I really took my time with this one! Thank you for the ARC!

“New Growth” is a tender, heart-wrenching journey through grief, healing, and rediscovery — a story that quietly wraps itself around you and doesn’t let go.

Elliot “Ellie” Sawyer is navigating a storm of loss, after losing the one person who truly understood her. Just as she's trying to catch her breath, life delivers another blow — a betrayal so personal, it shakes her to her core. Her pain is palpable, raw, and deeply human.

Enter Elliot “El” Greene — and he is simply unforgettable. Steady, compassionate, and emotionally present, El brings a gentle strength that never overshadows Ellie’s process. Even while managing his own inner struggles, he holds space for her in a way that feels safe and unforced.

Ellie’s journey isn’t easy — she makes choices that are frustrating at times, but they’re honest. What kept me rooted was El’s quiet commitment and the grace with which he walks beside her, never pushing, never rushing — just being there. His kind of love is rare, and it shows.

If there’s one thing I wished for, it was a glimpse of Ellie’s growth a bit sooner. But perhaps that’s the beauty of it — real healing takes time, and this story honors that truth with care.

Taahesi crafts something deeply special here. Her writing is vivid and emotionally layered, and her ability to write a male lead who is both strong and soft is remarkable. El isn’t just “the love interest” — he’s a reflection of what it means to show up with intention, even when it’s hard.

This book is more than a romance — it’s a deeply emotional look at what it means to begin again when everything feels broken. It gently reminds us that pain doesn’t disappear overnight, but love — especially the patient kind — can be a guiding light.

If you choose to read this, do so with tenderness. “New Growth” explores heavy themes — grief, addiction, chronic illness, and family trauma — but it does so with empathy and care. And for those ready to sit with it, this story offers something truly meaningful.

Taahesi’s voice is confident and poetic, and though this is only her second book, it reads with the grace of someone who knows exactly what she wants to say. She invites us to feel, to reflect, and maybe even to heal alongside her characters.

Take a breath, open your heart, and let this story unfold. You won’t regret it.