Title: Hearts and Thorns
Author: Ella Field
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Standalone: Yes
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Enemies to Lovers Romance, Step brother Romance
Narration: Dual POV
Primary Characters: Willa and Jackson
Source: Courtesy of Author/ Publisher – ARC
Blurb:
https://www.amazon.in/Hearts-Thorns-Ella-Fields-ebook/dp/B083DLMTHC
This is the third book in the series. It can be read as standalone. This book is about Willa and Jackson
This is a standalone full-length new adult stepbrother romance, how ever it doesn’t qualify as enemies to lovers in my definition or book. I was ok with stepbrother romance; however this was too emotional and taboo for my taste. Taboo because, if you are brought up from childhood or from being infant, as a brother and sister(may be step), its tough to accept love between them atleast for me.
Willa and Jackson Thorn are step siblings and have been bought up together in the same house from the time they were infants. They shared a special bond during childhood but over the years, the dynamics changed, and their relationship became so much more than friendship.
Initially they have conflicting feelings and will struggle to accept their relationship and once they do, it becomes their dirty secret. You can see Jackson quoting as below.
“𝗜𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁, 𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿.”
From the time their relationship started, they were young and immature and make several mistakes. Since its tough to accept that even for them along with teen hormones they struggle to trust each other which results in their destruction. Once their secrets and lies are exposed all their best lied plans will be exploded.
It was little strange for me to think how Victoria’s reaction was bad (their mother). Me being a mother and from my cultural background maybe I would have reacted worst than described in this book. Victoria going ape sh*t crazed on her kids felt normal to me and Willa’s actual father’s reaction as extremely matured and level headed.
It wasnt easy for them. they have suffered, lonely, broken and concerned. They have had it all. Going through darkest and painful feelings cannot be easy.
” I m not sure how it happened, but somewhere along the way to our forever, i lost track of right now”
“I hate you because i could never actually hate you, and that makes me hate you so much”
As I said, its too much of twists, turns, angst and taboo for my taste. Read with open mind. If you are ok with this sort of concept, go ahead and enjoy.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
Meander - Read & Roam 