Such a sweet, emotional love story. I absolutely adored Rook, and Luka did eventually grow on me. Childhood friends to lovers with a little distance in the middle is my kryptonite and A.M. Johnson did it really well here. I've been really into small town romances lately and Hemlock Harbor sounds like a dream! Can't wait to for the rest of the series. 

•minor spoilers• 

What I loved about this book was that I was invested in the characters from the beginning. A few chapters in and I would do anything to protect Rook! A small town guy, struggling with his sexuality, missing his best friend, pulls at my little heart strings. I was mad at Luka for Rook, but by the end I did like him and glad he kept choosing Rook and their life together in Hemlock Harbor, my new favorite fictional place to live. 

My only complaint is that it kind of dragged in the second half. It was a lot of grief - which was very emotional and important - but I didn't feel that same connection to their relationship that I did at the very beginning. However, I was crying in the epilogue because they're so adorable and I loved seeing their HEA. I'm not usually a huge fan of flashbacks but I thought the little peeks were done perfectly and really fit into the story. 

I'm super interested in Ron's story next, apparently he was in Glow Up as a side character but I don't really remember him? And I've added Nora's old bosses book to my TBR list! I really like this author and didn't realize I had actually read a book of her's before. A nice and easy writing style, and I was really invested in their story. I'm too excited to get back to Hemlock Harbor with the next in the series. 

Edited to add: I looked up Ron! I totally forgot about the fact I was really looking forward to his story and Hemlock Harbor months and months ago when I read The Glow Up! Doubly excited now. 

Read if you like: 
• best friends to lovers 
• small town romance 
• demisexual representation