Whew! This was 4 powerful stars.
I had no idea that this novel held so many feelings and it wrecked me. It was the sort of novel you have to read or listen to when you’re in a good place. It was narrated by Caitlin Kelly and she was phenomenal. Perfect for this.
I felt heartsick, angry and then determined. Some or most of the relationships are complicated and messy. You’ll see. It ended up balanced and I found it painful. The writing was good. I hope this was helpful.
Thanks Macmillan Audio and St Martins Press via NetGalley.

While I found this audiobook engaging, and I did keep coming back to it, the content felt unoriginal and repetitive. This genre has been overdone, in my opinion, and I'm not sure this book brought much new perspective. There was too much mention of foreshadowing to the after moment, which was revealed in the first chapter, so the hinting to the future felt unnecessary. Something else I found odd, but this may just be me, is the constant mention of Adelaide straightening her hair and brushing her teeth. Why?? Overall, this was well written and I'm sure it will resonate with many readers, but it was just ok for me.

Let me just say from the start, this is not a romance… which was great for me as I’m not a romance novel lover.
This is a nicely written debut novel that I would not have guessed was a debut. The characters were well sketched out and I loved the London setting. The details were so realistic that many times, I just wanted to jump into the book and let Adelaide know what a one-sided relationship looked like. She was so nice!
There are some triggers, you may want to research other reviews.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC to review! Much appreciated! I would recommend this book!

Adelaide Williams says that she is not the life of the party. That distinction is held by her friends who move more easily in the spotlight than she does. What Adelaide Williams is though is the sunshine, the warmth, the one who always gives the most thoughtful gifts, the one who is there, always, for her friends. And, then when she meets Rory Hughes on a dating app, amazed that he’s the same boy she saw a few years ago, the Disney prince, she becomes there for him. She falls in love with him and then tries so very hard to make him fall in love with her the same way in Genevieve Wheeler’s very moving, Adelaide.

While the blurb tries to convince us that Adelaide is a love story, it is not a traditional love story. Not the boy meets girl and happily-ever-after ensues. This is a love story of unrequited love. Of love for those who are the best parts of our lives, who are always there for us: our friends who become our family. It is a love story of finding love for oneself when one deems oneself to be unworthy but discovers that’s not true. So, yes, this is a love story, just not a romantic one.

What makes Adelaide so truly affecting are the characters who feel like real people with flaws, foibles, insecurities, compassion, and loyalties. It’s very easy to read about Adelaide and find her to be a silly girl for not seeing just who Rory is and, even when she does, for not accepting that he will not change. Unless you’ve actually been one of those silly little girls yourself and lived through a situation in which you thought you could love enough for both of you.

Rory, on the other hand, is a self-absorbed mess. He is thoughtless, unkind, and concerned just with himself. Charming is as charming does and in this case, Adelaide is the only one who remains charmed.

Adelaide raises trigger topics like suicide, delves into mental health, in very real ways. There is no brushing events and behavior under a rug; it’s dealt with honestly. As it should be.

While this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I found it to be a tonic I didn’t know I needed. A beautiful read, sometimes funny, always touching and real, so very real.

Regarding the audiobook narration. Caitlin Kelly does an outstanding job of narrating this book. When they say: read to you by, this is the kind of narration that makes you acknowledge that the narrating is far more than just reading the book aloud. She made all of the different characters come to life. Her voices for Adelaide and Eloise were so different that you could have believed there were multiple voices in the mix. Her voice soothed through difficult passages, adding just the right amount of emotion to make listening to the book a far more intimate experience than simply reading it.

I received a copy from Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to preview this release of Adelaide. I immediately bonded with the characters in this book as their special girl friendships was so genuine and sincere. The audio was great, loved the accents. Adelaide is a co-dependent female who thinks so little of herself that she ends up in a relationship that is probably more real than most of us want to admit. She is seriously kicking butt in life but thinks way too little of herself in her relationships based on her upbringing in a mentally unstable family. I enjoyed how the author tells you what is happening now and then sidebars about the future was an interesting touch.

