Here Without You

I felt a little trepidation when I saw that this story included Brooke. She was a wench in the first three books, although I never thought she was totally irredeemable. I am really glad I just went ahead and bought this.

Brooke's dreams about the baby felt pretty contrived as an impetus, but I am so, so glad that I didn't have to actually read about them that I'll let it pass. Both Brooke and Reid had believable arcs. Brooke didn't turn into sunshine and rainbows just because she wanted her kid back and Reid had no interest initially in being part of the kiddo's life because the baby had never been real to him. It was only gradually that he decided he wanted in.

Reid and Dori's relationship was realistic. I understood Dori's hesitance show more about dating someone with Reid's reputation and lifestyle (I even got her parent's reluctance, although they were kind of douchey about it). I would have liked to see more about the realities of them actually dating though (and not just hanging out in hotels or whatever), because I feel like Dori got only a little taste of what it would be like to date someone as famous as Reid. It would have made the conclusion more believable and satisfying (not that it wasn't, because hoh shit, I was so happy with this book). I don't read gossip mags, or websites, or watch those shows, but even I know how awful that mess is. I loved Dori, because she's smart and kind, but she isn't a perfectly perfect Good Girl. I also really appreciate that her sister Deb isn't brought back with an "Oh lord jesus, it's a miracle" because even though it's 100% sad that she's practically vegetative, the tendency of YA/NA novels to make everything beautiful and shiny and wonderful in the end is silly. Yes, medical miracles do happen but they sure as shit ain't commonplace.

I am not, repeat, not a fan of multiple first-person p.o.v.'s in general, more than 2 is overkill, I think. Here, we had 3 major p.o.v.'s and 1 minor one. For the most part it worked, but adding the kiddo's p.o.v. was a pretty clunky ploy. It isn't hard to imagine that a kid would be traumatized by his dad dying and his mom turning into a meth junkie with an abusive piece-of-shit boyfriend, so it felt like an obvious play for sympathy. Yeah, kids are cute, etc etc, but the story was more about Brooke/Reid/Dori's respective journeys, not necessarily about the kid himself. That sounds a little cold, I would have felt sympathy for the kid regardless, but that whole bit just made me feel manipulated.

Overall, this was a great end to the series. I'm a little sniffly that it's over, but I think it ended in a really great place. I'm satisfied with where the characters end up, even if I would like to see the new, improved version of Brooke get her own happy ending. show less

Rating: 4.5 stars.

I didn’t know this was coming out. Didn’t even know it’s being written. Talk about an avid reader, ha? LOL

I wasn’t a huge fan of the first two books, but I will admit that this story keeps getting better with each book. I very much enjoyed book 3 and thought that at the point all the characters involved grew a lot, matured and turned out to be normal individuals and not petulant children. Mostly.

That Here Without You deals with Reid and Brooke’s biological child was a big surprise and I was very curious what Mr. Webber is planning.

After Reid FINALLY got his act together, his selfish, obnoxious personality in order – he also got the girl. Dorcas (Dori) agreed to be his girl. Yay.

Here Without You opens with show more Reid frustrated that Dori keeps her relationship with him hidden from her parents, which means they can’t go out in public. Of course, by the time she does (fairly at the beginning of the book, don’t worry), other life hurdles fall on Reid, in the form of his biological son, of whom he learned just a few months back.

Brooke, Reid’s ex-girlfriend from 5 years ago has nightmares about the baby she gave up for adoption years before. When she hires a private investigator to check on the child, she learns he is back with child services due to abuse and neglect. This, of course, sets her on a mission – she’s going to get River, her son back.

I loved the progression of the story in this book. I felt like all of the characters involved matured, wised-up, whatever you want to call it, and that alone set a good pace for the plot. Nothing felt rushed, yet nothing lagged.

Reid, whilst more responsible, more tame and a lot more serious now that he has Dori in his life and he really loves her, appreciates her and learns from her, is still a little bratty in the beginning. But that changes when he makes a decision regarding his involvement in Brooke’s endeavors.

Also, Reid… SWOOOOOOON!

Dori, away for college, learns to trust her feelings and Reid’s feelings. She learns that good friends can be found in new people walking into her life and she learns how to stand up to preconceptions and maybe even finds her faith in God again after believing he (she?) deserted her and Deb (her sister if you forgot). Even Dori’s parents changed with the progression of the story and as a result, Dori’s bond with them changed, and possibly grew stronger.

Brooke grows SO MUCH in this book. She makes a weighted, adult and responsible decision about her personal life, her career and what is important to her, based on how she lives her life now and how she grew up. She realizes family can be different than the organic, biological unit that raised her and she follows her heart and conscience.

And what tugged at the strings of my heart the most was River. Some of the chapters are in River’s POV, and a 4 year old’s mind, especially one who doesn’t talk, is mature and yet so innocent and vulnerable. I found it fascinating how Webber was able to get into an abused child’s mind. I thought it was subtle and not presumptuous and it felt very honest.

The book delicately skirts around the foster system’s issues and intertwines it in a love story. The love story of parents with the child and parents with their respective partners. And it is all done very realistically (even if the MCs are Hollywood stars).

The series as a whole is very recommended. While the first couple of books feel like ground breaking for the actual story which starts in Good For You and continues in this Here Without You.

The review is also available on my blog show less

I have loved Reid since the first book. Good For You (the third) was my favorite, hands down. I love Tammara's writing, and the scenes with Reid at the end were particularly emotional and well-done. I didn't love Dori as much in this one. The connection between her and Reid wasn't tight, the dialogue just wasn't on the same level when they flirted with one another, and it broke my heart how little effort she put forth on their behalf. Still, I did like seeing the loose ends tied up, so I am glad to have read it.

I expected more from the heroine of this book based on thr last one. Brook and Reid's situation was interesting and kept me glued to the pages, but Dori disappointed me. I'm not surprised she acted differently based on the changes in her life, but I expected more than avoidance and radio silence.

Reid was surprisingly insightful in this book. I'm most pleased with his growth over the course of the series.

These books are on the long side (at least 100 pages could have been shaved from each) but they were engrossing.

Loved this series! Wish it could go one because I want to know what happens next to Reid/Dori, Emma/Graham !