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The Midnight Strike #1
Please Don't Go
He felt like he was drowning.
She was about to drown.
Josefine Resendiz, is struggling to figure out her life. Between her complicated relationship with grief and not having a single clue how to feel what she can't understand, she's sinking and isn't sure how to float back up to the surface.
Daniel Garcia, shortstop, a budding ray of sunshine, and potential first round pick for the MLB Draft, has life figured out. At least, that's what everyone assumes. On the surface, he's the embodiment of happiness and life. But beneath it all, guilt and grief have been consuming him since his brother passed away. Unsure how to deal with his feelings, he bottles them up and masks the pain of haunting reminders behind a mask of smiles.
That's until he stumbles upon Josefine on Christmas Day. That wasn't supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to be there but neither was she, at least not for long. The night evolves into something neither one of them expected and when morning comes, she's nowhere to be found.
He can't stop thinking about her. She wants to forget him. But fate seems to have plans for them.
Once the semester begins they find out they have a class together, and avoiding Daniel becomes hard when they're paired to be hiking buddies. Much to Josefine's chagrin, she likes him more than she cares to admit. And Daniel is struggling to keep everything he's bottled up around her.
Hesitantly and unknowingly, they're opening up old wounds they wanted to keep closed. Feeling grounded around each other. And unintentionally falling in love.
She was about to drown.
Josefine Resendiz, is struggling to figure out her life. Between her complicated relationship with grief and not having a single clue how to feel what she can't understand, she's sinking and isn't sure how to float back up to the surface.
Daniel Garcia, shortstop, a budding ray of sunshine, and potential first round pick for the MLB Draft, has life figured out. At least, that's what everyone assumes. On the surface, he's the embodiment of happiness and life. But beneath it all, guilt and grief have been consuming him since his brother passed away. Unsure how to deal with his feelings, he bottles them up and masks the pain of haunting reminders behind a mask of smiles.
That's until he stumbles upon Josefine on Christmas Day. That wasn't supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to be there but neither was she, at least not for long. The night evolves into something neither one of them expected and when morning comes, she's nowhere to be found.
He can't stop thinking about her. She wants to forget him. But fate seems to have plans for them.
Once the semester begins they find out they have a class together, and avoiding Daniel becomes hard when they're paired to be hiking buddies. Much to Josefine's chagrin, she likes him more than she cares to admit. And Daniel is struggling to keep everything he's bottled up around her.
Hesitantly and unknowingly, they're opening up old wounds they wanted to keep closed. Feeling grounded around each other. And unintentionally falling in love.
591 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
663 people are currently reading
4423 people want to read
About the author
E. Salvador
3 books776 followersE. is a Mexican-American romance author who loves a good happily ever after and iced coffee with light ice.
When E. is not overthinking or creating multiple Pinterest boards for the hundred book ideas she has, she's writing or reading. And when she's not doing any of those things, she's spending time with her two sons and husband.
When E. is not overthinking or creating multiple Pinterest boards for the hundred book ideas she has, she's writing or reading. And when she's not doing any of those things, she's spending time with her two sons and husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
August 15, 2025
6 FUCKING ⭐️
this might be the best romance book I read this year
this might be the best romance book I read this year
August 28, 2025
Honestly, I liked this a lot. I was drawn in from the very first chapter and kept wanting to know where the story was going to take me with Danny & Josie 💛
This book dives into the struggles of grief, ptsd, death, suicide. It heavily emphasizes the impacts of these and the importance of mental health.
As for the MCs, I honestly loved the black cat x golden retriever energy we got with them. I really liked Daniel and I enjoyed seeing him fall in love with Josie and her with him. He was so patient, persistent, and gentle with her.
This was a slow burn!!! And let me just tell you.. girllll, the spice.. was spicing. Whewwwww. My man was not above begging or getting on his knees 🙂↕️🙂↕️ I went into this not sure if there was any spice at all or if there was, I expected it to be mild. I was very wrong 🫦
Bryson: “She was my girlfriend first. We have history.”
Danny: “Well, now she’s your ex and one day she’ll be my wife. She moved on; it’s time you do too.”
My jealous, possessive kingggggg😫 Loved him.
I think this book had 5 star potential, but here are some of my critiques:
— It dragged on a little towards the end, but I also read this nearly 600 page book in less than 24 hours so I mean…🤷🏻♀️ But yeah, I guess it could’ve been condensed some.
— I sometimes felt like sentences ran a little long and things were over explained in the story.
— I also wish the MCs’ story explanations of what happened to them was maybe spread throughout the book instead of at the very end because it felt like too much at once. I didn’t have a lot of time to digest it so it lessened the emotional impact.
— I think the length of the story will probably lose some people along the way or cause them to lower their rating, but obviously it didn’t bother me one bit 😂
Overall, I really did enjoy this. Like I stated above, it definitely has its flaws and little things that could be improved, but all in all, I still felt invested in the characters and was rooting for them! 💛💛
This was my first book by this author, and I’m really excited to see who she announces book 2 will be about.
This book dives into the struggles of grief, ptsd, death, suicide. It heavily emphasizes the impacts of these and the importance of mental health.
As for the MCs, I honestly loved the black cat x golden retriever energy we got with them. I really liked Daniel and I enjoyed seeing him fall in love with Josie and her with him. He was so patient, persistent, and gentle with her.
This was a slow burn!!! And let me just tell you.. girllll, the spice.. was spicing. Whewwwww. My man was not above begging or getting on his knees 🙂↕️🙂↕️ I went into this not sure if there was any spice at all or if there was, I expected it to be mild. I was very wrong 🫦
Bryson: “She was my girlfriend first. We have history.”
Danny: “Well, now she’s your ex and one day she’ll be my wife. She moved on; it’s time you do too.”
My jealous, possessive kingggggg😫 Loved him.
I think this book had 5 star potential, but here are some of my critiques:
— It dragged on a little towards the end, but I also read this nearly 600 page book in less than 24 hours so I mean…🤷🏻♀️ But yeah, I guess it could’ve been condensed some.
— I sometimes felt like sentences ran a little long and things were over explained in the story.
— I also wish the MCs’ story explanations of what happened to them was maybe spread throughout the book instead of at the very end because it felt like too much at once. I didn’t have a lot of time to digest it so it lessened the emotional impact.
— I think the length of the story will probably lose some people along the way or cause them to lower their rating, but obviously it didn’t bother me one bit 😂
Overall, I really did enjoy this. Like I stated above, it definitely has its flaws and little things that could be improved, but all in all, I still felt invested in the characters and was rooting for them! 💛💛
This was my first book by this author, and I’m really excited to see who she announces book 2 will be about.
August 19, 2025
an absolutely breathtaking story and one of my faves from this year (and maybe ever 🥹🥰)
not for the faint of heart - there is a very long list of triggers and they kick off on page one - lots of talk of depression and grief
BUT if you’re okay with that (or even prefer that like me), you’ll find a beautiful romance between two very broken people finding solace and light with each other 💓 there is a lot of emotional intimacy, including many heartfelt conversations discussing desires and dreams and fears. BUT sweet mother mary the spice?!?! holy hot shit my god it was 🔥🔥🔥 the perfect beautiful mix of both
I cannot rec this enough. It was almost 600 pages but absolutely flew by and was SO ADDICTING
not for the faint of heart - there is a very long list of triggers and they kick off on page one - lots of talk of depression and grief
BUT if you’re okay with that (or even prefer that like me), you’ll find a beautiful romance between two very broken people finding solace and light with each other 💓 there is a lot of emotional intimacy, including many heartfelt conversations discussing desires and dreams and fears. BUT sweet mother mary the spice?!?! holy hot shit my god it was 🔥🔥🔥 the perfect beautiful mix of both
I cannot rec this enough. It was almost 600 pages but absolutely flew by and was SO ADDICTING
August 8, 2025
This book was one of the best I’ve read all year! Danny, a college baseball star, and Josie, ex-swimmer and fellow college goer, meet in the midst of Josie at her most vulnerable. This interaction sets the course for what turns into their slow burn relationship, from strangers to tentative friends to lovers.
