Title: Everlasting Love (Sulfur Heights, #6)
Author: M.S. Brannon
Genre: New Adult Romance
December 22, 2014
Blurb
“I’m surrounded by my family. I've been their protector, counselor, and leader. I was forced to be strong for them. But now, it’s my time to be strong for myself.” ~ Reggie EvansFive years later… The Evans family has experienced their share of heartache and trauma. Individually, each has faced the darkest days from their past to move forward with their lives. Today, they are stronger than ever. They have discovered the strength to move forward. Survive anything. Endure all. Each Evans brother has moved past the turmoil surrounding Presley’s death and Jeremy’s incarceration, finding the love of their life and living in happiness for the last five years. Together, they have grown, wounds have mended, and there is nothing standing in the way of their promising futures. That is, until a villain from years ago comes from the shadows, upsetting the family’s blissful existence. Once again, the family is divided, each brother forced to evaluate how crucial it is for them to stay together in Sulfur Heights or face the reality of leaving to survive on their own. Everlasting Love is ultimately what the Evans brothers have been searching for their entire lives, but will it be the path fate has planned?
**Mature Content Warning: 17 years and older for language and sexual content.**
Sulfur Heights
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Excerpt
My insides are boiling from my adrenaline-filled rage. I never suspected Jake really felt the way he does. Stabbing myself in the eye would feel ten times better than the pain of his words. I couldn’t believe he said that, yet I could. Jake has always been an asshole; however, this takes the cake. The moment he spoke his true inner feelings, all I saw was red. He doesn’t consider me his brother, only a stray Reggie saved.
Reggie moves to my side and puts his hand on my forearm, squeezing hard enough for me to take notice. I glance up to his face, and it’s painfully obvious he was also hurt by Jake’s words. Reggie is probably internalizing it and blaming himself for this moment, but I think it’s good everything is out in the open.
Jake is always quite candid when he’s drinking; I’m just surprised it took so long for the words to fall out of his mouth. However, I’m glad his true feelings are out. Now we can really move on from this night, and the night will be known as the one the Evans brothers became no more.
Reggie clears his throat, as if he’s trying to swallow down the fury that’s settled inside his body. “Jake,” he says in a quiet, deep tone, “I think it’s time to leave.”
“You’re kicking me out?” Jake is baffled. He tucks his flask back into his pocket before approaching Reggie. “Fine, I will leave. I always knew you were a pussy. You could never stand up to her… or him, for that matter.” Jake shoulders past Reggie, snags Delilah’s arm, and walks from the garage, shouting to her to get the kids as he moves to his car and sits in the passenger seat.
I stand at the threshold of the door and look at my brother. I’m really not mad anymore. I feel sorry for him. He’s defaulting to truly harmful words to make the rest of us feel as bad as he does. In fact, he’s acting like a child. Jake’s always been dramatic, so I guess I should have expected nothing less. Yet what he said is unforgettable. I’m not sure how forgiving I can be after hearing what he said. The hateful words will always be in the back of my mind.
Zoe and Delilah file down the back steps with all the kids in tow. Delilah quickly ushers them to the car and straps them in as Jake continues to stare me down, taking small sips from his flask. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s about to lose everything he has unless he has a come-to-Jesus meeting with himself and changes how he treats Delilah. If she were smart, she wouldn’t stick around for the aftermath of this night. Jake is bound to be intolerable.
Delilah falls into the driver’s seat and backs away from the house as we all stand in the driveway, watching them drive off. I know Reggie feels like he’s watching his family leave for the last time. ~Drake Evans
4.5 STAMPS
Everlasting Love is the finale to the Sulfur Heights
series. In true Evans’ fashion the
brothers don’t reach their HEA without real trauma that tugs at the heart
strings of the reader.
I love the way the book is organized. There are four sections to the book featuring
an Evans and their significant other.
Each of the four sections follows the format of the previous books switching
points of view. I’ve said it before but
this is my favorite format because I love getting into the head of multiple
characters. The switch between POVs is
clear and seamless.
The book starts by wrapping up Darcie and Reggie’s story. It
ends with Jake and Delilah’s story. Each
section not only focuses on the featured couple but also gives additional
insight into the other brothers’ journey. People come back into their life from
the past to cause havoc, tears and, fears and causes joy and anxiety for the
reader.
I love how M.S. Brannon digs deep into the heart of the
brothers and shows the reader more than we learn in the previous books. We see real torment and struggle to be a
better person with failures and successes for each. These characters are bound together even
though they often let each other down.
It is a real picture of a family dynamic.
Another thing I like about this book is that it doesn’t just
wrap up the series it gives the reader more than having the Evans follow the
path of the previous books. There is an
unexpected twist to Jake that took me by surprise but at the same time I
expected some pain beneath his jovial exterior.
Drake’s struggles are still at the surface. Jeremy is battling with his anger issues and
needs to be completely free from parole.
Reggie is still the strong patriarch but needs more. Jake
is floundering with the abandonment of his parents. The whole book is touching.
This is the perfect ending to a series and really completes
the story of Sulfur Heights.
Series Reading Order
About the Author
M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can experience.
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