I love Pepper Winters and once again her writing was exceptional. This story of Ren and Della is just that a story , fiction. It will not be for everyone. It is a coming of age journey watching a 10 year old and 1 year old struggle with survival ,love ,life and growing up .They had a brutal start to life . Parent and child , brother sister friends . We watch over 17 years what they go through. However for me I had issues with some things , key things . I can understand the basis of the relationships . I can understand the reason behind a lot of what was happening and why. For me it was just a lot of time with a lot of longing. Repetitive At times . I’m very intrigued for the next book to see how this ends. *Arc provided by NetGalley for review *

Such a captivating story!
I totally enjoyed this side of Author Pepper Winter's writing.
Ren & Della are characters that will grip you and make you go on soo many emotional levels.
You will not be able to resist loving these two hard.
I was a wreck while reading this because this story about Ren & Della was soo moving to me. Such an intense love story that had me wanting to hug and take care of them both.
Go grab this book and be ready to grip your reader hard with the intensity that flies off the pages.

WOW where do I begin with this AMAZING book? Let me just say I NEED book two NOW!!!! This book was EPIC and a must read!
Pepper writes such a beautiful story of Ren and Della in The Boy & His Ribbon! I was instantly drawn to these two! I felt a connection to both of them and my heart broke when their hearts broken!
This book has it all and you need to one click it NOW!!! Don't miss out on what is going to be an amazing series!!

This is such a beautiful read that is deserves more than 5 stars. Ren and Della are simply amazing characters that will drag you into their world and have you laughing and crying through their ups and downs. Loving the simplicity of not needing anything except each other. What will happen as they grow and the simplistic love they share grows more completed? Plenty of drama and emotion. I was hooked from beginning to end and look forward to reading the next book. LOVED IT!

*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

5 "Brilliant and Beautiful" Stars!!!!!!

Ok, let's do this. I was going to give myself time before I wrote this review. But I think it's best to write this now, since my emotions are still very raw. You know, one of the joys in reading is discovering authors your haven't read before. And I hit the jackpot. I mean I'm talking HUGE, MEGA and ALL the money in the world, jackpot. My disheveled hair, puffy face and tear streaked cheeks, while tears continue to escape my eyes are all thanks to Pepper Winters. Congratulations Pepper, you've ruined me. Ruined me to the point that I can't come back. The old Vanessa, gone, bye, she's never to be seen again. You've unleashed the new version of myself. The new version that now knows what reading a book by you entails. I want to ask that old version of me what the hell she was thinking, why the hell did it take her so damn long to read one of your books? I want to shake her and make her see the light, make her walk down that path where she will be forever changed. You see, your words Pepper, your words cracked open my soul. You took broken pieces I didn't know I had and put them back together. You revived a heart that I didn't know was lifeless.

It's safe to say my world was turned upside down as soon I opened The Boy and His Ribbon. This book, THIS BOOK is a game changer. I want to tell you about it. I want to tell you everything. But, I can't and I won't. You need to read for yourself. You need to experience this book in all it's wonderful glory. You need to feel every crack your heart will endure. You need to shed all the ugly tears. You need to feel every push and pull. I promise you, it's all worth it though.

I said I couldn't and wouldn't talk about the book, right? But I can't not tell you a little about him. Ren. The boy turned man who was everything and more. He claimed me. He seeped in the crevices of my heart and made a home there. He's a savior and protector. He will do anything in his power to make sure that the ones he cares for have everything they need. He puts everyone first. And because of his upbringing he doesn't expect anything from anyone. He's learned to survive on his own and he likes his solitude. He loves. And the way he loves is inspiring. Being loved by Ren is the greatest and most beautiful thing. Ren was my favorite. I fell, and I fell hard for the boy turned man.

I know I didn't go into detail, but I don't want to ruin this book for you. I didn't want to slip up and accidentally spoil something because I need you to read this book. READ THIS BOOK! READ THIS BOOK! READ THIS BOOK!

Pepper, I'm thanking my lucky stars. Thanking them for shining the light I needed to FINALLY read one of yours book. And I honestly don't know what I did to deserve your words, but I am so grateful. And now, I don't know what the hell I'm going to do until June 5th. I NEED the conclusion to this story, NOW!!!

copy received for honest review
This story was amazing. The author has a way of weaving a tale that will keep your turning pages. I don't know where to start. This is a historical journey of the life of REn and Della. Ren escaped a terrible situation at the age of 10. When he ran, he had something extra in his bag, Della. It was too dangerous to take her back and too hard to keep her. What follows is a somewhat unbelievable trip through 18 years of survival. The emotional rollercoaster of their life had me filled with tension; waiting for the next shoe to drop. Everything the characters went through seemed like a personal experience for the reader. You, as the reader are always rooting for them to be safe and to be able to stay together. Things get complicated quick and often. The ending leaves you panting for more. I am anxiously waiting to read the conclusion. Great story.