I thought this would be just another romance book, but it was full of deeper messages and meanings. It explores mental illness and trauma that lasts through the years.

Adelaide is a story about the coming into adulthood of Adelaide Williams. It is about growing up and discovering your own self-worth, as one tends to do, if they are lucky, in their 20s. It is about mental health and friendship and boundaries. It is about love gone wrong and right. It is also magical to listen to, as an audiobook.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh Adelaide. Poor, sweet, and giving, Adelaide clearly does not know her worth or value. A well-written, encapsulating story that will have you secretly plotting the murder of Rory (or at least rolling your eyes until they hurt). Honestly, I don't know if I've ever read a more cringe-worthy character than Rory, and I desperately wanted her to kick him to the curb, declare her independence, and stomp off while fireworks explode triumphantly in the background. Instead, we see something truer to real life, with conflicted feelings of self-worth intertwined in the clearly codependent relationship. Young love at its worst, and best. In short, it's complicated, but one I think you'll love.

Adelaide is a twenty something American living in London. While navigating the hardships of young adulthood, she struggles in her romantic relationship with Rory Hughes.

This is such a raw, riveting, vulnerable, and important read for young women! It touches on some hard topics like mental illness, toxic relationships, and not defining yourself by others. Adelaide is a lovable character, and her desire to be loved is heartbreaking. Genevieve Wheeler was able to write a a story that has heavy topics while also being an enjoyable read. Adelaide and her friends are likable and relatable! Wonderful debut novel!

The audio version and narrator are wonderful. The voice and even the accents do not take away from the story. Very easy to listen to!

When Adelaide finds the man she once met at a party on a dating app, she knows instantly that they are meant to be together. In fact, upon their first meeting she told him he looked like a "Disney prince" and when he hardly responded she was sure she'd never see him again, but fate must be what's brought them together. Quickly she finds herself falling in love with the charming Englishman Rory. Even as he goes days, sometimes weeks hardly responding to her texts and bailing on plans last minute, Adelaide believes that she must try more and love harder, that their love is worth the fight. However, when Rory beings mourning the loss of a former loved one, Adelaide throws herself into the supportive role for him, even as she's falling apart. 

Oh Adelaide. She is so kind and filled to the brim with love for Rory that she didn't have any left for herself. I loved the way her friends supported her though, and a strong highlight to this read was the love of her friends. This is absolutely a love story but it is not a romance. I believe this story will resonate with many young 20-something women, but please be aware of content warnings before reading because it does delve into some triggering topics.

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler is a book that I have been impatiently anticipating and was so excited to get an ARC. Adelaide is a 26 year old expat living in London who is experiencing the typical struggles that the mid-twenties offer: trying to find herself, find a partner, and find happiness. She meets Rory Hughes on a dating app and feels like she has found her guy. As their relationship progresses she starts to question if it is so great after all.

While this book is pitched as a love story it is really much more than that. There are some serious trigger warnings and topics explored through Adelaide's relationship with herself and her family. Much of the dating feels very familiar and true to the experience of many in the real world - the author did a great job of capturing that longing, anxiety, and tension that comes with being with someone who isn't always giving you what you need back. This book was heavy and unexpected - it may not be what I expected to read but it was better.

The audio, narrated by Caitlin Kelly, was expertly executed and the listening experience added to the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Adelaide is out 4/18/23.

I enjoyed this more than I can put into words. Amazing contemporary story felt relatable easy 5 stars!

Adelaide
Genevieve Wheeler

Adelaide is an American living in London, working hard & dating around until she stumbles upon a ✨boy✨. as tswift would say, a boy who “puts her in the basement when she wanted the penthouse of his heart”

📖 contemporary litfic with romance situations but this is not a romantic story
❤️‍🩹mental health, grief & longing – existing alongside others who are also grappling with self-worth, the depths of medicating wounded relational wants & needs
🥲 this story is emotional often, frustrating at times, and full of big feelings
👯‍♀️loved the sweet friendships, emphasizing how these are what make up important community

these characters and relationships felt so real & touched so many real-life heartaches + woes

