My overall review: 4ā
* Please note ~ I have all 4 books reviewed, so if you don’t want to read any possible spoilers then skip down to the blurbs below*
| Book 1 ~ Something in the Way ~ 3.75 āļø I liked this one for the most part. The story flowed along well with alternating POV between Lake (age 16) and Manning (age 23). Donāt worry nothing inappropriate really happens. Lake is very sheltered and naĆÆve for a 16yo. Her father, Charles, is very strict and demanding. Her sister, Tiffany, needs to get her life together. I donāt have much to say about her mother, Cathy, as I donāt feel like she was really a main character. Cliffhanger! Ugh! Luckily I had the next book ready to go. |
| Book 2 ~ Somebody Else’s Sky ~ 4ā This book, ugh. I liked it, I didn’t like it, I liked it again. I totally understand why Manning is doing what he’s doing for the most part. I feel bad-ish for Lake, but she’s still so young and has so much to experience. Alternating pov’s again between Manning and Lake, with more from Manning this time. I know it’s supposed to be Lake and Manning’s story, but I could’ve went for one chapter from Tiffany’s perspective. I’m happy that Tiffany grew as a person and is getting her life together. You can’t help but feel bad for her when her father constantly praises Lake. |
| Book 3 ~ Move the Stars ~ 4 ā Ugh! All the time wasted makes me batty. Like, can we get onto happily ever after already. Obviously itās coming, so come on already. Iām so invested in their story though, so onto the final book. |
| Book 4 ~ Lake + Manning ~ 4ā Well that was quite a long journey, like 25 years long. I loved the series, I hated the series, loved again, hated and so on and so forth, but finally, FINALLY they got their HEA and it ended pretty perfectly. |
Book blurbs:
Book 1 ~ Something in the Way
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parentsā house. Under the sweat and dirt, Manning Sutter was as handsome as the sun was bright. He was older, darker, experienced. I wore a smiley-face t-shirt and had never even been kissed. Yet we saw something in each other that would link us in ways that couldnāt be broken…no matter how hard we tried.
I loved Manning before I knew the meaning of the word. I was too young, he said. I would wait. Through all the carefully-chosen words hiding what we knew to be true, through his struggle to keep me innocent, and through infinitely-starry nightsāI would wait. But Iād learn that life isnāt always fair. That no matter how much you achieve, none of it matters if you suffer the heartbreak that comes with falling for someone you can never have. Because even though I saw Manning first, that didnāt matter. My older sister saw him next.
Book 2 ~ Somebody Else’s Sky
If I closed my eyes, I could still see themāall blonde sunshine, ocean-blue eyes, and long limbs. The glint of Lakeās gold bracelet. Pink cotton candy on Tiffanyās tongue. My scenery may have changed from heaven to hell, but some things never would: my struggle to do right by both sisters. To let Lake soar. To lift Tiffany up. The sacrifices I made for them, I made willingly.
A better man wouldāve walked away by now, but I never claimed to be any good. I only promised myself Iād keep enough distance. If Iād learned one thing from my past, it was that love came in different forms. You could love passionately, hurt deep, die young. Or you could provide the kind of firm, steady support someone else could lean on.
Lake was everything I wanted, and nothing I could ever have. I was nobody before I knew her and a criminal after. The way to love her was to let her shineāeven if it would be for somebody else.
Book 3 ~ Move the Stars
Lake
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents’ house. If Iād known then what I do now, would I have kept on walking? Manning was older, darker, experiencedāand Iād trusted him when he said the story would only ever be about us. Iād held those words close and challenged fate, but I had lost.
A part of me is still that sixteen-year-old girl squinting up at Manning, but no matter how far I fall or high I soar, Iāll always be a bird without her bear and nothing without him.
Manning
When I close my eyes, I can no longer see her. The decisions I made were to push Lake in the right directionāaway from me. But now that sheās gone, would I have made those same choices?
Iād walked away like I was supposed to. Iād kept my distance. Iād bent over backward to keep Lake pure, but sheās no longer that girl, and I donāt know if I can stay away anymore. I only know I donāt want to. Sheās still everything I want and nothing I should ever have, but if anyone can move the stars, itās her great bear in the sky.
Book 4 ~ Lake + Manning
Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .
A home he built us on the unshakeable foundation we fought for.
A life of laughter carved out of heartache and betrayal.
A love story to stand the test of time.
But between a trust that canāt be broken, joy that canāt be bridled, and passion that would scorch the sun, the empty spaces are becoming more and more difficult to ignore . . .
Fears that keep Manning up at night as he slips from our bed.
Our complicated relationship with a man he respects and one I don’t know how to forgive.
And a sprawling, beautiful home with one small room I’m afraid I’ll never be able to fill.
Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .
But I’ll beg the heavens for just one thing more.
