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Handwritten & Heartbroken Duet #2
All The Letters I’ve Ever Read
I’ve been called a robot. Made of stone. Heartless. But that’s because no one ever saw what was underneath. Not until Mina McLennan saw right through me.
We made so many mistakes, left each other with scars so deep and wreckage in our wake but I couldn’t help but find her, fight for her. I mean, I fell in love with the way she loved me. And so deeply, so full of a furiously beating heart that I asked her to marry me.
Turns out, that was the easy part.
We made so many mistakes, left each other with scars so deep and wreckage in our wake but I couldn’t help but find her, fight for her. I mean, I fell in love with the way she loved me. And so deeply, so full of a furiously beating heart that I asked her to marry me.
Turns out, that was the easy part.
226 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2020
9 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Ace Gray
16 books818 followersAce Gray is a best selling author, self-proclaimed troublemaker and connoisseur of both the good life and fairy tales. After a life-long love affair with both books, she undertook writing the novel she wanted to read. Ten books later, she's gotten to live in the world of billionaires, twisted murders, and sweet small towns. She's made her heart race both with suspense and serious swoon and wouldn't trade one minute, one word of it.
When she's not writing, she owns a taco truck in a ski town in Colorado even though she can't cook a lick (that's all her husband). She loves paddle boarding, snowboarding, camping, basically anything outside... and hosting dinner parties (though she's only in it for the drinks). Oh, and of course, writing more words.
Ace is the author of Strictly Business, Bad For Business, Family Business, Twisted Fate, Twisted Death, A Twisted Love Story, Twisted Secrets, Of Smoke & Cinnamon: A Christmas Story, Pretty Young Things, All The Letters I'll Never Send You and All The Letters I've Ever Read. These titles are available on Amazon.
When she's not writing, she owns a taco truck in a ski town in Colorado even though she can't cook a lick (that's all her husband). She loves paddle boarding, snowboarding, camping, basically anything outside... and hosting dinner parties (though she's only in it for the drinks). Oh, and of course, writing more words.
Ace is the author of Strictly Business, Bad For Business, Family Business, Twisted Fate, Twisted Death, A Twisted Love Story, Twisted Secrets, Of Smoke & Cinnamon: A Christmas Story, Pretty Young Things, All The Letters I'll Never Send You and All The Letters I've Ever Read. These titles are available on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
March 17, 2020
*Deep breathe* *Exhale*
What an amazing journey of James and Mina. I've read plenty books about broken people but these characters weren't only broken they were so real! Their thoughts, self doubt, pain and choices ran deep and I hurt for them and I became their biggest cheerleader because I was absolutely rooting for them.
I've been married for a long time now and this story took me back to the beginning of my beautiful and happy relationship. The beginning where your heart is at risk. The beginning when you don't know how it will turn out and you know they'll be hard times BUT you just know in your heart what you want and believe it will be worth it.
This book 2 of the duet is in James POV. The 1st book is in Mina POV. When I started the duet I didn't know we'd get both POV's and I'm glad we did. It helped bring this story full circle by getting both sides of the story. I loved it!
What an amazing journey of James and Mina. I've read plenty books about broken people but these characters weren't only broken they were so real! Their thoughts, self doubt, pain and choices ran deep and I hurt for them and I became their biggest cheerleader because I was absolutely rooting for them.
I've been married for a long time now and this story took me back to the beginning of my beautiful and happy relationship. The beginning where your heart is at risk. The beginning when you don't know how it will turn out and you know they'll be hard times BUT you just know in your heart what you want and believe it will be worth it.
This book 2 of the duet is in James POV. The 1st book is in Mina POV. When I started the duet I didn't know we'd get both POV's and I'm glad we did. It helped bring this story full circle by getting both sides of the story. I loved it!
March 19, 2020
All the Letters I've Ever Read picks up right where All The Letters I’ll Never Send You leaves off, with James trying his damndest to make up for the previous events. Similar in format, the first part is all the letters he writes Mina. I love this format because it gives the reader such a clear look into James' mindset - all his thoughts and feelings, and wow...there's some heavy stuff in there.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll just say that this entire duet is pretty great. Of the two, I think I like this conclusion a bit more - its quiet intensity, James' wonderfully real way of thinking and behaving, and the love Mina and he share. You really need to read this duet if you have any interest at all in a well written story full of heart, full of love.
ARC via Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.
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January 24, 2020
Devoured the conclusion to this duet in one sitting. The point of view I never thought I needed, but couldn't have understood the depth of their love without.
Phenomenal.
Detailed review to come.
All the Letters I've Ever Read releases on February 23rd. Preorder NOW: https://amzn.to/37oeXU8
Phenomenal.
Detailed review to come.
All the Letters I've Ever Read releases on February 23rd. Preorder NOW: https://amzn.to/37oeXU8
March 4, 2020
I was given an advance readers copy of this book and have decided to write a voluntary honest review. I have to say this duet was amazing and a very emotional ride. I e bc en cried more than once. Mina and James wasn't an easy love or relationship. No they faught a lot and loved even harder. But still went through a lot. When people say love should be easy I don't believe that, something worth having is worth fighting for. If it's always easy or seems fake to me. Mina and James aren't fake.
February 25, 2020
This is a duet and you need to read book one before starting this one to understand what is happening. This time we get James persepective and all his feelings are laid bare for the reader to pick over. Ace took James and brought him to life on the pages, his insecurities his emotions his love for Mina , everything I needed to know about this quiet but deeply emotional man. Their story is not easy it is a bumpy ride with no outcome guaranteed. I loved that they have to fight for a future and coming to the realisation that noone is perfect may just be the thing that saves them.
July 13, 2020
This second book in the duet begins where the first finished, only this one is HIS story.
The crazy complicated love story is even more complicated than in the first book.
