5 stars. This is the type of book that makes me regret the fact that I stopped smoking almost a decade ago. Dramatic? Sure, but it’s true this book had my nerves all messed up and it dragged my emotions to hell and back. It hurt so bad. And I loved every single painful moment.

The writing is absolutely beautiful and the plot is heavy and heartbreaking but the romance is the beacon of light. I loved the romance between Charlie and Hazaar and how this is in a way a second chance romance. They are both wonderful and strong characters as individuals but them together? Impeccable. Their chemistry and the unbreakable bond and love between them was absolutely beautiful.

This alternates between the past when they were together and the present with Charlie trying to rescue Hazaar. I thought it was well balanced between the two time periods. I adored the way this ended. It was hard journey to get to that HEA but it was a beautiful payoff.

This was such a painful and brutal read but again the romance was top tier. So good and I’m excited to explore this author’s backlist.