This was a new-to-me author, and I was intrigued by the premise. The storytelling was solid, and I started out strong, fully invested in the characters and their dynamic. However, just over the halfway mark, I struggled to stay engaged. The story felt unnecessarily long, which slowed the momentum for me. That said, I’m a mood reader, so it could have been a me problem. Still, it had its strengths, and I’d be open to reading more from this author in the future.