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The Midnight Strike #1
Please Don't Go
He felt like he was drowning.
She was about to drown.
Josefine Resendiz, is struggling to figure out her life. Between her complicated relationship with grief and not having a single clue how to feel what she can't understand, she's sinking and isn't sure how to float back up to the surface.
Daniel Garcia, shortstop, a budding ray of sunshine, and potential first round pick for the MLB Draft, has life figured out. At least, that's what everyone assumes. On the surface, he's the embodiment of happiness and life. But beneath it all, guilt and grief have been consuming him since his brother passed away. Unsure how to deal with his feelings, he bottles them up and masks the pain of haunting reminders behind a mask of smiles.
That's until he stumbles upon Josefine on Christmas Day. That wasn't supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to be there but neither was she, at least not for long. The night evolves into something neither one of them expected and when morning comes, she's nowhere to be found.
He can't stop thinking about her. She wants to forget him. But fate seems to have plans for them.
Once the semester begins they find out they have a class together, and avoiding Daniel becomes hard when they're paired to be hiking buddies. Much to Josefine's chagrin, she likes him more than she cares to admit. And Daniel is struggling to keep everything he's bottled up around her.
Hesitantly and unknowingly, they're opening up old wounds they wanted to keep closed. Feeling grounded around each other. And unintentionally falling in love.
She was about to drown.
Josefine Resendiz, is struggling to figure out her life. Between her complicated relationship with grief and not having a single clue how to feel what she can't understand, she's sinking and isn't sure how to float back up to the surface.
Daniel Garcia, shortstop, a budding ray of sunshine, and potential first round pick for the MLB Draft, has life figured out. At least, that's what everyone assumes. On the surface, he's the embodiment of happiness and life. But beneath it all, guilt and grief have been consuming him since his brother passed away. Unsure how to deal with his feelings, he bottles them up and masks the pain of haunting reminders behind a mask of smiles.
That's until he stumbles upon Josefine on Christmas Day. That wasn't supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to be there but neither was she, at least not for long. The night evolves into something neither one of them expected and when morning comes, she's nowhere to be found.
He can't stop thinking about her. She wants to forget him. But fate seems to have plans for them.
Once the semester begins they find out they have a class together, and avoiding Daniel becomes hard when they're paired to be hiking buddies. Much to Josefine's chagrin, she likes him more than she cares to admit. And Daniel is struggling to keep everything he's bottled up around her.
Hesitantly and unknowingly, they're opening up old wounds they wanted to keep closed. Feeling grounded around each other. And unintentionally falling in love.
562 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2025
1416 people are currently reading
10276 people want to read
About the author
E. Salvador
4 books914 followersE. is a Mexican-American romance author who loves a good happily ever after and iced coffee with light ice.
When E. is not overthinking or creating multiple Pinterest boards for the hundred book ideas she has, she's writing or reading. And when she's not doing any of those things, she's spending time with her two sons and husband.
When E. is not overthinking or creating multiple Pinterest boards for the hundred book ideas she has, she's writing or reading. And when she's not doing any of those things, she's spending time with her two sons and husband.
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October 21, 2025pre-read:
my first e. salvador book! also, just look at the cover 😩 it may seem simple but i’m absolutely loving it so much! the blurb really got me interested 👀 hope it’s even more interesting on the inside 🤞🏼🥹
my first e. salvador book! also, just look at the cover 😩 it may seem simple but i’m absolutely loving it so much! the blurb really got me interested 👀 hope it’s even more interesting on the inside 🤞🏼🥹
August 15, 2025
6 FUCKING ⭐️
this might be the best romance book I read this year
this might be the best romance book I read this year
September 20, 2025
Honestly guys, I liked this a lot 🥹 I was drawn in from the very first chapter and kept wanting to know where the story was going to take me with Danny & Josie 💛
This book dives into the struggles of grief, ptsd, death, suicide. It heavily emphasizes the impacts of these and the importance of mental health.
As for the MCs, I honestly loved the black cat x golden retriever energy we got with them. I really liked Daniel and I enjoyed seeing him fall in love with Josie and her with him. He was so patient, persistent, and gentle with her.
This was a slow burn!!! And let me just tell you.. girllll, the spice.. was spicing. Whewwwww. My man was not above begging or getting on his knees 🙂↕️🙂↕️ I went into this not sure if there was any spice at all or if there was, I expected it to be mild. I was very wrong 🫦
Bryson: “She was my girlfriend first. We have history.”
Danny: “Well, now she’s your ex and one day she’ll be my wife. She moved on; it’s time you do too.”
My jealous, possessive kingggggg😫 Loved him.
I think this book absolutely had 5 star potential, but here are my 2 small critiques:
— It dragged on a little towards the end, but I also read this nearly 600 page book in less than 24 hours so I mean…🤷🏻♀️ But yeah, I guesssss(?) it could’ve been condensed some.
I think the length of the story will probably lose some people along the way or cause them to lower their rating, but obviously it didn’t bother me one bit 😂
— I do wish the MCs’ story explanations of what happened to them was maybe spread throughout the book instead of at the very end because it felt like too much at once. I didn’t have a lot of time to digest it so it lessened the emotional impact a little bit.
Overall, I really did enjoy this. Like I stated above, it has its flaws and little things that could be improved, but all in all, I still felt so invested in the characters and was rooting for them! 💛💛
This was my first book by this author, and I’m really excited to see who she announces book 2 will be about.
This book dives into the struggles of grief, ptsd, death, suicide. It heavily emphasizes the impacts of these and the importance of mental health.
As for the MCs, I honestly loved the black cat x golden retriever energy we got with them. I really liked Daniel and I enjoyed seeing him fall in love with Josie and her with him. He was so patient, persistent, and gentle with her.
This was a slow burn!!! And let me just tell you.. girllll, the spice.. was spicing. Whewwwww. My man was not above begging or getting on his knees 🙂↕️🙂↕️ I went into this not sure if there was any spice at all or if there was, I expected it to be mild. I was very wrong 🫦
Bryson: “She was my girlfriend first. We have history.”
Danny: “Well, now she’s your ex and one day she’ll be my wife. She moved on; it’s time you do too.”
My jealous, possessive kingggggg😫 Loved him.
I think this book absolutely had 5 star potential, but here are my 2 small critiques:
— It dragged on a little towards the end, but I also read this nearly 600 page book in less than 24 hours so I mean…🤷🏻♀️ But yeah, I guesssss(?) it could’ve been condensed some.
I think the length of the story will probably lose some people along the way or cause them to lower their rating, but obviously it didn’t bother me one bit 😂
— I do wish the MCs’ story explanations of what happened to them was maybe spread throughout the book instead of at the very end because it felt like too much at once. I didn’t have a lot of time to digest it so it lessened the emotional impact a little bit.
Overall, I really did enjoy this. Like I stated above, it has its flaws and little things that could be improved, but all in all, I still felt so invested in the characters and was rooting for them! 💛💛
This was my first book by this author, and I’m really excited to see who she announces book 2 will be about.
October 8, 2025
When I heard about this book, I stopped everything and picked it up right away. I was prepared to be giggling and kicking my feet reading this, I DID NOT expect to be emotionally wrecked.
This story was overwhelmingly beautiful. It did have moments that made me giggle and kick my feet, but it also had moments that made me cry both from happiness and sadness. I absolutely loved how Josie and Daniel were two sides of the same coin. Showing different ways of how people handle their depression. As someone who has been a Daniel, I really loved how real and vulnerable the story got.
