I know I say this a lot, but this book was not at all what I was expecting. Not even a little bit. The self published Amazon bin of books has earned a certain stigma in my head, I guess. And this one definitely broke that, because it wasn't just another new adult with the same old story and bad editing, it was deep and heartfelt and well crafted. In fact, I wouldn't even classify it as new adult if it hadn't been for their ages. It felt to me more like a mature young adult novel, because it's so...innocent. 
 Fern Taylor was always the tiny, unnoticed girl in love with the town hero, Ambrose Young. During their senior year of high school, she finally gets her chance to get closer to him--by writing letters he doesn't actually know are from her. Of course when he finds out it doesn't end very well, and Fern's left believing he hates her for what she did. She never stops watching him or thinking of him from afar, though. Especially when, following the 9/11 attacks on America, Ambrose and his four best friends decide to skip out on college in favor of going off to war for their country. 
 This story is told in pieces from past to present. It flashes back on memories of the kids when they're young and moves forward into their future. At first it was a little odd for me, but as I continued on, it all made sense. Amy Harmon has a way of weaving a story together that's unique, and draws the reader in until your heart's sitting right in her hands. It was beautiful and sad and like I said before, not at all what I expected. The romance here isn't the star, but it's there throughout and it's a slow burn that turns into an inferno when Ambrose comes home without his four friends and has to learn some very hard life lessons. These two show each other what it means to be soulmates and how just one person can make a huge change in your life. 
 If you're looking for something deep and meaningful that will tug at your heartstrings, make you cry an leave you feeling emotionally spent, don't pass this book over. Give it a chance. I don't think you'll regret it.