Holding On by Liz Colbert ~ Review

HOLDING ON

BOOK THREE IN THE CALLAHANS

Holding On by Liz Colbert KINDLE

Have you ever started a book and just immediately known you were going to fall in love with it? Not just with the writing style or the author’s storytelling ability, but from a single moment or line by a character? Yeah, that’s what happened to me today with HOLDING ON by Liz Colbert.

HOLDING ON is the third book in the Colbert’s The Callahans series and though it is the only one I’ve read to date (I swear I will be sorting that out shortly), it had hooked me the second I started reading it. In fact, I was barely two percent into the story when one of my favorite lines in the book popped up on page 8:

Holding On by Liz Colbert BOOK QUOTE1

It’s a simple line on the surface, sure. But it delivers exactly what I love about reading romance novels. Not only does the line list three of my favorite tropes in one (love at first sight, he falls first, best friend’s little sister), but just the way the author has the MMC internally deliver it in the moment had me swooning. Which is always a good sign when starting a new book by a new-to-me author.

So, did the book hold up to my initial love for it? Well, let’s talk about it, shall we?

CONTENT WARNING: This book contains scenes of on-page and historical domestic violence and verbal and physical abuse (NOT between MMC/FMC), parental neglect and abuse, body shaming, drug and alcohol usage (off page), mild physical violence, death of a parent (off page), death of a loved one (off page), negative foster care experiences (off page and historical), reckless and careless driving, and mentions of infertility and IVF (on and off page). You can find more details about these things below.

MY THOUGHTS

Colbert’s HOLDING ON started out strong, with a character having gone through something traumatic and her loved ones trying to find out more information about it. Then the author gives readers a little bit of a glimpse into the past by starting the first chapter eight and a half years prior in one POV and the second chapter five and a half years after that in another POV. I think both POVs and time glimpses were important for the development of the characters and the relationship in this story.

In the first glimpse, we get a feel for how Jack fell for Tinsley and when. In the second, we get a feel for how Tinsley views herself and her situation at this period of time in her life and in the story:

Holding On by Liz Colbert BOOK QUOTE2

Then comes the heartbreak. The deeper truth about Tinsley’s life that isn’t common knowledge, but a painful secret she carries with her throughout her life and career and even her family. She is definitely a woman holding on, but also someone who is clearly yearning for more freedom to be who she is and wants to be, too. It makes her all the more likeable, and made my heart break for her even more the deeper I got into her story.

GETTING DEEP

I will say, there was a lot going on in this book. Jack and Tinsley both had their own lives, with their own sets of troubles and secrets and fallouts, and it put the story into a complicated tangle that sometimes took away from the relationship while also giving each lead the chance to showcase who they are and what they are about. At times, I expected to hate the sideroads the author led me down, but in all honesty, I enjoyed this story so much, I didn’t mind getting to know the bigger picture of who Jack and Tinsley are and who the people they surround themselves with are as well. It gave the story a broader stroke while also giving a more intimate glimpse at both characters, and it was handled really, really well.

It’s quite interesting because normally, when I think I want something uncomplicated and easy to read, getting the exact opposite would annoy me. But this book was the opposite of that. I enjoyed the complication, and the natural flow to the words and storytelling made it an easy read for me despite the complications in the plotlines. Having amazing characters also helped.

HOLDING ON

The biggest thing about this story is that I liked both of the lead characters a lot. I felt for them, and I rooted for them, and I adored them whenever they interacted together. I liked seeing Tinsley get stronger and Jack become more and more protective of the people in his orbit, which definitely includes Tinsley. I loved that Tinsley learned how to lean on Jack and let him help her become stronger, more sure of herself and her own life, her own needs. No matter how bad her circumstances became, she still had people to depend on and support her and that truly made in a difference in how she saw herself, and saved herself, too.

If you’re looking for a fabulous, slow burn, romantic suspense read filled with emotion, heart, drama, darkness, and a little bit of spice, this might just be the read for you. I read this book as an ARC but I also got it in KU on release day to reread before writing this review. I’m so glad I did. I enjoyed the story and the characters even more the second time around.

RATING:

DETAILS AND INFORMATION

holding on title 2

I received an advanced reading copy (ARC) or advanced listening copy (ALC) of this book from the author, publisher, or publicist. The receipt of this ARC or ALC did not influence my choice to review the book on this site. It also did not influence how I felt about the book or its characters, storyline, and overall feel. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. As such, they only deal with what is written on the pages of the book and how what is written and otherwise presented made me feel during and after my reading of the book or how the book is presented in audio format and the narrators perform the book.

Holding On by Liz Colbert
Series: The Callahan's #3
Published by Colbert & Burns LLC, Indie on March 2, 2026
Genres: Billionaires & Millionaires, PopStar Romance, Romantic Suspense
Pages: 486
Format: E-Arc, Kindle Unlimited
Source: Publicist/PR
Buy: Amazon | Goodreads
Rating: five-stars

Series Rating: five-stars

She sparkles for the world, but her truth lives hidden in the shadows—until he steps into the darkness to help set her free.

Tinsley Sinclair seems to have it all—the fame, the fans, and an empire built on years of nonstop touring and relentless hustle. But not everything that glitters is gold. To the world, she's the country pop superstar with a charmed life. The truth runs darker than the spotlight ever shows—and it's getting too heavy for Tinsley to carry on her own.

Jack Callahan never expected the stunning redheaded goddess that stopped him in his tracks to end up being his best friend's little sister—let alone fall for her. But one night changes everything … until he wakes to an empty bed and a shattered heart. Tinsley may think she can avoid him, but Jack isn't the kind of man who gives up on someone who needs him—especially when it's her.

When Tinsley's backed into a corner with no way out, Jack doesn't hesitate to step in. But love—like life—rarely plays by the rules.

After tragedy strikes, Tinsley escapes to Forrest Falls, searching for peace and a place to heal. For the first time, she finds somewhere that feels like home—or what she's always imagined home could be. But freedom comes with a price, and facing her past might be the only way to protect the future she's finally brave enough to want.

Trigger Warnings for Holding On

Verbal and physical abuse (on-page and historical; never between MMC and FMC)
Parental neglect and abuse
Body shaming (never between MMC and FMC)
Drug use, including substance abuse and overdose (off-page)
Alcohol abuse
Mild physical violence
Death of a parent (off-page)
Death of a loved one (off-page)
Negative foster care experience (off-page and historical)
Reckless and dangerous driving
Mentions of infertility and the IVF process, including complications
Domestic violence (on-page and off-page; never between MMC and FMC)

This story includes open door romance scenes, adult themes and language, and some of the following content warnings may also include spoilers so please be advised if you want to go in blind. This is a work of fiction and creative liberties have been utilized, including but not limited to legal proceedings that occur. For those that prefer to be aware prior to reading, some sensitive subject matter includes verbal and physical abuse (both on page and historical but never between MMC and FMC), parental neglect and abuse, body shaming(never between FMC and MMC), drug use including both drug abuse and overdose (all off page), alcohol abuse, mild physical violence, death of parent (off page), negative foster care experience (off page and historical), reckless and dangerous driving, death of loved one (off page), mention of infertility and the IVF process including complications, and domestic violence (on page and off page, but never between FMC and MMC).