Thick Love

Thin Love #2

by Eden Butler

He doesn’t ask their names.

He doesn’t deserve to know them.

Ransom Riley Hale's friends think his life is charmed: first string as a freshman on a championship-winning college football team. A father with two Super Bowl rings. A mother with platinum albums and multiple Grammies under her belt. But that brilliant shine on the surface hides the darkness beneath; it's all Ransom has ever known.

Despite the shadows he walked in, once there was a blinding light fracturing the darkness. It brought the promise of hope and happiness. He’d been careless, filled with pride and stupidity and lost that light. Ripped it from the world.

Now, the shadows are dimming again. Aly King surges into his life threatening to pull him from the darkness. She is everything Ransom can never be again. Her light feels too warm, promises him that there is more waiting for him beyond the shadows.

But the shadows are relentless, resurfacing when he thinks he is safe, and Ransom knows he must keep Aly from them too before he pulls her down into the darkness with him.

Genres: Sports, Contemporary Romance, Romance, New Adult, College Romance, Sports Romance, College

343 pages, Unknown Binding

First published August 31, 2015

About the author

Eden Butler is a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and romantic suspense novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum.

When she's not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden patiently waits for her Hogwarts letter, reads, and spends too much time in her garden perfecting her green thumb while waiting for the next New Orleans Saints Super Bowl win.

She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.

Please send help.

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Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Thick love is best. Thick love is...it's when you KNOW."
"It's when you know what?"
"It's when you know you've found the one that can pick up the pieces when you let your heart get broken.

Before I get to my review, let me get a few things out of the way with first.

(1) If a hero that you will want to strangle, then run over with your car, then back him the fuck over for good measure, then rush to him to fix all his boos boos because you can't help but still love him in spite of everything doesn't appeal; this book isn't for you.
(2) If a hero being with other women (in explicit detail) before he meets the heroine isn't something you can look past; this book isn't for you.
(3) If angst that's so THICK it's borderline rage inducing sounds like it would cause you to stroke out; this book isn't for you.

Eden Butler took a subject matter that is almost impossible to pull off and yet she did, and she did it effortlessly. Here's the thing, it's not often you'll read about a first love lost where that love isn't undermined in some way. Ransom never once devalues it and mourns it with his entire heart and soul. On the other hand, Aly never felt like his consolation prize. This, I believe, is the hardest to pull off. Aly was quite possibly my favorite part about this book. She's not perfect and yet she has this undercurrent of strength. She wants to heal Ransom, but she's no doormat.

In front of him, hidden behind that mask, the music, the sensation conjured by the dance, the rhythm of that melody ripped away my reason. It was an echo of who I was, one that I'd never let anyone see but who nevertheless lurked below my carefully controlled exterior.

I think that covers most bases here, so let's get onto the review. Ever since I read Thin Love, I have been impatiently waiting for Ransom to get his book. I knew his story wasn't going to be any easier than Keira and Kona's, albeit in a much different way. I've been agonizing over my rating for a couple days now and I finally settled on one and I'll explain it later in the review.

Now look, I can sit here and pick apart every single one of Ransom's stupid decisions, but at the end of the day I have to remind myself that I'm reading about someone that's only 18 years old. Someone that's dealing with a loss and guilt that he's ill equipped to deal with properly at his young age. This is someone that punishes himself in hopes of atonement that he doesn't think he deserves. He's not an easy character to get, but for me, he was still easy to love. Sure, there are moments in this book that will make you want to reach through your kindle and cockpunch him so hard that he finally sees reason. But what's a good redemption without some pain in the meantime?

She had some kind of effect on me that I didn't understand. When I was near her, close to her, I forgot that she wasn't my type. I forgot that I didn't want her. I forgot that I didn't deserve her.

The first half of the book is very much a slow burn, but it never drags. The angst and emotions truly have you riveted to the pages, it certainly did for me. My heart broke for Ransom and yet in the same breath I wanted to curse him to hell and back for his behavior. It was frustrating, it was maddening, it was disturbingly enrapturing.

With every note, Ransom poured whatever he kept to himself, all the things he would not say to the world into each strum.

I don't want to give much away about the book because it's just one of those things you need to experience for yourself. What I can say is I loved the route that Eden took with book and I was shocked as shit about it that I was. See, here's the thing, I HATE a drawn out story that I think could have ended in one book. Cliffhangers drive me to drink and induce near homicidal thoughts when I finish reading it. Thick Love is part 1 of 2 books, and you know what? It's best that way. This book was not about the epic love between Aly and Ransom. It was more about Ransom coming to terms with his guilt, healing his heart, and learning to move on. Both these characters have a lot of growing to do still and there's no way this book would have been the same had it been all crammed into one book.

What's the difference between past and present? It isn't just time. It isn't that memory haunts, that it can cripple. It's the WAY we remember that marks the change.

As much as the bumps on the road to Aly and Ransom's relationship drove me out of my ever loving mind, it also made me feel. This entire book, everything about it will do one thing, guaranteed; evoke emotion. Whether that be rage, tears, it will make you feel.

I'm not the bad boy who needs saving, Aly."
"Non, cheri...
You're a good man who needs to forgive himself."

The book was a solid five stars for me...until that damn epilogue. I'm not going to lie, my initial reaction was wanting to chuck my damn kindle out the nearest window than stomp to a corner and scream in rage. I felt like in just one short chapter, that epilogue managed to undermine the entire book and experiences that Ransom and Aly went through. But then I had some time to think about it...and think about it...and think about it some more.

What you do to my body, to the noise in my head, it makes me feel again. I can't NOT feel what you do to me."

He made music with his body, demanding I surrender. He kissed me like someone who always reached for something to hold onto and only ever got something that made him spin further out of control.

And I've managed to calm my tits about it...mostly. It helps knowing that this was a story meant to be told in 2 parts. There's really no way around it. Most of the time you can see when an author throws a twist at you just for the sake of stretching out the story, and that's not what I got here. Even Ransom himself said their love wasn't epic....yet. So the bar is certainly set pretty high for the next book, that's for sure. And while I still think that the story could have done without that epilogue and maybe leave it for the beginning of next one, I also have a feeling that there's a reason to Eden's madness. I also think there's a lot more than what meets the eye and the roller coaster is still to come. While I can't lie and say that the epilogue didn't dour my enjoyment of the book slightly, I'm not going to judge it on that and I reserve the right to go back and change my rating to this book once I read the next one. I'm holding on to my judgment until I read the next book and confirm that what it seemed to be is truly what is was.

It's okay to let someone love you."
"I don't deserve it."
"I'm still gonna love you anyway."

You may wonder if this book is as good as Thin Love and the answer is no. Not because it wasn't but because it WASN'T Thin Love. Ransom's story is different from Kona's and so it's impossible to compare. While it may not work for everyone, this angst whore enjoyed the hell out of it. I may have had a slight urge to stalk Eden down after that ending and demand answers, but I'll attempt to be patient and see what the next book brings. And by that I mean I'll give the woman 3 months and then I'm coming at her ass for answers LOL!


ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

For more reviews visit

[Mysza · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thin love ain't love at all.
Thick love is best. Thick love is... it's when you know. It's when you know you've found the one that can pick up the pieces when you let your heart get broken."

I absolutely loved this book, adored it, I'm in love with Eden's writing and the stories she creates. It was one of the most anticipated books for me this year and it did not disappoint. I admit, I expected angst, what I didn't expect was it to be that emotional.

Ransom went through some tragic events in the past, he feels responsible for what happened, the guilt, the weight of it all is keeping him down. He doesn't want to feel anymore, he doesn't live, he just exists. That is until he meets Aly. And I just want to stress here, how wonderful character she was. She was so strong, not had an easy life herself, but was so adamant to help him.

Aly wakes up something in him, she makes him feel again. They start as friends, but from the beginning the attraction is there. Though Ransom is still hung up on his first love, and tries to convince himself that he doesn't want and need Aly, he can't deny anymore that there is more between them than just friendship.

"What you do to my body, to the noise in my head, it makes me feel again. I can't not feel what you do to me. I didn't want to feel, not ever again."

"And now?"

"Now I can't stop myself. I don't want to."

And no matter how hard Ransom tries to fight this attraction, no matter how much he thinks he isn't worthy of love or happiness again, no matter how strongly he convinces himself that he doesn't deserve Aly...


Everything seems to be going well, they work on their relationship, Aly tries to piece his broken heart, they seem good together.

And then that epilogue... and I don't know if I should kick or kiss Eden for doing this to me but I think I will go with the latter because it means more. It means that I have a new most anticipated book on my TBR. And judging from how that epilogue was played out, I hope to get the angst I crave in books, I hope to get more of Aly and Ransom's epic love story.

Overall, this one definitely goes to my favorite pile, loved it to pieces and recommend for all who love heartache, emotional turmoil, difficult love, passion, fabulous heroines and intense heroes.

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Guest reviewer at

[Geri Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What lived in my heart for Aly was a hurricane that tore away everything in its path. It ripped apart what remained of who I was...

I honestly don't know what to say in this review but I'll try.

First off, kudos to Eden Butler for writing such a difficult and complicated story. I say difficult because from the get go, their love story hampered by Ransom's overwhelming feeling of guilt for his part in the death of his ex-girlfriend. It's difficult Ransom and Aly had to deal with complicated feelings about old loves and new ones, of redemption and forgiveness.

He'd played that guitar like it was a lover he'd forgotten he could touch.

We've met Ransom in his parents, Keira & Kona's book. If you've read Thin Love, you'll know that Ransom was with another girl who is not the heroine here. Between Thin Love and this book, tragedy struck Ransom's young life. It marked him and shaped the young boy into a man he's now become.

