Great And Precious Things Paperback – February 25, 2020

I just loved this book. I honestly did not want it to end. Such a beautiful romance story and the whole story around the Daniel’s family was so well written. I really loved Camden and Willow.

Having a Camden Daniels be yours would be a grounding thing indeed. His dedication is True North.Rebecca Yarros creates a love story in her classical style. A misunderstood and elite military guy and the woman who is the center of his soul, whether she knows it or not. Set is a small town, this is a story of family, redemption, loss, loyalty, and unearthing the unsaid. It is solidly Rebecca Yarros and you really can do no wrong in reading it. It is light on "steam" and big on emotion--without being "heavy." I DO WISH I could find this epilogue that was promised at the end of the book. From what I can tell, know one else found it either. Kinda created an unintentional let down for the story.

I discovered her through Fourth Wing, but have been making my way through all of Rebecca Yarros's books. This has quickly become one of my favorites. Yarros once again has nailed a compelling romance, and I love the small town drama. I've recommended this book to all my friends, mom, and grandma.

Cover of the book was full of dirt. Luckly the pages looked brand new and untouched

I’m thankful this is shorter than her other novels. I love the twists at the end. The character development is one of my favorite parts.

Omg!! I absolutely love this book! Had me wanting more as I read. Cam & Willow are everything together! I knew from the start that there was more to Cam than everyone knew or cared to know. Everyone in the town was so quick to judge him and accuse him without facts and he was quick to let them, all because he wanted to cover for his brother, he was ok with being the bad guy! But damn, the fact that he was blamed for Sullivans death was insane. I’m glad that in the end they got to understand him and see him for who he really was, a loving, caring and selfless person. Xander on the other hand, I mean yes, he was a kid but pushing Willow and leaving her behind in the mines just to fake the rescue (which backfired) so happy Cam saved her. The fire that everyone blamed Cam for and turned out Xander started it so he could get again try to be seen as the hero!! That’s insane! He’s insane! I was so happy to see that Cam got to fix his relationship with his dad and his dad admitted he loved him but was hard on him because he reminded him of himself!! I literally CRIED!! I would read this book again!! This is one of those books, I wish I could read again for the first time!!

Ms. Yarros once again penned a deeply moving and thought-provoking story. It followed a familiar trope involving the selfless, guilt-ridden, self- loathing character (Camden), a woman (Willow) who longed to be with Camden, but is met with much resistance. Camden lives with the belief that he is unworthy of Willow.Much of the story was slow going and personally I found Camden’s personal struggles tedious at times, wondering when he will be able to move forward with his life and find the joy he wholeheartedly deserved. The small town that held grudges made Camden’s life difficult.The highlight of this story for me, that made this book worth the read is the issue of Alzheimer’s for the inflicted individual as well as family dealing with the care. She compassionately addressed the rights or lack thereof for an Alzheimer’s individual to decide whether a DNR request could be honored. There are valid opposing opinions that make these wishes a difficult one. Ms. Yarros’ emphasis on “the freedom to choose” was SO beautifully addressed and profound.Relationships with siblings, struggles to overcome a label, and the downside of small town life are all woven into this story. I love the passion in Ms. Yarros’ story telling. Always heartfelt and heart rendering. I won’t soon forget the underlying message of the story. Worth the read!

OMG--this book! I finished it five hours ago and am still shedding tears over this powerfully moving story of guilt, betrayal, and love. I'm so glad I discovered this book, because I've been craving a captivating story that would grip me from the very first page to the last. Great and Precious Things delivered in spades! I can't wait to read more books by this talented author.Okay. Here's a bit of the plot but no big spoilers, because nothing should spoil your enjoyment of this gem. Our hero (Camden) grew up as the "bad" middle son in Alba, Colorado--an old mining town that depends on summer tourists for its survival. Cam has a seemingly perfect older brother (Alexander) and a much-loved younger brother (Sullivan), but Cam is blamed for whatever goes wrong, including a fire that destroys an old bunkhouse, and the injury of a young girl (Willow) in an abandoned mine shaft.Willow knows Cam would never hurt her, and they form a strong friendship that she hopes will lead to something more in high school, but Cam won't allow it. Scorned by the townsfolk and feeling unworthy of her love, Cam walks away from Willow. He joins the Army Special Forces and is sent to Afghanistan, leaving Willow in Sullivan's comforting arms.Convinced she'll never see Camden again, Willow falls in love with Sullivan, and the whole town assumes they'll marry. But Sullivan decides to enlist as well, and (as fate would have it) he ends up in the war zone in Afghanistan. In the midst of a fierce battle, Camden orders Sullivan's squad into a firefight; Sullivan is shot in the neck and dies in Camden's arms. Cam didn't know that Sully was in that squad, but it doesn't matter. Consumed with guilt over his brother's death, Cam swears he'll never return to Alba, where he'd have to face the condemnation of the town, his father, and Willow--the woman Sully was meant to marry. The woman Cam has always loved.Six years after Sullivan's death, Cam reluctantly returns to Alba. His father (Art) is suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's, but he manages to send an email to Cam, asking him to come home. Art wants a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate order), but Alexander has power of attorney and refuses to let him have one. Cam thinks his father has a right to choose, but he faces stiff opposition from Alexander and almost everyone else in town, who collectively blame him for Sullivan's death.The only person who doesn't blame him is Willow. Her old feelings for Camden reignite, stirring the embers of a love he's tried so hard to bury. There's plenty of push-pull between them as Camden fights a lonely battle with a town that despises him and a brother who opposes him at every turn. He still feels unworthy of Willow's love, but she refuses to let him walk away again. Will they ever find their Happily Ever After?I loved Camden--a strong man who carries a heavy burden of guilt and blame for sins he never committed. The true villain is revealed near the end, and it's a real shocker! Don't miss this perfect blend of suspense and best friends to lovers romance. It easily earns five precious stars and MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!