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Cracks Duet #2
How the Light Gets In
He came back to me 16 minutes and 59 seconds into Beethoven’s Symphony no. 7.
We parted amid tragedy, so it seemed poetic. Dylan O’Dea, my childhood sweetheart, had once meant everything to me. Now we were strangers, and honestly, after eleven years I never thought I’d see him again.
I lived in the world of the average, of getting paid by the hour and budgeting to make ends meet. But Dylan, he lived in the world of wealth and success. He’d achieved the great things I always suspected he would. The dissatisfaction he’d felt as a teenager had obviously been an excellent motivator.
He started a business from scratch, pioneered a brand, and created perfumes adored by women across the globe. I was just one of the people who’d been there before. Now he was living his best life in the after.
And me, well, I’d been in a dark place for a while. Slowly but surely, I was letting the light back in, but there was something missing. I was an unfinished sentence with an ellipsis at the end. And maybe, if I was brave enough to take the chance, Dylan could be my happy ending.
How the Light Gets In is Book #2 and the concluding instalment in L.H. Cosway’s Cracks duet.
We parted amid tragedy, so it seemed poetic. Dylan O’Dea, my childhood sweetheart, had once meant everything to me. Now we were strangers, and honestly, after eleven years I never thought I’d see him again.
I lived in the world of the average, of getting paid by the hour and budgeting to make ends meet. But Dylan, he lived in the world of wealth and success. He’d achieved the great things I always suspected he would. The dissatisfaction he’d felt as a teenager had obviously been an excellent motivator.
He started a business from scratch, pioneered a brand, and created perfumes adored by women across the globe. I was just one of the people who’d been there before. Now he was living his best life in the after.
And me, well, I’d been in a dark place for a while. Slowly but surely, I was letting the light back in, but there was something missing. I was an unfinished sentence with an ellipsis at the end. And maybe, if I was brave enough to take the chance, Dylan could be my happy ending.
How the Light Gets In is Book #2 and the concluding instalment in L.H. Cosway’s Cracks duet.
244 pages, ebook
First published February 6, 2018
About the author
L.H. Cosway
55 books5,771 followersL.H. Cosway lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.
She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LHCosway
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LHCosway
Mailing List: https://lhcoswayauthor.com/newsletter/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lhcosway13/
Website: www.lhcoswayauthor.com
She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LHCosway
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LHCosway
Mailing List: https://lhcoswayauthor.com/newsletter/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lhcosway13/
Website: www.lhcoswayauthor.com
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February 10, 2018
“I don’t really want tea,” he murmured.
“What do you want?” I asked shakily.
“You,” he replied.
The conclusion to the cracks duet continued to hold my heart in its hands. A beautiful story filled with beautiful people and a broken love trying to fix its cracks.
A timeless love story that can be appreciated for different things by different people, give Dylan and Evelyn a chance, they won't disappoint.
____________
the flower doesn't dream of the bee
With more reasons that one, this story reminds me of the movie La La Land. The bittersweet feeling of finding yourself whilst finding love, all with the passing simplicities of life bring this book to life. I salute the other with the way she can string normalities and the mundane limits of life into a feeling of nostalgia and reminiscing both childhood love and finding your soul mate.
I want to state that even though there was a significant time jump, we got to see the characters mature with their voices and personality. We also got closure on some other characters so the remaining questions from book 1 are all answered in one way or another. I enjoyed reading about how the two main characters (Dylan and Evelyn) had key aspects that the reader could correlate to them as children and that's what made the story all the more realistic.
it blossoms
Love is a messy, colossal thing. It changes people, it leaves scars and it leaves dark clouds over peoples once cheery auras. This book shows that so well, and it is one of the first contemporary romances that has ever addressed that love isn't all sunshine and butterflies and strawberries and unicorn shits. It shows how a person can change by falling in love, in both positive and negative ways.
I do want to state the slight something that didn't allow this to be a five star read, and that was personally, I found the dialogue and the monologue of the characters to be a bit cliche at times. This was only a small aspect but at times, it got me wishing it could have been dropped altogether.
On another note, we got to see mature Dylan *eyebrow wiggles* and you know what that means ladies and gents! It means we got a whole lot more sexy and the adult in new adult ;) In all honesty though, I loved how both characters matured and the author didn't paint them in a harsh light, but in reality. They were shown to be older with the way they approached subjects, the way they looked etc.
and the bee comes.
The writing in this book was beautiful, and once again - there were times when simple words took my breath away. Also, after this book I'm pretty sure I will never look at perfume the same again. And next time I go out shopping for a 'new scent', you better bet your ass on my explaining all about the top, middle and bottom notes.
This book taught me a lot of things. It taught me to never let someone else define you, and to define yourself primarily. Although this is one of the most cringiest and cliche things that can ever be said. In all ways, it's true. More people need to know this, and a lot of people do. But, I fell for the way they found each other through finding themselves.
Sometimes the world isn't going to give you what you want, sometimes you have to fight for it. There are ugly things out there and sometimes there isn't a lot we can do about it. But it's the little things that count.
“What do you want?” I asked shakily.
“You,” he replied.
The conclusion to the cracks duet continued to hold my heart in its hands. A beautiful story filled with beautiful people and a broken love trying to fix its cracks.
A timeless love story that can be appreciated for different things by different people, give Dylan and Evelyn a chance, they won't disappoint.
____________
the flower doesn't dream of the bee
With more reasons that one, this story reminds me of the movie La La Land. The bittersweet feeling of finding yourself whilst finding love, all with the passing simplicities of life bring this book to life. I salute the other with the way she can string normalities and the mundane limits of life into a feeling of nostalgia and reminiscing both childhood love and finding your soul mate.
"There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in."
I want to state that even though there was a significant time jump, we got to see the characters mature with their voices and personality. We also got closure on some other characters so the remaining questions from book 1 are all answered in one way or another. I enjoyed reading about how the two main characters (Dylan and Evelyn) had key aspects that the reader could correlate to them as children and that's what made the story all the more realistic.
“I missed you,” he went on sadly. “For so long I’ve missed you.”
it blossoms
““It’s always only been you. It only ever will be.”
Love is a messy, colossal thing. It changes people, it leaves scars and it leaves dark clouds over peoples once cheery auras. This book shows that so well, and it is one of the first contemporary romances that has ever addressed that love isn't all sunshine and butterflies and strawberries and unicorn shits. It shows how a person can change by falling in love, in both positive and negative ways.
I do want to state the slight something that didn't allow this to be a five star read, and that was personally, I found the dialogue and the monologue of the characters to be a bit cliche at times. This was only a small aspect but at times, it got me wishing it could have been dropped altogether.
"I wasn’t ready to say goodnight. When it came to Dylan, I’d never been ready to say goodnight."
On another note, we got to see mature Dylan *eyebrow wiggles* and you know what that means ladies and gents! It means we got a whole lot more sexy and the adult in new adult ;) In all honesty though, I loved how both characters matured and the author didn't paint them in a harsh light, but in reality. They were shown to be older with the way they approached subjects, the way they looked etc.
"He cast me an amused look. “You’re in a sassy mood tonight.” He moved closer, his lips at my ear when he breathed. “Maybe later I’ll fuck it out of you.”
and the bee comes.
“You’ve been mine since the beginning of time, Ev."
The writing in this book was beautiful, and once again - there were times when simple words took my breath away. Also, after this book I'm pretty sure I will never look at perfume the same again. And next time I go out shopping for a 'new scent', you better bet your ass on my explaining all about the top, middle and bottom notes.
"Everything had been so wonderfully effortless between us, so perfect that we’d ruined each other for anyone else."
This book taught me a lot of things. It taught me to never let someone else define you, and to define yourself primarily. Although this is one of the most cringiest and cliche things that can ever be said. In all ways, it's true. More people need to know this, and a lot of people do. But, I fell for the way they found each other through finding themselves.
Sometimes the world isn't going to give you what you want, sometimes you have to fight for it. There are ugly things out there and sometimes there isn't a lot we can do about it. But it's the little things that count.
"I didn’t hate the world. I didn’t see the cracks. I saw all the beautiful, flawed and wonderful parts that held them all together."
February 2, 2021
4 Stars!
... A heart filling romance.
Note: This is a second chance romance.
Dylan and Evelyn were so adorable together. I absolutely loved them. So fucking much. I idolized their relationship. It was simple, sweet, and endless. My perfect type.
We met Dylan and Evelyn in the first book as teenagers who aspired to have a better life. They experienced severe hardships and I adored them because their love for each other never ceased. But when tragedies and responsibilities arose, was their love alone enough to never rip them apart?