The characters are not perfect or sweet, they are full of doubts and skepticism.
They don't really trust each other or their own feelings.
It's a vicious cycle that's so terrible fragile that it have to crash sooner or later.
It's heartbreaking to see how they are both feeling insecure and unworthy.
How they sabotage themselves and don't understand what's happening around them.
This unbelievable gripping nerve-wracking roller-coaster of feelings, self-doubts and self-destruction left me breathless and emotional spend, but oh so happy 🥰
Yeah, I know it doesn't make sense, but this book is just the real, raw and authentic version of a romance. Not the sweet and swoony, but the real thing. Ohhh....it doesn't matter...
I just loved this book 😭❤
I don't know who recommended this duet to me , but thank you ❤❤❤
The crazy complicated love story is even more complicated than in the first book.
The characters are not perfect or sweet, they are full of doubts and skepticism.
They don't really trust each other or their own feelings.
It's a vicious cycle that's so terrible fragile that it have to crash sooner or later.
It's heartbreaking to see how they are both feeling insecure and unworthy.
How they sabotage themselves and don't understand what's happening around them.
This unbelievable gripping nerve-wracking roller-coaster of feelings, self-doubts and self-destruction left me breathless and emotional spend, but oh so happy 🥰
Yeah, I know it doesn't make sense, but this book is just the real, raw and authentic version of a romance. Not the sweet and swoony, but the real thing. Ohhh....it doesn't matter...
I just loved this book 😭❤
I don't know who recommended this duet to me , but thank you ❤❤❤
February 26, 2020
Ace Gray dug in my heart and found precious emotions like rare gem stones! This duet is one of the most real and honest love stories I have ever read. It's messy. It's blunt. The characters are imperfect and prone to make mistakes like it's their job. But isn't that what we do in love? We act like insecure fools. We are scared to be vulnerable. We analyze and overanalyze every word. But with the right person, the pain is so worth it. Sounds relatable, right? So read All The Letters I've Ever Read. Because it can very well be your love story or my love story.
All The Letters I've Ever Read is told from entirely James' POV. If you thought Mina's pain broke you apart, just wait till you read about the broken pieces of James. They have the special love. The love that screams "SOULMATE". Unfortunately they are full of doubts and hesitations. James proposed to Mina and she accepted. But are they really ready? Mina is still worried that her emotional state is too much for James. So She holds back and retracts in her shell and pushed him away to save herself. On the other hand, James thinks he is not good enough for Mina and the barriers erected by Mina only pushed him to the extreme. Can they figure it out? Can they move forward beyond the misunderstandings and confusion?
James and Mina has a very living relationship that got me invested very easily and very deeply. They hurt each other and get hurt even worse. Their love feels like necessary as air. Ace Gray's words created a spell that sent me to cloud nine and also to the hottest hell. I cannot express how she managed to do both but she did. You can feel when an author bleeds in pages and All The Letters I've Ever Read is exactly that! A must read romance for every reader searching for an unforgettable, inspiring and heartbreaking story!
Received ARC for honest review
All The Letters I've Ever Read is told from entirely James' POV. If you thought Mina's pain broke you apart, just wait till you read about the broken pieces of James. They have the special love. The love that screams "SOULMATE". Unfortunately they are full of doubts and hesitations. James proposed to Mina and she accepted. But are they really ready? Mina is still worried that her emotional state is too much for James. So She holds back and retracts in her shell and pushed him away to save herself. On the other hand, James thinks he is not good enough for Mina and the barriers erected by Mina only pushed him to the extreme. Can they figure it out? Can they move forward beyond the misunderstandings and confusion?
James and Mina has a very living relationship that got me invested very easily and very deeply. They hurt each other and get hurt even worse. Their love feels like necessary as air. Ace Gray's words created a spell that sent me to cloud nine and also to the hottest hell. I cannot express how she managed to do both but she did. You can feel when an author bleeds in pages and All The Letters I've Ever Read is exactly that! A must read romance for every reader searching for an unforgettable, inspiring and heartbreaking story!
Received ARC for honest review
February 13, 2020
All The Letters I’ve Ever Read is book 2 in the Handwritten & Heartbroken Duet by author Ace Gray and it is emotionally raw, full of heartache, real to life, and a story uniquely its own.
This book is told through the POV of James and it was so interesting to watch this story continue to unfold through his eyes. To finally get his perspective and get a full picture of Mina and his relationship.
James and Mina’s love is not straightforward. It is not wrapped in a pretty package for a happily ever after. It is real.
In this book, we see them struggle. We see them shut each other out. And, we see them both make mistakes that cost them their trust in what they have. But, we also see these two characters fight for what they want. They desperately search for a way to be together. There is no easy path for them, but one thing that is clear throughout this entire duet, is that they are soulmates and best friends; Soul-Syncable.
This is a realistic story about two people who’s love isn’t easy. They grapple with their baggage, harbour past hurts, and let their insecurities get the better of them. We get to see their good, their bad, and their ugly. But, in the end we are left with a beautiful story about love and friendship.
“Love like yours is real and rough and raw. It’s the love we should write books about, the type that we should crave because of its honesty. Because it’s real.”
Congratulations Ace! This Duet and these characters will forever be ingrained in me. Thank you, once again, for a story that is utterly unique and completely special.
This book is told through the POV of James and it was so interesting to watch this story continue to unfold through his eyes. To finally get his perspective and get a full picture of Mina and his relationship.
James and Mina’s love is not straightforward. It is not wrapped in a pretty package for a happily ever after. It is real.
In this book, we see them struggle. We see them shut each other out. And, we see them both make mistakes that cost them their trust in what they have. But, we also see these two characters fight for what they want. They desperately search for a way to be together. There is no easy path for them, but one thing that is clear throughout this entire duet, is that they are soulmates and best friends; Soul-Syncable.
