Oh my god, this book was everything. I really didn't know what to expect from the blurb, but this just made me feel so many things, and I adore these characters.

Going into this, starting with that prologue, we don't know what exactly went down in Jude's past to get him where he was today. But his past had deeply affected him to the extent that he didn't trust anyone and kept his distance from everyone. I LOVED Jude's sense of humor and how he messed with Nora. His friendship with Blair was just so pure and amazing.

It hurt to see how much he was actually struggling when he was by himself and felt so utterly lonely for all these years, but his fears from his past wouldn't let him open up or let anyone in, and it was totally justified once we find out what happened. He tries keeping his distance from Blake, but Blake never stopped trying and basically didn't give Jude an option except staying. He does feel intrigued by Blake and finds himself wanting to know more about him and spend more time with him even when he's having inner conflicts between running away and staying. But as they start forming a friendship and hanging out, he can't help but feel good to be around Blake and keep their banter going.

Knowing Blake's past and how he was raised in foster care made me feel so bad for him, but I was also proud of the man he had become by putting in the hard work and surrounding himself with people who truly cared about him. I also loved how Blake slowly but surely became a part of Jude's friend group and formed a genuine friendship with both Blair and Nora. When Jude built Blake that blanket fort, and the way Blake reacted truly made my heart ache in the best way, and I got emotional.

Their relationship grew gradually, and Blake knew pushing Jude too much would result in him running, but at the same time Blake was also very open about wanting him and not letting him pull away like he usually did. Eventually Jude lets his guard down, and everything feels right with Blake, and it finally feels like he's found his home after being lost for all these years. It was truly amazing how well the two got to know each other that they'd know what the other needed before they did. I loved how Blake connected with Jude's dad and formed a bond with him. How nervous he was to meet him and not disappoint him.

I loved the found family aspect in this and how close Blair, Nora, Steph, and Jude were for so long. Jude's friends didn't let him pull away when he tried to and stayed by his side like his family. They called him out when they needed to but were also always there to be the voice of reason or the ones he could go to for everything.

This entire book was from Jude's POV, and the way the prologue went, I was hooked and invested in knowing what had happened for Jude to go from having the perfect family to becoming so cynical. When that revelation was made, my heart just broke for him and his parents. It was a tough choice. These characters really did what they had to in certain situations, and even if you wanted to hate some of them, you could still see where they were all coming from too. That whole plot was well written where you don't know whom to empathize with and can't really blame any party even if you want to.

That third-act breakup really broke my heart for Blake and Jude. I felt anger towards Blake for his role in it all, but I also felt his love when he put Jude first. That was a pivotal moment, especially knowing Blake's backstory. I definitely cried reading the letter from Blake to Jude because, damnnn. These two deserve the world, and I'm so happy they got it, as we see in the epilogue.