Violet McNamara had everything money could buy, but wasn't really seen. She was the nerdy, brilliant overachiever, who strived to be a doctor even at age thirteen. She has always been kind, positive, dedicated, and caring. 

When Miller Stratton stumbled into her life one day, she decided to keep him. His home life was a wreck and she made sure he was cared for and appreciated. They became best friends and even through challenging times, they never wavered. 

By age seventeen, things had started to shift. Miller knew he was in love with her but was afraid to tell her, so just kept writing love songs about her. And Violet's social status was changing, but she was still loyal to Miller as her best friend and did not want to risk losing him by trying something different. As they make new friendships and deal with new challenges, their lives are constantly changing. Eventually, it will be time to deal with their feelings and their futures. And that takes the story in even more different directions. 

These characters are developed so well that they felt real to me. Not just the main couple, but also the Lost Boys and the others: Ronan, Holden, River, Shiloh, and Evelyn. All of them have secrets, challenges, pain, and fears...no matter how it looks on the outside. My heart hurt for them and rejoiced with them. There is definite angst, lots of issues, and frustrating miscommunication. I may have shouted at my kindle a couple of times. But I was totally immersed in this world and these characters. It is a longish book and took me several nights to read, but I found myself staying up and reading later than I should and excited to get back to it the next night. 

This is an epic, emotional, intense, angsty, and touching story of friendship, soul mates, family ties, and how they can shape people. None of them had it easy. But somehow along the way they found each other and made their own family, but are also faced with change and loss.

This book brings all the feels and I will admit I shed some tears(and I usually do not cry in books). Miller and Violet are that couple that you know are meant to be together, but have to endure so much. But I adored them and their devotion to each other. I do not give out six stars often, but this is just so special and it made my heart sing. I am so ridiculously excited about the next couple in When You Come Back To Me! Their relationship has been teased and I am all in. And I am looking forward to Ronan's story as well. 

And I have to remark on this amazing cover, that just is Miller Stratton personified. And there is an amazing little surprise embedded in the book that just brings him and his words even more to life. Miller is just such a broken, vulnerable, lovable hero and he stole my heart. And Violet is just the right girl to love him enough to try to piece him back together. Don't miss this slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, rock star romance that is hopeful, poignant, and inspiring.

Miller and Violet meet at 13 when Miller stumbles out of the woods into Violet’s yard. The friendship that quickly forms is sweet, strong, and the most stable relationship in either of their lives. Miller knows struggle: at the time he meets Violet he is experiencing severe poverty, and even as they progress through high school, his family’s financial situation is always precarious. Violet’s family is rich, but things aren’t perfect in her household either. They lean on each other to deal with the challenges in their home lives. As they age though, the feelings deepen and develop into more, but Violet can’t let feelings get in the way of her plans, nor can she risk ruining the most important friendship she has.

Though they form their friendship fast and early, the rest of their relationship is a slow-burning struggle. Miller is such a thoughtful, caring soul, but he has a lot of personal pain that he turns to his music to process. It’s no surprise when his song writing turns to the feelings building between him and Violet, but Violet doesn’t see herself as the girl in his songs. She is focused on her education and career aspirations, but encourages him to share his musical gift with the world.

These two are not perfect, but they are perfect for each other. I loved how they each supported and pushed the other to reach for their dreams without compromising, even if it meant they had to say goodbye. But there is also a deeper thread tying them together that had me worried for their hearts and their future.

This is a huge coming of age story spanning their entire teenage-hood and into their 20s. The timeline alone makes this a sweeping story, but the depth of emotions they face throughout makes it even more special. I was not expecting to fall quite so hard, but I loved every character in this story. Even characters I initially didn’t like found a way to redeem themselves and I found myself liking them by the end.

These Lost Boys each stole a piece of my heart in their own rag-tag way. They have a bond formed by their lack of conformity, and the family they form by choice had me in love with all of them and anticipating the stories that will follow this one.

This is the first book I’ve read by Emma Scott, but I can’t wait to read more, both from this series and her other works in general. I was talking about this for days after I finished, and am still thinking about the depth of the connections. I was afraid to start another book when I finished for fear that whatever book I picked up next would pale in comparison.

The Lost Boys

The Shadows of Yesterday (#2)
The Last Piece of His Heart (#3)