Sara Barnard (1)

Like the title, this story is quietly satisfying. You have two main characters who struggle with communication, but from different directions. Steffi is slowly finding her way out of selective mutism, while Rhys is deaf and trying to become more integrated with the 'normal' world. When they're thrown together after he starts at her school, it's at first terrifying for her, but the longer they're interacting, the more she comes out of her own shell. The process is painful, exhilarating at times, and accompanied by great descriptions of her panic attacks and insights.
Their budding romance is filled with pitfalls, some resulting from frustration, others from the challenges of communication between them. It's an extremely satisfying tale.… (més)

What a great book! Gosh, I loved these characters. Steffi and Reese just grow on you right away. I completely related to Steffi with her anxiety and her selective mutism, and the way it was portrayed. I loved the way the author contrasted how it was handled between her parents, and how this both supported and hindered her. Reese was absolutely a sweetheart. I liked the inclusion of little details like hearing speakers forgetting to turn towards the Deaf person so they could read lips, how frustrating it can be when medical personnel (and other people in public) address the caregiver or partner instead of the person with the disability. And overall, I just loved how he and Steffi had to work to find ways to communicate, not just literally, but in a couple-y sense. This was a great combination of a sweet romance and a book that was inclusive.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.… (més)