Review: Last Wish by Erin Butler (Remembering Kyle #2)
Note: This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
"I was determined to make a fresh start. My parents put me in counseling for a little while, which helped, but more than that, it was my friends. That first day in gym when an eleven-year-old Kyle Larkin threw a yellow practice jersey at me was the best day of my life. I can't thank him enough."
"Did he know? Did you ever tell them?"
"No. I should've. That's why I'm telling you now. Who the fuck knows what's going to happen tomorrow, or the day after, or five fucking seconds from right now? I want you to know that about me, Em. It's a part of me. It has helped shape me and without it, I wouldn't be the person I am today." He pulled my swing close again. "I am fiercely loyal. When I love, I love. When I care, I will go to the ends of the earth and back. I'll do anything."
When I originally requested to read and review Last Wish, I did so based solely on the fact that it was written by Erin Butler. I had no clue that it was connected to a book she published last year--How We Lived--one that I already owned but had yet to read. So, being the diligent reader that I am, I read the two books in order, and I'm going to highly recommend that you do the same because the first book does lay the groundwork and establishes just how deep the loss of Kyle Larkin was in the lives of the people closest to him. With Last Wish, we get Ronan "Bear" Pearse's story and fans of the first book will remember him as being Kelsey Larkin's not-quite boyfriend, one of Kyle's best friends, and Chase Crowley's former best friend. His actions in How We Lived were spurred on by his loyalty to Kyle and his desire to protect Kelsey from feeling lost and alone, and we finally learn more about his friendship with both Kyle and Chase and just how deep his motivations were for respecting and honoring the last wish of his best friend.
Before Ronan Pearse came along, the triumvirate of Kyle and Kelsey Larkin and Chase Crowley was one that was deeply entrenched. They had the kind of history that any outsider and wishful newcomer could probably never compete with. So, there was a part of me that felt for Ronan (and yes, I'm calling him "Ronan" instead of "Bear" because another series that I love also has a lead character nicknamed "Bear") and I couldn't help but wonder if he had any insecurities regarding Kyle's friendship with Chase and if that was yet another reason he cut ties with the latter. But after having read this sequel, I saw clearly where Ronan was coming from and I absolutely understood why he did what he did with Kelsey and why he felt what he felt toward Chase. The poor guy was mired by what he believed was the responsibility placed upon him by Kyle and felt that that this was the best way for him to repay Kyle for the life-changing friendship he offered Ronan when they were just kids. Then Em Stewart came along when he needed someone most.
Em's story is one that sparked frustration in me but I more than appreciated that she neither played the victim nor misplaced the blame of what happened to her. Her situation is the kind that many of us too easily pre-judge and claim what we would do right (meaning what she did was wrong), but every situation is different, and while I didn't totally agree with how she handled it, she proved just how strong she was by not allowing herself to wallow and knowing when to finally walk away. She may have had her own issues to deal with, as did Ronan, but they were exactly what the other one needed. They may have known each other for years, but they didn't have the kind of history that Kelsey and Chase shared, thus allowing themselves to create their own and truly start fresh with one another. I loved both books and how they are tied together by the continuing memory of Kyle, who may no longer be able to have a story to tell, but the one he left behind is one worth remembering. Last Wish surpassed all of my expectations. Five-plus stars. ♥
Release Date: 28 December 2015
Date Read: 28 December 2015
Learn more about Erin Butler.
Purchase Last Wish on Amazon | B&N | Kobo.
Before Ronan Pearse came along, the triumvirate of Kyle and Kelsey Larkin and Chase Crowley was one that was deeply entrenched. They had the kind of history that any outsider and wishful newcomer could probably never compete with. So, there was a part of me that felt for Ronan (and yes, I'm calling him "Ronan" instead of "Bear" because another series that I love also has a lead character nicknamed "Bear") and I couldn't help but wonder if he had any insecurities regarding Kyle's friendship with Chase and if that was yet another reason he cut ties with the latter. But after having read this sequel, I saw clearly where Ronan was coming from and I absolutely understood why he did what he did with Kelsey and why he felt what he felt toward Chase. The poor guy was mired by what he believed was the responsibility placed upon him by Kyle and felt that that this was the best way for him to repay Kyle for the life-changing friendship he offered Ronan when they were just kids. Then Em Stewart came along when he needed someone most.
Em's story is one that sparked frustration in me but I more than appreciated that she neither played the victim nor misplaced the blame of what happened to her. Her situation is the kind that many of us too easily pre-judge and claim what we would do right (meaning what she did was wrong), but every situation is different, and while I didn't totally agree with how she handled it, she proved just how strong she was by not allowing herself to wallow and knowing when to finally walk away. She may have had her own issues to deal with, as did Ronan, but they were exactly what the other one needed. They may have known each other for years, but they didn't have the kind of history that Kelsey and Chase shared, thus allowing themselves to create their own and truly start fresh with one another. I loved both books and how they are tied together by the continuing memory of Kyle, who may no longer be able to have a story to tell, but the one he left behind is one worth remembering. Last Wish surpassed all of my expectations. Five-plus stars. ♥
Release Date: 28 December 2015
Date Read: 28 December 2015
Learn more about Erin Butler.
Purchase Last Wish on Amazon | B&N | Kobo.
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