I had to think about this review for a few days because there was a lot going on here. I liked the story overall, though it did slow down a bit in the middle. An interesting story of a forbidden romance that deals with the many ways of processing grief and loss. 

TW/CW: death of a parent, depression  

•minor spoilers• 

Starting this book, I was really intrigued by Easton. However as it went on I felt like his relationship with Cannon was a little imbalanced. Cannon was dealt a really crappy hand with his dad (a part of the plot I thought was done really well), and then had to support Easton while going through his own grief without support, and then had to change his life? I just wish Easton did a little more for him, which he kind of did at the end but Cannon was there for East in a lot more ways. They did have a really obvious physical connection, and I think the trauma bonding was what they needed to establish a more emotional one. At the end it did seem to be more of a mutual supportive relationship. 

I liked the beginning, I liked the end, but the middle just got really bogged down with all the grief. It was very emotional, but also really repetitive. Like both POVs would use the same phrases, repeatedly. It probably could've been shorter if condensed a bit, but I do recognize the need to go through the depth of loss and grief. 

I went back and forth with this rating, between under 4 and 4 stars, but overall I did like most of their story. I felt their trauma bonding and relationship was pretty unhealthy, but it did help them process their grief and their relationship matured beyond that. I know you can't judge how people grieve and all, so I guess if it worked for them! 

Read if you like: 
• forbidden romance 
• small town romance 
• hate to love