Review: The Boy and His Ribbon

I love reading Pepper Winters. I know when I start one of her books I'm going to get dark and intense, and often stories which may not be for the faint-hearted. This book wasn't dark, but it was intense and compelling in its own way. This Pepper Winters is new to me and I loved it.

At the center of this beautiful story we have Ren and Della, two innocent souls escaping a life of brutality. The story is not a romance in the beginning. It is of a boy navigating life while taking care of another tiny human. Ren and Della are friends of the purest kind. Ren takes care of Della, tries to give her the kind of life he thinks she deserves. He is selfless, kind, and understanding. He sacrifices his happiness time and time again to give Della what she needs.

Della loves Ren. As a protector, as the boy who takes care of her, and then later as a man she wants. However, life is never black and white. Ren struggles with his feelings while Della begins to grow and mature into a young woman. He struggles to let go of the little girl he raised in place of a woman who doesn't need him on the same level as before. He struggles with the onslaught of feelings, some of which he doesn't understand.

Ren is my favorite Pepper Winters hero. She can do dark, but guess what? She can do compassionate and kind as well. Ren made me realize how much more we need these kinds of characters. Della was immature at times, but that went with her age. She was kind, and courageous. Perhaps even more courageous than Ren.

The story is told in dual POV, and Ren's POV was my favorite. He broke my heart time and time again. Even as a grown man he had a certain innocence to him, that made you want to wrap him up in your arms and give him a big hug. The book does end in a cliffhanger, but the next book in the duet is not too far away. I can't wait for The Girl and Her Ren.

5 stars for The Boy and His Ribbon.

#2018 #5stars #contemporary