I don’t know if you are prepared for Heather and Channing, but wow, was this one an emotional read. Happy, sad, distraught, hurt, angst, fear are just some emotions that you will feel. Tijan has once again delivered an enthralling and intoxicating book.

TBIGUW is Heather and Channing’s story. Heather is Sam’s best friend, from the Fallen Crest series. I must admit that I have been intrigued with their backstory since the teasing of them in FCH.

Heather and Channing have an epic, emotional and enduring love story. Heather has said that she has loved Channing her entire life and through this book we get to see the depth and length of that love. Their love isn’t pretty, it isn’t storybook, but it is their love. Every emotional up/down, trust/mistrust and hidden secret/revelation is what makes them Heather and Channing. This book goes to show that not every love is picture perfect and that there are many kinds of love.

Heather is a no nonsense, take charge, lady balls present and accounted for, bad ass woman. Her character is one of my favorites (next to Sam) and it was a joy to read about a female lead who had no qualms about standing her ground.

As with Heather, Channing also presents with a not so easy life. He is dark, mysterious, brooding and extremely charismatic. In Tijan’s book, Crew, we got to see the insides of a crew (what they are, how they work, etc.) We are also introduced to Channing’s sister, Bren. TBIGUW continues with the relationship of Channing and Bren and Bren’s involvement with a crew. After suffering a loss, Channing’s idyllic lifestyle begins to change. Through this changing period is when things really start to turn Channing into the distant and closed off person he is of the present. Heather and Chan have a toxic and back/forth relationship. They both know this, but when you’ve been connected to someone since first grade, it’s hard to walk away. Tijan did a fantastic job of eliciting this back and forth relationship while maintaining the history of the couple. They both know they are better off apart (Heather deserves more, and Channing knows Heather deserves better). The question is: how do you walk away from someone you’ve loved for almost as long as you’ve been alive?

Tijan wrote this book in the present sense, but through flashbacks, we get to see some of the more lighthearted and fun times between Heather and Channing. We are also blessed with a phenomenal epilogue. I hope this is a sign of things to come!!

I loved Heather and Channing, despite the grittiness of their relationship. Tijan wrote this book to also elicit many emotions from the reader. I laughed, cried, was pissed off, shocked and just plain fell in love along with Heather and Channing!

4.5 ‘long term love’ stars