True Love Story

by Willow Aster

A USA Today Bestseller about reclaiming the love of a lifetime...

Growing up in an idealistic home, Sparrow Fisher is sheltered and innocent. When she meets Ian Sterling, a musician who is rising in popularity, she instantly falls for his charm. The attraction is instant, but their relationship isn't so simple.

At different places in their lives, Sparrow is off to college in New York, and Ian is traveling the country with the band. Over a five year span, Sparrow and Ian run into each other in unusual places. Each time, Sparrow has to decide if she can trust him, and if he feels the same for her. It’s hard to not get caught up in the magic they have together.

Until something so devastating comes to light that threatens to shatter everything they’ve built with each other.

True Love Story is a story about the real highs and lows that come with a relationship—happiness, pain, angst, and finding out if love really is enough.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Music, College

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling Author of emotional, angsty love stories with a side of quirk. She is co-writer of The End of Men series with Tarryn Fisher and co-writer of the G.D. Taylors series with Laura Pavlov.


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Reviews

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! True Love Story (stand-alone). Student is swept off her feet by older musician. A whirlwind affair wreaked by lies & betrayal!

“The evening feels like a long love letter, with sweet touches and looks speaking volumes of truth.”

True Love Story opens up two years ten months after an ended relationship. Story then skips back half a decade in time to when eighteen year old Sparrow Fisher, Rosie aka Little Bird meets twenty-seven year old up-and-coming musician Ian Sterling.

And so an easy hot-cold flirtation begins. Sparrow is in over her head with the charming, slippery and aloof Ian yet she has something that captivates him and has him coming back for more.

Follow them in their doomed love. You know it is going to end, you know it’s going to be painful. (it includes cheating!) It’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop, but when it does it still hurts like the motherload.



Five words to describe Ian Orville Sterling: Charismatic, aloof, complex, enigmatic and unpredictable.



Five words to describe Sparrow Kate Fisher, Rosie aka Little Bird: Reflective, naïve, confident, trusting and patient.

True Love Story, told from dual POVs will hurt in the best possible way. An all-consuming love starting as a slow-burning, sweet, and beyond sexy romance only to intensify before raging out-of-control into heart-wrenching betrayal. Go in blind and just feel it!

***
Hero: ★★★★1/2
Heroine: ★★★★1/2
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★1/2
Story ending: ★★★★1/2
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | LOW FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | MEDIUM FOCUS |

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 HEARTBREAKINGWARMING STARS!!!!**




"Love is enough.
Love does conquer all.
Love really does always protect, trust, hope, persevere...
I'd even go as far as saying that love never fails. I finally believe that."


True Love Story is indeed a story about true love . It's a story about the kind of love that lasts a lifetime but that is faced with so many obstacles and bumps along the way that sometimes the ones in love begin to wonder if love itself is enough. They begin to wonder if their love is really worth holding onto and fighting for...


Sparrow Fisher --


The story starts off in the present when the 24 year old Sparrow Fisher bumps into her ex, Ian Sterling at the airport. They were once madly in love but somehow Ian managed to break Sparrow's heart in the most cruel way possible and now it's been a long time since she's last seen him...

"It's been a year, two months, and seventeen days since I last saw him. Two years, ten months, and five days since he broke my heart - well, since I knew that he had broken my heart.

Technically, he began breaking my heart the moment I met him, five years, eleven months and one day ago."

After that, the story shift back to the past and we learn all about how Ian and Sparrow first met and how their entire relationship slowly grew into something more than either of them could have ever expected.

"All my life I've said what everyone wanted me to say, worn what everyone wanted me to wear, acted just so - never realizing until this very moment that I've been waiting for someone to look past it all and actually see me." ~ Sparrow

Ian Sterling --


A musician with a tortured soul.

A heartbreaker, a womanizer, but also a lover and a fighter.

Together they are perfect for each other. He's the older, more experienced one. She's the pure soul, full of life and she manages to bring out a caring side of him that he's never been able to show before. They have fun, they laugh but they also know that relationships aren't always easy.

"You're going to break my heart, Sparrow Fisher." And I think, Not before you break mine.

Although their relationship wasn't always easy (with Ian being on tour a lot so sometimes they didn't see each other for months), I loved how playful they were together and how they were always able to completely be their selves around each other.

"Well, my number is the same. I will never change it. You know, hoping one day you'll call and say you're taking me back," he says earnestly.

~~

"You're impossible."
"You're delectable."
"You're incorrigible."
"You're edible."

"You are my first
And last
And only
True Love --"

"Little Bird, our love has been hard-earned from the very beginning. It is more precious to me than anything on earth. I can't just let go of it. And I won't stop fighting for it." ~ Ian

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Around 77% into the story something happened that left me speechless and thinking-

Admittedly, I did see it coming somehow, but still, it broke my heart and made me furious for a while. Especially the last 30 % of the story were highly emotional and I kept feeling very anxious to find out how it was going to end. And well, I can't tell you exactly how it ends only that is does have a HEA.☺

I laughed, I cried, then I laughed and cried some more... It was a heartbreaking story that managed to grasp my attention from the moment I started reading it. I really loved how the author managed to describe all the emotions Sparrow went through, so well. It was an interesting process to see her change from a young, insecure girl into a well developed grown woman who knew exactly what she wanted. I absolutely loved reading the story from Sparrow's point of view, she's a very easy-to-relate-with character and some of her inner monologues literally made me laugh out loud. I think the author Willow Aster did a wonderful job at describing this realistic story about love and everything that comes with it.

To everyone who hasn't read this beautiful, captivating story yet, I would say READ IT , give it a try and hopefully you'll enjoy it just as much as I did!!!!




****


Favorite quotes

"When I got home, I took out my journal titled Important Things that Happened in my 14th Year and wrote: I Saw Ian Sterling. I've been looking for him ever since."

~~~

"He asked me out a half dozen times before I said yes. If he'd just shown me his chest, we could have settled the matter much sooner."

~~~

"Never hesitate to tell the truth. It's the only way it will be any good."

~~~

"I've been looking for you, his eyes are saying.
You've found me now, I'm certain my eyes are saying."

~~~

"All kisses before this have been mere child's play. I drink him in and know my fate is sealed: I am his."

****

[Dd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hello Readers!!

Let me tell you about a story!

There was this girl....young, beautiful and full of life.

And then one day she meets with the man of her dreams.

And they live happily ever after.....

Or do they???

"It has been a year, two months, and seventeen days since I last saw him.Two years, ten months and five days since he broke my heart.Technically, he began breaking my heart the moment I met him, five years, eleven months, and one day ago."

------------------------------------------------------------

Five years, eleven months, and one day ago....

Sparrow is transforming.From a girl into a woman.Finally unleashing her wilder side.

And it is then she meets with the man whose songs had touched her, owned her, and claimed her at a concert four years ago.


Ian Sterling.


And then....something happens, something shifts, something clicks.

And the funny thing is that....she doesn't even believe in love at first sight.


"I've been looking for you,his eyes are saying.
You've found me now,I'm certain my eyes are responding."


It all starts then.Five years, eleven months, and one day ago.

This story of Ian and Sparrow.

Their LOVE story.

----------------------------------------------------------

Okay Readers...I just don't know how to rate this book.I did not even like it for most of the parts.But I thoroughly enjoyed a few.

For a long time I could not get the point of this story.

At times I hated both Ian and Sparrow.

But somewhere, somehow, this struck a chord within me.

I don't know how,just that it did.And even though this book contains what I consider a deal breaker,the feeling remains.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"You're going to break my heart, Sparrow Fisher." And I think, Not before you break mine.

Over the course of five years,they meet over and over again.And every time,they fall more and more in love.

Sometimes it was sweet, sometimes maddening, sometimes irritating and sometimes lovely.

Sometimes I wanted to shake some sense into them.

And then came the climax....God, I hated it.

How could he do that? Why did he do that?

God damn it.


So yes,I too was compelled to ask the question....


IS LOVE REALLY ENOUGH?

To forgive as well as forget?

----------------------------------------------------------


That's all for now,Readers.

Ta-Ta!!


P.S. - “Love is enough.
Love does conquer all.
Love really does always protect, trust, hope, persevere...
I'd even go as far as saying that love never fails. I finally believe that.”

[Belle · Rating 1 out of 5]

GEH IAN WHY.. JUST WHY..

