day via love bombing, gaslighting, control, lying and evasion, and manipulations, buying the I Love Yous handed out far too quickly.

Insta-love is called infatuation. If I ask you why you love someone, and you can’t answer me because all you know is their name and their outside package, it’s NOT love. Lust. Infatuation. Shallow. Vapid. As deep as the skin found beautiful. This isn’t a paranormal fated mates story. What’s to love? Why do you love them? If the answer is how they are the ideal/the fantasy of your forever love, you need therapy, because they’re a person, not someone filling a void in your life. This is exactly how abuse is born, when you discover they are not the ideal/fantasy, but flawed flesh and bone.

Both older and wiser, I expected a novel that read more mature, but their actions belied their ages (I don’t believe Darby’s age was ever said), leaving me feeling as if I read a young adult or new adult novel set in the context of a mature worldview.

Trex! Damn Jamie certainly knows how to deliver the perfect hot guys to her readers. This story just gets under your skin. Darby is a runaway bride, Trex is ready to move on with his life as well. Then they both meet and is love at first sight. This book is so good you just need to read it, and it will be a one sitting reading for sure. I couldn’t stop.

Darby and Trex’s romance makes you believe in love and listening to your instinct. Beautifully written, From Here to You pulls at your heart strings. Jamie McGuire, once again, makes you fall in love and want to become a part of their world.

Any book that references Darby O’Gill and the little people is all right by me! I felt for Darby and her situation. I liked her character, a strong willed, smart girl but most of Trex’s chapters bored me to death. I liked him but I just didn’t feel connected to his POV. I did appreciate the resolution of her situation with her ex. After the buildup throughout the story, I was glad it was intense and not over in two seconds. If though it wasn’t my favorite, I will still continue with the series and look forward to meeting the rest of the crew.

first off, that cover is gorgeous.

i read beautiful disaster a couple of years ago, and though i liked it, it was very over the top and kind of like a car accident, i couldn't look away. it was compelling, even if i had a few issues with it. anyway, i didn't continue the series, i had no desire to. but when i saw this on netgalley, i couldn't resist.

this is SO much better than beautiful disaster, it's connected - the name maddox shows up several times (the brothers) but like i said, i didn't continue the series so they meant nothing to me. i just thought the writing for this was worlds apart, so much better.

i will admit, i almost DNF'd in the first chapter or two because there was too much religion talk. but then an atheist shows up! well, HEY! i dig it, i dig it a lot. i still could have done without all the religious talk but honestly i thought it was handled really well. don't know how you would have a believer and an atheist in a relationship together, but this is fiction after all.. and i do know it happens, i just can't wrap my head around having such different views from my spouse. but anyway.

apart from the religion, i just really liked this book at the start and really clicked with it. i knew there was angst and fights coming based on the secrets, but some of them were like 'oh ok no worries' and no fight or angst happened and i was like, yay! i was pleasantly surprised they didn't make a huge fight out of something small.... with some things. then other things, they made a mountain out of a molehill. i just have never understood characters saying things like 'i will never date a person from xyz profession again' because.. it's really stupid okay.

i liked trex and i loved the idea that he'd been waiting for his mrs right, though sometimes it did get a bit over the top and instalovey. which is fine, but it's like he wouldn't give darby the chance to catch up. he said he would, said he understood, but then he'd go a million miles an hour and it's like slow down dude.

darby was an okay character, i liked her most of the time, i thought the way the abuse and fear from it was handled really realistically. i do think how lucky she was when she moved to colorado springs was a bit far fetched, but whatever. and of course she was absolutely stunning and gorgeous and a sweet person.

i didn't really care about the place trex worked, that part was kinda boring to me. i was more worried about the fights i knew they were going to have and the shawn guy showing up.

so, while i rolled my eyes a few times, i actually really enjoyed this. i am curious about the next books in the series, though i do wish it wasn't connected to the beautiful disaster series for those who have not read those books. too much went over my head.