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A review by readfrenzy
Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole
4.0
One word to describe the Sweet Home series: emotional. The previous books revolve around tattooed bad boys and cocky NFL-bound football players – unexpected vehicles for delivering serious, moving messages. Tillie Cole has saved the sweetest hero for last.
Levi Carillo is nothing like his brothers. He comes from the same violent upbringing as the other Carillos and carries the shame of his previous choices. Remarkably though, his soul remains kind and selfless despite his dark past. Having made a fresh start, Levi is now a star college football player destined to be drafted into the NFL. However, unlike his rather intimidating brothers who exude confidence, Levi is introverted and painfully shy to the extreme. He can barely look people in the eyes, let alone talk to them. Still, he leads a relatively happy, although lonely life. When he encounters Elsie in a dangerous situation one night, his protective impulses kick in and he attempts to rescue her. He immediately sees that she’s scared and senses a fellow timid soul. Levi’s instinct is to take care of Elsie, but how will it affect the man who’s been trapped in shyness-induced silence?
How could you not love every single thing about Levi? Alpha heroes are a dime a dozen, but for some people they are the greatest type of turn on. However, there’s something to be said for men who sacrifice their own needs—are willing to face their greatest fears—to benefit their women. They can be infinitely more appealing. Levi is just an all-around sweet man any woman would be lucky to have.
Elsie truly is a lost, tortured soul and once again Tille Cole uses her protagonist to address relevant current issues. In Sweet Soul, the subject of bullying is explored in unflinching detail that is heartbreaking at times.
I loved Levi’s patient coaxing of Elsie’s confidence, and the way in which they draw strength from each other. Theirs is a different kind of chemistry—not of the combustible nature, but just as gratifying.
I did have some small issues. The poetry that is read throughout the entire story is clearly intended to be inspirational. However, the poems just seemed corny to me. Some of the endearments shared between Levi and Elsie border on being too cliché, but the heart of the story help keeps things in check. As with the previous books, there is an abundance of tears, although thankfully to a much lesser degree. In the end, this is a wonderful finale to an enjoyable series.
Recommended for fans of:
Nice guys
Fresh starts
Greek mythology
Glow sticks
** ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. **
Levi Carillo is nothing like his brothers. He comes from the same violent upbringing as the other Carillos and carries the shame of his previous choices. Remarkably though, his soul remains kind and selfless despite his dark past. Having made a fresh start, Levi is now a star college football player destined to be drafted into the NFL. However, unlike his rather intimidating brothers who exude confidence, Levi is introverted and painfully shy to the extreme. He can barely look people in the eyes, let alone talk to them. Still, he leads a relatively happy, although lonely life. When he encounters Elsie in a dangerous situation one night, his protective impulses kick in and he attempts to rescue her. He immediately sees that she’s scared and senses a fellow timid soul. Levi’s instinct is to take care of Elsie, but how will it affect the man who’s been trapped in shyness-induced silence?
How could you not love every single thing about Levi? Alpha heroes are a dime a dozen, but for some people they are the greatest type of turn on. However, there’s something to be said for men who sacrifice their own needs—are willing to face their greatest fears—to benefit their women. They can be infinitely more appealing. Levi is just an all-around sweet man any woman would be lucky to have.
Elsie truly is a lost, tortured soul and once again Tille Cole uses her protagonist to address relevant current issues. In Sweet Soul, the subject of bullying is explored in unflinching detail that is heartbreaking at times.
I loved Levi’s patient coaxing of Elsie’s confidence, and the way in which they draw strength from each other. Theirs is a different kind of chemistry—not of the combustible nature, but just as gratifying.
I did have some small issues. The poetry that is read throughout the entire story is clearly intended to be inspirational. However, the poems just seemed corny to me. Some of the endearments shared between Levi and Elsie border on being too cliché, but the heart of the story help keeps things in check. As with the previous books, there is an abundance of tears, although thankfully to a much lesser degree. In the end, this is a wonderful finale to an enjoyable series.
Recommended for fans of:
Nice guys
Fresh starts
Greek mythology
Glow sticks
** ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. **