His Secret Illuminations

What an absolute breakout surprise this was.

I knew I'd most likely like this book just from the plot summary but I had no idea how much I would genuinely ADORE it. I will admit that I was originally drawn in with the tall woman x small man trope, I have no shame in that, and while the book definitely indulges you in that particular story it also brings in some really deep messages and meanings that I genuinely didn't expect.

Lucían's struggle with his religion (one that he had been practically smothered in as he grew up) and discovering the wider world and his struggles with his own wants and dreams now that he was away from the monastery were just heartbreaking. The parallels of very real-world issues of fighting against what you want versus what you are told to want, and how you feel when you realize those are two different things were handled so beautifully by the author. His struggle with his faith was so raw and, while it was comical sometimes for the sake of the romance and to emphasize their attraction to one another, it was still deeply moving.

Lucían as a character I also just adored. He's so kind and sweet and he just shines with the want to make the world better. Watching him discover the world and growing into his own person was so heartwarming to witness. I'm also particularly biased towards healer characters and one particular scene of him taking charge and healing a family had me tearing up to see him so confident and in his element when he was normally hesitant as he felt out of his depth with everything.

This book was much more character-focused than plot-focused but that didn't take away from the enjoyment at ALL. I can't wait to get into the next book to see their relationship develop more and to get to the plot they planted the seeds for in this book. 

Such an underground hit. I can't believe this book isn't more popular. If it interests you in the slightest: read it.