So, I totally just binge read this whole book in one sitting. And oh my god, I can’t even begin on how much I adored this book. I’ll start with something easy: how Maine it felt. As someone born and raised in Maine, I LOVE reading books set in the state. But very frequently they are written by non-Maine authors who miss these small details about living here that make it feel like a vacant stage. Roy does not do this. Roy paints a stunning picture of what it’s like living in Maine as a queer kid— I could genuinely see snapshots of my own hometown in some of the descriptions of setting, of people. It was such a marvel to read.

And now for the story itself. I was absolutely stunned by the weaving of timelines, the slow draw to reveal the end of the ‘before’ and the ‘after.’ It was so well done that it just completely sucked me in— hence why I read it in one sitting. I also really appreciated this subtle trope subversion that, just for spoilers reasons, I won’t go much into.

And now the characters. MY GOD did I fall in love with Tate and Leo. I sobbed during the last few pages of this book, not just because of the ending (no spoilers) but because of how attached I had gotten to them while reading this. They are beautifully well written and dynamic in a way that feels like a breath of fresh air.

So, to put it simply, read this book. Holy SHIT read this book.

(ARC exchanged for an honest review)