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Advice from a Sunflower
“From now on, it’s just you and me—Eli and Mouse.”
Eli Wilson was never meant to end up with someone like me.
Mouse. The girl who spoke but wasn’t heard—who lived in the shadows of her family and spent most of her days being ignored by the town that shaped her.
My love for him bloomed in elementary school and I’d been forced to watch him fall in love with another girl while our friendship withered away under the weight of jealousy and lies.
But by some strange twist of fate, we were given one night together underneath the stars where I handed him my entire being, only to have him throw it away.
The next morning, I left The Hollow and vowed to never return.
I reinvented who Lyla Scott is. I built a career doing something I love and found people who accept me for who I am.
Seven years later, I’m standing in front of my childhood home with a churning in my stomach that I haven’t felt since the day I left.
When Eli finds out I’ve returned, he makes a point to show me that he's not the same carefree boy I once knew. Life has been cruel to him over the years and he has every intention to prove that it’s my fault.
He claims he'll destroy me, but I won’t go down without a fight.
Eli Wilson was never meant to end up with someone like me.
Mouse. The girl who spoke but wasn’t heard—who lived in the shadows of her family and spent most of her days being ignored by the town that shaped her.
My love for him bloomed in elementary school and I’d been forced to watch him fall in love with another girl while our friendship withered away under the weight of jealousy and lies.
But by some strange twist of fate, we were given one night together underneath the stars where I handed him my entire being, only to have him throw it away.
The next morning, I left The Hollow and vowed to never return.
I reinvented who Lyla Scott is. I built a career doing something I love and found people who accept me for who I am.
Seven years later, I’m standing in front of my childhood home with a churning in my stomach that I haven’t felt since the day I left.
When Eli finds out I’ve returned, he makes a point to show me that he's not the same carefree boy I once knew. Life has been cruel to him over the years and he has every intention to prove that it’s my fault.
He claims he'll destroy me, but I won’t go down without a fight.
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Published June 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 16, 2021
I’m so confused.. in the blurb it says it’s a new adult dark romance so while I was reading this I was waiting for it to get darker which it didn’t. I thought it was slow to start but I think that may be due to me expecting it to be dark. So I’ve decided to review this on the basis of the story and not on me waiting on the dark themes.
This was a great read. Eli and Mouse was everything to each other until they weren’t. Mouse was eager to leave the town she grew up in.. she left more than the time with family and friends feeling the repercussions.
I thought this was a well written story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This was a great read. Eli and Mouse was everything to each other until they weren’t. Mouse was eager to leave the town she grew up in.. she left more than the time with family and friends feeling the repercussions.
I thought this was a well written story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
June 11, 2021
This is a beautiful, heartfelt book which uses the passage of time to enhance a story which had me captured from the start. The beautiful concept of the sunflower which underpinned the gentle beauty of the story is gorgeous. I loved this idea so much as I am, myself, an avid gardener and plant lover. What a beautiful way to summarise a person's ability to seek light and warmth.
Lyla is a classic introvert who struggles with the world into which she is born. Eli is a man who loves quietly, who also wants to fly, but cannot shake off family ties so easily.
The description of the Hollow as a sort of 'dead zone' which is draining, is so effective! I could feel its stifling of Lyla, the sense of hopelessness that has such a stranglehold on Lyla's view of her home, her town and her life within it.
This book has left me with such a wonderful feeling of hope and love, though I may not have been so forgiving of Denise! Such a lovely book. 💖💖💖💖💖
Lyla is a classic introvert who struggles with the world into which she is born. Eli is a man who loves quietly, who also wants to fly, but cannot shake off family ties so easily.
The description of the Hollow as a sort of 'dead zone' which is draining, is so effective! I could feel its stifling of Lyla, the sense of hopelessness that has such a stranglehold on Lyla's view of her home, her town and her life within it.
This book has left me with such a wonderful feeling of hope and love, though I may not have been so forgiving of Denise! Such a lovely book. 💖💖💖💖💖
May 24, 2021
Oh my word!! I could have finished reading this book in less time if it wasn't for my constant need to take off my glasses to wipe my eyes.This book is so full of FEELINGS! Feelings of friendship, of love, of hurt, of betrayal and of isolation. Apart from Lyla and Eli the two central characters the other important people in the storyline are Lyla's mother Denise and sister Marnie along with Marnies friend and Eli's ex wife Emma.
