I gave this 5 ⭐️—this book is perfection.

The FMC, Taylor, struggles with depression and anxiety rooted in a difficult childhood. Home is tough, and her escape is an agricultural summer camp she attends every year.

At camp, she meets Matt, our MMC. In Taylor’s eyes, he has the perfect family, and the two quickly become best friends at Sound Hollow. Matt cares deeply for her and becomes her emotional anchor during those summers. As they grow into their teen years, their friendship turns into something more.

The story is told across dual timelines—one at summer camp and one in the present day. In the current timeline, Matt has suffered a stroke at a young age, which brings them back into each other’s lives. What unfolds is a second-chance romance that explores what truly makes a “home.”

The writing and pacing are spot on, with twists that hit at just the right moments. If you’re looking for a summer romance with real emotional depth, I highly recommend this one. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC!

This book stole my heart.

It was so hard to watch Taylor grow up feeling so neglected and alone, but seeing Matt become the person who took away some of that loneliness made their relationship so special. Getting to watch them grow up together over the years and seeing their friendship naturally turn into something more was one of my favorite parts of the book. It never felt rushed, and it made me root for them from the very beginning.

I'll admit, there were quite a few times I wanted to shake Taylor for pushing Matt away although I could understood why she did.

There were also moments where I was genuinely on the edge of my seat worrying about Matt's health and what it meant for their future. I honestly didn't know how everything was going to work out, and I was completely invested until the very last page.

One thing I wasn't expecting to love as much as I did was Brett and Taylor's relationship. Watching that bond grow over the years was so heartwarming, and it added another layer to an already emotional story.

This book is so much more than a romance. It's about found family, forgiveness, second chances, and finding your way home. Sound Hollow became just as memorable as the characters themselves, and by the end I wasn't ready to say goodbye. This is one that's going to stick with me for a long time.