One could argue Danny is the sunshine and Josie is the grump, but ultimately both characters are dealing with grief and their mental health in the only ways they know how. The author did a great job of showcasing how the outward presentation of someone struggling varies. You have the boy who smiles and laughs all the time but is slowly drowning on the inside. You have the angry girl who is clearly struggling but no one truly understands the depths to which her anger and sadness lies. The mental health representation, woven into their romance, was absolutely relatable and the author did not shy away from the true effects that ignoring your health has on your life and attempts to heal.
That aside, Danny and Josie were kindred spirits who truly understood each other. Literally the entire friend group knew before them that they’d become a thing. The friend group themselves were an amazing found family and I can’t wait for their books. There were so many little things I could rave about but it’s a great experience to dive into how lovely this author’s writing is!
What to Expect: college baseball, strangers to friends to lovers, mental health representation, found family, grumpy/sunshine, sad boy/angry girl, acts of service, swim lessons (and so much more!)
Trigger Warnings: Please read the author’s warnings at the start of the book. Some of the topics/scenes are tough and the author is thorough in letting readers know what to expect.
One could argue Danny is the sunshine and Josie is the grump, but ultimately both characters are dealing with grief and their mental health in the only ways they know how. The author did a great job of showcasing how the outward presentation of someone struggling varies. You have the boy who smiles and laughs all the time but is slowly drowning on the inside. You have the angry girl who is clearly struggling but no one truly understands the depths to which her anger and sadness lies. The mental health representation, woven into their romance, was absolutely relatable and the author did not shy away from the true effects that ignoring your health has on your life and attempts to heal.
That aside, Danny and Josie were kindred spirits who truly understood each other. Literally the entire friend group knew before them that they’d become a thing. The friend group themselves were an amazing found family and I can’t wait for their books. There were so many little things I could rave about but it’s a great experience to dive into how lovely this author’s writing is!
What to Expect: college baseball, strangers to friends to lovers, mental health representation, found family, grumpy/sunshine, sad boy/angry girl, acts of service, swim lessons (and so much more!)
Trigger Warnings: Please read the author’s warnings at the start of the book. Some of the topics/scenes are tough and the author is thorough in letting readers know what to expect.
August 12, 2025
4.5☆
i had the pleasure of reading this as an arc. as someone who fell in love with a few characters from e. salvador’s previous work, this meant so much to me.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
daniel garcia and josefine resendiz. two of the most relatable characters that i have had the pleasure of reading about. these two absolutely found their way into my heart and they’ll remain there. i fell in love with the both of them and the strength and resilience they both showed throughout the book.
daniel, my angel baby. one of the most angelic characters i have ever read about. he’s one of the most selfless individuals; constantly putting those he loves above himself, going above and beyond for those he cares for. always plastering on a smile so he doesn’t have to show how he truly feels. seeing the growth and the ability he has had to overcome the grief and the guilt he experienced after his brothers death is everything, he deserved his happy ending.
and josefine, my black cat. i absolutely adore her inside and out. she went from being alone and not really having anyone to truly having the best group of people in her life. i am so happy that daniel never gave up on her because she needed him, as he needed her. seeing her open her heart to him and the friendships she has built warmed my heart.
these two are so adorable. an acts of service king he is. a man that cooked for her because she lived off of takeout and frozen meals. a man who left post-it notes around her house to remind her he was happy she was there and she deserved good things. a man who would buy her flowers just because, and always replace them whenever they died. a man who kept a gem that she had on her makeup in his wallet just because it was hers. a man who bought her a teddy bear because she never had one growing up. just a man, truly what he is.
── .✦
”I see you, Jos.”
”I want you to know that I see you too.”
i had the pleasure of reading this as an arc. as someone who fell in love with a few characters from e. salvador’s previous work, this meant so much to me.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
daniel garcia and josefine resendiz. two of the most relatable characters that i have had the pleasure of reading about. these two absolutely found their way into my heart and they’ll remain there. i fell in love with the both of them and the strength and resilience they both showed throughout the book.
daniel, my angel baby. one of the most angelic characters i have ever read about. he’s one of the most selfless individuals; constantly putting those he loves above himself, going above and beyond for those he cares for. always plastering on a smile so he doesn’t have to show how he truly feels. seeing the growth and the ability he has had to overcome the grief and the guilt he experienced after his brothers death is everything, he deserved his happy ending.
and josefine, my black cat. i absolutely adore her inside and out. she went from being alone and not really having anyone to truly having the best group of people in her life. i am so happy that daniel never gave up on her because she needed him, as he needed her. seeing her open her heart to him and the friendships she has built warmed my heart.
these two are so adorable. an acts of service king he is. a man that cooked for her because she lived off of takeout and frozen meals. a man who left post-it notes around her house to remind her he was happy she was there and she deserved good things. a man who would buy her flowers just because, and always replace them whenever they died. a man who kept a gem that she had on her makeup in his wallet just because it was hers. a man who bought her a teddy bear because she never had one growing up. just a man, truly what he is.
── .✦
”I see you, Jos.”
”I want you to know that I see you too.”
August 19, 2025
unfortunately, im at 42% and have decided to DNF this book. i do feel that the story had so much potential, but it just did not hook me the way i was hoping it would. the first few chapters i was so drawn in, and it started off super strong which is really captivating at first, but then the writing just seems very repetitive and slow. MAYBE if the book was shorter it would've made it a little easier, but it was just so hard to keep my attention. i do hear so many great things so id definitely still check out other work by the author, but this one just wasnt my cup of tea unfortunately.
Thank you E. Salvador for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
Thank you E. Salvador for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
August 29, 2025
✨🌼💛
5 Strictly Yours Stars
💛🌼✨
Excuse me. I need everyone to read this book right now. If this doesn't make "the best of 2025" lists by the end of the year I will be very surprised. This was an experience. An emotional, sweet, vulnerable, adorable, funny, sexy, angsty, beautiful experience. Did this book make me cry? Yes, yes it did. And I'd do it again. Loved the sports backdrop, the Hispanic representation, the banter, the angst, the bilingual characters (hero also speaks Italian), the character growth, the music playlists, the comfort and healing, the tight-knit Mexican family, the immigrant experience. BASEBALL THIGHS! Iykyk. I could go on. The pining was 10/10, the bantering among the teammates was 10/10, the evolution from tentative friends to "I need you" love was 10/10. This book deals with mental health so just know that before going in. The first chapter is very emotional so check trigger warnings. Josephine Resendiz is struggling badly and in a really bad place when Daniel Garcia finds her on the cliffside on Christmas Eve where he insists on being her friend. They keep running into each other after that and their journey goes from there.
I normally am not a fan of black cat x golden retriever dynamics because feelings feel one sided and I don't particularly like grumpy heroines. In fact, I avoid them like the plague but Josie was one of those rare exceptions. Her vulnerability, loneliness and grief just grabs at you and you are rooting for her. She's guarded and standoffish for good reason and greatly misunderstood but she has a soft heart. Seeing her slowly find her confidence again and soak up love and affection that she's starving for was very satisfying to see. I loved this girl so much. She's not bubbly but learns what she likes and gives it back tenfold. She thinks she's not worth anybody's time but she really is and the hero (and her new circle of friends) makes sure she knows her worth. She's only known the cold detachment of a mother who treated her like a nuisance and friends who bailed on her and a boyfriend who treated her like shit. So kindness and sincerity is very hard for Josephine to accept. I love that all Danny wanted to do was be her friend first and make her smile and just be a listening ear. This is very much a strangers -> friends -> lovers romance. Nothing is skipped over. It's the kind of slow burn I liiiiiiive for. He's her champion and while he's very intrigued by her and is falling for her he very much wants to be her friend first and foremost. And which is reason #34567 why Daniel Garcia is book boyfriend material and why I adored him so much. Lord this hero was so loveable and memorable. He's very much a golden retriever and the good guy who puts his own feelings last which breaks your heart given all the grief he's carrying around. I loved that even though the heroine has her walls up she validates his feelings and doesn't push back once feelings are verbalized which is usually the dynamic you get from reverse grumpy x sunshine/black cat x golden retriever trope, which was another surprise for me. Did I mention I like being surprised?