Despite the tissues I went through this is a beautiful story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Despite the tissues I went through this is a beautiful story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 16, 2021
I was excited to dive into this that was meant to have dark elements, and a heroine that leaves her hometown for years and comes back after reinventing herself.
Nothing in this book was what I expected. While there was alluding to child abuse, and a few instances of hateful words by a parent that was the darkest element in this.
The first chapters are from the past as to give you an idea of how the friendship between Eli and Lyla began.
The thing is nothing that I read in those chapters makes what is said later in the book seem like plausible scenarios. Supposedly they both had feelings for one another, but that only seems to be the case for Lyla none of the interactions from when they were young gave the slightest impression that Eli had any feeling for her.
Their reasoning for the way things transpired in the past made little sense, and the animosity that Eli has when Lyla comes back to town felt as though it was forced and fake. His inner monologue didn’t really match the misplaced anger he had for her. He was a sweet guy trying to be something he wasn’t.
She supposedly reinvented herself in the years she was away but when she was faced with the opportunity to show the people in the town she grew up in more often than not she said nothing at all.
Her reasons for running away from the town were solid, but in coming back to have others say that the whole town was proud of her and all these people celebrating her accomplishments over the years was odd as there was no evidence to support that.
The people in Lyla’s life had treated her terribly and with only an apology she was willing to act as though none of it ever happened. She should have demanded more than that from the people who supposedly love her.
The mom came across as someone who had joined a cult as opposed to a church, and she let petty jealousy turn her into a sorry excuse of a mother. Her reasoning behind her behavior made little sense, especially since she had treated her daughter like trash the moment she got back to town, but then all of a sudden she had been going to therapy for a year, and had been quietly cheering her daughter on all these years only to be completely vile to her face.
Overall, this wasn’t what it was represented as, and while I probably could have overlooked that if the elements of the story added up in the way they were presented that’s just not the case.
Nothing in this book was what I expected. While there was alluding to child abuse, and a few instances of hateful words by a parent that was the darkest element in this.
The first chapters are from the past as to give you an idea of how the friendship between Eli and Lyla began.
The thing is nothing that I read in those chapters makes what is said later in the book seem like plausible scenarios. Supposedly they both had feelings for one another, but that only seems to be the case for Lyla none of the interactions from when they were young gave the slightest impression that Eli had any feeling for her.
Their reasoning for the way things transpired in the past made little sense, and the animosity that Eli has when Lyla comes back to town felt as though it was forced and fake. His inner monologue didn’t really match the misplaced anger he had for her. He was a sweet guy trying to be something he wasn’t.
She supposedly reinvented herself in the years she was away but when she was faced with the opportunity to show the people in the town she grew up in more often than not she said nothing at all.
Her reasons for running away from the town were solid, but in coming back to have others say that the whole town was proud of her and all these people celebrating her accomplishments over the years was odd as there was no evidence to support that.
The people in Lyla’s life had treated her terribly and with only an apology she was willing to act as though none of it ever happened. She should have demanded more than that from the people who supposedly love her.
The mom came across as someone who had joined a cult as opposed to a church, and she let petty jealousy turn her into a sorry excuse of a mother. Her reasoning behind her behavior made little sense, especially since she had treated her daughter like trash the moment she got back to town, but then all of a sudden she had been going to therapy for a year, and had been quietly cheering her daughter on all these years only to be completely vile to her face.
Overall, this wasn’t what it was represented as, and while I probably could have overlooked that if the elements of the story added up in the way they were presented that’s just not the case.
March 31, 2024
Everyone in this book was awful at one time or another to the h! EVERYONE!!
Angst = h is betrayed, humiliated, ignored, berated, insulted and verbally abused by most everyone in her life (supposed best friend - H, sister, mother, townsfolks, etc. ). The reason they all disregard or are confrontationally abusive? They all believe the h is too good for the town and they all know she wants to get out into the world, so they all betray/ignore/insult the h who they know will in fact succeed. Like WTF? It's tough to read how everyone she loves is so cruel to her. The h could be perceived as a doormat as she accepts most all of the treatment she receives, but it also demonstrates the h's character in that she loves deeply those around her and she accepts them for who they are, a courtesy they DO NOT reciprocate. Despite the contempt and disgust she is shown, h does get out and flourishes in the real world all while still reaching out and helping those at home (who are resentful and blatantly ignore/ghost any attempts h makes to reach out).
