It's Only Love

Marie Force once again tears out my heart in this latest installment to the Green Mountain series. Gavin broke my heart throughout the book. He just couldn’t come to terms with the loss of his brother, harboring insurmountable guilt. He’s on a self-destructive path that will only end in heartache for everyone. Ella has been in love with Gavin since forever. To watch the man you love go through what Gavin is going through, it’s the toughest thing she’s ever had to do. Should she keep hanging onto a man who “can’t” love her or move on to someone who can? I absolutely loved the book. Ella is certainly in a tough spot but she has an unshakeable inner strength that I admire. She knows her value and despite her love for Gavin, she will accept nothing less than everything. I also loved that we get to see more of the Abbott family. There are so many wonderful, exciting and hilarious scenes. And it’s not a Green Mountain book unless Fred the Moose makes a cameo. IT’S ONLY LOVE is not as gut wrenching and heartbreaking as Hannah’s book, but it’s certainly no walk in the park either. I highly recommend this and any book in the Green Mountain series. If you love a large and boisterous family full of laughter and love, then this is the series for you. ***I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book in 2015 in exchange for an honest review***

I felt like I'd been run over by an emotional Mack truck when I finished this book. Marie Force does creates an emotional journey that takes the reader right along with the characters. Gavin is a fantastic, complex character. The author really nailed what it's like to be drowning in grief. But Gavin's grief went deeper because it was intermingled with misplaced guilt. I really liked watching how Ella navigated the beginnings of their relationship, especially since both of them quickly admitted that while the relationship was new, the feelings weren't. Their feelings went back years and it just took them this long to be ready to embrace them. Their relationship was messy, complicated, and intense and perfect for both of them. The one and only struggle I had with their relationship was Gavin continuing to promise that he wouldn't walk away, that he would always be there. Where he was in his grief journey and their relationship, I felt it would have been better for him to promise to try. Both of these characters are driven intensely by their emotions and as such, it's got to be difficult for either of them to make promises that they won't be driven by those emotions to make poor decisions. I appreciate how the author included both Gavin and Ella's family in their relationship. It was no surprise to see the Abbott parents, as they are an integral part of the Green Mountain series, but I really liked how Gavin's parents were brought into the story and how Gavin's father, especially, helped Gavin work through all of the feelings he was having. In true Marie Force fashion, the Abbott siblings play a role in Gavin and Ella's story. We get to check in with the ones who have already found their happily-ever-after, and teased with those that haven't. And there was definitely some "Abbott brother" intimidation of Gavin as he was navigating his relationship with Ella - and it was delightful and fun to watch. This family loves each other, protects each other, and closes ranks when they need to. We've been getting to know the Abbott's in each book and by the time a character's book comes out, we can't wait to see how they find their happily-ever-after. Such is the case with It's Only Love. Another wonderful addition to the Green Mountain series.

Loved the story of ella and gavin.