3.5 Heartwarming Stars (rounded up)

This was my first Katherine Center book and it certainly won't be my last. It's clear message of choosing to live life with joy presented a pleasant and much welcome escape from our reality right now. This was a slow burn story, centered more of community than a love story - although it did have that too. The community at this school and all the secondary characters were what made the story special in my opinion. I was endeared to the quirky characters, especially little Clay.

While the storyline does deal with some emotional and heavy themes such as death and school safety, it does so in a way that brings hope front and center.

I had an opportunity to chat with Katherine Center about the book, her writing and an array of other topics. She is a lovely person and it is evident that she pours her heart into her characters and books. I will certainly be reading her other books which seem to have many rave reviews.

Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.