F*** sorry I am about to start an ENORMOUS RANT. So bare with me


I get the whole . . . age difference/ he didn't feel he deserved her.. but an ONGOING affair throughout basically their ENTIRE relationship. I wish we got more details about the affair, like if it happened often or saw his point of view, I mean just how far did the affair go?.. i wish i could have been there for the hushed fighting conversations between Laila and Ian. How could he cheat right AFTER he proposed and they were finally exclusive. Sure they didnt have sex, but HE STILL CHEATED. That whole part of the storyline I saw coming a mile away, as soon as I saw how Laila treated Ian, but man I really wished it didn't. It just ruined Ian in my eyes to be honest. Yes, I believed he loved her. But what, was he just never going to tell her the truth ? Sure in the beginning, they were not exclusive, but Ian not only ruined his relationship, but how could he ruin his own cousins ? His own flesh and blood ? That betrayal, I have no clue how Jeff could move past that. If my best friend, and cousin slept with my wife... man, unforgivable. What is worse, is that Ian and Laila did not even love each other.. just used each other for sex. So really the whole affair was completely unjustified. Ian should have talked to Sparrow not jumped into bed with his cousin's wife.

Before the revelation I saw coming but really did not want to happen, I would have WHOLEHEARTEDLY given this book a 4.5.. dare I say a 5/5 but after that .. it dropped to a 1.5. I will say SURE cheating is reality. And yes, I have tolerated cheating in books when it comes to being committed and in love with the other person and the very rare circumstances that makes it somewhat easier to digest. But when two characters cheat for the sake of cheating, I will never ever be okay with reading it. I was really proud of how Sparrow handled it, and I'm glad she got her happy ending. In saying that, Ian really did not deserve to get his. Am I being a cold hearted bitch ? Probably, but the whole way it was handled and how he was never planning on telling her made me sick to the core. Yeah he definitely felt remorse, and he paid for it, but there is just something in me that still won't accept the fact that he cheated throughout their entire relationship.

In saying all that I will say this book will definitely fall into many people's category of a great romance novel. So this is entirely MY SOLE opinion. So don't listen to me.. read for yourself and make up your own mind.

[Alexis *Reality Bites* · Rating 4 out of 5]

MINOR SPOILERS in a section marked minor spoilers-you've been warned
-mature content reader discretion is advised.
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: New Adult Romance

This...wait...excuse me.
*Inhales slowly, exhales slowly*
This is one of those books you finish and think



At the end I could not believe how strongly this Heart-breaking-Earth-shattering love story resonated with me. But..it did.




Please please bare with me I have so much to say and all of my thoughts are hitting me at once.
Honestly this is the closest I have come to giving a book 5 stars in 2013... It did something to me.. The authors style lit up my taste buds perfectly... Her way with words... The story itself... The characters, oh dear lord the characters are embedded in my brain. I laughed, I cried both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. More importantly I learned from this book that LOVE heals even the deepest of wounds. The ones so deep you think it will never close, the ones that make you feel as if your at deaths door because the pain is unbearable.
'He reaches over and grabs my hand and laces our fingers together. “You’re going to break my heart, Sparrow Fisher.” And I think, Not before you break mine.'



When the book starts we meet Sparrow and immediately learn that she has been dealing with a broken heart.
'It has been a year, two months, and seventeen days since I last saw him. Two years, ten months, and five days since he broke my heart—well, since I knew that he had broken my heart. Technically, he began breaking my heart the moment I met him, five years, eleven months, and one day ago.'


'I’ve got a hundred kisses for every tear I’ve caused. A hug for every heartache. Oh, I miss you. My body aches.
My heart groans. I call your name and hope that somewhere deep in your spirit, you’ll hear… I love you. Ian'





Sparrow Fisher is the daughter of a preacher. She wears what she is told to wear and says what she is suppose to say. A true all around good girl with her virtue still in tact. Soon all of her good girl wardrobe will be put to pasture; she recently graduated high school and will be leaving her California roots to move clear across the country and attend NYU. She's been in a comfortable 4 month relationship with Michael the youth pastor at her fathers church. She's grounded her future looks good from the view she sees.. Sparrow has no idea that her world is about to be lifted off its axis the second she meets Ian Sterling.


**Whispers**Guess who's coming to dinner....
Sparrow attends a planned dinner with her boyfriend, her parents and family friends; a couple by the name of Jeff and Laila. When she enters the restaurant she recognizes him immediately and alerts her mother of his presence. Ian Sterling. A singer, song writer and musician. Introductions are made and just like that she



...an instant spark.

'I’ve been looking for you, his eyes are saying. You’ve found me now, I’m certain my eyes are responding.'

Ha, the fact that her boyfriend is in attendance at this dinner is of no consequence. Conversation flow freely between her and Ian.

“Are you really hitting on me with my boyfriend sitting right here?” I am both proud and appalled by his audacity. Scratch that, I am loving his audacity.'

'He grabs my hand and kisses it. In that gesture, I feel my childhood slip off of me like an old, worn-out cloak that has been barely hanging by a single thread. I know that something has shifted in me. It’s primal. I want this man.'

Unfortunately for Michael this is the beginning of the end of his and Sparrow's relationship.

“I’m losing you. That’s what’s happening here, right?” ~Michael

Ian and Sparrow don't exchange numbers that night at dinner. In fact they come in and out of each others lives for some time. When Ian learns her age he puts the brakes on any budding relationship, Sparrow on the other hand assures him that age is nothing but a number. They've already proven how well they are together even with a 9 close to 10 year age gap. But the age difference is not the only thing working against them; with his busy career which includes tons of traveling and her in school the timing is just not right. So their friendship remains just that "a friendship" for quite a while.

They fall more in to a pattern not a relationship...
Coming together and linking up.. On top of not hearing from him every few months makes Sparrow question the reality of their on today off tomorrow relationship.

'...uneasiness has settled in my gut. Because for all the ways Ian shows me he loves me, he really doesn’t talk about commitment, and he doesn’t demand it of me.'

'In some ways, it’s possible that I’ve given him the perfect set-up. We have these blissful times every couple of months, and then we both go live our lives apart. How long will this be enough for me?'

'I try not to be jealous or doubt him, but when we’ve gone four months at a time without seeing each other, during Ian’s overseas tours, it does tend to up the jealousy ante.'


Because of their strong feelings for one another they both decide to make a go for a real relationship. Everything is going good. REAL G O O D . And then just like that your reading and everything... is blown to pieces.



You read and you read until you reach that part where you slowly watch a horrific head on collision happen. You know, you know it will be deadly, leaving no survivors. Well this scene that I read had to be one of THE most effectual scenes...EVER. Not to many female characters are written with an intuition as intense as Sparrow's what's even more intense is that she's had it her whole life. We read how she get's these dreams and feelings that she just doesn't quite understand. And then it happens, she naturally draws a conclusion from her gut.

'An island of single words strewn together that are going to ruin my entire life. I already know, without him saying a thing, that this will change everything.'
“What do you want to know?” he whispers.
“I want to know everything. Start from the beginning.”

And even though I knew it was coming, I still thought



MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD

I felt...every..ounce..of her pain and then some. And then alllll I could hear in my head was the song Resentment by Beyonce. Over and over and over...

I've been crying for too long
What did you do to me?
I used to be so strong
But now you took my soul
I'm crying, can't stop crying
Can't stop crying....
....I know you didn't want to hurt me
Look what you've done to me now
I gotta look at her in her eyes
And see she's had half of me
How could you lie?
- Lyrics Beyonce

Sparrow's spirit was broken right along with her heart.

They say time heals wounds.. Well, I'm not sure that's true. What I do know is that L O V E, Love heals wounds.

'It came down to love.
Love is enough.
Love does conquer all.
Love really does always protect, trust, hope, persevere…
I’d even go as far as saying that love never fails. I finally believe that.'





CASTING: Meet my Sparrow and Ian



My Thoughts
Willow Aster has a way with words I was completely sucked in by her style it appealed to me in a way that not most authors are able to do. Her characters just popped off the pages I couldn't seem to get enough! I fell so hard for these characters. The only thing that stopped me from giving this book 5 stars is the fact that I felt like I missed out on vital information. Mainly due to the fact we get everything from Sparrow's pov. I wanted to know more about Laila and her reasons for being a cold hearted slimy BITCH. I wanted more details on how things went down between Ian and Laila the night he finally explains it readers don't get the grimly details. We don't get to know his thought process... I don't know maybe that's just me wanting all the deets.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters, which leads me to ask..
What I really want to know is... Will Jeff and Laila get a book?


My Ratings
Characters- Lovable
Writing Style- Excellent
Plot/Storyline- Intense and Highly emotional
Steam Factor- Medium/Moderately Steamy
Overall- I loved it! READ IT!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogs...

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how it begins.

Ian Sterling has broken Sparrow’s heart into a million tiny little pieces and destroyed her faith in love. She’s spotted him in an airport and is trying to avoid him but he knows she is there and is not about to let this opportunity pass him by. He’s desperate to get her back – he’s desperate for her forgiveness.

