Cherry Girl by Raine Miller

A Blackstone Affair novel. Spin-off, yet can be read standalone. Book 1.

Elaina Morrison has loved Neil McManus her whole life. She doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t love him. Through heartbreaking tragedy and years of separation, her love holds true…until life stomps all over her heart, shattering her perfect dream, teaching her how hard it is to let go.

Real life doesn’t have anything on romantic dreams though, as these two have learned repeatedly. It sucks big time, leaving painful scars in its wake. 

But Neil isn’t giving up. He’s endured years of longing and sacrifice to wait for her. Always a soldier, he knows his way around a battlefield, and winning Elaina is no different. So that’s precisely what Neil is going to do. He'll go in fighting, and make Elaina see what he already knows.

That she will forever be his Cherry Girl...


***Disclaimer: This book is best read between books 3 and 4 of The Blackstone Affair. Personally though, I read this after I read all four books of TBA because I had feeling I wouldn't get over Neil and Elena so easily. And I was right.

So Neil and Elena's book was really something I was looking forward to reading because both of them were all over TBA. I couldn't help but think that theirs was an epic love story. Is it wrong of me to actually like this book more than TBA? I guess not...because I'm pretty sure more readers feel the say.

There are two story premises that I love the most--the friends-turned-into-lovers premise and the second-chance premise. Guess which one is this book? Both! And my heart kind of gave out with all the emotions I was feeling while I was going through the pages. I was actually expecting this read to be a bit darker but it turned out to be a really great feel-good one--the kind that wrings you out with feelings and had the best of endings that you just know your characters totally belong together.

Two things I am taking away from this book--forgiveness and having the can-do spirit for the things that you want. Forgiveness is necessary to be with the people you love and to be yourself. And to never stop pursue a goal because it is the best thing for you--and reading about Neil having a second chance with Elena and never giving up on her this time around was a total joy.


Final verdict: 10/10! Seriously, this is a must-get, must-read book.