This is a realistic story about two people who’s love isn’t easy. They grapple with their baggage, harbour past hurts, and let their insecurities get the better of them. We get to see their good, their bad, and their ugly. But, in the end we are left with a beautiful story about love and friendship.
“Love like yours is real and rough and raw. It’s the love we should write books about, the type that we should crave because of its honesty. Because it’s real.”
Congratulations Ace! This Duet and these characters will forever be ingrained in me. Thank you, once again, for a story that is utterly unique and completely special.
February 20, 2020
Make sure you read book one All The Letters I’ll Never Send as this is the second part to this duet. Ace broke my heart during this story but I had a feeling she would. We now get James point of view. I’m not going to go into the storyline in my review a I don’t want to spill any spoilers. This is an amazing story that I highly recommend. I was hooked from start to finish. The author has her own uniqueness that has me craving more.
March 3, 2020
❤️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟+
Again, my heart was literally touched from the very first page! I loved Ed getting James’ perspective and feelings expressed in his letters. He wrote how he felt at the moment and as he’d review them his words on the pages I felt his emotions! My curiosity to learn more about his insecurities and raw emotions and his feelings for Mina. No matter what James remained an enigma within his set ways. We then learn more of what he felt about what transpired between him and Mina. It came to a satisfying conclusion to this unique and captivating story!
This Duet is unique and realistic and so very different from the “norm” in its delivery and concept. I can’t recommend this enough! Kudos to Ace Gray!
Again, my heart was literally touched from the very first page! I loved Ed getting James’ perspective and feelings expressed in his letters. He wrote how he felt at the moment and as he’d review them his words on the pages I felt his emotions! My curiosity to learn more about his insecurities and raw emotions and his feelings for Mina. No matter what James remained an enigma within his set ways. We then learn more of what he felt about what transpired between him and Mina. It came to a satisfying conclusion to this unique and captivating story!
This Duet is unique and realistic and so very different from the “norm” in its delivery and concept. I can’t recommend this enough! Kudos to Ace Gray!
February 9, 2020
Holy Wow!!
This book had me in tears, sitting up late, yelling at my kids to go to bed and leave me alone, and then smiling and feeling complete. There is so much emotional energy on these pages, not to mention the angst and heartbreak as these two souls try to navigate the early stages of a proper relationship.
If you remember James was a man of few words in book 1 and he had a hard time communicating, let alone dealing with and understanding his emotions. In book 2 we get to go inside his head as he learns how to be with Mina. We go through his trials and tribulations and his side of the heartbreak.
The scene where he meets her family- this cut me deep. They threw words around without thinking about their affect on other people but James takes those words to his bones. He can feel them like they’re slicing him with a knife and I wanted to flinch too.
In an effort to repair the hurt they’ve caused each other James has to learn how to be comfortable in his own skin and be more open about his emotions. This I think can be said for most men but his saving grace here is Mina’s Mum Luna. She has a beautiful gentle soul and can see James’s love for her daughter from the very beginning. She is patient with him and listens while he gets his point across.
This book is emotionally charged, I’ve been longing for it since I read book 1 and Ace totally surpassed all my expectations. Sorry/not sorry for your midnight messages but I couldn’t keep it to myself.
PS- I love all the beer talk, no one talks about beer in romance it’s always top shelf liquors. But there’s soo much more to beer these days.
This book had me in tears, sitting up late, yelling at my kids to go to bed and leave me alone, and then smiling and feeling complete. There is so much emotional energy on these pages, not to mention the angst and heartbreak as these two souls try to navigate the early stages of a proper relationship.
If you remember James was a man of few words in book 1 and he had a hard time communicating, let alone dealing with and understanding his emotions. In book 2 we get to go inside his head as he learns how to be with Mina. We go through his trials and tribulations and his side of the heartbreak.
The scene where he meets her family- this cut me deep. They threw words around without thinking about their affect on other people but James takes those words to his bones. He can feel them like they’re slicing him with a knife and I wanted to flinch too.
In an effort to repair the hurt they’ve caused each other James has to learn how to be comfortable in his own skin and be more open about his emotions. This I think can be said for most men but his saving grace here is Mina’s Mum Luna. She has a beautiful gentle soul and can see James’s love for her daughter from the very beginning. She is patient with him and listens while he gets his point across.
This book is emotionally charged, I’ve been longing for it since I read book 1 and Ace totally surpassed all my expectations. Sorry/not sorry for your midnight messages but I couldn’t keep it to myself.
PS- I love all the beer talk, no one talks about beer in romance it’s always top shelf liquors. But there’s soo much more to beer these days.
February 27, 2020
The story of Mina and James and after all the angst we felt from Mina’s perspective in the first book it was quite the revelation to experience James’s perspective. There is no doubting the deep and enduring love that they have for each other but that doesn’t mean that their relationship is all romance and roses.
Both Mina and James are not only cautious, but they aren’t confident in how the other feels for them and they haven’t yet found a way to trust and believe in their love and each other. Their relationship is a journey which definitely has its ups and down and they must decide how much they are willing to preserve for their love and each other.
Both Mina and James are not only cautious, but they aren’t confident in how the other feels for them and they haven’t yet found a way to trust and believe in their love and each other. Their relationship is a journey which definitely has its ups and down and they must decide how much they are willing to preserve for their love and each other.
February 27, 2020
All The Letters I've Ever Read is the conclusion to the Handwritten & Heartbroken duet, and is not a standalone. This time we get James' POV, and it honestly saved this series from being a complete mess in my opinion. I was left feeling very unsure about this duet after reading Mina's side of the story, but this second half gave a lot of depth to the connection between her and Mina that I thought was initially missing.
