When Brooke and Matt are cast as romantic leads in their drama group’s theatre performance of Romeo and Juliet, they don’t mean to actually fall in love. Secrets and lies seem a small price for Brooke to pay for an older boyfriend, until they take their relationship to the next level one night in an empty auditorium. After she learns of the illegality of Matt’s actions, Brooke’s anxiety reaches breaking point and she makes a decision that changes her life forever. Years later, Matt is reunited with Brooke, desperately seeking redemption. But what sense can they make now of a love that never did run smoothly?

Exploring mental health, co-dependency, and the blurred lines of sexual consent, this captivating debut recounts a young woman’s journey to independence as she strays beyond all she has ever known to confront her traumatic past.

My Thoughts:

This is about Brooke and Matt who are in their drama group and both get cast for the lead roles but little did they know how close they would get whilst practising. But things change and neither one is ready for the consequences. They both go and lead their separate lives and when years later they are reunited, there are so many questions left unanswered but they are back where they belong or are they? The story explores sensitive topics about mental health and sexual consent. It is quite a hard hitting story about two young people not really knowing what is right and wrong and then to see the impact it has on both of them. It is a YA novel but I think it has tackled the sensitive topics very well. I feel as though I need to read a light hearted book now.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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