Cara wraps this duet up with a glorious second entry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
OMG, I’m not gonna lie, but I wish #StreamingAboutJayroe was a thing because I am head over heels for Monroe Samuel Finlay & Jacob Casper Denver 💗
Personally, though, I think #Roke would make a better shipname, and their fans should have thought a bit more simply #JustSaying 🤣
Book two of Cara’s stunningly brilliant This Will Hurt Duet puts us in Roe’s head three months after the birth of his son and following the marriage to Sandra we saw happen at the end of book one.
When he discovers Jake’s therapy journal and sees the first entry, he’s staggered. Roe’s still dealing with his feelings for his best friend, but he’s also determined that he’ll make a go of his marriage.
So, finding out Jake’s thoughts about how he feels for Roe is a shock to both head and heart, and he doesn’t know how to process it.
You won’t get any detailed plot spoilers in this review, I’ll just say that the journey both men and their expanded family go on is a tumultuous one.
There are highs and lows, and both men really go through the mill, but it never feels like the drama is piled on for effect.
The section dealing with Roe and Sandra’s relationship is superbly done and feels like a realistic and very plausible path for them to end up on.
I love that there’s no “good guys/bad guys” here. Sandra isn’t a villain, Roe isn’t a hero. The only people worthy of the scorn and disgust heaped upon them are Jake’s rotten parents.
The narrative unfolds in its own steady way as the successes of their podcasts and shows continue to grow, and new members are added to their extensive family in ways which are organic and relatable.
I love how I thought both of these books would be more angsty than they turned out to be.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there’re moments when you’ll just want to wrap them both up and hide them from the hurt.
But, for me anyway, it never reached an oppressive or dragging feeling of hopelessness. I always knew they’d end up together because their love was too steady and soul deep not to find a way.
I was also very happy to read there will be more, an extended Epilogue available on Cara’s website after release!
This duet has gone right behind If We Could Go Back as my number two all-time favourite Cara story.
It’s a long, hard road to happiness for #Jayroe but the outcome is worth every painful step.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings 
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