OW drama = h's sister, h's mother and H's girlfriend/ex-wife are 3 OW that h has to constantly deal with who cause a lot of emotional pain and betrayal. h's sister partakes in the bullying the h experiences in life, she also laughs when he is bullied and she lies about what h has done to help her out (like sending money every month since h has been away) to villainize the h in the eyes of others. h's mother is verbally abusive to the h but physically and emotionally abusive to h's sister. H's ex-wife/high school girlfriend was always quick to insult the h even in front of the H who did nothing to stop it. She also made every effort to be physical with the H when h was around to stake a claim and diminish time the H could spend with the h.
Grovel (everyone but the H here) = h's sister had a hard life which h lived with her but able to pull herself out of, h's sister is envious but also comes clean eventually about her jealousies to the h and they hash it out as only sisters can. h's sister was always verbally supportive of the h behind closed doors and that went far toward giving the h what she needed and at the end of the book you find out that the sister has always been pushing the H to be with the h. h's mother went to therapy to get better in expressing herself, her emotions and to learn how to be more effective with her communication which she only sis so she could be better for the h (as explained by the sister). Come to find out, the mother has been a huge fan of the h, has bragged to any and all about her talented daughter and has highlighted the h's work in her home and to everyone else. h and mother hash it out and forgiveness given as growth was seen.
Grovel (H) = H was supposedly the h's best friend since they were like 8yoa. As they got older, the h sees the H falling in love with her sister. H is giving the sister the eye and showing preference to hang out with the sister. Starting in high school, H began hanging with the popular kids and ditching the h. When others were bullying the h, the H did not stop them nor step in to defend the h. H and the sister are still closer, in h's opinion, that H & h. Literally the night before the h is to leave for college, H makes his move and takes h's v card. Then right after when sister shows up, H jumps away from h like he is embarrassed to be caught with the h. H made no effort to show up knowing the h was leaving in the morning, made no effort in the years h was gone to reach out to h, never expressed himself with words to the h (I guess h should have known how H felt from the way H looked at her????) When h comes back to town for her mom's wedding, H is needlessly cruel to the h and directly tells the h that he will break her and destroy her....reason? Because he knew all along she would leave him and once she did his life went to shit so it was her fault. Really. His dad was an ass, his dad died leaving the H to having to return home to care for his sick mother, he married the bully of the h, had a child that tragically died (skimmed over) and all of this he blames on the h???? He later tells the h that he was doing everything he could to keep up academically with the h so he could follow her and when he did not think that would be enough, he started playing sports to give himself another advantage. By becoming involved in sports, he got off track and into a newer social circle which left the h behind. Yet we are supposed to believe, despite him always showing preference to ex-wife/GF and to h's sister through word and deed, that the h was the love of his life? The one he NEVER actually expressed his feelings to? Yet he told the sister, so h should have known? The same sister that was a vault with secrets that she did not share? I seem to be ranting and I guess I kind of am, I felt that the h was the one who always had to sacrifice herself and her feelings to make everyone around her feel better including the H. She lets everyone get away with their actions because she is empathetic and compassionate. She puts herself last. She does end up standing up for herself and expressing to others how she will no longer apologize for bettering herself. The H finally actually talks to the h to tell her how he has felt all along. And h being the blessed human she is, accepts it. Was it a great grovel, eh...H needed to have done more.
There were some missed opportunities for people to redeem themselves. The OW drama could have been juicier. Overall, decent read.
Angst = h is betrayed, humiliated, ignored, berated, insulted and verbally abused by most everyone in her life (supposed best friend - H, sister, mother, townsfolks, etc. ). The reason they all disregard or are confrontationally abusive? They all believe the h is too good for the town and they all know she wants to get out into the world, so they all betray/ignore/insult the h who they know will in fact succeed. Like WTF? It's tough to read how everyone she loves is so cruel to her. The h could be perceived as a doormat as she accepts most all of the treatment she receives, but it also demonstrates the h's character in that she loves deeply those around her and she accepts them for who they are, a courtesy they DO NOT reciprocate. Despite the contempt and disgust she is shown, h does get out and flourishes in the real world all while still reaching out and helping those at home (who are resentful and blatantly ignore/ghost any attempts h makes to reach out).
