My heart can't take it!!

Any fan of the Commander in Briefs series will know how special this book is. As soon as I seen it was coming I was desperate for Bennet and Aspen's journey because I knew no matter how turbulent their journey would be, it would be worth it, because it's them.

A love that spans a lifetime. The kind that's so all consuming and raw. Both beautiful and torturous. They made me feel right down to my bones. If ever there was two characters meant for eachother, two halfs to one soul... it's Bennet and Aspen.

Bennet is his fathers son. There is no doubt about that, honestly it was like deja vu in some ways because they are so similar in personality despite their life experiences being so different. Bennet the brood had my love fast despite the fact I wanted to throttle him in frustration. His rules stem from deep rooted fear that in his mind justifies his actions despite the hurt is causes him and Aspen. I get why and respect him for his need to protect everyone he loves. He's hard but softens to her. He's sweet and thoughtful and above all else he loves Aspen like he loves to breath, freely and like his life depends on it.

Aspen, a perfect mixture of her mom and dad she is trouble with a capital T and pushes boundaries on the daily. I loved her. She took me back to Theo and Anniston days and I was living for it. She's fiesty and fierce and despite her playful nature.. she is protective of Bennet. I love that she wasn't blind to her situation or the possible out comes. I adore that she pushed even when she knew she shouldn't because he needed that despite his fear. Her love for Bennet has always been constant. She cracked me up with her teasing and cheeky sneaky shenanigans. She's all or nothing like her dad but she sees below the surface and understands like her mom. I loved her and I really loved her love for Bennet.

Their love just had me melting into a puddle of mush in the couch. It wasn't easy for them... both of them are fighting unseen demons and it truly took an army for them to make it work. The bond they have is tangible. The connection is second nature just like breathing, walking and talking to them. Without eachother they are nothing, not because they aren't enough on their own but because they quite literally are two halfs to one whole soul. She bring him light and keeps him safe. He protects her, even from herself. I adore all the books this author has written, especially Commander.. it was my favourite. But... Aspen and Bennet stole my soul right out of my body. These two character have history, they have this unbreakable connection that is felt through the pages. The love, the laugher and the bickering and banter all just felt so natural and real. Not once when reading this did it feel like I was reading a fictional story. These characters had to grow and evolve to become what they were always destined to be. It wasn't all pretty and it wasn't all sweet. It was raw and at times heartbreakingly brutal as much as it was breathtakingly beautiful and just. I cried rivers in sadness and from sheer happiness and relief. I laughed, ranted and raved and put the world to rights whilst reading their story all the while not taking a second to stop reading because they just had me hooked. It was worth it, every damn minute.

Now I would be doing a disservice to my favourite OG's if I didn't mention them. The side characters are epic!. I mean of course they are with the likes of Theo, Ans, Cade and Beck popping in. The easy banter and bickering, the sweet friendship forged through drama and all kinds of outrageousness.. that kind of chemistry is like magic on the pages. It felt like I was reading home. I'm all for team #Thade. Not only do we get old faces, we also get the wonderful new kids on the block in the form of two meddling drunk brothers and friends. Lord I was in my oils loving all the personalities and their crazy shenanigans.

I read the book first and then I listened to the audio book and it was like two different experiences of the same story. Heather and Stephen really did a phenomenal job at narrating this journey and really connecting me to the characters. It's the best feeling when you can put a voice to a face/name and they fit perfectly. I love this book to read and I love it to listen to either way. Rebellious is easily a top read of the year for me to date.

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