Reviewed by Mal
TITLE: Crossing Arizona
SERIES: The State of Us #2
AUTHOR: Bree Wiley
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 397 Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2025
REVIEW:
Ok, I first have to get it off my chest, I abhorred Val, so very very much. Till a certain point, I felt there has to be trauma of a significant kind in her life to be the way she is but the things she did towards the end, nope no redemption only vengeance.
Ok now for the real review! Xed and Matty! Good lord they bring the swoon, and the pining is sublime, and oh my god the experimenting and the forbidden touches and always sharing a bed, literally being on fire before giving in. Phew 
. This book is HOT, not in the typical sense though there is more than enough of that too but Bree Wiley writes some epic chemistry – super hot, did I say hot enough? HOTTTT!
She also writes hurt comfort and emotion and connection (with a smidge of codependency) beautifully! These two, at their core needed to traverse their own growth and win their battles and slay their dragons before they could be together – literally they had to heal from the insane tearing down (one from a caregiver and one from a partner) that they both had to deal with at a time they were barely figuring themselves out. This book breaks your heart in so many places but the journey is a healing and hopeful one full of love and found family. It puts you back together (but Bree really made them work for it – no short cuts) I really appreciated the mental health rep and how they always put Hannah first.
The duck was much appreciated (I hope he finally got something to eat 
) I loved the language of sign posts they were absolutely perfection. I think Matts family was great.
While this is a heavy read with a lot of sensitive issues and situations that hurt your heart, it’s very well written and actually quite sweet, the story pulls you in the cast of characters become familiar and very soon you’re supremely fond of them needing to know everything turns out ok for them. They are young , they do not have it figured out but you can see that they are doing their best and the love, the love is there for all to see. Definitely recommend reading it, check out the trigger warnings there are sensitive themes.
RATING: 
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