OW drama = h's sister, h's mother and H's girlfriend/ex-wife are 3 OW that h has to constantly deal with who cause a lot of emotional pain and betrayal. h's sister partakes in the bullying the h experiences in life, she also laughs when he is bullied and she lies about what h has done to help her out (like sending money every month since h has been away) to villainize the h in the eyes of others. h's mother is verbally abusive to the h but physically and emotionally abusive to h's sister. H's ex-wife/high school girlfriend was always quick to insult the h even in front of the H who did nothing to stop it. She also made every effort to be physical with the H when h was around to stake a claim and diminish time the H could spend with the h.
Grovel (everyone but the H here) = h's sister had a hard life which h lived with her but able to pull herself out of, h's sister is envious but also comes clean eventually about her jealousies to the h and they hash it out as only sisters can. h's sister was always verbally supportive of the h behind closed doors and that went far toward giving the h what she needed and at the end of the book you find out that the sister has always been pushing the H to be with the h. h's mother went to therapy to get better in expressing herself, her emotions and to learn how to be more effective with her communication which she only sis so she could be better for the h (as explained by the sister). Come to find out, the mother has been a huge fan of the h, has bragged to any and all about her talented daughter and has highlighted the h's work in her home and to everyone else. h and mother hash it out and forgiveness given as growth was seen.
Grovel (H) = H was supposedly the h's best friend since they were like 8yoa. As they got older, the h sees the H falling in love with her sister. H is giving the sister the eye and showing preference to hang out with the sister. Starting in high school, H began hanging with the popular kids and ditching the h. When others were bullying the h, the H did not stop them nor step in to defend the h. H and the sister are still closer, in h's opinion, that H & h. Literally the night before the h is to leave for college, H makes his move and takes h's v card. Then right after when sister shows up, H jumps away from h like he is embarrassed to be caught with the h. H made no effort to show up knowing the h was leaving in the morning, made no effort in the years h was gone to reach out to h, never expressed himself with words to the h (I guess h should have known how H felt from the way H looked at her????) When h comes back to town for her mom's wedding, H is needlessly cruel to the h and directly tells the h that he will break her and destroy her....reason? Because he knew all along she would leave him and once she did his life went to shit so it was her fault. Really. His dad was an ass, his dad died leaving the H to having to return home to care for his sick mother, he married the bully of the h, had a child that tragically died (skimmed over) and all of this he blames on the h???? He later tells the h that he was doing everything he could to keep up academically with the h so he could follow her and when he did not think that would be enough, he started playing sports to give himself another advantage. By becoming involved in sports, he got off track and into a newer social circle which left the h behind. Yet we are supposed to believe, despite him always showing preference to ex-wife/GF and to h's sister through word and deed, that the h was the love of his life? The one he NEVER actually expressed his feelings to? Yet he told the sister, so h should have known? The same sister that was a vault with secrets that she did not share? I seem to be ranting and I guess I kind of am, I felt that the h was the one who always had to sacrifice herself and her feelings to make everyone around her feel better including the H. She lets everyone get away with their actions because she is empathetic and compassionate. She puts herself last. She does end up standing up for herself and expressing to others how she will no longer apologize for bettering herself. The H finally actually talks to the h to tell her how he has felt all along. And h being the blessed human she is, accepts it. Was it a great grovel, eh...H needed to have done more.
There were some missed opportunities for people to redeem themselves. The OW drama could have been juicier. Overall, decent read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2025
I don’t understand this book at all. There was no part of their childhood relationship that shows Eli having more than friend feelings for her. His want for “revenge” when she comes back home was dumb.
November 13, 2022
What an unusual story! Yes, it is the familiar story of - 2 kids in the dumpy little town of Hallow, become best friends in elementary school and intend to remain best friends for the rest of their lives. Then high school happens and things change. Eli and "Mouse" (Lyla) will never be the same. The day after Lyla graduates high school, she leaves the miserable town to fulfill her lifelong goal to make a life for herself, never intending to return to Hallow. BUT....
