This was the 3rd book in my book club's selection for the year and honestly out of the 3 we have read, this one was my favorite. The group was definitely split in how they liked the book which brought for a good discussion.

"But capturing a moment on film keeps that moment alive, forever. To me, photography was magic.

I thought this read really quick and I was invested in the story pretty early on. Did the story seem a little unrealistic? Sure but I didn't mind. I was able to just be a spectator of this whirlwind romance of these two young kids who blossom into teenagers. I can't say that I know many couples that have gone from being middle or high school boyfriend and girlfriend into adulthood but I could believe that it exists out there.  Poppy and Rune loved hard and everyone around them saw it.   

I didn't find myself getting super emotional while reading compared to others in my book club but there were moments I found relatable. There was a moment where

Rune expresses how Poppy wouldn't be able to write a message on her jar hearts for her wedding day kiss, she would never be a mamaw, reading the kiss messages as a grandmother; and that just hit me from a different perspective as someone who can't have kids because I'll never get to experience that as well. I also thought about my husband's parents who both died from cancer whom I never met and how much they have missed of their grandkids lives and never meeting the one maybe two

.  I definitely could see why my reader friends didn't enjoy this and could understand the fault but it just wasn't anything that bothered me enough. Perhaps it was the hopeless romantic in me who just loves reading about love at all ages.   

I was thankful that this book didn't divulge too much into treatment as I think that could have made reading a little more difficult to get through. We already knew what the outcome was going to be so I wouldn't think we would need all the other cancer related in there. It was nice just seeing Poppy just live her life even though I wish she would've told her friends as they could've had more time to process it.

"Rune Erik Kristiansen, do you realize how utterly beautiful you are?...Do you realize how deeply I feel about you?"

I don't know why I enjoyed the book so much given the context of the book but I really did. I love the relationship that Poppy and Rune. They definitely felt wise beyond their years. Chapter 10 was my favorite chapter in the book. I just loved everything in it!  I do wish we could've gotten more of the relationship that Poppy had with her sisters especially with the follow up focusing on Savannah.
 
I do I highly recommend reading the bonus scene if you are planning on reading the next book in the series as it kind of is the bridge between the two books.  I also recommend searching for the video of the author talking about the ending. It definitely helps in understanding the epilogue and her decision to not include certain things. Even with this knowledge I could've done without the epilogue. 

I am happy I have read this as I had been wanting to for awhile. 
The reviews are mixed so go in with an open mind and heart and if it speaks to you, great! 
And if it doesn't, that's okay too! 

Swoon: 10/10
Karaoke: sadly no