It's not an easy road for them to travel. But James is so honest and emotional in his letters, and I loved that method of furthering the relationship.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review
It's not an easy road for them to travel. But James is so honest and emotional in his letters, and I loved that method of furthering the relationship.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review
March 7, 2020
I can’t believe it’s even possible that Ace outdid herself. The conclusion of this duet had me on my knees forgetting to breathe. The emotions she poured into the pages felt like it bled from my own heart. I felt more connected to James than even I had to Mina. I was there for every beat of his heart as he wrestled with himself as this tale of love in its most fragile state continues.
This book is told from James’ POV and I’m so glad. I easily connected with him and the way his mind works. The emotions are just as raw and somehow maybe even moreso. He doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve but there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. It’s a beautifully crafted and uniquely told tale about all the pieces of his heart, even the most jagged that are drenched in fear and cling to the shadows. I craved each page more than my next breath. Words could never do justice to how much these characters mean to me and how emotional every word made me, they’re forever carved on my heart. Their love is anything but ordinary. It's a love that I felt deep in my soul. I’ll never be the same but maybe that’s a good thing.
This book is told from James’ POV and I’m so glad. I easily connected with him and the way his mind works. The emotions are just as raw and somehow maybe even moreso. He doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve but there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. It’s a beautifully crafted and uniquely told tale about all the pieces of his heart, even the most jagged that are drenched in fear and cling to the shadows. I craved each page more than my next breath. Words could never do justice to how much these characters mean to me and how emotional every word made me, they’re forever carved on my heart. Their love is anything but ordinary. It's a love that I felt deep in my soul. I’ll never be the same but maybe that’s a good thing.
February 29, 2020
**If you have not read All The Letters I’ll Never Send You (book 1 of the Handwritten & Heartbroken Duet), you need to do that before you read this one!
There’s something special about books that you can relate to. I could relate to book 1 of this series through the letters that Mina wrote to James....even though he never got them. Writing letters has always been an easier way to express myself than verbally. However, with book 2, I can connect with the characters because of the insecurities that sometimes accompany relationships. They are not always voiced and not often legitimate concerns but all it takes is one time for something to happen or almost happen for it to become a concern. Sometimes it doesn’t even take that, often it’s just a deep-rooted fear of ours that we are afraid would come true. Sadly...it’s often these fears that cause us to lose the ones we love and not the action happening itself!
After the heart torturing that Ace gave us in book 1, James & Mina decide to give their relationship a real try. Life hasn’t always been easy for them; what with one of them being taken when they met. Upon first meeting, these two forged a friendship deeper than any relationship either have ever had or ever will. Both seeing the person inside and loving that person for who they are and not who people want them to be. However, accompanying this friendship is the pain experienced from seeing the person you love with another and knowing you can’t do anything about it because they don’t belong to you in that way. This pain went both ways for Mina & James; both watching each other with another person and neither doing anything to change it. Now, the decisions of their past cause both to have insecurities within their relationship and since James has a huge problem communicating verbally about his own issues or insecurities they just fester inside. Add on top of this a traumatic experience for Mina and it’s just too much!
There are other characters in this book trying to keep these characters apart and I might or might not have wanted to punch one in the balls a couple times. Ok...I really did want to! James & Mina allowing these extra parties to create a divide between them is the part that’s severly wrong. There’s a strength I can sense between these two characters but it just hasn’t been nurtured and grown like it was supposed to so, at the first sign of trouble one or both bailed in different ways.
My absolute favorite thing about this one is that it’s in James POV. When I finished All The Letters I’ll Never Send You; I knew the one thing that would make this duet even more amazing was getting his POV. The growth these two characters exhibit in this book; both personally and together is amazing. Although the pain of them being apart hurt my heart and even if they never get back together; their growth alone is worth it. Sometimes what and who we want doesn’t always work out the way we think it will; but for that person or that pain to help you grow is sometimes all we can ask for.
“We were always forever, we were just the last to know.” -James Larrabee
There’s something special about books that you can relate to. I could relate to book 1 of this series through the letters that Mina wrote to James....even though he never got them. Writing letters has always been an easier way to express myself than verbally. However, with book 2, I can connect with the characters because of the insecurities that sometimes accompany relationships. They are not always voiced and not often legitimate concerns but all it takes is one time for something to happen or almost happen for it to become a concern. Sometimes it doesn’t even take that, often it’s just a deep-rooted fear of ours that we are afraid would come true. Sadly...it’s often these fears that cause us to lose the ones we love and not the action happening itself!
After the heart torturing that Ace gave us in book 1, James & Mina decide to give their relationship a real try. Life hasn’t always been easy for them; what with one of them being taken when they met. Upon first meeting, these two forged a friendship deeper than any relationship either have ever had or ever will. Both seeing the person inside and loving that person for who they are and not who people want them to be. However, accompanying this friendship is the pain experienced from seeing the person you love with another and knowing you can’t do anything about it because they don’t belong to you in that way. This pain went both ways for Mina & James; both watching each other with another person and neither doing anything to change it. Now, the decisions of their past cause both to have insecurities within their relationship and since James has a huge problem communicating verbally about his own issues or insecurities they just fester inside. Add on top of this a traumatic experience for Mina and it’s just too much!
There are other characters in this book trying to keep these characters apart and I might or might not have wanted to punch one in the balls a couple times. Ok...I really did want to! James & Mina allowing these extra parties to create a divide between them is the part that’s severly wrong. There’s a strength I can sense between these two characters but it just hasn’t been nurtured and grown like it was supposed to so, at the first sign of trouble one or both bailed in different ways.
My absolute favorite thing about this one is that it’s in James POV. When I finished All The Letters I’ll Never Send You; I knew the one thing that would make this duet even more amazing was getting his POV. The growth these two characters exhibit in this book; both personally and together is amazing. Although the pain of them being apart hurt my heart and even if they never get back together; their growth alone is worth it. Sometimes what and who we want doesn’t always work out the way we think it will; but for that person or that pain to help you grow is sometimes all we can ask for.
