Ok ok ok, so! Calm down everyone but I'm almost busting at the seams thinking about this book. I'll preface this by saying I LOVE the Sugarland Creek series and have been obsessed since book #1, page 1, word 1. Utterly obsessed. So when this ARC hit my inbox, it's not a lie when I say that I literally dropped all my other current reads and life's obligations to read this. Because I've been desperately waiting on Waylon and Harlow's story. Like... I've been desperate for it, for months!
That said, I love Waylon. He's such a beautiful character and beautiful soul. But how this all kicks off is heart-wrenching. The things that Waylon and Harlow have had to go through and continue to deal with, it's... it's a lot. And if you have triggers, you need to check the trigger warnings on this one. Or if you're like me and like to go in blind, then this story will hit you with so many surprise twists and turns. And with that said, if you like that, I suggest you not read any reviews or book descriptions. But don't worry, I'm not giving anything away.
We've known Waylon for a while now and we've seen a glimpse of Harlow up until this book. We also know that Waylon is like 32 and Harlow is his ex-girlfriend's younger sister - yep, she's 20. But Waylon's a good guy, in every sense of the word. And with that said, for me, this book revolved around trauma. The emotions associated with that, and the actions too, is just so deep and so overpowering. Yet, how Harlow and Waylon's story intertwines with the trauma is really nice. Now, as mentioned, Harlow is much younger than him, and the reason that I knocked a star off this rating is that I found her to be a little naive at times and I mention that because I didn't think that necessary for her. And I kind of had an issue with a few of her actions in their texts.... but to counter that, the deep-rooted emotions in this book, specifically towards the 3/4 mark of this book... omg!! Brooke!!! I was bawling my eyes out!!!! Like, ma'am. You legit broke me. And those deep emotions and humanity's genuineness - those moments in this book are both beautiful and haunting. And those parts of the book inched the star rating back up (as opposed to the two things I mentioned that I had "issues" with).
Also, and this isn't so much a complaint, even though it is: I wanted more "time" with Harlow and Waylon when they got together. There was so much build-up to the story and so when we finally had them together, I felt it was too brief. Call it a backwards compliment or a regular compliment - call it a complaint or not - but Brooke built them up so much, and in the process built us up so much, that when they finally got together and it was out there that they were, it was just not enough for me. I wanted like one or two more chapters of them together! I know, I know, I'm very demanding. But I just felt that we went through sooooo much with them and their families, that I wanted more of the sweetness between them. I felt like we, the readers, and them, the characters, deserved to shine a little brighter and longer in the sun.
For anyone who's read the Sugarland Creek series, you know you're obsessed with this story just like I was. And for anyone who's reading this as a standalone, do yourself a favor and go back to book #1. You won't be sorry. This series is just incredible. I love this world. I might be slightly obsessed with it to be frank. And I looooooved getting to know Waylon and by proxy, meeting Harlow. And how this book ended?????? Omgggggggg!!!!! Can I have the next book - like now????