Dear Juliet Read online

  Dear Emily

  Dear Tabitha

  Dear Juliet

  Trudy Stiles’ first two novels, Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha, received stunning praise from the indie community. Read these books before you read Dear Juliet and see what these incredible bloggers, reviewers and authors all saw in Trudy’s work.

  Dear Emily Reviews:

  Natasha Tomic, Natasha is a Book Junkie: “This book has the power of touching the reader so deeply by giving us unique and very precious insight into the world of child adoption, from both viewpoints of the birth mother as well as the adoptive parents. I walked away at the end of this book feeling like my heart had grown tenfold, overflowing with so many emotions, and desperately hoping that fiction, in this case, had found its roots in real life.”

  Mollie Kay Harper, Tough Critic Book Reviews: “I was blown away by the story’s originality. I was blown away by the romance and passion. I was blown away by the heartache and pain. I was blown away that I whole heartedly invested my emotions into the lives of these two women.”

  Gitte & Jenny, Totally Booked: “What a truly breath-taking, compelling and beautifully stirring debut from Trudy Stiles. The writing was truly beautiful and the story which shows the past as well as the present was so raw and gripping my heart was so full of cracks by the time I’d finished.”

  Chris’ Book Blog Emporium: “I love when a book can grip you right from the first few pages, pull you in and not let you go until the very last page. Trudy has written a page turner. Her debut novel knocked my socks off and she is definitely an author to check out.”

  Nic Farrell, Flirty and Dirty Book Blog: “I’m not sure what I expected when I started Dear Emily by Trudy Stiles but one thing is for sure, I had no idea how emotional of a read it would be. Not your fluffy and mushy love story, Dear Emily was so much more.”

  Becca Manuel, Becca the Bibliophile: ”It’s a love story that is so profound and yet it is hardly ever spoken of. It’s the story of two women, torn apart by life that had left them scarred and a bond that they will forever share in a little girl neither have met yet – Emily.”

  Rebecca Shea, USA Today Bestselling Author: “When a book leaves you thinking about it days later – that’s a good thing. This was a 4.5 star before because it was good, really good…as in amazing. It’s now a 5 star because it did something to me…it left me wanting more – needing more. That is the sign of a 5-star amazing book.”

  Jen Skewes, Three Chicks and Their Books: “I am not even sure that I can begin to express just how much I loved this book and how truly amazing and touching it was. Dear Emily is by far one of my favorite books this year. It is one of those books that will stay with you.”

  Jesey Newman, Scmhexy Girl Book Blog: “Dear Emily is a beautiful story about love, lust, family and the tragedies endured by Carly and Tabitha, our leading ladies. Trudy Stiles has woven the lives of these women both past and present, in such an amazing way.”

  Amanda Maxlyn, author of “What’s Left of Me”: “There are books that will pull you along as you read, and then there are books that will literally pull you into the story as you read. Dear Emily is the book that will suck you in with the first sentence and not let you go until the last word. Trudy Stiles has a gift. She created a beautiful, yet pained world of two strangers that become connected in the most stunning way.”

  JJ Rossum, author of “Thou Shalt Not”: “Well, Ms. Stiles, you really knocked this one out of the park. I loved it. Unique story line, characters you could root for and emotions you could really feel.”

  Kelly, Perusing Princesses Book Blog: “Trudy Stiles has entered the indie writers world with an impressive boo – get ready for the shockwaves to hit, because this is one debut you do not want to miss!”

  Kathryn Perez, author of “Therapy”: “With so many books out there today, it’s hard to find one that isn’t just a cookie cutter version of the next. I personally enjoy books that are more than a “surface” read. I like to walk away from it having gained a message. I like to feel the story and characters. Trudy Stiles does just that with this book. She conveys with her writing a beautiful story that grips you, touches you and stays with you.”

  Tiffany Marie, Everything Marie Book Blog: “The entire story will leave you in tears and provoke strong emotions from you. It is very touching and so personal, it’s hard not to love this book. For a debut novel, this book really hit the mark.”

  Dee McGee, Booze, Bookz and Bad Boyz: “I absolutely loved Dear Emily. Trudy Stiles debut novel impresses the heck out of me. She took what could have been a straight forward dark, tragic plot and turned it into a beautiful story about coming to terms with adversity.”

  Virginia, Love N Books: “Trudy’s writing is detailed, emotional and beautiful. She tugs at your emotions and makes you feel as if you know these characters. You can’t help but feel for these broken women and wish their heartache would end and they would find happiness.”

  Dear Tabitha Reviews:

  Natasha Tomic, Natasha is a Book Junkie: “Confession time. I was terrified of this book. Literally, breaking out in a cold sweat the moment I decided to read it. This is truly a book like no other. This story is told with honesty and heart, making the reader feel so many different emotions page after page, but most of all the author’s reverence for her own characters. I walked away feeling like every half-empty glass in my life was suddenly full to the rim, thankful for this journey and determined to read every word this author ever decides to write.

