Series:
Silent Journey (Book 3)
When a mysterious "astronaut" walks into her
favorite bar, art teacher Maya Gershawn does what she does best: creates a
perfect one-night fantasy where her lupus doesn't exist.
But when Zachary shows up as her new classroom
partner—sharing her cramped trailer and watching her every move—Maya's
carefully hidden world threatens to shatter.
Between her principal's war on her curriculum, her
mother's mortifying public crusade about Maya's illness, and Zachary's
dangerously addictive presence, Maya's control is slipping. The ferret she
rescued during a hurricane might be the only thing keeping her sane.
Zachary Becker abandoned Silicon Valley for a teaching
dream, but he wasn't prepared for Maya—brilliant, stubborn, and determined to
handle everything alone even as her body betrays her. When her secret explodes
across social media and lands her in the hospital, Zachary must convince her
that love doesn't mean losing herself.
A swoony romance about finding someone who sees all of
you—even the parts you've been hiding—and loves you not despite them, but
because of them.
Terrific book. I loved the realistic look at life with a
disability. Maya is an elementary school art teacher who also has lupus. Only a
few of her closest friends know about her disease; she hides it from the rest
of the world. As the book opens, she notices a guy who walks into the bar where
she had a drink with a friend. They meet and connect, with Maya calling herself
a "world traveler" and Zachary, in the same spirit, claiming to be an
"astronaut." No harm, since neither expected to see each other again.
Fate has other plans. First, in a hilarious
ferret-induced encounter, Maya discovers that Zachary just rented the apartment
across the hall from her. Then, barely recovered from that shock, Zachary shows
up as the new science teacher. Not only that, but because of hurricane damage
to the school, she and Zachary must share a trailer classroom.
I enjoyed following the development of Zachary and Maya's
relationship. The connection/attraction was there from the moment they met. But
Maya is wary after her previous relationship crashed because of her illness,
and she's hesitant to risk her heart again. Zachary is a brand-new teacher,
having left his high-tech job to pursue a new dream. He's nervous, insecure
about his decision, and a little intimidated by Maya's intensity in the
classroom. After a slightly rough start, they form a terrific partnership in
the classroom, which soon extends to their off-duty hours.
Things are not all sunshine and unicorns. The new
principal seems to have it out for Maya. He doesn't like her varied curriculum
and insists she make changes to her lessons. Someone is leaving her mean notes.
Even her mom is pestering her about multiple subjects, not the least of which
is something that would expose Maya's disease to the public. All the pressure
brings on a flare-up of her lupus, forcing her to confess to Zachary.
Zachary won my heart with his reaction. He is kind,
gentle, and ready to support her however she needs. His actions are exactly
what she needs, carried out without complaint, even as he worries they aren't
enough. There is a fantastic scene with his best friend, Tim, who talks him off
the ledge. I loved the effect it had on Zachary, and what he did afterward. I
loved the changes Zachary's care made in Maya and the difference it made in her
life, especially with her mom. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue was a
nice touch.
I enjoyed the scenes with Maya's friends, the Chronic
Pain Crafters. I look forward to reading their books.
As a person with a hidden illness myself, I love books with realistic portrayals.
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