Jess K Hardy takes us on an epic second chance journey filled with empathy, angst, and hope. Slow burn with an intensely satisfying emotional payoff.

A compulsive read full of heart and some of the most beautifully written examples of positive masculinity I have come across.

The third book in the Bluebird Basin series, #WishYouWereHere is a slow burn story about two people who eventually give themselves and their relationship a second chance.

Kev Lowes seemed to be doing fairly well in the Little Timber sober living home before his relapse. After rehab, he’s back at Little Timber to try and stay sober, and hoping to be able to make amends to Davis Thompson, who he is still in love with.

Davis is wary about trusting Kev with her heart again after watching him almost die, and incorrectly believing that in addition to doing drugs, he betrayed her with another woman. She’s also trying to figure out her place in the world and her next step: stay at Bluebird Basin, helping her mom and grandmother; return to school and pursue her research that was interrupted by funding cuts; or some other path. Does Kev have a place in her future and if so, how?

While Davis and Kev work to better understand themselves and each other, the story touches on a number of serious issue in addition to addiction, including the death of a parent, substance abuse and child abuse. Because of this, the pacing is rather slow.

It’s worth it to go on this journey with Kev and Davis, as they discover the value of forgiveness, community and love in all its forms.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.

oh what a deeply moving love story. a lesson in learning to love not only someone else but also yourself. this book had so much more to it than a romance. and it was so different in how it showed the work that some people have to do to not only accept love, but also give it. because some people are really poorly. some people are hurting. and some people hurt others because of that hurt. and this is especially the case in addiction. the addicts behavior hardly ever follows to the true nature of that person. they are infact very poorly. they dont do drugs for joy they do drugs because of a piain tpp big on the inside it has to come out via "an outside" and this ripple out not only affecting their whole lives but those around them and can be heart punching for those who love them. but when you have the unwavering support and love from others there is truly nothing you can get through. its not easy but you must separate the two people and really see it as the ILLNESS it is. the person carries enough shame and guilt. adding to it only keeps everyone bonded to the addict circle and cycle.
this book follows Davis and Kev. Davis and Kev loved eachother. but when Kev relapses he leaves with a broken soul and leaves Davis with a broken heart. and what follows is his journey out of rehab when he has to now do the tough tough tough work of living on the outside and rebuilding himself which can feel the hardest part of all. not only that but where they live means they are constantly crossing paths. and both still obviously love each other. but both have hearts and hurts to heal. both have flaws. both have baggage.
Davis has her own things going on but also the fear and facts she believes to be true. that Kev chose drugs over her.
Kev knows he needs to keep on track. he also knows he cant bare that he lost the best thing that ever happened to him.
this book perfectly shows their journey of learning to build each other and themselves up again and learning to trust. trust in each other and trust in their love. for it is very much their. its bigger, louder and sweeter than ever and i was rooting for these two every step of the way.
the use of the others around this pair was done to perfection. that supporting role was just what is needed. the support to an addict is actually the key, the deciding factor. its not easy ,but again these people are ill and we wouldnt think twice of supporting someone with an illness when we love them so this is simply how its got to be seen with an addict.
this book handles these subjects with so much clarity, so much reality was woven throughout. it was handled with the care and sensitivity it deserves and i really appreciated that. the looking down upon wasnt shoved onto such a topic which is sadly still often the case.
i couldnt love this as a romance more. i was so emotional though it had my heart in a bind!
i cared about all the characters in this book not just the human ones.

I have really enjoyed the previous two novels in the Bluebird Basin series, Come As You Are and Lips Like Sugar - as a member of Gen X myself, it's so great to see representation of folks of similar ages and similar points in their lives. It was a bit of a surprise to realize this third outing was twenty-somethings, but I now trust Jess K. Hardy enough to roll with it!

I don't personally have experience with addiction, or have anyone in my life who is in recovery, though addiction has impacted my family through the generations. While it was hard to read sometimes, I really appreciated the insights into this world. Hardy explores these weighty topics with a lot of care and consideration, and I appreciated how reading the story from both perspectives showed what Davis and Kev were both struggling with, their efforts to get honest with themselves and others, and the difficulties of making decisions that can impact the rest of their lives. I don't miss that time in my 20's (or even 30's) where the world was so big and the choices so many that it is overwhelming to know what to do!

I particularly appreciated seeing Madigan and Ashely, and Mira and Cole again, and learning about the aftermath of Kev's relapse. The amount of emotional maturity in these characters gives me hope!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love all the Bluebird Basin books and this one is no exception. We follow the story of Kev and Davis in this book and the obstacles they have had to over come since Kev relapsed.

