Years ago, Rachel had a crush on Henry Jones. The day before she moved away, she tucked a love letter into his favorite book in his family's bookshop. She waited. But Henry never came. Now Rachel has returned to the city—and to the bookshop—to work alongside the boy she'd rather not see, if at all possible, for the rest of her life. But Rachel needs the distraction, and the escape. Her brother drowned months ago, and she can't feel anything anymore. She can't see her future.

Henry's future isn't looking too promising, either. His girlfriend dumped him. The bookstore is slipping away. And his family is breaking apart. As Henry and Rachel work side by side—surrounded by books, watching love stories unfold, exchanging letters between the pages—they find hope in each other. Because life may be uncontrollable, even unbearable sometimes. But it's possible that words, and love, and second chances are enough.

Idaho, a sharp, stunning debut novel by Emily Ruskovich, explores themes of grief, loss, and redemption, and has been recognized as an Irish bestseller. Set against the backdrop of a hot August day, a family outing to collect birch wood in a mountain clearing becomes the scene of a harrowing event.

Jenny, the mother, is tasked with trimming the logs while Wade, the father, stacks them. Their daughters, June and May, try to enjoy their time with lemonade and songs amidst the sweltering heat. Amidst the mundane, something unthinkable occurs, a shocking act that will send the family spiraling in different directions and leave haunting questions lingering for years to come.

Idaho is a multi-layered narrative that is both beautifully crafted and devastating in its portrayal of the complexities of family life and the human condition. It is a tale that promises to captivate readers, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.