I loved both Josie and Daniel. Josie was very closed off and struggling with her mother’s death but she tried every day. She loved and cared in a way she could. Danny was also dealing with his own grief but he kept it all to himself and only showed the world the happy, bubbly version of himself. I loved the black cat x golden retriever vibe but I also loved how they saw past each other’s fronts and saw who they really were. Their romance was adorable. Perfectly developed and I loved that although they were hesitant at times, they would at least try to communicate with each other. I also loved to see the characters growth at the end of the story.
All of the friends were just as loveable and I’m really excited to read about whoever comes next in this series.
This story was overwhelmingly beautiful. It did have moments that made me giggle and kick my feet, but it also had moments that made me cry both from happiness and sadness. I absolutely loved how Josie and Daniel were two sides of the same coin. Showing different ways of how people handle their depression. As someone who has been a Daniel, I really loved how real and vulnerable the story got.
I loved both Josie and Daniel. Josie was very closed off and struggling with her mother’s death but she tried every day. She loved and cared in a way she could. Danny was also dealing with his own grief but he kept it all to himself and only showed the world the happy, bubbly version of himself. I loved the black cat x golden retriever vibe but I also loved how they saw past each other’s fronts and saw who they really were. Their romance was adorable. Perfectly developed and I loved that although they were hesitant at times, they would at least try to communicate with each other. I also loved to see the characters growth at the end of the story.
All of the friends were just as loveable and I’m really excited to read about whoever comes next in this series.
August 19, 2025
an absolutely breathtaking story and one of my faves from this year (and maybe ever 🥹🥰)
not for the faint of heart - there is a very long list of triggers and they kick off on page one - lots of talk of depression and grief
BUT if you’re okay with that (or even prefer that like me), you’ll find a beautiful romance between two very broken people finding solace and light with each other 💓 there is a lot of emotional intimacy, including many heartfelt conversations discussing desires and dreams and fears. BUT sweet mother mary the spice?!?! holy hot shit my god it was 🔥🔥🔥 the perfect beautiful mix of both
I cannot rec this enough. It was almost 600 pages but absolutely flew by and was SO ADDICTING
not for the faint of heart - there is a very long list of triggers and they kick off on page one - lots of talk of depression and grief
BUT if you’re okay with that (or even prefer that like me), you’ll find a beautiful romance between two very broken people finding solace and light with each other 💓 there is a lot of emotional intimacy, including many heartfelt conversations discussing desires and dreams and fears. BUT sweet mother mary the spice?!?! holy hot shit my god it was 🔥🔥🔥 the perfect beautiful mix of both
I cannot rec this enough. It was almost 600 pages but absolutely flew by and was SO ADDICTING
August 8, 2025
This book was one of the best I’ve read all year! Danny, a college baseball star, and Josie, ex-swimmer and fellow college goer, meet in the midst of Josie at her most vulnerable. This interaction sets the course for what turns into their slow burn relationship, from strangers to tentative friends to lovers.
One could argue Danny is the sunshine and Josie is the grump, but ultimately both characters are dealing with grief and their mental health in the only ways they know how. The author did a great job of showcasing how the outward presentation of someone struggling varies. You have the boy who smiles and laughs all the time but is slowly drowning on the inside. You have the angry girl who is clearly struggling but no one truly understands the depths to which her anger and sadness lies. The mental health representation, woven into their romance, was absolutely relatable and the author did not shy away from the true effects that ignoring your health has on your life and attempts to heal.
That aside, Danny and Josie were kindred spirits who truly understood each other. Literally the entire friend group knew before them that they’d become a thing. The friend group themselves were an amazing found family and I can’t wait for their books. There were so many little things I could rave about but it’s a great experience to dive into how lovely this author’s writing is!
What to Expect: college baseball, strangers to friends to lovers, mental health representation, found family, grumpy/sunshine, sad boy/angry girl, acts of service, swim lessons (and so much more!)
Trigger Warnings: Please read the author’s warnings at the start of the book. Some of the topics/scenes are tough and the author is thorough in letting readers know what to expect.
One could argue Danny is the sunshine and Josie is the grump, but ultimately both characters are dealing with grief and their mental health in the only ways they know how. The author did a great job of showcasing how the outward presentation of someone struggling varies. You have the boy who smiles and laughs all the time but is slowly drowning on the inside. You have the angry girl who is clearly struggling but no one truly understands the depths to which her anger and sadness lies. The mental health representation, woven into their romance, was absolutely relatable and the author did not shy away from the true effects that ignoring your health has on your life and attempts to heal.
That aside, Danny and Josie were kindred spirits who truly understood each other. Literally the entire friend group knew before them that they’d become a thing. The friend group themselves were an amazing found family and I can’t wait for their books. There were so many little things I could rave about but it’s a great experience to dive into how lovely this author’s writing is!
What to Expect: college baseball, strangers to friends to lovers, mental health representation, found family, grumpy/sunshine, sad boy/angry girl, acts of service, swim lessons (and so much more!)
Trigger Warnings: Please read the author’s warnings at the start of the book. Some of the topics/scenes are tough and the author is thorough in letting readers know what to expect.
September 8, 2025
You’re not hiding. I’m not running. We’re here, together, and I’m not overthinking your hug and you’re not faking your smile for the sake of pretending to be happy. We’re far from perfect and we’ll never be and that’s okay. We’ll keep working things out, finding out what works and what doesn’t. And we’ll do it together.
4 ⭐️
I knew this was going to be an emotional romance, because of the trigger warnings, but I appreciated how the author was able to add some fun into the mix, making this a heavy yet lighthearted read.
We meet Josefine at a very dark time in her life, and at the start of the first chapter, we find her at rock bottom. Daniel witnesses something that scars him, and he’s determined to insert himself into Josefine’s life and help her in any way he can. This marks the beginning of a - reluctant on Josefine's part - friendship that slowly grows into something more than either of them anticipated.
The mental health issues were beautifully portrayed and very realistic. Both Josefine and Daniel have been touched by grief, which has inevitably changed them. This, coupled with other issues from their past, has made their minds dark places to inhabit. Throughout the story, we see how they have chosen to deal with their problems: Josefine feels empty and lost, with no purpose or will to live; Daniel, meanwhile, masks his feelings with a smile and a sunny disposition. Josie pushes people away, while Daniel surrounds himself with others, always helping them. With each other’s support, they slowly begin their healing journey, finding ways to cope with their grief and traumas. It’s not an easy journey: there’s a lot of back and forth, a lot of pretending and denying feelings for the sake of avoiding dealing with them. Eventually, however, they realise that hiding is not a healthy way to live, and that in order to get better they must navigate the darkness of their minds to find a glimmer of light.
Josie is a loner. She’s grumpy, finds it hard to make friends and interact with others, mostly due to the way she was raised. However, once you get to know her, it becomes clear just how amazing she is. She has a big heart, is determined, is a hard worker and has a good sense of humour. I think she just needed someone to see beyond the walls she built to feel comfortable enough to be herself around others. She thought she was hard to love because no one had ever loved her enough. She didn’t know how to love because she had known no love in her life, which is heartbreaking. But Daniel loved her easily and accepted every part of her without question. The friends she made did the same. Josie gained a family and found her place in the world.
