noa_ashley_'s reviews
486 reviews

This is the second book in The Molly The Maid serie. This book takes place a few years after the first book. The famous writer (J. D Grimthorpe) was supposed to tell his fans a secret in the Regency Grand hotel but he died before he could tell everyone his secret. And Detective Stark thinks Molly has something to do with it. Molly helps her find the killer. This book has chapters in the past (where Molly and her grandma clean a house from people that the story is about in the present, Molly's grandma is very special to her, her favorite person and I'm glad there was moments between Molly and her grandma) and the present (where they find the killer.) Molly really grew as a person and she understands people more in this book (she has autism) and I'm glad that Juan Manual is still in her life and I wished that he was more in this book in the background, I really would have loved that. 

"He's changed me in very small ways, but I feel like I'm finally coming into myself. For the first time in forever." - Heath

"Who knew that the grumpy guy who caught me on day one was going to be a repeat?" - Leo

Heath and Leo grew up in different worlds, Leo didn't have money growing up and Heath did have money growing up, has a sister and they had a lot of rules. Heath is used to routine and being "perfect." Leo totally disturbed that. And that turned out to be really good for them both, they even started filming together. I really loved Heath's sister (Selena) and Leo's best friend (Asher) and mother. They could talk very openly about their feelings and always made sure that they were okay, they were there for each other in hard moments and never judged each other for being different. This was an age gap of 13 years (Leo 22 & Heath 35) and I didn't even notice it and in my opinion those are the best ones. It was also very beautiful to read about Heath his bi-awakening moment, he is so much happier with Leo!

"I want him to make me smile, to make me happy again." - Heath

They are just so good together, their lives fit together perfectly, they are different and they made it work.

I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you so much!

I listened to the audiobook version of this book. In this book we follow Molly who is a maid in a hotel, she loves her job. She has autism and because of that she doesn't understand what people say and how they mean it. Words can have different meanings and people used her, she didn't know that until later in the book. I'm glad that there were people looking out for her in the end. She lived with her grandmother and I loved how she had a part in Molly's life. I think the author wrote about autism with respect and it felt realistic. This book was easy to understand.

"I screamed for attention, but no one could hear me." - Blaze (Ajax)

"Despite all our shit, Blaze chose me to help him when he could've found anyone else." - Ajax (Jaxon)

Blaze has been g00med, there are flashbacks and thoughts about that time and person throughout the book, make sure to check the trigger warnings. In the beginning he didn't see it that way, it took him some time and conversations with others to realize that. Because of that, he has a hard time showing/accepting love and believing that people want to be and stay with him because they really want too, there are a lot of things that he struggles with, eventually he starts to open up to Ajax and their friends. Blaze just wanted to be seen and loved. I'm glad that he has Cueball who looks after him and makes sure that Ajax understands what Blaze needs and how he needs/wants to be treated.

"Understand your boundaries and his. Create safe words and have a safe space." - Cueball to Ajax about Blaze

Ajax is struggling with his mental health, especially in the second half of this book. It was hard to read but also beautiful that when he was told that he had bipolar disorder, that there was hope, people could help him and he could understand himself better and also parts of his childhood. And yes, I cried a lot in the second half of the book.This book was written with so much respect and care.

The mental health, found family and hurt/comfort (I'm always looking for those tropes) were so beautiful and made me emotional! Even though a lot of people abandoned them, they still have each other. Ajax and Blaze understood each other so well, they were vulnerable with each other and they slowly opened up. They had a lot of fun and important meaningful moments. I just loved how they talked about doubts they had and how they reassured each other in those moments, they help each other heal parts that they didn't break.They have each other and a lot of loving friends that will help them in difficult times.

I found a new author that I want to read more books from! I received a copy of this book. Thank you so much.

This book it felt very messy and following this book was different for me. I listened to the audiobook version of the book. I didn't feel the Thriller part, to me this book felt unnecessary too long. This book was more about family drama, there are a lot of questions and it took so long for them to be answered. I probably should have giving it a DNF. 

"I’m about to meet my girlfriend's mom. I may walk in on something amazing, or I’ll have to put Tessa back together." - Julian

"I deserve things like Julian and his heart." - Tessa

Tessa is in danger and Julian is the bodyguard that is the one to keep her safe, he's also the one that she already knew. This is a hate to love because they had a "situation" a few years ago that didn't end well. He "hates" her so much but makes sure that there always is a prescription inhaler for her.

They both have their own past and trauma. Because of that, they to communicate in order to understand each other and be what the other needs. They are there for each other in the hard and beautiful moments. Tessa her mother has dementia and Tessa carried that on her own for a long time until she opened up to Julian. There were also lots of moments with friends and family. With lots of action! 

I received an ARC copy of this book by the author.