“I see this face every night when I close my eyes. All day long, I think I see you, everywhere I go…” His eyes cloud, and he drops his hands. “I’ve dreamed this so many times, I’m not even sure you’re real right now. Are you really here?”

We jump straight back to the past, five years, eleven months, and one day ago to the moment they first meet. Sparrow is young, very young, daughter of a preacher, on the verge of heading off to college in New York and everyone is hoping she will settle down with Michael – her nice, safe boyfriend. And in walks Ian Sterling. And everything changes. Nothing will EVER be the same again for Sparrow.

Their connection is instant and undeniable and they can hardly keep their eyes off one another and they meet again a few days later and they both realise that this is special but Ian is almost ten years older than Sparrow and, as a travelling musician, he’s not what Sparrow’s parents have in mind and so Ian attempts to do the noble thing and stay away from her.

Over the years they bump into one another several times, that all-consuming, sizzling attraction is not to be denied and they grow closer and closer but Ian is evasive and they don’t really forge a connection until several years have gone by. By this time, it’s apparent that they are completely in love with one another and, eventually, everyone around them accepts them as a couple but not everything is as it seems and I got to the point when I decided that Ian most definitely needed a good bitchslap.




I sure hope that hurt!! You deserved it!!

I loved Sparrow – she may be innocent at the beginning of the story but she’s ready to leave her conservative past behind her and start life anew in New York. She’s full of hope, expectation and has an unmistakable joie de vivre. I loved her humour and her quirkiness. Ian – I did love him despite the urge to cause him physical pain. He’s funny, caring, sexy and ultimately fucked up. He’s got a lot to learn from Sparrow and the lessons are going to be slow and hard and painful.

This was just such a beautiful and highly realistic love story. It takes place over several years and tells the simple tale of boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love and boy fucks up monumentally. It’s such a soulful story – as a reader, I felt every deep emotion with Sparrow. There was excitement, lust, anxiety, supreme happiness and the depths of despair. It’s just one of those stories that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go and you’re dragged along, completely unable to look away, however hard it is to keep watching. It’s emotional, compelling and I absolutely devoured it.

Highly accomplished and highly recommended debut novel from Willow Aster. I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author in the future.




4.5 beautiful stars

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[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate it.

They met and she has a boyfriend but she broke up with him. They go out in San Francisco one day but then he left to work.


The first year since they met he basically played her along, calling her, telling her he might have fallen for her to just ghost her for months while she suffered. During this time, they kissed and she also kissed one other guy and he found out and was jealous but then she was raped but that guy. He had “friends” at the cities he travels to because he is single but she is the only one who makes him feel something. Flattering.

He shows up and he says he wants her but she should still date other people while she finishes her last couple years at college. She admits she is already hung up on him. They are intimate are intimate and he confesses he loves her and she says it back it’s pretty obviously things escalated. They had sex and there is a time jump to one year and two months later.

So after one year and two months of being together but having a long distance relationship for most of the time they haven’t talked about being exclusive but she turned down dates and went out with some guys and kissed them, he know about it and didn’t like it but was okay with it. She complains he doesn’t seem bothered about her with other guys and the cheater who is fucking his cousin wife obviously play the cards saying he doesn’t like it but she is free to do it. They talk and settle that they only want each other.

Two months after the “I only want you” talk he proposes.

Five months after that she found out he is a cheater lying manipulative bastard.


She had already witnessed him and Layla (the woman he cheated on her with) not being friendly, he hates her but he fucked her for one years and four months. All the time they were together and he says he stoped once they got engaged, so he had already cheated on her by not telling him about fucking someone else while she told him about kissing other guys. But during the two months after the talk about stopping seeing other people and their engagement he full on cheated.

Oh and during the time he was ghosting her he also kissed another woman named Reagan who was bitter when she met the heroine after they had sex for the first time.

Also, there was one time during their engagement that he cheated again but he stoped before the sex happened.

Him about the other woman:
“I knew I didn’t deserve you and Laila played on that. I’m not blaming her, I take responsibility for my actions in this, but it’s just the truth. I never felt anything for Laila; in fact, I hate her,” he says quietly. “I despise everything about her.”

He hates so much the other woman that he still got up for her, fucked her and cheated on the woman he claims to be the only one he ever loved with her. Can you imagine what he would have done if he actually like the other woman?


He betrayed his cousin at his own house the disgusting motherfucker.


Condoms are never mentioned, he was putting her life ar risk.

The reason why he cheated? He has commitment issues and daddy issues so he obviously doesn’t think he deserved her so that explains why he acted on a way that definitely proves he indeed doesn’t deserve her. Authors you should learn something, if a man doesn’t think he deserves a woman he tries to do better, if he chooses to act like and asshole he in fact doesn’t deserve her. When it comes to cheater this is a fact that doesn’t change, if a guy cheated on you unless he can come back to the past and change his choices he will never deserve her.


During the separation that last two years and ten months she had a lot of sex and he dated someone for nine months, they kissed but he stoped things for going further because guess what? He felt like he was betrayed her! What a prince, the cheater was such a honorable ex cheater that he didn’t want to fuck other woman after she broke up with him because he fucked other woman, too late asshole.



She apologizes after he says he was celibate when she admires she has lots of sex.


Of course all her boyfriends were lame, there was one nice guy who was great but he was so great that she didn’t think he deserved her baggage. Fuck that shitttttt your weak stupid woman, act like a strong girl and try to truly move on.


She is miserable without him and even after discovering about the cheating she is admiring even to him that she loved him but now it doesn’t matter. Fuck you, stop proclaiming your love. This shit she felt wasnt love, it was an unhealthy feeling, she should have gone to therapy to work her emotional dependency issues. You can’t place all your happiness over someone else.


I hate that she always criticized the guys she dated but honey the cheater settled the score at so fucking low that it reaches hell so unless the other man are cheater or abusive literally anyone is better than him.


Her best friend encouraged her to take the cheater back and I almost broke my kindle. Fuck that shit.


He sent her letters for months, kept saying how she was the only women he loved, keep in mind she want the only one he fucked only “loving” her so he could shove his love up his ass. So that shit could be considered grovel and it was disgusted reading it thinking about him endangering her life by fucking get without a condom, manipulating her with his speech about not being exclusive so she could enjoy college life.

She should have moved the fuck on, heal from the emotional damages, met a decent hot guy willing to give her the world and that actually respects and values her while he suffered watching her pregnant with twins and happily ever after. Or he could have just died while she moves on I would cheer that too.


At very fucking least she could revenge him and fuck the shit out of some of his friends and other man while they were at the same hotel at the end. Or even after fucking him again, she should have never touched him again but the idiot did it so she could have left the room and met a hot guy at the bar and kick him out of her life for good.

She could even have forgiven him if she needs that to be able to move on, so forgive the asshole and send him running far away from you. But please don’t take back the cheater he will never ever ever ever deserve you.

If this is the author true love story please write hate stories.

This book does not have a HEA, they are together married for seven months and she is having a baby tying her to the cheater for the rest of her life. It’s a tragedy

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to read a True Love Story? Here it is!!! It's heartbreaking and intense, gut churning and real. It hurt to read, it laid me out but kept me up all night. I read this book in one sitting.
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I was captivated by this like nothing I've been captivated by in quite some time. Something, some elusive quality, grabbed me...the title, the cover...something made me burn for this book as soon as I noticed it. And it paid off. I freaking LOVED this book!

First off, the blurb is really misleading, at least for me. I thought that it was some weird mess-with-your-mind game of chance and oddity. But it's just a plain ole contemporary romance about circumstances and mutual acquaintance throwing this couple together every few months, and their inexplicable attraction to each other.

Maybe attraction is too tame a word. Sparrow and Ian are connected. From their first face to face meeting, the chemistry and invisible line between them is so palpable, if set my tummy butterflies off immediately.

But this is NOT an insta-love story. This is an insta-connect story. This is a story about two people who are meant to be together, but life gets in the way. Age, location, vocation, time, family, friends, and most of all their own reluctance and eventual stupidity are blocking their path to each other.

When the story starts, it's already heartbreaking:

"It has been a year, two months, and seventeen days since I last saw him. Two years, ten months, and five days since he broke my heart - well, since I knew he had broken my heart. Technically, he began breaking my heart the moment I met him."

Sparrow is a precher's daughter. The proverbial good girl next door, she has a strong sense of faith and purpose. But she's not holier than thou, she's just a normal girl getting ready to move away from home to go to college, looking forward to wearing what she wants and discovering what it is to be responsible for your own life. One day, her family goes to dinner with some friends...just another day, but it's the day that changes her life.

She meets Ian Sterling.

