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Review

#RCCThisIsLove

4.5 stars

This is the third of the Calloway Sisters books, but it’s actually the eighth book in the Addicted series, and OMG, it’s amazing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you must read these books in order! It’s one ongoing story, and there is no way you will be able to pick up on all of the character dynamics and fully appreciate the story the without starting from the beginning. If you haven’t made a start on this series yet – jump to it!

I started this book with so much excitement, relishing the opportunity to dive back into the lives of the characters that I love so much. No matter who is telling the story it’s always inclusive of the six core characters, but this book takes us back to Connor and Rose’s POVs, and their perspective on things is always a unique one.

Connor and Rose together are so complex. They live to challenge each other, and while they are not overly demonstrative in their love for each other, their bond is undeniable, their passion for each other is unquenchable, and I think their dynamic is so fascinating.

Our love is inward and intellectual.
It’s of the mind and spirit.

He kisses my forehead, his lips brushing my cheek. “I wouldn’t trade our love for any other.”

They are now happily married with an infant daughter that they love dearly, their careers are on track, they have reached a level of stability with their close friends and family, and life is good for them. As a group, they are all still living under the pressure cooker of constant and obsessive media attention, however Connor and Rose have a plan to protect their family, and they are determined that nobody else will be hurt by the media circus that is their lives. But then Connor is targeted, putting everybody and everything in his life under scrutiny like never before, and threatening everything that he holds dear.

I loved this story! I admit, I thought it was a bit slow moving at the beginning, but it builds brilliantly to the big climax, with each little aspect of the story developing from the last and providing lots of depth. And OMG, the feels! My heart actually ached for all that the characters go through in this book. The focus is most definitely on Connor and Rose, but you see the impact on everybody and I read with tears streaming down my face at the unfairness of it all.

Connor is a brilliant man. Arrogant and somewhat narcissistic, he has always lived his life doing what is best for him. But life has changed for him over the last few years – he has people in his life that he cares about and loves deeply, and seeing him pushed to the limits and vulnerable for the first time just about broke me.  

But through adversity comes strength, and the most incredible thing about this book – and all the books in this series – is the way this group accepts each other exactly as they are, and how they band together when one (or more) of them is suffering. In particular, Connor and Rose standing strong and being there for each other absolutely blew me away.

Rose will be dragged into this by her ankles, suffocating beneath someone else’s riding tide, and the best I can do is hold her while we go under. I’ve never imagined myself drowning before. Not like this. And I’ve never imagined I’d have these two choices: drown apart or drown together.
Together.
Always.

I loved seeing them really start to open up with each other like we haven’t seen before – it was surprisingly but beautifully romantic.

“You’re demanding when you want to be … And you’re so brilliant and attractive; it becomes maddening” – my heart pumps faster – “that someone like you exists, and that you should be here in our bedroom, that we should share a bedroom at all – it’s unreal and the most fulfilling life I could ever think to dream.” I whisper. “I’m tragically in love with you, and I wouldn’t want it any other way”

“Rose?”
“Yes?” I breathe.
“I’m tragically in love with you too.”

And I love, love, love how the group gathers around to support them immediately and without question. This group of friends are absolutely amazing. The dynamics between them are some of the best I’ve read, with all of them completely and unapologetically up in each other’s lives, and though the teasing and hilarious verbal sparring is present from start to finish, there is also some really significant development in the relationships and it was amazing to see.

“You’ve helped me for years.” His brows pull hard. “Now it’s time I help you … You may be fucking weird as hell when you and Rose start verbally sparring, but you’re my weirdo best friend. That’s not changing.”

Of course Lily, Lo, Ryke and Daisy all play an important part as the storyline unfolds, and there is some very significant stuff happening with Ryke and Daisy (I can’t WAIT to get to their book up next). There are also storylines continued over from previous books in the series, with the extended family all appearing and a supremely satisfying comeuppance for the douchebag we all love to hate. 

I loved this book so much! Full of all of the laughs, drama, romance, (super hot) sex, and sensational character dynamics that I love about this series, it’s another fantastic chapter in the lives of these much-loved characters, and I remain eager for more.

4.5 stars.

The Addicted series

Check out our Author Spotlight on Krista and Becca Ritchie.