Daniel is pretty much a golden retriever, but a depressed one. Everyone thinks he’s so happy and carefree, but he’s just mastered the art of hiding how he truly feels. It took him a long time to open up to Josie because he didn’t want to burden her with his feelings. Eventually, he fell off the deep end and was forced to confront his problems. Daniel was always there to help others, but he didn’t know how to help himself. Thankfully, his friends, family and Josie were there to soften his fall.
The romance was lovely and wholesome (and very spicy! Though I should mention that I sometimes found it a bit too spicy and didn't always love the sex scenes). It's a slow burn, but a good one! Daniel was persistent; no matter how many times Josefine told him to leave her alone, he always stayed. He constantly told her that she mattered and left her cute post-it notes saying "I’m so happy you’re here” 🥹 He slowly tore down her walls, and she wasn’t strong enough to resist him. They're so cute together! They helped each other, healed each other, comforted each other, and loved each other the way they both deserved to be loved.
I also loved the secondary characters and how much they added to the story, giving it a sense of family and togetherness. After that epilogue, I’m really curious to know who the next book is going to be about 👀
I think the book dragged in places; it's a very long romance. However, I loved reading it. I didn’t mention it before, but for those who like knowing these things, it's also a sports romance – he’s a baseball player and she’s a former competitive swimmer.
I recommend checking the trigger warnings before starting this book - please always make sure you prioritise your mental health and wellbeing. Don't do what Josie and Daniel did - if you need help, please ask for it. There's always someone willing to lend a hand. You are not alone.
4 ⭐️
I knew this was going to be an emotional romance, because of the trigger warnings, but I appreciated how the author was able to add some fun into the mix, making this a heavy yet lighthearted read.
We meet Josefine at a very dark time in her life, and at the start of the first chapter, we find her at rock bottom. Daniel witnesses something that scars him, and he’s determined to insert himself into Josefine’s life and help her in any way he can. This marks the beginning of a - reluctant on Josefine's part - friendship that slowly grows into something more than either of them anticipated.
The mental health issues were beautifully portrayed and very realistic. Both Josefine and Daniel have been touched by grief, which has inevitably changed them. This, coupled with other issues from their past, has made their minds dark places to inhabit. Throughout the story, we see how they have chosen to deal with their problems: Josefine feels empty and lost, with no purpose or will to live; Daniel, meanwhile, masks his feelings with a smile and a sunny disposition. Josie pushes people away, while Daniel surrounds himself with others, always helping them. With each other’s support, they slowly begin their healing journey, finding ways to cope with their grief and traumas. It’s not an easy journey: there’s a lot of back and forth, a lot of pretending and denying feelings for the sake of avoiding dealing with them. Eventually, however, they realise that hiding is not a healthy way to live, and that in order to get better they must navigate the darkness of their minds to find a glimmer of light.
❝ I didn’t only learn how to live again, I learned how to love, and opened myself to being loved. ❞
Josie is a loner. She’s grumpy, finds it hard to make friends and interact with others, mostly due to the way she was raised. However, once you get to know her, it becomes clear just how amazing she is. She has a big heart, is determined, is a hard worker and has a good sense of humour. I think she just needed someone to see beyond the walls she built to feel comfortable enough to be herself around others. She thought she was hard to love because no one had ever loved her enough. She didn’t know how to love because she had known no love in her life, which is heartbreaking. But Daniel loved her easily and accepted every part of her without question. The friends she made did the same. Josie gained a family and found her place in the world.
❝ Maybe she wants to purposely stay in the shadows because she thinks that’s where she belongs, but that would never work for her because I see her. She is light, a blinding color that’s hard to ignore. Like a lighthouse guiding you home. ❞
Daniel is pretty much a golden retriever, but a depressed one. Everyone thinks he’s so happy and carefree, but he’s just mastered the art of hiding how he truly feels. It took him a long time to open up to Josie because he didn’t want to burden her with his feelings. Eventually, he fell off the deep end and was forced to confront his problems. Daniel was always there to help others, but he didn’t know how to help himself. Thankfully, his friends, family and Josie were there to soften his fall.
❝ “Please stay you. I like your soft heart.” I smile, the anger fading away. “
My soft heart?” Her face flushes and she casts her gaze down. “Yeah, you have this thing where you see the good in things. I don’t want that to change about you.” ❞
The romance was lovely and wholesome (and very spicy! Though I should mention that I sometimes found it a bit too spicy and didn't always love the sex scenes). It's a slow burn, but a good one! Daniel was persistent; no matter how many times Josefine told him to leave her alone, he always stayed. He constantly told her that she mattered and left her cute post-it notes saying "I’m so happy you’re here” 🥹 He slowly tore down her walls, and she wasn’t strong enough to resist him. They're so cute together! They helped each other, healed each other, comforted each other, and loved each other the way they both deserved to be loved.
❝ “I’m so happy you’re here, Josefine.” Those words are all it takes to confiscate the little bit of air left in my lungs. I know he’s not saying that because I’m here at the party; he’s saying that because I’m here. I’m alive. ❞
❝ She’s therapy and medicine all in one. I feel anchored and high all at once with her. ❞
I also loved the secondary characters and how much they added to the story, giving it a sense of family and togetherness. After that epilogue, I’m really curious to know who the next book is going to be about 👀
I think the book dragged in places; it's a very long romance. However, I loved reading it. I didn’t mention it before, but for those who like knowing these things, it's also a sports romance – he’s a baseball player and she’s a former competitive swimmer.
I recommend checking the trigger warnings before starting this book - please always make sure you prioritise your mental health and wellbeing. Don't do what Josie and Daniel did - if you need help, please ask for it. There's always someone willing to lend a hand. You are not alone.
September 15, 2025
“You know, you are loving. Don’t ever feel like you’re not. I don’t need you to be loud about loving me or do big gestures to show me that you do. I know that you do, in the way you hold me, how you see me, how you let me in, how you accept me for me. You are loving, Josefine, and I’m privileged to be the one you choose to love.”
4.5 stars !
When I tell you the last 20% of this book made me physically ill. Somebody give me Daniel Garcia because I need that man.
Anywayssss before you read PLEASE look at the tw because this book is heavy from the first chapter. The author handled all of the topics with care and the story was so wonderfully crafted.
I honestly don’t have a lot to say other than it’s probably the best romance book I’ve read all year (tied with gloves off I think…) the acts of service and love between the characters was unmatched.
Now I can’t forget about Angel because he was just an AMAZING character. That next book better be about him and Pen (also I am sat for a book about Noah)
4.5 stars !
When I tell you the last 20% of this book made me physically ill. Somebody give me Daniel Garcia because I need that man.
Anywayssss before you read PLEASE look at the tw because this book is heavy from the first chapter. The author handled all of the topics with care and the story was so wonderfully crafted.
I honestly don’t have a lot to say other than it’s probably the best romance book I’ve read all year (tied with gloves off I think…) the acts of service and love between the characters was unmatched.