Honestly this book kinda kept me on my toes as there were so many moving parts and places E. Salvador could have taken this and she kept surprising me. You have the 2 conniving ex's who keep sniffing around that made me really nervous they would play a part in the conflict and I'm so glad they didn't. The only conflict is internal, not external. This is very much a comfort love story about finding not just your person but yourself and healing. Both characters are dealing with grief and not handling it well. Josie lost her mother and still coming to terms with it since her mother treated her like an athlete rather than a daughter who needed love. Danny is still grieving over his brother and hiding it from everyone and doing a poor job of facing it. He's struggling with survivor's guilt and gets severe panic attacks. Danny is deathly scared of water and that's where our heroine comes in trying to teach him to swim. Josie, a former Olympian swimmer who quit the swim team is now a swim teacher for kids. I loved how serious yet patient she was about wanting to teach Danny how to swim to protect himself. They respect each others boundaries so well it's really sweet.
There's just so much to immerse yourself with in this book I don't even know where to start. Just to clarify since I'm shit with reviewing books I love, while this does deal with grief this is very much a comfort romance and filled with so many sweet happy moments that have you grinning ear to ear. I loved that both the hero and heroine are athletes. Danny is a shortstop baseball player and captain of his team at his university and hoping to make the MLB once he graduates. Josie is a former Olympic swimmer whose mother was a famous Olympian swimmer. While both Danny and Josie are Latina, the way they were raised and environment they grew up in couldn't be any more different. Danny and his siblings grew up in a loving yet humble home with strict parents who worked hard to put food on the table and ended up starting a successful business selling Mexican bread (their Bakery truck sounded so fun and delicious!). While Josie was raised by a mother who was very bitter about being a single mom and trained her daughter as an athlete rather than a daughter and lived in a fancy seaside house that lacks color or warmth and strict rules to keep it spotless at all times (I'm pretty sure the mother had some kind of OCD complex with how obsessed she was about cleaning). I just wanted to give Josie a hug so bad, you could feel this girl's isolation and loneliness so much. Danny teaching her how to create her own space and decorate her home was great to see. Salvador really paints the picture and it really helps you dive right into the story and these characters' heads. While I do think this needed another round of editing considering some awkward wording and grammar issues, I am very impressed with the heart and emotions she pulled out.
There were so many faucets of this book that worked for me. From Danny's sweet disposition who wants to make everyone happy from his family to his teammates and best friends but carrying a huge burden and guilt on his shoulders that he's trying very hard to hide. You see the slow cracks and fissures build up over time so the 3rd act conflict that comes to head doesn't feel like a nasty surprise. Also, I was obsessed with the height difference here considering both are tall (6' 5 and 5' 10). I adore Danny's friends/teammates and can't wait to see what E. Salvador has in store for them. Angel, Noah, Kai and Grayson cracked me up and the group text messages was delightful. All these guys are scene stealers. This is the kind of sport romances I love, the teammates camaraderie, the goofy ribbing and just being there for each other. I also appreciated the diversity to the group of guys. Really curious to see who is gonna be paired up with who but I already get a feeling I know who Angel's heroine is if the hints here were anything to go by. Also, the way music is used throughout this book was a great choice and did exactly what I was hoping to get in Rewind It Back which failed catastrophically. This is how you utilize music and songs to invoke memories, nostalgia and feelings. The songs played in the background or mentioned really heightened the emotions, the culture and college party atmosphere. Anyways I've rambled enough, READ THIS BOOK PLEASE.
Trigger warnings:
“I’m so happy you’re here, Josefine.”
Excuse me. I need everyone to read this book right now. If this doesn't make "the best of 2025" lists by the end of the year I will be very surprised. This was an experience. An emotional, sweet, vulnerable, adorable, funny, sexy, angsty, beautiful experience. Did this book make me cry? Yes, yes it did. And I'd do it again. Loved the sports backdrop, the Hispanic representation, the banter, the angst, the bilingual characters (hero also speaks Italian), the character growth, the music playlists, the comfort and healing, the tight-knit Mexican family, the immigrant experience. BASEBALL THIGHS! Iykyk. I could go on. The pining was 10/10, the bantering among the teammates was 10/10, the evolution from tentative friends to "I need you" love was 10/10. This book deals with mental health so just know that before going in. The first chapter is very emotional so check trigger warnings. Josephine Resendiz is struggling badly and in a really bad place when Daniel Garcia finds her on the cliffside on Christmas Eve where he insists on being her friend. They keep running into each other after that and their journey goes from there.
He stares at me like I'm his most prized possession, something delicate, something important to him. And I hate that because I'm not special, yet he makes me feel like I am.
“I care so deeply for you and it’s not because of how we met. I care for you more than I care about anything or anyone. I need you to understand that I’d do anything for you. I need you to understand that I don’t regret what I did and wouldn’t change anything about it.”
“Please stay you. I like your soft heart. You have this thing where you see the good in things. I don't want that to change about you.”
“Say something to me,” I say before he gets the chance to get a word out.
“Sto facendo di tutto per non baciarti in questo momento.”
“I needed this. I needed you,” he murmurs against my chest, the deep rasp of his voice vibrating against me.
“It’s just a hug,” I heedlessly reply.
“A hug that came from you. This is all I wanted.”
“Because, Josefine, you’ve rewired the way I feel touch. Touching anyone that isn’t you feels overwhelming and so wrong. It’s like my brain can’t process that it’s not you. I don’t know how to make sense of that but I don’t want to touch anyone that isn’t you. You’re incomparable.
“You’re a big deal to me, so I’m going to make it one. And I want you to be clingy, just for once, be clingy for me, Jos.”
I normally am not a fan of black cat x golden retriever dynamics because feelings feel one sided and I don't particularly like grumpy heroines. In fact, I avoid them like the plague but Josie was one of those rare exceptions. Her vulnerability, loneliness and grief just grabs at you and you are rooting for her. She's guarded and standoffish for good reason and greatly misunderstood but she has a soft heart. Seeing her slowly find her confidence again and soak up love and affection that she's starving for was very satisfying to see. I loved this girl so much. She's not bubbly but learns what she likes and gives it back tenfold. She thinks she's not worth anybody's time but she really is and the hero (and her new circle of friends) makes sure she knows her worth. She's only known the cold detachment of a mother who treated her like a nuisance and friends who bailed on her and a boyfriend who treated her like shit. So kindness and sincerity is very hard for Josephine to accept. I love that all Danny wanted to do was be her friend first and make her smile and just be a listening ear. This is very much a strangers -> friends -> lovers romance. Nothing is skipped over. It's the kind of slow burn I liiiiiiive for. He's her champion and while he's very intrigued by her and is falling for her he very much wants to be her friend first and foremost. And which is reason #34567 why Daniel Garcia is book boyfriend material and why I adored him so much. Lord this hero was so loveable and memorable. He's very much a golden retriever and the good guy who puts his own feelings last which breaks your heart given all the grief he's carrying around. I loved that even though the heroine has her walls up she validates his feelings and doesn't push back once feelings are verbalized which is usually the dynamic you get from reverse grumpy x sunshine/black cat x golden retriever trope, which was another surprise for me. Did I mention I like being surprised?
He's only staring at me like I'm everything he's prayed for.
Honestly this book kinda kept me on my toes as there were so many moving parts and places E. Salvador could have taken this and she kept surprising me. You have the 2 conniving ex's who keep sniffing around that made me really nervous they would play a part in the conflict and I'm so glad they didn't. The only conflict is internal, not external. This is very much a comfort love story about finding not just your person but yourself and healing. Both characters are dealing with grief and not handling it well. Josie lost her mother and still coming to terms with it since her mother treated her like an athlete rather than a daughter who needed love. Danny is still grieving over his brother and hiding it from everyone and doing a poor job of facing it. He's struggling with survivor's guilt and gets severe panic attacks. Danny is deathly scared of water and that's where our heroine comes in trying to teach him to swim. Josie, a former Olympian swimmer who quit the swim team is now a swim teacher for kids. I loved how serious yet patient she was about wanting to teach Danny how to swim to protect himself. They respect each others boundaries so well it's really sweet.
She gives me an okay sign, her eyes shining with mirth.
Dios, no tengo suficientes palabras para explicar qué tan hermosa es.
“Please, Josefine, just say it once. Only once, that’s all I want. Please say it,” he pleads incessantly and then switches to Spanish. My weakness.