“We were always forever, we were just the last to know.” -James Larrabee
February 21, 2020
Full disclosure before I start this review. I did not love the first book in this duet. There’s few things I hate more than reviewing a book I didn’t love so the anxiety starting this book was at an all time high. Could the author make me fall in love with these characters? Would I connect with them in this book? Would I finally feel invested in their relationship?
One of my grumbles about the last book was that I didn’t get James’ pov. I didn’t realise at the time that All The Letters I’ll Ever Read was written in his pov (which is on me for not checking). So getting his pov, for me, was a really good thing. I was getting my chance to really get to know what makes James tick. And I’ve got to say I liked him a lot more. The guy hides his feelings behind a mask but that’s not to say he’s not been bombarded with them, he just really doesn’t know how to deal with them. He’s not good with words, he struggles to articulate what he’s feeling and that can lead to misunderstandings. He’s so determined to be the man he thinks Mina needs that (I think) he’s a little too hard on himself at times. Don’t get me wrong he’s got his flaws. He’s just as damaged as Mina is but I understood him a lot more than I ever did her and I really did like him more than I thought I would.
I wasn’t Minas biggest fan in the first book. I struggled with her character so much. I actually liked her a lot more in this book. Maybe it’s because I’m not getting the story from her pov, maybe (I hope) I understand her better than I did before. I’m not sure what it was. I still found her to be needy but I did start to warm up to her a lot more than before.
These two characters are a mess. They’re both fragile and extremely complicated people. That’s part of their appeal I think. Their relationship is so far from easy, it’s messy, complicated and complex. There’s parts of this story when the emotions really started to hit me (I moaned about this in my review for the previous book, I didn’t get that emotional punch to the gut I so desperately wanted and thankfully I got it in this book). My heart broke for both James and Mina.
I try to be as honest as I can be when I review a book and I’ve mentioned before that the first book wasn’t for me. I am so glad that I gave this book a try though. I can’t say this is one of my all time favourite duets but I definitely enjoyed this book a lot more than the previous one and I’m glad that I give it a go. I’m impressed that Ms Gray managed to turn my opinion around, this book was a surprise in more ways than one. I will definitely be trying some more of this authors books in the future.
One of my grumbles about the last book was that I didn’t get James’ pov. I didn’t realise at the time that All The Letters I’ll Ever Read was written in his pov (which is on me for not checking). So getting his pov, for me, was a really good thing. I was getting my chance to really get to know what makes James tick. And I’ve got to say I liked him a lot more. The guy hides his feelings behind a mask but that’s not to say he’s not been bombarded with them, he just really doesn’t know how to deal with them. He’s not good with words, he struggles to articulate what he’s feeling and that can lead to misunderstandings. He’s so determined to be the man he thinks Mina needs that (I think) he’s a little too hard on himself at times. Don’t get me wrong he’s got his flaws. He’s just as damaged as Mina is but I understood him a lot more than I ever did her and I really did like him more than I thought I would.
I wasn’t Minas biggest fan in the first book. I struggled with her character so much. I actually liked her a lot more in this book. Maybe it’s because I’m not getting the story from her pov, maybe (I hope) I understand her better than I did before. I’m not sure what it was. I still found her to be needy but I did start to warm up to her a lot more than before.
These two characters are a mess. They’re both fragile and extremely complicated people. That’s part of their appeal I think. Their relationship is so far from easy, it’s messy, complicated and complex. There’s parts of this story when the emotions really started to hit me (I moaned about this in my review for the previous book, I didn’t get that emotional punch to the gut I so desperately wanted and thankfully I got it in this book). My heart broke for both James and Mina.
I try to be as honest as I can be when I review a book and I’ve mentioned before that the first book wasn’t for me. I am so glad that I gave this book a try though. I can’t say this is one of my all time favourite duets but I definitely enjoyed this book a lot more than the previous one and I’m glad that I give it a go. I’m impressed that Ms Gray managed to turn my opinion around, this book was a surprise in more ways than one. I will definitely be trying some more of this authors books in the future.
February 16, 2020
𝙊𝙃…...𝙈𝙔…....𝙂𝙊𝘿……!!!!! I was seriously questioning if these two belong together. It really seems that their relationship was doomed from the start.Their relationship is severely sad, pitiful and HARD. James and Mina continuously hurt each other, questioning the other’s actions and motives.
The constant mistrust and disbelief is overwhelming and frustrating for me, I couldn’t imagine being in the thick of it. The doubt that needled its way into their thoughts, the guilt that comes along with that doubt. Their relationship so fragile, taking hits from all sides all while trying to navigate through each and every mistake and shit storm. The desperation to just hold on and not let go when you know that it is probably best for both parties to just go your separate ways. The not wanting to give up because you know that they are your person, that they are that FOREVER ONE. The fear and self preservation of being hurt and having to live with that brokenness, or worse yet, live without the other once you have had them ingrained into your heart and soul.
There comes a time when you just need to walk away and let go, and perhaps James and Mina should have done it long ago. ………...But they didn’t.
They say anything worth having is worth fighting for, but this relationship was almost like beating a dead horse. And although that horse was dead, somehow Ace Gray breathed life back into it. The turbulent ride that she takes you on in this last leg of the duet from James’ POV is stormy and emotional and all worth riding out the chaotic rollercoaster that is James and Mina. For every moment I thought that they didn’t belong together, there is an equalled moment that I was rooting for them both to find their happy forever.
~....𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩. 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙣.~
4.5* Stars!!
