The Girl Who Loved Cayo Bradley

Romano is a master at evoking emotion within the reader through the development of her characters, and, in doing so, she allows us to witness their journey and growth as people. I loved seeing Darby and Cayo grow and expand, especially as each struggled to live between two worlds while still being true to their authentic selves. In Darby’s case, we find her caught between wanting to receive an education and wanting to stay tucked away at home with the man she loves. As a small-town girl, she never quite feels at ease in the city. On the other hand, Cayo is caught between two cultures. Yet he cannot live peacefully in either culture as a part of him longs for the other. Each reaches a breaking point in life when they must choose to set aside expectations and stigmas and be true to their dreams, hopes, and desires.

In terms of technical skills, Romano’s ability to write a flashback scene is brilliant. While some authors may use special formatting to indicate a flashback, Romano effortlessly transitions the reader from present to past in a hardly noticeable way. She allows the reader to glide through the character’s memories, reliving the significant moments and then returning to the present.