Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

I’ve felt the earth move under my feet more than a few times. Felt the crump of buildings collapsing. Been shaken by shells that split soul from soul like earthquakes. Rowan’s song? It’s seismic.

I’m not quite sure how to rate and review this one. I enjoyed large parts of it and I thought the characters were sweet and interesting. The writing was certainly a bit different too, which I sometimes enjoyed and sometimes didn’t. The book did feel more like a story about Rowan’s life in general and his life as a teacher, and not at all a romance. The MCs are sleeping together through most of the book but they never actually talk about anything. So much of the focus is on processing trauma and helping the students with theirs. The book dragged a lot in those moments with long scenes talking with other teachers (SO many of them), as well as a lot of repeated internal dialogue.

As I mentioned, I did like both MCs, but there wasn’t actually a lot going on there except for sexual chemistry. It felt like they never had a proper conversation, not one that wasn’t vague at least. There’s only so much relationship development I can infer from stolen glances and almost smiles. They get their happy ending but I wasn’t awfully invested in seeing it.

It won’t be fully dark for hours yet, so I don’t know why there are so many stars in his eyes.


⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
British setting
Second chance
Former military
Ex boy band member
Size difference
Fast burn - physically
Slow burn - emotionally
Hookup to more
Casual sex
Mild hurt/comfort

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mention of MC photographed nude against will (past)
Nude photo of MC published (past)
Mention of MC being sexually harassed (past)
References to military combat (past)
Medical discharge from military (past)
Brief mentions of suicidal ideation
Mentions of death of parent (past)
Details of children being displaced because of conflict/war
Details of bereavement
PTSD symptoms
Explicit sexual content
Vague mentions of MC being drugged (past, off page, no details)
MC blackmailed (past)

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 23 and ‘almost thirty’
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 380
Happy ending: Yes


He yanks at my belt and almost gives himself a black eye. Shoves up my shirt, and almost brains me, which is no reason for him to cackle, but here we are, both in a tangle, both laughing and kissing. His mouth is molten, and I still don’t know how I got this lucky or how any of this started.



You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr