Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

Grief was like the great Southern Ocean; it moved in ebbs and flows, often turbulent and rough, or peaceful and settled, and even over time when I could navigate the waters, the tide never stopped.

This was my third time reading/listening to this book, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. It’s heartbreaking, but so so beautiful as well. I’ve loved every N.R Walker book I’ve read, but this one is very special, and might have some of the prettiest writing she has done. The imagery and world she has managed to create in this book is just stunning.

It was as though he was the personification of this coast, this ocean. He was browns, blues, and greys, just like the scenery behind him, with a spark of life in his eyes but a sadness too. A little worn, rugged, weathered, but beautiful all the same.

Both MCs are incredibly easy to love, and I wanted them to be happy together basically from the first time they interacted. One MC is a widower and has to deal with the guilt of moving on (very tastefully done, I will say), while the other has been the victim of domestic abuse for a very long time. To say they have some hurdles to overcome is an understatement, but they both deserve to be happy. The author handled both of these topics with a lot of care and sensitivity, and it paid off. Beautiful characters and a beautiful story. Highly recommend.

“Kind of like I’m lost at sea and you’re the lighthouse and safe harbour. I know when I’m with you, no one can hurt me.”

It also has one of the prettiest covers ever.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Widower
Slow burn
Abusive ex
Age gap
New identity
Hurt/comfort

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Wildfire
Domestic abuse
Physical abuse
(Some of the abuse is detailed, in the past)
Grief
Death of a partner (past)
Brief mention of drowning (not detailed)

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles

How was it possible that this younger man could level me so completely? I was older, I had more experience. I was fourteen years older than him—I’d had my first kiss before he was born, for God’s sake… Oh God. I’d had my first kiss before he was born.

“May the stars forever guide us, and may this lighthouse bring us home.”