  Robin Segnitz, Hesperia Loves Books: “Dear Tabitha is a powerful story of healing, love an family. I felt a range of intense emotions while reading including anger, rage, sadness, love and joy. I found Dear Tabitha absolutely satisfying and the best work yet for Trudy Stiles. Five stars for Dear Tabitha!”

  The Danish Bookaholic: “Ms. Stiles has a wonderful way with words, and I find it difficult to fully express how uch I love this book. Every single page moved me, sometimes to laughter, sometimes to tears. My heart was hurting so much for both Tabitha and Alex, and my romantic soul could not stop hoping and praying that, despite Tabitha’s silence, they would somehow find their way back to each other again.

  Annie Gabor, All is Read: “Trudy is an amazing storyteller who easily makes her characters become so realistic. You will feel every emotion they feel, the frustration that boils up and puts you on the edge of your seat, the heartbreak, forgiveness and love.

  Beth, The Indie Bookshelf: “This is a great emotional read. Ms. Stiles makes you feel, laugh, cry and hope. Sometimes hope is the most dangerous emotion.”

  LL Collins, Bestselling Author: “Trudy Stiles is an amazing storyteller, reaching in a gripping your heart right from the get go. She’s an author to watch, and I’ll be sure to read anything she writes.

  Jesey, Shmexy Girls Book Blog: “This is a journey that will tear your heart out. The past, the present, and the future all come together beautifully to bring this story to an end.”

  Sarah Griffin, Books to Breathe: “I will leave you with this: the emotions displayed between Alex and Tabitha, when they allowed their walls to crumble and their hearts to open, were enough to make the darkest of hearts smile. Just know this, it wrecked me, completely and utterly wrecked me, and I’m a better person for it.”

  Dee McGee: “Trudy Stiles writing continues to keep me enthralled. Dear Tabitha is a heart-wrenching, deeply emotional story about two people overcoming a turbulent past and trying to find themselves…and love.”

  This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations and some violence.

  Dear Juliet is BOOK THREE in the Forever Family series. Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha are BOOKS ONE and TWO.

  Readin
g Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha first will enhance your reading experience by giving you some insight into the characters that you meet in this book.

  The bestselling Forever Family Series concludes with this emotionally gripping story. Follow the lives of two incredible people as they battle their way through many years of heartache, loss and love. This story will take you on an epic journey that spans almost 20 years.

  Juliet Oliver was adopted at birth and has always struggled with this fact. She’s been emotionally detached from everyone in her entire life, except for one person. He’s been the one source of support, love and encouragement.

  Seth Tyson has had his share of painful relationships. He’s constantly battling with his own demons, led by issues at home.

  I lost her.

  I thought she was the love of my life.

  She was everything I needed. Everything I wanted.

  She made me forget about my past. My family.

  She made me feel real.

  How do I move on from her?

  Will I find someone like her?

  It’s time to pick up the pieces.

  But can I?

  I’m Seth Tyson and this is my story.

  ~

  I deserve a happily ever after, don’t I?

  Dear Reader,

  I’ve gone back and forth as to whether or not I needed to write a foreword. Actually, I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but then I asked myself this question over and over: Will people read this book if they haven’t yet read Dear Emily or Dear Tabitha? The answer is still not one hundred percent clear to me. I originally thought I’d be writing this story as a standalone but as I began writing, I realized that would be pretty difficult to do. I’ve rewritten this story several times and each time I realized that I couldn’t be true to Seth and the characters without tying important things back to the first two books in the series. In my opinion, you can’t know Seth in his entirety without experiencing those books. I want my readers to experience everything that he did in Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha, even though his ‘part’ in both books was a supporting role.

  Dear Juliet will take you through various times in Seth’s life and some will overlap with events that take place during the time that Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha did but Dear Juliet will not mirror or retell those books. I hope that makes sense.

  Therefore, I encourage you to read Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha first, because I’d love for you to get to know all of my characters. I understand that some of you may choose not to do that, so I will do my best to give you a glimpse into who Tabitha is to Seth in this book. She does indeed play an important role in how he makes his decisions, and I’d like you to see that unfold rather than me giving you a summary of what has already happened.

  Just know this. It’s time for Seth to move on, from Tabitha and from the past that continues to haunt him.

  Seth Tyson has indeed polarized my readers in both Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha. Some wish for his happily-ever-after and some aren’t quite sure he deserves one. But he holds a very special place in my heart, and I hope this story gives those of you in either corner a new perspective and you’re able to open your hearts and let him in.

  Yours,

  Trudy

  P.S. I strongly suggest you listen to all of Snow Patrol’s albums on repeat while reading this book. It will enhance your experience.

  Every single one of my books has a

  piece of me in it, some pieces larger

  and more significant than others.

  This book is no different.

  To my husband,

  Olive Juice

  This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex, and some violence.

