I read this title a little later than publishing date, and I’m really glad that I did.

I’ve read how to kill a rockstar and god shaped hole by this author and I enjoyed both of them.

Sorrow was another good read by the author. Music and art and strong friendships are a big part of the book.

The ending was satisfying.

Had many issues trying to download the book without success.

Have decided to purchase and review at a late date as I adore everything this author has written.

Will eventually publish the review on our site and social media when I've read it.

Thank you for the opportunity to read.

I will rate it as 4 stars as I'm sure it will be fabulous.

Thank you

A beautifully heartbreaking story. In order to truly be capable of love, Joe must first learn to love himself. Sorrow takes us on a journey of self-destruction & brings us out on the other side to self-acceptance. But the journey is arduous & painful & so very real. These characters will stay with me for a very long time.

This book is so beautiful. If you're a fan of any of Tiffanie DeBartolo's books you're in for a beautiful, angsty ride. And if you've never read her before, then get ready and bring the tissues. This book broke me in the most beautiful way. I don't think I could put it down once. The way that Tiffanie weaves words together is all together the most amazing art. How she builds her worlds and characters is pure magic.

You meet Joe Harper, musician. He is at a crossroads and is basically aimless at this point in his life. Until he answers an ad for an assistant put out by October. What happens in the pages that follow is nothing short of art. You go through a large range of emotions while you read this story. It's not always easy to read but what you come out with in the end is something that you'll never forget. While I won't spoil the book, you won't walk away forgetting it any time soon. This is one of those books that sits with you, far longer than you ever expected it to.

This book is 100% emotive. In fact, I could only pick it up when I was in the right mood in order to give it a fair shake. We’ve got a sensitive guitarist/laborer dude (Joe), who’s pinning for an empathic artist (October):
E-M-O-T-I-O-N-A-L. It’s also a bit of a contemporary romance, which is a genre I normally skirt around because I hate sappy stories. No sap... except maybe some trees, but they’re not the focus of the book! I am a fan of DeBartolo’s previous books, which tend to embrace an anti-romantic edge. True to form, this is a book about the life cycle of a relationship.

I can’t say that I <i>connected</i> with the characters, but somehow their quiet presence helped me appreciate everything they went through. I found inspiration from October, even though I rolled my eyes a when she described herself as an “Artist of Life.” Other than that moment of pretension, she comes off as a cool person, and both her and Joe were people I would want to hang out with. There’s a weight of authenticity between Joe and October, not just in the pattern of their relationship, but in how introverted people naturally behave.

This is a book just begging for a playlist, even though it (sorta) comes with one pre-installed. There are a number of music references, but they tend to lean into the classics and mid-90’s musicians, even though those sounds don’t quite hit the same way the text felt, (with exception to the National & Damien Rice songs quoted in the book). To demonstrate my fondness for this book, and “(because) I don’t want to get over you,” I <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6N6diBVMOEVhlXO5lws4sn?si=2wj1zMHmToiQHJ6YwfSmhg"> compiled a collection of songs I would attach as a soundtrack</a>. For the curious, below is the <i>Sorrow</i> arrangement:

“Sorrow,” by The National (in the book)
“Delicate,” by Damien Rice
“Screaming Infidelities,” by Dashboard Confessional
“Lightness,” by Death Cab for Cutie
“Superconnected,” by Broken Social Scene
“We Belong,” by Sin Fang Bous
“The Greatest,” by Cat Power
“Kicking the Heart Out,” by Rogue Wave
“Smokers Outside the Hospital Door,” by Editors
“I Go to the Barn Because I Like the,” by Band of Horses
“Song for Lorca,” by Apostles of Hustle
“Loveless,” by Okay
“Welcome Home,” by Jeff Hanson
“Can’t Say No,” by The Helio Sequence
“Leaves in the River,” by Sea Wolf
“Rootless Tree,” by Damien Rice
“Your Ex-Lover is Dead,” by Stars
“What Isn’t Nature,” by Cass McCombs
“Alternative to Love,” by Brendan Benson
“Prank Calls,” by Kelley Stoltz
“Excuses,” by The Morning Benders
“About Today,” by The National

{smirks in playlist genius}

Mini disclosure: this book was originally offered up as an advance reader copy c/o NetGalley and Woodhall Press, for an honest review. I attempted to embrace the eARC, but couldn’t stand the background noise of the PDF copy, so I waited out the publication and purchased a physical copy for myself.