Aly is a runaway who found work and shelter with Keira's cousin Lian. She's a bit of a mysterious character. All we know is that she's a dancer and she ran away from an emotionally abusive home at the age of 17.

I watched when you weren't looking. I waited, but I didn't pine for you.

When they first met, Ransom was only 16 but he made an impression on Aly. And since Aly worked with Lian, she saw what happened to Ransom and the effect it had on him. Aly has feelings for Ransom from the get go but she didn't pine for him, and this is one of the things that I really liked about Aly and the dynamics of her relationship with Ransom.

While she readily acknowledged her feelings for him, she was always the one in control. She always had a choice to walk away -- and she uses this throughout the book when Ransom gets to be too much. I just loved her character. I love how she was able to love freely and wholly without losing her self-respect.

"I...I love you, but I'm starting to realize that when you love someone, really love them, sometimes you have to walk away. Especially when they are destroying themselves. Sometimes that means you have to love yourself more.

Ransom is a hard man to love because of his baggage. He has a huge amount of baggage. He's experienced tragedy and it changed him. The Ransom we met in Thin Love isn't the Ransom we read about here. And while he's still a pretty functioning member of society -- a successful defensive college football player -- he's full of guilt and bitterness. He doesn't think he deserves love and blames himself for the tragedy that took the life of his ex-girlfriend.

His POV was extremely difficult to read because it's full of self-loathing and guilt. I had to resist the urge of chucking my Kindle across the room because it can be frustrating. But Eden Butler's exquisite writing and keen characterization kept me going even when it hurts. And oh my gosh, some parts did hurt.

With every note, Ransom poured whatever he kept to himself, all the things he would not say to the world into each strum.

This was, for the first 96%, was a five star read for me, and I don't want to sound petty but the epilogue made this one a 4. Just to clarify, I do understand the need for the second book. While this book ends on a very VERY hopeful note or AKA HFN, I wanted more. I want to see them grow into their love more especially since Ransom and Aly had to deal with a lot of baggage. So I wasn't upset that we're getting another book. Like I said, this ends on an HFN, so even if you don't read the next one, you'll still get a happy resolution. But the reason why I didn't like the epilogue was because I didn't understand it. I don't know what happened between the end and the start of the epilogue.

*cue dramatic wailing*

I'm still not over it. I'll probably not be over it until I get the next book in my hand. For what it's worth though, I really loved the story. It's the kind of second-chance love that don't get told enough these days. So if you love angst and you love non-obvious stories and pairings, then I highly recommend this book to you. It hits you right in the feels plus it has a healthy dose of steam.

"Thick love is best. Thick love is...it's when you know." (...) "It's when you know you've found the one that can pick up the pieces when you let your heart get broken."

ARC provided by Eden Butler in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!



Thin Love was one of my top ten favorite reads from last year. Full of angst it had a storyline that ripped your heart out and fed it to you, and Eden Butler followed it up in exactly the same way.

Thick Love is the story of Ransom, Keira and Kona's son, and Aly, a dancer at the studio of a family friend. When Aly left her home at the age of seventeen to escape what I consider and abusive situation, her father comes after her and a teenage Ransom was there to save Aly from him. It's something Aly has never forgotten. Flash forward a couple years and the two are practically strangers. Aly leading dance classes and working long hours at a diner to make ends meet, and Ransom in his freshman year of college and playing football.

In the time since their encounter, Ransom has suffered the loss of his high school sweetheart, a girl he loved very much. Ransom is internalizing his pain, keeping everything locked up so tight that it's driving him mad. The guilt consumed him and tore him apart, he was a silent mess for a long time and those around him worried about him.



This book started out slow for me. With the previous book and novella by Eden Butler I was absorbed in the book right away so I was surprised when I was pushing myself to read a little but near the beginning. It picked up a lot more near the middle (once Ransom stopped frustrating me) and took off from there, so overall I really enjoyed reading this.

Aly was the best part of this book for me. I liked Keira in book one, but she was very shouty and emotional whereas Aly was the opposite. Yes she felt the same emotions but was used to maintaining a mask to survive her home situation so she had a more stoic presence. She also didn't take Ransom's shit, which was so amazing to read. I love strong female characters, and Aly had the perfect combination of strength yet vulnerability that made her perfect for Ransom.



One thing that was mentioned out there in the ether is that Ransom was with other girls before he was with Aly and it was presented as a problem. Well, that doesn't really bother me because he's a teenager and teenage boys have a lot of sexual energy and it has to go somewhere. BUT, it's also a double standard to try and call him out on that because Aly said in the book that she was with other men too, and didn't want Ransom to judge her for it. So why would we judge him if we're not going to judge her? I don't find that fair. Plus, neither one of them were together so it shouldn't matter anyway. But that's just my personal opinion.

I'd also like to commend Eden Butler for giving the new adult genre a much needed mixed race couple. While I love the romance genre, it is so incredibly white washed which isn't at all a great depiction of love as a whole. Our culture is a part of what makes us who we are, and I loved the different cultures Eden added into the book. I don't think I've ever read a romance with native Hawaiian's or Creole's and she had both.

Finally, the epilogue. Well, based on the note Eden included at the beginning of the book I was fairly prepared for the ending. So I wasn't too shocked by the ending but more like frustrated. I felt that epilogue didn't follow the same path as the rest of the book and it didn't fit the characters. Epilogue or no epilogue, I'll read anything Eden writes so I personally think it didn't need to be included, it'll just make a lot of people mad. But it didn't make me mad, just kind of disappointed.

So in a strangly logical rating from me, .5 stars taken away for slow beginning and .5 stars for the ending. Overall this was a great story, and Eden told it so beautifully. More people need to start reading her books asap.

ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for review

[Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIVE on AMZ- http://amzn.to/1O3lOCr

4.5 Torturous Stars!

“Ransom, you can’t live like this.”

“Who the hell said I’m living?”

Well, color me gutted but Thick Love exceeded my expectations in so many ways! It has all the elements I crave in books that leave that everlasting impression in my mind. You know, the kind of story where you're listening to the radio and a song reminds you of the book, a character, or a certain scene. Or you're asleep at night and your dreams are suddenly technicolor scenes within the book you've just finished. This, THIS is that kind of book. Why? Well, it starts in the engrossing components of the plot and ends with the writing...the ability of the author to construct a story that touches my mind AND heart. Aly captured my mind- profound respect. Ransom captured my heart.


Thick Love delivers-

1- A kickass heroine with balls of steel. Aly had every reason to think she's a failure yet rises up above the ashes and thrives beyond measure. A person who puts HERSELF first because how can you love someone else if you can't love yourself first?

2- A gut wrenchingly tortured hero. There's tortured and there's Ransom. His inner pain and self-guilt was of epically sad proportions.

3- A secondary cast of characters that strengthen the story, their family bond further cementing the entire plot where the reader truly feels a part of their circle.

4- Beautiful, clear writing. I found this with Thin Love and Ms Butler didn't disappoint here.





Thick Love is a very compelling story of 18-year old Ransom Riley-Hale. A kid who made a fatal mistake and simply cannot get past his guilt and need for penance. His one first love is gone because of his immature carelessness. Now his life is a living penance and his grief is all-consuming. At points, his suffering and inner monologue seriously fileted me open inside. Ransom is the son of Keira and Kona from Thin Love. We were privy to his anger issues in Thin Love, briefly introduced to the girl who would change his life forever. One stupid mistake, kids being kids, and she's gone. And it's a burden on his heart he cannot shed. A burden he won't allow himself to shed. Then he meets this dancer and his shell starts to crack...







Aly King meets Ransom when she moves into a loft above Ransom's cousin's dance studio. Aly herself hasn't had the greatest parental experiences in life and she chooses to venture out at 17 years of age and try to support herself...to achieve her dreams. These two characters are the perfect example of how the different paths a person takes in response to life's tragedies can differ- and how those pivotal choices impact your life long term. Do we wallow or to we persevere? Do we choose to let the burden bury us or do we bury the burden and move forward from it? Two different souls coming together in the most unlikely chances of love and happiness.







Aly defines the term strong heroine. Wise way beyond her years, struggling dancer working three jobs to support herself for hopes of going to college, she hasn't let the sh*tty hand she's been dealt get her down. Stand up, brush off the dirt, move on. She is an example of a book character crying out to me within musical lyrics. If I had to choose a theme song depicting Aly, it would be Fight Song by Rachel Platten. Every time I hear that song, it screams Aly King.

Fight Song w/lyrics- http://youtu.be/sQhGnNEFtPk

Like a small boat on the ocean
Sending big waves into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me
Now I've still got a lot of fight left in me......

Something about Ransom draws her to help him...his weakness. His profound sadness. She knows his tragic history from over a year ago, knows his reputation of how he's dealing with his guilt- yet the muscular Polynesean, black-eyed college linebacker calls for her. Can she break through his sorrow? Make him believe his penance is served...and if so, helping him will be at what cost to her?





I cannot fully comprehend the gravity of the guilt Ransom shoulders from that fateful day yet Eden Butler constructs a story that trickle feeds the reader with just enough glimpses of hope, I was feverishly turning the pages for a happy resolution for him. I can see how some readers may want to throttle him as his guilt weighed heavy which caused a fair amount of push and pull on his part, making him brush off any possible chances of love and happiness with women...with Aly. It seems never-ending, his pain, but she constructed it in a way, to resolve it with the snap of the fingers would not be true to his character, their story. This song reeks Ransom's inner monologue. His battles with grief...

Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls w/lyrics- http://youtu.be/B8UeeIAJ0a0

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't wanna go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
When sooner or later it's over
I just don't wanna miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah, you bleed just to know you're alive

Aly was the true hero in this story without a doubt. The chick had backbone and I commend the author for constructing a story where the heroine puts herself FIRST. So often we see heroines a complete result of the way they were treated as a child. Unsure of themselves, victims, scared of false hope in life. This was not Aly King. She was a warrior with a backbone and stole the show for me. She's committed to Ransom but sometimes, sometimes, needing to walk away is the best for all.

“I…I love you, but I’m starting to realize that when you love someone, really love them, sometimes you have to walk away. Especially when they are destroying themselves. Sometimes that means you have to love yourself more.”

Aly was just the thing Ransom Riley-Hale needed in his life...sometimes he knew it, sometimes he couldn't reach it. The voices inside his head were louder than Aly's. But one brick at a time, she wore down his self-protective walls, self-deprivation and let that tiny flicker of light shine in...of hope for happiness...for love again.





I can't forget to mention the inclusion of Creole and all things New Orleans in Thick Love. The music, the culture of the city, the language- it was different and something I wasn't familiar with. Couple that with Kona's Polynesian background and it was completely fresh and enlightening. I LOVED touching base with Kona and Keira from Thin Love. They've got a toddler, Koa with another bun in the oven and were just the perfect family unit for Ransom and their adopted girl Aly.


I'd highly recommend Thick Love for lovers of all things uber angsty emotional. The first half dragged just a bit for me but I think that was purposeful...a slow burn.


Now to approach the elephant in the room- the infamous epilogue. Maybe it's a case of so much attention being brought to it that I had very high hopes of HATING it. I even contemplated NOT reading it...until Ms Butler jokingly called me a coward. Challenge accepted...

Thick Love's last chapter ends in a great spot for Ransom and Aly. Then we get the Epilogue. My advice? If you're an incurable romantic, skip the epilogue. It's essentially a prequel to their next book. But if you're more of realist and can deal with unpredictable twists, go ahead- read it. To be 100% honest, I GOT it. I understood it. This is Ransom's story. It's heart wrenching and to expect a book with such a slooooow burn and devastating grief to have a snap-the-finger HEA "walk off into the sunset" ending just wasn't realistic. Remember, they're 17 and 18 years old! I feel in the epilogue, Eden Butler stayed true to her characters and their story- true to Aly's fierce independence and drive for her dreams of being a dancer. True to Ransom's struggles with grief and guilt deeply seated within his psyche. So, for that reason, the epilogue was almost predictably accurate for two individuals with very different coping strategies- teenagers.


Thick Love was an all around heart-breaking but hopeful story that has me filled with anticipation for their future. I'm looking forward to what Ms Butler has in store for this couple in the final installment. Thick Love was Aly's fight song, and I look forward to Ransom's long past due fight song.

And thank you Katy, for the emotional support and chats during this, fellow wildcard. Muah.





Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review..

[Katy Loves Romance ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-4.75 Slow Burn yet Beautiful stars




First of all let me explain to 'me' THICK LOVE is not n easy light-hearted read, if your wanting an sugar coated hearts and flowers with wedding bells concluding in an HEA then walk away right now as your not going to get it here. Saying that let me explain that this is one EPIC LOVE STORY that touched my heart. Tougher loves, journeys such as this are the more worthy of reads, the ones you should take on, the ones that mean something, that touch our souls and really these are the EPIC reads, this is THAT. And Ransom deserves that story, he gets it here and he will get it in spades on book two. I just want you to understand the kind of LOVE your going to get here, RANSOM DESERVES AN EARTHSHATTERING STORY and boy are we getting it.





So what's it about?
Ransom is an 18 year old young man with issues, he has a darker past full of self guilt that plagues him. Something happened to him and his first love which he just can't seem to walk away from. Therefore he swallows himself in self pity and doesn't know how to handle hurt, doesn't know how to move on, doesn't know how to step one foot in front of the other without carrying that baggage right alongside him. He doesn't know how to breathe himself, to let himself feel the pain even though he has love in his life he's numb to the kind of love he needs and exists on past hurts and letting himself swallow in that.

I wanted Ransom happy. It's all I wanted. I wanted him to smile, to laugh and mean it. I wanted to take that shade from his eyes. I wanted him to kiss me and not feel guilty for doing it.

Aly is a young lady that has followed Ransom for over a year, she is strong and kick ass IMO and so becomes loyal to him in time. Aly though is strong because she has had to learn to stand on her own two feet without the help of others and not had love in her life, so I suppose in time Ransom without his own knowledge teaches Aly to lean on others and to be part of a family unit.



My Thoughts and Feelings
Love makes the most of us crazy and although it can question our sanity and make us into idiots, I'd say those people who rebel against it most are usually the ones that fall HARDER. Such as people like Ransom and Aly Cat.

There becomes a realisation when you understand the true meaning of the name of the book and what it represents, how its so significant to them.



What I loved
I loved the family aspect of the story, I honestly thought that was a HUGE key to their romance and journey. I enjoyed the bond and building bridges between father and son, mother and son, parents and Ransom. How openly they fit Aly into their family unit, then openly showed her what love is.

The way Ransom romanced Aly in the small moments, the dancing the sensuality of the way they moved, the music. I ADORED that, that's probably just me but the small parts spoke louder in some ways than the BIG parts.

And how much Ransom has sooo much to give and FEEL;
He taught her how to smile
How to dance
How to sing
How to breathe
How to live.



THE EPILOGUE
Lets discuss this and the talk about the epilogue. I came to this part after numerous discussions and chats with Allison. We completely and utterly thought we worked something out, then we wondering if we should read it, but I went ahead and did anyway. I was expecting a SHOCK, so whoa and behold my conclusion to that, yes it is a cliffy for sure. But and after I calmed down some I would completely say this is Ransoms story, this is not a hearts and flowers read. It didn't bother me in the end I can understand where the author is leading us TBH it didn't faze me that much. Except I will say that it's a set up for book two IMHO it's an epic journey, a love story, these two are still kids. They have a lot to learn, so once I thought about this I really am thinking that this is just a beginning for book two. Just know I have HIGH expectations for book two, BIG STEP LADDERS, HUGE MOUNTAINS HIGH I expect a GREAT EMOTIONAL READ so no pressure from moi lol. In the end Ransom does deserve an EPIC love story, this was definitely that. Think HFN and not HEA yettttt......

To be Continued....


I apologise for the digest, this has got to be one of the most difficult reviews I've had to do for a while. I hope you'll take the chance because honestly this author and the characters she's created are EXTRAORDINARY.

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ARC gifted via As the pages turn in exchange for an honest review

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS! ★★★★



"Ransom was a hard man to love, but I did it anyway."

Good lawd I'm still trying to sort my emotions after finishing this one. I thought I'd be mentally prepared after knowing what Thin Love put me through and even more with several warnings from my lovely reader friends, this book still managed to do a number on me. Mentally and emotionally spent.

It's not a must to read Thin Love before starting this one but it'd be highly advisable as this will be Ransom's story. We met Ransom in the first book being the son of Kiera and Kona. Before diving into the book, the author mentioned how Ransom's story will be different from Kiera/Kona and indeed it really was. When I say that, the angst is still ever-present but Ransom & Aly's love story stems from a very different place altogether.



The beginning of the read was quite of a slow burn. It was nice reuniting with the Hale family with the addition of little Koa running around. Then we meet Ransom who has a tragic memory plaguing him and bearing guilt so strong that is eating him alive every day. We are also introduced to Aly who came from a rough life and does multiple jobs to stay afloat. The two cross paths on various circumstances but it took a while before these two started getting along with each other.

What I really loved about this book is the heroine, Aly. I think she defines what every book heroine should be in my reads; she knows what she wants and she never thought less of herself despite her upbringing. Her resilience is something that I admired so much and everytime she stood up to Ransom, my heart soared a little more. She can be a little stubborn but she has a heart of gold especially when it comes to loving Ransom and for truly seeing a broken soul beneath that hulk of a boy.

"In front of him, hidden behind that mask, the music, the sensation conjured by the dance, the rhythm of that melody ripped away my reason. It was an echo of who I was, one that I'd never let anyone see but who nevertheless lurked below my carefully controlled exterior.

And Ransom? Gah it's so easy to love this boy but at the same time be so mad at him for the choices he made throughout. I lost count on how many times I wanted to junkpunch him. Sometimes I have to remind myself that he's just an 18 year old boy who is fighting his demons and then my poor heart just breaks all over again at the thought of that. It's so hard to not feel for his heartache because I truly do. I really, truly do. The author just has a way of dangling my emotions right off the edge and not letting them go.



The only thing hindering me from rating this higher is the unexpected direction the story took with the epilogue. Okay I'm not gonna lie, I suspected something was amiss after reading the author's note. Cue in a few friends' warnings. At this point, I'm mentally prepared for a cliffy up ahead. But nope. Nothing prepared me for that twist that left me gobsmacked and unleashing ragey feels. I swear I was seeing red because in that moment, I felt like all that frustration and pain I went through were in vain. All I know that is I needed to calm the fark down.

And I did for a day or two. Talking it out with some fellow buddies helped a lot. In a way, I definitely understand how their story is needed to be told in two parts. It wouldn't have seemed right to crammed it in the last moment or did justice to their love story either but still, a tiny part of me wished it ended up a little differently. Perhaps the author may have her reasons for doing so and I'd like to believe she did it for reasons we'll only know when the sequel is out. So until then: Stay calm.



Honestly if I had to sum up Thick Love, all I can say is that Ransom and Aly's story is one that will hurt so bad that it's so good. The kind that really hits you deep in the gut but it's well worth the pain. It was a tough journey for those two but it is indeed as what the title states; it's thick love. Eden Butler didn't disappoint when it comes to dishing out the angst and despite the epilogue, I felt that everything else was perfect and she absolutely nailed it when it comes down to the emotions she managed to evoke from her readers.