“Por favor dímelo. Nomás una vez. Hago lo que tú quieras.”
There's just so much to immerse yourself with in this book I don't even know where to start. Just to clarify since I'm shit with reviewing books I love, while this does deal with grief this is very much a comfort romance and filled with so many sweet happy moments that have you grinning ear to ear. I loved that both the hero and heroine are athletes. Danny is a shortstop baseball player and captain of his team at his university and hoping to make the MLB once he graduates. Josie is a former Olympic swimmer whose mother was a famous Olympian swimmer. While both Danny and Josie are Latina, the way they were raised and environment they grew up in couldn't be any more different. Danny and his siblings grew up in a loving yet humble home with strict parents who worked hard to put food on the table and ended up starting a successful business selling Mexican bread (their Bakery truck sounded so fun and delicious!). While Josie was raised by a mother who was very bitter about being a single mom and trained her daughter as an athlete rather than a daughter and lived in a fancy seaside house that lacks color or warmth and strict rules to keep it spotless at all times (I'm pretty sure the mother had some kind of OCD complex with how obsessed she was about cleaning). I just wanted to give Josie a hug so bad, you could feel this girl's isolation and loneliness so much. Danny teaching her how to create her own space and decorate her home was great to see. Salvador really paints the picture and it really helps you dive right into the story and these characters' heads. While I do think this needed another round of editing considering some awkward wording and grammar issues, I am very impressed with the heart and emotions she pulled out.
I cup his cheek, rubbing slow, gentle circles. “You’re not alone, Daniel.” And I’ve never felt more seen. But does he feel seen? “I’m here,” I opt for saying instead of asking.
His eyes have always been so bright; I never noticed the shadow hiding behind them. It feels like a stage lighting tech, who makes sure the spotlight is on everyone, making sure they’re getting enough of it while he stands in the background. The shadows.
There were so many faucets of this book that worked for me. From Danny's sweet disposition who wants to make everyone happy from his family to his teammates and best friends but carrying a huge burden and guilt on his shoulders that he's trying very hard to hide. You see the slow cracks and fissures build up over time so the 3rd act conflict that comes to head doesn't feel like a nasty surprise. Also, I was obsessed with the height difference here considering both are tall (6' 5 and 5' 10). I adore Danny's friends/teammates and can't wait to see what E. Salvador has in store for them. Angel, Noah, Kai and Grayson cracked me up and the group text messages was delightful. All these guys are scene stealers. This is the kind of sport romances I love, the teammates camaraderie, the goofy ribbing and just being there for each other. I also appreciated the diversity to the group of guys. Really curious to see who is gonna be paired up with who but I already get a feeling I know who Angel's heroine is if the hints here were anything to go by. Also, the way music is used throughout this book was a great choice and did exactly what I was hoping to get in Rewind It Back which failed catastrophically. This is how you utilize music and songs to invoke memories, nostalgia and feelings. The songs played in the background or mentioned really heightened the emotions, the culture and college party atmosphere. Anyways I've rambled enough, READ THIS BOOK PLEASE.
“I know fate is real. I know because you exist.”
Trigger warnings:
July 31, 2025
4.75 Stars: Emotional, Heart-Wrenching, and Beautifully Written
This was my first book by E. Salvador and all I can say is wow. The writing is absolutely incredible. If you are picking this up expecting a light, cute, sexy sports romance, let me warn you that you are in for something much heavier, but in the best possible way.
Josie and Daniel completely stole my heart. Both are carrying so many demons, and watching them hit their lowest points and slowly work through the darkness within was both heartbreaking and captivating. There were moments that shattered me and moments that had me smiling through tears. And yes, the spice? Sizzling. I definitely blushed more than once.
What made this book truly special was the balance. Amid all the pain, there were glimmers of joy: laughter, friendship, and raw, vulnerable honesty between the characters. By 82% I was openly sobbing and contemplating sending my therapist straight to the author. These characters and the amazing circle of friends around them are going to stick with me for a long time.
If you want a beautifully written, emotional, and unforgettable story, Please Don’t Go is one to add to your TBR immediately.
This was my first book by E. Salvador and all I can say is wow. The writing is absolutely incredible. If you are picking this up expecting a light, cute, sexy sports romance, let me warn you that you are in for something much heavier, but in the best possible way.
Josie and Daniel completely stole my heart. Both are carrying so many demons, and watching them hit their lowest points and slowly work through the darkness within was both heartbreaking and captivating. There were moments that shattered me and moments that had me smiling through tears. And yes, the spice? Sizzling. I definitely blushed more than once.
What made this book truly special was the balance. Amid all the pain, there were glimmers of joy: laughter, friendship, and raw, vulnerable honesty between the characters. By 82% I was openly sobbing and contemplating sending my therapist straight to the author. These characters and the amazing circle of friends around them are going to stick with me for a long time.
If you want a beautifully written, emotional, and unforgettable story, Please Don’t Go is one to add to your TBR immediately.
August 10, 2025
— ARC Review : 5 stars ✰
spice level : 3.5/5 🌶️
- tropes :
⚾️ baseball player x ex-swimmer
🩶 mental health rep
🌙 black cat x golden retriever
🛏️ roommates
⋆˚࿔ i've always enjoyed e. salvador's books so far and this one didn’t disappoint me. in fact i feel like it’s different from her other books. this book deals with heavy and sensitive topics that could be triggering to some readers but i believe the author handled them well.
“Grief…never gets easier. It keeps evolving and all you can do is adapt to it because it’s always going to be there.”
: ̗̀➛ josie – i really appreciated her character development. she was struggling with the death of her mother, mommy issues and the feeling of being alone, lonely and empty. to make things worse, her boyfriend cheated on her and belittled her. when she met daniel, she slowly got better. not because of him alone but because she also helped herself heal and opened up more.
: ̗̀➛ daniel – the golden retriever. my favorite character. my new book boyfriend. he truly took care of josie out of love, not pity. he was also struggling with the death of his brother and blamed himself deep down eventhough he never showed it to anyone. yet, he always showed up for everyone else. i feel like this kind of behavior is very realistic to how some people cope in real life.
the author did a great job writing this book especially in showing each character’s development. from struggling with their issues to slowly opening up to help and becoming better. it felt genuine and of course i’m not forgetting the romance! it was a slow burn but realistic and i could truly feel the emotional connection between these two, not just pure lust. the spice scenes were just great like i was shocked reading how josie and daniel were sooo into it HAHA and i enjoyed them very much.
Thank you to E. Salvador for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
⊹˚₊‧───────────────‧₊˚⊹
𖤐.ᐟ pre-read:
my first arc from e. salvador (and hopefully more to come). i’ve loved all her books so far so for me to get this arc feels like a dream come true! <3
spice level : 3.5/5 🌶️
- tropes :
⚾️ baseball player x ex-swimmer
🩶 mental health rep
🌙 black cat x golden retriever
🛏️ roommates
⋆˚࿔ i've always enjoyed e. salvador's books so far and this one didn’t disappoint me. in fact i feel like it’s different from her other books. this book deals with heavy and sensitive topics that could be triggering to some readers but i believe the author handled them well.
“Grief…never gets easier. It keeps evolving and all you can do is adapt to it because it’s always going to be there.”
: ̗̀➛ josie – i really appreciated her character development. she was struggling with the death of her mother, mommy issues and the feeling of being alone, lonely and empty. to make things worse, her boyfriend cheated on her and belittled her. when she met daniel, she slowly got better. not because of him alone but because she also helped herself heal and opened up more.
: ̗̀➛ daniel – the golden retriever. my favorite character. my new book boyfriend. he truly took care of josie out of love, not pity. he was also struggling with the death of his brother and blamed himself deep down eventhough he never showed it to anyone. yet, he always showed up for everyone else. i feel like this kind of behavior is very realistic to how some people cope in real life.
the author did a great job writing this book especially in showing each character’s development. from struggling with their issues to slowly opening up to help and becoming better. it felt genuine and of course i’m not forgetting the romance! it was a slow burn but realistic and i could truly feel the emotional connection between these two, not just pure lust. the spice scenes were just great like i was shocked reading how josie and daniel were sooo into it HAHA and i enjoyed them very much.
