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the setup��
Rumaki (Ru) Evans is thirteen years old and ready to start college. Her mother labeled her long ago as “freakishly smart�� and it’s now an identity she reluctantly owns. Ru also has an eidetic memory that doesn’t help others from forming similar opinions. Rather than live in a dormitory, Ru stays at a private home near campus where she meets Gabriel Gulbranson, the seventeen year old nonbinary son who she bonds with as a brother. He “sees�� beyond her smarts and brings out the child and wonder. She “sees�� beyond his makeup and nail polish and accepts him unconditionally. But then Ru’s mother dies and the world as she knows it is threatened because awful Aunt Mimi plans to move her from California to Kentucky. Ru and Gabriel decide to go on the run to Canada where she can fulfill her dream to see the Atlantic puffins.

the heart of the story��
To call Ru and Gabriel’s relationship special is to understate the beauty of it, especially since they came to trust each other rather quickly. They are two old souls who are learning to see the world and people through each other’s eyes. Their journey was even more remarkable as they experienced the kindness of strangers who simply were reacting to their authenticity.

the narration��
Initially I had to check the audio speed because the voice for Ru seemed too fast. But I soon got very comfortable because it was ideal for the character. She changed the voice and rhythm for all other characters, making this an extraordinary listening experience by having Ru standout so nicely.

the bottom line��
It’s technically a coming of age story but it just didn’t feel like one. Ru’s transition was in reverse, discovering her inner child and finding the joy in that. Gabriel got to experience being able to just be himself without judgment and seeing that reflected in Ru’s eyes. The road trip opened them to the magic of nature and its gifts, along with a host of interesting people. There’s no drama here, just a lovely adventure of two young people finding their way in the world and leaving their mark on everyone they encounter.

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(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)