Strangers in Love

The Deckers are a super angsty bunch. I mean CB is pretty the QUEEN of angst but this family just seems to be on another level of it. Jacob and Pria made me feel all of the things. I was a sobbing mess more times than I could count but I also felt so happy and hopeful by the connections this family has. I could not put down the second part of this duet. The end was the HEA I needed after all that angst!

Claudia Burgoa pens a fabulous conclusion to Jacob and Pria’s story, the “Somehow Everlasting” duet. I devoured these two books, the characters are amazing, and it was easy to root for them from the very beginning. If you have not read or listened to the first book, “Almost Strangers”, stop here because you do not want to spoil anything, in that book we saw Jacob & Pria’s relationship and love blossom, only to end abruptly, which put Jacob on the road to self destruction. Pria, being Pria did what her family expected her to do, help take care of her sister, Maeve, and she tried moving on but she never really got over Jacob and losing their dream of having it all, the house, children and the dog. She made part of that dream happen and it broke her heart to give it up, but doing so brought a new friend in her life, well two friends, Ainsley and Mason Bradley. When Ainsley recommends they hire Pria, who now goes by Anna, to help cleanup Jacob’s image, the family agrees, so when she goes to meet her brother she is shocked to find out who he was. Jacob did not welcome her with open arms and she does not see the same person she fell in love with those years ago, she sees a hardened shell of a man instead. He pushes her away but has second thoughts about it after hearing her situation. Watching these two get to know each other again and what their lives were like was gut-wrenching at times, Burgoa really put them through the wringer, Jacob was no longer that happy-go-lucky boy but his family knew if anyone could bring him back it would be Pria. Pria’s life was not easy, but she always put one foot in front of the other to get past the hard times. I loved how everything played out in this beautifully written and plotted story, there is plenty of drama, angst, heartfelt emotions and a romance that was written in the stars. 🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing narration, Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker exceptional narration continues as they bring these characters and their story to life. Their character voices have been constant throughout the duet and the quality of the audio is top-notch. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured the character’s emotions and projected them into their performance, having you feel every single one. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to and their narration enhances an already amazing story to another level. Thank you for the exceptional listen!

I absolutely loved Strangers in Love by Claudia Burgoa; the second book in her Somehow Everlasting Duet, it is an incredible second chance at first love story. Claudia Burgoa continues to provide readers with incredible love stories filled with amazing characters. She continues to prove that she is an amazing storyteller. I love all the characters in Strangers in Love, they feel like family! Strangers in Love filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions, It was impossible to put it down, and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I really enjoy how the book is told in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. I love the lighter moments where I find myself smiling and laughing out loud. My favorite moments are the ones that pull at my heartstrings that cause me to sigh, as I read the heartbreaking moments. Strangers in Love is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. It is filled with all those things that I have come to love and expect in Claudia Burgoa love story, and she did not disappoint, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Strangers in Love is a love story between long lost best friends Cipriana “Pria” Walker, Owner-Director, The Image Studio, who now goes by Ana Walker and Jacob Decker, musician, songwriter, talent scout. I loved how the book spans the years of their relationship, and you could see the further growth in Pria, and Jacob. Jacob and Pria meet as college freshmen and have a brief affair. Pria leaves the University of Washington to head to California so that her sister Maeve, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis can be part of a clinical study. Pria and Jacob lose touch with one another and move on with their lives. Pria needs to rehome her dog, Max following a broken engagement and unknowingly leaves the dog with Ainsley, Jacob’s sister. Ainsley then hires Ana to work on Jacob’s image. Ana’s father suffers from Alzheimer’s and his health has deteriorated following her mother’s death. Jacob suggests that Ana move in with him and that he will take care of the expenses relating to her father’s care. I love how Jacob only call her Pria and that she tells him to call her Ana. As Pria and Jacob spend time together, they begin a relationship, which goes against the promises that Jacob made to his lover, Norah. Ana knows that when she finishes her work with Jacob, her relationship with also be over. Jacob suffered an injury following a motorcycle accident which left him unable to have children. He believes that he cannot fulfill the dreams they once shared. Ana and Jacob share with each other what happened in their lives while they were apart. Ana tells Jacob about her miscarriage of their child. An unexpected plot twist occurs that threatens the relationship between Pria and Jacob. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex nearby. I love how Jacob’s family helps Jacob resolve the plot twist. I love when both Ana/Pria and Jacob get real with their true feelings for one another and open up to each other in an emotionally charged, gut wrenching dialogue that transpires between the two of them. I love how Jacob shares things with Pria that she has never shared before, especially when Jacob tells his how the promises that he made to Norah before her death. I love all the things that Jacob does to be Ana/Pria when she needs him and all the love songs that he wrote for her. I love Ana’s friendship with Ainsley, so glad that Ana was her first best friend. I love the ending of their love story and I love Jacob’s proposal. I also love how the epilogue went above and beyond a happily ever after, and the changes that they make to have a life with one another. I was so happy that Jacob and Pria finally got their happily ever after. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Strangers in Love, the characters feel like family and friends. I loved catching up with Ainsley, Mason, and meeting baby Grace. I enjoyed all the interactions between Decker siblings especially their teasing that made me laugh. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Strangers in Love, who does not love a second chance at love story? I loved reading the conclusion of Pria and Jacob’s love story. Highly recommend this incredible love story.

Book 2 - Strangers in Love (Everheart series) is even more emotional, angsty and heart wrenching as book one. You really need to read book one to understand the background of Jacob and Pria. This book/story picks up several years later in Jacob and Pria’s journey. So much has happened during their years apart and they have both changed - but one thing is constant - their undying love for one another. Claudia REALLY lays on the angst, emotion and stubbornness of two people. They are so stubborn - to the point of being frustrating. But I get it…they have so much history, hurt and baggage. They both are holding in so much pain but are scared to be honest and share their hidden fears and moments from their past With the love, support and guidance from of their family and friends they find a way to coexist. Several life events happen that set theme on the right course to the HEA. Beautiful, frustrating, redeeming and totally Claudia! Highly recommend this series.

Yeah, so the drama and angst didn't end in Almost Strangers and if anything, intensified in Strangers in Love. Pria now calls herself Ana...why, I don't know. A name change doesn't make you a new person, a new attitude does. But we start out still watching Ana-Pria still trying to follow mommy's rules and make her love her. Sigh, it's annoying. Jacob has fallen down the rabbit hole and I can't tell if his family is helping or hurting the situation, regardless of how much they try or how much they love him. So Pria now is hired to help clean up his image because somehow she's friends with Ainsley but doesn't know she's related to Jacob? Hmmm. That's not the only thing that had me scratching me head in confusion, but I'm not going to throw any spoilers out there. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this duet as a whole. Four stars might be a bit generous, as I didn't feel the connection between Jacob and Pria like I did with Ainsley and Mason. And while Jacob broke my heart, I wasn't a fan of Pria in general. Let's see where Matthew falls in the triplet rankings when his duet comes out.