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Review

4 stars

An emotional, dramatic and slow burning friends-to-lovers romance, this book is all about the nostalgia and the brilliant family dynamics, and I loved being back in this world.

The first book in the Cobalt Empire series, this is part of the wider a spin-off from the Addicted series (and, by extension, the Like Us series), with stories for Connor and Rose’s children. The dynamics in this world are intense and such an important part of the story, and while you could read this as a standalone, it would be best enjoyed if you’re familiar with the characters before diving in.

The Cobalts are wealthy, intelligent, loyal and fierce, and they absolutely own it. They have this arrogance about them that is totally endearing, and so freaking entertaining. But above all, they are dedicated to each other and fiercely protective of each other. Ben is the quiet member of the family. The youngest son, he feels like a bit of an outcast, not sharing the brilliance of his siblings, but he is uprooting his life to move to NYC to move in with his four older brothers. Beckett, Charlie, Elliot and Tom have zero boundaries and are immediately all up in his business, which is a problem when he’s keeping a load of secrets.

Ben finds comfort and true companionship in a girl he meets at college. Harriet is a smart, brave and lonely punk girl studying pre-med who is totally focussed on her studies. Ben is instantly smitten and easily slips into Harriet’s life, and the two of them slowly and easily become the best of friends, and each other’s ‘person’, and their friendship is so beautiful.

How do you even describe someone who’s become your best friend, the person you ache to share every aspect of your life with because their mere presence just fills your soul?

Beneath their friendship is an attraction that has sizzled from the beginning, and the romance is a slow burn as Ben and Harriet navigate their friends-but-more situation. They’ve both had difficulties in their past, and they’re both dealing with things in the present, but their chemistry and their deep love for each other eventually becomes impossible to resist, and their romance is steamy, emotional and so, so beautiful!

“I don’t know how to dim when I love you, Harriet. I only know how to burn bright.”

But the secret that Ben is harboring will change everything, not just for himself and for Harriet, but for the whole Cobalt family.

I loved being back in this world and with this family, but as much as I loved the story, this book felt so much longer than it needs to be. I was so thankful when I heard that this series would be one book per couple, as opposed to previous series where it’s multiple books per love story. But even though this story is condensed into one book, it felt drawn out to me. As much as I love them, I felt that there was too much time with the family, and I just wanted to get back to Ben and Harriet.

But even though it took a while to get through this book, I did love it. I loved the story, the drama is engrossing, and I was guessing for most of the book what was going on with Ben, and the emotion is so well written. I loved Ben and Harriet, and was so happy to see these two lonely souls find something so beautiful together.

Sometimes life isn’t about where you go but who’s going with you, and where I want to be at the end of the world is beside her.

I’m looking forward to more from this series. 4 stars.

 

Cobalt Empire