I picked this book up for free one day from Amazon and just had to read it right away (Note: It is not longer free on Amazon but you can buy it for ~$1.50 CAD). It seemed like a lighthearted read and I really needed one at the time.

My one hesitation with the book was the insinuation of a love triangle between the two girls. I don't really like love triangles (no secret there) but with a title like "He Belongs With Me" I wasn't going to be surprised if there was some petty fighting between the girls--but if there was, I thought at the very least it might be entertaining. The good news (for me at least) is that this book isn't really about a love triangle. I think it's obvious to everyone as you read who is truly in love with who but I enjoyed watching everything unfold anyways. Basically, this isn't a love triangle story to the extreme--it is an element but it doesn't come across as annoying or unrealistic as some love triangles are. The story is mostly about each girl trying to figure out their love life and what to do about their relationship as sisters--though the emphasis is definitely on their love lives.

This book was easy to read and it came to a point where I couldn't put it down. I just enjoyed reading it! It didn't have over the top drama, it had great characters (though to be honest I'm not the biggest Maggie fan) and it had this element of realism to it. I could see this story unfolding in real life and I really enjoyed it. It also wasn't particularly "sexy" if you catch my drift (and for those who didn't, what I am saying is that there is very little sex in the story though it is mentioned and present). And that didn't particularly bother me even though I enjoy "sexier" reads. For once it was nice to read a New Adult novel that wasn't focused on all consuming love and dominate billionaires. I just enjoyed reading this book and I ended it with a smile on my face.

Overall: I'm going to keep my eye on Sarah Darington's future books. If you are looking for a light New Adult read that isn't filled with tragedy, this is a great book to pick up!

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“I like you. I more than like you. As hard as I try, I can’t seem to stop and I sure as hell don’t want to try anymore.”

I feel like I must start out by saying that looks can be deceiving, and that statement was never truer than with this book. From the cover to the synopsis to the content, He Belongs with Me blindsided me with its emotional depth and range of emotions. I was blown away with the character development and heartfelt story from this debut author. What was originally portrayed as a love triangle proved to be not so much that and a whole lot of something else.

“If you love someone, you just love them. Flaws and all. You can’t hate someone and love them at the same time-it doesn’t work that way. Love is all or nothing. Sometimes your own issues get in the way, but once you strip away all the noise, you find that there is just love underneath.”

HBwM tells the story of Clara and Maggie. Twins who have always been at odds with each other, they are both just trying to find their way in life. Maggie is the seemingly perfect sister, the one with the perfect life, perfect boyfriend, perfect everything. But like I said; looks can be deceiving. Underneath all that is a girl unknowingly pining over the one who got away and busy putting on a carefully crafted façade. Clara is the black sheep of the family; it’s a role she has thrust herself into willingly. My motto for Clara is there is a thin line between love and hate. Behind a tough exterior lies a girl who just wants to be loved and accepted for who she is. There is a tenderness in her that not many are privy to see, and when it shines through, my heart just ached.

“I just want you. I want you more than my next breath.”

In my opinion, there never really was a love triangle, just misguided feelings. For me, this was two separate love stories the flowed flawlessly together in unison. While I definitely would have read two separate books willingly, I think it still worked. There was enough content for the four of them to share. Darlington writes in a way that puts you in the character’s heads, even when we never read the male’s POV. I felt the anguish, the heartache, the love, the longing; I felt every delicious emotion and in the end I was sated. This was a phenomenal debut from Darlington and I very much look forward to her next read!

“Just so you know…if you’re dreaming, then I’m dreaming too. And I’m gonna make sure you never wake up.”


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