Bring Down the Stars & Long Live the Beautiful Hearts by Emma Scott
*****
Thanks, NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this duet.
First time reading Emma Scott, I heard a lot about her, and her writing awhile ago but didn’t have the opportunity to read her work until now. Going in blind is the best way to read a new author.
Based on a play from Cyrano de Bergerac, the story is about a triangle of true friendship, unrequited love, and the power of pretty words and poetry. I can honestly say, I’ve not read enough or understood the prose of poetry. Therefore, I’m not a huge fan of poetry, but in this case, the poetry only adds more romance to the storyline. Having admitted my lack of knowledge of poetry, I feel inadequate to write a review that will showcase Emma Scott’s talent. What I can do is try and express how this story has affected me and share some lines from both books which have impacted and left a mark on my soul. This duet is not for the faint of heart; it pulls heavy on your heart and soul and will leave you wrung out like a dirty dish rag. Yes, it’s that powerful, and that emotional! Highly recommended!
“Feelings,” I said, “are like tonsils. Mostly useless, and occasionally a source of pain and discomfort.”
“Parfois, le cœur se cache derrière l’esprit. Sometimes the heart hides itself behind the mind.”
“I worried I would grow up to be trash too, and would hurt any woman I might someday love, so I vowed not to love anyone.”
“…pretty words weren’t enough without something real behind them,”
“The fight you have to fight is for you so that the love you feel for her has a chance.”
“For you, I would bring down the stars, wreath their fire around your neck like diamonds, and watch them pulse to the beat of your heart.”
"Something good and whole in her spoke to the something rotted and broken in me."
"I'm in love with her. The truth was bold and start on the blank page of my heart. I put my pen to paper and began to write."
“I have loved you with both Hands tied behind my back Bound with pen and ink Paper and words Sealed with someone else’s name until this moment in which I am nothing but a man who loves a woman. There is nothing left to say Except to give all of my heart For you.”
“You have a thousand hearts’ worth of love to give. A thousand tears may fall when one heart breaks. But never cry for shame.” He cupped my chin in his thick hand. “Even love lost was well-spent.”
"She's in love with my soul, he said. And my soul is you."
He held my heart in his hands with reverence and care.
He helped me find my soul’s greatest purpose in life.
He loved me with a love so pure and vibrant, I knew I’d never feel anything like it in a hundred lifetimes.
It was real.

I was recommended this duet by so many readers that I knew I just had to read this story, and it has taken less than three days to read both books. There was no way I could have waited to read Long Live the Beautiful Hearts after finishing the first book, as I needed to discover how this story unfolded and I'm so pleased that both books had been released in order for me to do this. You have been warned.

Wes, Connor, Autumn and Ruby are truly wonderful characters that make life choices which they feel are right for everyone, unaware of the likely implications of their actions. I absolutely love the friendships that they share with each other. They don't hesitate to put the feelings and happiness of others above their own. I didn't know how this story was going to play out, and I loved that about the book.

I really do hope that we get maybe an novella update in the future showing us where the paths that the characters have chosen to follow have taken them. I would like to think that all is well.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
I loved the first book and could not wait to start this one. And I wasn't sure how the author was going to get Autumn and Weston together or if they would be forever broken hearted.

Connor left school and Wes to try and deal with the guilt he feels for everything that happened, but most of all the guilt he felt for what happened to Wes. He didn't call anyone but his parents.

Wes was adjusting to life after war and life without his best friend. And he is back at school and seeing Autumn everywhere. Autumn wants their friendship back and she speaks to him every chance she gets. When Wes and Autumn spends time together, the feelings begin to grow even more for her and Wes loves her even more.

Can Wes tell her the truth about the letters he wrote her but signed Connors's name to them? Will Autumn be able to forgive them and be able to move on? Will Connor be able to get past his guilt and come back to Wes?

I fell in love with this story and will tell anyone who listens to just read it, you can thank me later. It is filled with all the feels that make a story stick with you and it will stick with me for years to come. I look forward to reading more from Emma Scott.

Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is book #2 in the Beautiful Hearts duet written by Emma Scott.

I've recently started reading more of her books, and I am just loving them! Book #2 is a must read after the first book in the series as the first one does end in a cliffhanger.

Just like the first one, the second book is angsty, heartbreaking and poetic (literally). The characters have grown up a little more due to changes in circumstances, so all the same elements are there, but with a deeper sense of maturity.

Once again, the author has written a book that was both beautifully written and hard to put down.

This book left me speechless. I loved the continuation of Autumn, Connor & Weston. The dynamics were perfect for this story. Emma Scott answered all the questions from the first book in this one. I was so engrossed with all of it. Wonderful book!

