Synopsis:
Their relationship has been exposed, and now their lives are changed forever.
For Cadence Miller, the fast track to adulthood proves intimidating and frustrating. She’s a little girl lost—abandoned by her family and uncertain of her future. She doesn’t think she “fits” anywhere. She’s eighteen. She wants to be older. And the result is both comical and heartbreaking.
Mark Connelly will do anything to provide Cadence a stable, loving home—to be her protector. But he’s just as broken and lost, and his heart won’t let go of his past so easily. He knows he should share his secret with Cadence. He should trust that she’ll understand. But what if she doesn’t? What if their love doesn’t grow stronger?
What if it doesn’t get better?
For Cadence Miller, the fast track to adulthood proves intimidating and frustrating. She’s a little girl lost—abandoned by her family and uncertain of her future. She doesn’t think she “fits” anywhere. She’s eighteen. She wants to be older. And the result is both comical and heartbreaking.
Mark Connelly will do anything to provide Cadence a stable, loving home—to be her protector. But he’s just as broken and lost, and his heart won’t let go of his past so easily. He knows he should share his secret with Cadence. He should trust that she’ll understand. But what if she doesn’t? What if their love doesn’t grow stronger?
What if it doesn’t get better?
Nicky's Review
4.5 Stars
Characters- Amazing!! They were super likable, funny, relatable, and really balanced each other out.
Plot/Storyline- Loved this storyline. You get to see Cadence and Mark take challenges head on and stumble along the way, but love always prevails and I love that about this story of trust and healing.Steam Factor- Holy Mother of Hotness!!!! Mark is like a little Christian Grey at times... And I LOVE IT!!! Sexy, steamy, and at times pretty damn funny. LOVED IT!!
Cover- Loved it! It's such a complementary cover to Good with Mark being the cover of this one. Very clever and beautifully executed.
Cliffhanger- Nope. This is the end of their story :)
Overall- This book and Good will forever hold a place in my heart and brain. The awkward moments are my favorite because they are so honest, relatable, and just funny. I would HIGHLY recommend this book and Good to ANYONE with the ability to read. Well done S. Walden you have, once again and I'm sure not for the last time, done IT again!!!
Let me just start by saying that this story was a great continuation of the first novel, Good. We get to see where Cadence and Mark's journey continues after the whole family/legal debacle at the end of Good. It amazed me how realistic these characters were. The decisions that they make and the actions that they take are totally relatable.
When Cadence finds out Mark's secret, we as a reader also feel torn about our feelings. Are we mad at him or are we sad for him? I think I was both but I did get a little frustrated with Cadence's behavior at times. Even so, I also understood why Cadence would react in the manner that she did, especially after the things he said to her in the heat of the moment. But we've all been there. We get so angry that ugly things that we would NEVER say under any circumstances come flying out of our mouths even though what we are saying isn't true but really said to create a hurtful reaction in the other person. It is not until after you calm that you realized you just made a huge mistake. But unfortunately words can't be unsaid and feelings can't be unhurt. I know that I have come away from arguments obsessing over specific phrases someone has said to me, like really obsessing over it. You start to question yourself and your self worth, just as Cadence was doing. This is one of the main reasons I LOVE S. Walden's writing. The subject matter and character dialogue/reactions are so realistic and relatable. It's amazing to read a book and go "Yup girl! I've been there. I know how you feel" even if the situation is different, the feelings are the same and relatable.
I also enjoyed the continuity of supporting characters: Avery, Ollie, Fanny, and Dylan. Avery still played the strong opposite to Cadence and provided the much needed hit you upside the head reality checks for Cadence. Ollie played the supportive brother who could relate to Cadence like no one else since he has a history and knowledge of their family life that no one else can; he provides Cadence with love, understanding, and advice. Now Fanny.... Oh Fanny! I LOVE that little old lady. She is the speaker of wisdom, life lessons, and is a great compass for Cadence in life. She also provides Cadence with love and friendship. Fannie is one of my favorite characters in this book :) And finally, Dylan. He seems to play the balance in relationships with Mark, Avery, and Cadence, if that makes sense, but I don't want to say too much as to not give anything away. I also loved how the relationship between Cadence and her parents panned out. It was a breath of fresh air not to have the perfect ending because reality doesn't fit in the perfect shiny box we'd all wish it did. I would LOVE for S Walden to write a novella spanning the time between the end of the book and the epilogue... Pretty please ;) XOXO
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, EVERY aspect of it: the plot, the story, the characters, the dialogue, the reactions, and... JUST THE ENTIRE STORY!! Thank you S. Walden for making the reading world a wonderful place to live in. I look forward to EVERYTHING you write. XOXO
Favorite Quotes:
"'I don't want her to know anything.'
'What? So you can corrupt her?'
'No. I just like her innocence.'
'Yeah, so you can corrupt it.'
'Shut up man. That's not it.'"
"'Exactly. I don't care how fucking shiny she is. Some things you don't touch.' 'She's not a child.' 'How old is she?' 'Eighteen.' 'How do you know?' 'Well, I don't. I think she's eighteen.' 'Dude. Step AWAY from the shiny object.'"
"How could he ever forget that name? Cadence. Rhythmic. His song. His life. He decided that afternoon on the side of the road. She was his cadence."
"'I can't live like this. Shit everywhere. I mean, what's a bra doing in the dining room?' 'You took it off me!' Cadence shouted. Mark thought for a minute. 'Oh, wait. Okay, yeah. You're right. Forget the bra.'"
"'But you know what?' he asked. 'Hmm?' "I wouldn't give a shit if you did nothing but lay around all day because loving you is not about percentages: I give 50 percent. you give 50 percent. That's bullshit. My job is to love you and give to you as much as I can each and every day. Try to make it to one hundred. On my own.'"
"'You won't find me sexy at seventy?' she asked.
'You'll be sexy forever. Me, on the other hand? First off I'll be eighty. Second, that's old as dirt. Third-'
'You'll be young forever,' she interrupted. 'I'll make sure of it.'
Yeah, but the idea of a wrinkly old penis...'
'Mark!!' Cadence buried her face in his shoulder and laughed hysterically.
'I'm just sayin'.'
'Don't!' she cried. 'Don't say another word!'
'This sex is ruined isn't it?' he asked.
'Totally.'"
"'Yes. There's a place in my heart that will always be with her. But you...' He inhaled her scent, then pressed his lips to her ear. '...you are my heart.'"
"They sat side by side for a few moments observing the skaters. There were many, and Cadence noticed most were older. Nostalgia. A yearning for something old. past memories that were everyday and ordinary while they were happening, but grew to something special and sorely missed as the years passed by. She could see it in their faces as they whizzed past her. A longing for yesterday because, in hindsight, it was so much better than the present."
"'Tough huh?' he asked, watching her wipe spit from her chin. 'This is no joke!' she said, and he laughed. 'I'm serious Mark! There's a lot of stuff going on down there. My mouth already hurts.' 'Poor baby,' he replied, stroking her cheek. 'Now get to it.' 'Mark!' she squealed, slapping his thigh. 'Suck my cock, you feral animal.'"
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