Disclaimer: I was invited to read an eARC for review consideration by the publisher in partnership with NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! It provides a thoughtful exploration of self and what it means to love another person. The tagline from the cover perfectly encapsulates this story… it’s not a romance, it’s a love story.

Sasha has a lot on her plate, as Sassy, the new music sensation, and as herself, struggling with anxiety, a possible autism diagnosis, loneliness, as well as her aero/ace identity. She is closeted and torn between coming out in order to be her true self, or keeping her identity hidden to not alienate her fans.

Sassy’s fans are obsessed with dissecting her lyrics and determined to find “the boyfriend” that her songs are about. After a photo of her with her ex-boyfriend/best friend surfaces, her manager and label convince them both that they would benefit from a fake relationship.

Sasha and Kai haven’t seen each other since she came out to him and they broke up, until he rescues her from a public appearance that overwhelms her. The fake relationship gives them time to heal their past relationship and renew their friendship.

Kai has gone through his own growth and made some realizations about his own identity in their time apart. He and Sasha are drawn together in a committed, platonic way.

Sasha and Kai meet Asher in London, a British actor who is all too familiar with PR relationships and hiding his true self from the world. The three become incredibly close.

But after a fallout with her best friend, Sasha discovers a secret that Kai and Asher have been keeping, and things blow up between them as well. Leaving Sasha feeling desperately alone and wondering if she will ever belong to anyone or if her aero/ace identity means that’s not possible for her.

But there are people working against Sasha’s best interests, pushing their own agenda’s for Sassy’s future, not caring who gets hurt along the way.

I felt Sasha’s pain and loneliness throughout the story, and loved the idea of she and Kai remaining platonic partners for life.  The addition of Asher to their bubble fit perfectly to me, and I loved seeing him come out of his shell with Sasha and Kai because he felt safe. Also in Sasha’s corner was her amazing producer, I loved they way they supported her.

**Spoiler** I did not like Sassy’s manager from the beginning, so I was not surprised when things started coming to light at the end. I was incredibly happy with the way her storyline ended.

Actually, I loved the way all of the storylines ended, especially between Sasha, Kai and Asher. I feel so much hope for their future together!

I can’t wait to read more from this author!