My heart 💔
Honestly, I cried. A lot.
This book hit me so much harder than the first one.
Right from Jeremiah’s POV, I was already tearing up.
Jeremiah.
The second son.
The way he looks at Conrad, you can feel his admiration, like Conrad were an unreachable star.
Even when they wrestled, he never fought his best, because deep down, he knew Conrad was always the one expected to shine, to live up to their dad’s high standards.
That small detail? It broke me.
And then there’s his quiet love for Belly, sweet, hopeful, but deep down, he knows.
He knows Belly will always find her way back to Conrad.
And then Conrad himself.
The first son, carrying the weight of expectations like it’s stitched into his skin.
He’s moody, mysterious, unpredictable, and that’s exactly what keeps Belly tied to him.
With Jeremiah, there’s comfort.
With Conrad, there’s fire.
There’s one scene that I just can’t stop thinking about: Conrad catching Belly and Jeremiah kissing, and asking,
“Why did you kiss Jeremiah when you’re wearing my necklace?”
That was… wow.
Painful, confusing, raw.
It’s not just about the necklace, is it?
It’s about what it represents.
Maybe Conrad never gave it to her because he knew Jeremiah’s feelings.
Maybe his love for his brother was greater than his love for Belly, even though he’ll always, always care for her.
That thought just shattered me.
And then, the whole summer, it wasn’t the carefree one we’re used to.
It was heavy.
Everyone was grieving Susannah’s death, and the way each of them carried that grief was so real.
Conrad shut down. Jeremiah needed someone, needing Belly.
And Belly, stuck between them both, trying to figure out where her heart really belonged.
And here’s where it really messed with me:
Jeremiah is safe. He’s steady. He needs her.
But Belly’s heart?
It’s with Conrad. Always.
That kind of deep, impossible love that hurts more than it heals.
And I just kept wondering, how can Jeremiah ever feel okay, knowing he might always be the second choice?
But then again, what should Belly do if Conrad, despite loving her, just doesn’t choose her the way Jeremiah does?
This second book felt deeper, heavier, more grown-up than the first.
It wasn’t just about summer romances anymore.
It was about grief, messy love, and the hard truths that come with growing up.
And yes, I cried through so many pages, but honestly?
It was worth every tear.
If you’ve ever been caught between what feels safe and what feels impossible, you’ll see yourself in this story.
It reminded me that love isn’t always neat or fair.
It’s complicated, sometimes painful, but it’s also what shapes us the most.
That’s why this book stays with you long after the last page.
No comments