This story, wow, this story was different for me. The love that Mindy and Michele have for these characters was so tangible right from page one. Immediately I just fell in love. The love in the story is so palpable, when the characters hurt, I hurt; when they were happy, I was happy. Every chapter I devoured, ready with anticipation for what’s going to come next.
Maybe it’s because they’re second generation stories. There’s a tie to their world with other books that were so real and beautiful to me. So when reading Nova and Dev’s story, there was a sense of familiarity and home.
(And not forgetting getting to see some familiar faces again!)
Nova and Dev’s story is far from simple, and I quite like that. Sometimes a story isn’t so straight forward. Sometimes it really is the right person, but just at the wrong time.
Nova is a real mix of Brett & Ruby (and I believe, a little bit of the that Amber spirit too). She is confident and strong minded, with a soft vulnerability and gentle soul. A mad planner like her mum, but spontaneous and adventurous like her dad. There was so much in Nova that I saw in myself, and maybe that’s why I connected to her so much as a character.
Dev pleasantly surprised me. What I first believed to be your typical player jock, actually shattered all my preconceptions. Naturally, he’s the heartthrob we would all love to meet IRL… but, there is so so so much more than meets the eye. There’s a real depth, and maturity to him, as well as there being that level of boyish cheekiness that is irresistible.
The book also tackles some hard themes. I guess that’s why I love Mindy and Michele’s writing so much; they don’t shy away from talking about the horrors that people can face in this world. They balance the beauty and magic of fiction, with a bit of the ugly and realness of our world; they give a voice to those who need to be heard.
Overall, this book is just a masterpiece. It’s one that I’ve come to love so intensely, that I will probably struggle to live back in “the real world”. Their story is so beautiful and chaotic and raw; the love the leads have for one another, is just so contagious and so right. It’s a rollercoaster ride, with some moments of anguish and frustration (deffo torture!), some great tasteful spicy moments 🥵🔥, with some good little shocking dark moments too (I’m assuming that’s Mindy’s doing 😉😂). But their journey, despite it being a rollercoaster, is SO totally worth it!!!
I know for sure that Nova and Dev have a place in my heart right next to Ridley & Rea and Brynn & Hayden!
Thank you ladies, truly! ❤️