Thank you to E. Salvador for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
⊹˚₊‧───────────────‧₊˚⊹
𖤐.ᐟ pre-read:
my first arc from e. salvador (and hopefully more to come). i’ve loved all her books so far so for me to get this arc feels like a dream come true! <3
August 31, 2025
This was good. It was more insta love than I was hoping for. I literally saw a review that said this is slow burn… LIAR! 🤥 I wanted more substance over intimacy scenes + it was a little repetitive on the mental health talk, too. BUT… I didn’t have a bad time and I’ll definitely keep my eye out for books to follow in this series. The side characters were great!
Also big F U to Bryson!!
Also big F U to Bryson!!
August 2, 2025
4.25⭐️ ARC review
This is the first book I've read by the author, and I had a great time! I was amazed by her ability to make us feel the characters' emotions in a deep way. I'm not used to reading books with such strong themes.
The characters are very well developed. I was immediately touched by Josie and Danny. They seem very different: he's a social butterfly, she thinks she invisible but they share a common pain that inevitably draws them together. They weren't happy but they eventually find light amidst their dark thoughts. They communicate even when it's difficult and care for each other without judgment.
Danny hides a lot behind his big smile. He analyzes things, a little too much but I loved how he pays attention to Josie, to so many little details. His family story broke my heart. I immediately liked Josie. Some parts of her reminded me of myself. She feels empty and Daniel will do everything he can to fill that lack. He didn't give up on her a single moment. She puts up a lot of barriers, doesn't allow herself to love because she thinks she doesn't deserve it. She speaks quite harshly about herself. Despite all that, she knows how to assert herself and I really liked that. Seeing her gradually build friendships with others was so beautiful to read.
I just found the ending a bit long for me. I think it could have been shorter because there was some repetition.
This is the first book I've read by the author, and I had a great time! I was amazed by her ability to make us feel the characters' emotions in a deep way. I'm not used to reading books with such strong themes.
The characters are very well developed. I was immediately touched by Josie and Danny. They seem very different: he's a social butterfly, she thinks she invisible but they share a common pain that inevitably draws them together. They weren't happy but they eventually find light amidst their dark thoughts. They communicate even when it's difficult and care for each other without judgment.
Danny hides a lot behind his big smile. He analyzes things, a little too much but I loved how he pays attention to Josie, to so many little details. His family story broke my heart. I immediately liked Josie. Some parts of her reminded me of myself. She feels empty and Daniel will do everything he can to fill that lack. He didn't give up on her a single moment. She puts up a lot of barriers, doesn't allow herself to love because she thinks she doesn't deserve it. She speaks quite harshly about herself. Despite all that, she knows how to assert herself and I really liked that. Seeing her gradually build friendships with others was so beautiful to read.
I just found the ending a bit long for me. I think it could have been shorter because there was some repetition.
August 15, 2025
this hurt REAL bad
Read
September 4, 2025this was beautiful 🥹 rtc!
August 26, 2025
these two make my chest ache. i can't wait for angel's book
August 17, 2025
“𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝘼 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚. 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙅𝙤𝙨.”
Where do I even begin with this book...I was not at all prepared for the emotional toll it would take on me. I thought this would be just another sports romance...black cat meets golden retriever...and trust me...I LOVE THOSE BOOKS...but THIS...this book went way beyond anything I was expecting...I can normally breeze through a book...reading at a steady pace and enjoying every bit of it...but this one made me pause...I had to stop and walk away multiple times because of how raw and real it felt. I will say this...PLEASE, check your trigger warnings. This book deals with very heavy topics and doesn't shy away from the nitty gritty of mental illness and grief...take your time...make sure you are emotionally and mentally in a good place to tackle this before diving in.
This book revolves around Danny and Josie...two very different people who share some of the same hurt and pain but carry it very differently. While this book has elements of a sports romance...Josie being a former swimmer and Danny playing baseball...it's definitely focuses more on the relationship and their healing journey...so keep that in mind.
Danny is our MMC...hes sunshine and all things good. BIG TIME golden retriever energy...always has a smile on his face and ready to lend a hand to anyone who needs it...but behind the smile, Danni is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and dealing with the grief of losing his brother.
Josie is our FMC...black cat energy and a perma scowl...she keeps everyone at an arms length and while she may not say much, her face betrays all of her emotions and feelings. She too is dealing with grief...the loss of her mother hitting her hard...but also a slew of other things that keep her gasping for air as she tries to reach the surface...wave after wave knocking her down again and again, leaving her feeling hopeless and exhausted.
I related to Josie in a way that I both hated and loved. I lost both of my parents at a young age...and even as an adult, I don't think I've still gotten a hold of it...some days are better than others but the pain never ends. I found myself in cycle of darkness that never seemed to end and left me wishing for the end every day...so reading Josie and her pain and desperation to just have it all end, broke my heart...I wanted to reach through the book and hug her and tell her to hold on...
Josie and Danny meet one night on a cliff...one one of the darkest days of Josie's life...they spend the night with each other talking until the sun comes up...Danny cant forget her...Josie doesn't want to remember him...but fate has other ideas.
They find themselves face to face again as they both attend the same university...a slow and hesitant friendship blooming. Danny finds he can open up to Josie...having shared similar experiences, he feels like she can understand him better than anyone...he doesn't feel judged and is able to put the fake smiles away and be raw and real with her.
Josie is a bit of a harder nut to crack. She's so used to keeping to herself and keeping people out...she doesn't understand why Danny cares...but, she eventually learns to trust him...letting him in and accepting his care and affections for her. He sees her, the REAL her...and encourages her to lean into that and reminds her every day that she isn't alone and never has to be again.
The way Danny loves her is something so gentle and so beautiful...little things from love notes around the house...letting her know that she is loved and he is happy to have her around...flowers for no reason...cooking for her so she can have real meals instead of take out 24/7. They both take care of each other in ways that they never knew they needed...
The burn is slow, but appropriately slow...they go from strangers to friends to lovers...the tension, the yearning, the soft moments of self discovery and realization leading to them finally admitting how much the want and NEED each other... This isn't a thing where they use each other to "get better". This is a relationship where two broken people find comfort in each other...and learn how to navigate life and their pasts along side each other...accepting that it won't be easy, but it is worth it...because they are worth it.
Now...the SPICE...I was NOT PREPARED! Danny came in HOT and I was SAT! Like...say less Danny....say less. 🥵🥵🥵 Danny and Josie together were immaculate...it's like they immediately knew each others bodies and knew exactly what the other needed and how to give it to them.
They both have super strong friend groups who are very very supportive...I loved how everyone knew that Josie and Danny were meant to be...and they just sat around smiling waiting for these two to catch up!😂😂
Thank you so much to E.L. Salvador for the amazing opportunity to ARC read this beautiful book.💛
⚾️Sports Romance
🧷Former Swimmer FMC
⚾️Baseball Player MMC
🧷Grief
⚾️Traumatic Past
🧷Golden Retriever x Black Cat
⚾️Sunshine MMC
🧷Guarded FMC
⚾️Found Family
🧷Mental Health Rep
⚾️Strangers to Lovers
🧷Slow Burn
⚾️Swimming Lessons
🧷Roommates
⚾️ANGST
🧷He Falls First
⚾️Boy Obsessed
🧷Angry Girl x Sad Boy
⚾️Dual POV
🧷HEA
Where do I even begin with this book...I was not at all prepared for the emotional toll it would take on me. I thought this would be just another sports romance...black cat meets golden retriever...and trust me...I LOVE THOSE BOOKS...but THIS...this book went way beyond anything I was expecting...I can normally breeze through a book...reading at a steady pace and enjoying every bit of it...but this one made me pause...I had to stop and walk away multiple times because of how raw and real it felt. I will say this...PLEASE, check your trigger warnings. This book deals with very heavy topics and doesn't shy away from the nitty gritty of mental illness and grief...take your time...make sure you are emotionally and mentally in a good place to tackle this before diving in.
This book revolves around Danny and Josie...two very different people who share some of the same hurt and pain but carry it very differently. While this book has elements of a sports romance...Josie being a former swimmer and Danny playing baseball...it's definitely focuses more on the relationship and their healing journey...so keep that in mind.
Danny is our MMC...hes sunshine and all things good. BIG TIME golden retriever energy...always has a smile on his face and ready to lend a hand to anyone who needs it...but behind the smile, Danni is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and dealing with the grief of losing his brother.
