“Contemporary Romance is a very much hit or miss for me and this one was charming in every way.”

Review by Rayleigh Setser

Emma Hill’s debut novel explores family, mental illness, mind-Reading, and the wonderfully terrible uncertainty of love.

All Elle Coker wants is to fade into the background. As a Reader with intrusive thoughts, she’s got enough on her mind — and it’s hard to blend when you’re in everyone’s head.

An out-of-state internship offers Elle a chance to escape her small-town life and use her Reading as a skill, not a curse. But changing cities doesn’t change who you are; the other interns still see Elle as a permanent outsider.

Enter Christopher, the concept artist with his own problems back home. And the smile that quiets the noise in Elle’s mind.

Elle and Christopher could fall in love. Maybe. But, as two people still trying to figure out how they fit into the world, would it be worth the risk?

I have 18 quotes highlighted, and I want to share them all! 

"And what I think, at least, is that you are worth the maybes." 

Contemporary Romance is a very much hit or miss for me and this one was charming in every way. I loved the simplicity of the plot and the little touch of fantasy sprinkled in to keep my fantasy-hungry side satisfied. Elle was such a sweet main character! I think what I loved about her most is that she was "real". She deals with OCD and anxiety, and the "afterthoughts" were a very creative way to put that into perspective for someone who doesn't know what it's like to have those thoughts constantly invading one's mental space. But she cares deeply and I related to her need to take care of her sister and try to fix her mom's problems. 

"Don't make life decisions at midnight." 

Christopher was a bundle of adorable-ness! I loved his heart and how just sweet and compassionate he is. I also appreciated how he processed the dilemma with his parents and his brother as an 18-year-old. My first reaction was that he was being a little selfish, but it was room for him to grow and I know that at his age, there was still a lot that he didn't understand. But the way he chose to love Elle was just so pure and made me smile. 

"White like a rainbow was white. White like every color in the universe had converged at once and it was too beautiful for her to see." 

And on the topic of Christopher's brother, Martin and Thea need their own book! I ADORED them and their whole side-plot was near and dear to my heart. I would love a book about them because they were such a solid and adorable couple. Plus, Martin made me laugh so much.

"Beautiful wife, beautiful beer, beautiful peanut butter socks. What's not to be happy about?" ~Martin

Overall, I adored this romance and cannot wait for more books from this up-and-coming author! 

Content Info: (PG13) Romance consists of a few make-out scenes (no grabby hands) | No cursing | No gore. 
Trigger warnings: Infertility | Adoption | Anxiety & OCD | Divorced parents

Content Ratings:

0. None.

3.  Moderate content (heavier kissing but no grabby hands).

0. None.

Other Trigger Warnings:

Content Info: (PG13) Romance consists of a few make-out scenes (no grabby hands) | No cursing | No gore. Trigger warnings: Infertility | Adoption | Anxiety & OCD | Divorced parents

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