If you’re looking for a good book to curl up with that will give you cosy warm feelings, this is the book for you.

While the story is about one woman’s experience of growing up gay in Seattle, and her seemingly one-sided love for her best friend, it also feels like the city is a side character. It’s like a love letter to the mid-2000s experience in Seattle.

I found this book to be very reminiscent of Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. Not only because it has similar themes - the child-of-immigrants experience in the US (particularly in relation to work ethic & value on education) - but because it also touches on themes of love, acceptance, and has a shy main character coming into her own, The novels are also written in a similar tone or style - it feels very gentle, for lack of a better word. There’s a nice balance of evocative language that paints a vivid picture of the main character’s environment and life - without being overly flowery.
While this is definitely a slow burn novel, I enjoyed the journey. It made me a little nostalgic with the early to mid 2000s vibes.

I did enjoy this novel, however I have few minor critiques. There is an over reliance on the semi colon in this novel, I feel like the author should shake it up a little bit in how they illustrate the contrast between two points or experiences that they’re trying to communicate - “it’s not this: it’s this” is used heavily throughout this book, which got a bit repetitive as the novel went on. I also believe that the front cover does not do the book justice for how well it’s been written. The last few chapters also felt a little too short, with the ending feeling a bit abrupt - I would have liked to see more of the leads growing into each other together slowly once they were established as being together, as opposed to relying so much on shared history as the emotional scaffolding for their relationship.

Overall, this was a solid read, and I enjoyed the experience of reading it. While there is room for some minor improvements, the skilfulness of the author’s storytelling is very apparent, and I would recommend it to others as a nice book for a rainy day by the fire.

This is a quiet love story between Risha, with her steady childhood and life, and Danielle who grew up with a very different family dynamic. It spans over a decade where we see them be best friends, try to navigate feelings neither truly understand, and what happens when life takes them in two separate directions. Your heart will breaking for and rooting for both characters at different times. This story was written the same way Risha was raised and lived her life, a strong foundation, each line set with intent and purpose, building the story up without being flashy.

Beautifully written. Engaging and easy to read, yet almost lyrical in parts. The writing really drew me in. I loved how the main character felt grounded and...healthy, focused. The story felt believable and relatable, without the hyperboles and tropes that make so many sapphic romances kind of cheesy and trite. This book had a light, yet undeniable touch over my heart. Seattle played a big part in the story too, and I really liked the historical aspect of it. I highly recommend this novel.