Ian is an up and coming guitarist and singer. Sparrow had actually seen him play years ago, before his name was known, and had a little girl's crush on him ever since. But now, the crush isn't so little any more. Ian is flirty and charming, but more than that, they both know without a doubt that there's something extra there between them. If only....all of those obstacles were gone. But they're not.

Over then next couple of years, Ian and Sparrow spend minute amounts of time together whenever fate sees fit to allow it. And each time, a deeper bond is forged, and their inevitable love blooms. It's powerful, and it's beautiful. Ian and Sparrow as a couple are perfection. They laugh together...boy, these two can be goofy! Their chemistry is off the charts, but it's not an overtly sexual relationship for a very long time. They just fit, like puzzle pieces.

"You have this grounding quality about you. I don't know a better way to put it. It levels me. I've never been at home anywhere, but I am with you."

And in step those obstacles...mainly stupidity. How do you say I'm sorry for betrayal? When you know nothing you say will erase what you've done....
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God, it made me hurt!!! This true love story brought me down and yanked the tears right out of me. I gasped out loud, even though I KNEW it was coming...I KNEW IT for the entire book!!!! How did I fall so in love, how did Sparrow fall so in love? You can't help it. If ever lovers have been star crossed, it's these two. They're just so perfect together and hopeless apart.

"I sent him away.
I'm mad that he went.
I can't love him.
I can't hate him either.
Ian Sterling has ruined me. And he's ruined me for anyone else."
[image error]

And how do you move on from losing the love of your life...knowing, KNOWING that you've both lost it all?

I love this author's voice. She writes with such heart, and the inner dialogue of Sparrow is hilarious. The girl thinks in jokes at times, and constantly kept me on my toes. Watching Sparrow grow into a woman, from age eighteen to twenty four....those formative years in which so much happens...she grows so much as a person. And how often do you truly find your soulmate so early in life? And really KNOW it?! She knows it. And that makes the betrayal all the more heartbreaking. The fact that I can forgive is quite phenomenal, but I did.

What a gorgeous story...and it's completely self contained, with a short but fabulous epilogue. Beautiful, wonderful story penned by Willow Aster. I am sold on anything you may ever write again!

[Jiana · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 53%

Cringey romance. Cringey hero (I hate you so much, Ian). Cringey heroine. Cringey everything.

I won't even bother writing a full review for this, but I basically lost all interest and I figured the plot from a mile away.

BYE ANNOYING CRINGEY BOOK.

[Jenny Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking for you, his eyes are saying.
You’ve found me now, I’m certain my eyes are responding.

Sparrow Kate--
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Always been the perfect daughter, now she has transformed --starting with the way she dresses and expressing herself. And her life gets much more interesting when she met the man who will turn her life upside down...

Ian Sterling--
[image error]

A professional musician. Player. Womanizer.
But, all because he fears rejection and fears being in a relationship.
If there's one word to describe him, it would be -- T.R.O.U.B.L.E!


But, she wants him since she first laid her eyes on him.
And, he wants her too.

I'll remind you though, he's TROUBLE!

BUT,
How can she deny his feelings for him?
How can he deny the attraction he has for her?

Will it work even though he isn't a relationship type of guy?

WILL LOVE BE ENOUGH?

When they actually become a couple and with Ian going on tour, will a long distance relationship work?

IS LOVE GOING TO BE ENOUGH?

But, when he did something terrible and unforgivable to compromise their relationship, what will happen to them?
Does he deserve her forgiveness?

IS LOVE STILL ENOUGH?
Sparrow,


A beautiful story about letting go but still holding on to the love they both had for one another...
Steadfast love...
A story about second chances... of never losing hope.
A story about
Holding on.
Breaking down.
Opening up.
Hurting.
Healing...
This is Sparrow and Ian's TRUE LOVE STORY.

Warning: Spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.

Hi! I'm back!
This review will start off with my complaints.

Two words: Cover Fail
Am I the only one who has a problem with the cover? I think it's misleading. I don't really get it or it's connection with the story. I thought this is a paranormal romance book. LOL.
And then, when I read the first line of the blurb and it says: Sparrow Kate is transforming, I said to myself, Yep, this is PNR. I thought this book's about zombies or vampires, but when I read some of my friends' reviews, this was actually a romance novel. Stupid me for not reading the entire blurb. Lesson learned.

Moving on...

SHOOT! HOLY CRACK! THIS BOOK IS EFFIN' GOOD!!!

I love the author's writing style, like she has a way of getting the readers hooked at the first chapter line of the book...I know I did. The story actually began in present time, a year, two months, and seventeen days since she last saw him. Two years, ten months, and five days since he broke her heart--when they bump into each other in the airport. And then, the next chapter jumps back in the past and tells us how it all started and what went wrong. I love it! Plus, the titles in each chapter are just brilliant.

Sparrow - what a lovely and unique name. (The author got her surname from author Tarryn Fisher, right? Cool.) Another heroine who should be congratulated for having a famous vagina. Yeah, she's popular with the guys. They all seem smitten with her. But, I love her because she's smart and funny. And when she's with Ian, ahhh, perfect :)

Ian Orville Sterling, yes, I know he's an asshole, and when he did that horrible thing to Sparrow and fvck up their relationship, I was like, Ian,
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and when they broke up and their love life were in shambles , my heart broke for them.
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But you know what? I still love him. Why? All his lines are like asdfkglskfdhsl, took my breath away. *sigh* How can you not fall in love? Most of my fave quotes from the book are said by Ian. And my favorite part? The endless letters. For me, they're the highlight of the book. OMFG. My heart hurts a lot just reading it.

Sparrow and Ian -- DANGGGG! These two are made for each other. Off the charts chemistry. I love it when Ian calls Sparrow "Little Bird." And their lines and banters are perfection. *sigh*
[image error]

“You’re impossible.”
“You’re delectable.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“You’re edible.”

I say, “What do you like about me besides my looks?”
“The fact that you would ask me something like that is a clear indication of the kind of person you are, Sparrow Fisher. You have this grounding quality about you. I don’t know a better way to put it. It levels me. I’ve never been at home anywhere, but I am with you.”

“You’re an angel.”
“You’re trouble,” I laugh.
“I can’t keep my hands off you,” he says.
“I don’t want you to.”

“I want to be who you think I am.”
“I want you to be who you are.”

I wish the epilogue could've been longer though. Or idk, I think it's just an excuse because I want more.

Also, I don't like the name Ianow Orvillate .

My favorite Ian letter:
We Belong Together.
Well, Baby—Think.
Words Beginning Thus Would Be
Tender Words—But True.
Wonderful, Beautiful, Thoughtful Words,
But They Would Be Truthful Words.Believe Them.
Wishes Become True.
Wisdom Brings Trust.
We’re Being Tested.
We’re Both Tough.
Who Buys That?
Waiting By Telephone.
Wake Before Twelve.
Work Before Television.
Wiggle Big Toe.
Well … Be Thinking
Warm-Blooded Teddy
World’s Biggest Turkey
Way Back Then
Warm Bellies Touched
We Began Trembling
Weeping Boy Thinks,
“Where’s Baby’s Touch?”
What Big Tears.
We Belong Together.

Overall , IAN AND SPARROW DO BELONG TOGETHER. And I'm happy of their HEA and I love reading their story so much. This will go straight to my favorites ;)

At the end of the road for Sparrow and Ian though---

"Love is enough.
Love does conquer all.
Love really does always protect, trust, hope, persevere...
I'd even go as far as saying that love never fails.
I finally believe that."

My advice for y'all? STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND READ THIS BOOK!

4.5 SECOND CHANCE STARS!

[Kaila.Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book recently and felt like it didn’t deserve a review bc I was so angry about it. However, I need everyone to know the MMC is a bag of dicks and no amount of grovelling could have made up for what an ass he was

That’s all.

[Dilek VT]

How can the title of this book be "True Love Story" when the hero cheats on the heroine over and over again, even after he proposed to her???

They say his groveling is epic; I am sorry but there is no epic groveling that can make me forgive one-time-cheating let alone numerous times of it happening while we are in the relationship.

Not touching this book!

[KristenReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short review finally posted.

3 to 3 1/2 Stars.

The only cheating plot-line that's HEA I believed. Still, I hate cheating plot-lines and didn't realize I was reading one until it was too late (I should have paid more attention to the reviews). Overall, True Love Story is a well written, captivating, and very angsty book.

Note: The fact I gave a cheating plot-line a 3 to 3 1/2 star rating says something! I hate them.

[Zemira Warner · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is literally the only thing I'm going to say. I won't write a review because it will turn into a rant of epic proportions. It's just better I keep my mouth shut and don't be a bitch about it.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Beautiful Heart-Shattering Stars!!!