Sorrow is the third book I’ve read by Tiffanie DeBartolo and each time I read a book by her I’m blown away by her raw talent. Her writing is out of this world and she tells a story like no other.

This is a book that makes you think about the choices you make and how they change and shape your life. Sometimes not making a choice is a choice within itself. I think we’ve all thought about that at one time or another… what if I would have done this instead? How different would my life be?

Joe Harper has made choices he wishes he could change. He’s passed over opportunities that could have changed his life and he’s spent a lot of time alone, living without those he loves. Then he meets October. October changes him in a big way, but when he goes back into his self, he has to make a big choice. To carry on with how he’s been living, or make a choice to take a chance…

I enjoyed this one so much. The writing was incredible, the story was stunning and truly made me think about like and gave me so many feels. I do wish I would have felt a little more connected to the hero and heroine, but overall I really loved this one!

Never got the book in mobi format, so was unable to review. But I'm looking forward to buying it and reading and reviewing it in the future

I’m really disappointed to not be able to read this, I was looking forward to it as I have loved her other books. This copey said sample across the pages and it was hard to read.

Thanks for the chance.

Honestly, I never read this book. I requested it and downloaded it but was hit with a massive season of depression where I couldn't read anything at all. Thankfully I am on the mend and do indeed plan to read the books I had requested. I am thankful for the opportunity for advanced reader copies. I do love reading.

I started and stopped this book and few times and I kept putting it down. I do think this is a case of timing, rather than an issue with the writing. This past year had a real effect on the types of book I could engage with and I will try to pick this one up at a later date.

I was REALLY looking forward to reading SORROW, but the "SAMPLE DRAFT" across the text made it impossible to read. Thank you so much for the free ARC, NetGalley, but I do hope the publisher changes the format of the ARCs in the future so it can be easily read. I'm enthralled with the summary and I'm looking forward to purchasing the book.

I have tried to write this review several times, but I don't know how to put in words what this book meant to me. As a reader, it's a relatable story of love, loss, and life's lessons. As a human, it's a book about humanity, the art of living, and going after what you want in spite of it all. It's not even fair to call this just a romance, when Sorrow is so much more and it is apparent that Tiffanie DeBartolo put so much into it. Poignant, difficult, beautiful...there are so many words that can describe this read. It's not the rainbow and butterflies sort of love story with a tiny bit of drama the characters get through. This is main character Joe's story of life and letdowns and how they compiled into several losses that feel so great. It's the story of a man blowing like a leaf in the wind, unable to form roots like the tree he loves.

Joe isn't immediately likeable, but then again, a lot of people aren't when you peel back the layers. Joe Harper is real, his story is authentic, and in all its messiness, Sorrow is a work of art that I could not put down. Like God-Shaped Hole, Sorrow is existential literature, with Tiffanie DeBartolo's words taking Joe on a journey to figure out who he really is and what he's alive for. It's the kind of book you just have to pick up and start reading, you won't be let down.

I've been waiting years for another book by Tiffanie Debartolo, however, I just did not connect with Sorrow. To me, Sorrow felt like one long soliloquy. It was so introspective that I felt like I was dying for some action. Sometimes authors use flashbacks in clever ways that move the story forward, and I just didn't get that feeling with Sorrow. The story seemed to just get bogged down and more clouded with each backward glance.

The writing is lovely and descriptive, this one just missed me.

