After loving this author's debut, To Ghosts & Gravity, I was waiting impatiently as soon as this one was announced. Let me just say, I'm not disappointed.

Emerson and Dillon already have a past when we meet them, and we learn throughout the chapters what happened back then while watching them interact in present time.

Emerson is a whole mood, I couldn't get enough of him. He's such a fun, witty and compelling character, you can't help but root for him. Dillon on the other side is a patient and more grounded character, but no less lovable. It's obvious why Emerson, or anyone, would fall for him. They are both flawed and layered characters, that compliment each other perfectly.

Their journey was not an easy one, it's emotional, painful at times, but I was also kicking my feet and melting from the sweetness.

I don't want to spoil anything because I loved going in (mostly) blind, so I'll stop there, but I can't wait to talk about it in the forum.

I guess now we'll have to wait for the next Bennet brother to fall in love 🤞 <3

I was provided an ARC from the author but this is my honest review

A deeply moving story about Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibway man growing up in the 60s and 70s in a world that seems intent on erasing his identity and crushing his soul.

During his stay at an Indian residential school, Saul discovers hockey. From then on, his life changes, and within this single bright spot in his day, he finds a passion and an escape from the endless darkness of his every day life. But what do you do, when your only escape from abuse also comes with new challenges, and how do you cope when absorbing the constant hate, violence and humiliation with steadiness and silence isn't possible anymore? Saul, now an adult, looks back at those years, the scars they left him with, and tries to make some changes to get on a different life path.

While largely heartbreaking, this story is infused with moments of hope for Saul and even some heartwarming scenes.

I won't forget this book and would recommend it to everyone.

Side note: It felt like the topics and the time period described in this story were very appropriately depicted by the author. It opened my eyes to what happened in Canada's Indian residential school system, because while I'd heard of them in passing, reading about the level of abuse that happened in those places was truly enraging and soul crushing. I now plan on learning more about them.

Call the FDA or whatever health organization because these guys broke so many food safety rules