Variation is a beautifully written, easy-to-read story that pulls you in from the beginning. I finished the book in just a few days because I simply couldn’t put it away. The story follows Allie Rousseau, an elite ballerina forced to pause her career due to an injury. Back at her childhood summer home, she’s suddenly faced with the past she tried to leave behind – including Hudson Ellis, her first love. Their paths cross again when Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, setting off a chain of emotional moments, truths, and reconnections. What I really appreciated in this story is how Allie and Hudson, when they are together, actually express their feelings—at least to some extent. In many love stories, I often find myself getting frustrated with the characters for not being honest or open. Here, there was a refreshing honesty between them that made their connection more believable. That said, they still struggle knowing for themselves what they want, and trying to protect each other’s feelings, which only complicates things further. Still, Variation is a nice story of first love getting a second chance—full of emotion, gentle tension, and beautifully moments. A great pick for fans of emotional, romances that offer both healing and hope.