I loved Sparrow and Ian’s story. Loved it. I spent a good 20-25% of the book crying, but what a fantastic read!

It’s been a year, two months, and seventeen days since I last saw him. Two years, ten months and five days since he broke my heart. 

The story starts out five years after Sparrow and Ian’s initial meeting. A few years ago, the love of her life completely shattered Sparrow’s heart. Ian is still not over Sparrow, in fact, he may never be. They happen to run into each other at the airport and as luck would have it, they are seated together on the same flight.


We get to go back in time when Sparrow and Ian first met. She is about 18, he is a bit older than that... Sparrow is a pastor’s daughter who is getting ready to go to NYC to school. She wants to be an author. Ian is a musician. They have a connection, a spark from the very beginning. Because of the age difference, and Ian’s reputation as a ladies man, he is hesitant to be with her.






They can’t deny the connection they have, the spark. These two have some major chemistry and very strong feelings for each other.



Eventually, after a year or so of friendship and seeing each other when convenient, they decide to attempt a real relationship. It is difficult with the long distance, Ian is always on tour. But she’s in love with him, he loves her too. They try to make it work, despite all the obstacles.



Ian has issues with himself. He never feels like he is good enough to be with Sparrow, but she loves him for who he is and always tries to make him feel worthy of her love. Things are going pretty great for the two of them. They are getting ready to make a pretty big commitment to each other and Sparrow couldn’t be happier. That is until around the 77% mark......



Devastation. No other word for it. I was SOOO upset with this turn in the book! I mean, seriously?!?!?! I loved Ian. I mean LOVED him! I really couldn’t believe he could do this to Sparrow. Maybe if it would have been when they were first together before they had the exclusivity talk, I wouldn’t have been so upset, but really? And with that bitch? I just don’t get it... I don’t get it.... End Rant lol

Sparrow was devastated. Ian was devastated. I was devastated. It was just all around terrible. Then came all of the letters. A tear fest. No matter what Ian does or says, Sparrow doesn’t think she will ever be able to get over his betrayal. They are both miserable. This goes on for years. Can you ever get over your one true love???


Sparrow and Ian were two pretty awesome main characters. Sparrow is young. She is fun, sweet and innocent. She gets to be independent for the first time in her life. Loved watching her journey. She made some mistakes, but learned from them. Oh Ian. Ian, Ian, Ian... don’t know what to do with him. I know a lot of readers might not care for Ian- but despite all of his screw ups, I still love him! He is flawed, self depreciating, but also caring, loving, funny and sexy. The main reason I loved Ian Even though he did something so terrible and awful, I really felt he learned from it. He did what he did, but he tried to make up for it. He stayed faithful to Sparrow all that time- even when they weren’t together. He redeemed himself in my eyes. I also loved the nick name... Little bird- how sweet!



This story was captivating from the very beginning. A beautiful and emotional story. I smiled a lot, laughed, cried and sobbed. I loved it. And for anyone hesitant to read it, don’t worry... The ending is perfect. There is no cliffhanger, and the last few pages will leave you with a smile on your face. This one is for sure going right on the favorites shelf! Ian and Sparrow are one of those couples that just belong together. READ IT!!!!!

[Joan (official heroine hater) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not sure where to even begin with this book. There seems to a general outpouring of love for it but I’m afraid I just wasn’t feeling it...AT ALL!
I’ll admit to being a total heroine hater most of the time. The smallest thing can set me off with these chicks and they quickly find themselves on my sh*t list. Usually, though, I’m still able to swoon over the heroes or at least feel sorry for them that they have to put up with these clueless bimbos. I’m afraid that wasn’t the case here, no, I was feeling the hate for both characters in this one. There was just something off about Ian from the very get-go and he kept up his downward spiral as he smirked, grinned, tugged his hair and man whored his way through. And at about the 50% mark, we get the male angst and self-loathing. Man, this guy could give Edward Cullen a run for his money. Of course, he’s supposed to be hot, though we’re never really given much of a physical description except for the odd quote of “cushiony lips” several times. Um, ew? What exactly are “cushiony lips” pray tell? I just kept thinking of the throw pillows on my couch…
Then there is Sparrow, our heroine… We are told repeatedly and over and over and over again that this girl is beautiful, gorgeous, a vision, electrifying and my person favorite “have you ever thought of modeling for Victoria’s Secret?”. Literally, every man that crosses paths with this girl tells her how beautiful she is-I’m NOT kidding. So, I’m wondering…do men really do this? Do they just blurt out to perfect strangers/attractive women how beautiful they are? Because, wow, I guess I’ve been missing out since I’m afraid I don’t look like a runway/swimsuit model myself….sucks to be me! To make this book more interesting, I really should have kept a running tally of just how many times Sparrow is told she’s gorgeous, but alas, I didn’t. If I had to make an estimate though, I’d say at least 50+. Oh, and that’s not all! No, no, she’s also “smart” and “FUNNY’! We are told constantly that people are literally in tears laughing at the things that come out of her mouth. Meanwhile, I’m sitting there reading all these things and not even cracking a smile….guess you had to be there?
So, enough about the characters, what about the plot you ask? Basically, by the end of the first chapter you know EXACTLY where this story is going to go and it’s just pages and pages of tedium with Mr. ManWhore and Little Ms. Perfect, to get to the end. Overall, just a bloody awful book with not one redeeming quality.
My profound apologies to my buddy Amanda for making her read this with me! Not sure she’ll ever forgive me for this one… :)

[Elizabeth (Liz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance


Genre: New Adult/Contemporary

Heat Level: Medium

Angst Level: Angsty, but nothing OTT

Warnings: Cheating (it's an admission of cheating, but we don't 'watch' it happen)



5 Stars

True Love Story is an amazingly honest and emotionally complete journey! It is a journey that is so worth taking with Sparrow and Ian.

This is a simple story. Sparrow Fisher is a pastor's daughter, growing up outside of San Francisco. When we first meet her, she is eighteen years old, incredibly sheltered and naive, in some ways terribly old-fashioned, and soon to be starting NYU. Ian Sterling is boyish (though nine years older than Sparrow), charming, handsome and riddled with hangups and insecurities. He is a musical hero of Sparrow's, and, as a cousin to a friend of her father, the two first meet prior to her leaving for college. The chemistry and attraction between the two is near-instant and very easy. However, the possibility of a relationship seems anything but. What follows over the next five years are the ups and downs of attempting to build that relationship, make it work, and find out if love really can conquer all.


As I said, True Love Story is a simple story...deceptively so. Why? Because any time human emotions are involved, simple becomes complex. True Love Story is a perfect example of this. Girl and boy meet, spend a beautiful day together, and realize immediately that something magical is happening between them. What comes next should be obvious and uncomplicated, shouldn't it? Oh, but life rarely works that way. Now, this storyline certainly isn't a new one, BUT, Willow Aster expertly took it, made it her own, and brought it to new life. This book truly has everything we should demand in a great, 5-star read. The author gives us depth, emotion, chemistry, character growth, good dialog, subtle humor, and a maturity of writing ability and style that we don't often find in a debut.

The two most important elements in True Love Story are the characters of Sparrow Fisher and Ian Sterling. The focus is exclusively on them throughout this book. Through these two characters the author makes us feel and live the depth of emotion and chemistry between the two. We find the humor in their banter and re-explore life lessons through their serious conversations. Best of all, we watch the evolution of two immature individuals--one youthful, sheltered and naive, the other older, insecure and afraid of commitment. The character growth in this story is amazing, and most obviously evident in Sparrow. In the beginning, it is almost painful how innocent and a bit odd she is. But, it is beautiful to watch her blossom from awkward young adult to fully-grown, experienced woman...even if the path is difficult. Maybe, *especially* because the path is difficult. Ian's road is no less bumpy, and to witness the man he becomes is a lovely thing.

True Love Story is a *real* love story, just as the title indicates, with warts and all. We almost have to close the book to fully realize the journey we just walked with these two characters. Their love is all-encompassing. By the end, the love is so tangible we can almost reach out and touch it. The epilogue is PERFECTION, and the book would not have been complete without it!

In the end, what this is, is a beautifully human story told by a wonderful new voice in the romance genre. Bravo, Willow Aster!!




**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

[• Lisa • · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 TRUE LOVE STARS.



Willow Aster, has written a beautifully put together, engaging love story. My usual type of romance is normally sugar coated and laced with predictability. This novel is a little more realistic with its approach to real love, and I was sold.

This is the story of Sparrow and Ian a couple who complete each other, who fall in love over and over again like they can't survive without each other. They don't like, they love. The book takes the reader on a journey of hearts, leading you to believe that they cant spend the rest of their lives without each other, but life happens, heartache and deception take root and this is their story ...



