ARC OPPORTUNITY!
If you’re looking for a Slow Burn, Grief, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Misjudged Heroine book, look no further!
High by the Beach by Wren Amari is exactly what you need! 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳.
𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒃 —
𝘈 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨.
That’s what my mother calls it.
But Grove isn’t some magical fix. It’s a place to hide while the dust settles— except dust doesn’t settle when your twin sister‘s been in the ground for six weeks, and the ache in your chest won’t stop echoing the goodbye you never said.
I’m not here to heal.
I’m here to forget.
So the plan is simple: 𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻.
That last rule falls apart my first night here.
One high.
One slip beneath the surface.
One pair of hands pulling me back up.
Carson Eli thinks he has me pegged from the jump— party girl, shallow, reckless.
He wants no part of me.
Hates that I’m taking up space in his circle.
But the thing is… he keeps watching.
And maybe that’s why he starts to see pieces slipping loose.
Starts showing up on days I’m fading into nothing.
Disdain softens.
Numbness fractures.
And everything starts to hurt in colour again.
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘀— 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲-𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻.
Carson might be teaching me to stay above water, but he still doesn’t know the reason I keep going under.
And if he gets too close, he won’t just get pulled in— 𝗵𝗲’𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲.
Okay, fellow bookworms, let me tell you why 'High by the Beach' by Wren Amari is about to become your next obsession. When I first stumbled upon the blurb, I was immediately drawn in by the promise of a 'summer of healing,' but trust me, it's so much more nuanced than that. This isn't just a breezy beach read; it's a deep dive into the messy, complicated process of navigating profound grief and finding an unexpected connection amidst the chaos. The protagonist, Grove, is introduced to us in a truly vulnerable state. She's not looking for a magical fix; she’s actively trying to forget the devastating loss of her twin sister. This raw portrayal of grief, the ache in her chest, the unspeakable goodbyes – it’s incredibly relatable for anyone who’s experienced loss. The story beautifully captures that desperate desire to run away from pain, to numb it with distractions, which for Grove, means trying to outrun her emotions and steer clear of the ocean, a poignant metaphor for her buried feelings. But as the blurb hints, her plan quickly unravels. Enter Carson Eli, who initially pegs her as a 'party girl, shallow, reckless.' This 'misjudged heroine' trope is handled with such care here. You instantly feel for Grove, knowing there's so much more beneath the surface, and watching Carson slowly peel back those layers is where the magic of the 'slow burn' truly shines. It's not an instant connection; it's a gradual softening, a reluctant understanding that builds into something powerful. The 'hurt/comfort' aspect is palpable as Carson, despite his initial disdain, starts to notice her fading and shows up when she needs it most. It's those subtle gestures that make their relationship feel so authentic and earned. Wren Amari's writing, even just from the blurb, hints at an evocative style that really brings Grove's internal struggle to life. The line "everything starts to hurt in colour again" perfectly encapsulates the terrifying beauty of beginning to feel after numbness. It’s a powerful image that promises a journey from desolation back to a vibrant, albeit painful, existence. The tension, the raw emotion, the slow-burning anticipation – it’s all there, promising a truly immersive reading experience. If you're a fan of emotional contemporary romance that isn't afraid to tackle heavy themes like trauma, loss, and the slow, arduous path to healing, then you absolutely need to add 'High by the Beach' to your TBR pile. This novel offers a compelling exploration of how two people, despite their initial judgments, can profoundly impact each other’s lives. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, making you root for the characters as they grapple with their inner demons and find solace in unexpected places. The narrative explores how true connection can help someone confront their past, rather than just running from it. It delves into the idea that while chasing highs can lead to a come-down, finding genuine support can help you stay above water. I'm already eager to see the final cover for this one, as the promotional imagery hints at its atmospheric vibe. Don't miss out on Grove's journey to stay above water, even when the past threatens to pull her under, and Carson's struggle to truly understand her depth.