I’m so glad I read this at the right time for me🥹 it helped to read these stories + experiences in a fictional world. highly recommend checking CW before picking this up

📚feels like it’d be sitting near Ghosts by Dolly Alderton in a bookstore - life & dating and the lessons learned that are less about finding “the one” and more about finding yourself

this book is “tolerate it” 🤝 “bejeweled” vibes

💖 thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC

# Adelaide

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler is a raw portrayal of bad relationships and its impact on mental health. The story follows 26 year old Adelaide Williams, an American living in London, who meets Rory Hughes on a dating app and is convinced he is the one. However, Rory is not the perfect boyfriend. He is too hung up on his previous love interest, constantly cancels plans, doesn’t respond to texts, and can sometimes just be cold.

Adelaide is determined to be enough for Rory, believing that one day he will wake up and see that she is the love of his life. When Rory experiences tragedy, Adelaide does everything she can to be his pillar, even at the expense of her own life and mental health. Rory still does not love her back.

The author does a good job depicting the experience of depression in a character over time and the deterioration of mental health when someone constantly choose another over themselves. The blurb describes this book as a “timeless love story,” but it is not. It is more of a portrait of bad relationships and mistakes we make in our 20s. It will resonate well with anyone who has been in a bad relationship or for people who suffer from imposter syndrome as Adelaide never feels she is enough.

This is a darker and heavier book than I expected with trigger warnings for suicide, depression, rape, miscarriage, toxic relationships, and bipolar disorder.

Overall, I think this book had potential but slightly missed the mark for me. The author’s approach to mental health was nuanced, but the story itself was not as compelling. The redeeming quality for me were the friendships in Adelaide’s life. If you’re looking for a book that deals with the darker side of relationships and mental health, Adelaide might be worth checking out.

I liked this book! I liked the subtlety of the toxicity that felt very true to life. Adelaide was easy to root for, and her friends were well fleshed out. The audio narration was well executed. The mental health content was treated with both realism and sensitivity. I would definitely recommend this, particularly to women in their 20s struggling to make sense of the dating landscape and trying so hard to see the best in people they want to love.

Lovely and heartbreaking, Adelaide’s past and present unfold for the reader as she attempts to work through horrible depression. We meet our typically bubbly, beautiful Adelaide, and observe as she tries to find love and her own happiness. It was hard to listen at times, with such doubt and overwhelming sadness, but it was worth it it to watch a woman find her own worth. The reader often gets peaks into what the future holds and insight into other characters. Masterfully done. CW: sexual assault and suicidal ideation.

This is Genevieve Wheelers debut novel. I was able to listen to the audiobook in advance as an ARC reviewer. Receiving an advanced copy did not sway my opinion of this book.
WOW! This book was quite the rollercoaster. The emotions run high as we follow the life of Adelaide Williams. Life, Love, Loss and trauma. Adelaide is driven and quirky attempting to be an successful American living in the UK.
I enjoyed every bit of this book. Some parts easier than others. It’s always hard to hear about a characters trauma or experience their struggles. This book! This very well written book makes you feel everything! Just as Adelaide does.
The audio portion of this work was well done. The narrator was able to switch to different accents when needed. I was very impressed.
I highly recommend you preorder your copy today!!

DNF @ 53%

This is not a "love story" it's extremely raw and not an easy read at all. If you're a fan of Normal People by Sally Rooney you will like this; I actually think Adelaide is much better. It's almost too real and too relatable in a way that made me both love and hate it at the same time.

In the end, I probably would have loved this at a different point in my life. But, that part of my life isn't what I care to drag up by reading a novel right now.

as an American twenty-something living in London, Adelaide falls into an incredibly toxic relationship with a British man named Rory Hughes. I felt that this one does mental health really really well. highly recommend, & then talk to me about it when you’re done! content warnings for toxic relationship, suicide, rape, & fatal car accident.

So beautifully written! The author addresses so many issues in such a deep and touching way, from grief, friendship, mental health and the importance of self love. The book truly resonated with my soul.