sofia_bookishwanderess's reviews
1441 reviews

 Friends to lovers is the superior trope and this book absolutely delivered. The pining and the tension between the main characters after so many years of hiding their emotions were so good. The road trip storyline was a clever choice - it gave them alone time to make them confront their feelings.

I also adored the side characters and their relentless teasing of the main couple. There's a scene featuring the couple from the next book in the series, and it left me genuinely excited to read their story.

That said, I loved the first 60% of the book more than the last 40%. The pacing dragged a bit toward the end, which is something I've noticed in other Elsie Silver books. They tend to feel a little too long for my taste. Still, this was an enjoyable read, and I can't wait to pick up the next installment! 

The writing is outstanding, the main character's voice is captivating and there are unexpected reveals. The book thoughtfully explores the concept of Jim as a persona behind which James conceals himself. Through this idea, the book offers sharp, insightful commentary on slavery and the transformative power of language and education.