2025/125 | ABBI GLINES - "SIMPLE PERFECTION"

SYNOPSIS

Abbi Glines concludes the irresistible story of Woods and Della in the #1 New York Times bestselling Rosemary Beach series.

Woods had his perfect life mapped out for him. Rise up the ranks of the family business. Marry the rich girl of his parents’ dreams. Pretend that wealth and privilege was all he’d ever wanted. Then a girl named Della breezed into town, a beautifully imperfect stranger who captured his heart and opened his eyes to a new kind of future. Woods is ready and willing to sacrifice everything for her when the sudden death of his father leaves him with his mother to care for and a business to manage.

Della is determined to be strong for Woods, even as she’s quietly falling to pieces. No matter how far from home she’s run, the ghosts of her past have never stopped haunting her. Struggling to hide her true feelings from Woods, Della fears she can’t be his rock without dragging him down into the darkness with her. But is she strong enough to let go of the last thing holding her together?

READING EXPERIENCES

I honestly don’t even know how I feel after finishing the book. I was furious, throwing a fit, crying. This was supposed to be a beautiful and happy story—love and happily ever after. But no. Then Jace happened.

I refuse to believe that Jace drowned just to save Bethy—the reckless, drunk mess! She got Jace killed because of her sheer stupidity. STUPIDITY! Damn it! Bethy didn’t love Jace. You don’t do something like that to someone you truly love. She went into the sea drunk. She knew the consequences and still did it anyway. Her actions put the people who loved her in danger. Honestly, I don’t think Bethy was worthy of Jace’s love. He died for nothing. And not even when she was in love with someone else. I’m devastated. Truly. Writing this part makes me want to cry all over again. I just don’t understand why the author had to kill off Jace like that. They could’ve broken up, they could’ve gone their separate ways. But death? Really?

Why didn’t Bethy talk to Jace? They’d been together for so long. He was planning to marry her! And then I find out Bethy has her own book—with Tripp? I couldn’t believe it. This book emotionally drained me.

Anyway, back to Della and Woods. I love them. I love how Woods knew what he wanted from the moment Della came back into his life. He fought for her with everything he had, and he always put her first. That’s something truly admirable. Della, too, is strong and resilient. I’m glad to see her healing, little by little. I’m happy they stayed by each other’s side through everything, even in such a short time. I just wish there were more about them—about their wedding, having children, and everything else in their future together.

I also feel really sad for Glenda. She was pregnant without truly understanding what life would demand from her—paying bills, raising a family, facing harsh realities. And still, there was possibly a happily ever after for her, if things had gone differently. 😔

Lesson learned from this book:

1. Never judge from hearing just part of a sentence—context changes everything.

2. Always understand what you’re getting into before committing.

3. Marriage only works when both people truly want it.

My favorite quote from this book:

“Della, you started this journey to live life. Don’t forget that. You left one prison; don’t find yourself in another.”

RATINGS

Hero rating: 4

Heroine rating: 5

Sex scenes rating: 4

Sex scenes frequency: 4

Storyline concept rating: 1

Storytelling skills rating: 5

Story ending rating: 2

Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 4

Overall rating: 2★

Would I recommend this book: No

Would I re-read this book: No

Would I read future books by this author: Maybe