“They were never supposed to meet. They were never supposed to fall in love. And they were never supposed to tear the world apart to find each other again.” This is the haunting refrain at the heart of a novel that is both thrilling and profound.

From the very first page, this story plunges us into a world cleaved in two, where race, power, and truth are separated by a literal and figurative wall. The dual perspectives of Malik and Ava—one a survivor in the shadows, the other raised in privilege and ignorance—draw us into a narrative that is both intimate and epic in scope.

The writing is lush and evocative, painting a world that feels uncomfortably real, yet tinged with hope and possibility. Malik’s journey from the margins to the center of rebellion is gripping, while Ava’s awakening to the lies that shape her life is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Their inevitable collision is paced beautifully, each stolen moment crackling with tension and longing.

At the center of the story lies The Hole—a mystery that is as much about the secrets we keep from each other as the ones we hide from ourselves. As Malik and Ava’s lives intertwine, the stakes rise, and the choices they face become achingly real. Can love transcend the boundaries of their world, or will it be crushed by the weight of everything dividing them?

This is a story about walls—those built by society, by history, and by the human heart. But even more, it’s about courage: the courage to question, to rebel, to trust, and ultimately, to break down the barriers that keep us apart.

A must-read for fans of dystopian romance, social commentary, and stories that linger long after the final page. “They were never supposed to meet”—but you’ll be grateful that you did.

Thank you, Will Johnson, NetGalley, and Meridian Book Publishers for the ARC.