Josie is our FMC...black cat energy and a perma scowl...she keeps everyone at an arms length and while she may not say much, her face betrays all of her emotions and feelings. She too is dealing with grief...the loss of her mother hitting her hard...but also a slew of other things that keep her gasping for air as she tries to reach the surface...wave after wave knocking her down again and again, leaving her feeling hopeless and exhausted.
I related to Josie in a way that I both hated and loved. I lost both of my parents at a young age...and even as an adult, I don't think I've still gotten a hold of it...some days are better than others but the pain never ends. I found myself in cycle of darkness that never seemed to end and left me wishing for the end every day...so reading Josie and her pain and desperation to just have it all end, broke my heart...I wanted to reach through the book and hug her and tell her to hold on...
Josie and Danny meet one night on a cliff...one one of the darkest days of Josie's life...they spend the night with each other talking until the sun comes up...Danny cant forget her...Josie doesn't want to remember him...but fate has other ideas.
They find themselves face to face again as they both attend the same university...a slow and hesitant friendship blooming. Danny finds he can open up to Josie...having shared similar experiences, he feels like she can understand him better than anyone...he doesn't feel judged and is able to put the fake smiles away and be raw and real with her.
Josie is a bit of a harder nut to crack. She's so used to keeping to herself and keeping people out...she doesn't understand why Danny cares...but, she eventually learns to trust him...letting him in and accepting his care and affections for her. He sees her, the REAL her...and encourages her to lean into that and reminds her every day that she isn't alone and never has to be again.
The way Danny loves her is something so gentle and so beautiful...little things from love notes around the house...letting her know that she is loved and he is happy to have her around...flowers for no reason...cooking for her so she can have real meals instead of take out 24/7. They both take care of each other in ways that they never knew they needed...
The burn is slow, but appropriately slow...they go from strangers to friends to lovers...the tension, the yearning, the soft moments of self discovery and realization leading to them finally admitting how much the want and NEED each other... This isn't a thing where they use each other to "get better". This is a relationship where two broken people find comfort in each other...and learn how to navigate life and their pasts along side each other...accepting that it won't be easy, but it is worth it...because they are worth it.
Now...the SPICE...I was NOT PREPARED! Danny came in HOT and I was SAT! Like...say less Danny....say less. 🥵🥵🥵 Danny and Josie together were immaculate...it's like they immediately knew each others bodies and knew exactly what the other needed and how to give it to them.
They both have super strong friend groups who are very very supportive...I loved how everyone knew that Josie and Danny were meant to be...and they just sat around smiling waiting for these two to catch up!😂😂
Thank you so much to E.L. Salvador for the amazing opportunity to ARC read this beautiful book.💛
⚾️Sports Romance
🧷Former Swimmer FMC
⚾️Baseball Player MMC
🧷Grief
⚾️Traumatic Past
🧷Golden Retriever x Black Cat
⚾️Sunshine MMC
🧷Guarded FMC
⚾️Found Family
🧷Mental Health Rep
⚾️Strangers to Lovers
🧷Slow Burn
⚾️Swimming Lessons
🧷Roommates
⚾️ANGST
🧷He Falls First
⚾️Boy Obsessed
🧷Angry Girl x Sad Boy
⚾️Dual POV
🧷HEA
Want to read
August 21, 2025One night stand but couldn’t-stop-thinking-about-you? Oh YES 🙌 btw this cover?? OMGG
August 18, 2025
4.25 stars ⭐️
August 11, 2025
yeah…I’m never gonna move on from this book
this book made me feel every emotion, these characters were so real and flawed and beautiful, I love them so freaking much
I have loved every book I’ve read of E. Salvador’s but this is definitely my fav, this is an all time fav read of mine now
this book deals with some pretty heavy topics so definitely check tw’s before reading, but I highly recommend!!!
I loved these two characters separately and together, they were little each other’s missing puzzle piece
I sobbed like a baby, their love story is just so beautiful and I feel like I can’t accurately describe how much I love this book because I’m still processing it, it’s perfection in my eyes, 10/10 can’t recommend it enough
this book made me feel every emotion, these characters were so real and flawed and beautiful, I love them so freaking much
I have loved every book I’ve read of E. Salvador’s but this is definitely my fav, this is an all time fav read of mine now
this book deals with some pretty heavy topics so definitely check tw’s before reading, but I highly recommend!!!
I loved these two characters separately and together, they were little each other’s missing puzzle piece
I sobbed like a baby, their love story is just so beautiful and I feel like I can’t accurately describe how much I love this book because I’m still processing it, it’s perfection in my eyes, 10/10 can’t recommend it enough
August 17, 2025
DNF on 50%
It is just soooo boring
I expected so much more after reading two books by E. Salvador before
It is just soooo boring
I expected so much more after reading two books by E. Salvador before
August 21, 2025
I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm completely fine. Maybe if I repeat this a hundred times I will forget how much I cried reading this book 😊
WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK, I don't know why I am so surprised by this book since I already read the other two books this author has written and they were both amazing. But I should have been more emotionally prepared for this... Don't forget to check the triggers before reading this, because y'all need to read this (this book isn't going to be sleep on my watch)
Josie and Danny oh my, I don't know how to the describe these two without writing a whole essay. Starting individually they are both complex characters with a lot of things they need to wrap up, and it was so beautiful watching the whole process of them getting better, since the moment of realization that something was wrong, to accepting help and starting to work on problem but also how they helped each other in that process without even knowing sometimes, and the best part of course getting through the problem and finally accepting everything.
(I still wrote a mini essay right? sorry)
Don't get me started on the romance, I love a good slow burn with 500+, but a slow burn that will destroy me and make me feel every type of emotion? I will gladly volunteer ☝️
The way they understood each other, and there were so many acts of service that me like aww the whole book. And don't get me started on the post-its that as to be the most beautiful part of this book, and also the meaning of the colour of the cover and title....
I'm excited to read the next book, because this friend group as me wrapped around their fingers as much as "The Knights" group now I will be impatiently waiting for the next book of both series because I just love both of them 🫶
WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK, I don't know why I am so surprised by this book since I already read the other two books this author has written and they were both amazing. But I should have been more emotionally prepared for this... Don't forget to check the triggers before reading this, because y'all need to read this (this book isn't going to be sleep on my watch)
Josie and Danny oh my, I don't know how to the describe these two without writing a whole essay. Starting individually they are both complex characters with a lot of things they need to wrap up, and it was so beautiful watching the whole process of them getting better, since the moment of realization that something was wrong, to accepting help and starting to work on problem but also how they helped each other in that process without even knowing sometimes, and the best part of course getting through the problem and finally accepting everything.
(I still wrote a mini essay right? sorry)
Don't get me started on the romance, I love a good slow burn with 500+, but a slow burn that will destroy me and make me feel every type of emotion? I will gladly volunteer ☝️
The way they understood each other, and there were so many acts of service that me like aww the whole book. And don't get me started on the post-its that as to be the most beautiful part of this book, and also the meaning of the colour of the cover and title....
I'm excited to read the next book, because this friend group as me wrapped around their fingers as much as "The Knights" group now I will be impatiently waiting for the next book of both series because I just love both of them 🫶
August 12, 2025
4,25/5 ⭐️
I was sooo excited to read this book! After reading and loving All I need, I couldn’t wait to read another book by this author because I knew I would love the characters and the story!!!
This book broke my heart and healed it all at once. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy read but my heart wasn’t prepared for the emotional rollercoaster I was going to experience. Please don’t go made me cry (a lot), smile (also a whole lot) and made me go through all the emotions but it was so worth it.
I get tears in my eyes just thinking about Josie and Danny, these characters that seem so different but the more you learn about them and the more you understand just how much similar they are. They don’t know what to do to help themselves but they’ll try their best to help each other.
I immediately fell in love with these characters because how wouldn’t I? I felt their pain, their sadness and my heart definitely broke for them, I only wanted to protect them from everything that was hurting them. But they found each other when they needed it the most and that’s all that matters ❤️
Couldn’t talk about this book without mentioning the found family aspect of it!!! Danny has his friends from the beginning and they have such a beautiful friendship but getting to see Josie finally building strong relationships was another highlight of this reading! I’m so glad she finally found her support system <3
This book was everything and I 100% recommend it if you wanna read an emotional love story that deals with mental health in the best way!!