And now the wait begins for the second part. We can only pray that it won't be too long till we get our answers!



ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ 4 Stars ★★★★

Now LIVE! Amazon | Amazon UK



How do you rate a book that you read in one sitting, that was a fantastically written and emotional book, but left you feeling depressed and unfulfilled? It is going to be really hard to review without spoilers and sounding cryptic, but I will try my best.

This is Ransom's story, it is a story of loss and guilt and grief. At the tender age of 16 he lost his first love in a horrific accident that he feels responsible for and that changed his life irrevocably. Now a Freshman at college, he is following in his fathers footsteps playing on the football team where his famous dad is now coach.

Despite his charmed life with his future career planned out and a family who love him, he is constantly drowning in turmoil, never letting himself forget or move on from the girl who owned his heart and still does.

Aly is a dance teacher at Ransom's cousins studio, and has been watching him from the sidelines for last year, ever since he saved her from an altercation between her and the abusive father she fled from at 17.

Ransom doesn't really see her, and ever since that day they haven't really spoken again, even though he is around quite often. Obviously fate has decided that they need each other for different reasons, and they are thrown together to practice a dance for the annual recital.

This book isn't really about Ransom and Aly falling epically in love, this book is about Ransom coming to terms with what happened to Emily, and how he eventually comes to terms with his guilt and the fact that she is gone forever. Aly played a very important part in this process, and their transition from friends to lovers was a painful but gripping one.



Thick Love is the prelude for the next book, which I have no doubt will be their epic love story. I am praying that Ransom finally decides to put Aly first in his heart and fight for her, she deserved so much better and despite Ransom's bad behaviour, I know he has a wonderful soul.

This book contains angst, lots of it but for me this book is about the journey and although it was a bumpy one, I think the HEA will be sweeter, once it comes.

This is the first book following the story of Ransom & Aly, book 1 Thin Love follows his parents, and although it does not need to be read first, I would recommend it just because it will give you a background to the whole family dynamics. Told in dual POV.

ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Thick Love
Series: Thin Love #2
Author: Eden Butler
Release date: August 31, 2015
Cliffhanger: Yes
HEANo



Have you ever read a book that you feel like you've not just been through a battle with but an epic war? You've been through blood, sweat, and tears and came out the other side not sure if you're the victor? Well, that's pretty much me at this point. I went through just about every emotion imaginable and not all of them were good. My first reaction after finishing was to contemplate fictional murder of an oh so frustrating character. But wait a minute...frustrating isn't even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to one particular male in this book. That word is completely feeble and unworthy.

Having read Keira and Kona's story in Thin Love, I was familiar with Eden Butler's propensity for giving her readers a massive ball of angst wrapped up in a pretty package of beautifully flowing words. I was expecting difficult. Her stories are never a walk in the park, but I fell in love with her eloquent and profound writing. The way she can build these enduring characters that are imperfect yet somehow so beautiful in their human frailties. She doesn't sugar coat anything, and perhaps that's what makes her books seem so real and striking.

Love told me that Ransom was still lost, still drifting but sometimes he let me pull him closer toward the shore. Love reminded me that things were possible.
Love was louder than logic.

Thick Love is the story of Ransom Hale, Keira and Kona's son from Thin Love. It's told in alternating POV between Ransom and the heroine Ally. If you've read Thin Love, you know that Ransom as a teen had serious anger issues. And it was foreshadowed that the loss of control over his emotions would cause him just as many problems as his parents. And it most certainly did in disastrous, soul shattering, irreversible ways. Ransom's thoughtless actions have brought him to a place where only crushing guilt and suffering exist. He can never turn back the hands of time and undo his actions, so he punishes himself by withholding pleasure from his life. He lives in darkness.



He has no idea that Ally has been silently observing his pain for years and harboring feelings that had no hope of being returned. Ally was a fantastic heroine. She's the type of woman who's resilient and strong, yet nurturing and patient all at the same time. And her dancing was so thrilling. So passionate and so much a part of who she was. Eden wrote such amazingly sensual dancing scenes between Ransom and Ally, they were some of my favorite moments in the book.

She moved like no one could touch her, like just her swaying hips and the strong, confident gait told the world she knew who she was and no one could mess with that.

They were incredible, drawing the sexual tension to a point just short of breaking and starting all over again, leaving me breathless in anticipation.



Ally was Ransom's rock and she stood tall against his need to distance himself. She was supportive and accepting of his struggle and it made for some very poignant scenes between them. As much as Ransom's stubbornness frustrated me, I can't say I never sympathized with him and hoped for him to find acceptance within himself. His martyrdom was a seemingly bottomless pit however and I wondered if he would ever allow himself a little piece of happiness.



"I'm not the bad boy who needs saving, Ally."
"Non, cheri," she said, scooting closer as though I hadn't hurt her twenty minutes before, as though she'd already forgotten how badly I'd fucked up.
"You're a good man who needs to forgive himself."

That voice in his head that haunts him was quieted with the comfort of Ally's force of will. Would he learn to step out of the darkness and into the light?



Just a random thought. Is it just me or did this not make a lot of sense?
In the beginning of the book, Ally gives Ransom a lap dance while wearing a blonde wig and a mask. She's mysterious and completely unrecognizable even though he knows her from the dance studio where she works. After she walks out, she gets hassled by Ransom's drunk friend who tries to grope her. Note: she's still in her wig and mask. Ransom had no clue who she was and he sees her regularly. Flash to later in the book. Ransom gets into a fight with that same friend who makes a derogatory comment about Ally. After seeing her one time in the locker room, he somehow realizes that she is the girl in the mask. The girl he saw briefly while completely shitfaced drunk. WTF even...?

After my initial frustration, I finally came to a place of acceptance with this book. Yes, I wanted to smash things and my tolerance levels of Ransom sunk to an exasperating low. But once again, Eden Butler concocted an unforgettable story. It's a story that I wouldn't necessarily classify as romance....yet. This piece of the story was the structure of their relationship, only the beginning. And I'm hoping after that epilogue that the conclusion to Ally and Ransom's story will have less struggle and more joy. I know what she's capable of so I'm reserving judgement until then.

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[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 'angst ridden'stars

Thick Love is not an easy book to read. It make me sad and depressed with Ransom, but it also make me fall in love with a heroine and I'm feeling hopeful all is gonna be right in Aly's world.

Ransom Riley-Hale is a guilt ridden young man because he lost the love of his life. He had been haunted by Emily since the unfortunate incident and had been bottling up his demon ever since. On the outside, he seems like any other testosterone fueled youngster, but Ransom is a broken man, still wallowing in his guilt and serving a penance.

Aly King is an aspiring and independent young woman. She's a dancer, an instructor, a waitress and when times needed, a nanny. Aly is simply wonderful and is a rare occasion that I actually loving a heroine more than the hero.

Ransom and Aly get to spend more time together when she needed a dance partner and his family needed a nanny. With them being in close proximity with each other, Ransom can no longer deny that Aly is the first person since Emily that manage to invoke desire in him.

"Like sex again?"
"No, not like sex."
"Like... like love."



Honestly, Ransom is a piece of work. I sympathize him, what with all the soul crushing torment and denying his desire for a girl. He feel that he didn't deserve to be happy. On the other hand, reading about the hero mooning over his ex for a big part of the book, while dear Aly is right in front of him, make me want to slap him silly.

"I wish I could breathe again. I want that so bad."

With Ransom hot and cold treatment towards Aly, many might think she is a doormat. But I didn't feel it that way because Aly can hold her own. She called his bullshit and want to set him straight. She is dedicated in her mission to heal Ransom but she is not total pushover.

"I wanted you to smile again."

Ransom wasn't an easy man to love but God help me, I did.

If you enjoy reading a tormented hero having a second chance at love and a dedicated heroine who is there to love him unconditional, this is the book for you.

About the much talked about epilogue: I know many readers prefer to have their happy ending. But, if this book is a standalone, I will be sorely disappointed because from a romance POV, Ransom and Aly's love story is not that emotionally satisfying. I need more from Ransom in order to convince me that Aly is his one true love. So I'm happy that with the epilogue, I have something to look forward to.

"It's okay to let someone love you."
"I don't deserve it."
"I'm still gonna love you anyway."

[Kim Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

You are heartache …

This book is heartache. Plain and simple. Heartache. There is a haunting desperation throughout this story. Deep feelings of remorse, suffering and loss. Yet there is also a great deal of strength and maturity. Healing is not a miraculous overnight accomplishment. Sometimes, even the desire and hope of a new future is not enough to clear up the darkness of a troubled past.



Eden Butler demonstrates her understanding of tragedy and human nature through the extraordinarily complex and genuine characters she is able to create. As frustrating and depressing as those characters are at times … I never once felt that what I was reading was unrealistic or contrived. Ransome and Aly are almost perfect opposites in so many ways. He is lost and drifting … she is focused and giving. But, as the old saying goes, opposites certainly do attract. I was easily caught up in the push-pull of their chemistry … even the doomed nature of their budding relationship was not enough to dampen my desire to see these two find happiness.

Music and dance are both a major part of the narrative. The concept of music as a form of healing is not new, but it’s so pure. Ms. Butler’s description of the joy found through dance is captivating and beautiful. It’s something I’ve felt first hand and I truly believe that love can be found in a beat.

Admittedly, the moments involving Keira and Kona were some of my favorite in this book. Their story is still fresh in my mind and I adore every funny, fierce and heartfelt moment. The family bond is a heavy focus for this series. Ohana says it all.

