Great And Precious Things

By Rebecca Yarros

Great And Precious Things - Rebecca Yarros
  • Release Date: 2020-02-25
  • Genre: Military Romance
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 94 Ratings

Description

How do you define yourself when others have already decided who you are?

Six years ago, when Camden Daniels came back from war without his younger brother, no one in the small town of Alba, Colorado, would forgive him—especially his father. He left, swearing never to return.

But a desperate message from his father brings it all back. The betrayal. The pain. And the need to go home again.

But home is where the one person he still loves is waiting. Willow. The one woman he can never have, because there are secrets buried in Alba that are best left in the dark...

Great and Precious Things is a heart-wrenching forbidden romance about family, betrayal, and ultimately how far we’re willing to go on behalf of those we love and who need us most.

Reviews

  • Great and Precious Things

    5
    By 777sails
    This was a touching, heartfelt story. I adored the characters, the plot and the writing. There were times when my emotions were all over the place. Camden Daniels left Alba, CO a decade ago for the military. He was the middle son. The one who was ALWAYS getting into trouble. He was in love with Willow, the neighbor's daughter, but she was his younger brother's (Sullivan) girlfriend. Camden became a Green Beret. Sullivan though idolize Camden and joined the military also. Four years later, Camden would bring Sully's body back to Alba. Camden is full of grief not only for the death of Sully but because he gave an order unknowingly that took Sully's life. If only he had chosen a different group then Sully would have been safe. Camden's father also blamed him for the younger Daniels' death. Camden leaves Alba determined never to return. Camden is called back to Alba by his father. Returning after six years after Sully's death, is hard and Camden is not looking forward to it. The elder Daniels has early-on-set alzheimer's disease. He wants a DNR but the oldest son has power of attorney and refuses. Upon Camden's return, he sees Willow almost immediately. The rest of the journey for Camden and Willow to their HEA is one that was an exceptional read. I loved having the story written in a dual POV format. Getting into the minds of both Camden and Willow really allowed me to fully understand what they were going through. In this case, Camden was really suffering and seeing his internal conflict was really necessary to understand his decisions. This is a wonderful story. There is a scene that may offend some but the sexy scene was well written and highly glossed over. That being said though, I can only recommend this story for anyone over the age of 18.
  • Angsty

    4
    By Laura__F
    I went into this book knowing it was going to be an emotional journey but I think I really underestimated how much. This book has a lot of angst and the ultimate slow burn really contributed to that. The story wanted to tell you that Willow is really strong but she needed a lot of saving. The story wanted to tell you that Cam was a bad boy but never really brought the receipts. I enjoyed this book even though there were some things I couldn't quite get over. I didn't want to put it down but I really wish there had been an epilogue at the end. I don't know if an epilogue being missing means we'll visit this small town again but I hope there's some closure for these characters in the future.
  • 10 stars!!!!

    5
    By DanaD1974
    Rebecca Yarros has become one of the authors that are auto-buys for me. I have to be honest and say I just discovered her writing with The Last Letter; that one book has made her a favorite author. Great and Precious Things is another reason why I love her writing. I shared my feelings/quotes from the book as I was reading because I had to be able to go back and pinpoint the specific quotes that I wanted to remember/bring to light. As GaPT was told from both Camden and Willow's views, whenever I got to Camden's viewpoint, my heart wanted to burst. He endured and took on so much: Savior, protector, son, brother, bad boy, friend. His character was so strong and he was determined in every aspect of his life; there were so many times I wanted to reach through the pages and just hug him and tell him "You are enough". Willow was his and would always be and honestly always ways. This was their story of self-discovery and redemption. I wish I could give this 10 stars because this book has earned them and more.
  • I have so much love for this book!

    5
    By Lexilooloolex
    Great And Precious Things by Author Rebecca Yarros is a flawlessly executed novel. The author beautifully woven together the main characters to create a story that touches your heart and soaks your soul in feelings. Her words are spun gold! Great And Precious Things is real and raw and gut wrenching. The backstory is perfectly laid out and marries perfectly with the circumstances that the characters are currently living through and struggling with. Your heart will break...it will heal, make your soul rejoice. Your toes will curl at the heat happening between Camden and Willow. The book poignantly describes what in sickness and in health and the struggles that families face. It perfectly marries humanity, family and all of its complexities magnificently. Author Yarros compassionately addressed the issue of being able to address your own end of life decisions while illness is stealing their memories. As someone taking care of ill parents I can tell you that this story hit home and pulled my heartstrings. Camden and Willow mean everything to each other. They are too afraid to express it to each other or reach across the divide between them. They have each other’s back no matter how much time has passed since they last saw each other. They heartbreak is indescribable, their love is palpable and their stubbornness suspenseful. I have so much love for this book!!!
  • I laughed, I cried, I loved every minute of it