The sequel started 11 years after they ended their relationship. Dylan now has his own company of perfumes. It was the business he planned to create since he was a teenager. Each perfume he created was inspired by Evelyn. The girl who taught him to live, to love, and to never stop reaching his dreams.
Evelyn recently moved from Dublin to New York City to work as a bartender that was offered to her by her aunt, Yvonne. Yvonne happened to bump into Dylan who too has perfume boutique in the city. They finally met again. And Dylan, he never once thought of letting Evelyn go ever again.
My only problem with this one is the timeframe. It is a tad too long for my liking and it did not much contribute to the plot at all. But other than that, we're clear.
Loved this duet. I highly recommend this!
... A heart filling romance.
Note: This is a second chance romance.
Dylan and Evelyn were so adorable together. I absolutely loved them. So fucking much. I idolized their relationship. It was simple, sweet, and endless. My perfect type.
We met Dylan and Evelyn in the first book as teenagers who aspired to have a better life. They experienced severe hardships and I adored them because their love for each other never ceased. But when tragedies and responsibilities arose, was their love alone enough to never rip them apart?
The sequel started 11 years after they ended their relationship. Dylan now has his own company of perfumes. It was the business he planned to create since he was a teenager. Each perfume he created was inspired by Evelyn. The girl who taught him to live, to love, and to never stop reaching his dreams.
“I can only see my dreams clearly when I look through you first."
Evelyn recently moved from Dublin to New York City to work as a bartender that was offered to her by her aunt, Yvonne. Yvonne happened to bump into Dylan who too has perfume boutique in the city. They finally met again. And Dylan, he never once thought of letting Evelyn go ever again.
“You’ve been mine since the beginning of time,"
My only problem with this one is the timeframe. It is a tad too long for my liking and it did not much contribute to the plot at all. But other than that, we're clear.
Loved this duet. I highly recommend this!
September 30, 2018
Only this time ... I didn’t see the cracks.
Please note: This is book two of a duet, in which book one ended on a cliffhanger. If you have not yet read “A Crack In Everything,” you may not want to read any further.
Dylan and Evelyn are now adults, as eleven years have passed since book one, and I am still completely in love with these two characters. Their chemistry is delectable.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Dylan got even more adorable, more swoonier. He officially has been placed on my ‘book boyfriend’ shelf. I can tell you that shelf is looking mighty fine!
Evelyn, well let’s just say, she needed a kick in the behind, but still as humorous as ever.
I would have loved a bit more drama in their relationship this time around, as I live for angst, but found the storyline to be utterly enjoyable and just as beautiful!
"Each perfume I've created was inspired by you, Ev. Synaesthesia is you in the morning, when you've just woken up. Wildflower is you when you dance. E. V. is you when you smile. Limerence is how I love you. And Hiraeth is ....
Gah, upon gah!! You need to read for yourself what Hiraeth stands for in Dylan's life. It will melt your heart and turn you into a pile of pure mush!
February 10, 2018
*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
The way he looked at me was all-consuming. Most people could only dream of being looked at in such a way. And there he was right in front of me, his eyes telling me I could have him if only I was brave enough to reach out and take. He made me weak. He made me want. Every part of me fizzled with the need to feel his touch, to touch him.
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN picks up eleven years after where the first installment ends. YES. ELEVEN YEARS!! I may have screamed and cried a bit!! Oh, so much time lost for our Hero and Heroine. You could feel just how much in love this couple was and for them to lose over a decade of being in each other’s universe felt like the biggest travesty!
Evelyn is twenty-nine and has been living in New York with her Aunt Yvonne for two months. After her Gran passed away, there was nothing left for Ev in Ireland, and her Aunt convinced her to come to New York. Yvonne sets Ev up with a bartending job at a restaurant she manages. Eleven years after her tragic loss, Ev still has lost the joyous and carefree soul that used to reside within her. She has been wandering aimlessly through life, but she’s in for a shock when Yvonne invites an unexpected guest for dinner…Dylan! She’s completely stunned, and a little embarrassed by how her life has turned out because Dylan pursued his dreams and has become a highly successful entrepreneur. His fragrance line is sold all over the world at his chain of high-end fragrance boutiques.
She tries to keep Dylan at a distance, but the man is determined more than ever to have her back in his life. He lost her twice and there’s no way he’s letting Ev slip through his fingers again. Every time they are together you can almost feel his adoration pouring out from the pages of the book. I fell even harder for Dylan. What I couldn’t understand was why Ev kept trying to fight it and why at times she almost seemed resentful, when she was the one that sent him away all those years ago. I wanted a Heroine that was more deserving of his love.
Here are my overall ratings on the book:
Heroes: 5
Heroine: 3.5
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4.5
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN releases on February 6th!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2GfvMmO
iBooks: https://apple.co/2n9grg1
Nook: http://bit.ly/2n9RWyf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2F9klMf
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
The way he looked at me was all-consuming. Most people could only dream of being looked at in such a way. And there he was right in front of me, his eyes telling me I could have him if only I was brave enough to reach out and take. He made me weak. He made me want. Every part of me fizzled with the need to feel his touch, to touch him.
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN picks up eleven years after where the first installment ends. YES. ELEVEN YEARS!! I may have screamed and cried a bit!! Oh, so much time lost for our Hero and Heroine. You could feel just how much in love this couple was and for them to lose over a decade of being in each other’s universe felt like the biggest travesty!
Evelyn is twenty-nine and has been living in New York with her Aunt Yvonne for two months. After her Gran passed away, there was nothing left for Ev in Ireland, and her Aunt convinced her to come to New York. Yvonne sets Ev up with a bartending job at a restaurant she manages. Eleven years after her tragic loss, Ev still has lost the joyous and carefree soul that used to reside within her. She has been wandering aimlessly through life, but she’s in for a shock when Yvonne invites an unexpected guest for dinner…Dylan! She’s completely stunned, and a little embarrassed by how her life has turned out because Dylan pursued his dreams and has become a highly successful entrepreneur. His fragrance line is sold all over the world at his chain of high-end fragrance boutiques.
She tries to keep Dylan at a distance, but the man is determined more than ever to have her back in his life. He lost her twice and there’s no way he’s letting Ev slip through his fingers again. Every time they are together you can almost feel his adoration pouring out from the pages of the book. I fell even harder for Dylan. What I couldn’t understand was why Ev kept trying to fight it and why at times she almost seemed resentful, when she was the one that sent him away all those years ago. I wanted a Heroine that was more deserving of his love.
Here are my overall ratings on the book:
Heroes: 5
Heroine: 3.5
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4.5
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN releases on February 6th!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2GfvMmO
iBooks: https://apple.co/2n9grg1
Nook: http://bit.ly/2n9RWyf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2F9klMf
February 8, 2018
Beautiful ending, hated the wasted time. 11 years — yes that’s right, 11 years Dylan went without having his Ev. That was hard for me but.....
However, I was able to fall in love with Dylan O’Dea again, and this time it was just as beautiful. Watching Dylan and Ev fall in love again, or more or less reconnect and get to know each other in this new life, was breathtaking. Dylan was every bit of wonderful and even more charming in this edition of the duet. Evelyn on the other hand has gone through some changes and has just recently moved to America to join her Aunt and almost instantly gets thrown back into her past with Dylan.
“Here was a man who had once been a boy, who had once stolen my heart, who had once been my whole entire world. Now we were virtual strangers.”
Can Dylan and Ev get back what they lost, can they restore their love and faith in each other, or has the 11 year separation been just too much to overcome? Maybe starting over will be enough, or maybe not??
I love this author’s writing, I may have not liked the separation time, but this author definitely makes it work
.
However, I was able to fall in love with Dylan O’Dea again, and this time it was just as beautiful. Watching Dylan and Ev fall in love again, or more or less reconnect and get to know each other in this new life, was breathtaking. Dylan was every bit of wonderful and even more charming in this edition of the duet. Evelyn on the other hand has gone through some changes and has just recently moved to America to join her Aunt and almost instantly gets thrown back into her past with Dylan.
“Here was a man who had once been a boy, who had once stolen my heart, who had once been my whole entire world. Now we were virtual strangers.”
Can Dylan and Ev get back what they lost, can they restore their love and faith in each other, or has the 11 year separation been just too much to overcome? Maybe starting over will be enough, or maybe not??
I love this author’s writing, I may have not liked the separation time, but this author definitely makes it work
.
October 7, 2020
4.25 stars
How the Light Gets In was a truly stunning second chance romance about a couple that was meant to be. The conclusion to Dylan and Evelyn’s love story was beautiful. This one was low angst, emotional, heartwarming, and steamy. I loved it lots.
