I mean. There are two things Ali does well. She writes smut well (I said. Can’t be mad about it) and she writes dynamic characters. I’m always so intrigued by the fact that I can find myself in anyone of her characters.

Rue is a socially anxious human with zero regard for if she upsets you. She’s being herself and while she may not be able to voice that she needs to hold on a little longer and learn her, she is indeed yearning for it. But also, ok if it doesn’t happen.

Eli is a life of the party person who’s seen so much of life and how it can hurt you. But he still has a propensity to love and is looking to be reminded … but hasn’t found someone who can point him back in that direction.

Cue, their meeting and life making more than enough sense and rights in bringing them together. Rue needs someone who is safe and allows her the ability to show up and not repress nor feel remorse for being herself. Eli is someone who see’s Rue from the get go and just wants to know her in all the ways she’ll let him. It’s an unconventional and wildly story where they find each other and in safety and love in each other.

ALSO. THE CALL BACK TO CHECK & MATE. I SCREAMED. REELED. LOVVVEEEDD.

And *sigh* once again, Ali gives me more of her characters to faun over. The Hazelverse is everything to me. Give me a book with all the characters being besties NEOW. Rue and Bea would be WONDERFUL together. Ahahaha