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Review

4.5 stars

The fourth book in the All Saints High series, this is a dramatic and intense best-friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story with oh, so many feels. I was effortlessly sucked into the story and couldn’t put this one down. Chock-full of emotion, heartache, angst and love, and full of the fabulous characters of this world, this is a fantastic read, and I absolutely loved it.

Just as a recap – this series is a second-generation spin-off from the Sinners of Saint series. Lev is the son of Dean and Rosie from Ruckus, and Bailey is the daughter of Jamie and Mel from Defy. There is a lot of character crossover, and a lot that has happened earlier in the series, but there is good background given, and you could read this one as a standalone.

Lev and Bailey are the youngest of the Hothole offspring, and are the ‘good kids’ – sweet and kind, they got good grades and never caused any trouble. They grew up side-by-side, each other’s ‘person’, and the centre of each other’s worlds. Their families even call them ‘Bailev’, knowing that they come as a package in all things. But when Lev declared his feelings for his best friend, she turned him down and moved away for college. They haven’t spoken since.

Now, Bailey is in trouble. She’s struggling with Julliard’s intense ballet program, and her injuries have her turning to painkillers. When she accidentally overdoses, it’s Lev that she reaches out to and he ends up saving her life. Now she’s back home to recover, though she refuses to admit that she has a problem, and wants nothing more than to go back to school.

Meanwhile, Lev has his own problems. He has a girlsomething who knows their relationship is casual, but who keeps pushing for more. He’s also a star football player, and his father and brother are pushing him towards the NFL, but he doesn’t want it. He has his own dreams, but he’s such a people-pleaser that he doesn’t want to let anybody down. The biggest issue of all though, he’s in love with his best friend, and though they haven’t spoken for a while, he’s more determined than ever to be there for her.

She’s gravity. She’s oxygen. In this moment in time, she’s everything.

Despite the chaos swirling around them, Bailey and Lev are both thrilled to be back in each other’s lives. But their relationship is so complicated – their pasts are completely intertwined, but things have become murky due to their strong feelings for each other. Lev is so madly and devotedly in love with Bailey, and he is right out there with his feelings; teasing, flirting and full of heartfelt declarations, he is desperate to get through to her that they are perfect for each other. But Bailey is a bit of a wreck, in a bad place, and she is descending further and further into her problems.

“You’re my sun. Lovely as you are, I can only admire you from afar.”

There’s a lot going on in this story, Lev and Bailey are both dealing with so much personally, and their relationship is complicated by so many factors, and becoming more complicated the more time they spend together. It’s angsty and emotional, raw and real, and I felt so much for both of them. My heart ached, and I wanted to hug them both so much.

“Damaged goods are still goods. It’s the dents that make them special. That make them them. Survivors. Molded by their experience. Be proud of your scars, Dove. Because where you see hardship, I see opportunity. Where you see imperfections, I see growth. Where you see failure, I see effort. Where you see despair, I see hope.” He sucks in a breath. “You aren’t just good enough- sometimes you feel too good to be true.”

Lev stole my heart as the man completely devoted to the girl he loves so much. He is there for her even when she pushes him away, and is so open about his feelings, and I LOVE that! The romance is there, and though it’s a slow and angsty burn, the tension builds beautifully. There are some beautifully sweet moments between them, laughs and fun, and of course there is sexy time. But there is a lot to be dealt with and resolved before they can get their happy ending, and I love that we get to see so much of the ride.

“Almost eight billion people on this planet, Bailey Followhill and you’re hands down my fucking favorite.”
“I may be your favorite. But you’re my only. And that scares me, Levy. A lot.”

All of the different elements come together perfectly. Bailey’s story is so well done – heartbreaking yet hopeful, full of discovery and big realisations – and I loved the journey that we went on with her. It was Lev who owned my heart though, he is such a great hero, and he stole the story for me. He is caring and protective, smart and strong, he doesn’t hide his feelings from anybody. Because of that, his interactions with Bailey’s parents are so freaking entertaining. And his relationship with his own family is gold! Dean, Knight and Lev have such a fantastic dynamic, all up in each other’s lives, with WAY too much oversharing, but God, it was funny! Dean also has his own stuff going on in the book, and I enjoyed seeing so much of him and the surprising direction of his story, and his own unique happy ending.

I loved being back in this world, getting a glimpse of these beloved characters living their lives, and Lev and Bailey’s story is a wonderful addition to these closely intertwined series. It’s a beautifully written, emotional and heartfelt read, and I loved it so much

4.5 stars!

I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Savannah Peachwood, Maxine Mitchell and Aiden Snow, and they do a great job, bringing so much emotion and making it feel so real. I enjoyed listening to this one.

 

All Saints High

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About the Author

L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 Best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to nineteen different countries. 

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.

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