Dear Everly (True Hearts #2)

In the beginning I loved this story. As it progressed I started having thoughts about how an issue was handled and that is why I could only give 4 stars and not the 5 I wanted to give it. This is a story of losing someone in a car accident that was your world. Left behind is Jake and his little girl Sadie. Moving on from Everly\’s death is so difficult for Jake that it is hard to get through some days. Everly has been gone for 2 years and he is no closer to moving on as he thinks that would be like forgetting her and he promised to love her forever. Emily moves into the house next door and just happens to work at his daughters preschool. As they run into each other and chemistry grows between them I have to scratch my head and wonder why she would be attracted to someone who was mean to her. That would be my first clue to run in the other direction. He is nice then not nice many times over. I can understand the attraction and giving him space for the emotional trauma he is still going through but not an excuse to verbally attack Emily and demand she leave his house etc. Emily seems so perfect to me in the beginning but eventually I could see she kept doing things she shouldn\’t which would set Jake off into the verbal attacks. Not meaning to sound all negative about the book as I did like it and the storyline just stating a couple of things that bothered me about it. The positive is tackling an issue that is a hard one…getting over someone you thought would be there to grow old with and now taken from you. Grieving is different for everyone, no right or wrong way and maybe Jake and Emily are more the norm. Jake felt guilt about loving again and moving on with his life. Emily was willing to wait him out and help him how ever she could to move forward. I would recommend this book.

My feelings on this book are kind of all over the place. Initially I really liked this book, the premise was awesome. I liked the characters on their own and thought that they would match well together. The further I got into this book the more I began to dislike both of the characters. Emily seemed like a door-mat, Jake would treat her like crap; and she would just forgive him without making him work for it. Ok I understand that everyone grieves currently and for different lengths of time, but that doesn\’t give them a pass to hurt people. Jake was… irritating at best. As a parent of a young child, he should have provided his daughter with the best type of coping skills to deal with the tragedy. Instead he treated Everly\’s death like it didn\’t happen and mommy\’s away on a trip, she\’ll come back soon. I didn\’t like the ending because it left everything wide open, although I understand that it was referenced that they would be together in the future, we didn\’t actually get to see if that actually happened. On a positive note, Sadie was adorable, and I loved the tea party scene.

So, I have had this book since release day. It has been taunting me; I go to search for a book in my library, I swear this one pops up next to the one I needed, I look up something on zon its in the recommended books section! I have seen tons of Ads for it, had plenty of great reviews… I just did not know if I wanted to read it, knowing what the storyline was about, having been through it myself- I was not sure I could read it in fictional form. But, my freaking curiosity and love for Jaxson Kidman and London Casey\’s work won out- Well, let me tell ya, this is a maddening, heartache to heart mend story! It was funny as I am reading along I was able to relate to both Jake and Emily, I guess I should say in some ways I could.. in other ways I was shaking my Kindle wishing I could pelt them both with nonedible apples, knock some sense into them both! There is a lot going on throughout this whirlwind emotional clustered up mess; the grief process is so unique for everyone, I really feel like they\’ve captured that here. While the story had me in tears a few time as I knew it would, I was thankful for the few humorous moments, happier times, and even those fan your face worthy ones weaved throughout to break up the heart hurt dialogue. Beautiful characters, Sadie had to be one of my favorites! That girl had herself more put together at four years old than the adults did at times! I sat down with this book thinking it would be something I would have to take breaks with, I through a box of kleenex, devoured it in one sitting, now I am left with a severe case of book hangover. Am I glad that I read it? Yes, I am so happy that I took a chance, stepping outside my own comfort zone and reading this wonderfully written book I loved to dislike! A definite 5 stars from me!

This was such a sad and tragic story. It really makes you think about life and how you would be able to deal with the loss of a loved one. We get to meet Jake, single father to Sadie, who is 4. He lost his fiance, Everly, in a car accident two years before and he is still struggling with the loss. The only thing that keeps him going is littl Sadie. They get a new neighbor next door, Emily, who also happens to be Sadie\’s new teacher\’s assistant at school. Jake and Emily feel a connection, but he is scared to pursue it. The guilt and sadness wash over him every time he thinks of being with anyone else other than Everly. He writes her letters where he tells her about his daily struggles, about all the things he thought they\’d do together and now he is doing on his own. Emily also comes with her own set of problems. Her attraction to Jake is strong, and she tries to support him through his issues, be there when he falls. I really loved the story altogether. The one thing that almost annoyed me couple of times was how understanding Emily was. It just didn\’t feel real and it made her look a little too desperate to get Jake. I really think that a little bit of tough love would\’ve gone a long way when it came to Jake\’s attitude towards life.

This book blew me away the loss and sorrow Jake felt over loosing his fianc Everly, Sadies mother broke my heart . The guilt of falling in love again with his next door neighbour and Sadies pre school teacher was just unthinkable. He tried very hard to avoid seeing her and resisted falling in love again because he felt he was betraying Everleys memory. Then there was the bond Jake had with his daughter it was so touching there was nothing Jake wouldnt do for her. There is so much more to find out about this book then I put into this review you should find out for yourself by reading it. Jaxson Kidman you really outdid yourself with this book loved it from the first Paige to the last. The only criticism I have is that I wish there was a sequel to this book to tell us how the story continues with Jake, Emily and Sadie. Its 5***** from me

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