All We Need is a Second Chance to Find Hope When We're Lost in the Dark: A Review

This review was initially shared on Oct 12, 2023, on a former platform. In my quest to maintain harmony and unity, I've decided to repost this review, preserving its essence and integrity.

Book: Versions of Us
Author: Eve Blakely
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
E-Book
The Cliff Haven Series (Book 2)
Release Date: 29 November 2023

"I just keep waiting for better days to come" 

---
It has long been known that Kristen Riley and Alex Henley are the ideal couple, but they are also the ones that come with a lot of baggage. Henley is the local troublemaker who is always getting into mischief by being boisterous as hell, has a penchant for failing to follow through on plans, and is skeptical about commitments. The only person who can truly keep Henley calm is Kristen, who is a powerhouse with a golden heart and a desire to serve others, as evidenced by her new volunteer position at the Cliff Haven Crisis line. When their two pals get engaged, something in Henley changes and he realizes he can't live without Kristen. 

But, just as Henley is about to leap head first into committing entirely, Kristen receives a cryptic call from him telling her she needs to move on and he'll never be returning. That is, until Henley returns to town six months later, accompanying a strange girl and appearing to be broken, leaving Kristen enraged and clamoring for explanations. 

My heart swells with an abundance of love, a great deal of sorrow, and abounding hope as I reflect back on my journey through reading Versions of Us. 

Throughout much of my reading, I felt as if I were watching a movie. Blakely's use of imagery felt organic and wasn't overly wordy. It was an essential way to convey a vivid image of Cliff Haven and the people who lived there. 

While dual POV stories and books don't really appeal to me. Usually, because my head flutters the entire time, or I find myself concentrating too much on the numerous plot holes that exist between the POVs. However, author Eve Blakely gave me hope that not all multiple POVs are hastily written.

Our primary characters, Kristen and Henley, were interwoven in a smooth manner by the author. I enjoyed being able to absorb what they were feeling and thinking. The weight of their various emotions, Kristen's knowledge that Henley is concealing something, and Henley's need to release the pressure of his secrets despite knowing the harm it will do. 

Although Kristen and Henley's journey to reconnect with one another is the focus of this tale, there is much more to it. It is a tale of courage, frailty, unedited emotion, secrets, and the hellfire one might experience while attempting to flee a difficult circumstance. 

I don't think I've fully recovered from this one, to be completely honest. I find myself thinking back to specific moments from the novel. Specific quotes still resonate with me. 

Honestly, I've created a playlist of songs that coincide with how I felt reading Versions of Us. 

Great job, Eve! What an incredible read. 

Pre-order Versions of Us  here  

Disclosure: I would like to clarify that this review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) provided by the talented author, Eve Blakely. I want to assure my readers that this is not a paid review, and all opinions expressed here are my honest and unsolicited thoughts on the book. If you have any queries or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.