Now I can’t forget about Angel because he was just an AMAZING character. That next book better be about him and Pen (also I am sat for a book about Noah)
August 12, 2025
4.5☆
i had the pleasure of reading this as an arc. as someone who fell in love with a few characters from e. salvador’s previous work, this meant so much to me.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
daniel garcia and josefine resendiz. two of the most relatable characters that i have had the pleasure of reading about. these two absolutely found their way into my heart and they’ll remain there. i fell in love with the both of them and the strength and resilience they both showed throughout the book.
daniel, my angel baby. one of the most angelic characters i have ever read about. he’s one of the most selfless individuals; constantly putting those he loves above himself, going above and beyond for those he cares for. always plastering on a smile so he doesn’t have to show how he truly feels. seeing the growth and the ability he has had to overcome the grief and the guilt he experienced after his brothers death is everything, he deserved his happy ending.
and josefine, my black cat. i absolutely adore her inside and out. she went from being alone and not really having anyone to truly having the best group of people in her life. i am so happy that daniel never gave up on her because she needed him, as he needed her. seeing her open her heart to him and the friendships she has built warmed my heart.
these two are so adorable. an acts of service king he is. a man that cooked for her because she lived off of takeout and frozen meals. a man who left post-it notes around her house to remind her he was happy she was there and she deserved good things. a man who would buy her flowers just because, and always replace them whenever they died. a man who kept a gem that she had on her makeup in his wallet just because it was hers. a man who bought her a teddy bear because she never had one growing up. just a man, truly what he is.
── .✦
”I see you, Jos.”
”I want you to know that I see you too.”
i had the pleasure of reading this as an arc. as someone who fell in love with a few characters from e. salvador’s previous work, this meant so much to me.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
daniel garcia and josefine resendiz. two of the most relatable characters that i have had the pleasure of reading about. these two absolutely found their way into my heart and they’ll remain there. i fell in love with the both of them and the strength and resilience they both showed throughout the book.
daniel, my angel baby. one of the most angelic characters i have ever read about. he’s one of the most selfless individuals; constantly putting those he loves above himself, going above and beyond for those he cares for. always plastering on a smile so he doesn’t have to show how he truly feels. seeing the growth and the ability he has had to overcome the grief and the guilt he experienced after his brothers death is everything, he deserved his happy ending.
and josefine, my black cat. i absolutely adore her inside and out. she went from being alone and not really having anyone to truly having the best group of people in her life. i am so happy that daniel never gave up on her because she needed him, as he needed her. seeing her open her heart to him and the friendships she has built warmed my heart.
these two are so adorable. an acts of service king he is. a man that cooked for her because she lived off of takeout and frozen meals. a man who left post-it notes around her house to remind her he was happy she was there and she deserved good things. a man who would buy her flowers just because, and always replace them whenever they died. a man who kept a gem that she had on her makeup in his wallet just because it was hers. a man who bought her a teddy bear because she never had one growing up. just a man, truly what he is.
── .✦
”I see you, Jos.”
”I want you to know that I see you too.”
September 17, 2025
✨🌼💛
5 Strictly Yours Stars
💛🌼✨
Excuse me. I need everyone to read this book right now. If this doesn't make "the best of 2025" lists by the end of the year I will be very surprised. This was an experience. An emotional, sweet, vulnerable, adorable, funny, sexy, angsty, beautiful experience. Did this book make me cry? Yes, yes it did. And I'd do it again. Loved the sports backdrop, the Hispanic representation, the banter, the angst, the bilingual characters (hero also speaks Italian), the character growth, the music playlists, the comfort and healing, the tight-knit Mexican family, the immigrant experience. BASEBALL THIGHS! Iykyk. I could go on. The pining was 10/10, the bantering among the teammates was 10/10, the evolution from tentative friends to "I need you" love was 10/10. This book deals with mental health so just know that before going in. The first chapter is very emotional so check trigger warnings. Josephine Resendiz is struggling badly and in a really bad place when Daniel Garcia finds her on the cliffside on Christmas Eve where he insists on being her friend. They keep running into each other after that and their journey goes from there.
I normally am not a fan of black cat x golden retriever dynamics because feelings feel one sided and I don't particularly like grumpy heroines. In fact, I avoid them like the plague but Josie was one of those rare exceptions. Her vulnerability, loneliness and grief just grabs at you and you are rooting for her. She's guarded and standoffish for good reason and greatly misunderstood but she has a soft heart. Seeing her slowly find her confidence again and soak up love and affection that she's starving for was very satisfying to see. I loved this girl so much. She's not bubbly but learns what she likes and gives it back tenfold. She thinks she's not worth anybody's time but she really is and the hero (and her new circle of friends) makes sure she knows her worth. She's only known the cold detachment of a mother who treated her like a nuisance and friends who bailed on her and a boyfriend who treated her like shit. So kindness and sincerity is very hard for Josephine to accept. I love that all Danny wanted to do was be her friend first and make her smile and just be a listening ear. This is very much a strangers -> friends -> lovers romance. Nothing is skipped over. It's the kind of slow burn I liiiiiiive for. He's her champion and while he's very intrigued by her and is falling for her he very much wants to be her friend first and foremost. And which is reason #34567 why Daniel Garcia is book boyfriend material and why I adored him so much. Lord this hero was so loveable and memorable. He's very much a golden retriever and the good guy who puts his own feelings last which breaks your heart given all the grief he's carrying around. I loved that even though the heroine has her walls up she validates his feelings and doesn't push back once feelings are verbalized which is usually the dynamic you get from reverse grumpy x sunshine/black cat x golden retriever trope, which was another surprise for me. Did I mention I like being surprised?
Honestly this book kinda kept me on my toes as there were so many moving parts and places E. Salvador could have taken this and she kept surprising me. You have the 2 conniving ex's who keep sniffing around that made me really nervous they would play a part in the conflict and I'm so glad they didn't. The only conflict is internal, not external. This is very much a comfort love story about finding not just your person but yourself and healing. Both characters are dealing with grief and not handling it well. Josie lost her mother and still coming to terms with it since her mother treated her like an athlete rather than a daughter who needed love. Danny is still grieving over his brother and hiding it from everyone and doing a poor job of facing it. He's struggling with survivor's guilt and gets severe panic attacks. Danny is deathly scared of water and that's where our heroine comes in trying to teach him to swim. Josie, a former Olympian swimmer who quit the swim team is now a swim teacher for kids. I loved how serious yet patient she was about wanting to teach Danny how to swim to protect himself. They respect each others boundaries so well it's really sweet.
There's just so much to immerse yourself with in this book I don't even know where to start. Just to clarify since I'm shit with reviewing books I love, while this does deal with grief this is very much a comfort romance and filled with so many sweet happy moments that have you grinning ear to ear. I loved that both the hero and heroine are athletes. Danny is a shortstop baseball player and captain of his team at his university and hoping to make the MLB once he graduates. Josie is a former Olympic swimmer whose mother was a famous Olympian swimmer. While both Danny and Josie are Latina, the way they were raised and environment they grew up in couldn't be any more different. Danny and his siblings grew up in a loving yet humble home with strict parents who worked hard to put food on the table and ended up starting a successful business selling Mexican bread (their Bakery truck sounded so fun and delicious!). While Josie was raised by a mother who was very bitter about being a single mom and trained her daughter as an athlete rather than a daughter and lived in a fancy seaside house that lacks color or warmth and strict rules to keep it spotless at all times (I'm pretty sure the mother had some kind of OCD complex with how obsessed she was about cleaning). I just wanted to give Josie a hug so bad, you could feel this girl's isolation and loneliness so much. Danny teaching her how to create her own space and decorate her home was great to see. While this does check off tropes we all love to see it didn't feel like a checklist while reading it if that makes sense. The author does a great job of making scenes feel so original, unique and intentional. Salvador really paints the picture and it really helps you dive right into the story and these characters' heads. While I do think this needed another round of editing considering some awkward wording and grammar issues, I am very impressed with the heart, depth and emotions she pulled out.