The constant mistrust and disbelief is overwhelming and frustrating for me, I couldn’t imagine being in the thick of it. The doubt that needled its way into their thoughts, the guilt that comes along with that doubt. Their relationship so fragile, taking hits from all sides all while trying to navigate through each and every mistake and shit storm. The desperation to just hold on and not let go when you know that it is probably best for both parties to just go your separate ways. The not wanting to give up because you know that they are your person, that they are that FOREVER ONE. The fear and self preservation of being hurt and having to live with that brokenness, or worse yet, live without the other once you have had them ingrained into your heart and soul.
There comes a time when you just need to walk away and let go, and perhaps James and Mina should have done it long ago. ………...But they didn’t.
They say anything worth having is worth fighting for, but this relationship was almost like beating a dead horse. And although that horse was dead, somehow Ace Gray breathed life back into it. The turbulent ride that she takes you on in this last leg of the duet from James’ POV is stormy and emotional and all worth riding out the chaotic rollercoaster that is James and Mina. For every moment I thought that they didn’t belong together, there is an equalled moment that I was rooting for them both to find their happy forever.
~....𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩. 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙣.~
4.5* Stars!!
February 10, 2020
This is the second time I've read a book by this author and I wasn't disappointed it was absolutely fabulous. This book deserves all it's five stars including many more. This is book #2.
James put everything down on paper, every emotion he felt, he went through them all. We get to see how he felt how he navigated his raw feelings for Mina and what he did.
Mina sometimes needed to be there for James though too and sometimes she wasn't, he tried so hard.
The love between them both is very complicated and at times very raw, very deep and also beautiful.
I was hooked on this book from page one and I was really rooting for them to make it happen.
There journey is hard and sometimes troublesome and they go through alot, alot of pain, heartbreak, hope and forgiveness and this book is quite emotions.
The first part of this book is about the letters that James has written. The story line was fantastic. It was emotional at times and just W.O.W. These books could definitely be made into film's.
This book shows that sometimes love is not all smooth sailing and that sometimes it's hard and you do have to really really work at it.
This book is a complete page turner and I just couldn't put it down it keeps you completely hooked and I read it so fast. I really liked this authors writing style and this book is beautifully written, you could feel it the emotion through the pages.
I absolutely loved these books and I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future.
I will be highly recommending this book to everyone when it gets released.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This book is expected to be released on 23rd February 2020.
James put everything down on paper, every emotion he felt, he went through them all. We get to see how he felt how he navigated his raw feelings for Mina and what he did.
Mina sometimes needed to be there for James though too and sometimes she wasn't, he tried so hard.
The love between them both is very complicated and at times very raw, very deep and also beautiful.
I was hooked on this book from page one and I was really rooting for them to make it happen.
There journey is hard and sometimes troublesome and they go through alot, alot of pain, heartbreak, hope and forgiveness and this book is quite emotions.
The first part of this book is about the letters that James has written. The story line was fantastic. It was emotional at times and just W.O.W. These books could definitely be made into film's.
This book shows that sometimes love is not all smooth sailing and that sometimes it's hard and you do have to really really work at it.
This book is a complete page turner and I just couldn't put it down it keeps you completely hooked and I read it so fast. I really liked this authors writing style and this book is beautifully written, you could feel it the emotion through the pages.
I absolutely loved these books and I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future.
I will be highly recommending this book to everyone when it gets released.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This book is expected to be released on 23rd February 2020.
April 27, 2021
Dear Ace Gray,
Like one of the books I've read, This also took me a while to reviews. Mainly because I was in a reading funk. The reading funk I was in, felt like I was living my life on a routine. I wake up, I get ready and go to work. Then after work, I go straight home. That is my life. Boring. I read so I can escape from reality. Somehow, reading started feeling like a boring routine.
After I closed this book. I felt I could not write a review. I loved seeing James perspective. I have always loved change in perspective in a novel, it keeps me guessing. However, with this novel, it's a reminder for me to communicate. The change in perspective didn't keep things interesting. James didn't communicate, yet it was something he constantly was working on and struggling with. That struggle within him is real.
To keep this brief, I enjoyed this series. It was more on the okay line and not too crazy about it. I most especially enjoyed the ending when Mina responded with a no. I liked how she somehow knew why it was asked in the first place... all about fixing the situation. She didn't like it when he tried to fix, but just needed things to be as they are.
Like one of the books I've read, This also took me a while to reviews. Mainly because I was in a reading funk. The reading funk I was in, felt like I was living my life on a routine. I wake up, I get ready and go to work. Then after work, I go straight home. That is my life. Boring. I read so I can escape from reality. Somehow, reading started feeling like a boring routine.
After I closed this book. I felt I could not write a review. I loved seeing James perspective. I have always loved change in perspective in a novel, it keeps me guessing. However, with this novel, it's a reminder for me to communicate. The change in perspective didn't keep things interesting. James didn't communicate, yet it was something he constantly was working on and struggling with. That struggle within him is real.
To keep this brief, I enjoyed this series. It was more on the okay line and not too crazy about it. I most especially enjoyed the ending when Mina responded with a no. I liked how she somehow knew why it was asked in the first place... all about fixing the situation. She didn't like it when he tried to fix, but just needed things to be as they are.
February 19, 2020
I am crying right now! Happy tears after reading this emotional story which concludes the Handwritten & Heartbroken duet. I wasn’t convinced of the relationship in the first book but, after this one, I am more on board. I had genuine feelings along with real sad and happy tears.
This book is from James’s point of view and I was struck with how very fragile their relationship was. It seemed they were both walking on eggshells and waiting for the end of their romance; Quite depressing really and I was so full of despair at times that my heart ached... literally! I love reading a story from a man's point of view.
Mina is too wishy-washy, obsessive, too scatty and indecisive for me to love for a long time. I wanted to reach into the book and scream at her... a LOT! But now I’ve come to an understanding with her. I feel like we can now be friends if she stops making me cry that is!
