Bittersweet Always by Ella Fields
Series: Gray Springs University,
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on May 3, 2018
Genres: Fiction / Romance / New Adult
Pages: 406
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon
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Toby Hawthorne was an enigma. One I didn't factor into my college plans.
I wasn't looking for love.
I wasn't not looking for it either.
And in that state of in-between, he found me.

Unaware of the battle he fought everyday, I fell fast. By the time I found out, it was too late.
Because I wanted everything. Every broken, lost part of him.
I knew I couldn't fix him.
I could only love him.
But I should've known better than to think that was enough.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy on Amazon | See on Goodreads

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Genre: New Adult Romance

Tropes: Friends to lovers, second chance, college romance, love triangle

Heat Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Steamy but emotional)

Trigger Warnings: Emotional cheating, grief

Suddenly Forbidden is the first standalone in Ella Fields’ Gray Springs University series, delivering an angsty, emotional ride through young love, heartbreak, and rediscovery. If you’re into books that rip out your heart and hand it back stitched together, this one’s for you.

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THE STORY

Daisy and Quinn were childhood best friends with a promise of forever. But when Daisy moves away, things change. Fast forward to college—Daisy returns, expecting rekindled sparks… only to find Quinn in love with someone else.

The setup is messy in all the best ways. Their reconnection is a slow burn filled with tension, miscommunication, and yearning. Ella Fields paints love as beautifully raw and painfully honest, and the pacing keeps you hooked from chapter one.

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THE CHARACTERS

Daisy: Strong, determined, but emotionally guarded. Her pain is palpable, yet she fights for her own healing.

Quinn: Torn between past and present. He’s not perfect, but he’s written with complexity and depth.

Supporting Cast: Violet and the rest of the side characters bring layers of tension and university life drama.

The emotional growth of both Daisy and Quinn is central to the plot. Their choices—right or wrong—felt authentic to being 20 and still figuring things out.

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STEAMOMETER

Rating: 3/5 – Moderately Steamy

There are some intense and sensual moments, but they’re earned through the emotional tension that builds throughout the story. It’s not just spice for spice’s sake—it’s meaningful, passionate, and sometimes heartbreaking.

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OVERALL THOUGHTS

This book pulled me in with its gorgeous writing and gut-wrenching angst. Ella Fields doesn’t shy away from messy, flawed characters, and Suddenly Forbidden is richer for it. While the emotional cheating might not work for every reader, I appreciated how raw and real the fallout felt.

The ending delivers just enough hope to make the pain worth it. A solid 4-star read for anyone who loves their romance tangled in past promises and present regrets.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ella Fields is known for her heart-wrenching prose and powerful, character-driven romances. With a knack for capturing all the messy shades of love, she’s a go-to for readers who crave angst with a side of healing.