3.75 rounded off to 4 stars!

"if you leave" is quiet, emotional, and kinda haunting in the best way. it’s one of those books that doesn’t scream at you, it just slowly sinks into your chest and stays there.

the story explores love, loss, and the hard parts of moving on. the writing is soft but powerful, and the emotions feel real, like the kind of pain you don’t always talk about but definitely feel. margaret hutton has this gentle way of writing that makes even the saddest parts feel beautiful. it’s not a fast-paced book, but it doesn’t need to be. it’s more about the characters and the little moments that change everything. perfect if you're in the mood for something reflective and bittersweet.

this one’s for when you're feeling a little quiet yourself, or just need a good cry and some healing after! ^__^