Rip Van Winkle is the popular high school jock who seems to have everything going for him, an elite group of friends, awards, scholarship, social status, and is revered by everyone. But even the most popular of guys can have doubts, be self-absorbed,  and make mistakes. 

Katrina Van Tassel was his childhood friend, but due to circumstances, they grew apart in high school. She is firmly in the unpopular crowd and is often overlooked or bullied. She is overweight, awkward, cautious, closed off, and just trying to get by so she can start a new life at college. But she always has had a soft spot and a crush on Rip. 

During the last few weeks of their senior year some things happen that put them back in more close proximity. Rip is beginning to remember how much he actually liked Trina. He is starting to question the people he has surrounded himself with. He is starting to try to make amends for some of his own mistakes. But at a turning point, everything changes. 

Twenty years later, Rip is beginning to emerge from a coma to a new world. The people he knew have all changed. The world has moved on without him and he has to relearn everything. 

This is a heartfelt, inspiring, childhood friends-to-lovers, second chance love story. The first part of this book in the past was not so easy to read. I could totally sympathize with Trina and her insecurities when younger. But she was such a strong, caring, devoted, and loyal friend. Even though Rip upset me at times in the beginning, I felt he had a good heart and was starting to try to do better. One mistake ruined his life and changed everything. 

And the present is a whole other situation of fear, insecurities, doubt, and frustration. Rip will have to dig deep and work to find his way towards a new life. And hopefully, now he will be able to see who has really stood by his side along the way. But she is not the same girl as before either. 

I liked the unique premise of the story. I will admit that I was frustrated with the characters and their behavior at times. And for some reason, I did not get quite as emotionally connected as I expected to and I am not sure exactly why. The story elements were there and there were definite opportunities for the characters to show growth and change...and for redemption. I did feel empathy for them during the challenges and hard situations. I admired Rip's determination and strength, and Trina's devotion and resilience. I liked them getting a chance together and wanted them to finally find happiness. I totally adored Mary Mae. I enjoyed the final update. I just cannot put my finger on that mystical something that kept me from getting really emotionally attached.  Maybe it was the character's own awkwardness or issues trying to figure out what they or others were truly thinking. Maybe it was the distance of third-person point of view when I tend to prefer first. But it could have just been me, since I seem to be in the minority here. 

As a side note, I work in the rehabilitation field, so I was glad to see that from the beginning the author states that she took some liberties with recovery for the sake of the story. So I was mentally prepared that I might have issues with it and I might just need to let them go (or be annoyed), but I was surprised that the medical stuff did not actually bother me. I felt like Rip's recovery was not shown as particularly easy even if it might be a modern miracle, but she at least showed that he was determined and willing to work very hard to achieve his goals in a step-by-step way. So I thought it was handled in an effective way both from a rehab standpoint and for the needs of the story.