Gosh this book is so freaking heart-breakingly beautiful, I can't even.. What an absolutely aching conclusion to such a tangible tale. Emma is something else entirely.

Wooooosh WOW!!! SHOOK!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I HAVE NO WORDS...THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING AMAZING!!! Soul searching, love twists, sorrow, deep sadness,grief, tragedy,etc etc etc. I've never read anything like this...what a great tribute to the veterans!!! Conquering disabilities...tear jerking!!!! I can't wait for book two!!!

With the way things were left in book 1, I wasn't sure where we were going or how much my heart could take. Emma took these characters to the places they needed to be. There were a couple of things I saw coming but still enjoyed the ride just the same. I appreciate that Autumn was able to figure out what she wanted to do and actually do it rather than follow in what she thought everyone else wanted her to do. I was also glad that Wes had people in his life to tell him how it really is rather than placate him. His mom was a piece of work and a half but I think she finally mellowed out herself.

It was a wonderful duology, full of a million different feelings. Definitely need the tissues with this one.

Long Live The Beautiful Hearts is a fitting end to the duology. The story made me happy and sad and angry. It's an emotional but beautiful story. If you are a romantic even the slightest bit read this book. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’m just going to jump into this review. I had a really hard time with this book. I absolutely did not like how everything went down. My anger was mostly with Ruby the best friend and Conner. Yes... I was upset with Weston. But... not as much as I was with them.

The secret went on for far to long. It was just aggravating. After everything.... you would think that Conner and Westin would tell the truth.

But then everything was finally revealed really late into the book. And I really couldn’t stand the best friend Ruby! She was no best friend. Conner was so selfish. He messed with Autumn just to make other people happy.

But the whole Ruby thing really got to me. I couldn’t past it at all. It made me not care about how it all ended. Like one big happy family. Nope.. sorry. I just couldn’t.

I’m just going to leave it at that. I don’t think this book was for me

*ARC provided by the author via Netgalley*

While I love all of these characters (even Connor and Ruby, though they pissed me off at times) Weston Turner owns my heart and my tears! Wes' grief, heartbreak, bitterness, and love dominate this story but it took all of that pain to give him his beautiful HEA. Please prepare to cry, mentally yell at fictional characters, and then cry all over again at the ending of a tragically beautiful duet.

I need tissues and to hide under my covers for a week. This duet broke me in the best way. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of Long Live the Beautiful Hearts! I can’t wait to read more by Emma Scott!

This book starts with Connor and Wes in Syria fighting for their lives and dealing with the aftermath of their decisions.

Both Connor and Wes come back but also not whole. And both have to deal with that aftermath on their own.

Once returned Autumn starts to learn the truth of Connor and Wes and it breaks her heart but eventually she starts to befriend Wes again and fall for the real him not just his words. But this is not an easy journey for both of them.

Here are just a few examples how this book stole my heart:

"Stay with him. And keep holding his hand, Autumn. No matter what happens. Don't let go of him."

"Is this some kind of pep talk?" "Straight talk," he said. "The universe doesn't make mistakes."

"My God, Wes." he said. his voice cracked. "Nothing to fight for? Fight for you. For who you are. At long last, fight for yourself and what you love. Who you love."

"But here is the secret: every Once Born is a Twice Born who hasn't yet discovered their strength. I've seen your heart and heard your words, Wes. You will survive this. You're a poet encased in warrior's armor. You will come out the other side, but you must take the first step forward. There is no other way."

" . . . Take a fucking chance at being happy for once in your life."

" . . . In my mind, Wes, that has always been the fault of our armor; you have built it so strong that it doesn't protect you so much as it hurts you to carry its impossible weight."

"I've loved you for so long. Meeting you in the library that first time felt like a reunion. I've loved you in a thousand lifetimes. Do you feel it?"

"You owe me nothing. The only thing I want from you is to live your life with truth, honor, and respect for the dreams and talents of your heart."

I loved that what happened to Wes didn't define him, and was only just another challenge for him. He already had enough burdens and this didn't become another instead it forced him to fight all his demons and let go of his armor. Which gave him the opportunity to truly live freely and be able to love and be loved in return.

From what I gather this duet was written in the before and after of the author's personal tragedy and you can feel the pain and emotion in her writing and its moving and beautiful. This duet was so much more than a story. It's something I think everyone should have to experience. It took my breath way the depth of emotions it stirred up in me.

5 Emotional stars!

Weston and Autumn have one of the most realistic relationships. Even with all the drama their feelings for each other jump off of the page. They are probably more forgiving than most people, but what makes their story good isn't the tragedy or their love, but the feelings they have for each other. Even before they admitted their feelings to each other their friendship was something to aspire to and root for. The only complaint I have about this book is that Connor plays a huge part in the first book and mostly disappears for this sequel. I want his and Ruby's story too!

