After reading her debut novel a few years ago, I had been looking forward to a new book by Emma Brodie. I adored Songs in Ursa Major and gave it an easy five-star rating, so I was more than a little excited to finally read Into the Blue.

I am not even sure where to start or what to say about this novel. It was everything that I had hoped it would be! As a reader who thrives on the push and pull between romantic characters in a novel, I could not have been happier. Oh, don’t get me wrong, this novel hurt. It hurt so much. I felt it all in the pit of my stomach and the palpitations of my heart. It was not an easy story that I just breezed through. This novel pulled me in, staked its claim on me, and then proceeded to tell me the most exquisite, agonizing, heartbreaking, emotional, and romantic story that I could have ever wanted.

Into the Blue had a unique storyline, a wonderful cast of characters, nostalgia, and plenty of depth. It was just a perfect reading experience. I am not going to say much about the actual story and what transpired, I want readers to get to savor every word for themselves. Trust me, you’re going to want to.

I think this novel is going to be very difficult to get over. I didn’t want it to come to an end. I could have spent another few hundred pages with these characters and their story (greedy, I know). But all good things must come to an end, and even though the final page was read, this book will not be forgotten. I wish I could read it all over again for the very first time.

*5 Stars