The love between these two was too much for me at some points and the fragility of their relationship made me want to scream but I ended up enjoying this book far more than I expected.
This book is from James’s point of view and I was struck with how very fragile their relationship was. It seemed they were both walking on eggshells and waiting for the end of their romance; Quite depressing really and I was so full of despair at times that my heart ached... literally! I love reading a story from a man's point of view.
Mina is too wishy-washy, obsessive, too scatty and indecisive for me to love for a long time. I wanted to reach into the book and scream at her... a LOT! But now I’ve come to an understanding with her. I feel like we can now be friends if she stops making me cry that is!
The love between these two was too much for me at some points and the fragility of their relationship made me want to scream but I ended up enjoying this book far more than I expected.
February 25, 2020
“𝒲𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇, 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌.”
I LOVE this couple. There, I said it.
Mina & James are both so flawed, so damaged, and so real. Getting this book from James POV was exactly what I needed to cement my feelings in stone.
The first book of this duet, I devoured. I was a little more hesitant going into this one, simply because of the emotions. The last thing I needed was to be interrupted with tears streaming down my face and snot running from my nose, so I had to wait, until I was alone, and in the right headspace to tackle these two.
Let me just tell you. For all the words I’ve read, this couple is SO bad at communicating their thoughts, feelings and needs with one another, each one sitting on the precipice of doom in this relationship, and that made it hard.
Hard for me to see an ending where they are what each other deserves, hard for the characters to muddle through the strife.
With that being said..... the GROWTH of these characters from the first book to this one was phenomenal. Is it a bumpy ride? Absolutely. But that made it so much more worth it when we hit the peaks.
Love. Highly recommend.
I LOVE this couple. There, I said it.
Mina & James are both so flawed, so damaged, and so real. Getting this book from James POV was exactly what I needed to cement my feelings in stone.
The first book of this duet, I devoured. I was a little more hesitant going into this one, simply because of the emotions. The last thing I needed was to be interrupted with tears streaming down my face and snot running from my nose, so I had to wait, until I was alone, and in the right headspace to tackle these two.
Let me just tell you. For all the words I’ve read, this couple is SO bad at communicating their thoughts, feelings and needs with one another, each one sitting on the precipice of doom in this relationship, and that made it hard.
Hard for me to see an ending where they are what each other deserves, hard for the characters to muddle through the strife.
With that being said..... the GROWTH of these characters from the first book to this one was phenomenal. Is it a bumpy ride? Absolutely. But that made it so much more worth it when we hit the peaks.
Love. Highly recommend.
February 27, 2020
James tells his point of view in this book. The story continues from where book one left off. This story is told through the evolution of his wedding vows that constantly change as the book progresses. I loved this unique and compelling way to tell a story!
We’ve learned in book one the depths of their love for each other and the fragility of their hearts. Now these two will have to navigate their way through their relationship, which will be rocky at the best of times.
These two have to learn to love themselves before they can learn to love another, to be strong enough for themselves, before they can be strong for each other, and to have faith that the other person will accept them at their worst.
Just when they gain their footing an unexpected gift proves to be anything but a gift. It causes James to question everything he’s known to be true. Will they ever find the happiness they want?
Compelling and enjoyable conclusion to this duet.
I read an ARC of this book. My fair and honest review is voluntary.
We’ve learned in book one the depths of their love for each other and the fragility of their hearts. Now these two will have to navigate their way through their relationship, which will be rocky at the best of times.
These two have to learn to love themselves before they can learn to love another, to be strong enough for themselves, before they can be strong for each other, and to have faith that the other person will accept them at their worst.
Just when they gain their footing an unexpected gift proves to be anything but a gift. It causes James to question everything he’s known to be true. Will they ever find the happiness they want?
Compelling and enjoyable conclusion to this duet.
I read an ARC of this book. My fair and honest review is voluntary.
February 27, 2020
All the Letters I've Ever Read is not only #2, but also the conclusion in the Handwritten & Heartbroken Duet, so YOU HAVE TO READ All the Letters I'll Never Send You (Book 1) FIRST! That being said, I will be keeping this review short & sweet because 1. I'm too emotional, and most importantly 2. I don't want to give any spoilers about Book 1 away. Ace Gray has come up aces (yes this is a pun) with this Duet, as she absolutely wrecked me! That's not saying it didn't hurt so good, just saying that my little hard heart was broken more than once. Book 2 is our hero, James' POV, which I desperately needed after the first book. Every inch of this Duet spoke to me, opened my mind to possible love in my life again, and is just plain originally brilliant with a big side of emotion. So, instead of reading too many reviews, just hit that one click button on this story! If you haven't even started from the beginning, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! Get to it IMMEDIATELY as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
March 2, 2020
* I received an ARC in exchanged for an honest review *
This is book two in the Handwritten &Heartbroken duet series and it´s James side of the story. Reading his story the series made sense, because Mina’s side of the story felt more like an obsession with James than a love story.
James have difficulties with expressing how he feels, while he is introvert, Mina is extrovert. Both of them have had experiences in life that clearly have formed them and with those experiences still hanging over them, they don’t have the trust and confidence they need to really make their relationship work, is love enough?
I did find the storyline interesting and like as mentioned above reading James side of the things I now saw a love story. Ace Gray really managed to captures all the emotions and the beauty of love and put them into words in a way that you really felt for the characters.
However sometimes the story got repeatedly and on occasions drawn out I felt like James story could have gone parallel with Mina in book one.
This is book two in the Handwritten &Heartbroken duet series and it´s James side of the story. Reading his story the series made sense, because Mina’s side of the story felt more like an obsession with James than a love story.
James have difficulties with expressing how he feels, while he is introvert, Mina is extrovert. Both of them have had experiences in life that clearly have formed them and with those experiences still hanging over them, they don’t have the trust and confidence they need to really make their relationship work, is love enough?
