Disclaimer: I received an eARC for review consideration through NetGalley, on behalf of the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story combines a bit of rivals to lovers, second chance, and a road trip adventure, all of which are favorite tropes of mine.

Iris and Declan have been battling each other for years at their favorite card/dice game. They are friendly-ish rivals, but don’t normally see each other outside of the game shop. At least until they both end up at the same college, meeting their respective siblings to share the driving from Indiana to Nebraska. A college it turns out they will both also be attending in the fall. They agree to caravan together.

Iris is fairly confident in herself. She knows who she is and doesn’t let her deafness hold her back, even though it does provide some difficulties in certain situations. She worries about her future, and whether she has the same genetic condition her sister has that may take her eyesight as well. She wants to be liked and accepted for who she is, not because of her disability.

Declan is pretty easy going about most things, but has a lot of anxiety, especially around his parents’ upcoming divorce and all of the stress it has placed on him at home. He is drawn to Iris, but worried about not wanting a relationship.

Declan and Iris grow closer over the road trip, and seem to be developing a relationship until Declan pulls away, hurting Iris. While they ultimately remain friends, they drift apart until the time is right for them to come back together.

They story is full of sibling squabbles, meddling siblings, and unexpected detours. But everyone ultimately ends up exactly where they belong.