Rooted in Both Directions

In the small town of Wildwood, Cassie's world has always been mapped in two points: the field where she and Jamie have spent countless nights tracing constellations only they can see, and the quiet spaces where she feels most like herself. But when Lena arrives-sharp-eyed, magnetic, and carrying her own maps-Cassie's life begins to stretch in new directions.

What starts as a friendship becomes a delicate balancing act between two people who know different versions of her. As the seasons turn, the field becomes more than a place-it's a test of what can be shared, what must be kept, and how far a thread can stretch before it frays.

From whispered rules under summer stars to the first frost on a mural's painted lines, Rooted in Both Directions is a slow-burn, coming-of-age story about friendship, identity, and the spaces we create between ourselves and the people we love. It's about the maps we inherit, the ones we draw ourselves, and the courage it takes to stand in the overlap.

Perfect for readers who love:

• Small-town settings with big emotional stakes

• Friendships that blur into something more

• Lyrical, atmospheric prose

• Stories that weave art, place, and identity into one

If you've ever stood between two worlds and wondered if you could belong to both, this book will feel like coming home.