Right away from the beginning of the story, I got summer vibes since the story was set at a beach house, and told through past and present chapters it seemed like something big happened which resulted in Violet and Will’s families as well as them becoming estranged. In addition, both Violet and Will hadn’t seen each other in almost five years so there was the lingering question as to, “what exactly happened?” That resulted in Violet not wanting to see/ be around Will, and Will trying/ wanting to make amends with Violet. This story kind of reminded me of, “Love And Other Words”, “Every Summer After” since those books had similarities to, “The Infinity Between Us”. 

The story started with Violet coming back to the beach house she and her family use to go to all the time over the years, but for some reason they stopped due to something that happened five years ago. While at the house, which Violet wanted to sell so she could get rid of it, she was reunited with her former best friend, Will. Violet immediately wanted nothing to do with Will, and wanted to sell the house, while Will wanted to fix up the house and keep it. Ultimately, Will decided to offer Violet a deal, if she stayed for the summer and Will would try to convince why she use to love it, then they wouldn’t sell, but if she still wasn’t happy with the house, then Will would agree that she could sell it. Thus began Violet’s story back at the summer beach house where she and Will would spend their summers together.. back under the same roof.

Told through past and present chapters, you got to really see the relationship of Violet and Will five years ago when they were best friends, to the present where things were tense and uncomfortable between them. Throughout the beginning of the story, it was clear Violet held a grudge towards Will, something that we the readers don’t know what happened between them, but for Violet something that ultimately destroyed her friendship with Will. In addition, it gave kind of a mysterious/ unknown lingering question as to, “what exactly happened, and what did Will do?” 

This book had, friends to lovers trope, but more specifically friends to lovers to estranged to lovers again. In addition, there was forced proximity since both Violet and Will were staying at the beach house together, and all the summery vibes throughout the story. While some parts of the book were lighthearted, through some of the past/ present chapters, there were still some dark, emotional parts with mentions of grief, death/ death of a parent. Along the story of Violet and Will, the thing that ripped them apart was also a significant part in the plot and their story. 

The present chapters showed Violet trying to make sense of what Will was now that the five years had passed between them and what he had been up to. Despite not having spoken to each other in a couple of years, there was still a sense of familiarity Violet couldn’t shake from Will. Even when Violet would try to suppress her smiles from Will’s jokes or the sudden memories of their Violet, deep down Violet couldn’t help the nostalgia that washed over her. 

I found Violet to be interesting, especially in terms of in the past when she tried to deny her feelings for Will. I feel like in most past and present stories, in the past, the characters tend to accept their feelings for the other person or initially start off as secret crushed and eventually get to dating, etc. With Violet, in the past when she realized her feelings for Will were starting to shift from friendship to more, she tried to suppress the feelings within her. Despite her thinking, “nope, not going to happen, he’s just my best friend”, Violet couldn’t deny that ultimately what she and Will had was unique and beautiful. In addition, through the past chapters, I felt like there was a good under the surface feeling in terms of Will’s feelings for Violet. Through the smallest actions from his change in behavior around Violet to the way he spoke to her, and more, it was clear that even before they both admitted their feelings for each other (in the past) it was clear to everyone that those two would end up together. Now cut to the present and, Violet and Will were estranged strangers working their way back to the natural flow they use to have. Over the course of the story, the progression of Violet and Will becoming friends again to then romantically involved was done very well. 

This story at its core had different themes surrounding the plot. From dealing with grief, the loss of a loved one, and first love, N.S. Perkins did a lovely job portraying that through Violet and Will. The idea of first love was seen through Violet and Will, their love was founded on friendship and became more that summer five years ago. Violet learned more about what she wanted with Will and experiencing the highs and lows of being in love. Will was attentive, kind, and thoughtful with Violet even in the present chapters. I truly did love the chemistry between Violet and Will and even in the moments such as during the past chapters were they finally admitted their feelings for one another, I was happy for them.

Once I got to the part of the story that I had been questioning since the beginning of the book with, “what happened that caused the big rift between everyone?” I was shocked to say the least. In a way it was a mix of a plot twist, but mainly a big, shocking reveal that truly did break Violet’s and Will’s family apart as well as their relationship. My heart broke for Violet, that day five years ago felt like the ending for her, not only did she lose her mom, but she lost people she was close with, and the person she loved most. Now knowing what happened, it cleared things up with the overall plot, and despite the heartbreak that resulted in that tragic event, I will say it was an unexpected surprise for me that I enjoyed (in terms of the plot.)

The romance was fantastic from Violet and Will sharing stolen touches and kisses five years ago, to them being adults and rediscovering the connection they’ve always had, I was swooning, excited, and quite frankly breathless. Now, Will was definitely the man who made sure to make Violet comfortable at all times, but OMG I WASN’T EXPECTING HIM TO BE A DIRTY TALKER AHHHHH I LOVED IT! He may look and come off as, “oh I’m just a chill, reserved guy” Psh yeah right! That man knew what he was doing he was equal parts romantic and downright passionate with Violet. Needless to say, Violet and Will had amazing chemistry that was *chef’s kiss! 

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!! WHEN I READ THAT ADELAIDE AND MATTHIAS MADE AN APPEARANCE TOWARDS THE END OF THE BOOK I WAS SO HAPPY AND GIDDY! I HAD TO RE READ AGAIN TO MAKE SURE I WASN’T HALLUCINATING! MY FAVES INCLUDED IN THIS STORY WITH NEW CHARACTERS THAT I ALSO FELL IN LOVE WITH! OMG! N.S. Perkins you beautiful genius!

This book was absolutely amazing! I fell in love with Violet and Will, their story told through past and present chapters really made the story more fascinating and created more of an impact to their overall plot. From little cameos of characters from, “A Risk On Forever”, the bond between Violet and Will, their romance, friendship, the loss and grief they both experienced, this was a beautifully written story that clearly you can tell from this review, I am completely obsessed with. I loved the epilogue (of course duh) and this story had the perfect amount of everything that I could have ever wanted.