Book: Keepsakes and Kismet by Farrah Colson
Reviewed by Michelle March
Rating: 5/5
At first, I was like, this is just going to be another meet-cute.
Boy, was I wrong.
I didn't connect right away with either of the main characters when we were just getting to know who they were. The pacing was a bit slow at first, but then we find out that Peyton has a really strong aversion to touch. I've never read a character with this particular issue. It was clear right away that some sort of trauma had occurred in her life, and that kept me hooked through the first few chapters.
Then we meet Callum and get to know him a bit more, and the trauma he was experiencing was striking. Through his therapy sessions and the voicemails he listens to, we learn about a death he experienced in high school that pretty much wrecked him. We hear more about the fallout from this and the PTSD issues he experiences because of it.
I think the word PTSD gets thrown around a lot casually. I admit I've done it. This book gave me a very visceral and real look into someone's world where PTSD is a daily issue that overshadows the rest of their life and relationships. I won't say that casually anymore.
So many people are walking around with trauma, trying to function like everyone else, when behind the scenes they're dealing with something genuinely hard. I have a new awareness and respect for that because of this book.
As we started learning more about Peyton and Callum and their trauma, I was IN. I needed to know if they would or could heal separately, and how the heck a relationship would form from that. Once I got invested, I couldn't put this book down.
Most romance books have immediate physical scenes. Not this one, because of Peyton's aversion to touch, and I think that made the romance deeper. I loved the respect Callum has for Peyton in regard to this.
The first kiss scene was precious. So tender and heartfelt. They do eventually make their way to a physical relationship, and that is part of the beauty of this story. I loved how the characters weren't always completely open with each other, but they were willing to push through their issues and insecurities because there was a real emotional bond between the two of them.
Their humor and wit in the dialogue were hilarious, which made this book even more adorable.
That's Peyton and Callum, but we can't NOT talk about the rest of the characters in this book.
Callum's family is ADORABLE. It is the type of family who is there for everything. It was nice seeing a healthy family dynamic represented in this way. You could feel the love they had for each other through the pages.
During the book, we also meet the parents of Callum's childhood friend. Turns out they're the ones leaving the voicemails he's listening to in therapy.
I don't want to get into spoilers, so I will just say this.
The last few chapters of this book had tears streaming down my face.
I went into this expecting another cute romance. Instead, I found myself crying through the final chapters and walking away with a new awareness of the things people carry that we never see.
That's what will stay with me long after finishing this book.