"Everything had been so wonderfully effortless between us, so perfect that we’d ruined each other for anyone else.”
How the Light Gets In was a truly stunning second chance romance about a couple that was meant to be. The conclusion to Dylan and Evelyn’s love story was beautiful. This one was low angst, emotional, heartwarming, and steamy. I loved it lots.
October Audible Escape listen #7
Rating: 4.25 stars
Genre: Romance
Narrator: K.C. Sheridan
Length: 5 hours and 46 minutes
February 2, 2018
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
"There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen
Eleven years after Evelyn let Dylan go she still hasn't found equilibrium. The heartbreaking event in her teenage years has hardened her, gone is the sunny girl who could light up the room with her personality. In her stead we find a closed off, world-weary Evelyn. Until coincidence brings Dylan back into her life. Both of them now in New York, they fumble to fuse the broken strings of their once tight-knit young love.
Dylan is now the producer of his own perfume and a successful businessman. His wealth hasn't changed him and he still looks at Evelyn with starry eyes. I have no words for how perfect, how sweet, wonderful, endearing and amazing he is. His love for Evelyn, even after such a long time, is in every word, in every gesture and I was hoping that Evelyn would sort herself out soon.
I saw the stark, blatant honesty in his words and mourned for all the time we’d lost. Mourned because I had been lost in mourning. We both had been. He had to leave when he did. I had to stay when he left. Our paths diverged, first one, then two.
Unfortunately, old habits die hard, she is locked up in her little world of gloom and it takes Dylan a lot of gentle and loving prodding to get her out of the funk. His infinite patience with her was nothing short of astounding.
Evelyn has left Ireland to live with her aunt after her gran died and she had nothing left in Dublin. She works at the bar her aunt manages and has given up growing flowers. The color has left her life on that horrible day eleven years ago. Little by little and with Dylan's tender love and care, his open affection she first finds fragments and then bigger pieces of herself. It was so good to see her coming back into her old self.
I loved Dylan and Evelyn's connection. They had such a solid friendship, their banter underscored it. I was so rooting for them. And oh my, Dylan was sexy as sin and temptation personified. How Evelyn resisted his loving and sensual onslaught, I have no idea. He is one of the most romantic characters I've every read about. His sweet gestures killed me. Every. Time.
“Each perfume I’ve create was inspired by you, Ev. Synaesthesia is you in the morning, when you’ve just woken up. Wildflower is you when you dance. E.V is you when you smile. Limerence is how I love you. And Hiraeth is how I’ve felt for eleven years without you in my life.”
HOW THE LIGHT COMES IN is a satisfying conclusion to this duet. In my opinion this is L.H. Cosway's best work so far, at least out of those I've read. The language is wonderfully lyrical yet modern, fitting the main characters' creative talents.
The scent was . . . sophisticated where once there’d been the naivety of a novice. It was . . . glorious, sumptuous, a medley of wonder.
Both installments are strong in their own way. The first has the foreboding of things to come and enhances the quality of the love all of the characters feel for each other. The second has the angst of unrequited love although we all know it has always been there for both the hero and heroine. Both installments together are a supremely emotional, sublime, exceptional, even a little life-changing story that will leave a lasting impression. I have no idea what to do with myself at the moment - I know that these books will stay with me for a long time.
I glanced at the man beside me and fell in love even deeper, because he’d flicked the switch. He’d turned on the light bulb in my mind, shown me a new way of thinking just like he did when we were teenagers. Only this time, I didn’t hate the world. I didn’t see the cracks. I saw all the beautiful, flawed and wonderful parts that held them all together.
Thank you, Ms. Cosway, for sharing your wonderful talent and Dylan and Evelyn with us, thanks for giving me the chance to read this wonderful duet.
January 26, 2018
3.5 stars
This novel was just such a light, breezy, charming read. Reading it was an infinitely relaxing experience. It was filled with cuteness and people who like sweet, fluffy romantic books will adore this book. It shouldn't take you long to read. I love L.H. Cosway writing style and can't wait to read even more of her books! I gave this book 3.5~4 stars because I genuinely enjoyed it and would recommend. It didn't get 5 stars due to lack of effective plot twists and how it dragged on for most of the book.
Overall, it was a deep, tender and warm story about the main characters dealing with grief and bearing heavy responsibilities and how that affected their lives. It was about self discovery and first love. This book made me FEEL!
In short:
Hero 4/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 2/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 1/5 | Darkness 0/5 | Humor 2/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 3/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 2/5 | Pace Steady | Action 1/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
This novel was just such a light, breezy, charming read. Reading it was an infinitely relaxing experience. It was filled with cuteness and people who like sweet, fluffy romantic books will adore this book. It shouldn't take you long to read. I love L.H. Cosway writing style and can't wait to read even more of her books! I gave this book 3.5~4 stars because I genuinely enjoyed it and would recommend. It didn't get 5 stars due to lack of effective plot twists and how it dragged on for most of the book.
Overall, it was a deep, tender and warm story about the main characters dealing with grief and bearing heavy responsibilities and how that affected their lives. It was about self discovery and first love. This book made me FEEL!
In short:
Hero 4/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 2/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 1/5 | Darkness 0/5 | Humor 2/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 3/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 2/5 | Pace Steady | Action 1/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2018
MY REVIEW can also be found on my blog:
KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN: Is the second instalment of the (Cracks Duet) by L.H. Cosway. This is a continuation of Evelyn's and Dylan's story. A second chance romance.
This jumps drastically eleven years after 'A crack in everything', Dylan and Evelyn are no longer young teenagers. She's only briefly seen him when he was twenty two during a stop over, now he's thirty and conquered all his dreams he'd set out to accomplish in 'A crack in everything' owner of many successful perfume franchises.
After her Grandmother died nothing was holding her back to stay in Dublin and moved to New York with her Aunty Yvonne who set her up with a job and let her stay with her in her apartment again.
Once these two reconnect after so many years apart Dylan shows Evelyn in so many ways that he still loves her, even when apart he was still carrying a torch for her. Evelyn it seemed needed a bit more convincing, and this is where a wee bit of frustration for me came into the story, his love for her was pouring off the pages, everything he did was based on his feelings for her, so that in itself made it hard to understand why she didn't commit to him a lot sooner than she did. But all in all it made for a good read. I enjoyed his unwavering pursuit.
Here was a man who had once stolen my heart, who had once been my whole entire world. Now we were virtual strangers.
These characters captured my heart in ‘A crack in everything’ and getting to reconnect with them all again in this book was priceless it felt like coming home after a long trip abroad. Needless to say "second chance romances' are my guilty pleasure lately I can't seem to get enough of them, so I'm glad I got that fix with this book. Once I hit the 'Epilogue' the feels yet again came rushing at me, such a beautiful high note to leave off at. Once I started this I couldn't put it down, I loved how it all came full circle and really hope we get to read Conor's and Yvonne's story.
February 9, 2018
4 stars!
I really enjoyed this duet by LH Cosway and will be sitting here waiting for her to publish more books as soon as humanly possible!!!
This duet wrecked me and for that, I cannot put any coherent words together. Instead I shall give you all a gif casting and the assurances that you need to read these books!
Evelyn:
Dylan:
My reviewer laziness has hit an all time high!!!! But for reals, read this book.
copy was won in the facebook group The Blissful Bookies. Thank you to LH Cosway for my gifted copy of this book! It did not affect my review in any way
Follow me on ♥ Facebook ♥ Blog ♥ Instagram ♥ Twitter ♥
I really enjoyed this duet by LH Cosway and will be sitting here waiting for her to publish more books as soon as humanly possible!!!
This duet wrecked me and for that, I cannot put any coherent words together. Instead I shall give you all a gif casting and the assurances that you need to read these books!
Evelyn:
Dylan:
My reviewer laziness has hit an all time high!!!! But for reals, read this book.
copy was won in the facebook group The Blissful Bookies. Thank you to LH Cosway for my gifted copy of this book! It did not affect my review in any way
Follow me on ♥ Facebook ♥ Blog ♥ Instagram ♥ Twitter ♥
Want to read
August 30, 2023
How the Light Gets In is LIVE on all platforms!
January 17, 2018
5 This is EVERYTHING Stars
How the Light Gets In is the second book to the Cracks Duet series.
Gah, I can’t tell you how much I loved this book and this series. I’m always nervous going into the second book of a duet series because you never know how it’s going to turn out. Will the book be boring? Will the couple be separated for long? How will the author write a full second book to continue the story?
Well, L.H. Cosway surpassed my expectations and more. If you think you loved Dylan, you will fall hopelessly madly into love with him more. How the Light Gets In is EVERYTHING you want in a conclusion to a series. You will be smiling and grinning from ear to ear until you finish. And once you finish you will have a major book LOVE hangover.