My intent was to read this book, but couldn’t do to the copy saying draft across the whole page. I’m really disappointed to not be able to read this. I was looking forward to reading it so much. I really enjoyed her other book God Shaped Hole. Thanks anyways!

Unfortunately, I'm unable to read the book in the format provided. The "Sample" written on the text is too distracting and I can't seem to make it compatible to read on my phone. I wish I was able to review it because this sounds like a fabulous read!

Thanks!

*I was provided a free copy of this book for a fair and unbiased review*

No one -- and I mean NO ONE -- writes a messy love story and human reconciliation quite like Tiffanie De Bartolo. This author has had my heart since the 90's, when Dream for an Insomniac came out. For every decade of my life, Tiffanie DeBartolo has given me a book to help me get through the euphoric highs and soul-crushing lows of love, friendship, figuring out what you want, and understanding how to forgive those who hurt you, and how to forgive yourself for those you've hurt. In her body of work, love is an unavoidable, glorious mess that well-meaning people make, and it's also the exact thing that becomes their saving grace.

In every piece of her work, people fumble towards joy, work their way through pains of their own making, and sometimes discover how to reconcile the two. There are no true villains; only people whose timing is flawed. That's a rarity in novels with a love story, and I'll never tire of the way that DeBartolo takes careful consideration in making love triangles about the humanity of everyone involved, rather than the conflict of changing hearts.

Sorrow is maybe the most mature work from DeBartolo yet, which is perfect for readers who are past the messy drama of their 20s, and want a different kind of love story, populated by characters who have already figured out some things -- but not everything. I've always been fascinated by how well DeBartolo writes male characters, with an emotional complexity and depth that is completely unique. Joe Harper feels like a person that most readers will immediately recognize, and for most of the novel, I felt almost as though I was reading a series of letters from a friend.

For those who are familiar with the Bay Area (specifically, the North Bay), there are Easter Eggs galore, from Joe eating the best Puerto Rican food in NorCal at Sol Foods to Tiffanie's own dog making a cameo appearance (hi Dipsea!) -- all these little hidden gems contribute to the authenticity of the setting of the novel as a character in its own right, and the natural way that the story unfolds.

October has a lot in common with some of DeBartolo's pantheon of layered, interesting female characters. She's got the whimsy of Frankie, the soul of Trixie, and the tenacity of Eliza. If you love art, music, and the North Bay Redwoods, you'll love Sorrow.

As is my my way with Tiffanie DeBartolo's work, as I worked my way through the last pages, I found myself reading through the tears and hoping that there won't be such a long wait for the next book.

Completely unrelated to this review: I have written all of one writer fangirl letter in my entire life, and it was to Tiffanie DeBartolo. She wrote back to me, and was incredibly generous and encouraging. This has nothing to do with this novel -- but it also has everything to do with this novel. Great writers aren't always great people, and I feel that it bears mentioning when the two intersect.

What can I say? Tiffanie DeBartolo's writing is poignant and heartfelt and Joe Harper's story is so moving. Sorrow follows him as he tries to find meaning in a life that hasn't gone as planned and finds love, not only with a partner but with himself. Joe is flawed and frustrating but also so realistic and his journey toward growth and connection is relatable and emotional. If you like beautifully written, character-driven fiction, this one's for you.

3.5
It truly pains me to rate this so low. How to Kill a Rockstar is one of my favorites. It took forever for her to write another book after that and I wanted to love it.

When I first read the summary, I thought this sounds so familiar. Then it hit me! This happened in real life.
This story is loosely based off of Marina Abramović and her former lover Ulay.

<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcSe9EonQgtD_-bJxi_D5pdROy-fUKS74YIc7Q&usqp=CAU" width="250" height="250" alt="description"/>
If you don't know about them, it's an interesting Google search.

