Book Summary: 

Before all the love stories of the City of Sisterly Love series came the love story of Darian Kaplan and Scott Lawrence. Throughout the series, Scott is simply a precious memory, though his love for Darian and their children is a strong, constant presence. We’ve learned tidbits here and there about how Darian and Scott first met, but Love Always, Scott takes us back in time to the beautiful, sweet origins of their story.

Young Darian and Scott had an instant connection. They battle ups and downs, as well as outside forces working against them, to achieve the incredible marriage we know and love.

 My Review:

I am going to be completely transparent – I had to emotionally prepare myself BEFORE I even started reading this book. As the warning at the beginning states, if you have read all five books – you know what happens. By this point, loyal readers have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Scott through his letters, flashbacks, and shared moments from his friends and family. For me, I could feel it in my heart that I wasn’t ready to read his story with Darian, knowing the love they shared and how it all ends. Obviously I got past that but I can honestly say this was the first time I was nervous and anxious PRIOR to starting a book.

This story was beyond beautiful. Having read the previous books, we received more insight on briefly mentioned moments. We knew Scott and Darian met at the library but to see how that whole scene played out and how Cassandra played a role in it (and was a pivotal character in a lot of their sweet tale) was fulfilling. We got more background on what happened with Nelson, the origin of Reagan and Harley names, why Scott was the ONLY person allowed to call Cassandra “Cassie”, and just the overall magic that created the foundation of an epic love story/tragedy that birthed a phenomenal series.

What I enjoyed most of all is the two sides of Scott. We kind of knew he was overprotective of women from what he taught his daughters and the situation that happened with Dalton. To witness that edgier side along with the gentle loving side we became accustomed to in the flashbacks gave us a much more well rounded idea of who Scott truly was and why Darian loved him so much. It was also interesting to see Declan and Darian as it makes their reunion bittersweet. 

I never realized how much older Scott was than Darian but loved how he respected her wants and needs in life. Like her, I was offended when he kept referring to her as being young but as he explained it, it made sense. Most people who are twenty or in their early twenties and still experiencing life and freedom are not looking for forever. He wasn’t commenting on her age in the sense of her maturity but in the intensity of his affection. For him, he saw is “first last kiss”/his future – that is a lot to put on someone young who still has time and opportunity to see what life has to offer. Like Cassandra, I respected that he broke his own heart to walk away from her just to make sure she was positive of what she wanted (him) and what he was offering (the rest of his life). Most people wouldn’t be able to do something that selfless which makes you love Scott even more.

Like the Titanic movie, you know how it is going to end but that doesn’t make it any easier to witness. I could feel my heart beating faster when I reached the last chapter. I knew what was coming but I still wasn’t ready for it. Like Darian, we have grown to know and love Scott so to witness his final moments, I had to keep taking deep breaths but the tears still came. To know what happens next, how Darian finds him, the next three years – ugh there are no words. 

I knew this book was going to wreck me and it did. AK even threw in one of Scott’s classic letters to make sure we didn’t stand a chance of walking away unscathed. It makes Darian’s pain and loss so much more palatable than it was before and Cassandra’s role so much more essential than we realized. I am so happy AK will continue with this lovable group of characters. I’m not ready to walk away just yet.