I love Evelyn and Dylan. They are the cutest couple and you want to root for them the ENTIRE way.
The book starts off 11 years later. Evelyn has moved to NY to be with her Aunt since her grandmother died.
The BEST part of the book is that there is no separation from Dylan and Evelyn. You know when you read a second book of the series and the author drags out the separation? And there’s chapters of what the characters are doing while they are separated? Well, nope, this one doesn’t do that. Almost within the first chapter we see Dylan and the story begins.
What I really love about this book (there’s a lot of things I love about this book) is that Evelyn and Dylan are older, wiser and more experienced. They have grown up so much and you want to know how they are as adults.
Evelyn is working as a bartender and kind of coasting through life, but Dylan. Well, we all know Dylan would be become something right?
I love how Dylan pursues Evelyn and even though it seems like Dylan has the upper hand because he’s so successful, he’s still the charming and sweet boy we all fell in love with in the first book.
Of course Evelyn is still finding herself and I love that she doesn’t automatically go into Dylan’s arms. It adds nice tension to the story.
Overall, I’m just swooning and sighing over this delightful read. It was everything and more.
An ARC was provided
A Crack in Everything http://amzn.to/2FJcuWW
How the Light Gets In http://amzn.to/2Dgwa70
How the Light Gets In is the second book to the Cracks Duet series.
Gah, I can’t tell you how much I loved this book and this series. I’m always nervous going into the second book of a duet series because you never know how it’s going to turn out. Will the book be boring? Will the couple be separated for long? How will the author write a full second book to continue the story?
Well, L.H. Cosway surpassed my expectations and more. If you think you loved Dylan, you will fall hopelessly madly into love with him more. How the Light Gets In is EVERYTHING you want in a conclusion to a series. You will be smiling and grinning from ear to ear until you finish. And once you finish you will have a major book LOVE hangover.
I love Evelyn and Dylan. They are the cutest couple and you want to root for them the ENTIRE way.
The book starts off 11 years later. Evelyn has moved to NY to be with her Aunt since her grandmother died.
The BEST part of the book is that there is no separation from Dylan and Evelyn. You know when you read a second book of the series and the author drags out the separation? And there’s chapters of what the characters are doing while they are separated? Well, nope, this one doesn’t do that. Almost within the first chapter we see Dylan and the story begins.
What I really love about this book (there’s a lot of things I love about this book) is that Evelyn and Dylan are older, wiser and more experienced. They have grown up so much and you want to know how they are as adults.
Evelyn is working as a bartender and kind of coasting through life, but Dylan. Well, we all know Dylan would be become something right?
I love how Dylan pursues Evelyn and even though it seems like Dylan has the upper hand because he’s so successful, he’s still the charming and sweet boy we all fell in love with in the first book.
Of course Evelyn is still finding herself and I love that she doesn’t automatically go into Dylan’s arms. It adds nice tension to the story.
Overall, I’m just swooning and sighing over this delightful read. It was everything and more.
An ARC was provided
A Crack in Everything http://amzn.to/2FJcuWW
How the Light Gets In http://amzn.to/2Dgwa70
February 10, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
I’m ninety-nine percent convinced all Americans think Irish people talk like Leprechauns.
I felt so small. Why did you bump into old flames when you looked your absolute worst? It was one of God’s twisted celestial algorithms that made it happen to everyone at least once in their lives.
I was one of those people who were all, spa days are for spoiled housewives. But then as soon as someone said they’re paying, I was already in a bathrobe, cucumber slices on each eye, while a lady dressed in white gave me a pedicure.
Okay, fine… You’re not a cougar. I take it back. You’re a lion cub, a cute and adorable baby lion with no wrinkles and the most youthful appearance.
My Review:
Book two picked up eleven years after the tragic ending of A Crack In Everything and was significantly lighter in tone with frequent hits of levity and clever banter between the characters as they slowly rekindle their relationship. The writing was witty, engaging, beguiling, and increasingly hopeful while the characters were thoughtfully deconstructed and reassembled. The first person POV held my interest and rapt attention throughout as I was highly curious about those eleven years and how the story would resolve. I was more than satisfied by the thoughtful and ever so sweet conclusion.
I’m ninety-nine percent convinced all Americans think Irish people talk like Leprechauns.
I felt so small. Why did you bump into old flames when you looked your absolute worst? It was one of God’s twisted celestial algorithms that made it happen to everyone at least once in their lives.
I was one of those people who were all, spa days are for spoiled housewives. But then as soon as someone said they’re paying, I was already in a bathrobe, cucumber slices on each eye, while a lady dressed in white gave me a pedicure.
Okay, fine… You’re not a cougar. I take it back. You’re a lion cub, a cute and adorable baby lion with no wrinkles and the most youthful appearance.
My Review:
Book two picked up eleven years after the tragic ending of A Crack In Everything and was significantly lighter in tone with frequent hits of levity and clever banter between the characters as they slowly rekindle their relationship. The writing was witty, engaging, beguiling, and increasingly hopeful while the characters were thoughtfully deconstructed and reassembled. The first person POV held my interest and rapt attention throughout as I was highly curious about those eleven years and how the story would resolve. I was more than satisfied by the thoughtful and ever so sweet conclusion.
March 6, 2018
3 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was okay. I was hoping that I'd feel more for the characters in this book, but sadly I didn't. I never fully connected to them, and because of that I don't think that I connected to their connection to each other either. I think the overall premise of the duet was good, but I felt like there were times that other subjects/characters were focused on too much and it made it even harder to connect to the mcs. I also felt like after the second book being about them finding each other again that we needed more time with them officially together and a more solid HEA. It didn't feel like hardly enough good times to justify stretching it out into two books tbh.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Evelyn and Dylan's story. It continues their story ~11 years after the first book when they run into each other in New York. Dylan has achieved his teenage goals, and Evelyn is starting new after her grandmother passed away. They dance around each other, have some sexy times, and there are some bittersweet moments...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This was told in Evelyn's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but residual feelings were there from the first book.
H rating: 4 stars. Dylan. I liked him. I appreciated how he was upfront about his intentions and feelings, and how he pursued the h.
h rating: 3.5 stars. Evelyn. I liked her alright. I didn't like how she lost her positive outlook on life, even though I did understand it.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Not really
Closure: This had a cute epilogue, but it didn't give me enough closure for the couple. I'm reluctantly going to call this a HEA, but I definitely was disappointed there wasn't more of their future
Overall Opinion: This was okay. I was hoping that I'd feel more for the characters in this book, but sadly I didn't. I never fully connected to them, and because of that I don't think that I connected to their connection to each other either. I think the overall premise of the duet was good, but I felt like there were times that other subjects/characters were focused on too much and it made it even harder to connect to the mcs. I also felt like after the second book being about them finding each other again that we needed more time with them officially together and a more solid HEA. It didn't feel like hardly enough good times to justify stretching it out into two books tbh.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Evelyn and Dylan's story. It continues their story ~11 years after the first book when they run into each other in New York. Dylan has achieved his teenage goals, and Evelyn is starting new after her grandmother passed away. They dance around each other, have some sexy times, and there are some bittersweet moments...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This was told in Evelyn's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but residual feelings were there from the first book.
H rating: 4 stars. Dylan. I liked him. I appreciated how he was upfront about his intentions and feelings, and how he pursued the h.
h rating: 3.5 stars. Evelyn. I liked her alright. I didn't like how she lost her positive outlook on life, even though I did understand it.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Not really
Closure: This had a cute epilogue, but it didn't give me enough closure for the couple. I'm reluctantly going to call this a HEA, but I definitely was disappointed there wasn't more of their future
January 31, 2018
This book starts 11 years after A Crack in Everything. Dylan and Evelyn are know adults and it was wonderful to see how much they’ve changed and evolved.
I loved Dylan in this book. He loves Ev so so much, he would give his world for her. Evelyn on the other hand bothered me a little, she loves Dylan but takes so long to accept that they can finally be together. Dylan’s so good to her but she doesn’t feel worthy of him. I know she’s been through a great loss, but so has Dylan. They’ve already lost so much time, I was frustrated with her at times. That’s why this book wasn’t a 5 star read for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still like Evelyn I just didn’t understand her hesitation.
Even though I had some issues with Evelyn this still was a beautiful ending to their story. I am just so happy they were able to get their happily ever after. They deserve it so much!