I did find the storyline interesting and like as mentioned above reading James side of the things I now saw a love story. Ace Gray really managed to captures all the emotions and the beauty of love and put them into words in a way that you really felt for the characters.
However sometimes the story got repeatedly and on occasions drawn out I felt like James story could have gone parallel with Mina in book one.
February 27, 2020
I've been called a robot. Made of stone. Heartless. But that's because no one ever saw what was underneath. Not until Mina McLennan saw right through me. We made so many mistakes, left each other with scars so deep and wreckage in our wake but I couldn't help but find her, fight for her. I mean, I fell in love with the way she loved me. And so deeply, so full of a furiously beating heart that I asked her to marry me. Turns out that was the easy part.
This is the second book in the Handwritten & Heartbroken Duet from Ace Gray. You have to read All The Letters I'll Never Send first. This is where you get James' point of view. It is so necessary to have his point of view to understand a lot of things. I thought it was amazing but I don't want to give anything away. Just grab this duet and read it. It is so unique and I loved every second of it.
This is the second book in the Handwritten & Heartbroken Duet from Ace Gray. You have to read All The Letters I'll Never Send first. This is where you get James' point of view. It is so necessary to have his point of view to understand a lot of things. I thought it was amazing but I don't want to give anything away. Just grab this duet and read it. It is so unique and I loved every second of it.
February 28, 2020
Dear Worth Your Weight in Gold,
After reading the first book in Mena's perspective, James was in need of a bit of redemption. All this time I thought maybe he really was all the reasons why loving someone was just not enough. Having seen these same things through James's eyes, I now feel all the reasons true love is worth fighting for. You managed to bring me all the angst I could handle all wrapped up with a heartbroken bow. You brought me real people with their real and raw struggles to find their paths while trying to fit into eachothers lives. You managed to make me want to strangle and hug these characters simultaneously. That a true love story can come from some of the most unexpected places. You have shown me that there are in fact two sides to every story. This was the side of a love story that is needed to make it complete.
After reading the first book in Mena's perspective, James was in need of a bit of redemption. All this time I thought maybe he really was all the reasons why loving someone was just not enough. Having seen these same things through James's eyes, I now feel all the reasons true love is worth fighting for. You managed to bring me all the angst I could handle all wrapped up with a heartbroken bow. You brought me real people with their real and raw struggles to find their paths while trying to fit into eachothers lives. You managed to make me want to strangle and hug these characters simultaneously. That a true love story can come from some of the most unexpected places. You have shown me that there are in fact two sides to every story. This was the side of a love story that is needed to make it complete.
April 3, 2020
Perfect conclusion, preferred it over the first book.
We pick up wanting the answer to James question, will she or won’t she? One thing is certain, it’s going to be a bumpy ride written from James POV. James and Mina are like two peas from the same pod. So alike that they don’t always see the other person clearly. James is a bit of an introvert and a thinker whilst Mina is a writer, a runner and wears a brave face often. Facing their fears and learning to let the cards fall where they may and trust that everything will be okay.
James and Mina settle into their relationship until they make the trip home to meet her parents. Mina’s father and brother don’t bother hiding their disdain for James. With a curveball being thrown into the mix, Mina is teetering on her axis. Is James able to steady her and be the rock she needs or will they crumble into gravel?
We pick up wanting the answer to James question, will she or won’t she? One thing is certain, it’s going to be a bumpy ride written from James POV. James and Mina are like two peas from the same pod. So alike that they don’t always see the other person clearly. James is a bit of an introvert and a thinker whilst Mina is a writer, a runner and wears a brave face often. Facing their fears and learning to let the cards fall where they may and trust that everything will be okay.
James and Mina settle into their relationship until they make the trip home to meet her parents. Mina’s father and brother don’t bother hiding their disdain for James. With a curveball being thrown into the mix, Mina is teetering on her axis. Is James able to steady her and be the rock she needs or will they crumble into gravel?
February 17, 2020
I received this book as an ARC. This book was a great read, once I started I could not put it down. This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride, be prepared. This is the second book of the series and is written in James point of view. This book continues where the last one left off. We get to see inside of James head this time, we get to understand him better. This book was beautifully written, I could fell their emotions. This book continues with James and Mina struggling to overcome the obstacles in their relationship. This book will break you, but I promise Ace puts you back together again.
February 27, 2020
So this is book 2 of a duet which means you will need to have read book 1, All the Letters I’ll Never Send, prior time starting this book so that you are not lost!
This book gives us James’s point of view, something I have been dying for since I finished book 1. Since I do not want to spoil the storyline, I will just say this...I think my heart fell out of my chest and onto the actual floor while reading this. I had all of the feels going on and Ace Gray continues to surprise me with each book she releases. She has such a unique and creative writing style that I have yet to find anywhere else.
Grab this duet today, you will fall in love!! Seriously, do it and start binging!
This book gives us James’s point of view, something I have been dying for since I finished book 1. Since I do not want to spoil the storyline, I will just say this...I think my heart fell out of my chest and onto the actual floor while reading this. I had all of the feels going on and Ace Gray continues to surprise me with each book she releases. She has such a unique and creative writing style that I have yet to find anywhere else.
Grab this duet today, you will fall in love!! Seriously, do it and start binging!
February 20, 2020
Wow! This book blew me away, and getting it in James’ POV made it all the more perfect. The emotion in this story is so raw and real, and I felt every bit of it. After book one I was so invested in James and Mina, and had to know if they would work it out. If they would keep fighting. Their journey isn’t easy, there are misunderstandings along the way, they get life thrown at them. With this being James POV, we get a deeper look into his feelings and the writing is superb. The moments where Mina and James lay it all on the line, and voice their feelings to each other are so beautifully worded and are so heartfelt. A must read!
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