I loved this so much!

Oh, my teenage heart!!! This is the kind of book I wish I’d had in high school. Honestly, I think every teen should read it. The story is filled with so many relatable moments and meaningful messages that feel both comforting and real.

I’m not usually someone who annotates or highlights, but I absolutely went to town on this one while reading it on Kindle Unlimited. For a debut YA romance, bravo to Pepper Basham. What a beautiful start to what I hope becomes a long list of clean, wholesome, and heartfelt YA romances. And can we talk about that cover? Absolutely adorable.

I loved getting to know Paisley and Chris in this sweet friends-to-more story. Their relationship was so endearing, and both characters felt genuine and easy to connect with. I was rooting for them the entire time. The little twists along the way kept things interesting without taking away from the cozy, heartfelt feel.

What stayed with me most were the deeper layers of the story. It beautifully touches on identity, friendship, self-worth, and the journey toward truly accepting who you are, all with a soft thread of faith woven throughout. Paisley is incredibly endearing, fully herself in a way that feels both genuine and inspiring. She’s surrounded by friends who love her as she is, not who they expect her to be. Her relationships with Chris and Molly felt honest and grounded, capturing both the joyful moments and the harder ones that come with real friendships. They stumble at times, but they choose to make things right, learn, and move forward together. It was so meaningful to see friendships portrayed with that kind of care and authenticity.

The story felt raw and honest in a way that a lot of YA books miss. It touches on real-life experiences teens go through, from making mistakes to figuring out their future (they are seniors in high school), navigating family dynamics, and discovering love, forgiveness, and self-acceptance. It made me laugh, swoon, and even tear up at times. The subtle faith elements added so much depth without ever feeling heavy-handed. This book truly touched my heart.

I also absolutely loved the small-town, cozy atmosphere woven throughout the story. There’s something so comforting about the setting that makes you want to curl up and stay there a while. With the homecoming events and all the nostalgic high school moments, this would be the perfect read for fall/autumn. It has that warm, seasonal feel that pairs so well with crisp air, cozy blankets, and a quiet afternoon of reading.

I sincerely hope the author continues writing stories like this for young readers. Books like this are SO needed today. I especially appreciated the clean content, with no language and no spice, just a genuinely heartfelt and uplifting story. 

I can’t recommend this enough!! Truly, six stars if I could!!!