InsatiableSuccubooks's Reviews > Something Good

Wow, Melody Claire doesn't pack her punches! Wrapped Up in You was one of my favorite books last year so I had high hopes for this and just wow. I'm still reeling from the emotional journey! The early heartbreak was so painful, and the first half of the book was tinged in melancholy, even when they were together, because we know it was going to end in that first heartbreak. Sammy's background was heart breaking (mind the TW, especially if parental neglect is a big one for you). His resilience, strength and love for his younger brother make him a character you can't help but love, even when he's making choices you know aren't the best. Melody did such a good job showing us how and why he thinks the way he does, and it hurts so good. Will was also delightfully easy to love and cheer for, the way he tried so hard to help Sammy, to be there for him, even when he was too young and inexperienced to really know how.

The second half gave pretty immediate relief to the brutal heartbreak of the first two parts, and their reunion felt natural and realistic. The concept of soul mates is a strong theme in this book, as well as resilience. It's the perfect read when you need to feel hopeful and uplifted but need that hope to convince you it's real through the time and effort it takes to get there.

Melody Claire is a true wordsmith and the flow, pacing and quality of her word choice puts her in the upper echelons of romance writers for me. All of the characters are given the depth necessary to make them real enough to live rent free in your head. I could picture every scene.

I usually hate having an artist MC, because I am a professional artist and it's like taking a detective to a mystery. However, I have to hand it to her, she avoided most of the issues that set me off. Sammy was a mix of both natural inclination/talent and study and practice. While his art actually plays a pretty minor part, the author was knowledgeable enough in describing a commission process. There were a few minor things I missed, like any sort of ventilation or protective gear mentioned in the description of his studio, but this is such a niche criticism that I can barely count it as such.

I highly recommend her work to anyone that wants a well-crafted, beautifully written story of modern love. I received an early copy of this book, and this is my honest thoughts about it.

I wish there had been a little more time spent in the HEA and I personally didn't think Will having been married previously made enough difference to the plot as to be necessary. I think he could have just been in a long term relationship that ended vs a marriage, but that's just me. I need the balance of enjoying their HEA for the heartache it takes to get there, and to me it felt a little fast once they got back together. However, the epilogue was perfection and the way she brought them full circle into their partnership was absolutely beautiful.