Jessica Lee Mizia’s romance novel chronicles a young woman’s experience with devastating loss whose process of healing is complicated by the growing attraction between her and her therapist.

After Ava is arrested and convicted of drunk-driving, she agrees with her aunt that she should go to therapy. Ava has felt lost for years, after her mother’s death and the breakdown of her family, and has struggled to cope with anger and grief.

As she works with her therapist, Dr, Ian Andrasko, her attraction to him begins to grow, and he, in turn, starts feeling a connection to her that he hasn’t felt with anyone else. Despite trying to keep his distance, since Ava is his patient, he finds himself drawn to her.

The plot is emotionally rich, with many of its scenes occurring in a therapy setting. Grief, love, blame and the chance of happiness are all interwoven with skill. As Ava confronts the reasons she ended up driving while intoxicated, she examines her relationships, including those with her father and stepmother. And as Ava and Ian’s connection grows, Ian shares his painful past. In time, Ava must choose between being bound by past events or finding healing and happiness.

The story’s themes allow for vulnerability and raw dialogue, which makes for an introspective read. However, because therapy and healing involve revisiting the past multiple times, some repetition concerning Ava’s mother’s death occurs, which slows the pace.

Boundary-blurring books with therapist/patient romances are growing in popularity on book-related platforms. Aside from some unique, brief elements included in the other characters’ backgrounds, such as Ava’s aunt’s story of overcoming abuse, the book contains little that sets it apart from other similar stories.

Still, despite the slow pace and familiar storyline, readers will be drawn in by the novel’s emotional depth and Ava’s compelling and hopeful personal growth.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.