“I clasped her face between my hands, my forehead pressing to hers and we held each other there like matching pillars of stone, each unable to fall while they had the other, stronger together.”
—
This book couldn’t be anything less than 5 stars tbh,
which is funny considering i barely wanted to read it after the heartache book 8 caused me.
It was such an interesting concept for a book and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it.

Getting points of views of characters we’ve heard of throughout this series but hadn’t actually met before was something I didn’t even know I needed. I fell deeply in love with these characters and the lengths they were willing to go for those they loved who were still alive. It was also such a great experience to think back to certain events from book 8 and see the influence characters from book 8.5 had on said events.

Overall, this series has such beautiful found family vibes. But front & centre in this book was the power of family & the bonds that remain even after death.
I also loved how present the notion was that love could heal our darkness / bring us back from it. We saw this not only through Darius and Tory’s relationship, but through other relationships we got glimpses of as well.

Speaking of Tory and Darius.. I am so sorry for ever talking badly about this man & for feeling so annoyed with Tory with all she did in book 8.
I get it now & i don’t care how dramatic it sounds but I am so deeply grateful to know this relationship, and Darcy’s and Lance’s, even though they’re fictional.
They feel real and substantial and that is the true magic of these authors’ writings.

Overall, DO NOT SKIP THIS BOOK WHILE READING THROUGH THE SERIES!!
& if you love:

☄️ Alternative POVs of scenes from another book in a series
☄️ Origin stories
☄️ Family dynamics
☄️ Deep romantic bonds

Then this one is for you and idek what you’re still waiting for if you haven’t started this series yet