Dirt (Evergreen Series Book 1),

by Cassia Leo

Publication: Gloss Publishing LLC (January 10, 2018)

About the book:

Jack and I had everything. Then, in one brutal instant, the universe tilted on its side, discarding us into black nothingness.

Now, I have a cocky jerk for a husband.

The only way we communicate anymore is in the bedroom.

With nothing left to lose, I write Jack a goodbye letter and head for Portland, where I quickly meet a neighbor who helps me find a job.

My new neighbor — hot, tattooed ex-soldier Isaac Evans — is complicated. Nevertheless, we form a fast friendship, bonding over our mutual desire to create something beautiful from the wreckage of our lives.

But despite the distance between us, Jack and I are still trying to make things work. And he doesn’t appreciate my new friendship with Isaac. Not one damn bit.

My Review:

Welcome to my review of one of the most fabulous, addictive, cliff-hanger novels that I have ever read! Normally, I’m not a fan of cliffhangers but holy hell this one was worth it, especially since the second book comes out in a few days!

Jack and Laurel have been married for 5 years and have endured more hell than anyone should ever have to face. When she feels like she’s at the end of her rope, Lauren leaves Jack, heading to Portland to the house that her mother had willed to her. Dirt follows their story as Jack struggles with accepting the trauma that they endured, while also trying to save his marriage to Laurel. Mix this in with a sexy, sweet neighbor and some counseling and this proves to be an explosive story.

Not to be negative, but I’ll start with Jack. Besides his obvious sexual prowess, I liked very little about him. Besides needing some serious grief counseling, I found him manipulative and dishonest. Several times throughout the novel, when he was faced with the thought of possibly losing Lauren, he reverted to his go-to solution which was sex.

I admired Laurel’s character and her ability to keep going each day after what her and Jack had been through. However, she clearly enabled Jack’s inclination to solve problems with sex because she became putty in his hands several times when she should have smacked him in the head. I truly believe that her and Jack are truly in love, or at least they think they are, but I much preferred the Laurel that hung out with Issac. Whether they were gardening, cooking, or eating, her and Issac’s friendship involved real communication, sharing, and exposing vulnerabilities.

As stated previously, I typically hate cliffhangers. However, this one really works. If you are reading this review, tempted to check it out, then decide against it because of the cliffhanger – trust me, this one is worth it. Dirt was already fabulous, but that insane, crazy, frustrating (but wonderful) ending has me chomping at the bit for the release of Seed this Friday!! It may be a cliffhanger but Cassia Leo nailed it and left me dying for the next novel. I highly recommend Dirt and this fantastic author.

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this novel in exchange for my honest review.