An emotional and gripping romance about grief and the choice to move on. I absolutely loved this start to finish. I feel that some readers will may be put off with the fact that the FMC has romantic feelings for other people at the start of the book but it did not turn me off. It felt messier than most traditionally published romance novels want to go nowadays, and for that I give it two thumbs up for realism. But boy, when Feyi takes one look at Alim she has this instant attraction that develops into friendship and then to romantic love. 

I am so impressed at Emezi's agility in writing this story. At one point, lighthearted and in another moment filled with longing, their prose is perfect to match Feyi's character and romantic development. And Alim! He has my absolute heart; I loved his softness. I think Feyi and Alim truly are a match made in heaven and I applaud Emezi with creating a bond that felt so fraught in the beginning but by the end felt inevitable.

One word: corny! I can tell this was going for an emotional lite romance but the dialogue was SO. BAD. I just refuse to force myself through this for over 500 pages!

This was a damn near perfect read for me. Alexis and Daniel's relationship was so satisfying even if you just wanted to scream at them that they are grown adults and can make their own decisions! No but seriously, absolutely wonderful character development and pacing here. Those last few chapters were gut wrenching. 

I loved the setting, and the small town feel and although I didn't enjoy all aspects around the topic of domestic abuse/emotional and physical abuse, I do feel that the author tried to do it with care. I am definitely interested in reading more of this author's work.

I've found myself really hating the fake dating trope, but I loved it in this. It was so funny and it read like a movie. A very cute romance that didn't take itself too seriously.

Wow! This book about grief, loneliness, and abandonment really did a number on me. It felt like this was made for me (although I would be terrified if I was in Gyre's position). I don't know what it is with me and survivalist novels but they almost always work for me.

I loved how Starling built up the tension. The pacing is slow and a little maddening, but that felt intentional. it gave the reveals more depth. The realization that Gyre is way out of her depth here, Em's background and the history of this cave. All around, this was a very satisfying slow burn. Starling is not afraid to raise the stakes and the end felt so satisfying for it.

A 2.25 rating feels very generous. And yet, I am still going to give it that. The bones were there. The tragic backstories, the angst, the tension, and yet it felt a little under baked. Declan's words and actions were a borderline red flag. He was really possessive but not in a loveable aphahole way. And Iris is supposed to be black but it's only mentioned when she needs to wear a silk scarf to bed. Iris has dyslexia but she never talks about how being black and dyslexic affected her. Not that I think Lauren Asher should be the one to tell that story, it just felt a little a little flat in that regard. It was cute and had angst. Even though I don't appreciate a lot of what's in the book, I do see why it's loved because, as a I said before, the bones are there. I just wish more care was put into the story...and that Declan didn't act that way for most of the book.

What an amazing sequel! Incredibly fast paced and the stakes are even higher. Jackson is such a talented mystery writer -- she masterfully sprinkles clues, keeping you invested in the whodunnit and the people desperately seeking for answers. And yes, I did tear up at the end.

I am so excited to see what's next for Pip and the gang.