That ending though … what the hell? I will openly admit that this ending is what dropped my rating from a 5 star to a 4.5. I love the characters so much … this ending has thrown me for a loop. I can’t believe I have to wait ‘til 2016 for the next book and the resolution that I’m hoping and dying for. But wait I will! I'm confident Eden Butler will make it worthwhile. <3


Thank you to the author for advance access to this title.

[Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



I discovered Eden Butler last year with Thin Love and discovered myself an angst junkie.

She did this. She made me enjoy the suffering of her characters, and there’s something disturbingly sadistic at enjoying great and lovable characters to hurt.

The shame and guilt replaced that rage and I took it down within myself, feeling every prickle, every inch of hurt I deserved.

With this little statement I want to warn potential readers. You will see your opinion on angst change. You’ll revise what you find acceptable in term of torment. Prepare yourself!

Note : Thin Love—book 1— focuses on Ransom’s parents, Kiera and Kona. While it’s not necessary to read book 1 to presently enjoy Thick Love, I highly recommend reading it.



Ransom’ story was one I highly anticipated after reading a teaser about his upcoming story in Thin Love last year. If Ransom had even the slightest chance to be a tiny bit like his father, then I knew I’d be in for a treat.

I can already tell you how much this book surprised me. I did not expect any less from Eden Butler.

Thick Love tells the story of Ransom and Aly. Both young troubled characters, both carrying an excessive amount of baggage. Both fierce and strong willed.



Ransom, 18 years old defensive college football player carries the burden and guilt of his first love’s death. He holds himself responsible for the accident that caused Emily to die a couple years ago and can’t seem to fully live his young man’s life since then.



His self inflicted punishment for taking something that wasn’t his to take. He forbids himself any pleasure or personal enjoyment, servicing women on campus, playing his part on the field, he’s all but dead inside.

I had to squeeze my eyes tight, force out that first time, all the times after that one. And then the same shame came back, the guilt and the odd voice in my head, the one that sounded so familiar, so bitter, haunting me like it always did.

Miss Butler truly made me felt Ransom’s internal agony with his POV. Full of self hatred and flagellation. She definitely has a knack for what I can only call “Angst-So-Good” delivered in a enticing and lovely writing.

It was frustrating as hell, reading his tortured thoughts, witnessing his hurt, distress and torment.

More than once I wished I could shake him good and shout at him to get over it all! It was maddening, to feel so invested with his character. And it’s not like Eden Butler gives you the choice not to.

As relentless and obstinate he was to punish himself for a young past mistake, Ransom still is the lovable young man we met in Thin Love. Invested in his family, honest, steady character.



Aly King’s character was equally complex as Ransom’s. In a lot of little different ways, but as interesting and fascinating all the same.

Aly comes from a difficult background, she’s on her own and have been for pretty much all her life. Her biggest force and quality being her stubbornness and self control. She’s a passionate young woman, driven by her love for dance, seeking on her own term the thrills of life and she’s determined to prove herself an independent and successful woman.

The rhythm of that melody ripped away my reason. It was an echo of who I was, one that I’d never let anyone see but who nevertheless lurked below my carefully controlled exterior.

Aly lives upstairs the dance studio she works to, her boss being Ransom’s mother cousin, Leann.



She had occasions to meet Ransom in the past, although briefly and never significantly, it did not prevent her from developing a crush on Ransom. She always admired him from afar, witnessing his torment of late. Seeing past his thick layer of heartache, Aly wants to see him heal.

From the moment I had met him that morning, I hadn’t been able to stop marveling at beautiful massive Ransom. No, he wasn’t mine, but I kind of wished he was.

A good part of the book focuses on a beautifully crafted push and pull dance between Aly and Ransom. A slow burn of awakenings, a passionate and vibrating power play between both characters baggage and their will to make it through.

The pain in his eyes drew me in. There was nothing I could say that would make his hurt lessen. There was nothing that would take him from the lingering sorrow he’d created for himself.

The author, using dance as a tool to unite and reunite the characters, make them feel, hate, love, created a perfected build up and chemistry for them. Both revealing themselves to the music. I almost want to tell you : sit back, watch and enjoy.

The phantom voice was finally silent, quieted by the image of this beautiful woman gyrating on me, and my body stopped listening to the protests of that scared, lost kid I’d once been. The one I’d let control me for too damn long.

I most certainly enjoyed the dynamic of Thick Love, never faltering in her writing, Miss Butler created a worthy sequel to Thin Love.

Gifting us some endearing and hilarious moments with Keira, Kona and children, she reminded me why I fell so hard for this couple. Their chemistry between them and their strong charisma remains, and I was so glad to read more about them.



The dialogues and silent communication between Ransom and his little brother were precious and hilarious, Kona caveman antics, Kiera’s attitude… Sigh. I loved, loooved THAT! A pure delight!



What I loved in Thick Love, other than the angst-so-good part, was definitely the sexy as hell scenes. Very erotic, enticing, passionate sex scenes. Through the pages I could almost feel the electricity between Aly and Ransom, their fiery temperaments playing a huge part in these scenes’ quality.

He made music with his body, demanding that I surrender. He kissed me like someone who always reached for something to hold onto and only got something that made him spin further out of control.

Seeing them fiercely bickering, arguing and transforming all this energy into something… real, vibrating, pulsing, hot!

Miss Butler gave a new definition to the word sexual tension. The build up was incredible, and boy did she deliver!



If I had to vote between Thin Love and Thick Love, My vote as of now, would stay for Thin Love. I loved Ransom and Aly but not quite as much as I loved Kona and Kiera. I think part of my decision is due to the fact that I’m wondering what Aly and Ransom as adults are going to be, as Thick Love focuses on their issues as young adults only.

What lived in my heart for Aly was a hurricane that tore away everything in its path.

In Thin Love we had both, their young story, full of mistakes, and the adult part, where they finally get to make it right.

But I’m expecting the next book to make me change my mind and see what Eden Butler is hiding up her sleeves.

Yes their story is not quite finished yet, I don’t mind an Happy for Now ending at all, most of my favorite books ends that way. Sure I love a good HEA and a sweet epilogue, but will I say no to more goodness from Eden Butler? Hell no! Give me more Ransom soon! Please?

Thick Love is… it’s when you know.

PS Note : Thanks, Lana, for making me revise my cast for Ransom... ;)

Arc offered in exchange for an honest review

More reviews and book talk at :

[NMmomof4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars (Originally Read - 9/8/2015)

4 Stars (Re-Read - 11/14/2017) *Changes to review in italics*

Overall Opinion: Cliffhanger ending!!! I'm still reeling from this one. I didn't notice anyone saying anything about it being a cliffhanger, so I stupidly wasn't expecting it. I loved the first book, Thin Love, so maybe I didn't read that much in the reviews and missed it. So beware readers -- it says "to be continued...2016"!!!!! I had to take away at least a point for that one. I was even thinking to myself that we needed more time with the couple together and successful at the end, but then BAM it is over. I still enjoyed it though...hence the 4 star rating.

I re-read this one to refresh my memory before starting the next book. I still enjoyed it, and I'm going to keep my rating the same. I don't think I cried as much as I did the first time reading it, but that might be because I remembered some of the stuff going on. Still an emotional book about a broken hero that the heroine loves regardless.

Storyline: This is Aly and Ransom's story. They meet when Aly is taken in by Ransom's cousin, Leann (that we meet in the first book), and moves into the loft above her dance studio. Through the following year in a half Aly watches Ransom grieving over the loss of his first love. She watches from afar and he hardly notices her. Aly ends up helping his Mom with taking care of his little brother while she is pregnant. After a few delays they start a friendship that turns into stronger feelings. Ransom is still holding on to his guilt though and this makes it hard for him to be fully with Aly, and even though Aly has strong feelings for Ransom she doesn't want to be in a relationship with a ghost always present...

POV: This alternated between Aly and Ransom's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. The ending was abrupt, but that's a cliffhanger for you!

H rating: 4 stars. Ransom. Bless his heart -- he was a damaged hero. Some of the things he said and did I felt were really hurtful for Aly, but he was so wrapped up in his grief that it was like he was oblivious that others loved him (including Aly)...so I don't feel like he was hurtful on purpose.

h rating:4 stars. She should be nominated for sainthood for the things she went through for Ransom and still stood by him. She bordered on the line of becoming a doormat, but I don't think she crossed it. She loved fiercely and I found that her creole cursing was endearing.

Sadness level: High. I think I cried through the whole book!!! Tissues needed for this one. I didn't cry as much the second time but, again, it might be because I remembered some of what happened.

Heat level: Low. A few steamy times, but not too many. I think it was just right for the story content, because there was so much psychologically going on that I think it would be confusing if a lot of sex scenes were thrown in.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW/OM drama: Yes The ghost of the H's girlfriend that died is very present in their relationship. She is an ongoing issue for both of them and the main cause of their problems.

Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes We experience H "servicing" an OW (oral sex but doesn't get off himself as a punishment for his past) before the h and H even start a friendship. Another scene with a naked girl he was about to "service" but stopped it that happened after feeling between the h and H start to develop

Cheating: No Maybe See above spoiler. I wouldn't call it cheating, because they aren't together...but feelings were starting to be developed. He also gets a lap dance from a unknown dancer after things had started with the h, so that could be considered cheating also.

Separation: Yes They are separated very shortly, but there was no mention or suggestion of other partners during this time.

Possible Triggers: No...loss of a loved one maybe...? Yes Loss of a loved one due to a boating accident (off page - through memories), depression (H - on page), verbal abuse from parent (on page minimally), and problem she with pregnancy (side character - on page).