I loved Dylan in this book. He loves Ev so so much, he would give his world for her. Evelyn on the other hand bothered me a little, she loves Dylan but takes so long to accept that they can finally be together. Dylan’s so good to her but she doesn’t feel worthy of him. I know she’s been through a great loss, but so has Dylan. They’ve already lost so much time, I was frustrated with her at times. That’s why this book wasn’t a 5 star read for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still like Evelyn I just didn’t understand her hesitation.
Even though I had some issues with Evelyn this still was a beautiful ending to their story. I am just so happy they were able to get their happily ever after. They deserve it so much!
November 30, 2020
I am drowning on sweetness of Dylan O'Dea. God! He is my latest boo boyfriend. I want a boyfriend who make perfume inspired by me! This man is full with cheesy goodness. He is just too good to be true.
How the Light Gets in is the final chapter of Dylan and Evelyn. This time Dylan saves Evelyn from drowning in limbo. They met briefly 3 years after the cliffhanger of the first book, then they really reconnect again 8 years later. 11 years they waited and separated by grief. I love how swoony Dylan is winning his girl back. I got swept away too!
A perfect book to end a rainy weekend.
5 stars
How the Light Gets in is the final chapter of Dylan and Evelyn. This time Dylan saves Evelyn from drowning in limbo. They met briefly 3 years after the cliffhanger of the first book, then they really reconnect again 8 years later. 11 years they waited and separated by grief. I love how swoony Dylan is winning his girl back. I got swept away too!
A perfect book to end a rainy weekend.
5 stars
February 8, 2018
Let me just say that I absolutely adore Dylan. Adore him! He's everything I want to read in a hero - charming, considerate, patient, understanding and loved Evelyn with his whole heart. And therein lies my problem with this duet because she pushed him away and hurt him over and over. She's insecure and took those insecurities out on the man that would have gotten her the moon had she asked for it. She showed little to no character growth over the two books, in fact I think she regressed!
I also wasn't a fan of the separation or that she made no bloody attempt to see him once she arrived in New York. I really feel Dylan was short changed, he deserved the most phenomenal heroine, instead he got Evelyn *sigh*
As much as I loved Dylan , I still feel this duet should have been done in one book.
3.5 stars (though Dylan gets 5)
I also wasn't a fan of the separation or that she made no bloody attempt to see him once she arrived in New York. I really feel Dylan was short changed, he deserved the most phenomenal heroine, instead he got Evelyn *sigh*
As much as I loved Dylan , I still feel this duet should have been done in one book.
3.5 stars (though Dylan gets 5)
January 14, 2018
5 BEAUTIFUL STARS
OMG I have no words , this was definitely an epic love!Such a compelling story!For me this duet was unforgettable!I will definitely re-read it!REVIEW TO COME SOON <3
OMG I have no words , this was definitely an epic love!Such a compelling story!For me this duet was unforgettable!I will definitely re-read it!REVIEW TO COME SOON <3
February 8, 2018
5 - "Some things are hard to let go of..." Stars!
L. H. Cosway delivers for me some of her best writing with the Cracks Duet. This review is for both books, because although they are broken into two, I basically read them in one go and the words in my head cover them both, so as such A Crack in Everything and How The Light Gets In are both covered in my below musings.
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of this authors contemporary work, she manages to take the simple and turn it into something special, each and every time she puts pen to paper, finger to keyboard, voice to Dictaphone (you get my point). And the Cracks Duet epitomises that uniqueness for me, let’s face it we have all read love stories about people with less than salubrious beginnings making the best of themselves and the opportunities presented to them as they become adults, second chance love, and rags to riches in general, all these tropes are well used and well loved, but once again the author took them and gave them her own charming lilt by basically providing two unforgettable lead characters in Declan and Evelyn.
I wasn’t one of the cool, pretty girls at school who the boys chased after…
We go back to 2006, for the first book and the uncomfortable and often painful school years, Evelyn and her best friend Sam exist on the fringes of school society and are happier spending their time together and in her allotment than doing the things that usual teenagers do, Dylan and his two close friends share similar disdain for all things normal in school as well, and a chance meeting in a run-down stair well is basically the beginning of what becomes one of the sweetest, most heartfelt love stories you are likely to read this year.
"I’ve always watched you. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t."
Things progress quickly as you would expect with young love, but you can sense a cloud looming pretty early on, the upbringing they have, the locale they live in and the people they inevitably come into contact with because of that, all offer up something on the side-line of the romance playing out that you just know something is going to happen to cause the Crack between them. My only reason for knocking off .5 of a star from the first book is because I knew from very early on how it was going to play out, and what would be the breaking point for the two of them, that said I sailed through the book and it offered no detriment to my overall reading enjoyment.
How The Light Gets In brings us forward to 2017, and Dylan and Evelyn are both very different people, we also move from Ireland to New York, and essentially watch a couple rebuild something that although was cracked, isn’t as irretrievably damaged as was initially assumed.
Life didn’t always have to be so serious and dark. It could be ridiculous and funny and generally pleasant.
Although a little sad in parts, harsh in others, this is one of those stories that just leaves you with a big ole smile on your face at the end of it. I loved these characters, I rooted for them, I wanted them to succeed and although the road they travel together, and separately isn’t an easy one, the journey was one sweet ride.
"I’ve missed you… For so long I’ve missed you."
I loved the side story with Dylan’s best friend Connor and Evelyn’s aunt Yvonne, OWYM is a favorite trope of mine, and I would love to see the author give this pair their own book/novella, because you get the sense more plays out between the two of them and I would love to get the full details on it.
"You really know how to cheer a girl up."
Loved this duology, adore this author, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for her readers in 2018.
"Anybody got a fan? Cause I’m swooning my arse off over here."
ARC generously provided by the author, and it was as it always is, my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
L. H. Cosway delivers for me some of her best writing with the Cracks Duet. This review is for both books, because although they are broken into two, I basically read them in one go and the words in my head cover them both, so as such A Crack in Everything and How The Light Gets In are both covered in my below musings.
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of this authors contemporary work, she manages to take the simple and turn it into something special, each and every time she puts pen to paper, finger to keyboard, voice to Dictaphone (you get my point). And the Cracks Duet epitomises that uniqueness for me, let’s face it we have all read love stories about people with less than salubrious beginnings making the best of themselves and the opportunities presented to them as they become adults, second chance love, and rags to riches in general, all these tropes are well used and well loved, but once again the author took them and gave them her own charming lilt by basically providing two unforgettable lead characters in Declan and Evelyn.
I wasn’t one of the cool, pretty girls at school who the boys chased after…
We go back to 2006, for the first book and the uncomfortable and often painful school years, Evelyn and her best friend Sam exist on the fringes of school society and are happier spending their time together and in her allotment than doing the things that usual teenagers do, Dylan and his two close friends share similar disdain for all things normal in school as well, and a chance meeting in a run-down stair well is basically the beginning of what becomes one of the sweetest, most heartfelt love stories you are likely to read this year.
"I’ve always watched you. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t."
Things progress quickly as you would expect with young love, but you can sense a cloud looming pretty early on, the upbringing they have, the locale they live in and the people they inevitably come into contact with because of that, all offer up something on the side-line of the romance playing out that you just know something is going to happen to cause the Crack between them. My only reason for knocking off .5 of a star from the first book is because I knew from very early on how it was going to play out, and what would be the breaking point for the two of them, that said I sailed through the book and it offered no detriment to my overall reading enjoyment.
How The Light Gets In brings us forward to 2017, and Dylan and Evelyn are both very different people, we also move from Ireland to New York, and essentially watch a couple rebuild something that although was cracked, isn’t as irretrievably damaged as was initially assumed.
Life didn’t always have to be so serious and dark. It could be ridiculous and funny and generally pleasant.
Although a little sad in parts, harsh in others, this is one of those stories that just leaves you with a big ole smile on your face at the end of it. I loved these characters, I rooted for them, I wanted them to succeed and although the road they travel together, and separately isn’t an easy one, the journey was one sweet ride.
"I’ve missed you… For so long I’ve missed you."
I loved the side story with Dylan’s best friend Connor and Evelyn’s aunt Yvonne, OWYM is a favorite trope of mine, and I would love to see the author give this pair their own book/novella, because you get the sense more plays out between the two of them and I would love to get the full details on it.
"You really know how to cheer a girl up."
Loved this duology, adore this author, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for her readers in 2018.
"Anybody got a fan? Cause I’m swooning my arse off over here."
ARC generously provided by the author, and it was as it always is, my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
February 6, 2018
Title: How The Light gets In (Cracks Duet #2)
Author: L.H. Cosway
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
This review is based on the combination of the two books in Cracks Duet series.
I loved these two books. It was such an unexpectedly beautiful, heartbreaking, sweet series.
Dylan and Evelyn's relationship is so beautiful, a relationship based on friendship. This installation is emotional and filled with angst.
