u/kate_58

3⭐️

This might be a bit of a hot take. I was kind of expecting more from this as it was hyped up so much and said to be one of the best books of 2025. But I found that the plot moved really slowly and the writing was too descriptive for my liking. I also knew very early on in the book where things were going to go and found the book overall rather predictable. The drama in this was interesting but not particularly exciting. I struggled with the decisions the characters made in this, particularly Beth — I definitely wanted to shake her.

My biggest issue with this book was that I found it really choppily written with the switching back and forth between time periods. There was “Before” and “After” and the amount of time passing in both those timelines was written in a very muddied way. I was confused about whether days, weeks, months were elapsing, and I felt it jumped between time periods a little bit too much. I eventually just kept reading, knowing that I’d never be sure exactly when the events were taking place. Only later in the book did the author give you specific dates. I found that a bit disorganized and frustrating.

I did consider DNFing it many times but kept going because it was actually a rather short book (it felt long though…).

I will say, however, that the ending saved it. Part 3 (about 2/3 in) was where things really started to actually happen and I got properly invested in the book. The conclusion was rather beautiful and gave me sufficient closure for the book overall, which is the main reason why my rating is not lower.

People seem to really love or really hate this book, but my opinion falls more into the middle; I will say it is not one of my favourites, and was not really worth the hype, but it was still an okay read overall.

P.S. Don't listen to anyone who refers to this book as a thriller. I feel like hearing that got my hopes up a bit too much. This is decidedly a drama rather than a thriller, so if you read this, just know what you're getting into.

I got this book delivered to me a week early and finished it yesterday. I'm still thinking about everything that happened in it. It's invaded my brain.

It was so beautifully written and emotional. I got immediately and completely sucked into the story and the characters. I was in a reading slump and hadn't read a 5 star in a while (and actually that 5 star was The Bright Years!).

You'll probably love this if you like a book with short chapters, beautiful/metaphorical prose that is still action heavy and easy on the brain, a quickly moving plot with multiple complementary perspectives, family dramas with relatable yet actually interesting problems, deep romance that feels mature and brave, and strongly written flawed characters going through the highs and lows of life.

5 glowing stars.

What a gift that this was delivered to me early. I desperately needed something good.