Easily one of my top reads of 2025

I'm knowing at the bars if my enclosure at this point for more, the way it's written is so beautiful that you can't get enough of it.

⭐️ 3.5 stars
Tropes:
- Second chance romance
- Addiction & recovery
- Healing hero
- Small town setting
- Animal therapy
- Emotional slow burn

🤩The Vibe:
What if the person you loved most in the world broke your heart in the worst way imaginable—and came back, changed, but still carrying all the cracks? This story is raw, emotional, and deeply introspective as it explores both sides of a relationship broken by addiction and the long road to rebuilding trust.

👩‍❤️‍👨Main Characters:
Davis Thompson:
Heartbroken, guarded, and determined to find herself again after a devastating breakup. She’s fierce and deeply human — struggling to trust again after the man she loved relapsed and shattered her world.

Kevin “Kev” Lowes:
Fresh out of rehab, Kev returns to Bluebird Basin hoping to make amends and win Davis back. He’s sober, soft-hearted, and filled with guilt. His journey isn’t just about romance — it’s about recovery, identity, and learning to forgive himself. His scenes with River the mustang? Quietly powerful.

💕What I Loved:
- The metaphor of Kev building trust with River, the emotionally scarred mustang = 10/10 symbolism.
- This book shows both sides of a relationship torn by addiction — and never simplifies the damage or the healing.
- We love when male characters get to be soft and emotionally aware. Kev, Tex, and the rest of the crew are breaking toxic masculinity in all the best ways.
- The writing is thoughtful, sensitive, and quietly profound. There are moments that sneak up and wreck you in the best way.

🚫What Might Not Work for Everyone:
- It’s a very slow burn — more healing journey than swoony romance. There’s emotional payoff, but you’ve gotta be patient.
- Some parts were a bit too drawn out — inner monologues that could’ve used a trim. I found myself skimming in places just to get back to the tension or action.
- It’s heavier than your average romcom — so if you’re looking for a breezy, banter-filled read, this might not be your vibe.

💬Favorite Quote:
“I love her, Clay. I love her so much. She's all I want." "And that's the problem," Clay said kindly. "You need to want other things. She can't be everything for you right now. You have to decide that you are the most important person in your world."

🤔 Final Thoughts:
Wish You Were Here is a tender, introspective second chance story that takes its time — and earns its emotions. It's a book about brokenness, recovery, and choosing each other again, even when it’s hard. While it might not be my usual light and fluffy fare, I was fully invested in Davis and Kev’s journey. Jess K. Hardy writes with heart, empathy, and depth — and this book proves that love stories don’t always come easy, but they can still come true.

This is a lot - but in such a good way! It's very angsty as it's about addiction, and redemption and the choices we make. Nothing is irrevocable, but how do we come back from bad choices and rebuild trust?

Set in Bluebird Basin, a ski resort in Colorado, this is a standalone but I recommend reading 'Come as You Are' and 'Lips Like Sugar' first, to get a handle on all the characters and the set up at Bluebird. In short, Davis and Kev fall in love in 'Lips Like Sugar', and this novel covers the aftermath of a relapse event for Kev. Other characters in the series are critical to their journey, especially Madigan and Davis' mum, Ashley.

Kev returns to Bluebird after a stint in rehab, and there's house rules around how he can interact with Davis. She is hurting - so much - and struggling to get past her sense of betrayal. Kev knows he needs to work on himself before he can reconnect with Davis and he has help with this from horses at a neighbouring property, especially by River, a mistreated mare.

Kev and Davis are in their twenties, so it's a slightly different direction for author Jess, whose characters are often a bit older. She does a great job with understanding their issues and I loved watching Kev's self-awareness grow. The horses provide a nice parallel. In short, it's very angsty (check trigger warnings) but also steamy and warm. After a slow burn, it's delicious when Kev and Davis finally get together.

Thank you Jess K Hardy and Victory Editing for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

This was a heavy read with important topics featured but handled beautifully. I am grateful that I don’t know anyone struggling with addiction but reading this put me in my feels.