The book keeps your attention and keeps you thinking along with the characters. So many thoughts go through your mind (as the reader) when things happen with the characters. First, you are cheering Lyla on and cussing Eli out! Then you are crying for Eli and wishing the best of luck to Lyla. Then you are not so sure Lyla should return to the town that nearly destroyed her but wonder if the spark between them is still there. Lyla's older sister never left town and now has 2 girls of her own and their mother is still the horrible person she always was. So when Lyla does something nice for them, you are thinking... why ? They treat her so bad! Then you are admiring her strength, and wondering what the heck is going on with sweet Eli. And oh yeah, what's going on between Eli and Lyla's sister? Meanwhile - the entire town kind of hates Lyla and wishes she'd go home. But she stays and fights for what she thinks is right. And just as you think Lyla is going to do one thing... she does the opposite and you are hooked and have to keep reading to find out what happens! And at the end, some things are resolved, but it still has you thinking - do I agree or disagree with that!
This is a really emotional story, one that I have never read anything like before. It is about people changing, understanding each other and helping each other. It is about not judging from what you see because most likely, you don't know the whole story. It is about forgiveness and working through things and keeping the family together when things go bad. I think the author did superb writing using the characters to express so many things including, why people do things that we think are stupid but they think it is the right thing for them, and don't judge until you know all the facts.
The book keeps your attention and keeps you thinking along with the characters. So many thoughts go through your mind (as the reader) when things happen with the characters. First, you are cheering Lyla on and cussing Eli out! Then you are crying for Eli and wishing the best of luck to Lyla. Then you are not so sure Lyla should return to the town that nearly destroyed her but wonder if the spark between them is still there. Lyla's older sister never left town and now has 2 girls of her own and their mother is still the horrible person she always was. So when Lyla does something nice for them, you are thinking... why ? They treat her so bad! Then you are admiring her strength, and wondering what the heck is going on with sweet Eli. And oh yeah, what's going on between Eli and Lyla's sister? Meanwhile - the entire town kind of hates Lyla and wishes she'd go home. But she stays and fights for what she thinks is right. And just as you think Lyla is going to do one thing... she does the opposite and you are hooked and have to keep reading to find out what happens! And at the end, some things are resolved, but it still has you thinking - do I agree or disagree with that!
This is a really emotional story, one that I have never read anything like before. It is about people changing, understanding each other and helping each other. It is about not judging from what you see because most likely, you don't know the whole story. It is about forgiveness and working through things and keeping the family together when things go bad. I think the author did superb writing using the characters to express so many things including, why people do things that we think are stupid but they think it is the right thing for them, and don't judge until you know all the facts.
May 31, 2021
“Even on the darkest days, sunflowers are capable of finding the sunlight”.
This book was heartachingly beautiful. The first half of the book is full of everything I love about teenage angst as you consume Lyla’s pining for the boy next door that has always had a soft spot for her, but you feel each ‘almost’ moment between them slip through her fingers until that one night. The build-up tension and anticipation is almost too much to bare as you finally get a glimpse of the magic that could be Eli and Lyla.
“She entered my life, and my heart immediately changed it’s beat to suit her.” - this line is also another favourite of mine in the book!!
I’m going to be really honest I was hooked from the second sentence in the Prologue. It was such a Bella-ism as my partner would say because it was a sentence that is full of other sentences/phrases but made absolute perfect sense to me and genuinely had me hooked.
"You know, that earth-shattering, lay-my-life-on-the-line, knock-entire-cities-down-to-please-her kind of love."
It remined me of that scene in Veronica Mars when Logan talks about their love being epic – “I thought our story was epic. Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined, bloodshed. Epic”. These two gave me the same sort of goosebumps and are my definition of epic.
I felt every moment of this book and I really could not put it down once I started, literally I read a chapter last night and had to keep going then BAM I had consumed the whole thing and it was almost 2am. I do wish there was more, I’m so greedy for more of this story!!
I love these types of romance books - dark, angsty, small town, second chance romance, full of ‘almost’ moments and friends to lovers.
Can’t wait to see what Jen writes next!