Simply put, The Cracks Duet has been such a thoughtful, soulful book. It was seductively beautiful in a subtle way... unexpectedly seductive.
It was beautifully written- descriptive and sensual!
What a beautiful book! Loved it!
For more ...
www.jemimajamir.com
February 3, 2018
Title: How the Light Gets In
Series: Cracks Duet #2
Author: L.H. Cosway
Release date: February 6, 2018
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
“It’s always been you. It only ever will be.”
A Crack in Everything revolved around discovery and tragedy, and in the conclusion we're given reconciliation and healing. If that one devastating event had never happened, Evelyn and Dylan were already destined to take a different path in life. He was going to take the world by storm, and she was determined to stay right where she was. It was important to her to be nothing like her mother, the woman who abandoned her when she was a child. She was never going to leave her family when she was needed. Ev always thought she had a purpose, and was happy to fulfill it, even if it wasn't the standard to what most aspired to.
It broke her to lose Dylan, and what they could have had. Completely and irrevocably. But in her eyes, there was no way to have it all together. So they both let go of what they wanted so they could have what they needed. They had a beautiful, unselfish love that was unconditional through time and distance. Anger and bitterness never replaced the affection and acceptance they had for one another and I loved that about them. They were IT for each other. Soulmates set adrift, trying to stay above water while apart.
Eleven years later, Evelyn's circumstances change and she starts a new life in New York with her aunt. Finally allowing herself to shed the grief that has blanketed her for so long, she hopes her fresh start will finally bring her happiness. She's not the same optimistic person she once was, and that inner glow she had has been snuffed out. When she unexpectedly reconnects with Dylan, they are both greatly changed, but that spark that was between them is still there waiting to be rekindled.
Dylan is now hugely successful, having used his gift of scent to create his own fragrance company. Ev had followed his career through the years, but couldn't allow herself the luxury of entering his world. Even the thought of sampling the scents he created was too painful for her to attempt. He needed to be kept at a safe distance for her to be able to bear the life she chose.
I knew that each scent would remind me of him. Dylan was the sort of person who put his entire self into every endeavour. I’d smell the top notes and see his smile, the middle notes and remember his voice. But most of all, hidden like a secret in the bottom notes, I’d feel his touch.
But now that they reconnected, Dylan was going to move heaven and earth to grasp onto their second chance. This man...he couldn't have been any more perfect. He was everything you could ask for and more. SO devoted, patient, and an overall kind human being. Even as a teen, he had a maturity beyond his years, but now that he was an adult, he was well-rounded and more confident in himself. He had set out to rise above his circumstances, and with his success, that brought a positivity to his life that he struggled with in the past. In this way, their outlook on life was reversed and he wouldn't accept that Ev had lost her zest for life that had so inspired him.
Above all, he was supportive and considerate of Evelyn's needs to rebuild their relationship slowly. He was always encouraging her, and trying to lift her confidence and self worth. I was honestly a bit frustrated how she could keep him at a distance for so long, especially after all of the amazing gestures he made for her. But to rush back into a relationship when they had both changed and grown into different people would have probably been foolish. They gradually worked their way back to each other by strengthening their friendship first, which is how they fell for each other the first time.
There were so many sweet moments, and a wonderful side story with Connor and Yvonne that I would LOVE to see fully fleshed out in its own book. I think I enjoyed the first part a bit more just because I felt that intensity of their young love and the angst of the tragedy and their separation really hit me hard. But then right at the end, L.H. Cosway hit me in the gut with a punch of the feels, and I found myself teary eyed all over again.
If you're considering reading this duet, do not hesitate! I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
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July 24, 2021
5 stars (Third Read 7/23/2021)
5 stars (Second Read 10/13/2018)
5 stars (First Read 1/16/2018)
*** Spoilers from A Crack in Everything are present ***
This duet is perfection!! 😍 From the characters to the storyline to the writing, everything was absolutely amazing. I wouldn't change anything! I'm going to repeat a bit of what I said in my review of A Crack in Everything, because it still holds true. Some reasons I love this author:
- She takes everyday stories and seemingly average characters, and makes them feel magical. I love the simplicity of her stories. Because the feelings behind them are never simple.
- The girls aren't catty. There is still a normal amount of jealousy and teenage drama, but it's not OTT or unbelievable.
- The characters are insecure, but they own it and they aren't self-deprecating or self-pitying. And they're constantly working to improve themselves.
- She doesn't write the hero's POV, and yet I don't care. I really enjoy dual POV and I find myself enjoying books less (not always, but more often than not) when there's only a single POV. I NEVER feel that way with hers. Would I like it? Sure, it gives me more opportunities to swoon 😏 But I don't feel like I'm missing something without it.
- Her second chance romances are done SO freaking well. I'm kind of picky with this trope but I've become VERY secure in Cosway's ability to pull it off. She doesn't rush it and I love watching the couples fall back in love, slowly and without focusing on sex.
Dylan was just as amazing in this book, he's the perfect book boyfriend. He was still super adorable...
And Cosway's heroines... I have no words. She writes the strongest women. Even in this one, Evelyn had been beaten down by the world and had lost her optimism after Sam's death...
Here are three quotes that I'm absolutely obsessed with, particularly the last one...
5 stars (Second Read 10/13/2018)
5 stars (First Read 1/16/2018)
*** Spoilers from A Crack in Everything are present ***
This duet is perfection!! 😍 From the characters to the storyline to the writing, everything was absolutely amazing. I wouldn't change anything! I'm going to repeat a bit of what I said in my review of A Crack in Everything, because it still holds true. Some reasons I love this author:
- She takes everyday stories and seemingly average characters, and makes them feel magical. I love the simplicity of her stories. Because the feelings behind them are never simple.
- The girls aren't catty. There is still a normal amount of jealousy and teenage drama, but it's not OTT or unbelievable.
- The characters are insecure, but they own it and they aren't self-deprecating or self-pitying. And they're constantly working to improve themselves.
- She doesn't write the hero's POV, and yet I don't care. I really enjoy dual POV and I find myself enjoying books less (not always, but more often than not) when there's only a single POV. I NEVER feel that way with hers. Would I like it? Sure, it gives me more opportunities to swoon 😏 But I don't feel like I'm missing something without it.
- Her second chance romances are done SO freaking well. I'm kind of picky with this trope but I've become VERY secure in Cosway's ability to pull it off. She doesn't rush it and I love watching the couples fall back in love, slowly and without focusing on sex.
Dylan was just as amazing in this book, he's the perfect book boyfriend. He was still super adorable...
"So," I hedged, glancing briefly at his bare ring finger. "No wife?"And SUPER FUCKING SWEET...
He gave a faint smile, eyes wandering in the direction mine had gone. "Why, you interested?" I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, yeah. Sign me up."
"The job's yours. When can you start?"
"Who you are as a human is its own success."
"I kept this flower from when were teenagers... I took it from the ones I picked to make my perfume when we were at school, then I put it inside some crepe paper for safekeeping. I had the pendant made at a jewellery store here in New York."He killed me. I want a Dylan 😍
And Cosway's heroines... I have no words. She writes the strongest women. Even in this one, Evelyn had been beaten down by the world and had lost her optimism after Sam's death...
"What's the point? Everything you grow just ends up dying."That's why I didn't bother trying for anything good. Good things were only taken away. Like Sam.She still remained strong in my eyes. It took a lot of work and you could still see the cracks in her, but I think that was just a part of growing up. Unfortunately innocence is a product of childhood and simply can't survive. But even despite Dylan, she was working on being better.
I had to find happiness within myself before I found it with someone else.I loved the way this second chance romance came together. As I mentioned above, it's a trope I'm picky about so I was so happy I had no complaints! They took real time getting to know one another again. I hate when couples immediately jump in the sack. Because even though they once loved each other, they had become different people. So I was glad they recognized this.
Here was a man who had once been a boy, who had once stolen my heart, who had once been my whole entire world. Now we were virtual strangers.Dylan and Evie stole pieces of heart and I don't even want them back. They've earned them.
Here are three quotes that I'm absolutely obsessed with, particularly the last one...
"There are just as many molecules in a single breath as there are stars in all the galaxies. The scent from a single spray of perfume is a much grander experience when you think about it that way."
I no longer looked on the world through a dark lens. Now I understood that everything had to die so that new things could come to life.