Wish You Were Here is a heartfelt, emotional second chance romance story that deals with tough themes of addiction, relapse, and the trauma they can bring to the addicted person as well as their loved ones. Jess K. Hardy excels at writing characters who wrestle with inner demons and insecurities, but learn how to overcome them and ultimately find happiness. I loved reading this story and am always a sucker for horse stories as well.

I absolutely adored this story. It was so heavy and I felt so many emotions, but I knew we'd get out HEA and boy do we ever.

The slow-est of burns, the second-est of chances, two of my least favorite romance tropes done to *perfection* by Jess K Hardy. She knows how to shatter her characters and put them back together piece by piece in the most satisfying way. She handles sensitive and emotional topics in such a great way.

I was so excited to see at the end that we'll be getting another Bluebird Basin story, especially since it sounds like there will be lots more River 💜


Thank you to Jess K Hardy and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Jess K Hardy has become one of my new favorite writers. She writes about Gen X’ers and relatable struggles for this generation. Love stories that feel real and relatable. However, as a continuation of the Bluebird series, she steps into Gen Z generation to give us Davis and Kevin’s story which started in the previous two books. There are some heavy topics tackled with drug relapse, parental abandonment and rehabilitation. I wasn’t sure at first about their story because most of their story in previous books happened off page as side notes to the main stories. Davis is the daughter of the main character of book 1 so it is helpful to read those previous books but you could possibly read this as a stand alone.
The story starts with the relapse of Kevin’s addiction. It felt like I jumped into their relationship mid story. However, Ms Hardy takes us back to their early relationship and weaves their love story through flashbacks. There is an intensity that leaps off the page and I would say this book is emotional and at times overwhelming. The love story foundation is there but at the heart is the slow evolution of Kevin learning to care about himself. The scenes with Kevin and River the horse are so beautiful and emotional.
I loved the epilogue and the authors note letting us know that Jen and Scotty’s story is coming next. Hooray for another Gen X love story. Check this out!

I had already pre-ordered this book (Hardy's books are automatic pre-orders for me) but jumped at a chance to read an advanced copy.

I was a bit worried the substance abuse/recovery theme would be too much for me, but I went in ready to be ripped open and put back together anyway. And oh what a ripping and reconstruction it was!

We follow Kev and Davis after Kev relapses while living at the sober living house located on Davis's family's small ski hill. They each attempt to put themselves back together again and salvage their relationship.

I really enjoyed this because we got to see into Davis's head during this journey. I'm probably projecting, but you never hear much about the struggles of the *significant others* of addicts. It's always just the addicts.

I loved this book and am ready to be cracked open for the next book in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy.

This book is such a gem. Davis and Kevin seemed like the perfect match until his relapse changed everything. She is angry, scared and doesn’t know if she can trust him again. He’s nervous and willing to do anything to show her that he’s worth a second chance.

I really enjoyed the dual narration, deep character development and exploration of heavier topics within a romantic relationship. I fell in love with the characters, enjoyed the visits from previous Bluebird Basin series characters and felt so many emotions throughout the book - it made me laugh, cry, hope, question and root for the characters.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry or a complex romantic comedy. I could not put it down!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Jess K Hardy for the advance reader copy.

i was so surprised - i didn’t know this book was a thing until i saw it on netgalley! one of my favorite series (the first two books were bangers). while this one wasn’t quite as good as the others, it WAS still good (went from a 3.5 to a 4 in the last third). this one dealt a lot more with addiction, recovery, and felt more emotional overall.

#netgalley

I've really enjoyed reading the Bluebird Basin series and this latest addition is no exception. This was a great second chance romance. I think it is helpful to have read the first two books in this series so you get some of the important background of Kev and Davis. I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series!

** I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

W-O-W! I knew I was going to love this and I was crying, swooning, heart eyes over it.

We met Davis and Kevin in the first Blue Bird Basin book in what seemed like a cute secondary romance. But things took a turn in book 2 when we could see them drifting apart, struggling, then Kev relapses and ends up back in rehab. It was crushing for both Kev and Davis. Now in book 3 we see their love story from their POV. You could read this as a standalone, but will get way more out of it by reading the other books in the series.