    5
    By MaryJANE:)
    I absolutely adore this book. I knew when I read the excerpt that I would love this book, that I actually needed to read this book, and so when my free copy of this book didn’t arrive by the release date, I also paid for the kindle version of this book. No regrets. This story follows Willow and Camden navigate the tense and emotional situation they find themselves when Cam returns to their small town after years away serving the military. Willow was Camden’s brother Sullivan’s fiancée when he died in combat. Camden was the black sheep of his family, Willow’s former best friend, and the one who gave the order that led to Sully’s death. Six years after the funeral, Cam returns after his father, who blames him for Sully, calls him and asks for help getting a DNR order. He has early onset Alzheimer’s and just wants control over his own life. But Cam’s older brother Xander has power of attorney over his father’s medical decisions. This the battle in the small town begins...made more complicated by the feelings Willow and Cam can’t seem to hide. I loved how sweet and tragic and complicated this story was. I was laughing and then crying all the way to the end. The writing is simple and smooth, easy to read and easier to enjoy. The characters are complex and dynamic. The chemistry of off the charts. The romance is sweet and subtle and slow burn, but it is also very clear from the beginning that their history meant more than just friendship to both of them. I feel like this book really grasped how complicated family dynamics can be and really explored that complex nature in multiple ways. I absolutely enjoyed this book from start to finish, and I will probably add it to my forever reread pile because it was just that good. I could hardly put it down!
  • 6 Beautiful Stars

    5
    By coffeegoddesstmk
    It didn't take but a page or two of GREAT AND PRECIOUS THINGS by author Rebecca Yarros for me to know that this book was going to wreck me in the best possible way. Rebecca's beautiful words, a world that I fell immediately into and became a part of, and a story that broke my heart and put it back together, make this a great book, and I was riveted, from beginning to end. A decorated war hero back home in a town filled with people that have never understood him, Camden Daniels's real strength is the lengths that he will go to for those that he loves, even when that love is not returned. Black sheep, town bad boy, the Daniels boy that will never measure up to either of his brothers, Cam knows what others, including his own father, think of him, but he's ready to face his demons in order to help his family and the town that he loves. Cam had my heart from early on, and I absolutely adore him. This book is, at its heart, a love story, but not just one of romantic love. Familial love, love of a place, and self-love are themes that Rebecca weaves throughout this beautiful book. Angst, anger, hatred, desire, love, reconciliation, heartbreak, all of these elements are here, and the story wouldn't be the same without them. GREAT AND PRECIOUS THINGS is a book that will remain with me for a very long time, and have made me an immediate fan. My first 6-star read of this year, I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I look forward to my next great read from Rebecca. ❤️
  • Loved it! Emotional and touching!

    5
    By Virna Thompson
    Whenever you pick up a Rebecca Yarros story, you know she will make you feel. Every single time! In Great and Precious Things, we get a story about family, love, second chances, regrets, hope and so much more. Camden Daniels is a good man. The readers can see it right from the start. But the town he is from only sees what they want to see. They judge and whisper. But he is back and he is here to stay. His father may not be ready to forgive him, but he is ready to take on the town to do what is right. Now if he could only stay away from the only woman he has ever loved and can never be his. Willow is sweet, beautiful, smart and independent. She knows the man Cam tries to hide, but he pushes her away at every turn. But this time around she is a different woman and one ready to fight for what she wants. Can two people so meant to be together but torn apart by secrets and a town find their way to each other? Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros riveted me from start to finish. You could feel the love Cam feels for those he cares about in every page, but he is his own worst enemies. The demons that haunt him are not easily thwarted. While Willow carries the expectations of an entire town. My heart just broke for them, even as I cheered them on. A story of family, betrayals, hope, expectations and ultimate what you would do for those you love. A definite must read! Happy reading!
  • Beautiful read

    5
    By april R H
    How do you change a town’s perspective of you when they’ve already decided who you are? That’s just part of the obstacles Camden faces when he returns to his hometown to help his ailing father. Camden and Willow are captivating and their chemistry is incredible. Rebecca Yarros has given us another emotionally charged romance for the ages. Compelling storytelling that feels your heart to the brim with love, laughter and tears.