The Choices We Make

by Barbara C. Doyle

We were the initials engraved in the bark of the town willow tree, with the expectation of forever whispering away to the fading tune of an old lullaby, and nothing but broken promises haunting our memories.

Six years have passed since Sebastian “Bash” Everly left behind high school sweetheart Opal Anderson to pursue his love of music. With his now world famous rock band, Relentless, on break from their continental tour, he returns home to small town USA hoping to win back the girl he left behind.

But nothing is the same in Clinton, New York. Old ghosts begin taunting the ex-lovers until their deepest secrets threaten to unravel their very fragile existence, leaving a trail of truth and lies in their wake.

While Bash hopes to rekindle what he’d regrettably left behind so many years ago, Opal holds onto the choices they’ve made in the past, letting them determine the fate of their future.

… if they even have one anymore.

Unknown Binding

Published June 22, 2018

About the author

Barbara C. Doyle grew up in a small town in Upstate New York, surrounded by a passion for writing, pizza, and cats.

Her journey started at the young age of fourteen, and grew as she pursued a degree in English and Journalism throughout college. She believes that the written word is best used as a mode to escape into a different reality, thus the birth of her novels.

Her other passions include binge-watching Netflix, reading, and hanging out with her cat.

Reviews

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began this book expecting to be slayed, I thought I had it all figured out but I was pleasantly surprised by the way the storyline went. Good ending.

[haj x · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an emotional wreck because of this. I just am not stable, don't think I'll be in a while. I'll need time to forget this book and the way it toyed with me.

Ahhh this book is all about second chances, something I didn't see coming. I'm glad that this book isn't cliche in any way but sad at the same time. I'm inlove with Noah but Sebastian is just another level. Actually, it's the love Opal and Sebastian shared rather than it being just him. Childhood love is my favourite so it was a given that I'd love this. It's just that their memories, their love and how it ended, doesn't sit right with me. It isn't the classical happily ever after. I love the message of the book but I'm more team Sebastian than Noah— even though I think he's the sweetest.

Spoiler:

I think I adore both the loves that Sebastian and Opal had with and without each other but all their shared history and then how they end up, I just can't with it. I think I'm a sucker for the ordinary happily ever after, so for me, someone that you've had so much history with, I don't think it's easy to move on no matter what. So while that has been said, I can't lie and say that this book wasn't well written because it's exceptional. I give it a five stars because of the experience rather than you know, my desired ending. I actually didn't know how it felt for the main love interests to not end up together and how much I'd pine for it but I also think that the writer has shown us reality. Not everything is black and white. And not everything goes according to how you'd envision it.

[Heather Navarre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything by Barbara C Doyle and I had no idea this was book number 4. I was not lost in the book, so it can be read as a standalone. I would take a chance on this book I love everything about it from the cover to the words written inside.

What can I say about this book? I found myself not wanting to put it down. It was hard to go to sleep at night because I wanted to keep reading.

Opal, Noah and Bash captured my attention from the get go. The book goes back and forth between time starting with when Opal met Bash, through the present-day. It is a wonderful story about how our choices make us who we are and how sometimes the choices we make aren't the ones best for us but rather, they are best for the ones we love.

I will not elaborate on anything that happens in the book, but I loved it. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. I was heartbroken several times while reading but I also laughed and smiled. Who wouldn't laugh and smile at a cat in a dress and a cheeky spirited 6 year old?

I will definitely read books 1-3 as they are about other couples that we see throughout book 4.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not your typical go back home and get the girl book. Time goes on, people change, things change and that's what bash learns when he goes back home. He thinks he will pick up where he and opal left off, only to find out they have a child together and she has moved on. Sometimes the things you think you wanted are not the things you want or need anymore at a certain point in your life, sometimes things that were right in front of you ..are. interesting spin on the fact that opal and bash do not end up together romantically but rather as friends and she stays with Noah.

[Shaztwirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read.

I read this story as part of an anthology and so had no idea it was the 4th book in a series. And you totally don't need to read the other books. This works perfectly well as a standalone.

[Brittani Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you aren’t sure if you want Bash and Opal’s story, let me make that decision for you - you do! After reading the stories of the other Relentless members, this one will take the cake! I love everything about this book and it’s characters. I especially love the cameo from Ollie the cat 😉 Who can resist a 20lb cat that gets lost while playing dress up? Certainly not me!