I was sooo excited to read this book! After reading and loving All I need, I couldn’t wait to read another book by this author because I knew I would love the characters and the story!!!
This book broke my heart and healed it all at once. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy read but my heart wasn’t prepared for the emotional rollercoaster I was going to experience. Please don’t go made me cry (a lot), smile (also a whole lot) and made me go through all the emotions but it was so worth it.
I get tears in my eyes just thinking about Josie and Danny, these characters that seem so different but the more you learn about them and the more you understand just how much similar they are. They don’t know what to do to help themselves but they’ll try their best to help each other.
I immediately fell in love with these characters because how wouldn’t I? I felt their pain, their sadness and my heart definitely broke for them, I only wanted to protect them from everything that was hurting them. But they found each other when they needed it the most and that’s all that matters ❤️
Couldn’t talk about this book without mentioning the found family aspect of it!!! Danny has his friends from the beginning and they have such a beautiful friendship but getting to see Josie finally building strong relationships was another highlight of this reading! I’m so glad she finally found her support system <3
This book was everything and I 100% recommend it if you wanna read an emotional love story that deals with mental health in the best way!!
July 31, 2025
ARC Review.
We Didn’t Just Read This Book- We Lived It.
Please Don’t Go didn’t just tell a story- it pulled us into a whirlwind of emotions that left us breathless and aching in the best way possible. It’s raw, tender, and heartbreakingly beautiful, like a soft whisper and a scream all at once.
Our guy Danny? Pure golden retriever energy- loyal, kind, and carrying a guilt so heavy it broke our hearts. He’s the kind of character you want to hug forever, even when he’s blaming himself for things beyond his control. And Josefine? Swimming against the tide of grief and despair, fighting to keep her head above the crushing waves. She’s strong, fragile, and so achingly real.
Together, their story hit us like a tidal wave of hope, pain, and fragile healing. We found ourselves pausing between chapters just to gather our emotions, clutching our kindles like a lifeline while our hearts caught up. By the end, we were left hugging each other, overwhelmed by how deeply it moved us. The story’s emotional highs and lows left us feeling raw and tender- completely undone and yet somehow lifted.
The writing is beautiful and immersive, wrapping us in every scene with a pace that never lets go. And those little moments of Spanish? Oh, how we wished we’d picked that up in school instead of French!
If you’re ready for a romance that makes you feel deeply, that’s messy and hopeful and unforgettable- this is your next read. Trust us, it’s worth every tear and smile.
We Didn’t Just Read This Book- We Lived It.
Please Don’t Go didn’t just tell a story- it pulled us into a whirlwind of emotions that left us breathless and aching in the best way possible. It’s raw, tender, and heartbreakingly beautiful, like a soft whisper and a scream all at once.
Our guy Danny? Pure golden retriever energy- loyal, kind, and carrying a guilt so heavy it broke our hearts. He’s the kind of character you want to hug forever, even when he’s blaming himself for things beyond his control. And Josefine? Swimming against the tide of grief and despair, fighting to keep her head above the crushing waves. She’s strong, fragile, and so achingly real.
Together, their story hit us like a tidal wave of hope, pain, and fragile healing. We found ourselves pausing between chapters just to gather our emotions, clutching our kindles like a lifeline while our hearts caught up. By the end, we were left hugging each other, overwhelmed by how deeply it moved us. The story’s emotional highs and lows left us feeling raw and tender- completely undone and yet somehow lifted.
The writing is beautiful and immersive, wrapping us in every scene with a pace that never lets go. And those little moments of Spanish? Oh, how we wished we’d picked that up in school instead of French!
If you’re ready for a romance that makes you feel deeply, that’s messy and hopeful and unforgettable- this is your next read. Trust us, it’s worth every tear and smile.
September 4, 2025
I think this is one of my favorite contemporary romances this year so far. Such an emotional love story and I loved every second of this book, even when I couldn’t read through my tears. I love a good golden retriever/black cat vibe and that is what this was. The banter and the way Danny and Jos loved each other melted my heart 🥺 this had such REAL topics that will definitely pull at your heart strings.
So excited to see who the next book is about; Kai/Vi?? Pen/Angel?? Idk if those will be couples but that’s what I’m thinking. And then no idea who Gray is with but I love him.
So excited to see who the next book is about; Kai/Vi?? Pen/Angel?? Idk if those will be couples but that’s what I’m thinking. And then no idea who Gray is with but I love him.
Want to read
September 2, 2025DNF at 35% - I feel like I’m living in the twilight zone like this was bad ???? and I love bad books but the writing was not good and the plot felt so contrived
August 19, 2025
i think this book had potential but just wasn’t written very well? truly the sentence formatting in a lot of the book was 🫠 and phrases were repeated over and over to make the point instead of implying the point 😔 did not love this 1.5/5
August 17, 2025
This book was... a book!
It desperately needs to be condensed (what do you MEAN it's almost 600 pages?! in this economy?) but the overall story wasn't too shabby. I love a slow burn, and this book it's the nail on the head in that department!
Overall, this story tugs at the heart and is heavy with mental health (GOOD!! mental health is so important I like seeing it represented more in media!), and I loved the way Daniel stayed by Josie's side even when she wanted nothing to do with him (I love a desperate man), and it was endearing (I don't know if that's the right word?) to watch Josie create genuine friendships with those around her. Going from her at rock bottom to having a safety net made my heart go pitter patter, and I love that Josie got to see people do care for her and cherish her being there.
My main qualms (other than the length) were the sentence structure (please, for the love of all that is good use your commas) and overall repetition. Some sentences and scenes also seemed to drag on for a little too long, and I kind of found myself getting bored. I definitely think, so long as you're prepared and understand how heavy this book is at parts, that it's a solid read!
PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE YOU READ THIS THOUGH OMG
It desperately needs to be condensed (what do you MEAN it's almost 600 pages?! in this economy?) but the overall story wasn't too shabby. I love a slow burn, and this book it's the nail on the head in that department!
Overall, this story tugs at the heart and is heavy with mental health (GOOD!! mental health is so important I like seeing it represented more in media!), and I loved the way Daniel stayed by Josie's side even when she wanted nothing to do with him (I love a desperate man), and it was endearing (I don't know if that's the right word?) to watch Josie create genuine friendships with those around her. Going from her at rock bottom to having a safety net made my heart go pitter patter, and I love that Josie got to see people do care for her and cherish her being there.
My main qualms (other than the length) were the sentence structure (please, for the love of all that is good use your commas) and overall repetition. Some sentences and scenes also seemed to drag on for a little too long, and I kind of found myself getting bored. I definitely think, so long as you're prepared and understand how heavy this book is at parts, that it's a solid read!
PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE YOU READ THIS THOUGH OMG
August 9, 2025
5/5⭐️
currently wiping away my tears and snot while typing rn....
I have come to adore E's writing ever since reading her debut "All I Need". So of course I jumped at the chance to arc read this new college baseball romance...what I did not expect was to fall in love with these characters the way that I did. The mental health rep in this book was insane, and it was such an overall moving story of healing and love. Danny and Josie's characters are such special ones and reading about their journeys was so heartwarming.💛
Josie's character development was what hit the closest to home for me. The self sabotaging, the thinking that she's not worth it and that nobody could ever possibly put up with her and her dry humored personality. Her mommy issues😭!! UGH the amount of times that I was tearing up reading her POV was insane. Josie was quite literally written for me, idc. Seeing her struggle in the beginning with her grief and mental health was heartbreaking but her finding someone to open up to and to trust, no strings attatched was so incredibly sweet❤️🩹 SHE DESERVES THE WORLD.
Danny's character. oh my god don't even get me started. This sweet sweet man😔.
First of all, he is literally worlds best boyfriend but on level crack?? The utter devotion he had towards making Josie happy was insane. The meal prepping? THE CD??? I will never find a man like that and it pains me💔. Besides that, Danny's own mental health journey was insane.
Not to spoil anything, but the way his struggles were brought to light absolutely wrecked me. His starting path to healing and finding therapy was truly so well done, and his conversation with his dad had me all out sobbing at 2am. It was just so well written I still want to cry about it while typing this rn tbh.
