Steadfast

True North: Small Town Romance, Book 2

By: Sarina Bowen

Narrated by: JF Harding, Vanessa Edwin

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

She’s the only one who ever loved him—and the only one he can never have.

Jude lost everything one spring day when he crashed his car into an apple tree on the side of the road. A man is dead, and there's no way he can ever right that wrong. He’d steer clear of Colebury, Vermont forever if he could. But an ex-con in recovery for his drug addiction can’t find a job just anywhere.

Sophie Haines is stunned by his reappearance. After a three year absence, the man who killed her brother and broke her heart is suddenly everywhere she turns. It’s hard not to stare at how much he’s changed. The bad boy who used to love her didn’t have big biceps and sun-kissed hair. And he’d never volunteer in the church kitchen.

No one wants to see Sophie and Jude back together, least of all Sophie's police chief father. But it's a small town. And forbidden love is a law unto itself.

©2016 Sarina Bowen (P)2024 Tuxbury Publishing LLC

Critic reviews

"This book slayed me. I was up until 3am finishing it!" -Feeding My Addiction Book Reviews

"Sarina Bowen has topped herself again. I couldn't put down Steadfast!" -Unapologetic Book Addict

"A dark and heart rending story. I was inspired to think more about giving people second chances and the benefit of the doubt. Also? It's really, really sexy." -Tiff at Mostly YA Lit

The Perfect Second Chance Romance

Jude’s life as he knew it ended one night after a car accident caused the loss of his girlfriend’s golden boy brother. The addiction he tried so hard came to light and he lost everything including his girl in one fell swoop.

Years later Jude is out of prison and fighting every day for sobriety. He spent his first summer with the Shipley’s as a farmhand but once harvest was over he had to turn home where all his demon’s haunt him including the girl he never got over but can never have again.

Sophie was devastated when she lost not only her brother but the love of her life. When he refused any contact with her in prison she did her best to move on with her life but after seeing him in town she can’t stay away. They both know that their time together could never lead to more so why is it so hard to keep their distance.

I love the second chance romance trope if it’s done right and ladies and gentlemen this book is a masterclass in how to write an angsty yet beautiful second chance romance. If anyone deserved an another chance to get it right it’s this couple especially once the details of the past come to light. I loved Jude’s character so much and his determination to do and be better was inspiring. I really appreciated that the author did her research on addiction and treatment because it really helped immerse us into the story. Sophie and Jude truly brought out the best in each other. They just had to get over their pasts to figure that out.

If you’re a fan on second chance romance I cannot recommend this book enough. You do not need to read book one to enjoy this story as it can be loved as a complete standalone (though you will get more of lonely sad boy Jude in book 1). Highly recommend!

Incredible

The new narrators just brought this book to another level. I can’t get over how amazing they did. They truly took on these characters and it showed.

It’s just a messy raw beautiful story. Even though this was a reread for me I was still full of anticipation for things to happen. This book brings out so many emotions. I forgot just how much it makes me feel.

I love Jude and Sophie so much. They have a rough road but it all comes together wonderfully. Plus they have some insane chemistry!

Definitely recommend but check the trigger warnings prior to read!

Emotional & Raw

This story grabbed hold of my heart from the get go. I absolutely adore Sophie and Jude and was in their corner from the start. They sure had their share of struggles and it seemed almost impossible at times that they would make it through to the other side. The narration is on point and easy in the ears and I thought JF and Vanessa were the perfect Jude and Sophie. I really enjoyed listening to this it really brought this wonderful story to life for me.

Loved this story!

I absolutely fell in love with Jude and Sophie’s story from the very first page and the narrators were perfect for this story! This second chance romance is filled with emotion and real-life problems. The writing is wonderful and the addiction storyline was handled with care and with realism. There’s no surgar-coating here…Ms. Bowen helps the reader understand that overcoming addiction is very difficult but, through Jude, she shows us that with much hard work and determination it can be possible. As always, Ms. Bowen has given me characters and a story I will remember for a very long time…and the narrators brought it all to life in the best possible way!

Loved this second chance storyline.

I loved this second chance with a bit of forbidden storyline. Jude and Sophie love was forbidden from the start. Separated by a devastating accident, their longing for each other is palpable. Add in twist and turns and you’ll be hooked from beginning to end. A great addition to this series. Narration is fantastic!

Steadfast was SO MUCH and so good!

Steadfast was SO MUCH- so much longing, regret, desire, and so very HOT! Jude will grab your heart and you'll feel it squeeze as you read the story of his past and you'll ache with him for the future he thinks he can't have. Sophie is amazing- after the unthinkable changed her life, she became strong for her family, but put herself and her dreams on the back burner. Still an independent woman on the inside, you'll love following her Nancy Drew journey as she investigates the past. Steadfast has everything you want in a second chance romance. I was excited to listen to this newly recorded audiobook and JF Harding and Vanessa were just so great- their performances were top notch.

Outstanding

Steadfast is the second book in the True North series, but it works perfectly fine as a standalone.

It is a second chance, good girl/bad boy, forbidden love slash secret relationship, small town romance set in Vermont.

The narrators did an amazing job. JF Harding was perfect as Jude, and Vanessa Edwin is always great. Their performance is outstanding. I loved every minute of it.

Sophie and Jude’s story is one of my favorites of all time. It is certainly not a light read, but it is so worth it. It is realistic, raw at times, heartbreaking, and also incredibly funny—the perfect balance that makes Sarina Bowen’s books an emotional rollercoaster. It also showcases her storytelling ability, her talent in developing ambiance and a cast filled with lovable characters that you can’t help but want to hang out with and get to know better, and a setting that is as harsh and bleak as it is beautiful and unique.

I highly recommend all her books and audiobooks, especially the other books in this series. They are all great.

Great story with great narrator’s

I purchased this audiobook because I am a huge fan of Vanessa Edwin and JF Harding and they did not disappoint. This is a story of second chance after heartbreak and I listened to this book as a standalone and had no confusion with not listening to the first book. Definitely recommend

Perfection

Steadfast is the second book in the True North series by Sarina Bowen. I was late to the series and somehow read book one and then skipped to seventh! What? Anyway…I loved this story. It's a second chance, forbidden romance full of love, pain, loyalty and friendship. I loved Jude in Bittersweet so I'm glad I finally listened to his story. Jude and Sophie were in love years ago. They were young and Jude made a lot of mistakes, one that sent him to prison. Now he's back home and never expected that Sophie would still be there. He is battling his own demons, but seeing her calms him. He can't seem to stay away from her and she can't stop thinking about him. So much has happened in the past, but can they have a future together? Wow! This book is so fantastic! And the narration is top-notch! JF and Vanessa were the perfect Jude and Sophie. Now I'm off to listen to the books I missed!