I don't even know where to begin. I want to curb my snarky tongue but honestly my mind is whirring from all the stuff about THE BOY AND HIS RIBBON that I just couldn't. Couldn't believe, couldn't tolerate, did I mention the couldn't believe, and just overall.. couldn't.

The first in <i>The Ribbon Duet</i> starts off in a dark place. And I was actually really excited about it. I've never read Winters before, despite much encouragement from a buddy, so didn't know how much darker things would go when the book opens up about a child slaver situation, with a couple who are obviously not nice, and have done, and do, horrible things to the children who they buy to work their farm. But we don't linger with them because Ren, our protagonist, is on the run. He's ten years old, possesses nine fingers, and discovers too late he has a stowaway in his backpack full of supplies. A stowaway who happens to be the Mclary's natural born daughter and all of only a year old.

Ren faces a decision : does he abandon her to die, does he kill her himself, or does he risk his own recapture by pushing on with the unexpected baggage? He obviously pushes on. But it's not an easy journey. His early struggles with this burden were actually some of my favourites, even if I had to suspend a lot of disbelief over the supposed abilities of a ten year old. But that was merely foreshadowing to worse things I'd have to swallow or believe were possible.

<i>I'm living proof that a heart can be broken a thousand times and still function, still keep you alive -- desperately hoping that it won't happen again, all the whole knowing it will.</i>

As the story progresses we end up experiencing eighteen years with Ren and Della and all the obstacles, hardships, and sweetness, that make up their lives together. We also get forewarning that there isn't yet a happy ending via Della's present-day reminiscing by way of a school assignment about her life which shifts into a diary-esque purge of feelings and events. Feelings of a non-brotherly sort to the boy who is both father and brother to her. And we get to see Ren's conflict grow as he struggles to deal with this person who is his everything, who has ever been his responsibility, but who is no longer a baby and no longer treats him in the simple way she did when she was young. And how he cannot deal with the change in their relationship, and yet hates himself for both his own confusion, and hates her for ruining what they had.

<i>Eventually I would need to be more than the illiterate boy who'd carried her away in a backack. I'd have to be a role model, counselor, and friend. And I as determined to be a friend who could read and write.</i>

The bare bones about this story is great. I loved how Winters went into detail about Ren's lack of schooling and awareness of things, how he had to be taught by Della despite their age difference, and all the sacrifices he made for her. How they spent most of their lives in the forest, in abandoned farms and shacks. And yes, on a whole, the situation is unrealistic. But it was made worse by how the characters behaved. Mature conversations at five? An eight year old with a voice that "<i>hinted a rich depth that would rival any woman's. Husky and melodic with just enough sweet and sour to drive boys insane</i>"? At <b>eight</b>? GTFO.

Also, I don't know why, but the nickname "Little Ribbon" or "Ribbon" just.. bothered me. Sometimes I think I am completely heartless. Oh, and equally unbelievable was that said piece of blue ribbon would've survived eighteen years intact. Yeah, no.

This story just devolved into so much conflict and angst and uncertainty, beyond the general 'not damn likely' vibe, and I just checked out in order to keep my sanity. I know I'm often weird with kids-as-MCs in stories and this was definitely heightened by all the added adult expectations and roles that they assumed, things they said, things they felt, and I just couldn't suspend my disbelief for it. Add in the denial and the lies and the mistrust and the blinding need to possess but also push away and nope.

I want to know how it ends, because I'm endlessly curious and also a masochist, but this read was really not my jam.

1.5 "love was simple with one rule : if you hurt the person you love, it would be as bad as hurting yourself" stars

I generally like all of Peppers books and I feel so bad that this one just didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters and just the general theme of the book. I know she warned us that this is different from her other works and that may have been my issue with TBAHR. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity.

I haven’t read a book like this in a while that caught my attention and kept it till the end. I can’t wait till June for the conclusion. So many feels with this one.

4.5 stars

I don't know how to categorise the genre of this book because the story is a metamorphosis of character growth in age and maturity. THE BOY AND HIS RIBBON is a story of becoming family, escaping abuse but never really being free. This is a tale told over a number of years, everything in this book has a tangible and realistic timeline.

