Without You

4.5 stars

Oh. My. Days. What a book. What a story. What a cover. What a couple. I just don't have the words to do it justice, any of it. So, I'm just going to try and put into words how I felt.

It's rare that I'll buy a book based solely on the cover, but as soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to have it. It screams masculinity and vulnerability and love, and I needed it in my life.

I don't think I have been so moved and so captivated by an MM story since listening to Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. This book takes you on a wild, angst-filled ride of epic proportions. I was not ready for the level of emotion. These characters are suffering so much. I just wanted to wrap them in my arms and tell them everything would get better. I loved that this story focused on the journey they were going through, both were at such different stages of their life, yet drawn together by a unifying force. Their grief was so heartbreaking and watching each of them struggle through and grow, coming out the other side, was simply beautiful. The chemistry between them was off the charts and the way Marley incorporated the push and pull of emotions and how they interacted in those moments was truly wonderful. Add in the insecurities and family dynamics and it was pure perfection.

Overall, it's a story of following your heart and accepting what you can and can't change. Doing what makes you happy and finding and keeping love. Even in the most unexpected places. I laughed. I cried. My heart hurt and it soared with happiness. I experienced so many emotions reading this story, but every one of those emotions was worth it to get to their HEA. As a side note, the final chapter just about gutted me.

This was my first Marley Valentine book, but it will not be my last. A definite must read. I cannot wait for the audiobook so I can torture myself all over again lol.

I somehow managed to delete my original review ... ugh &%#* ... anyway I'll probably come back with a cooler head and may jot down what I liked. For now lets just say I loved it. Period. [a:Marley Valentine 16022673 Marley Valentine https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1486945630p2/16022673.jpg] is a NTM author and I'm glad I found her. [a:Tim Paige 18862794 Tim Paige https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Teddy Hamilton 15007880 Teddy Hamilton https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] deliver performances that are all heart and well suited to a story about loss, love, and moving forward towards life.

I need to stop jumping into books blind. This is a sad book. I felt sad from page 1 until page 308 (when it ended). Cancer fucking sucks and life is hard.
The writing was good. The characters were good. Deacon is a bit emotionally stunted but had growth. Julian seemed a bit young in mentality but also grew. I do hate that Julian did not read the letters left for him by Rhett (his late boyfriend and Deacons brother). I would be devestated if I hand wrote letters to ppl before I died and they refused to read them 😢. I'm so thankful this book had a happy ending because DAMN!