There is something to be said for growth. It leads to revelations, life changing decisions and, often times, closure.
This book, "Bring Me Home," was the final book in the Shattered Hearts series that took all the dangling parts and loose ends the first two books left us with and slowly and methodically took the time to weave them into the fabric of the lives of these characters.
Now, most people know me as a "hard reader to please" and someone who is "tough on writers" because of the level of expectations I have. And while some would say what I expect is too tall an order to fill, there have been the rare few that have filled the order and then far exceeded my expectations with the work they put out. This book qualifies as a rare occurrence.
This journey starts out in book one, "Relentless" and is carried over into the second book in this trilogy "Pieces of You." These books must be read in order to not only fully appreciate the growth, but to understand the significance of all the revelations made along the way.
I will now attempt to give this book the fine tribute I feel it deserves.
Picking up where "Pieces of You" leaves off, "Bring Me Home" was the culmination of realizations for our female lead, Claire. Claire, who has been riddled with guilt and sadness over a decision that was made well over a year ago...a decision that while she made on her own, left many others affected and heartbroken. But where there is love, there is healing...and where there is healing...there is hope for happiness and ultimately...FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness, not just by others but forgiving of ourselves.
Chris and Adam, both legitimately good guys, also bring something different to Claire's life. One forces her to face her past and guilt, while the other represents a chance of burying that deep and starting over and new. One holds her heart and the other holds her mask. One knows her true self and the other knows the girl she is pretending to be. While both love her, one loves all of her and the other loves the girl he had that helped lead him to make his own realizations. But which man does Claire want? And will that decision give us the Claire we never got to see or the Claire she was pretending to be?
All of this is answered in this book....and then some.
This author, whom I have come to know and truly adore as both a person and a writer, did EVERYTHING right with this book. It is very difficult to take characters that you come to know one way in the first book, have them be altered along the way due to circumstances and a series in events in the next book, then "Bring IT HOME" literally, in the third book, all why keeping true to each character's back story, their present situation, their own growth, their own realizations, their own needs, desires and wants, as well as remembering that all of that doesn't just affect one character, but many. There is always a trickledown effect and that must not be ignored, since every action has an adverse or equal reaction. The preparation must be accurate, the execution spot on and the reactions believable, realistic and make you nod your head while you are saying to yourself, "I can see that" or "that makes sense."
This book had EVERYTHING I demand in a closing book for a series.
Consistency of characters
Believability of progression
Realistic expectations
Ownership of actions
Realizations of feelings and needs
Honesty of wants and fears
Embracing understanding
Forgiveness
Growth and respect
And the ULTIMATE sacrifice
To say that I am beyond impressed would be an understatement.
This author spared no expense when she went balls to the wall sticking to her story as she saw fit, let the characters tell their story their way and win your heart no matter where your loyalties were. And helped you find your own understanding and forgiveness while you read and were introduced to a series of facts, truths and knowledge that I always suspected but never knew for sure. It is in those moments where you either cradle your favorite closer to your heart or find a way to embrace the other side.
You learn that first impressions are truly not what they seem.
What you see is not always what you get
Old love can always feel new
Understanding is the first step toward forgiveness
Love can truly conquer all
Taking ownership of your part in any situation leads towards healing and growth
And that Great Happiness truly does follow Great Pain
I have read many trilogies, not many with a love triangle, but this is hands down one of the best I have ever read in terms of bringing it all together and literally making it whole. The very end of this book made me smile because it ended with a glimmer of respect and promise not just for two characters, but ALL of them.
Brilliant conclusion and without a doubt one of the best I've read for a finale of a series.
An absolute FIVE STAR WINNER for me.
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Top reviews from other countries
Jo Reads
Perfect end to the series, LOVED it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2013
LittleDarling
Chris Knight saves it all...
Reviewed in Germany on December 29, 2013