By Alexandra Wood

Magical realism/romance, 2024 by Alexandra Wood, 440 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

• This one feels like it has a slow start because you are kept in the dark about two pretty big plot points. Once they are revealed you get it but it is tough in the beginning. 

What I Did Like: 

• Emotions are a huge part of this story and the way Alexandra wrote them, with such detail, description and understanding was so powerful. Probably one of the easier things to overlook while reading but it had me absolutely wrecked with her at some points. 
• Francesca’s coming into her own and learning how to balance between her family’s ideas and her own was my favorite part of this story. This story is a tribute to being true to who you want to be and finding yourself. It’s such an amazingly woven tale and you will find so many life lessons sprinkled in Francesca and her journey. 
• I am a hopeless romantic so no surprise that I enjoyed Reed and Francesca. They have a slow burning romance that comes through in the background of every page.  It was sweet, heartbreaking, tough, and real. 

Who Should Read This One:  

• Anyone who enjoys a little bit of fantasy with realism thrown in, as well as romance readers both intro and seasoned.  This would even be great for some YA readers. There are some more “adult” discussions but older YA readers would be fine with this one.  

My Rating: 4 stars