Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole

(c) Goodreads

Title: Sweet Soul
Series: Sweet Home #4
Author: Tillie Cole
Release date: 15.12.2015

Synopsis

One shy lost soul.

One silent lonely heart.

One love to save them both.

Life has never been easy for twenty-year-old Levi Carillo. The youngest of the Carillo boys, Levi is nothing like his older brothers. He isn’t dark in looks or intimidating to everyone he meets. In fact, he’s quite the opposite. Haunted by a crippling shyness and the tragic events of his past, Levi spends his days with his head buried in his books, or training hard for his college football team. Too timid to talk to girls, Levi stays as far away as possible and completely on his own… until he saves the life of a troubled pretty blonde, a troubled pretty blonde that might just be the exception to his rule.

Elsie Hall is homeless. Or at least that’s all anyone ever sees. Everyday is a fight for survival on the cold streets of Seattle, everyday a struggle to find food and keep warm. Alone in life—a life that’s dangerous and cruel—her will to keep going is an ever-losing battle. In her world of silence, Elsie has given up hope that her life will contain anything but constant struggle and pain… until the beautiful boy she has severely wronged comes to her rescue at precisely the right time.

 

Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole – Book Review

“I want the world for you, mia luna. And I pray that the girl who claims your tender heart is just as sweet as you. Someone to care for your fragile soul. Someone to cherish the gentle gift that you are, when I am no longer here to do so…”

The ‘Sweet Home’ series is one of my favourite. I thought it was going to end with Sweet Hope but then Tillie Cole surprised us with this book. I was so excited for this one you don’t understand (well, if you’re a fan of the series, pretty sure you understand the feels). Just like her previous work, the book messed with my emotions. I swooned, I cried, I laughed.

“You are not your brothers, Levi. You are kind and shy, not hard and boisterous, ready to fight the world. You are my quiet baby boy. My sweet, sweet soul.”

 Levi Carillo is the youngest of the Carillo brothers. He has everything going on for him; he’s smart, good looking, and promising football career. Also, it is really clear that his family loves him. However, beneath all that lies pain and guilt from his mother’s death. I was surprised at how shy and innocent he is. He doesn’t party and he’s never had a girlfriend before. He’s very loving and gentle, different from his older brothers. My heart broke for him when I realized how much he missed his mother.

When he meets a homeless, sick girl, he asked his brother and sister-in-law to help her. The girl, Elsie Hall, also has a hard life. She is deaf in her left ear and only have broken aid in the other ear. After her mum’s death, Elsie was placed into foster care and had an even worse life. She was bullied and almost lost herself. She eventually ran away and wandering around the streets; until Levi found her and helped her.

“… I’ll be happy knowing I’ve got you and you’ve got me. That’s enough for me, to be the one that you can lean on, to be the one to tell you you’re beautiful every day. And talk to. I’ll adore every sound that comes out of your mouth. I’ll be the one to love you like nothing you’ve ever seen bella mia” 

Sweet Soul is probably the book I can relate to the most in this series. I can relate to Levi being shy and Elsie being insecure. The interactions the two had throughout the book made me grin like crazy because IT’S TOO ADORABLE.

I need my own Levi. He is just so sweet, gentle, loving, and kind. I could go on forever listing his best qualities; but the best quality would be his protectiveness. He always makes sure he’s there for Elsie when she needs him. The way he takes care of her and making sure that Elsie feels comfortable melts me. DAMN, LEVI. WHY ARE YOU SO SWEET?

Elsie’s past broke my heart. No one should go through what she went through. I’m so glad she decided to trust Levi and loved him. So glad she could move on from her past, got stronger, and found happiness. I was so proud of her when she first let Levi heard her talk and slowly starts to talk to other people.

Tillie is definitely an amazing writer! The way she writes about certain subjects in the book made them felt real. Some of the intense moments throughout the book hit me hard. I cried so much while reading some parts I had to stop reading and calm myself down. I’m sad that this is the last book in the series. I’m not sure if I’m ready to say goodbye to them.

Overall, Sweet Soul exceeds my expectation of the book. It makes you think about life in general. If you think it’s just a romance book, read for yourself and think again. It is a very raw and honest book and I recommend everyone to read the book.

“Eventually, something or someone will come along in your life to show you that what other people think don’t matter. You’ll find the strength to not let what people say affect you in quite the same way.”