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Pepper Winters is probably the only author capable of sucking me into stories I'd never really read. I admire her bravery covering topics that our minds just beg us to turn around and walk the other way. They scream, "it's not right, it's not okay". But I knew going into this one, I'd be in for an emotional ride. More emotional than any other book I've read. I was on edge the entire time because I knew something big and quite possibly devastating was going to happen. Thinking about it at the time, I wasn't quite prepared for it, but it was so damn suspenseful reading through every line and just waiting for it.
I'll be honest, I was worried about this duet because it was the type of read that I rarely delve into. I can't say that I loved The Boy and His Ribbon, but I can't fault this beautifully woven story that Pepper had weaved for us. It was just so well done, which shouldn't surprise us at all. I had trouble with the taboo element of this story and went a little bit into this book as well, but Ren and Della's story completely overpowered that in a way I couldn't have imagined.
I found myself completely in love with every little element, even the utterly painful and heartbreaking parts. From the beginning, it's pretty evident where the story was going to go. And I thought that would give us more than enough time mentally prepares us for what was to come. But it wasn't the case, not at all. It was a slow burn to a definite outcome that couldn't be changed no matter how hard we wished we could.
As I was laying there reading, I kept thinking what's better. Knowing the outcome before the end or having it surprise us? With everything that happened, the journey that Della and Ren went on, I wouldn't change a single thing about their story.
With all the warnings that Pepper has given us before starting this duet, it was up to us to decide to read their story or not. I pity those that choose not to or read spoilers and decide not to give their story a chance. It's a story that you'll never forget.
In my opinion, this is what I expect a duet to be like. It's not just ONE story, but two. In The Boy and His Ribbon, it was a book of survival, discovery, growth, and understanding a love that many wouldn't accept. And with The Girl & Her Ren, they're older, taking the chance to clear their minds and explore their love for one another. With every single hardship they faced, every bit of pain they faced, can I say it was worth it the end? Absolutely, this story was against the grain from the very beginning, there's nothing cookie cutter about this at all, which made it more real in a sense.
I couldn't have imagined a more perfect ending despite how unbelievably painful it was. But time and time again, she always one-ups her previous book. And that's why I'm such a huge fan of Pepper Winters. I love the journey that she takes us with her stories, which leaves us thinking and wondering days after we finished a book.
You've done it again, Pepper! I'm in complete awe of this book, it was a long story to get through, but I was consumed by every word and everything that has taken place.
Absolutely amazing!