I loved this book and couldn't stop gushing about it as I read it to anyone who would listen. Present Me read this with more than a bit of nostalgia for Younger me because she would have really eaten this book up. I really identified with Tessa, not just in the writing aspect (since I was one who was always writing romance stories growing up, a habit I desperately need to get back into) and I had my own beta reader like she did with Caroline.

I also felt Tessa was written in a believable fashion. She was a shy girl who didn't have many friends, so moving was tough on her. I love that the first interaction between Lenore and Tessa was positive because I don't think that type of female solidarity enough in fiction, regardless of the age it's targeted out. It's becoming more prevalent but still as common as one might like.

I also really enjoyed the slow build up between Sam and Tessa since they started as friends, which is second favorite trope. Sam was the constant for her and even when they got upset with each other, they still had that connection (well up to the end because spoilers).

I also enjoyed the disability representation with Miles, her brother, and how well that was handled. It makes sense when you read the back and see that the author was a Special Education teacher for a period of time. But Elise never resented her brother and even when she got frustrated at the pressure, ultimately she wanted to be there for him and help take care of him because that was her brother. And the way people treated Miles played a large hand in showing Tessa who her true friends here (again won't broach too much into that because spoilers).

The ending is a HEA even if it's not as neatly tied up as one might like. I wavered on whether I liked it because I decided I did because there was a resolution to the romance, but ultimately it was about Tessa becoming confident in herself and her writing, which was an Achilles heel for her throughout the book. It was also about her being seen, both visually and for her work, and that was something she overcame. This was beautiful book that I adored and will recommend to all my friends. I can't wait to see what else Elise Bryant has in store for us in the future.