here is something so relatable about the characters that Penny writes. I see bits and pieces of myself in their quirky nerdy selves and this one is no different. Ava and Des are both a little childish at times but not in this toxic way but in a way that reminds you that we all can be playful and still be adults. 

I loved seeing the other couples from Knitting in the City Series and knowing that these are a couple of their kids. It made me happy and also for a second realizing that as they became parents some of their charm was a little tarnished with seeing how they responded to their kids, specially Des with his mental health and ADHD needs but by the end of the story I realized like with so many of Penny’s books I need to see how she flushes it out, because Penny showcases how we can be flawed at time. 

Des is such a complex and multi-layered character. He has bipolar and ADHD. Seeing his struggle with his own internalized ableism was realistic. I also appreciated the way that Penny had other characters call him out on it too. He had a wide support network if he let people in but Des needed to figure some of that out on his own. I also appreciated seeing the complexity of his relationship with his dad and how that impacted him but how his dad had to own his mistakes. 

Ava is quirky, funny and reads a lot as someone on the demi spectrum with needing to be friends before anything happens with someone. It is part of her story with being inexperienced. 

I laughed a lot with this one. I felt for Des and Ava and was happy to see them together. I also appreciated the teach aspect with this one that didn’t come across in this overbearing way but more in what you would expect between two characters that respect, appreciate and love one another.