Arlene

 Starts with a mistaken identity with Elena and Jack. 

Jack is a quarterback and Elena is a librarian (secret hobby/ job on the side).
It's a sports romance along with a small town where everyone knows everything about each other. 

They both carry their own trauma and hurt but it's so well written. 
Elena is a mix of strong and sweet. Jack has trust issues and we get to see his growth throughout their relationship, he is so loveable and awkward at times. 

I really enjoyed seeing the push and pull between them. There was also great friend support (Topher!!) and Jack's teammates' support for him.  

Jack's trust is like lace, filled with sharp edges and holes. Barely there. Delicate.Love is messy, and it takes two people to work at it, two willing people.“Broken people love the hardest because they appreciate the things that make their heart beat.”“My nana used to say that broken people love the hardest because they appreciate the things that make their heart beat. Do I make your heart beat?”

This has been a true friends to lovers book. Watching them grow together. 

The hardships they have had to go through with and without each other had me in a rollercoaster of emotions.

There were times where things Till did or said annoyed me but then I remembered they are so young throughout the book and we are literally seeing them grow up and mature! It made it realistic in the since of how someone their age would react to each situation they are put in. 

the only thing that really through me for a loop was Flint's POV, I got annoyed what his feelings were tha  were added.Also my new favorite saying:“You're okay. I'm Okay. We're Okay. Nothing else matters.”

I don't know why I put this off in my TBR for so long..
Was it the mixed reviews? Did I think it would be too cliche? IDK

Am I glad I read it finally? Heck Yea!

I absolutely loved Zahra! Her positivity and her back talk/no filter. She showed strength, recognizing we need to believe in ourselves and our self worth.

This definitely had me with the grumpy-sunshine trope.
“It's like she shits sprinkles and consumes rainbows for sustenance. I'm not sure what kind of fairy tale forest she was raised in, but no one can be this optimistic about everything.”

I was giggling like a teenager at so many parts and laughing at others. Their banter was perfect and not overly done in my opinion.

Rowan had me wanting to smack upside the head at a few parts, but when the man wants something he really fights for it. His attention to the little details about her and what she likes.... Omg I was a puddle on the floor!

I'm a florida girl so I was intrigued in the whole theme park (dreamland) scene going on. I really enjoyed it. The relationship between Rowan and Ani was amazing and heartwarming.

Do I want to read about Rowan's brothers? Yes. I put this book off and it surprised me in a good way. So I'm off to read about Declan.