As a big sister, this book made me cry. There were some absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking moments.

The reviews for this book are so harsh and I truly don’t get it. First of all, this is not a second chance romance: the two MC barely knew each other in high school let alone had any romance between them. Simply going to the same school (and being linked by the tragedy that occurred then) is not qualification for second chance romance. This is just two people with a complicated past coming together to overcome said past.

This book is told in dual pov and it switches mid chapter, which I think was aided by the great narration. I think it also lended to this reading like a movie (which makes sense since the author is a screenwriter). I’m not sure why people are so averse to this.

People think it’s insta love? Or was too fast?????? I… no. The only thing I can think of is that because the POVs are not chapter long maybe it reads as if it’s moving faster plot wise because the pov switches more often?! But I am extremely averse to instalove and this was not that. I thought the romance was so well done and hot 🥵 yes there is (good!!) spice.

So why not 5 stars?: mild spoilers

there is a third act breakup which is heavily forecasted based on the circumstances, and yet it still was hard to read. And it does drag on a tad, I just personally prefer either no breakup or like an easily resolved one. But I am a little forgiving considering the circumstances. And after it’s resolved the ending felt a little rushed.

 

This book also deals heavily with first generation American children dynamics with their parents. And I thought that was handled with care and thoughtfulness.

Overall I think this is a really beautiful romance that deals with grief at it’s core so maybe it’s not for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it.