Release: 1 (The Release Series)

Product Information

There are two things in this world that Ramsey cares about. His little sister and a girl who stole his start from the moment he fell out of a tree. But when he goes to prison at the age of seventeen for doing something he felt was right at the moment, little did Ramsey know that he was going to spend the next twelve years without the love of his life and that one moment will change his loved ones. But I can live with that, because there will never be anyone other than you. I was ten when I fell in love with you. Nothing you say right now is going to change that.” Overall, this novel was not just another amazing story by this author, but a powerful portrayal of a couple who came out on the other side after years of painful and tumultous heartbreak. Ramsey and Thea found a safe haven in one another throughout their whole lives and Martinez portrayed that beautifully. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula ❤ Time and timing is the theme that drives RELEASE. The time when Ramsay Stewart entered Thea Hull's life. The time it took for them to become friends. When they shared their first kissed. When they went far beyond kissing for the first time. And when Ramsey left Thea's side for just a moment and their lives changed yet again. And the years that followed after, when Thea was counting every day, every minute, every second, until she would see the man again who told her he didn't love her anymore.

Their happily ever after was plainly all Thea's effort. She never once gave up. I understood the way she behaved when she was a kid. She acted meanly towards Ramsey because she thinks like a kid. What would you expect from a kid whose mother just died? However, an adult Ramsey acting like a kid denying Thea's help, breaking their "best friend law," and pushing her away for her "own good" were what I wasn't able to accept. The chapters began with how they met and their friendship began and then how he went to the prison. Thea ignores his rejection yet lives a good life; reaches her goals; makes a name for herself; travels, etc

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

I got invested in the budding symbiotic friendship of Thea and Ramsey from the get go. Aly manages to adeptly paint the innocent love picture, complete with rosy hues and starry dreams. All pulled away in the blink of an eye, stomped on and tattered in a single fateful night. They become the best of friends. Once they get a little older and hit their middle school years, they become boyfriend/girlfriend. These two are inseparable and I Loved reading about their past. Watching their friendship grow was so beautiful. As for safety, neither of them sleeps with another person. She waits for him for so many years and when he comes out of prison, he doesn't sleep with anyone else although he pushes her away all the time. This was another delight to read. I saw it from Ver’s favorites ”childhood love” trop and I started reading it immediately and oh man, I was in for a treat.

When Ramsey Stewart moved to a small town in Georgia, he had hoped to make a new life at only eleven years old. Befriending Thea seemed like his prayers were answered, but Ramsey’s path wasn’t meant to be straightforward and he’ll do what he can to protect Thea. This story was angsty, emotional, and well written. Intriguing plot that was divided into two parts; the past and the present time. I absolutely loved the past, twelve years before it all happened. But regarding the present, twelve years after it all happened, is a story that needs to be told. Poor heroine. She wasted her life pining for a guy thinking that he killed for her but unfortunately he didn’t and was just taking the blame for his sister. Amazing. Nice book on a brother sister relationship but definitely not the hero and heroine. This is one of the most infuriating acts of sacrifice that I hate. Who are you to decide on behalf of her? She has her own mind, she can decide who she wants to be with on her own! But no, he tries so hard to make her hate him that I HATED HIM. But she didn’t. She knew the boy she loved was in there somewhere and she finally managed to reach him. It’s no secret that that I’m a HUGE fan of this author and I truly enjoy her books and this one was no different. I loved the dual povs and the past to present was executed beautifully. The only thing I would have liked to seen was more time in the present and how Thea and Ramsey navigated life “After". That felt a little too rushed for me and I was a bit disappointed but aside from that, I enjoyed this couple's journey and their love.I was surprised that their past took up about half of the book. Normally, when a couple shares a past that's important, the author usually gives us about 20% of the book on the past. Instead, we didn't get to see Thea and Ramsey trying to understand their relationship when he's released from jail until halfway through the book. That being said, I wish we got more of them in this stage of their relationship. I felt like we watched them in agony over how to be together again and, once they were, it was just over. If we got more of them trying navigate the world actually being together, I would have loved this even more. If you always wanted to try one of Aly Martinez's books, this is a great place to start. RELEASE is a complete standalone with new characters that will give you all the feels, some humor, intense storytelling and a beautiful story about soulmates who deserve their HEA. Release flits from 'Past to Present' seamlessly, allowing us a broader connection with these two characters. Eleven year Ramsey and his younger sister Nora were the newcomers to Clovert, moving just doors down from Thea after being evicted from their home. Let’s talk about this story for just a second. This is not a breezy read. There are no unicorns and gumdrops anywhere to be seen. There is heartache. There is loss. There are gut-wrenching circumstances. There are choices with profound consequences. There is love. There is friendship. There is growth and a whole lot of hope. It is inspiring, emotional, and incredibly touching. There are several elements I enjoyed about this story. Namely, how Thea and Ramsey connected at such a crucial time in their lives and experienced so many firsts together. Ramsey is such a noble character with a big heart, and while sometimes it is to his detriment, it makes him endearing. As for Thea, she is strong character, though some point she needs to realize she isn’t the only one suffering. However, Thea knows the value of friends and family.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Some parts were a win for me and some parts were a failure. Thea was my heroine. I loved her so much. I was disappointed of how Ramsey became because of my love for him as a child and my expectations for him as an adult.The twist towards the end just punched me in the gut and I wasn't ready to forgive either. #IStandWithThea. And after all this drama of she trying to get close to him and him pushing her away and actually making her feel like she is the reason he was in the prison it turns out that he didn’t even kill that guy. His sister did. Apparently, she was too assaulted by him. But her brother took the blame for her. I’m not giving up on you, Ramsey. I don’t care if you want me to. I don’t care if it means you ice me out for all of eternity. I don’t even care that you’ve already quit on me. I once promised that it was you and me forever. Do you remember that? You made me swear it.”