The two characters in this book are Ren Wild the boy on the run and his little fellow escapee Della Ribbon. These two were enchanting characters to read; beautiful souls. Ren knocked my socks off as a care giver, his love for Della evolved and bloomed as he fathered-her, brothered-her, best-friended-her. He was utterly selfless in carving out life and survival for his Ribbon and himself. The bond between these two was seemingly unbreakable. Della evolved the most in this book, growing from babe to teen and she was a complex, fiercely-loving and possessive girl.

"He treated me as capable and brave and bright, and that's what I became because I never wanted to let him down because he would never let me down. Simple as that."

The story is narrated from a dual POV with an emphasis on Ren's perspective but Della then reflecting back on her experiences. I felt there were two distinct phases in this book, both difficult but certainly the latter years, more complex and challenging. There is a discomfort to the story direction that challenged my allegiances, my personal morality and it's a bit of noodled-mess of thinking right now. However, I could not look away, it was an addictive story, compelling in the best way.

I have thoughts about where I think the next book's story line is going and I'm full of trepidation over it but longing to read it nevertheless. I enjoyed Pepper Winter's writing in this immensely, especially the childhood era of Della and Ren.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

I wish I could rate this over 5 stars, Once again Pepper Winters reminds her readers that she is one hell of an author! This book was all consuming and more! It is impossible to hold back your tears regardless if they are tears of happiness for Della and Ren or if they are from the heart wrenching heart break they feel. She brings Della and Ren to life and you can't help but feel every single emotion that they feel. It might take me until book 2 gets released to recover from the feeling of my heart being ripped from my chest.

My heart aches. OMG what a story. Della and Ren have such a journey of survival and love. So well written, I found myself engrossed in their lives and I look forward to reading the next of the duet.

So this is a different setup that I've never seen Pepper do before. This first book is a tale of 18 years long mainly told from Rens past perspective. Dellas few chapters are marked with present tense. I had to face the fact that the first few years of this book seemed a bit to me unrealistic and just read the story for what it was. Overall, I'm hoping and thinking book 2 might be from Dellas pov and also hopefully all in present tense. Ribbon #1 was all of a history to learn about their past and the struggle they faced. I think I still need to continue to see what happens next.

"I look back now and wish I had the ability to reach through time and slap myself."

Mind. Blown. Heart. Broken. I didn't know what I was in for when I started reading The Boy and His Ribbon. What a title, right? What does it mean? And then the synopsis...too intriguing to pass up. I knew it was a duet from the start, meaning I wouldn't get the whole story until I read the second book. But I couldn't wait, I wanted a taste NOW!

The synopsis pretty much tells you everything you need to know going into the story. It gives you an idea of who the characters are and how they ended up in each other's lives. But let me assure you that when you actually read the story told in dual POV it will hit you much harder than you are anticipating. Being inside the head of a 9 yr old boy facing the gut-wrenching experiences Ren had to deal with opened my eyes and my heart. I became so totally invested in his life and his future that you couldn't tear me away from my Kindle. And when I learned the significance of the 'ribbon' I felt another squeeze in my already ravaged heart.

The author took me back and forth in time, sharing events in the past and the present. She drew me in and made me love them, hurt for them, and with them. "There is no me without him." As I turned the last page my heartstrings were pulled so tight I couldn't breathe. My emotions are a mess and the deeply moving scenes I've read are playing over and over in my head. Hopefully, the lump in my throat will be gone by the time I get my hands on A Girl and Her Ren. The line forms here...

5 Unique Stars

The Boy and His Ribbon is an unforgettable story!5 stars isn't enough for this one, if I could I would give it more!I fall in love with this story so much, my heart was aching all the time and I'm thinking about it all the time!!This is by far my favorite book from Pepper Winters and I have read and loved all her books but this one was something else!

The writing was poetic,beautiful and flawless and I could feel everything!My heart, omg I have so many feelings and I don't know what to say, this doesn't happened often with me!Don't read anything , I would say it's better to go blond and being open mind!This way you will enjoy it even more!

Ren and Della have a special bond,these two have a great chemistry!Ren was fantastic, I loved him so much!He cared so much for Della and he wanted to keep her safe and give her what she needed!What an emotional roller coaster!The Boy and His Ribbon was a heartwarming,emotional and intense story!

This is a must read, don't hesitate to read it!It's one of these stories I'm going to re-read!I can't wait for the next book!!

Amazing, Pepper has outdone herself on this one. Truly, her best work to date.

This story is so original, so emotional, complete roller coaster of a ride. The story will hold you captive from beginning to end.

Your heart will break for Ren, on so many occassions, I just wanted to reach into the pages and hug that boy. Even as he grows the man needs a hug, a break, just one thing to go his way. Pepper has written Ren's character beautifully. The man in my eyes can seriously do no wrong.

Della is an adorable baby, an incredible brave little girl. Her rabbit story had me howling so funny. Della then turns into the everyday moody, stubborn, hormonal girl. Let the fun times begin. You just know the trouble is a brewing. How could it not though "He was magical, immortal and every prince, knight and saviour I could ever need"

Pepper takes us on such an amazing journey with Della Ribbon and Ren Wild it truly is fanstatic. My nerves were shot reading this. The angst, love, heartbreak, and the writing its all here within the pages.

Brilliant story, amazing writing.

How will this all play out, how will thier journey continue????

One word......JUNE!!!!!!

4.25 stars

"She was my one weakness, and I was determined to stay immune to her for her own protection."

I love Pepper Winters' dark romances, but I love her contemporary romances even more. She always gives her all in these books, and really takes her time to tell the whole story. The Boy and His Ribbon, is about a broken ten year old boy Ren and baby Della who ends up in the Ren's backpack when he makes his escape. He doesn't know what to do with a baby in the wilderness, but finds a way to save her and himself. It broke my heart reading what these two had to go through to survive. But they had such a beautiful connection, that it also warmed my heart seeing how they took care of each other. Ren is super protective and takes on the father/brother role very serious. Della is very headstrong. As she transforms from a toddler to a young woman her connection to Ren becomes even stronger, and she starts feeling things for him. For Ren this is unacceptable and he does his best to keep his distance when its needed.

Everything Ren did was for Della. He wants her to have a normal future/life. He sacrifices so much for her, it was very heartwarming. He always put her wants and needs before his own. Della, sometimes forgot to be thankful and acted out, which is a normal behavior for a teenager. Ren did the best with the hand he was dealt with. Della, sometimes really pushed his limits. I really enjoyed that the author included chapters in Della's POV (taking place in the present time), and that she acknowledges her faults. This story was a pretty emotional read for me, but not so much that it had me in tears. Pepper has a great writing style, and it was really easy to read. The pacing was perfect, and I was hooked to the story. The pacing was a great way to really showcase how Ren and Della's relationship developed, and I am really looking forward to the next book in The Ribbon Duet.

WOW !!! This book is Amazing!!! This beautifully written story is one of desperation, survival, love and heartache. It is heart wrenching. Why does life have to be so hard? Why does love have to be so evasive? If you only read a few books this year, this must be one of those books. Pepper Winters took me on an emotional journey that will not soon be forgotten.

Firstly, let me set the scene. The blurb really intrigued me and I already love this authors work....so I had to have this!
Secondly, I don't know if I was mentally prepared enough! In fact I know I wasn't. This book was so fabulously written, it was so tragic, so so emotional and so utterly beautiful.
Ren was the star of the show for me. So selfless, so everything, the way he took care of Della tore my heart out. She is his everything.
Oh my gawd I need to go and sort my head out now, I don't do emotional without lots of forward prepping!!!!
Saying that, I need the 2nd book!!!

I honestly don't know where to start with this review, I'm still reeling for all that happened. Every assumption you have about love will show how unexpected and shocking but heartbreakingly perfect it can be. This story is tragic but mesmerising. It radiates an incredible love story between two people.
Ren was sold by his mother into slavery when he was 8 years old, he is treated, with others so cruelly it belies belief. He makes plans to escape, but what he doesn't plan on is Della the 18 month old daughter stowing away in his hold-all, I have to say I had a little trouble understanding this aspect of the story but that was soon forgotten as it all unfolded.
The story continues how Ren and Della survive and all they go through, I do not want to say any more as each reader needs to go travel this journey with them both with no interference from me.
I ended it with great sadness because I'm not sure when the second book is due to be published, I will be checking every day with great anticipation to see where Pepper Winters leads these two wonderful characters to.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book.

“What do you do when you meet your soul mate? No wait…that’s too easy. What do you do when you meet your soul mate and have to spend a lifetime loving him in secret?
I’ll tell you what you do.
You lie.



Pepper Winters never ceases to amaze me.

