3.75 AVERAGE

hazelstaybookish's review

4.0

Originally posted at Stay Bookish

There are things we never expect to happen. For Stella and Daniel, it was seeing through each other. Daniel saw past the antisocial girl who held back from the world and Stella saw what was underneath the artist who slept around with rich women. But the rich woman Daniel was currently having an affair with was Stella’s mom, who is incidentally the one paying for Stella’s art lessons with Daniel. Talk about complicated.

Weirdly enough, this troublesome plot line was what prompted me to want to read this. I was curious to how things would happen and fall in to place. The story sounded scandalous and I wanted to know more. At the same time, I was scared that this would be too steamy and too climactic, a stereotype of the New Adult genre. Fortunately, it wasn’t. Although it had some elements of the stereotype, I feel that Everything Between Us offers a story unlike others.

“I love the feel of the pages between my fingers, of slipping into a world different from mine. Of sliding into the skin of someone different from me. Anyone different from me.”

The reasons why I liked this book had to do much with the characters. Stella was a strong female lead, in my opinion. Strong in the sense that her personality really developed throughout the story. I liked how we get to see her weaknesses through her thoughts and yet we see how she is much braver than she thinks she is through Daniel’s eyes. Stella’s struggle was portrayed quite realistically. Not that I’ve ever experienced or seen panic attacks first hand but Stella’s voice then felt completely raw and genuine. I felt her fears and I felt the pain that they inflicted on her.

“You’re saying that because you’ve tried really hard, and you’ve felt defeated every time, and that’s exhausting.” Tears start in my eyes before I can stop them.
“That’s exactly what it is. I’m so tired.”


Daniel was also great as a male lead. He had his own issues and while I sometimes couldn’t understand why he always kept people at arm’s length or why he kept putting a mask on, I did understand why he was anxious about people seeing through him. Aside from this, I liked Daniel’s family and friends. I believe the author really did a good job building her characters.

Of course, I won’t forget to mention the romance between Stella and Daniel, which was lovely to watch. I loved how the walls between them were broken down and how their “falling in love” stage unraveled. I honestly didn’t know what to think about Daniel’s relationship with Stella’s mother at first and I still cringe inwardly as I think of it more, but in the end, it felt more like an afterthought because I was already invested in Daniel and Stella’s relationship.

“I’ve never been around anyone who saw me as clearly as you do, who pushed back as hard as you do. You feel whole to me. And I feel whole when I’m with you.”

I really liked Everything Between Us. It was my first time reading anything by Mila Ferrera and she has left a good impression. If you want a heartwarming NA read, give this one a go.

mjessamir's review

3.0

It definitely was weird at first that she and her mom have the same guy but I didn't want to judge the book with only that in mind and I'm glad I pushed through.

I thought at first it's going to be a flimsy plot focusing more on sexual tensions as most books now but it surprised me of its candid tackling of a mental illness that is very present and which people often misjudge.

I'm quite a sucker for plots that have emphasis on character development--especially with mental issues--because it gives me a perspective about things and people. It keeps me in check whenever I feel like judging others. Makes me a better person one chapter at a time.

I really like Daniel and Stella's relationship. There's a rawness in them that is almost innocent. I don't know. They're tragic and beautiful at the same time and I really wanted them to be happy.
hanna_109's profile picture

hanna_109's review

5.0
emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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ashielizz's profile picture

ashielizz's review

4.0

What happens when you fall in love with your lover’s daughter? That’s exactly the situation aspiring artist Daniel finds himself in. Originally hired to give Stella art lessons, Daniel finds himself consumed with her. She’s infuriating and uncivil but yet he finds himself instantly drawn to her. She sees through the person he portrays himself as…and she like what she sees.

I have to say I really like Daniel, even though his private shows consisted of showing more than his art. He has built up this playboy persona, never letting anyone get too close…until Stella. He finds himself revealing more to her than he ever has to anyone. Once lets her into his head, it’s hopeless to try to get her out. The same is true for Stella. She has become reclusive due to her paralyzing anxiety. She has formed these unbreakable walls that can’t be torn down until Daniel walks into her life. He makes her want to live, because she can no longer live without him.

Mila has done an excellent job of creating an emotional romance. Dealing with anxiety issues myself, I can relate somewhat to how Stella feels. It’s a long, hard struggle and she did a wonderful job of showcasing what some people go through. I cried so hard at times. I loved how she worked the romance in, never forcing it, thus making it seem so much more real. The characters were able to see their mistakes and overcome their boundaries, making them grow in such a positive way. This really resonated with me because I can’t stand stories where people never grow or learn from their actions.

I would recommend this to fans of New Adult, especially those who love a good romance. There isn’t a lot of sexual content but I would recommend this to readers 17+ due to what is incorporated.

Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
katrinamarie's profile picture

katrinamarie's review

4.0

Everything Between Us is a great contemporary read with a few smexy scenes. Mila Ferrera did a fantastic job of keeping me engaged during this crazy story of love.

