"I don't know you enough to hate you. I just don't like what you stand for-the memory of what happened to my parents."

LORD. Brittainy Cherry knows how to pack a punch; she brings the heat and emotions like no one else, and [b:The Wreckage of Us|51338439|The Wreckage of Us|Brittainy C. Cherry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582557823l/51338439._SY75_.jpg|75862980] is her best love story to date. This coming-of-age/missed connections style tale worked so well for me, not only due to the perfect build up between Ian and Hazel, but the inclusion of realistic hardships that the characters face, both as a couple and separately. I absolutely adore reading novels where the characters have to heal themselves before being able to hold up a partner, and the author found a way to make each step of this couple's relationship feel relatable, yet enticing. While there are quite a few heavy, thematic elements to this story (domestic abuse, substance abuse, etc), there is still an overall hopeful and dreamy vibe to this book, which is a true hats off to B Cherry for managing to balance such opposite experiences in perfect harmony. If you haven't read one of her books before (and honestly, why haven't you?) then this one is a fantastic one to begin with! Highly recommended to readers looking for the whole package in their romance novel.

"You can't write the truth if you're lying to yourself."

"That night I promised myself that whenever I received the chance to help someone, I'd pay it forward in a heartbeat."

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.