I didn't see the cracks. I saw all the beautiful, flawed and wonderful parts that held them all together.A Crack in Everything destroyed me, but this book pieced me back together. This duet is why I read romance. I laughed, cried, swooned, and everything in between. I'll definitely be rereading these books, probably many times, because they're two of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. It was an easy decision to put this duet on my "best of the best" shelf. I thought I'd read Cosway's best. Not because I thought she'd get worse, I just couldn't imagine her getting any better. But she proved me wrong. This was perfection. I'll read any and everything she writes, and I can't wait for what's next! ❤️ If you haven't read anything by her, you really need to. You won't regret it.
February 6, 2018
Happy book birthday!!
How the Light Gets In, is the conclusion of Evelyn and Dylan’s story which began with sweet passion and ended with tragedy and heartbreak inA Crack in the Ligh.
This time out, Cosway has crafted a delicious reunion over a decade later in which a now successful Dylan must show Evelyn the light and beauty of life and that their love is destined to conquer time and space.
With Ev and Dylan’s return Cosway skillfully weaves in a romantic subplot with Conor, Dylan’s best friend and partner. But the plot revolves mainly around Evelyn and Dylan reconnecting with their older and wiser selves while trying to find their relationship’s foothold with their new reversed role reality where Evelyn views life with a dreary outlook whereas Dylan, has Evelyn as his muse and their young love as inspiration to fuel his achievements.
I loved reading more about Dylan and Evelyn. Their end was incredibly heartbreaking. I absolutely cried and understood how Ev would turn and damn the world. It was absolutely crushing, but at the same time I wanted to know how she would pick up the pieces of her life and how she and Dylan would find their way back together.
Dylan had let her go once, but they never stopped loving each other and he was determined to never let go this second time around. I just loved how he pursued her. If you hadn’t fallen in love with Dylan in the first book, you’ll certainly fall for the more mature and swoonier version. I devoured this installment that had me smiling and fanning myself from start to finish.
How the Light Gets In is book #2 of the Cracks duet by L.H. Cosway. It is a sweet, thoughtful and sexy contemporary romance that will touch your heart.
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/2Gonqte
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via WordSmith. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk us on FaceBook * Twitter * Pinterest Book Teasers * More reviews
How the Light Gets In, is the conclusion of Evelyn and Dylan’s story which began with sweet passion and ended with tragedy and heartbreak inA Crack in the Ligh.
This time out, Cosway has crafted a delicious reunion over a decade later in which a now successful Dylan must show Evelyn the light and beauty of life and that their love is destined to conquer time and space.
With Ev and Dylan’s return Cosway skillfully weaves in a romantic subplot with Conor, Dylan’s best friend and partner. But the plot revolves mainly around Evelyn and Dylan reconnecting with their older and wiser selves while trying to find their relationship’s foothold with their new reversed role reality where Evelyn views life with a dreary outlook whereas Dylan, has Evelyn as his muse and their young love as inspiration to fuel his achievements.
I loved reading more about Dylan and Evelyn. Their end was incredibly heartbreaking. I absolutely cried and understood how Ev would turn and damn the world. It was absolutely crushing, but at the same time I wanted to know how she would pick up the pieces of her life and how she and Dylan would find their way back together.
Dylan had let her go once, but they never stopped loving each other and he was determined to never let go this second time around. I just loved how he pursued her. If you hadn’t fallen in love with Dylan in the first book, you’ll certainly fall for the more mature and swoonier version. I devoured this installment that had me smiling and fanning myself from start to finish.
How the Light Gets In is book #2 of the Cracks duet by L.H. Cosway. It is a sweet, thoughtful and sexy contemporary romance that will touch your heart.
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/2Gonqte
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via WordSmith. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk us on FaceBook * Twitter * Pinterest Book Teasers * More reviews
January 21, 2018
This series was everything. EVERYTHING! I absolutely adored it! 'The Cracks Duet' was a swoon-worthy romance that made my heart explode!
I am speechless! I thought the first book in this series, 'A Crack in Everything', was phenomenal, but 'How the Light Gets In' was extraordinary! Really, L.H. Cosway, I bow to you!
The second book takes place eleven years after the first ends. WHAT, You ask? No fear, my friends, this time jump is perfect!
Now adults, our amazing cast of characters have transitioned into adulthood and are forging their own paths, with all the trials and triumphs that entails. And, that's all I'm going to say about the plot! This is a series best going in blind.
As a reader, I love angst, the angstier the better, bring on the feels! I also love a good slow-burn romance filled with sexual tension. I fall head over heels for a hero with alpha tendencies, who is slightly tormented and/or “odd”, I turn all co-dependent and want to take care of and take away the pain from said hero. All that together makes for a swoon-worthy romance sure to make my heart explode, and 'The Cracks Duet' fit that bill! A MUST READ!
**I was provided a review copy by the author, narrator, or publisher. This did not influence my opinion of the book nor my review.**
I am speechless! I thought the first book in this series, 'A Crack in Everything', was phenomenal, but 'How the Light Gets In' was extraordinary! Really, L.H. Cosway, I bow to you!
The second book takes place eleven years after the first ends. WHAT, You ask? No fear, my friends, this time jump is perfect!
Now adults, our amazing cast of characters have transitioned into adulthood and are forging their own paths, with all the trials and triumphs that entails. And, that's all I'm going to say about the plot! This is a series best going in blind.
As a reader, I love angst, the angstier the better, bring on the feels! I also love a good slow-burn romance filled with sexual tension. I fall head over heels for a hero with alpha tendencies, who is slightly tormented and/or “odd”, I turn all co-dependent and want to take care of and take away the pain from said hero. All that together makes for a swoon-worthy romance sure to make my heart explode, and 'The Cracks Duet' fit that bill! A MUST READ!
**I was provided a review copy by the author, narrator, or publisher. This did not influence my opinion of the book nor my review.**
February 10, 2018
4 Bright Stars****
This book is the second part of The Cracks Duet. It was a sweet and beautiful conclusion to a truly captivating story.
These two best friends and lovers were never able to get over each other, and now ten years later, little by little the old cracks of the heart will finally fill up, so love can flourish once again.
hosting image
Evelyn stayed behind in the horrible town that took away all the beautiful parts of her life. Dylan left in hopes to one day come back and take his precious girl with him. But Evelyn’s heart felt broken beyond compared, plus she needed to stay and take care of her grandmother.
10 years have passed since Evelyn lost her love and now she finds herself in New York City with the mission of starting over. Little does she know that the beautiful boy she once quit, will be waiting for her, offering her not only a new world but something she thought she would never have again, hope.
This was one of the sweetest novels I’ve ever read. The words tasted like candy and I swear I could even smell all the flowers , as I was reading about the meaningful scents Dylan and Evelyn were creating together. This is a book about hope and second chances. Fantastic read, one I would definitely recommend to all my friends.
This book is the second part of The Cracks Duet. It was a sweet and beautiful conclusion to a truly captivating story.
These two best friends and lovers were never able to get over each other, and now ten years later, little by little the old cracks of the heart will finally fill up, so love can flourish once again.
hosting image
Evelyn stayed behind in the horrible town that took away all the beautiful parts of her life. Dylan left in hopes to one day come back and take his precious girl with him. But Evelyn’s heart felt broken beyond compared, plus she needed to stay and take care of her grandmother.
10 years have passed since Evelyn lost her love and now she finds herself in New York City with the mission of starting over. Little does she know that the beautiful boy she once quit, will be waiting for her, offering her not only a new world but something she thought she would never have again, hope.
This was one of the sweetest novels I’ve ever read. The words tasted like candy and I swear I could even smell all the flowers , as I was reading about the meaningful scents Dylan and Evelyn were creating together. This is a book about hope and second chances. Fantastic read, one I would definitely recommend to all my friends.
January 13, 2018
Yes yes yes! OMG this book was just the perfect conclusion after A Crack in Everything!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
February 6, 2018
4.5 ★'s
Complete swoon-fest, I absolutely loved this Duet!
Complete swoon-fest, I absolutely loved this Duet!
February 7, 2018
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
My god this book owned me and slayed me beyond words. IT WAS EVERYTHING!!! LH Cosway has truly written one of the most unforgettable epic love story that I have read in 2018. The characters, the prose, the story, and the raw emotions was just magnificently put together. Everything flowed in such a palpable manner. And of course Dylan and Evelyn gave me the feels. So are you ready to have your heart break and slowly pieced back together, then go read this duet.
L.H. Cosway
My god this book owned me and slayed me beyond words. IT WAS EVERYTHING!!! LH Cosway has truly written one of the most unforgettable epic love story that I have read in 2018. The characters, the prose, the story, and the raw emotions was just magnificently put together. Everything flowed in such a palpable manner. And of course Dylan and Evelyn gave me the feels. So are you ready to have your heart break and slowly pieced back together, then go read this duet.
