book review: Come Undone, Come Alive and Come Together by Jessica Hawkins (The Cityscape Series)

(Source: GoodReads.com)

Oh. My. God.

I don’t think I’ve been as affected by a series of books (besides Outlander) as I was with The Cityscape Series by Jessica Hawkins. I’ve read each book twice now, and itching to go back and read through for a third time. Why? Well, let me tell ya. Pour a glass of wine and listen up, because this is for sure one of the best new adult romances out there.

In Come Undone, we meet Olivia Germaine, a shy, beautiful and underappreciated editor, who is married to her jolly, friendly and completely safe husband, Bill. One night, at the opera, she locks eyes with a man across a crowded room (so cliche, but Hawkins makes it work AF) and she’s changed. Viscerally, and forever. She realizes there is something else out there. Something she never dreamt or fathomed.

Throughout the series, much happens between Olivia and David (the man from across the room). I won’t spoil it here. Suffice to say that it’s one of the most moving, sexy and tortured love stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. Hawkins packs a significant punch with her storytelling, and it’s not just sex – there is real emotional weight behind every word. I felt Olivia and David’s longing for each other – their longing for that person who understands you, who gets you – guts and all.

Throughout it all, through David’s yearning and Olivia’s indecision and their insistent and passionate and painful connection – I couldn’t help thinking of Adele’s cover of Make You Feel My Love and those perfect lyrics —-

I know you haven’t made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong

I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
and I’d go crawling down the avenue
No, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love

The storms are raging on the rolling sea
and on the highway of regret
the winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain’t seen nothing like me yet

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
nothing that I wouldn’t do
go to the ends of the earth for you
to make you feel my love
to make you feel my love

It’s just… them. Listen, and read and weep.

I honestly can’t recommend this series enough. Some people had a problem with certain aspects of it on GoodReads, but I think that’s an instinctual hatred of cheating – which, don’t let that dissuade you. Because let’s face it, we don’t always meet our soulmate at the right time. These books are so sexual, gorgeous, moving and intelligent. It would be a crime not to enjoy them and revel in Hawkins’ assured, searing and powerful writing.

You won’t be disappointed. Guaranteed.