Second Edition is easily one of my faves for 2024 and I can say that with stern confidence. Cleo gives us a beautiful story about love, family, growth & fighting for the ones you love. 

And I really love how we were able to get to know these characters background a little throughout the book so we got a bit of why they are the way they are. Like Ellis and his divorce and how that affects the MCs. Also how Zoe plays into this since Ellis is a single father and a lot of the choices he makes center around her as well. The background characters added a lot to this story as well and I really liked that! Maude has got to be my favorite along with Zoe. Another note is that I think Cleo did a very good job with Zoe’s neurodivergence and how we got to see this little girl come out of her shell in this love story. 

Each character I found something to relate to. Jo’s people pleasing and how that really affected her. Ellis and how he was guarded and afraid after being hurt so deeply. And even Zoe with her neurodivergence. I feel in love with each of them!

Being in this chateau only causes the tension between Jo and Ellis to grow till it eventually snaps and then the (and I mean this in the best way) FILTH that follows is sooooo good. The scene of these two in the backseat of Ellis’s car…lord have mercy I was not prepared. The mouth on this man 🥵🥵🥵!! The praise and daddy kink was done in a way where I wasn’t cringing and getting second hand embarrassment. And trust that has happened with other stories that tried to bring this kink into the story.