L.H. Cosway
February 5, 2018
5 Star Spoiler Free Review for Duet!
‘The best memories live on forever in our hearts.’
The Cracks Duet reminded us why we adore L H Cosway so much. The way this author can bring such warmth, sincerity and relatability to her stories, we feel at one with the pain, the joy, the quirkiness of the characters, not to mention the beautiful soul searing romance that was at the forefront of this story, oh yes, we once again found ourselves falling in love with everything about this authors words.
‘He kissed my lips softly, and I didn’t want to step back. I wanted to step forwards into his arms and be held and caressed. I wanted to be engulfed by him….’
L H Cosway has the ability to take something ordinary and turn it into something refreshingly and wonderfully extraordinary. She has a natural flair for presenting a romance that can move you to the ninth degree one minute, yet have you giggling over witty banter between her characters the next. It’s a trademark of this author, it’s something we love and it’s something that was so evident in Cracks.
“I can only see my dreams clearly when I look through you first.”
We meet Evelyn and Dylan in their last year of High School as they navigate their way through life, eventually following them through to adulthood. Their story starts off slowly, ensuring we experienced a fondness with these two characters, their families and their beautiful misfit friends. And let us tell you, nothing is spared as our hearts were touched and pummelled through this wonderfully endearing, tragic, sweet, painful and heart-warming story of first love, sacrifice, loss and self-discovery.
“It’s always been you. It only ever will be.”
Dylan and Ev live in St Mary’s Villa in inner city Dublin, it’s a place that sounds fancier than it is. They strike up a friendship which eventually turns into an intense first love and it’s a love you know, in your heart, is soul deep! Nothing could come between these two, or could it?
“You’ve been mine since the beginning of time.”
Evelyn is so sweet, so uplifting – where Dylan sees bleak, dark and dank surroundings, Evelyn sees hope and brightness. Ev is quite content to stay at the Villa’s and won’t leave her 27 year old Aunty Yvonne, who has given Ev a kind, warm and loving home for the past 4 years, nor will she leave her Gran.
By contrast, sweet and swoony Dylan can’t wait to escape his depressing and rough surroundings. Dylan is a planner, he sees his future as being successful and getting out of the Villas as soon as he turns 18, and he wants the love of his life, Evelyn to come with him. Would she relent? Will she stay or go? Will Dylan stay behind for her? Of course we’re not going to tell you, nor are we going to give anything away. As this is a Duet review, A Crack in Everything sets the scene for How the Light Gets In perfectly, so with that in mind, we don’t want to give too much away about the duet as a whole, because there is so much to experience for yourselves.
“You’re sunshine, Evelyn, and there’s nothing but clouds around here.”
What we will say is that this Duet owned us! We were transfixed and unapologetically shed tears at one point, embracing L H Cosway’s words and trusting her with this beautifully quirky, wonderfully sweet, sexy and swoony exploration of first love, the kind of first love that grips you, consumes you, where you make sacrifices for the love of your life. You will be moved and you will lose your heart to these guys!
‘I knew I’d never love anyone in my life like I loved Dylan O’Dea. He would always own my heart. Always.’
Oh and that epilogue……pardon us while we pick our hearts up off the floor! Wow! What a finish!
“This isn’t the end for us. I promise. This is just the in-between. I’ll find you in the after.”
THE CRACKS DUET is available below
A Crack in Everything Book One
Amazon US
Amazon UK
How The Light Gets In Book Two
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Our Duet Review
Come visit and follow us at:
✲ TotallybookedBlog
✲ TB on Facebook
✲ TB on Twitter
✲ TB on Pinterest
‘The best memories live on forever in our hearts.’
The Cracks Duet reminded us why we adore L H Cosway so much. The way this author can bring such warmth, sincerity and relatability to her stories, we feel at one with the pain, the joy, the quirkiness of the characters, not to mention the beautiful soul searing romance that was at the forefront of this story, oh yes, we once again found ourselves falling in love with everything about this authors words.
‘He kissed my lips softly, and I didn’t want to step back. I wanted to step forwards into his arms and be held and caressed. I wanted to be engulfed by him….’
L H Cosway has the ability to take something ordinary and turn it into something refreshingly and wonderfully extraordinary. She has a natural flair for presenting a romance that can move you to the ninth degree one minute, yet have you giggling over witty banter between her characters the next. It’s a trademark of this author, it’s something we love and it’s something that was so evident in Cracks.
“I can only see my dreams clearly when I look through you first.”
We meet Evelyn and Dylan in their last year of High School as they navigate their way through life, eventually following them through to adulthood. Their story starts off slowly, ensuring we experienced a fondness with these two characters, their families and their beautiful misfit friends. And let us tell you, nothing is spared as our hearts were touched and pummelled through this wonderfully endearing, tragic, sweet, painful and heart-warming story of first love, sacrifice, loss and self-discovery.
“It’s always been you. It only ever will be.”
Dylan and Ev live in St Mary’s Villa in inner city Dublin, it’s a place that sounds fancier than it is. They strike up a friendship which eventually turns into an intense first love and it’s a love you know, in your heart, is soul deep! Nothing could come between these two, or could it?
“You’ve been mine since the beginning of time.”
Evelyn is so sweet, so uplifting – where Dylan sees bleak, dark and dank surroundings, Evelyn sees hope and brightness. Ev is quite content to stay at the Villa’s and won’t leave her 27 year old Aunty Yvonne, who has given Ev a kind, warm and loving home for the past 4 years, nor will she leave her Gran.
By contrast, sweet and swoony Dylan can’t wait to escape his depressing and rough surroundings. Dylan is a planner, he sees his future as being successful and getting out of the Villas as soon as he turns 18, and he wants the love of his life, Evelyn to come with him. Would she relent? Will she stay or go? Will Dylan stay behind for her? Of course we’re not going to tell you, nor are we going to give anything away. As this is a Duet review, A Crack in Everything sets the scene for How the Light Gets In perfectly, so with that in mind, we don’t want to give too much away about the duet as a whole, because there is so much to experience for yourselves.
“You’re sunshine, Evelyn, and there’s nothing but clouds around here.”
What we will say is that this Duet owned us! We were transfixed and unapologetically shed tears at one point, embracing L H Cosway’s words and trusting her with this beautifully quirky, wonderfully sweet, sexy and swoony exploration of first love, the kind of first love that grips you, consumes you, where you make sacrifices for the love of your life. You will be moved and you will lose your heart to these guys!
‘I knew I’d never love anyone in my life like I loved Dylan O’Dea. He would always own my heart. Always.’
Oh and that epilogue……pardon us while we pick our hearts up off the floor! Wow! What a finish!
“This isn’t the end for us. I promise. This is just the in-between. I’ll find you in the after.”
THE CRACKS DUET is available below
A Crack in Everything Book One
Amazon US
Amazon UK
How The Light Gets In Book Two
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Our Duet Review
Come visit and follow us at:
✲ TotallybookedBlog
✲ TB on Facebook
✲ TB on Twitter
✲ TB on Pinterest
February 21, 2018
4 ★'s
IMO, this book was so much different than the first one and that's blaringly obvious when we find out that ELEVEN years have passed! Our little Dylan and Evelyn are all grown up!
Evelyn has moved to New York to be with her Aunt Yvonne and everything is going great until her Aunt invites Dylan to dinner. Evelyn is flabbergasted and totally doesn't know what to do so she bails. Thankfully, Dylan is not one to give up.
And pursue her he does. It was really funny (and a little sad) how oblivious Evelyn was! I mean, come on, he named his first perfume, E.V., of course, it's after her!
Their getting reacquainted times were really sweet and romantic and there's only a little drama to mix things up.
I also loved the direction of how things were going with Evelyn's Aunt. Hmmm...I wonder if that's another book?
It was amazing what Dylan and Evelyn came up with and it was great how everything worked out. Definitely a great ending to this duet.
IMO, this book was so much different than the first one and that's blaringly obvious when we find out that ELEVEN years have passed! Our little Dylan and Evelyn are all grown up!
Evelyn has moved to New York to be with her Aunt Yvonne and everything is going great until her Aunt invites Dylan to dinner. Evelyn is flabbergasted and totally doesn't know what to do so she bails. Thankfully, Dylan is not one to give up.
And pursue her he does. It was really funny (and a little sad) how oblivious Evelyn was! I mean, come on, he named his first perfume, E.V., of course, it's after her!
Their getting reacquainted times were really sweet and romantic and there's only a little drama to mix things up.
I also loved the direction of how things were going with Evelyn's Aunt. Hmmm...I wonder if that's another book?
It was amazing what Dylan and Evelyn came up with and it was great how everything worked out. Definitely a great ending to this duet.
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