Closure: Non existent. We get a cliffhanger. The last chapter the couple get some things cleared up and confess that they are each other's "everything", but then in the epilogue they aren't together and haven't been for 10 years!!
And this is a doozy so click link at your own risk... she gets engaged to someone else and he sees the proposal .
I'm SO mad we have to wait until 2016!!!!!

How I got it: I paid $2.99 for it back in 2015

Safety: This one is probably Not Safe for most safety gang readers

- Does probably have what people would consider cheating
- Does have a descriptive sex scene with the H and OW
- Does have both the h and H pushing away (mainly the H)
- Does have a short (days?) separation between the h and H
- Does Not have abuse by mcs
- Does Not have OTT sad parts
- Does Not have a HEA ending

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Thick love is best. Thick love is…it’s when you know.”
“It’s when you know what?”
“It’s when you know you’ve found the one that can pick up the pieces when you let your heart get broken.”

If a love story full of angst is something that gets your book heart racing, if you revel in watching two people work at their love and relish having your heart tested to the limit then Thick Love is the book for you and boy did we LOVE it! We want to applaud Eden Butler for staying true to her characters and admire her for telling their story their way. It was imperative for Ransom’s story be told his way, after all this was his journey, not a rehashing of his parents love story, and so we were pleased with the direction Eden Butler took with regards to the story and the characters.

“I wanted to help you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Bullshit, Ransom. You’re lost. You’ve been lost a long time.”

From the moment we met Ransom in Thin Love, we were immediately drawn him, his flaws, his anger and the obstacles he had to overcome. After all, Ransom did have big shoes to follow with his high profile parents yet nothing could have prepared us for how his story would unfold.

“Ransom, you can’t live like this.”
“Who the hell said I’m living?”

Our hearts immediately went out to Ransom. Here was a young man in his prime, the world at his feet, looks, charm, money and talent, yet he was world weary, haunted by his past, burdened and beaten down. Life outside of his family and football had become such a struggle which had manifested itself in a physical sense which we found heartbreaking.

Ransom’s voice was gut wrenching, frustrating and exasperating but it was also incredibly sad as we observed this sensitive soul so riddled with guilt, wallowing in self-condemnation and self-loathing as he blamed himself for a tragedy that would consume him. We alternated between wanting to hug him and hit him. Ransom was young man so completely lost in grief we wondered if he would ever drag himself out of his despair and possess the ability and the desire to set himself free.

“Aly, I have to be so careful with you.”
“I’m not going to break.”
“I might.”

Aly was such a plucky heroine. Aly’s love for Ransom was without question. Aly understood the difficulty Ransom faced in opening up his heart and although she repeatedly forgave him Aly was by no means a pushover as never feared speaking her mind to put Ransom in his place and in return Aly made Ransom feel alive for the first time in a long time but did he deserve her love?

‘I had seen many, many brilliant things in my life, in my travels, things that would take away your breath, things that would make you never question if God existed. But none of them could match the magic of Aly when she danced.’

Ransom and Aly’s love was one born from grief and sadness and so they had to fight for their love and in doing so Eden Butler showed us that they weren’t defined as a couple and that Ransom and Aly needed to find themselves independently and deal with their issues before they could commit their love and feelings to someone else. After all, as we said, this was Ransom’s unique journey and he could never truly be at peace and give himself until he had dealt with his issues.

“I’m not the bad boy who needs saving, Aly.”
“Non, cheri, you’re a good man who needs to forgive himself.”

Whilst you could read Thick Love on its own we really do encourage you to read Thin Love first as you will garner a much better understanding of Ransom, his past, his family and his persona which is an integral part of Thick Love. We couldn’t have read one without the other.

We LOVED this book and would recommend it in a heartbeat! And so Ransom and Aly’s story continues…………..

**Reviewed from an ARC copy provided by the author, with thanks**

THE THIN LOVE SERIES
✦OUR REVIEW FOR THIN LOVE BOOK #1
✦OUR REVIEW FOR MY BELOVED BOOK #1.5






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[lizp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This author tells us from the get go that this book is different from Keira and Kona's story, and that is very much true. The "epic" feeling that you get from KK's story is not something I felt was replicated in Ransom's story. Not that this is a bad book- not at all, it just didn't leave me with the "feels" like Thin Love.

Ransom experiences heartache at the age of 16, one that has left a mark on him and still effects him now while he is at college (now 18). Thick Love is full of tragedy. Ransom has tragedy and Aly our heroine has tragedy. This tragedy seemed to be a character in itself as it was ever present.This heartache didn't sit right with me for several reasons, but I think it was just my personal taste that caused this.

Our main girl Aly has a backbone. I love that she wasn't willing to play second choice. But I have to admit,even though she stands up for herself and says this, I am not sure if this ever really happens as I don't feel that Ransom really closed the chapter on his past. I know he apologized but that scene didn't feel like a "finality" on those events. I think it takes a special type of person to be with someone who has experienced lost love, and I am not one of those people so I think it was hard for me to connect. I wish I was that selfless and understanding, but I know myself and I am honest in saying I'm not that person.

As I am writing this review, I think I understand why I just didn't connect to this story like I wanted to. It comes down to the fact that on a personal level, I would never want to compete with a memory. I am jealous in that I would never want to share the heart of my husband with another woman(romantically)- no matter the reason, because I want to be the forever love that doesn't compare and can't be replaced. That is completely selfish of me, and I totally get that, but that's just my opinion. I don't feel that Ransom ever made Aly feel like she was his end all be all love of his life. Their union was near the end of the book and seemed to be wrapped up too quickly after all the ups and downs they endured (after reading the epilogue I found out why it ended so quickly... ugh.)

With that said, there were specific things I am not a fan of.
#1. I don't like my male characters in love or doing explicit sexual acts with anyone other than the main heroine.

Again this a personal preference and it's not usually something that I want to read. This book has a sexual scene with someone other than the heroine (no cheating- it's before they meet). I think the author is trying to show how detached Ransom is from relationships and acts of love, but I don't want to read the actual scene. Again, thats my opinion.

#2. This book is way long.
Some parts need to be cut out. Dang.

#3. Cliffhanger until 2016!!!
Ugh. The epilogue leaves a horrible taste in my mouth. Like WTF. It took the whole damn book for them to get together and then they are not even together? All his statements about her being his love- the one he never wants to forget- and then boom, reading the excuse in the epilogue makes it seem like all his statements were just talk. What utter BS. He can pine away for his first love and be so dedicated to NOT being happy and then when he finds happiness for what seems to be 6 years, he thinks it's OK to just let it slip away because they were busy with their careers and where they were in life. Where is the dedication to trying? They have been apart for 4 years in the epilogue and he doesn't seem to be very fazed by this- just a causal we got busy and we moved apart, "Life just happened when we weren't paying attention.. I had the most beautiful, the sweetest woman in my arms for six damn years and I'd let her walk out of my door. I didn't chase after her." That is until he sees another man propose to her right in front of him. Only then does he decide to act. Again, that fact that you let her get away in the first place after proclaiming that she is your everything is just bullshit I do not like this epilogue AT ALL. It reeks of weak excuses to cause drama and make money off a second book. That is disappointing.

[✿kawehi.reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ I received an ARC via As the Pages Turn in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆

*Yes! Fist pumps in the air. It’s Ransom’s story!! Fans self profusely.*

Those of you who haven’t read the first two books of this series, please do so. It will help in giving you the full reading experience of this book in its entirety.

Thick Love was another fabulous, angst-ridden read by the talented Eden Butler.

Although it did kinda hit some of my hard limits at times, I just couldn’t bring myself to stop reading. It was that difficult to put down.

Ransom, boy is that boy mind-fucked over in the head, is one of those tragic characters I wanted to cuddle, and yet, run over time and time again for his inner demons and dilemmas .....



AND THEN, hump his leg for his undeniable sexy alpha vibe he gives off. *wink wink*





As for Aly. Wah, isn’t she a ray of sunshine, with her unwavering hope and devotion for Ransom? I really loved her pureness and undeterred understandings of Ransom's predicament, and her relentless pursuit in just being there for him-- flaws and all.





Thick Love is a story of love, loss, family, forgiveness, second chances, and redemption.

As much as I would love to have provided more of an outline to it in general, it’s more complicated to put into words and would just ensue spoilers for other readers and ruin its dramatic and poignant plot line

Just know, that while reading it, I felt a flurry of emotions from happiness, to sadness, to frustration, and to having my heart ripped out from under me.

Eden Butler is a bold and fearless woman. Damn her, her brilliant writing skills for making me feel so much feelings and contradictions!!



A MUST-READ from the Thin Love series!!

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 ★'s

WARNING: If you're tempted to read this book, just go in knowing two things...#1) there's a ton of angst...a TON!! and #2) there is ANOTHER book...that's right and the ending, well, let's just say that wasn't very nice.

To be honest, I was hesitant to read Ransom's book. I just knew there was no way his would live up to Kona's and Keira's! Boy, was I wrong!

This book is intense and super angsty...it's just never lets up! A lot has happened to Ransom since we last read about him at the end of My Beloved. Gone is the sweet, HAPPY kid that we came to know and love. Instead, we have a sad, isolated MAN who constantly is the judge and jury to everything that affects him.

Then we have Aly...she knew and fell for Ransom before things happened but she keeps her feelings a secret...even after her and Ransom are brought together.



They both see something in the other that fulfills them and they both have a passion for similar things. I just loved when they danced together...that was so romantic!

I really hated Ransom's primary punishment he mettled out for himself and I didn't quite get it? It seems a more apt punishment would be more of a "hands off" than that. But I guess it had to lead up to what happened between him and Aly.

