Lavender Hayes

All of the events that shaped Brittany's life-before and during it-led her to Steven, the love of her life. In many ways, he was her mirror. But meeting him was not the turning point. Knowing a name is not enough to alter the path of a butterfly.

Falling in love with him was.

Even then, her story demanded more of her. She was forced to face a deeper, harsher truth: loving him did not mean she would get to keep him. After the death of love, Brittany must learn to navigate a world that continues without Steven.

Though she finds love again, a part of her will always belong to Steven. His absence becomes something she carries, not something she escapes.

Brittany comes to understand that she cannot write her own life by wishing on a shooting star. But she can choose love-again and again-and in doing so, allow love to find her.

Through themes of Taylor Swift, addiction, and generational wounds, Lavender Hayes tells the story of a woman learning to live with grief.

For Brittany, grief is not the opposite of love.

It is proof that love came first.