I wish there was a way to rate higher than five stars. If there was, this book would get all the stars. Sacred is technically a standalone story. He was first introduced in the Kingwood Duet. He was an enigma. Yet, I was drawn to him. I found myself wanting to peel back the layers and find the man underneath. I knew that there was a story there. Knowing he was adopted, gave me a connection with him. I knew what he was feeling. OH Lord did I know!

This book gave us that story and so much more. This book did a great job of showing the mindset behind what made him the way he is. It gave us a chance to experience traumatic events that shaped him more than he let on. I don't even think he knew how much until he met Clara. Suzie gave him the answers he needed in the story in such a beautiful way that it was as if she was the angel. She gave him what he needed to heal and in such a beautiful way.

Clara. Dove. This sweet amazing woman. She is proof that beauty can exist among ugliness. And in her case, not just exist but grow. She is proof that bad experiences don't make you a victim but instead can shape your journey in the direction that you should be on. Sometimes, the universe has things already mapped out. It is in those moments that we experience what could be called coincidence. However, it is more than just being a coincidence because it is fate. Without that dark path it wouldn't have set the chain of events to be where you were meant to be. I lived a very tumultuous childhood. It was brutal, ugly, and the stuff of nightmares. I used to question it but I was given sage advice, "to every season there is a reason." It wasn't until I had my son that I realized that I had to go through that ugliness in order to be right where I was. It was for this reason that I connected with Clara so much. She reminded me of me. And that gave me a punch to the soul. Yet, it reminded me that one slight change would have altered my course. This story is a great example of that. Not only for Clara but for Cruise. It just shows how close their journey was and how it was meant to be.

The details that were given in this story and the flashbacks from the past for both Clara and Cruise were mind blowing, It made for plot twists that left my mouth agape. I found myself a couple of times muttering, "Well played Suzie", "Oh No SHE DIDN'T", and my favorite, "She is trying to make me cry" (nope, nada. no.) and she totally did. Ugly tears. Big. Ugly. Tears.

The characters were spot on, the side characters of family of Sarah Jane and Alex added depth in this story. Without them we would not have had this amazing story. Clara and Cruise are the stuff to dream about. They survived and they loved. Unconditionally. Their coming tougher was hope. The hope that everyone wishes for when they picture finding true love. Their chemistry was off the charts. They loved completely which just shows that true beauty was always supposed to shine. They just needed the other. They had steam, They had all the things that soulmates should have. Together they were perfect.

I am sad to see this series go. I have lost a little piece of my heart with them. Suzie does an excellent job of getting us invested in them; whether as a friend, a couple, or a dream boyfriend. They become our family.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review. This book and all of them from this series has been my honor to be allowed to read. They left a mark on my soul changing my template of whom I am and for that I am blessed. I am #ForeverAScottie

I cannot tell you enough to read this book. I said it with Sarah Jane and Alexander, and with Jason and Delilah but Cruise and Clara are my favorites. Read them all. Review them all. Enjoy the beauty of this entire saga. ( )