There were so many faucets of this book that worked for me. From Danny's sweet disposition who wants to make everyone happy from his family to his teammates and best friends but carrying a huge burden and guilt on his shoulders that he's trying very hard to hide. You see the slow cracks and fissures build up over time so the 3rd act conflict that comes to head doesn't feel like a nasty surprise. Also, I was obsessed with the height difference here considering both are tall (6' 5 and 5' 10). I adore Danny's friends/teammates and can't wait to see what E. Salvador has in store for them. Angel, Noah, Kai and Grayson cracked me up and the group text messages was delightful. All these guys are scene stealers. This is the kind of sport romances I love, the teammates camaraderie, the goofy ribbing and just being there for each other. I also appreciated the diversity to the group of guys. Really curious to see who is gonna be paired up with who but I already get a feeling I know who Angel's heroine is if the hints here were anything to go by. Also, the way music is used throughout this book was a great choice and did exactly what I was hoping to get in Rewind It Back which failed catastrophically. This is how you utilize music and songs to invoke memories, nostalgia and feelings. The songs played in the background or mentioned really heightened the emotions, the culture and college party atmosphere. Anyways I've rambled enough, READ THIS BOOK PLEASE.
Trigger warnings:
“I’m so happy you’re here, Josefine.”
Excuse me. I need everyone to read this book right now. If this doesn't make "the best of 2025" lists by the end of the year I will be very surprised. This was an experience. An emotional, sweet, vulnerable, adorable, funny, sexy, angsty, beautiful experience. Did this book make me cry? Yes, yes it did. And I'd do it again. Loved the sports backdrop, the Hispanic representation, the banter, the angst, the bilingual characters (hero also speaks Italian), the character growth, the music playlists, the comfort and healing, the tight-knit Mexican family, the immigrant experience. BASEBALL THIGHS! Iykyk. I could go on. The pining was 10/10, the bantering among the teammates was 10/10, the evolution from tentative friends to "I need you" love was 10/10. This book deals with mental health so just know that before going in. The first chapter is very emotional so check trigger warnings. Josephine Resendiz is struggling badly and in a really bad place when Daniel Garcia finds her on the cliffside on Christmas Eve where he insists on being her friend. They keep running into each other after that and their journey goes from there.
He stares at me like I'm his most prized possession, something delicate, something important to him. And I hate that because I'm not special, yet he makes me feel like I am.
“I care so deeply for you and it’s not because of how we met. I care for you more than I care about anything or anyone. I need you to understand that I’d do anything for you. I need you to understand that I don’t regret what I did and wouldn’t change anything about it.”
“Please stay you. I like your soft heart. You have this thing where you see the good in things. I don't want that to change about you.”
“Say something to me,” I say before he gets the chance to get a word out.
“Sto facendo di tutto per non baciarti in questo momento.”
“I needed this. I needed you,” he murmurs against my chest, the deep rasp of his voice vibrating against me.
“It’s just a hug,” I heedlessly reply.
“A hug that came from you. This is all I wanted.”
“Because, Josefine, you’ve rewired the way I feel touch. Touching anyone that isn’t you feels overwhelming and so wrong. It’s like my brain can’t process that it’s not you. I don’t know how to make sense of that but I don’t want to touch anyone that isn’t you. You’re incomparable.
“You’re a big deal to me, so I’m going to make it one. And I want you to be clingy, just for once, be clingy for me, Jos.”
I normally am not a fan of black cat x golden retriever dynamics because feelings feel one sided and I don't particularly like grumpy heroines. In fact, I avoid them like the plague but Josie was one of those rare exceptions. Her vulnerability, loneliness and grief just grabs at you and you are rooting for her. She's guarded and standoffish for good reason and greatly misunderstood but she has a soft heart. Seeing her slowly find her confidence again and soak up love and affection that she's starving for was very satisfying to see. I loved this girl so much. She's not bubbly but learns what she likes and gives it back tenfold. She thinks she's not worth anybody's time but she really is and the hero (and her new circle of friends) makes sure she knows her worth. She's only known the cold detachment of a mother who treated her like a nuisance and friends who bailed on her and a boyfriend who treated her like shit. So kindness and sincerity is very hard for Josephine to accept. I love that all Danny wanted to do was be her friend first and make her smile and just be a listening ear. This is very much a strangers -> friends -> lovers romance. Nothing is skipped over. It's the kind of slow burn I liiiiiiive for. He's her champion and while he's very intrigued by her and is falling for her he very much wants to be her friend first and foremost. And which is reason #34567 why Daniel Garcia is book boyfriend material and why I adored him so much. Lord this hero was so loveable and memorable. He's very much a golden retriever and the good guy who puts his own feelings last which breaks your heart given all the grief he's carrying around. I loved that even though the heroine has her walls up she validates his feelings and doesn't push back once feelings are verbalized which is usually the dynamic you get from reverse grumpy x sunshine/black cat x golden retriever trope, which was another surprise for me. Did I mention I like being surprised?
He's only staring at me like I'm everything he's prayed for.
Honestly this book kinda kept me on my toes as there were so many moving parts and places E. Salvador could have taken this and she kept surprising me. You have the 2 conniving ex's who keep sniffing around that made me really nervous they would play a part in the conflict and I'm so glad they didn't. The only conflict is internal, not external. This is very much a comfort love story about finding not just your person but yourself and healing. Both characters are dealing with grief and not handling it well. Josie lost her mother and still coming to terms with it since her mother treated her like an athlete rather than a daughter who needed love. Danny is still grieving over his brother and hiding it from everyone and doing a poor job of facing it. He's struggling with survivor's guilt and gets severe panic attacks. Danny is deathly scared of water and that's where our heroine comes in trying to teach him to swim. Josie, a former Olympian swimmer who quit the swim team is now a swim teacher for kids. I loved how serious yet patient she was about wanting to teach Danny how to swim to protect himself. They respect each others boundaries so well it's really sweet.
She gives me an okay sign, her eyes shining with mirth.
Dios, no tengo suficientes palabras para explicar qué tan hermosa es.
“Please, Josefine, just say it once. Only once, that’s all I want. Please say it,” he pleads incessantly and then switches to Spanish. My weakness.
“Por favor dímelo. Nomás una vez. Hago lo que tú quieras.”
There's just so much to immerse yourself with in this book I don't even know where to start. Just to clarify since I'm shit with reviewing books I love, while this does deal with grief this is very much a comfort romance and filled with so many sweet happy moments that have you grinning ear to ear. I loved that both the hero and heroine are athletes. Danny is a shortstop baseball player and captain of his team at his university and hoping to make the MLB once he graduates. Josie is a former Olympic swimmer whose mother was a famous Olympian swimmer. While both Danny and Josie are Latina, the way they were raised and environment they grew up in couldn't be any more different. Danny and his siblings grew up in a loving yet humble home with strict parents who worked hard to put food on the table and ended up starting a successful business selling Mexican bread (their Bakery truck sounded so fun and delicious!). While Josie was raised by a mother who was very bitter about being a single mom and trained her daughter as an athlete rather than a daughter and lived in a fancy seaside house that lacks color or warmth and strict rules to keep it spotless at all times (I'm pretty sure the mother had some kind of OCD complex with how obsessed she was about cleaning). I just wanted to give Josie a hug so bad, you could feel this girl's isolation and loneliness so much. Danny teaching her how to create her own space and decorate her home was great to see. While this does check off tropes we all love to see it didn't feel like a checklist while reading it if that makes sense. The author does a great job of making scenes feel so original, unique and intentional. Salvador really paints the picture and it really helps you dive right into the story and these characters' heads. While I do think this needed another round of editing considering some awkward wording and grammar issues, I am very impressed with the heart, depth and emotions she pulled out.
