*** I Love Story Time was gifted an ARC in exchange for an honest review ***
5 STARS!
"I want him. I need him. I love him. He left me. He didn't trust me. He accused me. He broke me. ~Riley Shaw
Have you ever read a series and absolutely fell in love with the characters? Have you ever looked at the percentage left at the lower right corner of your Kindle and almost cried because you were at 90%?
I DID! I even found myself taking breaks and reading slower because I wasn't emotionally ready to say goodbye to these crazy kids yet. I've lost it, I know, but I have fallen in love with Josh and Riley. I am so sad that their story is over. sniff sniff I am going to suffer from a serious book hanger come tomorrow. Once again, Andrea Michelle delivered a beautifully written, emotionally driven, love story. I LOVED IT!!!
Book 3 begins in Dean's POV. Dean, Dean, Dean,...Dean is that character that you want to hate but a part of you feels for him and you can't help but want more. There was so much to Dean that was hinted at but left a mystery. I really enjoyed his POV because it let the reader crawl into his mind and really get a taste of who he was. There were many times when I wanted to slap him but then there were moments when I felt that he was lost, misunderstood, and really just needed to be loved. His letter to Riley broke my heart and had me sobbing on my couch like a teenage girl. I would absolutely love to read more about Dean. There was such a complexity to his character that I hope that Andrea Michelle will reveal to us the many layers of Dean in his own book. I'd like to believe that Dean as well will find his happily ever after.
There were several revelations in book 3 that shed light on a few questions I had from book 1 and 2. I love when the author brings everything full circle. When Josh finally told Riley why he didn't fight for her in the very beginning all those years ago, and why he let Dean step in, was a pivotal point for me. I know I fell in love with Josh all over again. Josh's love for Riley was truly that fairy-tale's. Josh had made me soooo upset in book 2, so this was when he solidified his place in my heart. I don't want to give anything away, but let me tell you...there is one scene in particular that happens after Riley awakes in her childhood bedroom that made me scream NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Holy cannoli, that part scared the shit out of me for lack of better words. In that moment, my heart about fell out of my mouth!
"...next time you are lost in the dark and you feel alone remember that the stars are always there to remind you of happier times between us. It's in the darkness that they shine, Riley. I'll be the star. I will join you in the darkness, and together we will find our way out."~Josh Parker
I can not tell you enough what a great series this was. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves best friend romances like I do. Andrea Michelle is truly an amazing writer that has a gift for writing. Her words read so effortlessly. I love a book that is so well written that the storyline just flows and comes alive on the pages. These are the books that allow the reader to fully and completely become part of the story. The music that she weaved into this series was perfect and the lyrics that she wrote for Josh and Riley were simply breathtaking; she is a true poet. I LOVED every minute of this series and I look forward to reading more from Andrea Michelle.
"I love her more than I ever thought it was capable of loving someone. She's in my every thought, in my veins and the reason I breathe." ~Josh Parker
~Lys
I Love Story Time Ratings:
5+ = ILST FAVORITE!
5 = LOVED, HIGHLY recommend.
4 = REALLY liked, recommend.
3 = GOOD, but needed more.
2 = It was OKAY.
1 = NOT for me.
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