Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros

How do you define yourself when others have already decided who you are?

Six years ago, when Camden Daniels came back from war without his younger brother, no one in his small hometown would forgive him - especially his father. He left, swearing never to return.

When he receives a desperate message from his father, all of the memories come rushing back. The betrayal. The pain. The only hope Camden has is that home is where the one person he still loves is waiting. Willow. But when Camden arrives, long-buried secrets resurface and it becomes clear that he and Willow can never be together.

If only he could tell his heart to stay locked away when she whispers that she's always loved him, and always will ...