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2026 Book 36 - No Matter What by Cara Bastone

Quick read, but not exactly light. Heavy focus on surviving a traumatic event and communication difficulties. Ros and Vin’s rock solid marriage is in danger after they survive a near-death experience. They try to keep their shakiness from Raffi, Ros’ best friend and Vin’s brother. He’s the most fragile of the three of them and suffered the worst injuries from the accident. Both Ros and Vin seek out ways to manage their grief and fear. Ros takes a drawing class and meets new friends. Vin goes to therapy and takes active measures to work on his communication.

For my memory: a car crashes into a cafe where Ros, Vin, Raffi, and another gentleman are sitting. Vin saves Ros by diving on top of her. Both suffer from PTSD. Ros finds a lease and thinks Vin plans to move out. Vins sees Ros making new friends and moving on, and he thinks maybe he should give her space to heal. They aren’t communicating and are sleeping in separate rooms. Vin never signed the lease,  and only brought it home to give Ros an option if she wanted him to leave for a bit. Vin goes to therapy and becomes a regular at an open mic storytelling night at a local bar. It was enjoyable and not as heart wrenching as the last Cara Bastone book I read, despite the tough subject matter. (7.75)

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