Samantha Casey is an elementary school librarian (who doesn't love a librarian protagonist). In the days following the death of her mentor, she struggles with her dream job when the man she moved across the country to get away from becomes the new principal.

This book has the same easy readability and lovable characters as "Things You Save in a Fire" and "How to Walk Away". Center's novels feel like adult-themed YA books to me- in the best possible way. I love the big emotions and improbability of YA storylines, but I enjoy characters and situations that are more relatable.

Concerns and distractions amid COVID-19 had me really off my book game and this story was just what I needed to get immersed in an entertaining and compulsively readable book for a few days.
At one point I was starting to be disappointed that the book was predictable, but then it took a big plot swing and redeemed itself entirely.

Fans of Taylor Jenkin Reid, Marisa De Los Santos, and Abbi Waxman should enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's press, and NetGalley for an early copy of this novel.