seriously romantic: the story of us by tara sivec

there was more than war keeping shelby eubanks and eli james apart in the story of us, even though the 5 years he was forced to spend in captivity should have been enough. there's also crazy amounts of emotional blackmail. and physical and emotional scars up the wazoo.

honestly shelby and eli are put through a wringer, and then when you think they've already dealt with everything you realize that no, there is more. and here's the thing, i don't want to give away too much about what shelby and eli have to deal with, because there are some surprises worth having in this story. it's emotional and heavy at times, but the romance is sweet and sexy.

both shelby and eli suffer forms of post-traumatic stress, for different reasons. but the thing that makes both these characters worth rooting for is their strength in the face of adversity. they both have to overcome some serious ghosts and fears in order to get their happily ever after. it's not an easy road for them. but what they bring out in each other is their best self. so they can't give up, even when it feels like everything is lost.

ultimately this is a book about grief, loss, and healing. and love, of course, it's about love strong enough to withstand anything and everything.

**the story of us will publish on june 11, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/grand central publishing (forever yours) in exchange for my honest review.