Hi, it’s me again. I finished Restrictions, wrote my review, and then immediately started Restrained. I was hoping to find some relief in Lola’s story, but alas…sadly no. There is nothing remotely calming about this one. For the first solid few chapters you think it’s about to turn into another love triangle again. Thank GOD it didn’t. I would have thrown in the towel, honestly. I don’t know how I’m going to survive the next book. Nicole Dykes said – in her author’s note at the end of this book – that the next book is going to be “insane”. Lord help me. These books were already insane!!!!! How much more can my poor heart take?!?! I’m ready for Asher to redeem himself. It better be coming in the next book because I can’t take this anymore. I know this story wasn’t even about Asher (lol) but that’s where my mind is still. Plus a huge part of this book revolves around Viv and Asher. These are definitely not standalones, just incase anyone was wondering. 

Okay now let’s talk about Lola. Wow. There is so much about Lola that I identify with. She’s the oldest and she feels an immense responsibility to hold her family together when everyone is falling apart. She’s magic. Even when she makes mistakes (ahem – telling Viv to move to CA and leave Asher behind) she’s strong. She’s resilient. She grows during this story. She realizes when it’s time to fight and when it’s time to let things play out. All of this is because of Hayden. HOT DOG! This man stole my heart from the first moment we meet him in the coffee shop. He’s sophisticated and a pompous asshole at first glance, but underneath? There’s a man desperate for connection. At the beginning of our story he’s super interested in Penelope. I was like RED ALERT RED ALERT. We are not touching Linc and P or I swear to GOD I will throw this book across the room! …Don’t worry, our author wouldn’t do that to us ❤ Thank Jesus. So Hayden is a bit of a mystery at first. But as he gets closer to Lola and their feelings begin to grow, he starts to show his true colors and oh boy is he just an angel. Everything about him is so sweet and genuine. He’s kind and thoughtful and sexy. He pushes Lola to be better and helps her see things more clearly. Lola can put blinders on when it comes to her family, and he helps her take them back off. He’s magic. (Hehe they are both magic, truthfully). 

Best part about this book? Another EPIC storyline. I loved how this book felt almost like a ferry between Asher’s part one and his part two. It was a perfect blend of everything. Lola finally got what she deserved and the healing process truly began for most of the family. Asher is the last one left, he needs to calm down so that he can grow up and grow into himself. I’m hopeful that is what we will see in his next book. It was painful to witness him in this book…to see his constant struggle. To watch him hate Viv and miss Baz so terribly. Here’s to hoping the next book doesn’t completely annihilate my heart and soul. I’m not sure I could ever recover if Asher and Viv don’t end up together. Please just grant me that, Nicole! I don’t want to have suffered for nothing! Another brilliant 5 star read. Loved everything about it, even the painful parts. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“I’m only strong because I found you. I was afraid of everything before that. And now I’m not.”