Emotional resonance echoes throughout this sweet tale, as William’s story recounts the first time he met Marina—at Mildred’s Diner in Hudson, Ohio, where she was a sassy waitress determined to see the world—and delves into his impulsive decision to accompany her on a cross-country road trip to California. Arrington uses that trip as the instrument for the couple’s blossoming romance, ably showing both the literal and emotional journeys they undertake en route. As they stop in Memphis, Oklahoma City, and Denver, Arrington keeps the emotional stakes humming, spurring the couple through discussions of grief, death, and a tender romance rich with sentiment and connection.
Arrington punctuates William’s narrative with snapshots from the present, though Izzy and Susan Jane’s roles are largely peripheral. The 1970s flashbacks to William and Marina captivate, and Arrington sensitively handles a host of challenging topics, including suicide, death, and cancer. Amid those developments—and a shocking twist in the form of a vehicle accident—the story revolves around the deeply abiding, measured bond between William and Marina. Anyone who has wished for a second chance at life and love will be satisfied by this stirring journey from tragedy and heartbreak to happily-ever-after.
Takeaway: Emotional second chance story of love, loss, and rebirth.
Comparable Titles: Jojo Moyes’s Me Before You, Hannah Ellis’s Always With You.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A