Read the content warnings provided by the author.

When Kev returns to the sober living group after rehab he’s still not talking to anyone about his past and struggling to understand why he relapsed. Davis is broken hearted and definitely not over Kev, but wants to feel better about herself and move on. Both are still 100% in love with each other, but believe they are bad for each other. Watching them figure themselves and their relationship out was so sad and beautiful.

This hero reads romance novels and he takes notes!!

Loved this book, can’t wait for the next one!

Arc provided by the publisher

I dnfed it early do to it being a third in the series and didn't know. I think netgalley needs to do a better job of showing when books are sequels.

Jess K. Hardy did it again!! She wrote a book about very flawed people that both breaks your heart and heals it, all in one story.

Davis & Kev are people you want to root for. Loudly. As individuals they're lost, but together they're found. It's perfect how Jess wrote their characters.

You feel their struggles, both separately and together, and you feel their pain. Lastly, you feel their love. Oh man, do you feel it.

I would definitely recommend this book!!!

Thanks to the author for the ARC of this book.

I knew going in it would be emotional, but I wasn’t prepared for the amount of crying I did while reading this. The angst, the pining, the groveling, the healing. Every aspect of this book is beautiful and heart warming. Davis and Kev will be on my mind for a long while. If you’ve read the first two books in Bluebird Basin you know Jess writes some of the most authentic and flawed characters and uses them to punch you right in the gut. Definitely recommend tissues while reading, preferably a full box. You’ll need them.

Review Posted to Goodreads on 4-11-2025
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7480946590

This book had all the feels! I loved it. I didn't want to put it down when life got in the way. . Plus, it has me rooting for all of the characters the entire way.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Gah!! I live this author. The third book in this series did NOT disappoint. I love that the main male character reads romance novels. As a substance abuse counselor, it is so great to see treatment, recovery, and sober living written about in a mainstream novel. People can and do recover.

I’ve read the first two books in this series and really enjoyed them and the third book is no exception. This one might actually be my favorite. I thought the story of what Kev and Davis went through and how they both worked so hard on themselves and each other was beautifully done. It was really nice to see all the other characters from the first two books make appearances as well. 4.5⭐️

This is a lovely powerful novel that deals with addiction and the power of redemption. It deals with a love story gone wrong that through the power of hard work determination and the will to fight the horrible disease of addiction you can come out on the other side of things. Possibly even fall in love again too. It’s about righting your wrongs and second chance. Beautiful sentiment

I read Wish You Were Here having read the previous two books in the Bluebird Basin series, and while I imagine this could be read as a standalone, I'd strongly recommend not doing that because the emotional impact and journey you go on with these characters is only going to be bettered by having a full understanding of their history - the 'before' times - which plays out across books 1 and 2.

All that said, I loved this. I'd been prepared to be moved, but the feels here were next level. This is a pretty profound story of love, loss, hope, redemption, forgiveness, and all the hard work that happens along the way. The central pair, Davis and Kev, are younger than the other couples in the series, and perhaps this is part of why the loss that Kev's relapse represented was so deeply felt: these are characters who haven't been through this sort of pain before, and so they're really going through it. And we're along for the ride, but it's a rewarding one, and I loved spending more time with the men of Little Timber, and 'meeting' Jen and the horses over at the ranch, where Kev starts to find confidence and to trust himself again.

Like all the Bluebird Basin books, I feel like this is a bit different from other romance books: the subject matter is weighty, and Hardy treats her characters' struggles with compassion and care. But they're grounded. While we (and Kev) come to expect a HEA in a romance book, sometimes I feel like a story I'm reading is just a spin on something I've read plenty of times before, so the eventual ending is nice, but kind of forgettable. But I've never felt that with Hardy's writing. Her characters come by their HEAs honestly - not because their struggles are super-dramatic or unbearably angsty in a gratuitous way, but because they're real.

I look forward to whatever comes next in the series!

4.5 stars