I cup his cheek, rubbing slow, gentle circles. “You’re not alone, Daniel.” And I’ve never felt more seen. But does he feel seen? “I’m here,” I opt for saying instead of asking.
His eyes have always been so bright; I never noticed the shadow hiding behind them. It feels like a stage lighting tech, who makes sure the spotlight is on everyone, making sure they’re getting enough of it while he stands in the background. The shadows.
There were so many faucets of this book that worked for me. From Danny's sweet disposition who wants to make everyone happy from his family to his teammates and best friends but carrying a huge burden and guilt on his shoulders that he's trying very hard to hide. You see the slow cracks and fissures build up over time so the 3rd act conflict that comes to head doesn't feel like a nasty surprise. Also, I was obsessed with the height difference here considering both are tall (6' 5 and 5' 10). I adore Danny's friends/teammates and can't wait to see what E. Salvador has in store for them. Angel, Noah, Kai and Grayson cracked me up and the group text messages was delightful. All these guys are scene stealers. This is the kind of sport romances I love, the teammates camaraderie, the goofy ribbing and just being there for each other. I also appreciated the diversity to the group of guys. Really curious to see who is gonna be paired up with who but I already get a feeling I know who Angel's heroine is if the hints here were anything to go by. Also, the way music is used throughout this book was a great choice and did exactly what I was hoping to get in Rewind It Back which failed catastrophically. This is how you utilize music and songs to invoke memories, nostalgia and feelings. The songs played in the background or mentioned really heightened the emotions, the culture and college party atmosphere. Anyways I've rambled enough, READ THIS BOOK PLEASE.
“I know fate is real. I know because you exist.”
Trigger warnings:
October 2, 2025
3.75⭐️ Randomly picked this book completely based on the cover, and I was pleasantly surprised!! An extremely deep + emotional romance (with a lot of heavy topics) between two college students Josefine and Daniel. Both struggle a lot with metal health problems: grief, depression, suicidal thoughts, etc., most of the book surrounds these topics.
While I enjoyed the book, the use of mental health carried a lot in the progression of the story. This resulted in a lot of repetitive dialogue and scenes, it was a lot of telling you how the characters feel (over and over and over again) in the same exact words/phrases. It could have been condensed into fewer pages by removing all the repetition. I enjoyed the relationship between the Josefine and Daniel, as well as the friendships/side characters, I just wish there was a little more to the story.
While I enjoyed the book, the use of mental health carried a lot in the progression of the story. This resulted in a lot of repetitive dialogue and scenes, it was a lot of telling you how the characters feel (over and over and over again) in the same exact words/phrases. It could have been condensed into fewer pages by removing all the repetition. I enjoyed the relationship between the Josefine and Daniel, as well as the friendships/side characters, I just wish there was a little more to the story.
October 24, 2025
If you know me you know I’m a sucker for a relatable or emotional read. This was definitely both for me.
The beginning starts off strong and had me hooked, but somewhere in the middle it began to feel a little long and repetitive. However, I REALLY enjoyed the story and what it conveyed. I love that the author dove into grief, the ptsd that it can bring, and even how non-linear healing from it is. I loved that she showed through Daniel how heavy and damaging it can be to always feel like you have to be strong and put together.
Also, the epilogue?! Very cute and makes me wonder which one of Daniel’s friends the next book will be about. Very excited to read more
The beginning starts off strong and had me hooked, but somewhere in the middle it began to feel a little long and repetitive. However, I REALLY enjoyed the story and what it conveyed. I love that the author dove into grief, the ptsd that it can bring, and even how non-linear healing from it is. I loved that she showed through Daniel how heavy and damaging it can be to always feel like you have to be strong and put together.
Also, the epilogue?! Very cute and makes me wonder which one of Daniel’s friends the next book will be about. Very excited to read more
September 20, 2025
absolutely amazing. everything about it.
July 31, 2025
4.75 Stars: Emotional, Heart-Wrenching, and Beautifully Written
This was my first book by E. Salvador and all I can say is wow. The writing is absolutely incredible. If you are picking this up expecting a light, cute, sexy sports romance, let me warn you that you are in for something much heavier, but in the best possible way.
Josie and Daniel completely stole my heart. Both are carrying so many demons, and watching them hit their lowest points and slowly work through the darkness within was both heartbreaking and captivating. There were moments that shattered me and moments that had me smiling through tears. And yes, the spice? Sizzling. I definitely blushed more than once.
What made this book truly special was the balance. Amid all the pain, there were glimmers of joy: laughter, friendship, and raw, vulnerable honesty between the characters. By 82% I was openly sobbing and contemplating sending my therapist straight to the author. These characters and the amazing circle of friends around them are going to stick with me for a long time.
If you want a beautifully written, emotional, and unforgettable story, Please Don’t Go is one to add to your TBR immediately.
This was my first book by E. Salvador and all I can say is wow. The writing is absolutely incredible. If you are picking this up expecting a light, cute, sexy sports romance, let me warn you that you are in for something much heavier, but in the best possible way.
Josie and Daniel completely stole my heart. Both are carrying so many demons, and watching them hit their lowest points and slowly work through the darkness within was both heartbreaking and captivating. There were moments that shattered me and moments that had me smiling through tears. And yes, the spice? Sizzling. I definitely blushed more than once.
What made this book truly special was the balance. Amid all the pain, there were glimmers of joy: laughter, friendship, and raw, vulnerable honesty between the characters. By 82% I was openly sobbing and contemplating sending my therapist straight to the author. These characters and the amazing circle of friends around them are going to stick with me for a long time.
If you want a beautifully written, emotional, and unforgettable story, Please Don’t Go is one to add to your TBR immediately.
August 19, 2025
i think this book had potential but just wasn’t written very well? truly the sentence formatting in a lot of the book was 🫠 and phrases were repeated over and over to make the point instead of implying the point 😔 did not love this 1.5/5
August 10, 2025
— ARC Review : 5 stars ✰
spice level : 3.5/5 🌶️
- tropes :
⚾️ baseball player x ex-swimmer
🩶 mental health rep
🌙 black cat x golden retriever
🛏️ roommates
⋆˚࿔ i've always enjoyed e. salvador's books so far and this one didn’t disappoint me. in fact i feel like it’s different from her other books. this book deals with heavy and sensitive topics that could be triggering to some readers but i believe the author handled them well.
“Grief…never gets easier. It keeps evolving and all you can do is adapt to it because it’s always going to be there.”
: ̗̀➛ josie – i really appreciated her character development. she was struggling with the death of her mother, mommy issues and the feeling of being alone, lonely and empty. to make things worse, her boyfriend cheated on her and belittled her. when she met daniel, she slowly got better. not because of him alone but because she also helped herself heal and opened up more.
