Tuesday, March 14, 2023

The Sky At Night by Samantha Lovelock {a review}


If you've been following me for a while now, you know that I adore Samantha Lovelock's writing. Her characters are some of my favorites, and I tend to devour each book she releases. Well, Samantha has a new book coming soon! The Sky at Night is a new adult, enemies to lovers, rockstar romance. I read an early copy, and it was AMAZING! Yes, The Sky At Night is an emotional read, but it's 100% worth it. It touches on some difficult situations, and the majority of the story takes place at The Overlook. Both of our main characters are headed there to work on themselves, and find a way to work through the traumas they have been living with.

Here's the description of the book:
 

He has women falling at his feet. I plan to bring him to his knees.

Heroin Heartbreak is the hottest band around, and Ty McInnis is the reason why. His blistering blend of smoldering sexiness, bad-boy charm, and killer voice makes him the perfect front man. But until I got here, he was just a faceless voice on the radio in my messed-up world.

The Overlook is supposed to be the place for me to heal the wounds left by my father. Instead, Ty has made it his mission to make my stay here pure hell. He has no idea who he's playing with, though. I give as good as I get—and then some. I've already survived the Devil personified, and this cocky rockstar has nothing on him. The trouble is, the more I learn about Ty, the more something in me craves what he's trying so desperately to hide.

It's all fun and games until somebody loses their heart. Why am I starting to think that somebody is going to be me?

 



Sounds good, I know!

Here's the thing I didn't know before going into the story, and I'll tell you now I wasn't sure I was ready for this person to get a redemption arc. If you've read the Folkestone Sins series, then you might know the name I'm about to say. It's Hali. Yes, Hali is getting a redemption arc. We know what she's done in the past, and while I screamed "NO" when her name appeared, I've since changed my tune. Hali has been through a lot in her 18 years. A LOT. Once she explains everything, you get a better understanding of her. You see the struggle, the uncertainty, the loneliness. Samantha Lovelock went and made my heartbreak for Hali. While Hali didn't want to spend 4 weeks at The Overlook, it's about to change her life. It was really interesting to see Hali outside of Folkestone, see her go through the work to deal with her past, find a good friend in Vann, and ultimately come out of this in a good place. 

Then there is Ty. He's coming back to The Overlook for a bit of "maintenance". He's just experienced a big shake up in his life, and wants to get on top of things before he spirals. So while there is a small break in the tour, he's taking care of business. Does he expect to meet the woman, that's going to change his life, while there? No, obviously not. Yet he cannot look away. First things first though, and that's working on himself.

The connection that Ty and Hali had was interesting. I loved the verbal volleys that went back and forth. I loved how he could see the person underneath the pain. I loved how they weren't afraid to speak about the hard things together. These two bonded through the things that hurt them, but they also grew stronger as they both healed. Now don't get me wrong, these two also had some humorous moments together, and I appreciated those. Especially when the more difficult moments of their pasts were discussed.

Vann and Kess were fantastic side kicks for our duo. Vann was right there with Hali throughout her time at The Overlook. Yes she was there for her own reasons, and I really think that this new found friendship benefitted them both. As for Kess, he's been Ty's "brother" for a long time. He knows what Ty has gone through, and he knows that Ty has been by his side for the issues of his past. Kess can also see when Ty is about to spiral, and gives him the needed push to get help. Then there is Mari, who was just amazing. She was able to see her clients for who they are underneath the mask. Mari knows how to get them to open up, shed some light on those dark spaces, and get them to a point of healing/grieving/moving forward. 

This book spoke on some very difficult topics, and as such there are trigger/content warnings. So please keep these in mind should you read The Sky At Night.


Even though I knew those harder topics were going to be discussed, a part of me was not anticipating tearing up while reading. Yet it happened twice. The way Samantha put these words to paper just hit me in the feelings just right. So here I was taking all that in, and tearing up for the characters. Honestly I think the tears were more so for the things that Hali had been through than that of Ty, but that doesn't mean his story isn't as heartbreaking.


There was so much in this story that had me looking at personal experiences. Not that I've experienced what either of these two have, but I have dealt with parental issues. So to read those scenes were touching. I think that's why I liked this quote from Mari: 



She was telling Hali that she could start anew. It was eye opening for Hali, adn it was also a quote that I thought would be beneficial for others. It is one of those lines that just stands out, and makes an impact. Mari was letting Hali know that she doesn't have to be that person she was back in Folkestone. This is her opportunity to be the person she truly is, that woman that is hidden deep but is her authentic self.

I don't think I can say it enough, but this book was so spectacular. Samantha Lovelock continues to impress me with her storytelling and character development. It's what keeps me coming back for more, and it's a reason she is an auto-buy author for me.

The epilogue of The Sky At Night had me SCREAMING! That last line just has me anticipating Wounded Things that much more, and I cannot wait to return to Folkestone. I am hoping that when we do return that everyone sees the work Hali has put in, and that they give her the chance to show her growth. I'm a bit worried that the group won't accept her, but thankfully she has Ty, Vann, and Kess in her corner.

You need to read The Sky At Night. You do. This story has just grabbed hold of my heart, and had me doing a 180 on my feelings for Hali. I hope you'll give it a chance also. Also, if the next book is not Kess and Vann's story I will be disappointed. I need their story, and to see how their relationship came to be.

Happy Reading,






Thank you Samantha for providing me with an advanced copy of The Sky At Night. 

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