I was somewhat intimidated to finish this series. But I couldn’t NOT want to read the conclusion to Beautiful Hearts duet. Bring Down the Stars was powerful enough through it’s depiction of a love triangle. We were left feeling EVERYTHING AND MORE. WILL THERE BE A HAPPY ENDING FOR EVERYONE!? Long Live The Beautiful Hearts delivers on a grand scale. So much more than I anticipated. Left me feeling awestruck and wandering.

I am going to be vague because you need to witness this story yourself.

At the center of the story is our heroine Autumn who is always seemingly finding that sliver of hope or silver lining in a clouded gray sky. She has more courage and resiliency than I have read from another lead in quite a while. You can’t help but admire her ability to stride forward endless heartache and tragedy.

I said in my previous review this is a duet you CAN’T miss. It’s addictive and captivating till the very last page. Is is crazy to admit that I held my breath during several paragraphs? There were a few times I had felt a queasiness and my own heart seemed to gallop through each and every word. And then crash afterword?

This story delves deeper into the meaning of tomorrow never comes. It’s full of missed chances and impulses and what if’s that are so intense, you can practically feel the regret and sorrow. It’s also full of hope that somehow everything wrong will be righted. ATTENTION: have tissues on hand again.

It’s incredible. This duet will be put on my favorites list forever. I have a deep admiration for Emma Scott and her story. Don’t be too intimidated to read this duet or you will miss out on such a inspiring story full of everything we want and don’t want and sometimes need.

I received the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher.

Long Live the Beautiful Hearts is the follow up to Bring Down the Stars and the second half of the duology. Of the two books, LLtBH definitely skews more dramatic and dark, which certainly makes sense in the aftermath of the events at the end of book one.

Scott provides a lot of really wonderful representation and real-life consequences of something as large and pervasive as war. I have not read a lot of books that go much farther than PTSD as a result of war, so to see her really show what people go through, was well-done.

As one can guess, secrets from BDtS make their way out in the open as Wes, Connor and Autumn deal with the end of their college careers and what lies ahead of them in their adult lives. The relationships between all of theme are messy, complicated and very real.

There are plenty of happy scenes that left me smiling and feeling light, but there are certainly a number of dark scenes based on the very serious life events some of the characters are going through.

Overall, it was a good ending to the series and cemented my absolute enjoyment of Emma Scott books. I can't wait to see what's next!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.

How did I know that this book would mess with my heart? The ending of the last one set me up and I had no idea what was going to happen next. I just knew that my heart would never be the same. And it wasn't. But at least it didn't break me. This story may have wrung out every emotion I didn't even know I had in me, but it didn't break me. It was beautiful in its pain and stunning in its angst. Still not your typical love triangle but it had plenty of drama.

I don't even want to get into the plot of this one because it will spoil it for those who haven't started this journey yet. I don't want to give away what happens after the end of book one. Just know that it's hard. It's tough. It's heartbreaking. It's gorgeous. It's surprising and glorious and full of so much heart. The love that binds these characters together is something that should be shared amongst everyone. If we could all find family and friends and soulmates the way these people had, the world would have no choice but to be a better place.

Emma Scott gifted us a story that personifies romance. I cried and smiled and prayed for this woman who explained to her readers the understanding of 'Before' and 'After'. I'm grateful to this woman who got me to actually enjoy a story involving a love triangle.

It's hard to describe my relationship to the Beautiful Hearts series. It's a sort-of love triangle inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac, yes, but it's much more than that. I fell in love with Emma Scott's writing with IN HARMONY, and after finishing this duology, I can say with certainty that I'll read anything she publishes.

I honestly don't know how to say this but I was quite disappointed with this one especially with how the story ended on the first book.

I kind of hoping for more angst, instead what I got was sweetness. Too sweet in fact, to the point of cheesiness.

Even though everything wrapped up perfectly in the end, it was just too perfect. I don't believe it. Sure, this was fiction, but still, a little tantrums and unacceptable of the situation perhaps was more realistic IMHO.

I'll admit I lost interest in reading so I skimmed a bit. The exciting part was around 70% which I devoured, but then some OTT situation join the bandwagon so yes... I rolled my eyes. Not to mention the cliche' after that. My eyes rolled non stop.

What I loved the most and what deeply touched my heart was how Professor O. reaches out to Weston. How he go beyond what is expected from him just to encourage him to move forward and to not give up.

This is the conclusion to the Beautiful Hearts duet and should be read in order.

Copy provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.