INTO THE DEEP BLUE

Grief and love intertwine in this emotional love story.

Oregon teens Fiona and Nick met in a grief support group, where each was trying to cope with the sudden death of their mother. Their bond runs deep, but as they grapple with their losses, moving beyond their best friend status proves complicated. In the liminal period between high school and college, Fiona must deal with her distant father, job troubles, and a close friend who thinks Nick is really cute—and is acting on her feelings. For his part, Nick must accept his family’s attempts to move on and the fallout of his own mistakes. A road trip to Monterey for Fiona to explore her mother’s past leads to things heating up between the friends, who present white. Archer’s debut is a heart-wrenching romance that pulls readers along on the characters’ journey through grief, showing all the ways they can—and can’t—support each other. Archer beautifully portrays the push and pull of love and loss through Nick and Fiona’s dual points of view; both teens yearn for and yet fear connection. The well-written depictions of the sensations of grief will resonate with many readers. Romance lovers will swoon over Nick’s and Fiona’s growing feelings as their slow-burn relationship deepens.

Swoony and sad.