I’m not really a fan of second chance romances but this one was different and I really enjoyed the story. I liked that Kev worked on his issues and went to rehab rather than just everything being okay with minimal effort on anyone’s part.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jess K Hardy, VictoryEditing NetGalley Co-op and Pinkity Publishing.

#netgalley #jesskhardy #booksbooksbooks #bookarc #wishyouwerehere #bookstagram

As a reader who doesn't normally love second chance romances, I was not going into this expecting to love it. However, it was so beautifully written, the tension perfectly developed, and the empathetic and well-crafted cast characters truly changed my mind. I had not read previous books in the series but had seen other reviews that it could be read as a standalone. I agree with this statement and now wish to go back and read the rest of the series. Really unexpectedly loved this book. A solid 4.5/5 read and the only second chance romance I've loved to date. You could tell how well researched and thought out this book was and it handled sensitive topics of relapse, addiction, forgiveness, child abuse (referenced in the past) so incredibly well.

I don't think the cover/artwork really sells this series to its maximum potential. I feel like I read this book despite the artwork/cover, not because of it.

A few notes I have for minor edits:
Page 133 - Davis' reference to her grandma being the eighth dwarf: unhingedsy, felt very awkward and out of character as she didn't seem to make such quips in her brain often. I think it would be better rewritten as "while her grandmother flitted around the kitchen whistling while she worked like one of Snow White's dwarves.
Page 249 - The couple is kissing and the scene ends with "And for so long even the horse looked away." - what does that even mean? That felt odd and out of place with the rest of the comparisons made. I think something like 'And for so long that River had long stopped waiting on another mint. or so long that River had retired to the other end of the pasture for the day" would fit better for the scene.
Page 267 - The line "it all felt almost indecent" stuck out funny since they are in an indecent/sexual situation? Something like "felt surreal" or something might fit better.

I'll be sharing this review on GoodReads (minus the edits) as well as my monthly reading review Instagram stories on May 1st at https://www.instagram.com/keltaf/ (it will be saved on my book emoji highlights)

Wish You Were Here by Jess K Hardy is another amazing romance written by Hardy.
I smiled throughout this entire book. It was charming, uplifting, and sweet.
I loved being with these sweet, charming and realistic characters. Who stole my heart in just a short amount of time.

This is well-written portrayal of addiction, trauma, and redemption. In other words: angsty AF.

While 99% of Romance is about a character or characters with trauma wounds earning secure attachment, this is one of those rare stories that is overt about it.

Which is good in the sense that you don't have to risk rolling your eyes out of your head over a miscommunication. But anticlimactic when the Big Bad keeping the couple apart is essentially Shame.

The story begins post-break up, so don't expect to ease into the drama. I have a feeling the first iteration of Davis and Kev's relationship was a subplot in prior books. So, this is the probably the first time I regret reading a series out of order.

But I will definitely be going back to read the others, because I am a sucker for vulnerable male friendship in both media and real life. Give me two cishet men unafraid to say "I love you" to each other, and I am a puddle (in every sense of the word). So, yeah, Madigan caught my attention, and I cried whenever he did.

The sexual tension is on point. And the sole sex scene is extended and... potent.

Oh, and there is a subplot about a horse. If you're into that. I am not. But appreciated its role in character development and growth, nonetheless.

Big thanks to Victory et al for the ARC!

Wish You Were Here - ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐
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Pub Date: April 22nd
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FEATURES:
-Adult Contemporary Romance
-Push Back on Toxic Masculinity
-Addicts in a Recovery Program
-Second Chance Romance
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Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as much as the first 2 of this series. Here is a breakdown of likes and dislikes:
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LIKES:
-Kev's whole journey: the blend of re-entering the world after rehab, recovery work, mental health work, learning to admit he is not okay sometimes, rediscovering his love of horses, and learning to forgive himself was all really well done.

DISLIKES:
-Empathy Imbalance: I really appreciated the empathy and insight into Kev's experience and the struggles addicts face in general. It was wonderful that he had so much support and many of his friends helped him fully feel and let out his feelings, even if they were hard or messy. However, I did not feel like the same courtesy and level of empathy was offered to Davis. Very early on, people pushed her to forgive Kev and give him a 2nd chance, including her own mother, without really letting her feel her hard feelings or recognizing the pain she was in. They kind of made it all about Kev's pain. At the very least, I don't think they should have rushed her to forgive and reconnect with Kev. She deserved time to heal and find herself again before deciding if she was ready to give him another chance.
-Davis was underdeveloped: For the first 50% of the book, it felt like missing Kev was Davis’ whole personality. I wish there had been a bit more balance, showing her struggle, but also more focus on her finding herself and what she wants to do in life before jumping back into it with Kev.

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.