Continuum

Continuum. Danielle Allen. 2021. The Art of Being. 176 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.]

There’s nothing quite like a youthful, unrequited infatuation. Aisha spent a year tutoring Kwame in college stats, only to graduate without having the opportunity to express her true feelings for him. A chance encounter nearly two decades later, however, gives her a chance to finally act on desires she’d long put behind her.

Continuum takes place over only a few days, but it packs a lot in. While Aisha and Kwame reacquaint themselves, they explore how life has impacted them along the way. Everything from career growth, death of loved ones, and failed relationships plays a part in who they’ve grown to be, and it’s compelling to see the two of them navigate trading in the old Aisha and Kwame for who they’ve matured into.

No romance would be complete without drama, and Continuum has plenty. Aisha’s an attractive woman on the dating scene, and Kwame’s a catch in his own right. Others don’t necessarily see the two as a match and don’t shy away from making their opinions and intentions known. Things are further complicated by the reality that Aisha and Kwame live halfway across the country from each other; surely a long-distance situation isn’t going to work. Right?

Along with the drama, Continuum is filled with plenty of humor. On more than a few occasions, I laughed out loud, especially at the antics of Kwame’s colleague Eli or Aisha’s friends Tara and Italy. These peripheral characters are equal parts instigators and advisors, and are always a delight on the page.

Continuum is a brief but enjoyable book. I read it over a few hours and found it easy to get absorbed in. It’s the perfect book to select for a quiet afternoon or evening to immerse yourself in a thoughtful story.