All Wheel DriveOnce again, Maxfield shines with her use of character. Though there is a significant (and quite sexy) romantic element to this novel, the journey for me was more about the character progression, whether or not Healey and Diego ended up together. The author made me cheer for them as individuals, not necessarily as a couple.

Halfway through the book, I even realized that I’d be content if they didn’t end up together forever. Through the course of the story, each person was learning important things about himself that would make them better people in the long run. And I firmly believe that two people should make a romantic pair, rather than a romantic pairing be the way in which people “complete” themselves. 

As much as I love Diego and his stubborn angst, the combined twin power of Healey and Nash was definitely my favorite element of this book. They made a fantastic dynamic duo. Throw their dad into the mix, and I’d happily read pretty much anything with the Nash boys.

Maxfield doesn’t shy away from the complications that must be addressed in a sexual relationship with a paraplegic. I also appreciated how Healey’s experience with his wheelchair-bound little sister did not mean he fully escaped the verbal minefields an able person can still stumble through (see, even our language isn’t necessarily designed for a person with physical limitations). Physical disability and mental illness are presented unflinchingly in this book, bringing a healthy dose of realism to this fantastic novel.

Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.