Ahhh I really liked this. I had some small issues with Written in the Stars (a lot of them came from the fact that it was obvious the story was going to be a series, and it felt like things were purposely left open to have more content left later + lack of an epilogue to fully round off El and Darcy's story), but I didn't have any of the same issues here!

I really liked the characters in this one, especially Brendon. He's just such a soft, wholesome guy, and while I don't always love guy POVs in romances, his was just full of love for Annie that I didn't even mind it. I also really liked how genuine and thoughtful he was, and honestly he just made the whole book for me. I feel less strongly about Annie, I liked her but she didn't stand out for me as much as El and Darcy did in comparison. But it didn't matter because they were super cute together!

I also liked the role the side characters played in the story, and that they provided some time and space outside of the main couple to really think things through and see the relationship in another light (since otherwise it could've easily come off as insta-love or moving waaay too fast, which it already kinda was). I also liked that the book was dominated by El and Darcy's background stuff, it was just a nice constant presence to remind readers that the world isn't just about Annie and Brendon. It also makes me really excited for the next book, to see how Annie and Brendon blend into the background of the next story! I feel like this is the perfect way to have a continuous cast in romance, and I loved it.

I also liked that the main hindrance to the romance was less frustrating than most, with Annie admitting things to herself faster yet being hung up on still semi-realistic and fair things. It didn't feel false like some 'third-act breakups' sometimes do, though I did get frustrated with how long this dragged on or how repetitive the build up was. I also would've liked a bit more happy moments without the doom of the future hanging over everything, but it fit in with Annie's thoughts in a way. The main reason I rated this one less star, however, was due to a small bit about the ending. It was just a thing that irked me a little, and really doesn't matter in the bigger picture, but I hated that

Spoiler

Annie sorta let Brendon believe she picked London for a few days so she could save the big gesture for the 4th of July. Like it was one thing if he was just left unsure a little longer, but it had obviously based the deadline of Annie picking anything besides London and she did play into his assumption that London is what she had picked. It just seemed really cruel, her not confirming but letting him assume. I know his POV showed he didn't mind, but I minded!!!

Anyways, this book did solidify that I like and enjoy Bellefleur's romances, and now I can't wait for the next one!