Daniel is a total man whore. He knows it, and so does everyone else, except his family. His world gets turned upside when he meets Stella. Stella is a mess. She doesn't go outside because of her panic attacks. I love the way these two characters interact, and how they met. It was awkward, and funny all at the same time. Both Daniel and Stella are stubborn. They don't know how to deal with each other, and the decisions that have to be made.

Mila Ferrera takes us through heartbreak, family crisis, and how to deal with extreme panic attacks. Nothing in this book felt rushed, and I loved the family dynamics. Stella and Daniel come from two different worlds. I think that has a lot to do with how they react to situations, and how they view the world. I also admire Daniel's strong friend connections. I think with the right friends, a person is able to get through anything.

Everything Between Us had me laughing, swooning, and crying. I love when a book can bring out so many emotions!
lexigtg's profile picture

lexigtg's review

4.0

this was so :'))) cute :):):):):)

authorheatherw's review

3.0

I’m so confused about how I exactly feel about this book. On the one hand, I loved the premise of a heroine suffering from a very real and very serious psychological condition and the detailing of her journey to overcome the problem. My issue was I couldn’t really get past Daniel’s “job.”

Stella was interesting and I found her very relatable. She truly seems to be struggling and it was endearing to see Daniel help her with the debilitating panic attacks she has been experiencing. Daniel and Stella had good chemistry and they were very playful together.

Daniel grew on me a bit but I just couldn’t get over the first scene of the book. He’s having sex with Stella’s mother for money and it gets pretty graphic between them. It was just so weird and uncomfortable and it just seemed gross the way her mother sends him Stella’s way. Plus, he was basically pimping himself out for more art commissions. I guess maybe if he had a reason for the behavior I could’ve cheered him on as a hero but I just didn’t get it.

The author is a talented writer and I found her work wonderfully descriptive. The sex scenes were definitely off the charts. I would certainly read another of her books; I just think my problems with Everything Between Us had to do with my preferences in a leading male love interest. If you like contemporary romances that push the envelope than I’d definitely recommend Everything Between Us.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

I received Everything Between Us as part of the blog tour.
beckymmoe's profile picture

beckymmoe's review

4.0

Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 7/24/19.

Okay, I need to get this out of the way first: the hero sleeps with the heroine's mother early on in the book. Multiple times. To receive financial and career benefits. It's a bit hard to get past, and some people might not be able to get past it (which would be a shame, because Daniel and Stella's story is definitely worth the effort) so it really needs to be revealed up front, just in case.

That part of the book is hard to read, but that's who Daniel is at the beginning of the story. He makes safe art and engages in safe "relationships" that won't come close to touching him anywhere that it matters. His mother says to him at one point that when he finds the right woman, she'll "be able to see right through" him and will "like what she sees," and she's right, that's exactly what Stella does and what Daniel needs.

Besides Daniel's extracurricular activities, this book is also hard to read at times because of the difficulties that Stella is having. Ms. Fine/Ms. Ferrera does a stellar job of making us see Stella's anxiety and panic attacks through her eyes, and it's often hard to read. As she starts to make steps toward her recovery, though, it's twice as satisfying, since we're experiencing it all with her.

And then there's the romance--so, so good. Both Daniel and Stella help each other to reveal and heal the parts of them that aren't working right, and it's wonderful to watch. It's going to make seeing them together and happy in the third book ([b:Anything Between Us|46817568|Anything Between Us|Sarah Fine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562703088l/46817568._SY75_.jpg|71858454]) that much more satisfying.

Everything Between Us is the second in the series, but would work okay as a standalone if needed. Caleb and Romy play roles here, but you don't have to have read their stories to appreciate the parts they play in Daniel and Stella's. (You should read it, though--just for you. Just sayin'.)

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

daniairdina's review

4.0

I ADORE the development of the two main characters and their relationship. They both supported each other facing their doubts, fears and anxiety. I love the plotline, how Stella deals with her fears with Daniel alongside her, not to help literally but love and support her and respecting her wishes.

Loved this book and the emotional punch it gave my guts ★★★★★.

This book had a premise that could have took the story in a really bad direction, but Mila Ferrera made it beautiful! (: 
I really liked the Daniel and Stella didn't start out lusting after each other. And for me I don't usually notice that in books, but it this one it was a nice change. It made their relationship more real. I loved that Stella learned to stand up for herself. I love that the author really showed us the raw and sometimes even crippling side of these panic attacks she was having. Having that insight into her mind made it so much easier to understand all the hard work that she went through to overcome her fear. Even when she realized that she needed to take a step back from everything because it would help her overcome the panic attacks, but even if she would have been content staying where she was. She knew that she couldn't progress if she didn't. To me that really show how strong she had become and how strong she wanted to be. I also really love that she loved to bake. That is something I haven't read about much and it was really cool. I also loved Daniel's best friend Caleb and his girlfriend Romy. (: Their characters to me really helped the story. And now I really want to read Only Between Us (: I thought the ending of this book was really great. It ending in the way I was hoping it would from about 10% of the way though the book. All in all, I loved this book! (: