Gr 9 Up--A heartfelt, warm, and emotionally grounded contemporary romance that blends small-town charm with the dizzying highs and lows of fame. The story opens with a sweet, nostalgic prologue: two childhood best friends, Luciana (Lucy) and Jake, tucked away in a cozy cat cafand eacute; as Lucy studies for a spelling bee and Jake dreams of a future in music. Their playful conversation about destiny sets the tone for a relationship rooted in deep familiarity and innocence. Four years later, the narrative shifts into a richer, more complex world. Lucy is now running her family's struggling cat cafand eacute;, forced into responsibility as her mother recovers from an injury. Jake, meanwhile, has risen to fame as the 'bad boy' of a wildly popular boy band, a persona far removed from the boy Lucy once knew. Their reunion begins not with romance, but practicality: Lucy needs a promotional boost to save the cafand eacute;, and Jake's management sees the partnership as a savvy PR move. What follows is a tender and slow-burn rediscovery. Alexandrea writes beautifully about the tensions between past and present, fame and authenticity, anger and longing. Lucy's frustration at Jake's disappearance feels raw and justified, while Jake's restrictive, exhausting life in the spotlight adds surprising depth to his character. The addition of Jake's supportive bandmates brings warmth and humor, turning the effort to save the cafand eacute; into a collaborative quest filled with charm. Ultimately, this is a gentle, uplifting story about second chances, the pressures of ambition, and love that never fully fades. Characters cue white. VERDICT A comforting read perfect for fans of small-town romances and music-industry drama alike.--Haley Amendt * School Library Journal *
