4.8 stars

It is official this author is a wizard. I had no idea how she was going to resolve this duet without me hating certain characters after the whopper of a cliffhanger from The Upside of Falling. I told myself it was impossible. I should have known that she would prove me wrong. Not only did she prove me wrong she knocked it out of the park.

I cannot even say much about this story because it would ruin it for those that have not read it. Just know that in true fashion, this author did created magic again. She wrote a story about love and all the beautiful and often ugly sides to it. Love comes in a plethora of ways. Sometimes they can be first love, forever love, unrequited love, ex-love. All of them combined in some form or another shape the person we are and leave a lasting imprint. To every season there is a reason. Being selfless in regards to loving someone is often the hardest and most painful lesson to learn and sometimes it is a lesson to love unconditionally no matter the outcome in order to be able to fly free.

This book/duet is not in the normal wheelhouse of this author. She is mostly associated as the Queen of RomCom. Don't let that moniker fool you because she can do it all. I am not sure how I forgot considering Dear Life was the first book I read by this author and she gutted me with that one. If you are looking for a book that is poignant, raw, sometimes ugly and makes your heart ache then look no further.

Also, can I just say Holy Titfire on that epilogue?!?! It is a Festivus Miracle! ( )

The sweetest fantasy can turn into the most heartbreaking romance. Life like love has a way of veering off course before we hit smooth sailing again. The Downside of Love is the balm to heal a broken heart. Quinn tilted the world on an axis with the emotional twist at the end of The Upside of Falling, but Downside sets about balancing it out. To get beyond the curve we have to accept the lesson it teaches us. Meghan Quinn hits on the darkness, but the sun is never far behind. Prolifically stunning romance. ( )

I seriously have no words for how wonderful this book is, holy smokes what a perfect side B as I call it to a duet. The angst..the love, the lust, the feels this book evokes is something to behold. ny head hurts from crying, so you know, thanks for that! I won't hash the plot, cause hello, no spoilers from me. Ever. This book was well thought out, was well paced, I feel like with each book Meghan Quinn not only surprises me, but I can see her growing as an author, and it's beautiful. ( )