REVIEW: Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros

In Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros, Joining the Army and becoming a Green Beret was a ton of hard work with lots of blood, sweat and tears for Camden Daniels, but it felt like it was where he was meant to be. That all changed six years ago when his younger brother was killed in action. It meant Cam had to face his family and the small Colorado town he grew up in–where he was always the black sheep–as he came home to lay his brother to rest. And it was clear everyone blamed Cam, right or wrong, for what happened. Particularly his father. So when he gets a message that his dad needs his help, he’s torn. Should he leave his military career for a man who has shunned him? And what will happen when Cam comes face to face with his neighbor Willow Bradley, the girl who has held his heart since they were kids?

“It was always you, Cam.” She closed the inches between us, resting her hands on my chest, on the heart she didn’t realize only beat because hers did.

Willow’s relationship with the Daniels’ siblings, Xander, Cam and Sully, has always been complicated. She was the pesky neighbor girl forever hanging around when they were growing up. But now as an adult, she’s not sure if she’s welcome in their lives considering the animosity and bad blood between them that’s built up over the years. Willow is both ecstatic and worried when Cam comes home, seemingly for good this time. The crush she’s had on him forever will likely become apparent to the battle-weary soldier who has dealt with more in his lifetime than most people could imagine. It leaves Willow to wonder if this could finally be their chance to be together. Or if the resentment and prejudices of their small community will keep them apart.

‘While I’d been away at art school learning about beauty, Cam had been at war.’

Great and Precious Things was an emotional adventure that had a bit of everything in it. From romance to family drama, small town gossip and grudges, deceit and even redemption, author Rebecca Yarros spun a heartfelt tale that will stick with you for quite some time.

“I never wanted to complicate your life, Cam.”
“You’re not a complication in my life, Willow. You’re the reason.”

I wasn’t sure what to expect where this is my first look at Rebecca Yarros’ work. But happily, Great and Precious Things hit a lot of bells and whistles for me. We had a small-town setting, a friends-to-lovers romance, family secrets that spanned two generations, and a supposed bad boy on the path to making amends for his past. Nice setup, right? Yarros definitely used those elements to her advantage. And with a writing voice that flowed easily but was filled with emotional depth, it was a perfect match to the complex situation she created for the Daniels’ men and their neighbors, the Bradleys.

Cam was my favorite type of tortured hero. He was a swoon-worthy good guy to the depths of his soul but he was very much misunderstood–by his family and by the whole town it seemed at some points. There was a reason for every misstep he took, typically to protect someone close to him. Cam’s military career was heroic but full of tough decisions (of course), some of it ending in tragedy. I have to tread lightly so I don’t give too much away, but I can say that Cam had deep feelings for his neighbor and former close friend Willow that he couldn’t act on due to family issues. And as we found out more about their past and how intertwined their worlds and family dynamics were, it was clear why neither Cam nor Willow had ever given in to their attraction before.

Willow was actually quite a fun heroine and was the one who tended to bring a bit of laughter and whimsy to the story. Her feelings for Cam were intense and oh so very real. She had a way of bringing out the best in him, all while giving him some much deserved joy in his life. I liked the growth that Yarros showed in Willow as she learned to speak her mind and go for what she wanted. It was a tough path for her and Cam, with lots of heavy issues to sort through, but I think readers will love how things work out for all involved.

A compelling story that explored how complicated relationships–both familial and personal–can be, Great and Precious Things will most certainly pull at your heartstrings and ultimately leave you with a smile on your face.

Book Info:

Publication: Published February 25th 2020 | Entangled: Amara |

How do you define yourself when others have already decided who you are?

Six years ago, when Camden Daniels came back from war without his younger brother, no one in the small town of Alba, Colorado, would forgive him—especially his father. He left, swearing never to return.

But a desperate message from his father brings it all back. The betrayal. The pain. And the need to go home again. But home is where the one person he still loves is waiting. Willow. The one woman he can never have. Because there are secrets buried in Alba that are best left in the dark.

If only he could tell his heart to stay locked away when she whispers she’s always loved him, and always will…

Great and Precious Things is a heart-wrenching story about family, betrayal, and ultimately how far we’re willing to go on behalf of those who need us most.