I did enjoy how close Aly became to the rest of the family...especially Koa. And it was great catching up with Kona and Keira. Wow...things never really settle down for those two. I liked getting to know more about Leann and was a little disappointed to not get more of Tristian but it seems like we will get that in the next book.

So the drama...tons of it and the sex...W-O-W! These two are off the charts so no complaints there. And we get both their POV's so that made me happy.

What didn't make me happy was that freakin' epilogue! I mean, come on! I knew as it was getting closer to the end that something BIG was going to go down but not that...never that. One thing's for sure, EB can write angst like no other! Can 2016 hurry up and get here!!



Favorite quote:

♥ "Thick love is best. Thick love is…it’s when you know.”

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Thick love is best. Thick love is…it’s when you know.”
“It’s when you know what?”
“It’s when you know you’ve found the one that can pick up the pieces when you let your heart get broken.”

If a love story full of angst is something that gets your book heart racing, if you revel in watching two people work at their love and relish having your heart tested to the limit then Thick Love is the book for you and boy did we LOVE it! We want to applaud Eden Butler for staying true to her characters and admire her for telling their story their way. It was imperative for Ransom’s story be told his way, after all this was his journey, not a rehashing of his parents love story, and so we were pleased with the direction Eden Butler took with regards to the story and the characters.

“I wanted to help you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Bullshit, Ransom. You’re lost. You’ve been lost a long time.”

From the moment we met Ransom in Thin Love, we were immediately drawn him, his flaws, his anger and the obstacles he had to overcome. After all, Ransom did have big shoes to follow with his high profile parents yet nothing could have prepared us for how his story would unfold.

“Ransom, you can’t live like this.”
“Who the hell said I’m living?”

Our hearts immediately went out to Ransom. Here was a young man in his prime, the world at his feet, looks, charm, money and talent, yet he was world weary, haunted by his past, burdened and beaten down. Life outside of his family and football had become such a struggle which had manifested itself in a physical sense which we found heartbreaking.

Ransom’s voice was gut wrenching, frustrating and exasperating but it was also incredibly sad as we observed this sensitive soul so riddled with guilt, wallowing in self-condemnation and self-loathing as he blamed himself for a tragedy that would consume him. We alternated between wanting to hug him and hit him. Ransom was young man so completely lost in grief we wondered if he would ever drag himself out of his despair and possess the ability and the desire to set himself free.

“Aly, I have to be so careful with you.”
“I’m not going to break.”
“I might.”

Aly was such a plucky heroine. Aly’s love for Ransom was without question. Aly understood the difficulty Ransom faced in opening up his heart and although she repeatedly forgave him Aly was by no means a pushover as never feared speaking her mind to put Ransom in his place and in return Aly made Ransom feel alive for the first time in a long time but did he deserve her love?

‘I had seen many, many brilliant things in my life, in my travels, things that would take away your breath, things that would make you never question if God existed. But none of them could match the magic of Aly when she danced.’

Ransom and Aly’s love was one born from grief and sadness and so they had to fight for their love and in doing so Eden Butler showed us that they weren’t defined as a couple and that Ransom and Aly needed to find themselves independently and deal with their issues before they could commit their love and feelings to someone else. After all, as we said, this was Ransom’s unique journey and he could never truly be at peace and give himself until he had dealt with his issues.

“I’m not the bad boy who needs saving, Aly.”
“Non, cheri, you’re a good man who needs to forgive himself.”

Whilst you could read Thick Love on its own we really do encourage you to read Thin Love first as you will garner a much better understanding of Ransom, his past, his family and his persona which is an integral part of Thick Love. We couldn’t have read one without the other.

We LOVED this book and would recommend it in a heartbeat! And so Ransom and Aly’s story continues…………..

**Reviewed from an ARC copy provided by the author, with thanks**

THE THIN LOVE SERIES
✦OUR REVIEW FOR THIN LOVE BOOK #1
✦OUR REVIEW FOR MY BELOVED BOOK #1.5






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[Lea ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffhanger alert!!!
Loved it!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Eden Butler's writing; there's something quite lyrical about it, which allows for a smooth read, and the way Butler develops her characters leads readers to truly understand them to their core, which is essential in Ransom and Aly’s story because there’s an immense amount of inner turmoil that both characters experience and in order to grasp all of the self inflicted torment, readers must be aware of what makes the characters who they are - their past experiences, their current mental state, and their innermost feelings.

Ever since I met Ransom in Thin Love, I hoped Butler would write his story, and she did - every tortured, guilt ridden moment of his young adult life is illustrated in Thick Love, and the title exudes Ransom's book because his thick love nearly destroys him; his parents thick love for Ransom holds him somewhat together, and Aly's thick love for herself leads her to make difficult decisions - ones that affect way more than just her.

In a way, the ups and downs of Aly and Ransom’s friendship/relationship plays out like a dance - there’s a push and pull between them…a give and take, where sometimes Ransom leads and other times, he needs to be led because his footwork, his mental state of moving forward, can’t quite take him where he needs to go in order to heal.

Butler ensures that readers have a clear perception of Ransom’s state of mind by using his own internal musings and allowing us a clear picture of all that he deals with on a daily basis. The ghost of his past continually haunts him and puts him in a state where the voice inside his head, which I truly believe is his own not who he perceives it to be, taunts him, punishing him for his actions and forcing him to continue to only exist not truly live. Ransom’s feelings of shame, guilt, heartache, and rage resonate off of the pages; readers feel every dark and twisted emotion that travels through Ransom’s thoughts, and we can’t help but want to hug him and shake him at the same time because while what he’s feeling is perfectly natural for the events that occurred, he can’t see what’s standing right in front of him, trying to help him heal and hoping he’ll stop punishing himself.

I absolutely adore badass heroines, and Aly King has more strength and perseverance than so many people who have been through far less than she has in her young life. She doesn’t allow Ransom to deflect or use her as his punching bag. She stands up for herself like she has done for many years, living on her own terms, but there is a softer side of Aly - one that sacrifices herself for everyone else, and while she refuses to chase Ransom, she also doesn’t push for what she wants and needs because she’s used to be in the background.

There are so many lessons to be learned through Ransom and Aly’s journey in Thick Love, and readers witness both of them struggling to understand how to free themselves from the past and feel worthy regardless of the events that happened. Although I’m not particularly happy with how Butler ended Thick Love, I understand why she chose to do so; Ransom and Aly’s relationship was just beginning to develop, but there is still a lot of work to be done, especially because they aren’t necessarily moving in the same direction with what they want to achieve.

And so Ransom and Aly’s complicated dance continues, and readers will have to wait and see if the voices holding them back will be completely dealt with so that they can be free to love each other with nothing standing in their way.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book with completely unrealistic expectations, which is the only reason I went for three stars instead of the two I'd settled on.

This is not Keira and Kona's Love Story V 2.0. As a matter of fact, labeling this a "love story" is a bit of a stretch altogether. This story is very much Ransom's, and parts of it WERE moving and beautiful. Unfortunately, a book is more than the sum of its parts.

There were a NUMBER of missed opportunities. The author attempted to create angst where there shouldn't have been instead of capitalizing on emotional responses that should've been obvious. This resulted in both Aly's and Ransom's actions frequently feeling out-of-character and disingenuous.

I can't say anything bad about the way the book was WRITTEN. T's are crossed and I's are dotted, the story arc flows well and the pacing is as I'd expected from this author until the ending, which was rather abrupt.

Thin Love was my top read of 2014. The apple, unfortunately, is falling fairly far away from the tree.

Like, in the neighbor's orchard.

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei)]

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

so good! but wow, this one leaves a book hangover.. but a good one!

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one.

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.75 Stars

Okay.. While I did like this book, I definitely did not love it.
Ransom's story was certainly heartbreaking, yes. Gut wrenching at times. But there were still many things that just didn't flow as organically within this story, in ways that I would have liked to see.

For one-Waaaaaaaaaaaay too much angst for me. Given we are talking about 18-20 year olds here, but still.. And how he chose to handle his self inflicting punishment? Had me like..

Granted, no two people react to grief & self inflicting harm because of that grief in the same way, but still, I thought it would be something else given his particular circumstance.. And the mystery thing with the "Dancer" and reveal of all of that, kinda fell flat for me too. Given how the build up was going. I was hoping for more of a BOOM! But that's not what I got. *shrugs*

Loved Kona & Keira as always.. And their presence here and what they brought to the story. And Koa! My goodness! Such an adorable boy. I could totally see him in my mind's eye :)

So granted there were many things here that I loved. And many that I didn't like. I certainly did not care for the epilogue here. The way things ended were awesome. But the epilogue ruined it for me.

Overall I think there is nothing really epic or more to explore about Ransom or his story. So I won't be back for Ransom part 2

I think all the greatness for this series lies within book 1, "Thin Love" & the Novella, "My Beloved."

I would recommend this read if only to satisfy your curiosity about what the great love of Kona & Keira produced within Ransom. This is still a decent read, but the stories that blow you away, are books 1 & the Novella..

I feel that this book, could go either way for you.

Happy Reading :)

[Bambi Unbridled · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, Eden Butler excels at writing new adult characters. If more characters were written like hers, I would read more of this genre. Her characters are mature and well-reasoned and don't make me feel like an old broad reading about young kids. And let me tell ya, I don't need anything else to make me feel older!

Now, this is the second installment of the series, but is not really the continuation of the original story, Thin Love. At first, I wasn't sure how I would feel about that. Thin Love was one of my 5 star reads for 2015, and I was a little worried that a sequel (so to speak) would pale in comparison. I mean, Keira and Kona were like an epic love that I just couldn't get enough of.