I have been excited to read this new book by Pepper Winters because the storyline pulled at my heartstrings. Who wouldn't feel bad for Ren. He has learned from a young age that love could be bought and sold. As he ran from the foster family, the Mclary's, who used him for free labor, he realized that one Mclary has followed him on his escape.

This story hurt my heart but I could not stop reading. I was so entranced with the way the story moved between Ren's thoughts and Della's that I finished this book in one day. The love between these two will live with you even when you finish the book. I am not a big fan of cliffhangers, but this book is worth the read.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Ren was 8 years old when his mother sold him to a farmer who owned 15 other kids that worked their fingers to the bone on his farm. When Ren was 10 the farmer and his wife had the “golden” child ... the only one that was their biological child. When Ren was 11 he ran away from the farm while the farmers’s bullets narrowly missed him ... only to find he had extra cargo in his pack ... Della, the farmer’s daughter. As Ren cannot take her back, they embark on a journey that will make you believe in mankind while it breaks your heart.

When I started reading this book, I knew it was going to be special ... one of those books that you will never forget. I can honestly say that I have never read a book even remotely close to this and it broke my heart. This book took me on an emotional journey like no other. I just didn’t cry ... I sobbed! Even writing this review, the tears are running down my face and I can’t get this story out of my head. Normally I write the review right after reading the book ... but with this one I had to let it sink in for a few days and it still brings tears to my eyes. If I could give more than 5 Stars ... this book would definitely qualify! I can’t wait for the second book for Ren and Della’s story to continue.

I received an ARC courtesy of Buoni Amici Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I first fell in love with the cover for The Boy and His Ribbon - isn't it beautiful?

My heart quickly broke for Ren. It completely ached for Della. Together, they just shattered me.

Whilst this is not the usually mind eff, dark read from Ms Winters, it completely wrecked my heart.

Just when I thought that there could be nothing else that happens to our lovelies, boom, I turned the page and I was annihilated once again.

The Boy and his Ribbon is an emotional roller coaster that had me smiling, had my crying, had me mad as heck, never knowing what I was going to get in the next chapter.

Ms Winters books are always a journey. One you will love. One you will hate. But always an amazing journey.

We are left on a bit of a cliffy, but it is not long until the second part of the duet, The Girl and her Ren, comes out.

I can't wait.

This book was just beautiful. I read this as an ARC through NG and feel privileged to read the life of Ren and Della.
Ren; escapes a life of hell at the age of 10, with a surprise visitor on his backpack! Della is a baby who escapes with Ren and together they form a love like no other.
They live in the forest for years before finding a home. But that home comes at a price; and once again they are running.
Ren and Della’s story continues over nearly 17 years and the love I felt for both of them was overwhelming.
Congratulations to the author on an amazing read and I look forward to the conclusion!
Must Read for all.

The Boy and His Ribbon was something new and different than what I'm used to from Pepper Winters. She's mostly known for her dark romances but this book was a coming of age romance. 3 stars may seem a lower rating than I usually give books written by this author but I want to say that I definitely wasn't disappointed in it. It was a good read but it didn't go beyond 3 stars for me. Coming of age romances have never been my type of genre. I just like her dark romance books more. This doesn't take away any of the possitive things about The Boy and His Ribbon, though. It was quite a beautiful book.

Like I said this is something different and the beginning certainly isn't the most conventional of book beginnings. It all starts with ten-year-old Ren who's running away from the farm that he was sold to by his mother two years ago. What he doesn't know is that he's got a secret stowaway in his backpack; one-year-old Della. This might seem a little bit silly and I thought so at first too but somehow it does work for this story.

It really was a coming of age story because we seem Ren and Della growing up together through the next seventeen years. There weren't chapters of every single year but it was close enough. I wasn't the biggest fan of the childhood years because I never really liked to read about characters when they were children in any book. That's just a personal preference, I'm guessing but that's just how it is. I did like how well Ren took care of Della when she was so little and how he did everything in his power to keep her safe. It got more interesting once Della entered her teenages years, even though some of it was quite awkward for her and Ren.

Overall, The Boy and His Ribbon by Pepper Winters is a book that will definitely give its readers a rollercoaster of emotions. It was beautifully written, melancholy, touching but at times it exasperated me a bit because of the characters' choices and actions. I can't deny that it broke my heart a little, especially in those last few chapters. This also caused me to desperately want the second book, which is the conclusion to Della and Ren's story. I'm eagerly anticipating it because the way it ended left me wanting for more.

As always when finishing a book by Pepper Winters, my feelings are all over the place.

At ten years old, after two years as a slave, Ren decides to make a run for it. What he didn't expect was a baby hidden in his luggage. Faced with decisions no ten years old should ever have to make, Ren becomes Della's protector, her guardian, her family.

We follow their story through 18 years and from both POV. From Della's present self, recounting thing for an assignment, and from Ren's as things happened.

