This is a sweetly charming and softly romantic love story. This is the first Kristin Vayden book I have read, and I found this novel and start to a series to be pleasantly engaging. Vayden's writing is accessible and lightly paced which compliments this low angst romance. Vayden tells the story of two people falling in love after a mutual tragedy in a careful and gentle way, by showing the different ways grief can effect someone and how finding someone who speaks to your soul can help you to open yourself up again.
This is Quin and Catherine's romance after the tragic loss of Quin's brother and Catherine's fiancee. Great care is taken to tell their slow growth into love. The reader is eased into the story of two hearts learning to love again gently in the same way that Quin and Catherine's romance and trust grows for each other. Watching them both slowly see and understand the strength in the other is really beautiful. I found their chemistry to be soft and mature in the way two hearts who have experienced loss learn to open themselves up to another. I love that they are both careful with each others hearts As well as, aware of needing to be open and consensual as their relationship evolves into something new. Quin sees that Catherine is strong and independent and he offers his help and support but is never angry or jealous when she decides to handle certain things on her own. I also love that Catherine does not feel weak when she does decide to take Quin's support in certain moments. This novel is very low of the steam, there is no explicit sex on the page, which I would have liked in order to show the growth in their relationship and how they learned to trust each other and care for each other. I do think that the lack of steam does work with the overall tone of the novel but I think it would have added a really lovely depth to their relationship and given a more lasting strength to the over all story.
I would definitely recommend this novel if you are in the mood or love a low angst romance about a second chance at love. It is perfect if you love a character driven story the explores emotions in a very soft and gentle way. I look forward to exploring more of Kristin Vayden's work and would encourage you to give her a chance if you have not had the opportunity to yet.
OUT December 28, 2021
***Thank you to Sourcebook Casablanca and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.***