God, The Boy and His Ribbon has to be one of, if not the greatest story she's ever written. It easily found its place in my ultimate favourites list for many reasons. And it will one hundred percent be my best read of 2018.

Before you step into this story, keep an open mind.

Ren and Della's story alternates between their perspectives, switching from past to present. And their retelling unfurls eighteen years of history. It is a slow burn. But please, don't let that stop you from reading this masterful creation.

The Boy and His Ribbon is so wonderfully heartbreaking and emotional. It isn't a "romance" in the traditional sense, but rather a love story weaved through a coming of age narrative. It is tragic yet beautiful; full of unconditional love and bonds that seem unbreakable. It is about change and growth, family and friendship, love and hatred; how our actions and decisions are easily governed by darker emotions such as envy and greed.

Ren Wild never knew what loving someone meant until Della Ribbon. With her rosy cheeks, chubby little hands and infectious laughter, how could you not love her? Along with Ren, we watch as Della transforms from innocent child to emotional teenager to sultry young woman. She's intelligent, honest and real. One moment she'd be open and opinionated, the next quiet and guarded.

Oh and Ren, what a wonderful human being he is. He is unapologetically himself; it is endearing. He is kind, captivating and intelligent in his own ways. His undying love and protectiveness of Della is fantastically written and expressed. How could you not fall in love with someone who shows an incredible amount of loyalty towards you?

I applaud Pepper Winters on doing such an amazing job with The Boy and His Ribbon. I wish I could rate it more than five stars, that's how brilliantly written, all consuming and mesmerising this story is. It is as captivating as Ren and Della. It is heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time. Is it June yet?! I so desperately want to read The Girl and Her Ren!

This book is unlike any other book I have ever read. This is one that will forever be emblazoned on your heart, soul and mind for a long time to come.

I feel like this book is going to garner a lot of talk. I think that talk is going to run the gamut from readers like me who feel that Ms. Winters has taken a story and woven it into this brilliant masterpiece of literary greatness. Then I think we'll hear talk from readers that feel it to be a bit unorthodox and pushing of boundaries. I know that every reader reads a different story and that not all minds break things down and see them in the same light. This saddens me because the story of Ren and Della is utter brilliance and deserves so much praise.

As I went into this one totally blind I was so shocked that it ends on a cliffhanger. I'm am so completely ok with this because it means I have more of Ren and Della's story to discover and get lost in and that leaves me with immense happiness.

**Received ARC from NetGalley. Voluntarily provided an unbiased review**

The Boy & His Ribbon is an unexpectedly riveting, unbelievably fascinating story of survival and love. This mesmerizing, breathtaking novel is unlike anything I've  ever read before, a wholly unforgettable, soul searing story that consumed me from the very start. I've read many books from Pepper Winters and this book has a decidedly different vibe to it. The Boy & His Ribbon is the first half of a duet and while I can't wait to see what's to come, I desperately longed to savor every morsel of this first book. This is a SUPERBLY written account of the devastating circumstances that allowed for the most beautiful sort of kinship to blossom and flourish and ultimately consume itself. The complicated course of events that ensues from something terrible, something beautiful, is one that I won't soon forget. 

This is a story that is so wild yet somehow remains relatable all at once. It's the reality of human growth and development woven seamlessly through a story of codependency and adoration, and while it's often difficult to wrap your head around, sometimes uncomfortable and hard to reconcile, it also makes absolutely perfect sense.

Ren and Della's complicated connection evolves throughout this story and in every phase they move through together, emotions intensify and the tenuous bond between them grows frayed. Their relationship is natural in every sense of the word, which is why I connected so completely with their journey. It's everything you never see coming but it's also everything that you'd expect to exist between two people who've come up together with such a powerful bond. You know something will eventually have to give though. You know as they age, their dynamic must shift. But while the unforgettable bond between Ren and Della does get twisted and tangled up by confusing emotions, it remains this beautiful, wholly understandable entity that I felt completely.

Pepper Winters is known for her dark romance. She's known for taboo stories that push the boundaries and make you fall deeply in love with characters even if their circumstances make you deeply uncomfortable. For that reason alone, I was worried. This story made me incredibly nervous. Ren and Della exist in such a precarious situation throughout this story, that one decision by this author in respect to their dynamic could've turned it into something I wouldn't have been able to handle. But it's so perfect what Pepper Winters creates here. The Boy & His Ribbon was everything that's right and good set against a backdrop of something that's inherently wrong. Given that, I truly felt that, while Winters held the power to send the story careening in a horrific direction, she made all the most beautiful choices, crafting a phenomenal novel that I absolutely loved, one that devastated my heart and filled me with as much sorrow as it did with hope. 