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  Past

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  Age 34

  My heart is beating wildly in my throat as we walk through the doors of the maternity ward at St. Joseph’s Hospital. My husband, Kevin, squeezes my hand as tightly as he can.

  “I’m a mess, Kevin,” I blurt out. “Is this even real?”

  “Yes, babe. This is very real. And we’re about to meet our baby,” he says, his voice shaking.

  Our plane touched down in Philadelphia less than twelve hours after we received a call from our adoption counselor, Jessica, from Forever Home Adoption Agency. We had been on their waiting list for almost two years and had just about given up hope that we would ever be selected to adopt a baby when she called us late last night.

  “Kelsey! Hi, it’s Jessica. I’m sorry to be calling you so late, but I have the most incredible news.”

  I immediately reach to my right, shaking Kevin’s shoulder to wake him up from a sound sleep. We were both exhausted after the last trick-or-treater left our front porch at around ten o’clock tonight, and were asleep before our heads hit our pillows. I look at the clock. It’s only eleven thirty. It feels like we’ve been asleep for hours.

  “Hmm?” he moans before he flips over to see me sitting straight up in bed. “Is everything okay?” he asks hesitantly as his eyes widen and then squint. “What time is it?”

  I know exactly what Jessica is about to tell us, and tears pool in my eyes as Kevin focuses on my face. God, I love this man, and we’re about to get the news we’ve been waiting for.

  I grab his hand, place the phone on speaker and say, “Jessica, we’re both awake. What’s going on?” Kevin’s eyes glisten as a warm smile spreads across his handsome face.

  “A baby girl was born earlier today and the birth mother, Lily, has committed to an adoption plan. She was presented several profiles to choose from, and she immediately chose the both of you. How soon can you be in Philadelphia?”

  That phone call took place twelve hours ago, and I’m still in shock and disbelief. Our dream of starting our family is right in front of us, and I never thought this moment would arrive. I clutch Kevin’s hand harder as we walk to the nurses’ station.

  “Excuse me,” I say quietly. The nurse behind the desk looks up and nods. “We’re here to meet with Jessica Hyde. She’s a social worker.” I hesitate, unsure of what’s going to happen next.

  “Oh, you must be the Olivers. Jessica mentioned she was expecting you. She’s in the nursery right now.” She gets up and comes out from behind the desk. “Come with me.”

  We follow her down the hall and I realize that she’s either walking very fast or we’re walking very slowly, because there is a huge distance between us. Kevin speeds up his pace and I follow suit.

  We catch up to her and turn the corner together. My heart races as I stand in front of a large glass window with at least ten infants on the other side. All are asleep in their bassinets except one. That baby is wrapped tightly, pink cheeks barely visible. She looks so warm and cozy and is being rocked in the arms of an older woman. She looks up and smiles, and I recognize her face from the adoption agency’s website. It’s Jessica.

  The nurse swipes her key card and unlocks the doors to the nursery.

  I’m suddenly frozen in place. I wasn’t expecting to meet the baby so soon.

  Our baby.

  I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. Aren’t we supposed to do more paperwork? Get parenting lessons? My apprehension increases as Kevin places his hand on my back. This is all happening so fast.

  Am I ready for this?

  Are we ready for this?

  I remain frozen in place as I try to picture that little baby at home in our empty nursery that we’ve had ready for what seems like forever. Yellow walls and neutral safari bedding suddenly don’t seem right. Insecurity builds as thoughts of our future swirl in my head.

  Will she be happy in our home?

  Will she be happy with us?

  Kevin eagerly pulls me into the nursery, an
d Jessica’s warm voice fills the room.

  “Kelsey, Kevin, say hello to Juliet.”

  She raises the baby’s head so we can see her small face, her pink cheeks so perfect and round. My breath is immediately taken away, and my heart melts along with some of the uncertainties that I felt just moments ago. She’s sound asleep and softly sucking on a green rubber pacifier that seems to take up half of her tiny face. Jessica motions to the empty rocking chair next to her, and Kevin leads me over to it so I can sit.

  Before I know it, she’s placed into my arms. My hold on her is awkward at first, because, well, I’ve never done this before. My arms are stiff, and Kevin places his hand over the crown of Juliet’s head, engulfing it in his palm.

  Protective.

  Loving.

  He’s mesmerized by her. In love with her already.

  Yes, this feels right.

  “Relax, Kelsey. She’ll know if you’re nervous and you’ll wake her up.” Jessica softly chuckles and nods again.

  I begin to relax my arms and settle more comfortably back into the rocking chair, Juliet softly molding into my chest.

  “Isn’t she beautiful?” Kevin asks. I look down at the little bundle and she twitches slightly in my arms, settling back into a deep sleep. Her baby scent suddenly hits my nose, and I begin to feel more at ease.

  “Yes. She is beautiful. Perfect,” I say as Kevin’s thumb sweeps across her tiny forehead. His eyes lock onto mine and he nods slowly, a smile spreading across his face.

  “She looks perfect in your arms, Kels.”