: ̗̀➛ daniel – the golden retriever. my favorite character. my new book boyfriend. he truly took care of josie out of love, not pity. he was also struggling with the death of his brother and blamed himself deep down eventhough he never showed it to anyone. yet, he always showed up for everyone else. i feel like this kind of behavior is very realistic to how some people cope in real life.
the author did a great job writing this book especially in showing each character’s development. from struggling with their issues to slowly opening up to help and becoming better. it felt genuine and of course i’m not forgetting the romance! it was a slow burn but realistic and i could truly feel the emotional connection between these two, not just pure lust. the spice scenes were just great like i was shocked reading how josie and daniel were sooo into it HAHA and i enjoyed them very much.
Thank you to E. Salvador for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
⊹˚₊‧───────────────‧₊˚⊹
𖤐.ᐟ pre-read:
my first arc from e. salvador (and hopefully more to come). i’ve loved all her books so far so for me to get this arc feels like a dream come true! <3
spice level : 3.5/5 🌶️
- tropes :
⚾️ baseball player x ex-swimmer
🩶 mental health rep
🌙 black cat x golden retriever
🛏️ roommates
⋆˚࿔ i've always enjoyed e. salvador's books so far and this one didn’t disappoint me. in fact i feel like it’s different from her other books. this book deals with heavy and sensitive topics that could be triggering to some readers but i believe the author handled them well.
“Grief…never gets easier. It keeps evolving and all you can do is adapt to it because it’s always going to be there.”
: ̗̀➛ josie – i really appreciated her character development. she was struggling with the death of her mother, mommy issues and the feeling of being alone, lonely and empty. to make things worse, her boyfriend cheated on her and belittled her. when she met daniel, she slowly got better. not because of him alone but because she also helped herself heal and opened up more.
: ̗̀➛ daniel – the golden retriever. my favorite character. my new book boyfriend. he truly took care of josie out of love, not pity. he was also struggling with the death of his brother and blamed himself deep down eventhough he never showed it to anyone. yet, he always showed up for everyone else. i feel like this kind of behavior is very realistic to how some people cope in real life.
the author did a great job writing this book especially in showing each character’s development. from struggling with their issues to slowly opening up to help and becoming better. it felt genuine and of course i’m not forgetting the romance! it was a slow burn but realistic and i could truly feel the emotional connection between these two, not just pure lust. the spice scenes were just great like i was shocked reading how josie and daniel were sooo into it HAHA and i enjoyed them very much.
Thank you to E. Salvador for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
⊹˚₊‧───────────────‧₊˚⊹
𖤐.ᐟ pre-read:
my first arc from e. salvador (and hopefully more to come). i’ve loved all her books so far so for me to get this arc feels like a dream come true! <3
August 31, 2025
This was good. It was more insta love than I was hoping for. I literally saw a review that said this is slow burn… LIAR! 🤥 I wanted more substance over intimacy scenes + it was a little repetitive on the mental health talk, too. BUT… I didn’t have a bad time and I’ll definitely keep my eye out for books to follow in this series. The side characters were great!
Also big F U to Bryson!!
Also big F U to Bryson!!
November 1, 2025
🖇️
finished 06/10:
i feel like this book is going to be one of my favorite books this year 🥹
i cried, i laughed and i really really loved danny and josie! they are so precious and they deserve the world, i honestly can’t wait to read more books by e. salvador cause her writing is immaculate 🙌🏼
🧩
started 25/09:
i hear so many good things about this book, so i’m hoping i enjoy it too
i’m so ready for this book to shatter my heart ❤️🩹
i feel like this book is going to be one of my favorite books this year 🥹
i cried, i laughed and i really really loved danny and josie! they are so precious and they deserve the world, i honestly can’t wait to read more books by e. salvador cause her writing is immaculate 🙌🏼
🧩
i hear so many good things about this book, so i’m hoping i enjoy it too
i’m so ready for this book to shatter my heart ❤️🩹
October 8, 2025
I was going to dissect this book in details butttt I am not gonna bother. I'll just point out what I liked and what I didn’t.
This is my first time reading an E. Salvador book and I have to admit, I like her writing.
What I loved about this book:
1. Their traumas, and the fact that the author took her time addressing the issues and making them seek help and even when the book is over they're still not miraculously cured because let's be honest, these issues take time and I admire how the author handled that.
2. The little things they did for each other (their love language), especially his post it notes, the fact that she opens up to him and invites him to be her roomate, him cooking for her, teaching him swimming...
3. Her smiles cause fireworks in his chest. Every. Single. Time.
4. Their love story is beautiful. It's emotional. It's bumpy. It's anything but perfect yet perfectly makes sense.
5. The third act breakup brought me to my knees. My heart was broken into smithereens.
What I didn’t like:
1. The language. God it's vulgar! The way they talk amongst each other. The fact that the first half of the book while the MCs were healing each other, their friends kept pushing them to "f*ck already"! It made me grit my teeth almost to dust.
2. The fact that all men in this book are manwhores and the women are very sexually loose and experienced is not something I like to read about.
The MMC had a threesome before the story began but of course he was cheered and applauded by his best friend and though the MFC grimaced when the women implicated were blatantly discussing that night in front of her, she merely asked him if it was true to which he didn't answer, she apologised for asking and then that was that. Crass!
3. He was with his ex girlfriend for over a year and he was fine and even cared about her but when he got together with the MFC, he all but pulls the "I am not good enough for her" card! 🤔🤔
The first part was ok-ish (because of the points I hated mentioned above): 2 🌟
The second part was a resounding 5 🌟
Needless to say, I will not continue the series.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
“Here’s the thing, and listen to me closely…” I cup her jaw with both hands, staring at her red, tearfilled eyes. “When I said I like you, I didn’t say that for the hell of it. When I said I like you, I meant I like every version of you. That includes all the moments whether they’re good or bad. That means all your little expressions, all your dry snarky comments, all your smiles, laughs, and everything that comes from you. I like it all, Josefine. I know it’s hard for you to open up. I know it’s scary and I know this is probably a lot for you, but I am here and as long as you want me in your life, I’m not going anywhere. So…” I bring my lips to her forehead and kiss it but let them linger there. “I’ll give you a moment. Take your time. I have forever.”
“Another day without you and it REALLY sucks. I hope you know, if you decide to take me back (and I’m going to work my ass to make that happen), I’ll never let go of you. I shouldn’t have lost you in the first place. I really hate myself for that and I hate what I said. I didn’t mean it. I swear, I didn’t. But I don’t regret begging and getting on my knees for you. I’ll do it again (you know I’ve never been opposed to begging). I miss your face. I really miss holding you. I miss your voice. I miss your smile. I never told you this, but these tiny fireworks always go off in my chest when I see you smile. I can visualize them being shot up, making that little whistle like
noise all while getting really excited about it happening. And when I lock in on your lips, they go off. That’s just what your smile does. I’ll leave what your brown eyes do to me for another day. I’m so happy you’re here!
With A LOT of LOVE, Garcia
Ticking another Fall/Winter 🍁❄️ Bingo square:
10) "Yellow Cover"
🔴 | 05 | 30 | 21 | 15 | 20
34 | 09 | 31 | 04 | 25 | 26
19 | 08 | 13 | 31 | 17 | 35
07 | 🔴 | 12 | 🔴 | 04 | 02
27 | 36 | 28 | 23 | 29 | 11
22 | 33 | 18 | 32 | 06 | 16
This is my first time reading an E. Salvador book and I have to admit, I like her writing.
What I loved about this book:
1. Their traumas, and the fact that the author took her time addressing the issues and making them seek help and even when the book is over they're still not miraculously cured because let's be honest, these issues take time and I admire how the author handled that.
