A review by shadesnpages
New Growth by Taahesi B. Williams

4.75

New Growth is hands down my top read of 2025 so far. It’s a slow burn in every sense of the word—and listen, if you had told me I’d be somewhere crying over one? I would’ve hit you with a “girl, please.” But here I am, giving this book its full flowers, because the Elliots had me locked in from the very beginning.

It’s been a minute since I’ve seen myself so clearly in FMC, but Elliot aka Ellie? Whew. Sis held a mirror to my face and whispered, “Looka there, looka there.” Like Ellie, losing the anchor in my life left me reeling. Life kept swinging, And I couldn’t help but think—if I’d had someone soft like Elliot aka El to land on? Baby… things might’ve hit different.

Now El? He is book bae certified. Gentle, grounded, patient, emotionally present—he’s that quiet strength that makes you exhale. The way he creates safety for Ellie? That’s a man. This story is full of emotional depth, layered character development, and a portrayal of chronic illness that felt real, tender, and done with care. You can feel that Taahesi B. didn’t just write this—she poured into it. The emotional intimacy builds so naturally that by the time they finally cross that line—around the 70% mark—it doesn’t feel late. It feels earned. And the payoff?Worth every second.I found myself wishing for El’s POV—especially to understand how he carries his own battles and still shows up so fully for someone else. His journey, his career, his heart… I wanted to sit inside his mind just a little longer. The pacing toward the end felt a bit rushed, but it doesn’t take away from what this story gave me. If you’re craving a love story that feels intentional, grown, and full of heart—New Growth needs to be on your shelf.