From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

Steadfast (True North, #2)

Sarina Bowen

Start date: September 20, 2016

Finish date: September 30, 2016

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Jun 10, 2018 Stacie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4 3/4 "One minute at a time..." Stars!

Absolutely loved it all!! I already loved Jude from the first book and Sophie was so easy to love too. It was even more emotional than I anticipated. I'll be on the Zach soon. Happy reading! ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Jun 10, 2019 Leila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: college, second-chance-romance, broken-hero, contemporary-romance, made-me-cry, 2019-reads, angst-and-drama

4 addictive stars!

This was a wonderful story of second chances and redemption. This was a story filled with regret, cravings, remorse, love and stolen moments. I loved this sometimes painful journey that we went on. I enjoy a 2nd chance romance but I don’t usually do well with flashbacks, as there were only a few I managed just fine.

I never really felt that we got to know the real Sophie. I felt terrible for her and the life she has at home. Losing a brother so suddenly, taking care of a mother 4 addictive stars!

This was a wonderful story of second chances and redemption. This was a story filled with regret, cravings, remorse, love and stolen moments. I loved this sometimes painful journey that we went on. I enjoy a 2nd chance romance but I don’t usually do well with flashbacks, as there were only a few I managed just fine.

I never really felt that we got to know the real Sophie. I felt terrible for her and the life she has at home. Losing a brother so suddenly, taking care of a mother that has checked out on life and having to face a father that hates you and still blames you for your brother’s death. Add to that she had the love of her life sent to jail and she hadn’t spoken to or heard from him in over three years.

”I wanted to be the girl who tamed the wild boy.”

Jude has had a rough life. His mother left when he was young and his father turned to alcohol to dull the pain. Jude’s opioid drug addiction ended him up in prison for three years for the death of Sophie’s brother. It hurt my heart the way that Jude felt like he was never good enough and wasn’t worth having anything good in his life. Sarina pulls at our heartstrings and really make us feel the struggles that Jude has in continuing to battle his addictions and how hard it is just to make it through “a day at a time.”

There was no way in hell that Sophie and I could be together. It didn’t matter that I was still in love with her. And it didn’t matter that we had always had the sort of combustible attraction for one another was was immortalized in rock songs.

I loved that we got to return to Shipley Farms and visit with the Shipley family for Thursday night dinners. I’m looking forward to hearing more from them and reading their stories.

(view spoiler) ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2017 Sandra Hoover rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, contemporary-erotic, romance-erotic

Love it when a book and characters surprise me, and Steadfast did just that! Jude's story just rings true - it's not pretty, it's not sugarcoated . . . it's REAL! Jude lost everything when he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison. He was high on drugs and believed to be responsible for the death of his girlfriend's brother - the police chief's son. It's been three and a half years since that fateful day. Jude has returned to his hometown to face his demons of which Love it when a book and characters surprise me, and Steadfast did just that! Jude's story just rings true - it's not pretty, it's not sugarcoated . . . it's REAL! Jude lost everything when he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison. He was high on drugs and believed to be responsible for the death of his girlfriend's brother - the police chief's son. It's been three and a half years since that fateful day. Jude has returned to his hometown to face his demons of which there are many. His saving grace is the Shipley family from book 1. They have become his surrogate family and Thursday night dinners at their house are what keeps him sane...and sober from drugs.

Sophie has loved Jude forever. She tried to stand by her man when he went to prison, but Jude refused her letters & spurned her attempt to visit. Her family fell apart when her brother died, but now . . . now she wants answers to what really happened that night and no one - not even Jude will give them to her. And so Sophia turns investigator and the results will forever change lives.

As this story plays out, Jude and Sophie reconnect, realizing their passion and love still burns HOT. Have I mentioned yet how HOT this book is?? It is steamy, smokin', burst into flames HOT! The chemistry sizzles and crackles between these two even as they know a future together is impossible for so many reasons. When Jude's return and Sophie's attempts to learn the truth starts to rattle the wrong cages, things suddenly turn ugly. Who will be left standing? Will the truth ever come out? Can Jude ever forgive himself?

Steadfast is a heartfelt, second chance romance - second chance at life story that is so much "more". I applaud the author for the realistic view of a drug addict and the long, hard, continuous road to stay clean while battling the preconceived, prejudice notions of the public. I felt every long, tortuous step that Jude took toward reclaiming his life and cheered him on every step of the way. A good story of hope and love...A Must Read! ...more

8 likes · Like · see review