This story was frustrating at times. The main character wasn't all that likable to me. He reminds me of a 16 year old who procrastinates, can't make his own decisions and runs away from everything "hard" in life. It would have been great if he had done that in the beginning and then actually learned from it and grew up toward the climax, but that wasn't the case.
Since we didn't get to be in the mind of October, I have no clue what she was thinking or feeling unless she actually spoke, which was the opposite of what her character's nature was.
Then there was an assistant Rae who was extremely quirky and pretty much a nasty person, and no one called her out on it. The author made it a big deal that every time this character came into the room she had trail mix. I mean EVERY TIME it was noted. But there was never an explanation as to what her problem was or her obsession with nuts and raisins!
Then there is the lack of a satisfying ending. If this was truly based on the above couple, it doesn't end well...


*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

Sorrow, a magnificent work of art by Tiffanie DeBartolo! I’ve not had a reading experience call to me like this one in quite some time. I am confident this will be my top read in 2020.

It’s a beautifully written story about love, loyalty and art. A story comprised of the friendship and unique connection of Joe “Harp” Harper, Cal Callahan and October Danko. DeBartolo does a stupendous job revealing with remarkable precision many intriguing dynamics that connects these three. I found myself relating to this story on so many levels throughout the book. Something within the words called to me. Shouting to find my passion and do that!! DeBartolo writes in such a way you feel you are there living the lives with the characters. There so many touching and well-meaning lines that creates this very rich story. Words that will stay with you long after you’ve read it. I highly recommend everyone read this incredible story.

Sorrow moved me in a way I didn't see coming. Going in blind to this latest from Tiffanie DeBartolo, I was immediately swept up in the seemingly sorrowful tale of one Joe Harper. From the title alone, I figured I was in for a morose sort of story, with a self-sabotaging kind of 'hero' who just can't get out of his own way. And for a good part of this book, that is pretty much what I got. But when Joe relays his somewhat regretful existence from the time he was young and felt alone and misunderstood, it's the small peeks of true light whether in the form of an unexpected 'blood brother' in Cal Callahan or the rush of playing a beloved guitar that makes this poignant journey worth taking.

The subtle rhythm DeBartolo uses in telling this story is all kinds of perfect. She carefully throws out brief memories, some good and some not so good, with Joe as the narrator of his current sad state and all the missed opportunities and chances never taken in his life. Joe is quite the quirky kind of character, his love of trees and the peace he finds while amongst them one of his rare true joys. It quickly becomes addicting and almost mesmerizing hearing him spout facts about these majestic beasts and the calm they give him.

I loved that Sorrow only focused on 3 main characters. Joe, Cal and October, all artists in their own way and with varying degrees of success and medium have this interwoven story-line that drops surprise upon surprise as the book unfolds. But again, it's nothing overly-dramatic yet it doesn't hesitate to pack a punch nonetheless. I will admit I had to take several breaks as the slow-building crescendo that is Joe's life had me on edge a bit and then on the other hand I simply didn't want his journey to end. And I also didn't even care if things turned out the way they should or shouldn't. I just really wanted a never-ending book since very word was written just so beautifully.

The rich symbolism that filters through the story adds an element I don't find in most reads. The creation of art for Joe in all its facets is the driving force of his work with the performance artist in October and his impromptu guitar sessions with Cal. And both give him a sense of accomplishment and bravery even when he starts to question all of his decisions and the whys and what-ifs of his family troubles. It's the security he needs and keeps him grounded even when he has the urge to flee once more.

This book is full of complications yet is also quite simple as a whole. DeBartolo adds in coincidences paired with past grief that causes a maelstrom of emotions for Joe and his wandering lifestyle. Cal and October provide the anchors he needs but in the end, Joe has to decide whether or not he is brave enough to face his life head-on or continue to wallow in choices already made.

You'll feel a little bit of everything with Sorrow and although some may argue that they wanted more of a solid ending, I loved how the author keeps it a bit open, with possibilities for Joe he can only now make real and begin to conquer. It's a unique kind of love story wherein our hero finds love in many forms and ultimately learns how to grasp it with everything he has.

5 epic stars!