This is the first book I’ve read by this author and definitely not my last. This is not your typical romance novel. It’s not cute or feel good, but it’s raw and beautiful with a HEA. I was hooked from the beginning and read this book in one sitting.

This story follows Mila Lindley and Tristan Li. Tristan and Mila meet while in high school. They instantly connect and become more than friends, but their relationship becomes extremely toxic and unstable, forcing them to eventually go their own ways. After years of not speaking to each other, Mila walks into her first college class and not only accidentally sits down next to Tristan, but also finds out they have to be lab partners for the semester. Their forced proximity forces them to face their past and all of the misunderstandings that led them to where they are now.

I loved Tristan and Mila’s story. Mila is sad and lonely with mommy/daddy issues. Tristan is angry, possessive, and struggling with his mental health. Both have a warped view on what love is and should be. Their story is the perfect representation of “hurt people, hurt people.” It’s a beautiful story about finding healing from past trauma and hurt. It’s about reconciliation. It’s told in dual POV and goes between past and present (which, by the way, Elle does perfectly!) I was a little disappointed with how things were resolved in the end. Some things came to light towards the end of the book that I feel like should’ve been addressed more and it kind of felt rushed. This read was a rollercoaster and Tristan and Mila’s relationship was definitely “a little unstable”