Plot: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Characters: 5/5

Overall reco: I would give this 6 Stars if I could. How do I write a review for a book that has so completely shifted my definition of good? The way that Tal Bauer drops paragraphs about something is just amazing. I feel like this is the first book that I've read that is dense with descriptions that didn't drive me so fucking mad. This was a slow burn, a delicious and agonizing slow burn.
But it wasn't just a story about 2 people falling in love and getting over trauma, it was a story about healing for both a dad and a son. Emmet and even Bowen's stuff was riveting and a joy to read about. Fuck I would read a novella about Emmet and Bowen's fucking friendship and be so happy for it. Watching the slow and methodical steps that Luke went through to try and find his way back to Emmett, it felt so honest. Every time Luke doubted himself it felt heartbreaking but understanding.
I loved the way that Luke would describe things. Yes, soul of an artist, but the whole time he was clearly falling for Landon he would think and say things that were so swoon worthy. I would have to pause reading and melt in those paragraphs. Landon's a lucky guy.
I feel like I can't recommend this enough. I honestly have the worst book hang over from this book now. I have a goal of 100 pages a day and I've done great all month but this book has put me in the best kind of tailspin.