To say that I’ve been excited for Beau Hale’s book would be a massive understatement. I adored Drew and his “Love you”s in Drops of Rain, but I needed Beau’s book. You know what I mean. When you don’t just want it, but NEED it in your life. That was me. I can honestly say, I’m a bit surprised. It wasn’t what I expected from their story. It was just different. Different isn’t always bad, and that’s the case with Starless Nights.
If you remember Beau (how can you not? He’s amazing and stole the show, in my opinion) from Drops of Rain, he seemed like this very fun, carefree, teenage guy. Yes, he’s endured pain from the physical and emotional abuse, but to me, he always seemed not nearly as intense as Drew. With his quirky, never ending amount of trivia and what appeared to be a laid back kind of guy, you would expect his book to be more of that, right? Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. We got a few glimpses of what was lying underneath the surface with Beau alone as well as his relationship with Leila, but you have no idea the depth of these two characters until you’ve experienced this book. Starless Nights lays it all out there, and it is quite the story to be told.
If you remember Beau (how can you not? He’s amazing and stole the show, in my opinion) from Drops of Rain, he seemed like this very fun, carefree, teenage guy. Yes, he’s endured pain from the physical and emotional abuse, but to me, he always seemed not nearly as intense as Drew. With his quirky, never ending amount of trivia and what appeared to be a laid back kind of guy, you would expect his book to be more of that, right? Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. We got a few glimpses of what was lying underneath the surface with Beau alone as well as his relationship with Leila, but you have no idea the depth of these two characters until you’ve experienced this book. Starless Nights lays it all out there, and it is quite the story to be told.
The relationship between Beau and Leila is…hmm…frustrating. Heartbreaking. Tense. Emotional. It’s so many different feelings wrapped up in two individuals that needed each other more than they both knew. It was heartbreaking to see how much they each wanted the other. Their love for one another never stopped, but they didn’t know that. They’re both so confused, and it broke my heart every single chapter. Every time you’d read how badly Beau wanted her, or how much Leila’s heart hurt when she felt like Beau didn’t need her in the past, it made me want to cry.
The good part is that things do pick up and turn around. The story of why Beau is the way he is couldn’t hurt more. The struggle they endured as a couple over so many years will bring tears to your eyes. But when things finally click and they decide to put the truth and past out there? Gorgeous. Your heart will soar. Plus, seeing what they’re both becoming was heartwarming. Leila is out there making her dreams come true, and Beau is finding his way into what he knows and loves. In the big scheme of things, this story is very emotional and intense, but there is no shortage of sweet, fun moments. Plus, we get to see Drew and Ali along with a few new characters. The friendships they gain or continue to have make for a great ensemble, and I love them all.
I loved that Andrews writes it to include flashbacks and the present. Normally, I’m not big on this. I tend to skim through any flashbacks in most other books. Not all, but most. That wasn’t the case with Starless Nights. I was even looking forward to the next flashback. How the story is written, it’s a puzzle waiting to be built. Every single chapter, whether it was in the here and now or 6 years earlier, brings something new to the table. Finally, things start clicking. For me, I found myself a bit confused through small parts, but it’d be explained in greater detail a few chapters later and ta-dah, another piece fit. By the end, it’s a deep story that will all make sense. Just hang in there because it’s a roller coaster.
Like I said, this story surprised me, but in the best ways. I expected more fun and casual. Starless Nights is anything but fun and casual through most of it. It wasn't what I expected, but I wouldn't change a single thing. Once you dive into their story and see how much Beau has changed and what their relationship entails, it makes sense. It's perfection. I liked that there weren’t too many aspects outside of their relationship thrown in. It’s all about the hellos, goodbyes, arguments, and romantic moments they’ve had together over the course of many years. The pain and heartbreak they feel crosses over to yourself, and you’ll be right there with them hurting or loving. It’s a fantastically told story of lies, secrets, years apart, and finding one another again. I loved Beau before reading Starless Nights, but Kathryn has made me fall even harder for him if that was possible. I adore both books in this series. Based on the tiny bit we see of Matt, their youngest brother, the greatness of this series definitely isn’t ending with Beau. I can’t wait to read all about Matt. I highly suggest Starless Nights, and can’t scream it loud enough: Go one-click the Hale Brothers!
<3 Erin
The good part is that things do pick up and turn around. The story of why Beau is the way he is couldn’t hurt more. The struggle they endured as a couple over so many years will bring tears to your eyes. But when things finally click and they decide to put the truth and past out there? Gorgeous. Your heart will soar. Plus, seeing what they’re both becoming was heartwarming. Leila is out there making her dreams come true, and Beau is finding his way into what he knows and loves. In the big scheme of things, this story is very emotional and intense, but there is no shortage of sweet, fun moments. Plus, we get to see Drew and Ali along with a few new characters. The friendships they gain or continue to have make for a great ensemble, and I love them all.
I loved that Andrews writes it to include flashbacks and the present. Normally, I’m not big on this. I tend to skim through any flashbacks in most other books. Not all, but most. That wasn’t the case with Starless Nights. I was even looking forward to the next flashback. How the story is written, it’s a puzzle waiting to be built. Every single chapter, whether it was in the here and now or 6 years earlier, brings something new to the table. Finally, things start clicking. For me, I found myself a bit confused through small parts, but it’d be explained in greater detail a few chapters later and ta-dah, another piece fit. By the end, it’s a deep story that will all make sense. Just hang in there because it’s a roller coaster.
Like I said, this story surprised me, but in the best ways. I expected more fun and casual. Starless Nights is anything but fun and casual through most of it. It wasn't what I expected, but I wouldn't change a single thing. Once you dive into their story and see how much Beau has changed and what their relationship entails, it makes sense. It's perfection. I liked that there weren’t too many aspects outside of their relationship thrown in. It’s all about the hellos, goodbyes, arguments, and romantic moments they’ve had together over the course of many years. The pain and heartbreak they feel crosses over to yourself, and you’ll be right there with them hurting or loving. It’s a fantastically told story of lies, secrets, years apart, and finding one another again. I loved Beau before reading Starless Nights, but Kathryn has made me fall even harder for him if that was possible. I adore both books in this series. Based on the tiny bit we see of Matt, their youngest brother, the greatness of this series definitely isn’t ending with Beau. I can’t wait to read all about Matt. I highly suggest Starless Nights, and can’t scream it loud enough: Go one-click the Hale Brothers!
<3 Erin