The Boy and his Ribbon is... I'm not sure I have the words right now to describe it. There is so much feelings and emotions in those pages. You feel the love, the hope and despair, the growth of Ren and Della. But most of all, we witnessed the hardships that Ren faced all those years and what it meant for Della. And you can't help but fall in love with those characters. Ren's devotion towards his Ribbon is a beautiful thing one can only hope to someday achieve. And Della's dedication and revelations through her assignment will leave you wondering about her future.

I've just finished this book and I already want the next one. Surely that's what everybody will want after reaching the last page.

I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My heart has been stolen by Ren and Della. How do I describe something so unexpected, all-consuming and just absolutely beautiful. This is what I experienced as I devoured The Boy and His Ribbon. The pure grit and determination that lives in Ren to escape the horrors his mother delivered him into is powerful. But when he is faced with an unexpected challenge, a baby, well, he shows his true character. As much as he wants to be a loner due to his distrust of adults and humans, his moral compass shines through and Della becomes his world. Della doesn’t know a life without Ren. Her innocence and trust provide a needed beacon into his dark view of the world. How their journey unfolds is magical and truly something everyone needs to experience for themselves. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

I thoroughly loved reading the outstanding and extraordinary, beautifully written story. I volntarily reviewed a story from NetGalley. When Ren was ten years old, he couldn't take the abuse and being a slave anymore and ran away, but he had a stowaway, a baby, Della, who was playing with a blue ribbon. Ren didn't know how to take care of a baby and could barely take care of himself. He tried leaving Della with a loving family, but finally decided they were in this together. The dynamics between Ren and Della is special, but as Della goes to school and gets older, her feeling for Ren change. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written story riveting the reader from the beginning to the end of the story looking forward with anticipation for the second story in the series.

**6++++ I-Love-You-Ren-Wild stars**

What can I say about The Boy & his Ribbon?

I have no words to describe the feelings I have for this book. Scratch that, I have too many. I mean why? There are some books that come to you and you forget their story as soon as you finish reading it; but there are books that when you are in the first page you just can't let go, and when you are done the story stays with you forever. The Boy & his Ribbon was the exact same thing for me. I wish I'd never read it, but at the same time I couldn't read it sooner.

It took me 12 days to finish this fantasic story. Not because I didn't like. Just the opposite, in fact. The story is just unbelievably amazing, left me heartbroken, the characters were so powerful, their emotions seem real, and they got to transfer the power of what they were feeling really well. To me this was an unbelievable book, one of those that it almost felt like it was a privilege to read.

In a nutshell, this book will make you laugh, cry, mad, sad, joyful, and many other emotions that I have no time to describe. Please do yourself a favor, and read this book!!!


I would like to thank NetGalley and Bouni Amici Press for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Boy & His Ribbon is simply superb. Pepper Winters has quite possibly written her best book to date and my personal favorite since Unseen Messages. What she has created with this most captivating of stories is one that consumed my very soul. I was swept up in the journey that Ren Wild and his Della Ribbon embarked on and did not want to let them go. I'm over the moon that book two will be here sooner rather than later since these two have so much more to tell us. I simply NEED their words.

I'm not sure I've ever read a tale of perseverance that had such power over me. The selflessness Ren exhibited over and over again when he should have been able to live life his own way after escaping such brutality at the tender age of ten, floored me. The author took this vulnerable young boy and gave him the grace and humility others twice his age couldn't even fathom. I love this character more than I can even describe. His protectiveness over his Della, his ribbon, brought me to my knees.

This is not just a story. It is an unbelievably grueling adventure that not only put my stomach in constant mayhem but somehow gave me indescribable pleasure in watching how Ren and Della simply survived. There is a true beauty in getting to witness the power of the human spirit. How despite everything thrown their way, these two manage to find the joy in living one more day. And as their lives get more and more complicated with feelings burgeoning where they shouldn't, I was both anxious and hesitant to keep turning the pages.

The author brilliantly gives us both sides of the story with Della in the present and Ren starting from the very beginning as they commenced their lifetime adventure together. I just couldn't put this book down and felt every single heartache and triumph as Ren acts as guardian and savior for his Della. Knowing their time together may not last forever, there is a push and pull that ripped me apart in one moment and then soothed me the next. This is writing that is unmatched.

This is outstanding artistry that only comes along once in a great while. Do yourself a huge favor and read The Boy & His Ribbon and experience an odyssey like no other.

I happily give The Boy & His Ribbon a HUGE 5+++++++ stars! Bravo!

If I could give this book more stars, I certainly would. If you've read a book by Pepper Winters before you know going into it that it won't always be the easiest read, but you also know it will be well worth it and this book is no exception. Ren & Della face a tough life from the start and then have to navigate growing up without much adult guidance. I loved this book and characters and hated them, I wanted to stop reading at some points, but knew I had to keep going and it was very much worth it. I can't wait to see how this story concludes in book 2. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book provided by Net Galley.

Wow! What an amazing yet unique story. Ren and Della’s story is complicated yet simple while mixed with a forbidden element. Spans over 17 years and leaves you wanting more. Delivers all the feels. Can’t wait for book 2!