This has surpassed Bride as my favorite Ali Hazelwood book, which honestly I wasn't sure she'd ever do. I generally have liked most everything she's written, but this one I LOVED.

Maya is my favorite FMC that Ali has written. I loved how strong, witty and sure of herself she was. She spends the book telling Connor she knows what she wants and he just has to listen to her. I thought the age-gap was done well and mainly Connor not wanting to give into their connection is where the turmoil comes in. I loved how they formed a friendship over the course of a couple years and that we got to see the flashbacks of that happening. The YEARNING sent me to space! 

Connor is the perfect example of that brooding MMC that had a crap family dynamic, but he's not toxic. So many times I read this 'type' of guy but they actually just are assholes and treat the FMC horribly, so the romance comes out of nowhere. THIS IS NOT THAT! Connor despite still working through his inability to confidently express feelings all the time, is able to get there by forming the friendship first with Maya.

4.5 is about as high as I'll rate romance (unless it makes me cry which is a rare thing) but this one did have me in my feels for sure. I did at multiple points have to remind myself this was a romance so the HEA was all-but assured, but she kept me guessing for a while! Hats off Ali, MORE OF THIS PLEASE!

I also immediately went to follow the FMC narrator Elizabeth Lamont - a truly outstanding performance!