Thank you to the author and publisher for the chance to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I did enjoy this, it’s a fun, nostalgic, “will they finally get together read?” I liked Ella, but, for me, there was so much back and forth with the leads and a lot of pop culture references which took a little bit away from the main plot.

Really enjoyed this book! I laughed so much reading it.

Ella and Lowe meet when they are teenagers. It's love at first sight for her but he just sees her as a friend. The story spans from their teenage years until they are in their thirties. Set when mobiles were just starting to be a thing for teenagers, msn messenger and dial up internet. The characters in the book are great and so realistic. With all her friends getting engaged, married and having babies will Ella and her boyfriend Jackson follow or does she hold a candle still for her first love.

Well. I was not expecting to fall so hard for this book. Comparing to ‘One Day’ always makes me a little uneasy - I adored that book, so I tend to read “comparisons” a little harshly.

Dockrill’s writing is beautiful. From crafting place to person, she creates environments where the reader too falls in love. The two storylines weave perfectly, and I fell hard for the main characters. This story was so relatable.

One of those novels that’s given me a strong book hangover.

I loved it, I loved it, I loved it.

Do not be fooled by the title, this is not your average romcom! Ella takes us back into our own childhoods with the music, culture and all the feelings of first love. We go through every heart break and insecurity with her but also the side quests of the important people propping her up and I was there for every second. I loved this book and could not put it down. I loved Ella and I loved Lowe and I loved Jackson too. Read this book, but prepare for it to break you.
For anyone who enjoys a good love story, a bit of nostalgia or who still remembers their first love fondly,

This author’s books have the ability to simultaneously make you unable to stop reading while wishing you could bury the book somewhere deep underground where it can't be found. Compelling and didn’t want it to end!

So, I managed to love and hate this book in equal measure. It's a masterpiece, but I found myself infuriated with Ella for tying herself to an emotionally unavailable man, and weirdly even though I wanted the ending, it was strangely unsatisfying because despite everything, she still had to issue an ultimatum to him, and walk away. I spent 50% of the book desperate for them to get together, and then started to actually hate Lowe for stringing her along for so many years - a little text every time she felt like she'd broken free so he could keep her around to make himself feel better. This ended up feeling like the epitome of unhealthy relationships, and much as I wanted them to get together, I was disappointed when it happened. This book has shades of One Day and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and is both brilliant and excruciating to read. I think overall I'm coming down on the side of loving it, but I do feel a bit disappointed with myself for feeling that way!

I was so desperate to read this book as soon as I'd heard about it, and for the most part, it really lived up to the hype! At first, I thought Ella's overthinking was a little bit grating, however, the more I read, the more I thought it was actually very realistic, and I understood a lot of the relatable anxieties that she had around her career/life, etc. It's a great love story and it is written in a pacey style - the only qualm I had about it was I thought the writing was (occasionally, not always!) a little too young, which I found a bit distracting. But it's a great story nonetheless. And a great cover!

So beyond ready and excited to read this gorgeous gorgeous book! I know so many people that have experienced this including myself and I think many readers will really relate to this one! I’ll be sharing a full review and thoughts very soon as I apologize I’ve been in the hospital unexpectedly due to health issues and falling a bit behind on my reviews but I promise to catch up very soon! Reading and acquiring these beautiful books for readers is the best medicine. HQ keep up your amazing work!