Love & Panic by Raina Ash

A Grumpy Sunshine Slow Burn Romance

Published: 17 Nov 2022

Length: 362 Pages

My Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb:

Being a shut-in is not your average lifestyle. But after losing her parents, suffering several car accidents, and experiencing crippling anxiety and OCD, Natalie is done with the outside world. And with friends ghosting.

In her apartment, she’s safe. Protected.

Achingly alone.

Sure, her cat provides decent company, but when Natalie wakes with a pounding heart and calls 9-1-1—certain she’s dying but really having a panic attack—she realizes a little human contact might be nice. Especially the kind that comes from the cute firefighter in her apartment building. He asks her on a date. The problem is, to go out with Mr. Cute Firefighter, she actually has to go out…

Enter Dean.

Former pediatric surgeon. Alcoholic by choice. Massive grump. Ever since a family tragedy left him divorced and shattered, Dean is more than happy to spend his days drinking and racing toward death. Until he passes out in the snow in front of Natalie’s building, minutes from getting flattened by a bus, changing both of their fates forever.

Their agreement is simple: She’ll give him a safe place to drink during the holidays. He’ll be her guide to the outside world.

As their unlikely friendship leads to unexpected feelings, both must face hard truths about themselves and how they live. Have they found in each other what they’ve needed most? Or a heartbreak that will push them both over the edge?

My Review:

Have you ever wanted to read an authentic account of a neuro-diverse character? If like me, you have, then this book will not disappoint. Natalie is such a likable character and you are just rooting for her to succeed at her goals. Even though Dean is an unrepentant alcoholic, the writer beautifully highlights how anyone can fall into a dark place and turn to alcohol to numb the pain.

This book tells the story of how two broken people can help put each other back together. It’a not all sunshine and roses. There are no quick fixes. Its an evocative story, well paced with characters you can’t help but love.

I highly recommend picking this book up.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.