A romance for autumn. Falling leaves, New York; a perfect painting for a love story between opposites. After all, don’t opposites attract?
Lynn Painter, a well-known author of young adult romance, (my favourite being Betting on You) has once again written a cozy read that will have you kicking your feet and wanting to finish the book in one sitting. This novel 100 per cent aligns with an autumnal aesthetic, from the playlist to the references to famous pieces of literature.
The premise encapsulates the realities of family pressure and grief which creates an emotional depth to the book. Julia, one of the protagonists, faces the challenge of moving to a different residence whilst trying to establish her place at a new, socially isolating school after her family receives an unexpected inheritance. Damion, our other protagonist, must accept the death of a close family member and ultimately the limited connection he shares with anyone else, but of course this is remedied when he meets Julia (and becomes her maths tutor).
Although the characters didn’t feel as developed as those in her other books, I still enjoyed their relationship and light banter. Painter is known for the dips in her narrative that break the trust between the two main characters. In Trust Fall, their shared connection to the inheritance causes conflict through ongoing deceit as Julia’s family’s benefactor was related to Damion, erupting in an argument and building anticipation for the resolution.
The flow of this book was easy to follow, allowing me to read it within a week. Memorable moments include a visit to Times Square and an impromptu trip to Nebraska. I would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance.
Photo by Haley Parson on Unsplash
