Rebecca Yarros is best known for books like the recently released

Fourth Wing

. While I’m not quite ready to dive into anything with dragons—that might be a next-year thing—I was intrigued by her earlier novels that focus on military life and the emotional journeys of those returning home.

This particular book centers on a single mom raising twins. Her brother, who’s involved in secret military operations, asks her to become a pen pal for one of his fellow soldiers who has no family. What starts as a simple exchange of letters gradually deepens into something more once he returns home.

I really liked the premise—it’s heartfelt and compelling. But the main character? She goes through

so much

. The amount of loss she experiences is almost overwhelming. It’s tough to imagine someone enduring that much and still managing to keep going. She has major trust issues, and so does he. There’s definitely some trauma bonding, which feels realistic, but also a little heavy-handed at times. It’s not quite as simple as “a good roll in the hay heals everything”—though it occasionally edges in that direction.

Despite that, it’s a good read. The writing is smooth, the pacing is quick, and it’s got a sexy edge without feeling over the top. I’ll definitely be picking up more books by Yarros—she’s got a way of drawing you in, even when the story hits hard.