It’s got all the drama and romance you’d want from a YA rom-com but it also brilliantly explores the impact complex and tumultuous family dynamics have on a person and the way they connect to the people and world around them. Whether it’s a physical journey, a relationship or a personal goal, the way the author constantly moves toward and then away from better positions keeps you hooked. Nikki never really seemed all that concerned about being made homeless, the story just assumed she had safety nets that aren't really very realistic, eg.

I absolutely adored the cover, and have looked at all the other books by this author and to my amazement they are all so joyful and colourful. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review! Mal's attempts to convince her not to leave is derailed by the disappearance of her sister Vai, Loved the connections between the characters.Without spoiling, there were bumps in the road with the way some reveals were done but I can’t complain as everything got addressed and wrapped up nicely. I love how soft Mal was- he made a stupid choice at the start but he was allowed to grow and come back from that and I didn't feel the defensive need to hold that against him (I tend to be unforgiving when it comes to love interests making mistakes oops).

The book is a heartbreaking and raw exploration of Nikki's struggle with her mother's cruelty, highlighting the impact of neglectful parenting on a person's light.from the beginning, it’s clear that nikki has feelings for mal, but unfortunately he just started dating someone else. Despite all of this, the constant push and pull of the narrative, in so many ways, keeps hooking you back into the story to know what happens next. I especially loved seeing him and his parents support her in dealing with her family issues, while never overstepping. She's both vulnerable and resilient, she takes care of her little sister but also needs to be taken care of; she exhausts herself trying to protect her heart from disappointment but still secretly kindles a hope that things will change.