This was a very sweet, slow burn frenemies to lovers. It is one of those books that I can feel the emotion in my palms, if that makes any sense.

Because I have sunk so far into smut reading, this is a different sort of romance than I currently read, but the kind of romance that got me re-started in reading romance years ago at this point. This is one of those romances that I would recommend to someone who is interested in dipping a toe into romance reading. Slow burns are great for that introduction!

I could really feel Hazel’s anguish and repression coming off the page. This was apparent in all of her relationships to some degree. Her understandable anger at her Dad’s uncommunicated desires, and how that impacted her relationships as an adult with a scorched earth approach, but also being such a people pleaser that it kills her off. I love Ash(er)’s support of her, and how he struggled with what was right for him to do. Total cinnamon roll hero. Love to see it!

I wish there was more of Sylvia (BFF), I really liked her contributions to the story and Hazel’s evolution. But she was so awesome, I wish there was more of her! I wish that Justin hadn’t appeared at all, that fucking guy. He seemed like such a small tipping point for everything else that ended up pressuring her to say something and fix the communication issues.

Good dialogue, nice pacing, absolutely infuriating issues with communication (which I usually hate, but worked well), great descriptions. I think one of the reasons I didn’t hate the miscommunication trope in this book is because it is deeper than just they aren’t talking about things. Running is a pattern for her, ingrained deep due to her childhood traumas and creating issues for her with her own self worth. It’s so much more than a refusal to talk about something simple and ridiculous. It makes the whole story much more relatable.

I would definitely recommend you give this a read, beginner romance or not. It’s worth the time.

Tropes
One Bed
Frenemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
Miscommunication