The book is so well written, that I felt all of the emotions. The angst to destroy their deep connection while dipping their toes out of the Friendzone throu learning to be happy (again or ever).
Grace is a survivor of sexual abuse who starts to come out of her comfort zone and tries to speak and even date guys to so that what happend to her doesnt dictate her life. She ,,blooms with grace" and starts getting comfortable with Cal - who has his own cross to bear with an alcoholic mother and a baby sister wo he takes care of. The friendship between those two starts pure, with the feeling that they can easily talk with each other without having to show their masks. While they are on their healing journey and learn what it really means to be there for little Maddie their bond changes to something deeper till they are madly in love with each other.
This book had so many good passages and quotes, where I swooned and hoped that I hopefully will be some day be on the receiving end of them. Men written by women are pushing my standards up!
Here are some quotes I really liked:
"All beautiful things in life need the sun to bloom an thrive. We might not know each other very well yet, but I have no doubt you´re the brightest light of sunshine, Grace" p77
"It's not that I like her. Not like that, anyway. But her presence is a looming thought in my head, all day at all hours, and I cant shake the feeling that I should stop...and wait" p 84
"I am a fighter, and I will rebuild myself no matter how long it takes or how uncomfortable it makes me feel." p 148
" ,You are.... ' Everything. ,You are a great friend'" p 161 -> My heart....
" I trust Cal with my mind, my body, my heart and my secrets. And it scares the hell out of me." p 171 -> what more can a girl want
"The mere prospect of spending some time with Grace manages to push all my worries and anger away, and I don't know what to make of that." p 176 -> swoon, Im envious
"She is mine. And I will be dead before I' m anyone else's." p 233 -> I am dead
"If she's hurt, I want to take her pain away and reassure her that everything is fine. I'm not lying to her nor am I seeing anyone behind her back. Not when she's the only one in my mind. And if it takes begging and chasing for her to understand, the I fucking will." p 260