Okay besides all of the heavy this book is still a romance so it had it's goofy and steamy moments😌...
I was so skeptical of getting used to a new friend group, because I didn't think it was going to hit the same as the North Carolina boys. But these guys were funny as fuck😭. The group chats and scenes with all of them had me giggling out loud. AND THE SAINT CAMEOS!!! I was screaming fr, i love fictional found family friend groups sm🙂↔️🫶🏽. And I can't wait for Angel's book *wink wink*
AND THE MEXICAN AMERICAN REPPPPP🇲🇽
The music and churrumais references were so goated😫and the spanish😝ugh I love to see it!! The scenes with Danny's parents hit close to home too, so that was so special to read as well❤️.
anyways...
This releases Aug 12th!! and thank you so much for this arc E!!💛
currently wiping away my tears and snot while typing rn....
I have come to adore E's writing ever since reading her debut "All I Need". So of course I jumped at the chance to arc read this new college baseball romance...what I did not expect was to fall in love with these characters the way that I did. The mental health rep in this book was insane, and it was such an overall moving story of healing and love. Danny and Josie's characters are such special ones and reading about their journeys was so heartwarming.💛
Josie's character development was what hit the closest to home for me. The self sabotaging, the thinking that she's not worth it and that nobody could ever possibly put up with her and her dry humored personality. Her mommy issues😭!! UGH the amount of times that I was tearing up reading her POV was insane. Josie was quite literally written for me, idc. Seeing her struggle in the beginning with her grief and mental health was heartbreaking but her finding someone to open up to and to trust, no strings attatched was so incredibly sweet❤️🩹 SHE DESERVES THE WORLD.
Danny's character. oh my god don't even get me started. This sweet sweet man😔.
First of all, he is literally worlds best boyfriend but on level crack?? The utter devotion he had towards making Josie happy was insane. The meal prepping? THE CD??? I will never find a man like that and it pains me💔. Besides that, Danny's own mental health journey was insane.
Not to spoil anything, but the way his struggles were brought to light absolutely wrecked me. His starting path to healing and finding therapy was truly so well done, and his conversation with his dad had me all out sobbing at 2am. It was just so well written I still want to cry about it while typing this rn tbh.
Okay besides all of the heavy this book is still a romance so it had it's goofy and steamy moments😌...
I was so skeptical of getting used to a new friend group, because I didn't think it was going to hit the same as the North Carolina boys. But these guys were funny as fuck😭. The group chats and scenes with all of them had me giggling out loud. AND THE SAINT CAMEOS!!! I was screaming fr, i love fictional found family friend groups sm🙂↔️🫶🏽. And I can't wait for Angel's book *wink wink*
AND THE MEXICAN AMERICAN REPPPPP🇲🇽
The music and churrumais references were so goated😫and the spanish😝ugh I love to see it!! The scenes with Danny's parents hit close to home too, so that was so special to read as well❤️.
anyways...
This releases Aug 12th!! and thank you so much for this arc E!!💛
August 25, 2025
Josefine feels lost. While struggling with grief and figuring out what she wants to do with her life, she is in a place that she is not sure she can come back from. A chance encounter with Daniel Garcia, a star baseball player from her university, rocks both Josefine and Daniel to their core. Daniel can't stop thinking about Josie and his insistence that they be friends wears Josefine down. That friendship becomes something more as each of them grapple with their own personal demons.
I happened upon this book while I was browsing KU recommendations. I hadn't heard of E. Salvador before but the title and cover of this book caught my eye. From the first few pages, I was hooked into the story. That first chapter was jarring and emotional. Salvador has a way with words and is exceptional at telling a story that could be seen as too difficult to stomach. Although the topics in this book were emotionally rattling, I appreciated her ability to bring readers into the characters' minds and to take us on a journey of challenges and healing.
The connection between Josefine and Daniel - two people who had never met before - was intense. This book was the perfect example of the author not only telling us how they felt about one another but also showing us. Their chemistry and need for one another was palpable, even when neither of them could admit what was going on. I loved the slow burn of their relationship. Salvador took her time in developing the connection and by the time Josefine and Daniel took it to the next level, that chemistry translated into very steamy situations.
One of my favorite things about this story was how hard Josefine and Daniel had to work to get to their HEA. They started in a bad place and their journey to happiness was long and arduous, When they finally got to where they belonged (which was with each other), it felt like they earned it with all the fight they had to give.
I CAN'T WAIT for the next book in this series. I have some theories of which couple will be next!!!
Pick this up for a slow burn but steamy sports romance with an emotional journey that you won't forget!
Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥½
⚠️: grief, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, depression, anxiety, mention of: drowning, death of a loved one, infidelity (not between the main characters)
I happened upon this book while I was browsing KU recommendations. I hadn't heard of E. Salvador before but the title and cover of this book caught my eye. From the first few pages, I was hooked into the story. That first chapter was jarring and emotional. Salvador has a way with words and is exceptional at telling a story that could be seen as too difficult to stomach. Although the topics in this book were emotionally rattling, I appreciated her ability to bring readers into the characters' minds and to take us on a journey of challenges and healing.
The connection between Josefine and Daniel - two people who had never met before - was intense. This book was the perfect example of the author not only telling us how they felt about one another but also showing us. Their chemistry and need for one another was palpable, even when neither of them could admit what was going on. I loved the slow burn of their relationship. Salvador took her time in developing the connection and by the time Josefine and Daniel took it to the next level, that chemistry translated into very steamy situations.
One of my favorite things about this story was how hard Josefine and Daniel had to work to get to their HEA. They started in a bad place and their journey to happiness was long and arduous, When they finally got to where they belonged (which was with each other), it felt like they earned it with all the fight they had to give.
I CAN'T WAIT for the next book in this series. I have some theories of which couple will be next!!!
Pick this up for a slow burn but steamy sports romance with an emotional journey that you won't forget!
Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥½
⚠️: grief, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, depression, anxiety, mention of: drowning, death of a loved one, infidelity (not between the main characters)
August 20, 2025
✨ strangers to roommates to lovers
✨ depression & mental health rep
✨ slow burn angst
✨ baseball
✨ college romance
✨ black cat x golden retriever
One of my new favorite reads of the year this story was one of the most beautifully heart wrenching stories I’ve read. In a time where I can feel so deeply related to how the main characters do, it had such an impact on me while reading. Josie and Danny were such a beautiful couple that deserves all the best things in life and getting to watch them fall in love and be so gentle with each other while also trying to find themselves was my top favorite part.
This book has some of my favorite tropes that don’t even begin to explain the complexity of this story and just how beautiful it is. This book was written with such love and care to these two characters. With how deeply Josie feels and how much Danny takes on but never lets show. How deeply grief and depression can take over us until we find ourselves standing on the edge. Yo friends who become roommates and find a peace in each other they have never felt before.
There’s so many moments I teared up, I sobbed for these two and what they go through, laughed along with our side characters and the way they include in their world, the spice that was so hot but layered so perfectly between these pages.
This book is a long and chunky one but I truly was never ready for this story to end. I could’ve easily devoured 200 more pages of them together.
✨ depression & mental health rep
✨ slow burn angst
✨ baseball
✨ college romance
✨ black cat x golden retriever
One of my new favorite reads of the year this story was one of the most beautifully heart wrenching stories I’ve read. In a time where I can feel so deeply related to how the main characters do, it had such an impact on me while reading. Josie and Danny were such a beautiful couple that deserves all the best things in life and getting to watch them fall in love and be so gentle with each other while also trying to find themselves was my top favorite part.
This book has some of my favorite tropes that don’t even begin to explain the complexity of this story and just how beautiful it is. This book was written with such love and care to these two characters. With how deeply Josie feels and how much Danny takes on but never lets show. How deeply grief and depression can take over us until we find ourselves standing on the edge. Yo friends who become roommates and find a peace in each other they have never felt before.
There’s so many moments I teared up, I sobbed for these two and what they go through, laughed along with our side characters and the way they include in their world, the spice that was so hot but layered so perfectly between these pages.
This book is a long and chunky one but I truly was never ready for this story to end. I could’ve easily devoured 200 more pages of them together.
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