“You’re this incredible, unstoppable force. You realized it was hurting you, and you got out. That’s the exact opposite of failure. I just-l hope you know how in awe of you I am.” – Rachel Lynn Solomon, Extracurricular

Ramona Wilder grew up in the spotlight. The star of a hit kids’ television show, Ramona transitioned to music, traveling the world performing in arenas to sold-out crowds full of teenage girls. At age twenty-six, Ramona is done. She’s tired. Music doesn’t fill her with joy the way it used to, plus the lack of privacy is really getting on her nerves. At a concert one night, Ramona announces she’s done. She has new plans: college.

Professor Nick Navarro is trying his best to be optimistic, even though his recent divorce has destroyed him. A department meeting at the start of the new school year seems unnecessary, especially when he learns that it is about a celebrity enrollment. Nick doesn’t care. They will be treated just like any other normal student. (And what do you, dear reader, think is going to happen next?)

When Nick walks into class the first day and discovers everything in an uproar, he is rattled to find Ramona in the center of it all. This is not normal. Nick is never off his game. Ramona takes great joy in rattling Nick. When a crisis out of school brings the two closer, a friendship is formed. Navigating this friendship while dealing with attraction and the illicitness of this student/teacher relationship is something they have to deal with. Outside forces could force Nick and Ramona apart before they even get the chance to start.

While not my favorite of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books, Extracurricular still had me rooting for the couple to make it through. The side characters were well-developed and added a level of understanding to this book that would have been missing without them. While there were some plot holes, the themes of growth, resilience, and self-rediscovery that ran throughout made up for what I felt was lacking. Rachel Lynn Solomon explores mental health, healing, and second chances in a compassionate and emotional way. Everything isn’t completely solved at the end of this book, but it’s clear that the characters are on their way to finding peace.