I gave this 4* instead of 5, only because I struggled to get into it. There’s not a lot of action or twists and turns, so I had to focus more on the dialogue. When I did, and thought about DeWitt’s choice of a dual POV, I was so thankful. This romance wouldn’t have been nearly as compelling and heartwarming if readers hadn’t been privy to Fisher’s thoughts. I can’t think of any love story I’ve read in the past few years that comes close to Sage and Fisher’s honesty and vulnerability. It is so refreshing to witness two people who have faced tragedy and its subsequent damage to the mind and soul, and who care enough to help each other overcome their personal challenges and navigate the way to a better, mentally healthier way of living.
Yet, despite this description sounding like this is an emotionally heavy story, it’s actually not. Over the summer they get to know each other, Sage and Fisher share a plethora of punny comments (many with sexual innuendo), bond over a bunch of unique and engaging adopted farm animals, cook and share some amazing meals (doesn’t hurt that he is an award-winning and 3 Michelin-starred chef), train for the small town’s annual festival competition, and create ephemeral sand labyrinths that the town is famous for and which are a metaphor for the impermanence of their relationship (before Fisher and his orphaned niece Indy return to New York City), but the enjoyment it can bring in the meantime.
Set is the fictional Spunes, OR, DeWitt mostly avoids the small town cliche of everyone being in everyone else’s business by focusing on the colorful and ever-evolving life on Sage’s hobby farm, Fisher’s struggle navigating his new role as parent to a hurting and angry teen, and the inherent goodness and selfless concern and caring of the two main characters. There’s plenty of steamy scenes between Sage and Fisher as well. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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