Disclosure: I was given early access to read this book but was not asked to do a review, I genuinely enjoyed this romance book!
This book was heartachingly beautiful. The first half of the book is full of everything I love about teenage angst as you consume Lyla’s pining for the boy next door that has always had a soft spot for her, but you feel each ‘almost’ moment between them slip through her fingers until that one night. The build-up tension and anticipation is almost too much to bare as you finally get a glimpse of the magic that could be Eli and Lyla.
“She entered my life, and my heart immediately changed it’s beat to suit her.” - this line is also another favourite of mine in the book!!
I’m going to be really honest I was hooked from the second sentence in the Prologue. It was such a Bella-ism as my partner would say because it was a sentence that is full of other sentences/phrases but made absolute perfect sense to me and genuinely had me hooked.
"You know, that earth-shattering, lay-my-life-on-the-line, knock-entire-cities-down-to-please-her kind of love."
It remined me of that scene in Veronica Mars when Logan talks about their love being epic – “I thought our story was epic. Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined, bloodshed. Epic”. These two gave me the same sort of goosebumps and are my definition of epic.
I felt every moment of this book and I really could not put it down once I started, literally I read a chapter last night and had to keep going then BAM I had consumed the whole thing and it was almost 2am. I do wish there was more, I’m so greedy for more of this story!!
I love these types of romance books - dark, angsty, small town, second chance romance, full of ‘almost’ moments and friends to lovers.
Can’t wait to see what Jen writes next!
Disclosure: I was given early access to read this book but was not asked to do a review, I genuinely enjoyed this romance book!
December 20, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read by Jen. I will admit when I first started it and saw chapter 1 with Lyla at 8 years old I was a little worried. However, Jen wrote this book so well. I was completely hooked until the end. There could be some triggers to some though, talks of mental and physical abuse, child loss among other things. Character development was amazing as you got to see them grow from a young age and what they endured. And the secondary characters were so horrible they were great. And I mean that in the best way. I’m talking about Denise and Emma. Like I said the growth of Lyla and Eli, even Marnie and Denise at the ending was written so well. This book however is very emotional. Following Lyla who never fit in, always did things right and still was pushed aside, forgotten about and talked down upon. She couldn’t wait to leave The Hollow. Secretly in love with her childhood best friend Eli. But he breaks her heart the night before she leaves for college. 7 years pass before she returns, a different person, no longer the little mouse but as a best selling author. I loved Marnies daughters, they were so sweet. And when Eli said he would break her like she did him… he almost did. Full of struggles, tension, angst, heartache, love, friendship, family, abuse, trauma, second chances, grief and so much more. Can’t wait to read more from Jen.
June 13, 2021
This story was very compelling & impossible to put down despite the fact that I wasn't a fan of Eli whatsoever. See, Eli & Mouse grew up together and as they got older, she had a secret thing for him. However, he didn't pay her any mind once he got popular & started hooking up with all kinds of other girls. I could get past that but letting people torture her (like his pathetic girlfriend) all the time without stopping them make him a weak as hell coward in my eyes. The whole town (including her mother & sister) treated her poorly despite the fact that Mouse would do anything for anyone. She finally gets her wish & actually hooks up with Eli (her first time), but things were revealed so she left for college the next day without saying goodbye, and I didn't blame her one bit. Years later she's come home to help her sister, and Eli is angry & blames her for his life being terrible (weak as hell coward) so he intends on making her pay. This is where the book almost lost me because it was wrong on so many levels. This girl deserved the world & people still treated her terribly including him. Will he make things right before she leaves town forever?! Please remember how I feel about Eli is only my opinion so decide for yourselves! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
June 10, 2021
Eli and Lyla were childhood friends, and while Lyla is an introvert she struggles with life, and she is forced to stand by and watch their friendship get destroyed as Eli falls in love with another girl, but fate destined for them to spend a night together, which resulted in Lyla leaving town the next day. Now 7-years later Lyla is back in her small hometown, and when Eli finds out she is back, he is determined to prove that he is not the man she left behind, and as life has been tough for him, he puts the blame solely at Lyla’s feet. This is a well written emotional roller coaster, which is dark, raw, gritty, heartfelt, and with angst, lies, jealousy, betrayal, pain, family, love, and is a poignant small-town friends / lover’s story. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
October 13, 2022
Wow! Beautiful
I was drawn to this book for the cover. I’m obsessed with sunflowers so I had to read this. But boy oh boy did I not see this masterpiece coming. This is Child Best Friends to Enemies to Lovers at its finest!