There was 'True Lisa Loving' of this book and here's why ... Great build up to a meaningful relationship, fabulous inner monologue from the gorgeous heroine. Compelling story telling - I was swept up from chapter to chapter in the story. The characters all had their perfect place, from the parents, to the friends to this books version of a wicked witch, I was drawn in and excited to pick this book up when I could.

This story has so many beautifully descriptive parts to make it a wonderful reading experience. This book has a bit of everything, true love, lonely hearts, heart ache and break, reconciliation, faith, friendship and much more.

I loved everything about Sparrow and Ian's relationship as flawed as it was, I cheered for their much deserved Love forever ending. There's not many times I can truly say I loved a female character in a book, here I did. Sparrow is a character I'll not soon forget. Ian captured my heart, even as self destructive as he was, my heart broke for him. This author has a raw talent of bringing her characters to life and I applaud her.

❤❤"It has been a year, two months, and seventeen days since I last saw him. Two years, ten months, and five days since he broke my heart."

❤❤"I've never been at home anywhere but I am with you."

❤❤"I drink him in and I know my fate is sealed: I am his."

❤❤"I'm yours, Sparrow. if you'll have me, I'm yours."

❤❤"I want to be who you think I am."
"I want you to be who you are."

❤❤"my soul is knit to yours. My life is hinged to yours. I move, I breathe, but I don't really live without you. All that keeps my heart beating is the hope that it will someday beat next to yours again."

I truly love and recommend this story to all. I have a serious case of the warm and fuzzies towards this obviously talented author, and I'll be eagerly looking out (stalking) for future books.

Read on, friends ... You won't regret.

5 well earned stars.

[.Lili. · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Love Story in a nutshell.

From the beginning Sparrow and Ian feel an instant connection.


Over the course of time they sporadically see one another, but he always warns her he's not any good for her.


After some time they finally get together (pretty much). This time was full of laughter and joy.


But there's also lingering doubts.

They continue to have a long distance relationship due to his music career and her school.

And then...


I felt ill. I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach.



Alright, you get the picture. It's safe to say I was a bit upset.

And had Ian been a real person-

I may have been tempted to shoot him along with that skank Laila.

I seriously didn't think there was any coming back for our Ian. I'll need to hide the next little bit. I will warn you if you plan to read the book -- do not read this next part!!!

The letters- were some of the most romantic I've ever read. His patience. Undying devotion. Sigh...I fell in love with him all over again.


Just the fact that he waited. That he didn't have sex with anyone else the years they weren't together. Sigh <--yes sigh again)

Anyhoo,I loved this book. The quirky humor, the angst filled drama (mainly the second half of the book) and the romance. What a great debut story. Highly recommend it! 5 stars.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Love Story is exactly what it is. A girl meets a boy, they fall in love, go through good times and not so good times, heartbreaking times, some sad and some happy moments, but in the end, true love endures and they live happily ever after. It’s the ultimate and amazing and breathtaking love story. And that whatever happens, if two people are meant to be together, nothing will keep them apart.

I loved Sparrow and Ian and liked seeing their relationship develop over a long period…..you experienced their journey with them.
I love this author's writing....

“You are in me. In the deepest part of me. Deeper than my memories, my unconscious thoughts. Deeper than my ever-changing emotions. You are in the place right next to where I keep my faith in God (a faith that I won't let go of now, in spite of it being shaken many times, from without and within). You're deep in me.”

“My life didn't begin until you breathed into it. ~ Ian”

“I suppose I might never have known or believed that love could be so strong if I hadn't seen it dragged through this hell. Now I know that love can truly endure anything.”

A very heart-wrenching, emotional and very beautifully written story.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just from the title I knew this would be my kind of book and I wasn't wrong! So be prepared, this book is very angsty and emotional and such a wonderful love story.

It starts out in the present, with Sparrow running into her ex-boyfriend, Ian, who she hasn't seen in over a year....a year, two months, and seventeen days to be exact. Ian was very bad and Sparrow just couldn't forgive him but Ian tried so hard to make things better and he's never gotten over her.





We then get swept into the past to when Sparrow and Ian met and I have to tell you that it's such a sweet and wonderful l♥ve story...I could not put the book down and I LOVED every moment of it. That is...until the drama happens and it is literally heartbreaking. But it hurts sooo good!

Ian, Ian, Ian...the thing you have to understand is that he is about nine years older than Sparrow and he's been around. He's not looking for anything serious and he's a musician going from city to city. That's scary enough but Sparrow doesn't care. I copied this picture from WA's facebook...he is the perfect Ian:





When Sparrow and Ian meet, they just ~connect~ ...there's no other way to explain it except this is what you imagine soul mates to be. Of course, Sparrow knew who he was since he is a musician but being with him in person took things to a whole other level. They spend a wonderful day together but then Ian is distant. Come to find out he's told about the age difference and he doesn't want to ruin things for her.

Sparrow can't get him out of her mind and wants to be with him however she can get him and this is where all the warning signs start especially when they decide to be a couple Why would you not discuss being monogamous?? She's been warned, she's seen things for herself but she's too wrapped up in Ian to be objective.

The times when Ian and Sparrow are together are sooo lovely...it even made me a bit wistful but at times it was a bit much. Of course, when the drama that I've alluded to hits, Ian is really over the top. I do really love the letters but I needed more of an explanation and even though it seemed that Sparrow finally got it, we didn't and I feel cheated! It's a load of "crack"!!

And there's a bunch of other drama too. Things with family, with exes, with wannabes and with friends but nothing hurts like their time apart. "Agony. Torture. Anguish. Torment." Thank goodness for Tessa, Sparrow's best friend. When the story finally catches back up with the present, Sparrow has to decide on that age old question...Can she forgive?

There's sooo many sweet little gestures and things in the story that I would be remiss for not mentioning them. I loved the way Ian calls her "Little Bird", the "raw bows", the guitar picks, the elephant socks, the charm bracelet, the "librarian", the cupcakes and the houseboat.





There's a short but sweet epilogue and I loved how things ended up. It's a hard journey but a great love story and you won't regret taking the plunge. ♥


Favorite quotes:

♥ “What are you doing to me, Sparrow Fisher?”

♥ "I've never been at home anywhere, but I am with you."

♥ "To be known. To be loved."

♥ “If you were looking for a sign from heaven, baby, I’d say they’re all around you. Take note.”

♥ “Aren’t you worn out from running?” His lips follow a tear down my neck, and then he brushes my face with his hand. “I don’t want to live without you another day. I’m begging you for another chance. Please.”

♥ “Ianow Orvillate Sterling,”

[Amanda (.---.--.-...-) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm almost scared to type a review for this book right now. It is like I put haterade in my coffee this morning.

Am I think only one who knew exactly WTF was going to happen after the first chapter with the "Where's Laila?" question? I'm so tired of all these New Adult books using a love triangle/cheating for the conflicts. What is original about that? Pray tell.

Okay, so everyone was so gorgeous and perfect in this book. I almost felt inadequate at 5'3'' and normal just reading it on my couch.

I liked Tessa. Thank goodness she had Jared early on in NYC, since Sparrow arrived D.O.A (Dud on arrival).

Are elephant socks a real thing or just socks with elephants on them?

Ian, you're a bastard with a thesaurus brain for complimenting female appearances.

Sparrow, sweet Jesus, I do not think that you could actually write a good book. Get a grip on reality.

I think I could rant-on but I'm going to stop. If you read the book, you'll know why. Well, maybe not. I seem to be the minority.

Oh, but I did really like the nickname Little Bird. So, one star for the endearing term. Though, I think you might have ripped off Ed Sheeran.

[Smitten's Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh, this is a difficult one. I want to pretend that I am a realist and that I understand that love stories are not all sweetness and light, and I enjoy as much angst as the other one... but when I read a romance novel, I want to be completely and utterly in love with my hero.

And I was... that's part of the problem.

I can no more "go on" without you than I could if half my body was cut away.

I know this isn't making any sense, but bear with me. Ian Sterling is the perfect book boyfriend. He's gorgeous, he's brazenly infatuated with our heroine, Sparrow.

"God, you're hot," he says. "I don't forget when we're apart - at all - but it just sort of shocks me all over again when I see you."

He's a sexy musician, he's got a tortured past and he does the cutest things... I'm talking cupcakes, writing songs about her, romantic getaways... I could go on.

"Your boyfriend doesn't seem very attentive," he whispers.
"Oh, he's attentive," I whisper back.
"Well, I guess if you like them like that."
"Don't you worry about what I like."
"Can't promise you that."
"Why not?"
"Well, look at you. I already want to steal you."

And that was where the problem lies...

"You're impossible."
"You're delectable."
"You're incorrigible."
"You're edible."

