Waking Estella – Ivy Lane

I loved that this book jumps straight into the thick of it. Estella is a widow struggling to cope with her new reality, and she starts out completely broken and numb. Given how suddenly her world is turned upside down, her grief feels raw, real, and entirely understandable.

Thankfully, she isn’t alone. She has three men who step in to support her through the slow, painful process of healing. Each of them cares for Estella in a way they couldn’t when her husband was alive, and now they’re no longer hiding it. Through their patience, devotion, and love, they help her move from merely existing to truly feeling again.

As Estella begins to realize that each of these men is in love with her, she starts to see them differently. Bennett gives her the care and steadiness she’s always needed but never fully had. But Atticus completely stole my heart. He’s such a gentle, sweet soul who cares deeply for Estella, yet constantly doubts that he’s good enough for her. His quiet devotion was incredibly touching.

This was an emotional, healing story that handled grief and love with care. I received this book as an ARC, and these thoughts are my honest opinion.

I wanted a family. I wanted to be part of this family.