Bookouture Archives

I absolutely loved this author’s first novel, The Wish List of Albie Young, so I was very excited to see this new one. No sophomore slump here. Once again, the author tugs at the heartstrings while emphasizing the importance of living life while you can.

I instantly related to Elsie. Although I have not lost my mom, I am far away from her, and I often think of all of the memories that we have shared. And yes, I do talk to her even when she is not here. I can see myself being more like Elsie as I get older as well. Not to the extent of sticking to rigid schedules like her (that would never happen here). But I could easily get caught up in the past more than looking at the present or future.

I also liked Billy more than I expected. It is difficult to make a ten-year-old boy a likable and relatable character, but the author succeeds. I think it is because Billy has his challenges, between being uprooted to a new home and the bullies at school (where he doesn’t fit in). Those are events that many people have experienced.

Secondary and even bit characters are also well-developed. I got a good feel for Billy’s mom, and June reminded me of Mrs. Tishell from Doc Martin (one of my favorite shows). This type of detail gives depth to the story.

I particularly like the author’s writing style in that nothing is “hit you over the head” obvious. Instead, clues to the causes of events are more subtle. For example, Billy remembers his dad promising to take him fun places. But in the morning, Dad had slept on the couch, smells funny, and takes paracetamol. Couple that with why Billy and his mom moved, and the reasons become crystal clear. I appreciate the careful attention this type of reveal requires.

Ultimately this story is about the mutual respect that grows between Billy and Elsie as he helps her learn how to live again, while she helps him navigate his new life. And it proves that the best, and possibly most helpful, friendships can pop up in the strangest of ways. No fooling around, it’s another winner from this author.

Author Bio

Ruby Hummingbird is a novelist based in the English countryside. She loves nothing more than writing uplifting and heartwarming fiction that gets her readers reaching for the tissues. When she isn’t storytelling, she can be found tending to her beloved sunflowers or sipping on hazelnut lattes.

This is the only MC series that I have ever found myself enjoying. I think the author does a fantastic job of portraying the MC life (not that I have anything to compare it to, but I imagine it to be accurate based on a few friends’ experiences).

One of the things I appreciate most about this series, however, is that the characters never enter into stereotype or cartoonish territory. If anything, the male members of the Red Dragons are the antithesis of what one would normally think of when asked to describe someone in an MC. (But I guess that’s the point of these types of books, right? That these guys are not all toughness but have real feelings…)

I do like the recurring theme (carried here by Archer) of the need to protect. There is something so satisfying in reading about a man who has that instinct – even when he feels he should be fighting it due to other conflicts.

In terms of this installment, I also liked that Emily was not really a part of the Red Dragons. She didn’t have the ties that previous heroines in the series did but was still linked. I thought that added an interesting facet to the story.

I also appreciated the continuation of the war with Pops. That has been a driving force through the series, and it was interesting to see Emily’s role in the whole situation. And the end? You won’t see it coming. (No spoilers here, as usual).

I think romance and suspense are balanced nicely in this series and would recommend starting at the beginning to fully grasp the scope of the world created by the author.

Author Bio:
Heather Van Fleet is a stay-at-home-mom turned book boyfriend connoisseur. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, a mom to three girls, and in her spare time you can find her with her head buried in her Kindle, guzzling down copious amounts of coffee.

Heather graduated from Black Hawk College in 2003 and currently writes Adult contemporary romance. She is published through Sourcebooks Casablanca with her Reckless Hearts series and Bookouture with her Red Dragon series.