Sad, passionate, beautiful... are some of the words I think of when I think back on this book's reading experience. A story that touches subjects like depression, alcoholism, as well as an in depth-romance, a strong mother-daughter bond and so much more.

Main Characters I came to care for very deeply, minor characters as well. This book was gripping from beginning till end and it felt so raw while reading it. A story that will definitely stay with me, going forward and I'll definitely be adding a physical copy of this book to my shelves as well.

3.5 stars - Oh Silas. Sad, broken, so very hard on himself Silas! He is paying over and over again for a stupid mistake he made as a young adult - to drink and drive. And he ruined three lives - four if you count his. Two are dead, one will never live her life again, and Silas lives in the depth of his own hell. He paid his debt through jail time, but that doesn't ease his burden, and he feels he is poisonous to every one he touches. Enter Rooney, the beautiful ray of sunshine, that he feels is way too good for him. Plus, she is taking care of her dying mother AND is dating Silas' brother. Cue the angst and push and pull. I think maybe it's a bit of "it's me, not the book". The writing was very well done - but half way through the book, I was tired of him being so down on himself and thinking he was such an evil, bad person. I wanted to scream at him to gt over it and move on. And I know I should have more sympathy than that. To top it off, I think I'm in a bit of a reading funk!

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

In the beginning of this book Silas is so very angry still with himself over the accident he caused many years ago, struggling with his actions because of being an alcoholic, even though he is now in AA. Then he meets Rooney and her mother Billie, who has cancer and is dying. When Silas meets them, he starts to open up and become a much better man. He quickly falls in love with Rooney, but still doesn't feel that he is worthy of her. Rooney does everything she can to prove him differently. I loved this book so very much. It brought out so many different emotions in me at many different times. Highly, highly recommend this one!

A story about mother and daughter strong bonds, the ravages of terminal illness and alcoholism and how it’s possible to heal even when dealing with deep guilt, depression and grief.
Silas and Rooney’s romance was sweet and the best medicine Silas could have, along with caring for Billie. I felt that they were good for each other and their connection happened in the right moment for both of them.
Silas’s self-hatred in the beginning is violent and raw, his guilt insurmountable and his pain unfathomable.
I was moved and awed by Billie and Rooney’s love and the author’s depiction of Rooney’s grief.
Silas parents’ unconditional support and love is touching too.
For someone so hard with himself, I thought Silas was too careless about Brandon’s feelings (and I’m not a fan of love triangle stories). I also thought that at some point the romance became more about lust and the dialogue sometimes was a bit stilted.