Briar almost always uses wife and husband together. I’m not sure I can recall a time when he uses one and doesn’t use the other in these moments. It doesn’t feel like he does it for any reason but reflex. Like he means them. I’m both. I’m neither." - Noaz

"My home is where you are. Wherever you breathe and your heart beats. Where you smile. Where you’re happy. That’s my home, love. Not walls and furniture. You." - Brair

I love this book and this Serie so much, the characters are so meaningful, they understand each other so good and the found family is everything. This book/serie is dark but there is also enough time to get to know the family, to understand that this family will do everything for each other and that makes me feel so happy. Crea Reitan created the perfect balance between darkness and all the good vibes 

This book has so many beautiful and important moments and conversations! For example Honey Bee paying attention to what Noaz likes to wear and her finding different options that are totally their style. They all make Noaz feel so seen. Yes, I also cried while reading it!!! At this point I'm not even surprised by that. I really love the (found) family and the friends that turned into one big family. I'm so glad that they all stay living close to together. Also that moment when Briar was painting Noaz nails without asking is a perfect example of Briar fully accepting Noaz! Noaz wasn't fully accepted in their past relationships and it made me so happy for them, to get everything they always wanted and deserved. 

"We’re a small village all our own." 

Both Noaz and Briar wanted to have a partner and children, they were looking for the perfect person to start a family with and they found that with each other! Noaz is Genderfluid and I'm so glad that they finally found someone that loves every part of them. Briar has so much respect for Noaz, it's so easy for him, Having respect for someone is the minimum but sadly that is still something not everyone has naturally in the real world. Their relationship just feels so warm and safe. Their child/children are so lucky to grow up with two amazing parents and into this family. This book is focused on starting a family. Noaz and Briar their relationship moves fast but felt right for them. They were both so ready to become parents and definitely did everything to make that happen. 

"Our family and friends took care of everything while we were gone." 

___ Update ___

After writing my review a 4.5 stars , I couldn't stop thinking how amazing this book is, so this book is also a 5 star. This is already a 5 star serie for me, and I'm only on the second book! I also gave the first book (Loren) in this serie 5 stars!

Make sure to check the trigger warnings for this Serie. I really love the way Crea Reitan uses her books to teach people new ways of thinking and to educate people. I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you so much!

"I will make you smile every day, forever. All you have to do is live, Oakley. Smile for me. Laugh. I’ll give you the world." - Loren

"This is how I’ve always wanted to be loved. To be treated. His obsessive love is just… home. I want to get lost in it." - Oakley

What I really loved was the way they communicated, Loren is different but he is trying to explain what he feels or what he wants and then they figure out what he's feeling together, yes he did stalk Oakley (not controlling, in a "I need him to be safe and he's my man but also I'm glad that he has friends that care about him. " Kinda way) but he didn't want to hurt him, his intentions weren't bad. He just wanted to keep Oakley safe and to be the reason he smiles. I also really loved the family Loren had, and Oakley's friends. They have a really good and trustworthy found family. They are very loyal to each other and do everything for each other. I love that they can reassure each other when they need it and that they ask what they need in vulnerable moments.

"Dad made sure we understood that home was a safe place, and we were allowed to ask questions and have whatever." - Loren

Loren does meaningful things for Oakley because he understands Oakley his interests. Even if he sees things/emotions differently then others, he understands that it's important to listen to someone that he cares about.

Also, this part made me cry:

"I’m never overwhelmed by you. I’m not frustrated or uneasy or scared or put off or anything else that you’ve said in the last week. Stop trying to warn me about the way other people have made you feel about yourself." - Oakley

I really needed to read that, I just really love how Crea Reitan uses words and meaningful quotes. This book had dark parts but it was also so sweet and meaningful to me.

"I’ve kept secrets for a long time and it feels like they’re starting to catch up with me." - Elle

"I’ll fake date you for the rest of our lives if that makes you happy." - Rhodes

I really love this serie, it feels good to be back in this world! They are all so sweet and the found family is so good. Rhodes and Elle have been best friends for a long time, all their friends see that they like each other. Rhodes and Elle are so in love with each other but they made a promise to stay in the friend zone, and a cheerleader and sporter can't be seen in the same room. Which makes everything so difficult because they are best friends. Elle has a secret career and I really liked how that had a part in the story. It was just so obvious that they are perfect for each other! Also Levi (Rhodes his son) is so cute and I love all the moments that they had with him. Levi really loves Elle, honestly everyone loves Elle! It's a shame that her parents can't see how amazing she is and how good Rhodes treats her. I'm glad that Elle has Rhodes his parents around her. Rhodes, Elle, Levi & Bogey (puppy!!!) are such a loving little family. There are 2 time-lines and both are in 2 pov's 

"If we’d known the feelings were reciprocated. You wouldn’t have Levi, and he is the best thing to ever happen to both of us.” - Elle
“I love you for loving him that way.” - Rhodes 
“He’s part of you. Of course I love him.” - Elle 

I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you for so much I really appreciated it!

4.5 ⭐ 

Ik heb geluisterd naar het audioboek versie van dit boek. Dit is ook mijn eerste introductie van Mariska Overman haar boeken, ik vond de indeling van het boek niet fijn, het was niet duidelijk in welke POV de hoofdstukken zijn (tot later in de hoofdstukken) en dat is vooral erg Ingewikkeld in het begin. Ik vond het ook niet echt spannend. Maar het einde was wel goed. Dus 3 sterren en ik wil meer boeken van deze schrijfster uitproberen /lezen of luisterboeken luisteren.