Eli and Lyla have so much history. You literally learn age by age what they mean to each other and what happened to push them away. I could not get enough of the raw angst between Eli and Lyla or Mouse as he calls her. That push and pull had my stomach in knots!
I’m so glad I read this. Eli is a lost beautiful soul, who you want to reach into the book and hug. And amazing and incredible Lyla, I fell hard for her. Feeling her pain every step of the way in this story. I loved it so much.
I was drawn to this book for the cover. I’m obsessed with sunflowers so I had to read this. But boy oh boy did I not see this masterpiece coming. This is Child Best Friends to Enemies to Lovers at its finest!
Eli and Lyla have so much history. You literally learn age by age what they mean to each other and what happened to push them away. I could not get enough of the raw angst between Eli and Lyla or Mouse as he calls her. That push and pull had my stomach in knots!
I’m so glad I read this. Eli is a lost beautiful soul, who you want to reach into the book and hug. And amazing and incredible Lyla, I fell hard for her. Feeling her pain every step of the way in this story. I loved it so much.
December 24, 2023
I was hooked from the first paragraph. This is one of those books you will continue to think about long after the last page is read. I devoured it in a few hours, so my only complaint is its length. Devoting a few pages to growing the FMC's adult relationship with the town that failed her as a child would have rounded out the storyline and furthered the themes of forgiveness, atonement, and redemption, but overall it was an awesome read.
On the surface, Stevens weaves a heartfelt narrative. Underneath, a realistic glimpse at the intricacies of family dynamics, small-town life, and the moments that shape the future is presented through a deep cast of characters. When the FMC refuses to participate in a generational cycle of dysfunction and abuse and dares to take another path, a toxic environment fueled by pettiness and jealousy is allowed to flourish. What enables her to rise without hardening her heart and losing her capacity to love? Advice from a sunflower. 😉
On the surface, Stevens weaves a heartfelt narrative. Underneath, a realistic glimpse at the intricacies of family dynamics, small-town life, and the moments that shape the future is presented through a deep cast of characters. When the FMC refuses to participate in a generational cycle of dysfunction and abuse and dares to take another path, a toxic environment fueled by pettiness and jealousy is allowed to flourish. What enables her to rise without hardening her heart and losing her capacity to love? Advice from a sunflower. 😉
November 6, 2022
This story of Lyla and Eli is a beautiful one, with the enhancement of the pivotal moments from their past that led to where they ended up. Lyla, aka Mouse, is a quiet introvert who had always had one foot outside the Hollow, and who was ready to run from it as soon as she graduated. And still keeps her foot out the door when she has to visit. Eli is more of an outspoken grump, who wants a do over with his Mouse, but definitely shows how he cares for those he considers family. I love Jen's descriptions of The Hollow, and she really made me feel like I was there. Lyla was a little too forgiving for me, but the ending was a perfect fit for the story, and I definitely recommend reading it!
June 12, 2021
Eli was in love with Mouse but never told her, Mouse was in love with Eli but never told him. Eli ended up turning his back on Mouse and ended up making friends with the popular kids at school leaving Mouse completely alone people at the school and even at times her sister were all really mean to her. Mouse then goes off to become a famous author and that's when things began changing for her. I feel like the people in her town only liked her because she was famous and not for any other reason and the whole time I just felt bad for her.
November 1, 2022
Lyla was the quite girl with a crush on her best friend Eli, though he never showed her the love she deserved and didnt stand up for her. But after their one night together Lyla goes off to college and makes a life for her self. However time hadnt been kind to Eli, whe Lyla comes home to help her sister Eli vows to make her pay for what he believes is her ruining his life. But lyla isn't the mouse of a girl he one knew. This story has you gripped from the start. Emotionally driven the characters develope well and the story is paced well throughout
June 12, 2021
My second story by this amazing author!
Man, want to talk about emotions!
There were so many times where I could have replaced Lyla's name with mine!
