Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I truly appreciate the chance to read this book. It's important to note that this book is scheduled for publication on February 4, 2025. I was deeply moved by this love story and couldn't help but reflect on how young Kareem and Lee Lee were. Young love holds a special kind of magic. My heart goes out to both Kareem and Lee Lee, as the course of their love story was altered by Lee Lee's accident. The photographs included in the book were incredibly touching, capturing Lee Lee's beauty just as Kareem described. I admired Kareem's commitment to therapy and found wisdom in his therapist's advice to "start leaving 10 minutes early". While Kareem stood by Lee Lee's side, he also deserved to live his own life. It was a lot for someone so young to endure. BRACE YOURSELF FOR SOME SPOILERS, MY BAD! I get deeply emotional when I think about how unpredictable life can be. The moment when Lee Lee is holding Kareem's daughter, unable to speak much but simply whispering "Baby," is profoundly poignant. It prompts me to consider the potential they had for raising a child together and experiencing countless joyful moments. That specific moment profoundly impacts me, as it feels like their entire life together flashes before my eyes like a movie reel."When You're Ready" is a story brimming with love, hope, healing, and the courage to move forward in life, knowing that it's perfectly okay to do so. The writing style of this book brought to mind "The Color of Water" by James McBride, one of my all-time favorites. I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this ARC and eagerly anticipate the release next February. It's such a beautiful time to launch this book, especially with Valentine's Day around the corner – the perfect occasion to immerse oneself in a new love story.

A brave book. I enjoyed Kareem's story. It left me with much to think about. You never know when your life can change. It can happen in an instant. The writing is descriptive and in-depth. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.