Hot British Boyfriend
If you're craving international romance with all the charm and wit you'd expect from across the pond, this cultural exchange is delightful!
Ellie's motivation for this whole adventure hit me right in the feelings because honestly, who hasn't wanted to disappear after a particularly mortifying romantic moment? Boyce captures that specific teenage humiliation so perfectly - that awful feeling when your private vulnerability becomes public entertainment. The idea of reinventing yourself across an ocean sounds completely dramatic and also reasonable when you're seventeen and convinced everyone will remember your romantic disaster forever.
But here's where Boyce gets really clever. She sets up Will as this perfect fantasy - gorgeous, charming, everything Ellie thinks she needs to feel better about herself. Then she slowly shows us how that whole "hot foreign boyfriend as confidence cure" thing is actually kind of hollow. Will isn't a bad guy, but their relationship becomes this mirror that reflects what Ellie thinks she should want versus what might actually make her happy.
And then there's Dev, who completely steals the show. What starts as this academic partnership becomes something so much more meaningful. Watching Ellie gradually realize that someone who challenges her intellectually and respects her thoughts might be more valuable than perfect cheekbones? That's the kind of character growth that makes you want to cheer.
The English countryside setting feels incredibly real too - not just pretty scenery, but this place where Ellie can step outside her usual life and actually see herself clearly. Boyce gets that travel can be transformative, but not always in the ways we expect. Sometimes we discover new things about ourselves, and sometimes we just realize we were actually okay to begin with.
What I really appreciated was how Boyce doesn't make Ellie's original instincts seem stupid or naive. Wanting adventure and romance, and a fresh start? That's completely human. The real growth happens when she learns the difference between running away from her problems and running toward something better.
The supporting characters feel like actual people you'd meet on a study abroad trip - each with their own reasons for being there, their own drama, and goals. The group dynamics create this authentic mix of tension and friendship that makes the whole experience feel genuine.
This book is really about choosing between two versions of yourself: the one who needs external validation to feel worthy, and the one who finds confidence through real connections. It's wrapped up in a romance, but it's actually about so much more than just picking between two guys. Boyce writes with this emotional intelligence that makes familiar scenarios feel completely fresh and meaningful.
Ratings: 3.7/5 Crumpets✨