This book broke my heart so badly that I'm not sure there was any chance of it ever being put back together again by the end of the book. I don't really know that Ian could possibly have redeemed himself.



I assume that this is entitled True Love Story, with the emphasis on True, because of the ugliness in the book... the story is about truth, forgiveness, betrayal and ultimately a love that conquers all... but I'm not sure whether I believed or not. I don't know that I could have been as big a person as Sparrow was...

Love is enough.
Love does conquer all.
Love really does always protect, trust, hope, persevere...
I'd even go as far as saying that love never fails. I finally believe that.

Without spoilers, I can't really explain any further. I so did not see the twist coming. I don't know why because now that I know, it seems obvious... but anyhow, I didn't... and it knocked me for six.

All of that said. I could not put this book down. I loved reading it. Sparrow is fabulous. Sparrow and Ian's relationship, whilst a little unconventional, is addictive and, well... we've already discussed Ian.

What's the right thing to do here? Is this a time when it really is okay to ogle? Or try to focus on his eyes in a loving way? I can't help it, I have to peek.
And that's what a real man looks like.
I had no idea it would be that... impressive.

Although I do have something to add... Anyone that can do a Justin Timberlake 'Damn Girl' strip tease and make it sexy needs to promoted to superhero in my book. I love love love this scene SO much!

I feel loved and pretty until I stump my toe on the floor. It wrecks my nail polish.
"Dang!"
Ian checks on my toe and then stands up and starts dancing seductively in front of me. He pulls off his t-shirt and starts singing in a high falsetto voice, "Dang girl, dang girl, dang girl, dang girl, dang girl, dang." He turns around and starts slowly pulling off his pajama bottoms, throwing in a pelvic thrust. "Dang girl, dang girl, dang girl, dang girl, dang girl, dang."
At first I'm staring wide-eyed at him and then I lose it. He runs his hand through his hair and goes for his underwear, ripping them off and my mouth drops before I die.
"You've got me saying, 'Dang girl, you're so fine. The way you let me put it down girl, just blows my mind. I guess I gotta put it down to-day. I gotta put it down..." he sings.
He's picked me up and it 'putting me down' on the bed. I'm wiping my eyes and trying to catch my breath. finally he stops and looks at me, grinning. "Dang girl, dang girl, dang..." he whispers as he kisses down my chest.
"You just put Justin Timberlake to shame," I tell him.
"Thanks, you inspired me with your 'dang'."
"I see that."

So, I was so conflicted over how to rate this. As far as the writing and 90% of the book, it was a five star read... The characters were fantastic, it had me laughing out loud and I couldn't put it down...

"I had to nip it in the butt," she says.
"Bud."
"What?"
"The bud. Nip it in the bud."
"I like the other way better."

...but I just couldn't give it a perfect rating when it left me so torn. I would recommend this book, but I would advise going into it with an open mind. And I think that's about as much as I am able to say.



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[Tessamari ♥Many Waters...♥ ~ Sweet Spot Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars

W.B.T.

I suppose I might never have known or believed that love could be so strong if I hadn’t seen it dragged through this hell. Now I know that love can truly endure anything.

You know that feeling of finally finding a book that consumes you? That brings you out of that book funk? And when it ends, you’re in a haze. Not only because the story is over, but you’re sad that the journey you took has reached completion and now you’re back to that pesky ole book funk? Yep. That’s me right here, right now. I’m in a sort of daze at the moment, but I feel compelled to write this review now because I know I just couldn’t wait to spread the word on how much I loved this story. I will warn you right now though: The Love story between Sparrow and Ian is not a pretty one. There were times where I was smiling and laughing one minute, then angry and extremely hurt the next. It was emotional, raw and just flat out addictive.

“You have this grounding quality about you. I don’t know a better way to put it. It levels me. I’ve never been at home anywhere, but I am with you.” ~ Ian

The story begins with Sparrow and Ian cosmically meeting, again. They have met before, several times to be exact, but this meeting was different. We instantly find out that Ian broke Sparrow’s heart, but how?

Sparrow first met Ian when she was only eighteen years old. Even though she was already in a relationship at the time, the first time she meets Ian, she knew her life would never be the same. The connection they have is instantaneous. At this point in her life, Sparrow is just about to graduate and move to New York with her best friend, Tessa, to start college. Lots of changes are happening to Sparrow and throwing Ian into the mixture just made things a whole lot more interesting.

“But seeing you, being near you, talking to you, hearing your laugh, watching your lips move, all of it. I felt awake. Alive. Crazed, almost. And I haven’t known what to do with it. Seeing you each time, it just intensifies, which never happens for me. With you, I just want more – instead of wanting to run, I want more" ~ Ian

Ian is a famous guitarist and songwriter. Through a series of events, Sparrow and Ian find themselves together at random times. Family gatherings, ski trips…they constantly run into each other; never really planning on running into each other. But when given the opportunity to be together, they take it. Ian isn’t really the “relationship” type, but he knows what he has with Sparrow is something special and he does not want to lose what he finds in her. She knows that they’ll be apart a lot, but they both decide to start a relationship, without really officially forming one. Don’t worry, it’ll all make sense once you read this. When Ian and Sparrow are together, they really are together. There is no doubt that these two are in love. The intensity of their relationship slowly grows with every encounter, but the talk of committing was never really fully discussed. Where is their relationship headed?

“I’m not a good person, Sparrow. I…I’m not. I look at you and I see all the good and I know that I could never deserve someone like you.” ~ Ian

Reading this story through Sparrow’s eyes, you felt everything that she felt. When Ian broke her heart, my heart broke as well. We both fell hard for him. I was so angry with some of the things he did; I didn’t think he was redeemable. However, there was always a flicker of light that kept on shining no matter how dark the times were. Ian is a broken man, I understood that. As for Sparrow, she knew what she was getting herself into. You prayed for a smooth road, but deep down you knew something was going to happen. Sorry if that’s spoilish, but every story has drama, and this one was no exception.

I loved this story, I really do. It wasn’t a perfect five start read, but it was close. This story will make you smile and Ian will make you melt. However, you will get angry and you will hurt when you read this. I think that’s why I loved it so much. Putting my heart in a blender does have it’s perks…you feel alive, Crazed, almost and I do admire that in a story.

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[Farah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Soul Wrenching stars!!
I am a masochist for Epic Love stories like these!

******* This review WILL contain SPOILERS*******

The first time Sparrow sees Ian, it's practically Love at first sight...
I really believe that love at first sight is true.. And this couple proves the theory...



Ian and Sparrow are like magnets to each other, despite their age difference. But age really is a number when it comes to love...and their love story is epic and heartbreaking at the same time..

“You’re going to break my heart, Sparrow Fisher.” And I think, Not before you break mine.”

When Ian and Sparrow can't ignore their feelings for each other, they start to date... At first Ian makes me crazy angry! Meeting Sparrow and being smitten by her then going for months without contacting her! NOT COOL!
Then she tells him that's she can't do this and they agree to date exclusively :D YAY!!!

Sparrow and Ian live in different cities due to Sparrow studying at NYU and Ian being a musician. They spend as much time together as they can and call and text... If you truely want something to work you will find a way to make it work.
Hey look at me, the ultimate romantic!! LoL!

They are sooo in love.. Crazy love some might call it.. I think it's truely special that they know what each other is thinking without even saying the words...

After a few months, Sparrow is head over heels in love with Ian and he in her...



Let me add that I didn't read any reviews before reading this because I didn't want to spoil it.
I was as HEAD OVER HEELS in love with Ian as Sparrow was...

He proposes!!! *SWOOOOON* and YES I'm more in love!!



A few months before their wedding...
as expected, all good things come to an end.. It's like the universe is saying.. Hey you're happy, let me find a way to f*** it up.
Okay fine... Ian caused this on himself, he cheated on Sparrow for months in their relationship. She believes their relationship was a lie..
When thinking about her feelings, a song came to mind...



It BROKE my heart! HE broke my heart. I had a lump in my throat. I screamed texted... Cried texted...Yes u know who you are. Thanks for listening to my ranting :)

I totally understand why Sparrow cut him out of her life, I do...



It's what he does afterwards that makes me WANT to forgive him!!
For months and months he writes her a letter everyday saying how sorry he is.. Sorry for what he did to her, to them, to their love... He prays for forgiveness, begs her for forgiveness...

She cannot let go.. But I FORGAVE HIM!!!!!! I'm SORRY but I just DO!



Sparrow tells Ian that he needs to let go, she can't be with him...



Days, which turn into months, which turn into years ago by. Sparrow is still miserable. No one can make her feel the way Ian does. She dates other people and he does too but those are relationships doomed to failure.. How can you love someone when you already in love with someone else?

