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

I’m not really sure how to start this review. I’m sure there are a few trope labels that I could talk about, but none of them really come to mind. These are just two really great characters who had kind of crappy pasts who find each other along the way, regardless of people trying to keep them apart.

Merritt is a fiercely talented singer/songwriter who made some really bad choices that sent her down a dark path. She recognizes that not everything was her fault, but continues to punish herself for the mistakes she made. She feels like she owes her sister so much, and Olivia kind of acts that way too. Especially when she basically forbids Merritt from any kind of relationship with Niko.

Niko is an artist and a contractor, though he feels like his paintings aren’t good enough and pursuing art as a career is impractical. He had a relationship go sideways, which left him off-kilter and wondering about his next move. He is good friend’s with Olivia’s husband Dev, who warns him that Merritt is bad news.

Merritt and Niko are attracted to each other from the first. But they respect their friends/family and refuse to pursue anything. They develop a friendship while working on mutual projects and eventually give into their attraction, deciding to keep their relationship a secret, especially since it will end when Niko leaves at the end of the summer.

Both Niko and Merritt are forced to confront issues from their pasts, supporting each other through the difficult times. And when the summer ends, they keep their word and go their separate ways, even though both are miserable.

I had a lot of issues with Olivia and the way she treated Merritt. There was definitely growth and resolution in this area, but it really bothered me throughout the story. Niko’s family is also less than supportive, though things with his mother did improve.

This is a romance, so we know there is a happy ending, and I did like the way that came about. I also liked where both characters were with their respective careers at the end.

The story is tagged LGBTQIA+ as both characters are Bi.