Super cute enemies to lovers with some strong undercurrents of grief and self- esteem. I liked the romance and the family surrounding them, I liked the writing, and I loved the ending. The characters hit a bit close to home at times but I guess that makes it even better.

THIS WAS A HOME RUN, OUTTA THE PARK, STRAIGHT TO MY HEART. This book felt so indulgent; I literally would have to make myself stop reading at times because a) it was too cute or too sweet or too tense in the best way and, b) I desperately didn’t want it to end so I prolonged it as much as I could.

Word vomit seems to be my review of choice lately so, buckle up for lots of thoughts…

Jessica Joyce’s writing flowed so easily and got straight to the main plot without feeling rushed. That takes talent!!!!

Noelle was such a strong character, so relatable. It was like Joyce was inside my head, down to the hopeful photography career path. Unbelievable.

And Theo, my God! The hot success story who’s secretly quite sensitive and too hard on himself, limiting his trust in what others believe of him.

I emphatically did the Leonardo-DiCaprio-as-Jordan-Belfort-fist-bite several times while reading to avoid squealing out loud. The incredible slow burn of it all!!

I loved LOVED the deliciously sweet-and-sour banter, the palpable sexual tension (Theo Spencer you have not only ruined Noelle’s life, you have ruined my life), the believable close proximity. The road trip setting.

The Maggie Rogers shoutout!!! Though to be fair I like Theo’s Thom Yorke obsession too. I loved that Theo listened to “sad boy music” as Noelle described it. But Maggie is my girlllll.

Noelle and Theo are one of the cutest book rivals-to-lovers couples I’ve ever read; I’m so serious. Their chemistry was off every chart. How they fed off each other, how they supported each other in earnest. The moment they finally gave into their feelings for each other—UNMATCHED, I tell you!

All of their mutual disdain and lust was so much fun to read, all their give and take. I adored how they became such positive forces in each other’s lives—so sweet. How much they praised each other, their concern for each other’s emotions even when they didn’t align completely. The honest communication. The story really captured the millennial restlessness of striving for success and thinking it’s never right. I really connected with those feelings, both in Theo and Noelle’s cases. *Especially* in Noelle’s case as I’m a photographer just like her and I have gone down some of the very same thought spirals. I felt seen, validated.

This book just made my heart hurt in the best way. It was so tender and meaningful and the unknown love story of their grandparents (not what you think) bringing Noelle and Theo back together 10 years after high school was just everything.

A few favorite quotes:

“He looks like a mess, like he belongs in Vegas. He’s all sin.”

“If you could see yourself through my eyes, your head wouldn’t fit through the door.”

“Don’t think that there are conditions to the way I feel about you.”

“Because we battle, but at the end of the day we’re doing it side by side.”

“I had your voice in my head long after high school ended.”

“You’re the one I want to tell everything to.”

“We both deserve to be with someone who wants us exactly as we are, don’t you think?”

You know when a book finds you at the exact right moment? This was kinda like that, except I think every moment would be exactly right for this book. It’s an every-moment book. 

You pick it up to read and it feels like it’s always been waiting for you. 

This was a lot hornier than I expected it to be but whew the character struggles were VERY relatable. I felt like I was staring straight at my own internal struggles while reading. I think this was a bright insightful little gem of a book. Oh and while I’m here, as a 28 year old human being I found it very funny a 28 year old was talking the way she was about her age and calling TikTok an app for teenagers LMAO. Felt like the authors age was really coming through 💀


Also I really miss my grandpa 💔

this book was the one i needed at this point in my life! not only is it the road trip romance of my dreams; it healed a piece of my heart in its pages. the way grief is handled with such patience and quiet care felt like a warm hug💓

Noelle and Theo's love story is filled with chemistry and witty banter, but also so much growth and self-exploration individually and together. if you like a former academic rivals to lovers moment, they are gonna be it for you! the flirting disguised as roasting, the calling each other by their last names?! also, these characters are for the AP/honors students who have a fear of failure as adults and that hit a little too close to home!

there are elements of forced proximity, found family, and a meddling grandparent, which for me was a recipe for success. there are also letters throughout, and the last one in particular had me in tears. this is an absolute must read for the summer! 

*thank you to Berkley & netgalley for the ARC and free finished copy!