“None of us know how to handle something we've never been through before. All we can do is learn from it. Use it to better ourselves.”

I almost gave this one five stars; it was so close! Going in, I expected a lighthearted rom-com, and while it delivered those elements on the surface, I was pleasantly surprised by how much depth it offered. Beneath its cute, sweet premise, the story delves into profound themes of trauma, grief, self-blame, and the regret of missed opportunities, adding layers of complexity that made it so much more impactful than I initially anticipated.

Unfortunately, while the male protagonist was instantly lovable, the female lead tested my patience with her self-sabotaging tendencies and habit of assuming the worst about everyone. While she does grow over the course of the story, I wish she’d started with a few more redeeming qualities to balance things out.

Despite my frustrations with her, the book’s deeper messages and emotional-growth arc made it a satisfying read.