My heart, well, let me just say, there was plenty of TLC I had to provide throughout this book! Tears, yep! So cathartic!
Ms. Stevens is definitely an author I will have on my watch list! Can't wait to read more!
Man, want to talk about emotions!
There were so many times where I could have replaced Lyla's name with mine!
My heart, well, let me just say, there was plenty of TLC I had to provide throughout this book! Tears, yep! So cathartic!
Ms. Stevens is definitely an author I will have on my watch list! Can't wait to read more!
June 16, 2021
Bittersweet
While I enjoyed getting to know these characters, I was sad that Lyla, Mouse, seemed to be the one to always give in. Life is often unfair, but it still felt like she had to give in to everyone over and over again. Just because you want something different in life doesn't make it wrong. I felt like the author made her the villain by the end.
While I enjoyed getting to know these characters, I was sad that Lyla, Mouse, seemed to be the one to always give in. Life is often unfair, but it still felt like she had to give in to everyone over and over again. Just because you want something different in life doesn't make it wrong. I felt like the author made her the villain by the end.
June 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and all the angst I loved how how selfless Lyla was whilst trying to better her life she still supported her family back home.
This book has it all angst, family, love and is definitely worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book has it all angst, family, love and is definitely worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 5, 2021
A story that felt sad in some cases yet still a linger of hope prevails. I enjoyed the drama and intrigue. I liked the characters though the storyline had me putting the book down a few times as things hit too close a few times.
I requested a copy of this book and am voluntarily writing a review.
I requested a copy of this book and am voluntarily writing a review.
November 15, 2022
Advice From A Sunflower
This book was full nostalgic events that many of us have lived through ourselves. You will root for all the characters to get their lives straightened out, cry with them, and rejoice their interpersonal victories. If I could give this story 10 stars I would.
This book was full nostalgic events that many of us have lived through ourselves. You will root for all the characters to get their lives straightened out, cry with them, and rejoice their interpersonal victories. If I could give this story 10 stars I would.
December 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
1.5 🌶
The plot was good, I loved the build up of them growing up together to get some background. This is supposed to be a dark romance but it really isn't that dark.
It had some grammical & spelling errors that bothered me. I wish there was more spice to it.
1.5 🌶
The plot was good, I loved the build up of them growing up together to get some background. This is supposed to be a dark romance but it really isn't that dark.
It had some grammical & spelling errors that bothered me. I wish there was more spice to it.
June 15, 2021
I loved this book! It was full of drama, romance and kept me hooked till the very end!
January 21, 2022
I don't understand how anyone could finish this. Halfway through and I want to throw the book.
Main character makes me pity them and they don't even exist.
Main character makes me pity them and they don't even exist.
November 15, 2022
rating:~2.5
Just not a fan of the miscommunication trope
Just not a fan of the miscommunication trope
June 15, 2021
This had a lot of potential.
RTC
RTC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2022
Man, I wanted to like this. I was super intrigued by the concept and was sucked in from the beginning, but it gradually started to lose me and I could not get behind the relationship at all.
The MMC was the worst and I never fully understood his intentions. I’m not normally one to be bothered by miscommunication, but homeboy had ZERO communication skills. The FMC deserved better 🤷🏻♀️
The MMC was the worst and I never fully understood his intentions. I’m not normally one to be bothered by miscommunication, but homeboy had ZERO communication skills. The FMC deserved better 🤷🏻♀️
October 20, 2022
I got this book in a romance reveal book box. I Just found this book to have great potential but It didn't quite work for me personally. I don't get the title. I don't get how this is a dark romance in any way, shape or form. To me it was just very vanilla. It wasn't bad but It wasn't good either. I didn't hate it but I can't say I really liked it either.
November 6, 2022
I didn’t grow up exactly like Marnie and Lyla.
But it was toxic all the same. So I really resonated with the MC.
This book had my heart,tears, and soul.
Love, heartache, acceptance, escape.
When everyone expects you to fail given the circumstances but you rise like a Phoenix.
I adored this so much.
My favorite.
But it was toxic all the same. So I really resonated with the MC.
This book had my heart,tears, and soul.
Love, heartache, acceptance, escape.
When everyone expects you to fail given the circumstances but you rise like a Phoenix.
I adored this so much.
My favorite.
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