2. The little things they did for each other (their love language), especially his post it notes, the fact that she opens up to him and invites him to be her roomate, him cooking for her, teaching him swimming...
3. Her smiles cause fireworks in his chest. Every. Single. Time.
4. Their love story is beautiful. It's emotional. It's bumpy. It's anything but perfect yet perfectly makes sense.
5. The third act breakup brought me to my knees. My heart was broken into smithereens.
What I didn’t like:
1. The language. God it's vulgar! The way they talk amongst each other. The fact that the first half of the book while the MCs were healing each other, their friends kept pushing them to "f*ck already"! It made me grit my teeth almost to dust.
2. The fact that all men in this book are manwhores and the women are very sexually loose and experienced is not something I like to read about.
The MMC had a threesome before the story began but of course he was cheered and applauded by his best friend and though the MFC grimaced when the women implicated were blatantly discussing that night in front of her, she merely asked him if it was true to which he didn't answer, she apologised for asking and then that was that. Crass!
3. He was with his ex girlfriend for over a year and he was fine and even cared about her but when he got together with the MFC, he all but pulls the "I am not good enough for her" card! 🤔🤔
The first part was ok-ish (because of the points I hated mentioned above): 2 🌟
The second part was a resounding 5 🌟
Needless to say, I will not continue the series.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
“Here’s the thing, and listen to me closely…” I cup her jaw with both hands, staring at her red, tearfilled eyes. “When I said I like you, I didn’t say that for the hell of it. When I said I like you, I meant I like every version of you. That includes all the moments whether they’re good or bad. That means all your little expressions, all your dry snarky comments, all your smiles, laughs, and everything that comes from you. I like it all, Josefine. I know it’s hard for you to open up. I know it’s scary and I know this is probably a lot for you, but I am here and as long as you want me in your life, I’m not going anywhere. So…” I bring my lips to her forehead and kiss it but let them linger there. “I’ll give you a moment. Take your time. I have forever.”
“Another day without you and it REALLY sucks. I hope you know, if you decide to take me back (and I’m going to work my ass to make that happen), I’ll never let go of you. I shouldn’t have lost you in the first place. I really hate myself for that and I hate what I said. I didn’t mean it. I swear, I didn’t. But I don’t regret begging and getting on my knees for you. I’ll do it again (you know I’ve never been opposed to begging). I miss your face. I really miss holding you. I miss your voice. I miss your smile. I never told you this, but these tiny fireworks always go off in my chest when I see you smile. I can visualize them being shot up, making that little whistle like
noise all while getting really excited about it happening. And when I lock in on your lips, they go off. That’s just what your smile does. I’ll leave what your brown eyes do to me for another day. I’m so happy you’re here!
With A LOT of LOVE, Garcia
Ticking another Fall/Winter 🍁❄️ Bingo square:
10) "Yellow Cover"
🔴 | 05 | 30 | 21 | 15 | 20
34 | 09 | 31 | 04 | 25 | 26
19 | 08 | 13 | 31 | 17 | 35
07 | 🔴 | 12 | 🔴 | 04 | 02
27 | 36 | 28 | 23 | 29 | 11
22 | 33 | 18 | 32 | 06 | 16
September 9, 2025
ARC review
This is the first book I've read by the author, and I had a great time! I was amazed by her ability to make us feel the characters' emotions in a deep way. I'm not used to reading books with such strong themes.
The characters are very well developed. I was immediately touched by Josie and Danny. They seem very different: he's a social butterfly, she thinks she invisible but they share a common pain that inevitably draws them together. They weren't happy but they eventually find light amidst their dark thoughts. They communicate even when it's difficult and care for each other without judgment.
Danny hides a lot behind his big smile. He analyzes things, a little too much but I loved how he pays attention to Josie, to so many little details. His family story broke my heart. I immediately liked Josie. Some parts of her reminded me of myself. She feels empty and Daniel will do everything he can to fill that lack. He didn't give up on her a single moment. She puts up a lot of barriers, doesn't allow herself to love because she thinks she doesn't deserve it. She speaks quite harshly about herself. Despite all that, she knows how to assert herself and I really liked that. Seeing her gradually build friendships with others was so beautiful to read.
I just found the ending a bit long for me. I think it could have been shorter because there was some repetition.
This is the first book I've read by the author, and I had a great time! I was amazed by her ability to make us feel the characters' emotions in a deep way. I'm not used to reading books with such strong themes.
The characters are very well developed. I was immediately touched by Josie and Danny. They seem very different: he's a social butterfly, she thinks she invisible but they share a common pain that inevitably draws them together. They weren't happy but they eventually find light amidst their dark thoughts. They communicate even when it's difficult and care for each other without judgment.
Danny hides a lot behind his big smile. He analyzes things, a little too much but I loved how he pays attention to Josie, to so many little details. His family story broke my heart. I immediately liked Josie. Some parts of her reminded me of myself. She feels empty and Daniel will do everything he can to fill that lack. He didn't give up on her a single moment. She puts up a lot of barriers, doesn't allow herself to love because she thinks she doesn't deserve it. She speaks quite harshly about herself. Despite all that, she knows how to assert herself and I really liked that. Seeing her gradually build friendships with others was so beautiful to read.
I just found the ending a bit long for me. I think it could have been shorter because there was some repetition.
August 17, 2025
DNF on 50%
It is just soooo boring
I expected so much more after reading two books by E. Salvador before
It is just soooo boring
I expected so much more after reading two books by E. Salvador before
August 26, 2025
I’ve got to stop letting tik tok recommend me romance books
August 15, 2025
this hurt REAL bad
October 18, 2025
This was a really great love story. I don't even remember how I came across this book but I am glad I did. This starts off heavy and has some dark moments throughout the book. I did feel about 3/4 away in, that it got a bit too slow burn and very repetitive. It did start to pick up shortly after.
4.25 stars 🌟
4.25 stars 🌟
August 11, 2025
yeah…I’m never gonna move on from this book
this book made me feel every emotion, these characters were so real and flawed and beautiful, I love them so freaking much
I have loved every book I’ve read of E. Salvador’s but this is definitely my fav, this is an all time fav read of mine now
this book deals with some pretty heavy topics so definitely check tw’s before reading, but I highly recommend!!!
I loved these two characters separately and together, they were little each other’s missing puzzle piece
I sobbed like a baby, their love story is just so beautiful and I feel like I can’t accurately describe how much I love this book because I’m still processing it, it’s perfection in my eyes, 10/10 can’t recommend it enough
this book made me feel every emotion, these characters were so real and flawed and beautiful, I love them so freaking much
I have loved every book I’ve read of E. Salvador’s but this is definitely my fav, this is an all time fav read of mine now
this book deals with some pretty heavy topics so definitely check tw’s before reading, but I highly recommend!!!
I loved these two characters separately and together, they were little each other’s missing puzzle piece
I sobbed like a baby, their love story is just so beautiful and I feel like I can’t accurately describe how much I love this book because I’m still processing it, it’s perfection in my eyes, 10/10 can’t recommend it enough
August 26, 2025
these two make my chest ache. i can't wait for angel's book
September 27, 2025
my favorite romance ive ever read and it’s not close
Want to read
August 21, 2025One night stand but couldn’t-stop-thinking-about-you? Oh YES 🙌 btw this cover?? OMGG
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