This story felt so real to me. It was told in such an unassuming, down-to-earth way that it just hit.
At first, I thought it was going to be a sweet, forgettable romance—the kind you read, enjoy, and promptly forget. Boy, was I wrong.

I don’t have many triggers, but It should be noted (somewhere other than the end of the book) that this book deals with heavy topics like house fires, extensive burn scars, and domestic violence.

Life is hard, and this story doesn’t shy away from that. What I loved was how it evolved—just when it seemed like another run of the mill love story, little details about the characters were revealed, making them feel so real and layered. It wasn’t insta-love, which I appreciated. Instead, it was a medium-slow burn that felt right for the characters.

This one hit close to home for me. A loved family member survived burns on 75% of their body, and reading Wren’s experience with his accident and recovery felt authentic. No embellishments, no dramatics—just the raw, honest truth. I loved him for that.
I also related to the domestic violence aspect of the story. Not a walk in the park, but the way it was handled felt respectful and real. If you want to understand the cycle of violence, read this book.

The story is told through Wren’s POV, who is level-headed, take-no-bullshit, and quietly sweet. It’s a romance, yes, but it’s also so much more than that.