I knew my love was so thick, that what I felt for her then was something I didn't just want, but something I needed. Even when I pushed her away, even when I was so scared of what she did to me, even when I spent years laying in bed at night wondering if that feeling would ever go away, I knew no one would give me that. There was only ever her. NO one does love like Keira.

But of course I didn't need to worry, and I realized really quick once I started reading that while the epic couple were still around, they were not going to overshadow Ransom and Aly. Instead we still got to see the loving and supportive and playful side of the parents, while focusing on the coming of age of the son. Unfortunately, not long after the big wedding in My Beloved, something tragic happens in Ransom's life and he has been wandering through life, lost, ever since.

"Ransom, you can't live like this." "Who the hell said I'm living?"

Ransom's back story is heartbreaking. You don't find out exactly what happened right away, so to avoid spoilers, I'm not going to discuss it here. But Eden does such a good job at character development, that you feel the heartache and love right along with the characters. The level of detail and inner monologue really let you get to know the players on a deeper level, and I absolutely love that when I'm reading. So I went on this roller coaster ride along with Ransom and Aly, and I still haven't come down from the ride.

Aly was an admirable heroine. She's a survivor, strong and persevering. Her passion for dance lept off the page much like Keira's music did in Thin Love. I loved her determination to help Ransom find his way back from the darkness, and that she didn't throw some immature hissy fit when he wasn't all she needed him to be. She never gave up on him. And this is what I mean about Eden's new adults... while these characters were 20 y/o and younger, their youth and immaturity does not overpower you while you are reading. Yes, there is angst - but it's a mature angst. (Is that even a thing? Can angst be mature? Well Eden makes her angst mature and that's a good thing... particularly for us readers over 30.)

Love was louder than logic.

I enjoyed riding along for this epic story with Ransom and Aly. It's a heavy tale of love, loss, friendship and family. And my smutty little heart wouldn't be happy without the sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. Those dancing scenes were the sizzle that kept me on edge until our couple smoked up my kindle screen.

Your mouth makes me think the worst... best... filthy things.

There was also some character crossover in this book from Shadows and Lies. So if you have started that series, you will probably remember Timber, Missy and Summerland's Burlesque Review. As always, I love these stories set in New Orleans and Eden always make me feel like I could see one of these characters walking down the street here.

Now, the epilogue. I admit, that at first I was stompin' mad. It was just so unexpected and out of left field that I was totally blindsided. And yes I ranted and railed for a bit. But now I have let myself calm down and I'm not mad any more. The story isn't over. That's a good thing. I am looking forward to spending more time with Ransom and Aly... seeing how they have grown and changed and matured. So I take back all my curses that flew in my moment of shock. Sorry Eden!

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars / 3 flames.

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first fell in love with Luka Ransom Riley-Hale in Thin Love, when his parents found and fought for their epic love. Thick Love, made me fall in love with him all over again. My concerns for the long wait reading his story were unfounded. I found Thick Love to surpass any expectation I had.

This is the first Eden Butler book I haven't devoured, but savored. I had to slow down and absorb each word, nuance, and action. The book also showcases so many emotions and there was no way I could've done them justice if I read at my normal rapid pace. Instead of three hours, I took five to read this beauty.Don't get me wrong, I may have read at a slower pace, but I was entranced by the story and couldn't put it down.

I loved how the book went back and forth between both the present and the past and from Ransom and Aly's points of view. It really helped give me a complete picture at what was going on in their lives that led to them being the people they were. I also loved seeing Keira and Kona again, a few years down the line from when they got their happy ever after. It was great to see how much they had and hadn't changed. I loved the way they loved and cared for Ransom. They worried about him, and didn't hesitate to meddle in his business or let him be when they knew he needed it.

Ransom is a tortured person. It actually hurt me to read and see what he was going through and putting himself and others through. I wanted so badly for him to realize by doing what he was doing to himself, he wasn't living the life he should be. I understood his need and desire for penance, but it felt like he'd done enough. I mean he went through the steps, especially at home and at socially at school, but it wasn't enough. That's where Aly came in.

I loved Aly. I mean she's strong and willing to do what it takes to achieve her goals. No one is going to tell her she can't accomplish something. She's also kind, loving, brave, and perceptive. Aly might be short and diminutive when it comes to stature, but she's got a core of steel and a temper too, that makes her seem much larger than she is. Aly and Ransom together are a thing of beauty. Aly is alone, and in a way so is Ransom. They have such wonderful chemistry. I felt like I was intruding on something special and sacred.

One of the best things about them is the delicious slow burn. I loved how most if not all of the heavy emotional stuff was dealt with first. There was no way Aly and Ransom could've made it if they'd jumped into bed first. The emotional connection between them made the physical so much sweeter when it happened. And it was hot too, don't doubt me. I was pretty worked up.

Eden Butler really delivered with Thick Love. This book is heavy on the feelings and emotions and the themes of forgiveness and love. I'm extremely happy to know there will be more Ransom and Aly in the future. I'm not quite ready to be done with these two, or Keira, Kona, and their other adorable children. I have no doubt that story will be as epic as this one. Ransom doesn't need to worry about the shadows his accomplished father and mother cause, or the shadow caused by their love. The shadow he casts with Aly is equally as epic.

[Joy Pantorillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Copy provided as part of the blog tour*

That’s the beauty of fiction – it makes jumping to the future possible.

Some stories I fell in love at start — may it be Prologue or the first chapter, but with Thick Love, I instantly fell in love with the “Author’s Note”. (Yes, I love reading those).

Thick Love is the 2nd book in the Thin Love Series that tells the story of Ransom Riley-Hale, Kona and Keira’s son from Thin Love. As mentioned in the Author’s Note, this is not a rehashing of his parent’s tale. The heartaches he gives and receives on his journey are his and his alone.

Having read and loved Thin Love, I was equally ecstatic and scared in starting Thick Love because I can feel that it will be book tha is full of angst and drama. And boy oh boy, Eden has once again delivered a book that is very different from Thin Love but equal parts amazing!

The characters. Ransom and Aly. Ransom is a boy who has gone through a lot and is still adjusting with the changes in his life — from having a complete family, being a superstar football athlete and losing his first love while Aly is a sassy girl who has been living independently. She loves to dance and will do anything to achieve her dreams. Two very strong and stubborn characters that compliments each other.

The story. Just like any other Eden novel, it was very easy to be involved in the story from the get go. Even if you haven’t read Thin Love, you will easily understand what is going on. I just love everything about this book. From the characters to the plot, everything is just perfect and I can’t wait on how Eden will play on the next story.

Oh, and another thing that I also love is that I get to see snippets of Kona and Keira’s happy ever afer.

To Eden, thank you, thank you for bringing us Ransom and Aly’s story! Ahh. I can’t wait for 2016. Next, please! Yes, I’m kinda demanding. There is a NEED for the 2nd book!

To Ing of As the Pages Turn, thank you, thank you as well. :)

Blog: http://bujoijoi22.com

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ransom is struggling. It seems like he has it all, with famous parents who love him, and an enormous amount of talent. Besides the pressure of living up to the expectations others have of him, Ransom is dealing with the consequences of some choices he made when he was 16 years old. He hasn't really ever been able to get away from the darkness he keeps within him, and doesn't believe that he should be able to feel pleasure. Aly has gotten herself away from an abusive father, and is struggling to make it on her own. She works hard for everything she has, and finds her passion and freedom in dance. Aly has cared about Ransom from afar for a long while. The more time they spend together, Ransom starts feeling again, but can't bear to drag Aly into his darkness.

I was excited for this installment in the series because of my fondness for Kiera and Kona. It was great to be able to spend some more time with them and see what their life has become. Ransom is an easy character to like, even though when we see him again in this book (a couple years after the end of Thin Love) things have changed and he has obviously suffered something heavy. We don't know the specifics of what he has been through for a while, but it is clear to see that his life has changed, and it is unclear whether he will be able to dig his way out and into the light again. His choices at times are definitely frustrating and it can be tough to watch him continue to punish himself and hurt others unintentionally as he does. Aly is very likable and is an easy character to cheer on. She is a strong woman who is pursuing her passion while working hard to make ends meet. Watching her connect with Kiera and Kona's family felt wonderful, even though her relationship with Ransom was so full of ups and downs.

This story kept me engaged throughout, even though the epilogue threw me for a bit of a loop. I have enjoyed other books by this author, and I look forward to reading the next in the series.


*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Mizz · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://romanticcynicblog.wordpress.c...

Re-read August 2016

Beware of Spoilers!

Star Ratings:
Heroine (Aly): 19yrs old – 3/5
Hero (Ransom): 18yrs old – 2/5
Plot: 2/5
Grovel: not enough
Cheating: see triggers
HEA: yes if you don’t read the epilogue but then it messes with their romance
Triggers: explicit other woman action, dead first love of the H

Average score: 2/5

Best Line: “you should never, ever say anything stupid to pregnant women”

Worst Line: “I killed my first love. It’ the only way I could also kill myself.”

Personal Review:
This was an ok romance between a hot-headed football player and a dancer. The story was a bit long at times. People will hate this book if they don’t like romances with dead partners as the H pretty much spent the whole book thinking about his first love who died.

Also, the author should have not messed with the ending. It ended well and had a good epilogue up until we are informed that they split up 4 years ago and another man has proposed to the h.

Random Ramblings:
•I don’t normally go for romances were the hero is younger than the heroine but in this case he was only a year younger
•H doesn’t sleep with women but still gets women off…it’s what he’s known for and we are treated to him getting another woman off in explicit detail in the first chapter…I still think he’s a man-slut
•Koa was a cutie!
•The story started to drag a bit around 40%

Overall Feeling:

Didn’t hit me in the feels as much as the first story