The Boy & His Ribbon is an adventure of survival as much as it's a grand love story. It's a vivid portrayal of love and devotion that take many forms as the story evolves. It's an emotionally gripping account of loyalty and friendship and I enjoyed every single achingly beautiful second. This is one fantastic story, a book so exquisitely crafted with raw emotion and the most unforgettable characters that I fear my own words can't possibly do it justice. This may be the most captivating story this author has written to date and my heart is exploding with desperation for more of this story.

|Review for The Boy and His Ribbon|

6++ stars


"How far will you hold on for someone you can't have?"



As I write this review, I contemplate things about life and it's reality. How do I instinctively react to things that ordinary people or actually just people in general would probably think as morally wrong? You see, right and wrong are two different ideas created by people. It has existed probably even from the old days. But what do we really know about it? How do we set boundaries when in reality, there's only really a fine line separating the two?


"She was my one constant, and this was unknown, scary territory."


Pepper Winters never had a problem blurring that lines in every stories she shares. Threading those lines has been one that fascinates me about her. This book, this story is a whole lot different from what I'm used to from this author. From the very first chapter, she held me captivated. She took me to a whole new world and me see things from a different perspective. It was like while she's weaving this tale, or shall I say, telling me this story, she makes me take off my rose-colored glasses. I've never been riveted as I have been now. It was like she suck me into a void where no rights or wrong existed.


Her main characters, Ren and Della, was perfect through their imperfections. The characters were both rich and raw and they just ripped my heart into pieces. They arouse strong feelings of sympathy and protectiveness from me. My heart bleeds for them. They simply disarm me.


"Even without his bedtime stories filling in the blanks and painting pictures.
I’ve forgotten, I can honestly say Ren is my favourite word. I love every. history attached to it. I love every pain lashed to it. I love the boy it belongs to."


I do not want to spoil the story for you guys although I've been itching to do so. But I want you to enjoy and feel and most of all, experience this journey as Pepper Winters walk you through this tale of a young boy robbed of his childhood yet dedicated his whole life to her ward and this little girl who grew up with making him her entire world.

And oh boy, I haven't shared the ending yet to you. It drove me crazy. It makes me want to fast forward the day so I can have the second installment, The Girl and His Ren. Pepper Winter made me wish I have ice cream here with me. I was left a blubbering mess right here. Give me back my heart you cruel, cruel author!




**I voluntereed to receive an Advance Review Copy in exchange of an honest review.

Ren ran away from his captors when he was just ten years old. He was sold by his mother to a farmer and forced to labor on the land with a group of other children who were traumatized at the hands of farmer Mclary. Ren manages to make it to the outskirts of the farm and remain hidden, but he soon realizes that he isn’t alone. The backpack that he’d packed with food and other supplies also contained a baby...

Prepare yourself for a slow-burn read with this story! This book spanned eighteen years! Yes, you read that correctly. Eighteen bloody years! It’s a character-driven coming-of-age novel with the usual (and solid) PW writing style, but with an angst fest that presented itself more heavily in the second half of this book. The first few chapters (and the book’s blurb!) hinted at impending heartbreak and the tone of this story weaved that strong sense of foreboding throughout.

Minor issues?
I had to suspend disbelief frequently in the first quarter of this book. I won’t pick apart the disbelieving/grey areas, but that part of the story was a bit tedious to get through because there was quite a bit of storytelling with only a little bit of showing. Reading all of that backstory—as interesting as it was—only made me feel impatient and a bit frustrated to get to the real story, and into the present day setting. Unfortunately, the cliffhanger ending made the entire book feel like an appetizer in preparation for book two: The Girl and Her Ren.

► I liked this story but did not love the structure of it. The time spent in the present tense was so little and even then, the female lead only retold her perspective of the past. The ending was predictable because the storyline had nowhere else to go except towards more contentious drama.

The book was emotional love story

Ren and Della are involved in a dangerous relationship

I am in love with everything of the boy and his ribbon

Can’t wait to read the next book
Would love to know how it ends