Book Reviews

Book Review: The Finish Line by Kate Stewart

Don’t tempt me with Tobias King. Seriously. I’ll pick up the book every time 🤭. Check out my full review of The Finish Line by Kate Stewart below!

Book Information

The Finish Line follows Tobias King through two different eras in his life: The beginning (before Cecelia), and the future (winning Cecelia back). Shown in all his glory, The Finish Line gives you an in-depth look at Tobias’ childhood, his development of the brotherhood, and everything that came after. Now that Tobias is back for her, though, Cecelia has some plans of her own to finally make him trust and love her fully. 

Review | Heidi Dischler

I knew after Exodus that I’d just HAVE to read The Finish Line. Even though I didn’t like the first novel, Flock, as much as I liked these two, I still appreciate its place in this story. 

So, was The Finish Line worth it? Was it better than I thought Flock was? Yes, and yes. While I do agree with a lot of other reviewers that this book is very slow and can get boring at times, I appreciated the culmination of everything at the end (it’s worth it and I totally didn’t see it coming). Also, I will literally follow Tobias around like a puppy because, I mean, guys…

Anywayyy, this book largely is just a retelling of the events that led Tobias to come back to Cecelia. You get a LOT of new information, though, and it isn’t strictly stuff that happened in other books. You get a lot of his childhood, his time in France, and before he even met Cecelia in person. I truly enjoyed all of the backstory and thought it was worthwhile and not just a “retelling” from a different POV. The present day stuff gives you basically just Cecelia and Tobias arguing (and a shit ton of… angst and tension between them – I’m talking major spicy/steamy scenes throughout the book). At the end, you get a lot of action, but really only at the end. 

With our characters, obviously Cecelia and Tobias are perfect and well written. They also have the best chemistry ever (even if it may be a little toxic at times – healthy relationship? probably not). You get to see a little of Sean, some of Tyler, and mention of a few other characters, but mostly it’s just Cecelia and Tobias the whole entire time. 

Spoilers ahead.

Cecelia setting up an elaborate plan to get rid of Antoine, Greg, and the whole shebang? Wow, beautiful 👏🏻. Brings girl power to a whole new level. 

Honestly the whole novel I was like, “why is she still being this childish????” and then at the end with the reveal I got my “OHHHH” moment and I loved her again 😂.

Overall, I really did enjoy this conclusion to the series. I think we definitely needed it. Exodus is still obviously my favorite, but this one is a close second (with the first book, Flock, coming in dead last, which NEVER happens for me with series). I loved the chemistry, the tension, the romance, and the steamy scenes honestly added to their characters (weird to say, I know). Definitely a must-read for anyone who enjoyed Flock or Exodus!

Source: Audiobook from Audible

(P.S. You can read this book for free by signing up for a free trial of Everand, which gives you one free audiobook or ebook of your choice!)

"He’s back, my broken king. Though forever scarred, he’s whole again, and he’s completely mine."

– Kate Stewart, The Finish Line