As I’ve come to expect from Annabel Monaghan, this book was so much more than “just” a summer romance. It’s a soulful rediscovery of who a woman is, her worth, her place, and how it feels to be loved for those things. It was a tough one to start because the beginning is in large part about losing her mother, but it morphs into a gorgeous romance that’s unapologetically lovely. In that regard, it was almost too simple, but Ali’s life is in such a messy, painful place that it’s exactly what it needs to be for balance. And it was nice to read about two people loving each other without drama. There’s minimal steam in this one, and no queer rep.

Short summary: Ali’s mom is gone and so is her husband, she’s on the verge of losing herself when her dog has…a moment. That becomes a launch point and Ali’s life is never the same.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