I strongly believe in the below..
1) You live once..
2) You love once..

And 2 years and ten months later when Sparrow is on a plane to her best friends wedding, Ian happens to be seated next to her... Fate has come back for them.

“If you were looking for a sign from heaven, baby, I’d say they’re all around you. Take note."

Finally Sparrow realizes that the only man that's going to make her happy is Ian..

“Aren’t you worn out from running?” His lips follow a tear down my neck, and then he brushes my face with his hand. “I don’t want to live without you another day. I’m begging you for another chance. Please.”

She gives him another chance... Lets face it a love like this is one in a million..

“Love is enough.
Love does conquer all.
Love really does always protect, trust, hope, persevere...
I'd even go as far as saying that love never fails. I finally believe that.”



They get married and Sparrow is pregnant!!! YAY!!!!!
Loved this story! Well done to the author!

[JoJo - JJJ (Jo Anna) Janesko · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+++++++++++ Stars. This book was brilliant. I loved it. It was heartbreaking but in the end I got my hea and I couldn't be more delighted. This book lived up to be everything I had hoped and didn't let me down. A must read.

[Lise *friends don't flag* · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE + WE BELONG TOGETHER ★★★★★

Wow! This book grabbed me from the opening scene and took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions, which is a favorite high for me.

“Technically, he began breaking my heart the moment I met him, five years, eleven months, and one day ago.”

With that quote, I knew I was in for something good-bad-happy-sad-love-hate type of book. What I was not prepared for and delighted to experience was this well-written story with unique characters, from the MC’s to the secondary that I absolutely feel in book love with. Sparrow, our heroine has become a favorite of mine. I adored her sense of humor, her relationship with her parents, her life choices, her struggles and her cuss/non cuss words. Ian, our hero or anti-hero as some may call him, is beautifully perfect and not. My heart broke right along with Sparrow’s but it was also mended again, and full of love for Ian. Sure I was livid over some of his choices but I accepted them, understood them and moved on with a lump in my throat over the ‘Letters’ Ohh… boo hoo… I was slayed and could only wish that Sparrow would see what I did.

I know I am sounding like a crazy fan-girl, but I loved this ‘True Love Story’ and I would hope other readers get to feel what I feel from reading this book. I am definitely in book hangover mode from this one so much so that I will be doing a reread right away and then give this book a proper review…

For now, I am going to leave just a sample of my favorite quotes:

“The guys are calling me Red Raw. Red Raw Bows, to be exact.” “Ha, Red Raw Bows? Why?” “My elbows are bright red, like carpet burn … raw”

“If there were a line-up of a thousand penises, I’d recognize his in a heartbeat”

“Little Bird, our love has been hard-earned from the very beginning. It is more precious to me than anything on earth. I can’t just let go of it. And I won’t stop fighting for it”

“I still believe in us, Sparrow. I’ll never stop”

[Splage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted to: Swept Away By Romance

5 Perfect Stars
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult Romance
Heat Barometer: 3 out of 5 flames
Written Sparrow's POV

This story was perfect for me from beginning to end. I loved everything about it! I couldn't pull myself away to do anything I was suppose to do today, I just read and read, and read. I was totally captured by Sparrow and Ian and their beautiful, heartbreaking and realistic love story.

Ian is an up and coming musician and 9 years older than Sparrow. He is breathtakingly beautiful, talented and wanted by all the ladies. Sparrow is the preachers daughter, 18 years old and ready to experience the world as she moves from CA to NY and attends NYU to become a writer. That is where any of the stereotypical rocker and virgin storyline ends. The story is so up and down and exciting that it just played havoc on my emotions.

I LOVED the Prologue/ Chapter 1: It is a flash forward. It sets you up for the heartbreak and betrayal that was coming, immediately. I had the tightness in my chest from the first page.

I LOVED their first meeting and their whole romance: It spanned over many years and even though they were destined for each other the moment they met, it didn't happen quickly. Their lives crossed paths many times and they grew to know and love so deeply.

I LOVED the Groveling: Some of the best groveling I have ever read. They were both just destroyed and Ian's notes and letters were true poetry.

I LOVED the Epilogue: THANK YOU author, Willow Aster, for giving me such satisfying and beautiful closure.

This is Aster’s debut book. It makes me wonder if this could be a life experience for her because I felt such emotion and depth to every aspect in her writing. She has wit, beautiful romance, smooth delivery, great sexual tension, not over the top sex scenes, but I was so in tuned with the characters that I really didn't need the long drawn out scenes. Definitely an author I am going to watch in the future.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Love is enough.
Love does conquer all.
Love really does always protect, trust, hope, persevere...
I’d even go as far as saying that love never fails. I finally believe that.”

I absolutely love the title of this book. The way that the author has the word Love it’s ingenious and it also gives a reader a just warning as to what to expect from this story.

This book takes you from the present where Sparrow Kate Fischer boards a plane and by chance is seated next to Ian Sterling, a hot and successful songwriter/guitarist. From the get go, a reader can feel the pain and hurt along with a strong underlying love that these two still share. A reader is drawn into their story from the first chapter to find out what happened that has left them apart till this moment.

I found Sparrow to be a very relatable character and Willow Aster’s writing to be beautiful and heartbreaking at times. This story is about a beautiful girl and man who fall hard for each other. Ian seems to step in and out of Sparrow’s life in the beginning, till they both are completely consumed with love for each other. It leaves a reader on cloud nine...for a while.

No matter the roadblocks or horrible mistakes that had been placed so thoughtlessly in their relationship or how much time has passed there is only one truth – their love.

”I do believe he loves me. I just don’t believe it’s enough.”



Is their love enough? Can forgiveness and trust be rebuilt?

True Love Story is a well written not so perfect tale. I didn't love feeling scorned and the groveling was a bit much but I wish them both the best!

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cry for everything that’s lost. I cry that he gave up. I cry for the anger in his words. I cry that he’s found someone that has made him consider letting me go. I cry for the day I ever met him and thought I could handle someone like him. I cry that the girl he met that day in the restaurant is long gone.
And I cry because I don’t know what to do with this person that’s left.

I usually start a review with the quote that somehow gives the gist, the general feeling, a small snippet on the powerful love story, if it is such a one. But I think that this confession is worth placing it on the top. Because a book that puts you in the shoes of the person who suffers, is certainly worth mentioning. Of both their pains.

Ian.
It's curious what happens when you know from the beginning that something emotionally hellish is going to come down. And you also know it's his fault. And further than that you are given a vague idea of what that is.

And yet, you can see that he is not an as*hole. Meaning that he's not an obnoxiously cocky alpha bastard who screws up royally, intentionally.

I can believe that.

“Sparrow,” his voice comes out in a husky rasp, “you couldn’t possibly be any more gorgeous. You …” he shakes his head and pulls on his lips in that nervous gesture that always gave him away. “God, you make my insides shake.” He laughs and then he realizes he has an audience.
“Sorry, that was probably way more than any of you needed to know.” He looks at Jared and Tessa who are staring at him with slack jaws. “Sparrow here turned me into a “feely man” when she exposed my dark side. I used to be so stoic and mysterious, and now I spew things like ‘God, you make my insides shake.’” Ian looks around and laughs awkwardly and now my jaw is hanging open too.

That doesn't stop you from thinking:

At some point the book mentions that Love conquers all.
I don't believe that.
But I do believe that if people will it, they can conquer all. That it all comes down to sheer will.
Because let's face it.

Sparrow.
The girl is lovely. Just purely lovely. And also tears you apart.

I do believe he loves me.
I just don’t believe it’s enough.
I wasn’t enough for him for the last couple of years, why would I think I could be enough now?





“Why?” It gushes out, sounding foreign through all the tears. “Why, Ian? What did she have that I didn’t? Why wasn’t I enough? How could you take
my feelings and just toss them aside like trash? I lived for you.” I’m choking now and making horrific, gasping sounds, but I can’t stop. “I believed
you loved me. I trusted you. I thought what we had was beyond any love I’d ever seen. Why did you throw it away? Again and again?”

And still you can't help feeling happy when people, even fictional ones, find the way to sort things out. To sort themselves out.

He lifts the top of the box and stares. Nestled in pretty tissue paper, so he doesn’t have to touch it, I have the pregnancy test laying face up.
That plus sign might as well be blinking for how vivid it looks against the tissue.
Ian sets the box down and I look up to see his reaction. He looks stunned, and then he’s laughing and has tears running down his face at the same time. He grasps my face in both hands, kissing me hard. Then he kisses his way down to my stomach.
“Ianow Orvillate Sterling,” he whispers, grinning up at me, “you were made with love.”





You are my first
And last
And only
True Love—
Ian