This story completely broke my heart. Emmett's love for both his wife and daughter drove him to take keeping a promise to the extreme. He truly was an incredible person. The story is told from Emmett's POV so it did make it a little difficult for me to understand the motivations of Tatum, his now ex-wife. Her need to place blame truly made the breakdown of the family that much more awful.
Connor Crais was the perfect narrator for this book. He was incredible and his ability to make the listener feel the pain the characters are going through absolutely elevated this book. I wish I could give more stars. ( )

One of the best of 2021.

I know, unequivocally, when I read a book by this author that she is going to take me on a journey that will change the template of the person I am. She proved that yet again with this book. I thought I had it all figured out by the blurb. I was wrong. So very very very wrong.

I so often got swept up into the notion of love when I read. Not surprising since I read romance. There are a lot of books out there that fill the need and have characters that make me swoon. It is natural. However, sometimes I forget the epicness of love that is so unconditional that it feels like my soul is being consumed. This book consumed me. It was captivating. For the life of me, I could not picture what had happened in this story that would change this epic love.

Told in past and present I was able to watch this story unfold between Emmett and Tatum. I loved everything about their connection; the easy rapport, the playfulness, the one-in-a-lifetime type of love. Therefore, as the secret slowly came out, I was even more heartbroken all because of a promise. The unconditional love that Emmett has for Tatum and Lucy had me questioning if I have ever felt love as profound. The sacrifices he made. My heart hurts. He stole it, much like he stole Tatum's. I was able to fall in love and feel everything that Tatum felt. Tatum grew on me. Especially, as the story grew. At first, I didn't understand but as the story progressed I felt the plethora of things that she felt. Add in Lucy. Sweet lord, this girl... Such a mixture of both of her parents. I loved the relationship that she had with her dad.

The author captivated me with a story that packs a wallop of a lesson. yet, she is mindful that some things are beyond questioning. It doesn't mean that the lesson doesn't need to be learned but rather that some good can come from those things. I loved this story about love. One of my favorites of 2021 and from this author. ( )

I wasn't sure if I would like this book. I'm definitely a mood reader and by the synopsis I knew this was a book I would definitely need to be in the mood for. It turns out that it was just the type of book I needed to read because I devoured it.

Emmett met Tatum on a blind date. He actually stole her from the guy she was supposed to me, but the dude was late! They fell in love, got married, ya, know all the typical stuff. Then a tragic accident happened and their marriage fell apart. Emmett had made a promise to Tatum when their daughter, Lucy, was born that he would love Lucy most so that's what he did. In doing so Emmett became the punching bag for Tatum's anger. She moved on and took Lucy with her. Then another tragedy strikes their family and it puts guilt and forgiveness at the very front and center of what has happened to get them to where they're at. Is it too late to hope for anything other than understanding? ( )