⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The magical realism in this book felt like stepping into a world I already knew. The psychics, the premonitions, it reminded me of the stories I grew up with, the same way The House of Spirits always felt like a perfectly normal portrayal of my culture. I loved that.Rue’s connection with animals is a beautiful part of the story. She doesn’t just love them; she understands them, and they understand her back. River has his own kind of magic — he knows the weather like it’s a language only he can hear. Their gifts clash and cling in a way that makes their love story feel enchanted.
Both carry scars from their past. River’s loneliness, shaped by parents who weren’t there when he needed them most. Rue’s tragic childhood, the loss she can’t outrun, the storm she carries inside. For ten years, her only anchor has been Ivy, River’s sister. So from the very beginning, I felt that River and Rue had something between them — something old, something denied, something waiting.
The PAC brings them close again, and that nearness unravels every wall they built. River sees the truth first, and he practically drags Rue toward it, kicking and screaming, and it’s such a fun, wild, emotional ride.
The story balances chaos with humor, magic with heartbreak. Their conversations about their pasts are tender and painful. Their art makes their feelings feel more colorful, more intense. And the side characters — the PAC crew, the possessed golf cart, Lenny the stray who watches over Rue — all add so much color and charm.
A beautiful, emotional, magical romance that left me smiling, and completely in love with these characters.
Purchase link
About the author
When not writing or reading, the author can be found gardening barefoot or chasing her spirited daughter. Some of her favorite things are puzzles, podcasts, and small dogs that resemble Ewoks. Home is Portland, Oregon.
Connect with L.M. Halloran:
https://www.lmhalloran.com/links/
