ADELAIDE is a piece of contemporary fiction following the experiences of the titular character, a mid-20s American woman living in London who falls deeply, hedonistically and irreversibly into unrequited love with an Englishman named Rory. In many ways, ADELAIDE felt similar to Sally Rooney’s Normal People as Adelaide and Rory’s relationship takes center stage here, with all its miscommunication, complexities, and emotional baggage (although I do feel the power dynamics here are more uneven and the majority of the story is from Adelaide’s POV).

While I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending, overall I found ADELAIDE to be a realistic portrayal of a toxic, contemporary relationship (dating apps included) and blazed through this in a single day. I’d definitely check out more from Wheeler in the future!

Unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me. I had a hard time connecting with the main character, and by the end I was frustrated with her.

This ARC sat on my TBR for far too long. But even so, I don't think I was ready for the turmoil it would do to my heart. Adelaide experiences a relationship and heartbreak that was all too relatable. I don't fault her choices and graciousness. Sometimes when you're in love, or so you think, it's hard to see the toxicity with clarity.

**I received this advance copy free from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Oh my goodness, I just LOVED this book. I have thought about this book over and over since I read it. It PERFECTLY captures the millennial experience of dating, loving, losing, friendship, and coming to a new place of acceptance and enjoyment of oneself. Wheeler is a gifted and talented writer—she made me feel a range of complex emotions just through her words alone. The characters came to life in such a tangible way. They have depth, they are flawed, they are humans trying to find their way in the world. I highly recommend this book for anyone, but especially women in their 20s and 30s. Many, many thanks for this ARC and to Wheeler for crafting such a beautiful book.

10/10!! 5 big, beautiful stars! What a gorgeous read this was. It felt like it went on forever and I never wanted it to end. Reading Adelaide felt like I was having conversations with best friend; all things throughout this book were things we've either witnessed friends or loved ones experience, or things we've gone through ourselves so it really felt very personal and very introspective. I felt this book deeply, and it made me feel understood! Maybe a little less lonely know that all these things I've felt throughout my life were beautifully put into words. I truly hope Geneieve Wheeler continues to write new books, and I will be WAITING with bated breath until the day I see she's published another!!

I appreciate a story that contains lessons for its characters and its readers. This book served as a reminder of the importance of remaining true to yourself, and that changing to please others rarely turns out well. I had moments of wanting to yell at Adelaide,, and don't get me started on Rory.

A refreshing read that kept me entertained. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Had high hopes for this one and was just a little bored. The cover is so pretty and I love the title, but it just felt a little flat for me.

Adelaide absolutely wrecked me. This book is a beautiful exploration of a long term situationship and mental health.

Adelaide was not what I was expecting from the synopsis of this book. I will keep this review short and sweet, because this book was not for me. Adelaide is a young 20-something living in London with a successful career. She had some tragedy in her past, and because of that, she seems to have zero self-esteem. She meets Rory, her "Prince Charming" and falls in love. She is surprised that he is interested in her and although he is a misogynist who treats her terribly, using her and only spending time with her when it is convenient for him, she is smitten and sticks with him. I almost DNFed this one several times as it was depressing and I got so frustrated with Adelaide. I know that this happens in real life more times than I can count, but it was not what I was expecting, so found myself getting angry and frustrated. I will say that there is hope at the end and that I am glad I finished to get to that point. I know that this is an unpopular opinion and many people loved this one, so I say if this sounds like a book that you might enjoy, give it a go, it just wasn't for me.

The real rawness of this book and its characters made me feel like I was finally seeing real life on paper. I definitely recommend it to those who have been longing for the same.

Adelaide was a beautiful, raw book that had great character building. It was very relatable in some ways that I almost wish weren’t relatable!

I received an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

A truly realistic coming-of-age novel, Adelaide was sometimes infuriating but deeply and uncomfortably relatable. For better or worse, many women know all too well the horror of a dysfunctional relationship, especially the kind in your early 20s. I found myself cursing Rory's name aloud while reading, but also shaking my head in frustration at Adelaide, especially at the beginning of the novel. I wouldn't say that the characters are unlikable, particularly Adelaide, but they do make some poor decisions.

This is an extremely character-driven novel - there is plot, but not much to speak of. The writing is nevertheless propulsive, and I finished the novel in two days.

It's important to distinguish that this book is not a romance - it's a story of a doomed relationship and how each person in it grows and learns from it while also being slightly destroyed by it.

“She was so determined to make him love her. How could he not love her, after all of this?”

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“Remember this, he thought. Remember that you’re still allowed to feel joy.”

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This is one of the most beautiful #books I’ve had the pleasure of #reading in a while (both on the inside and out).

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I really resonated with Adelaide, for one, but also found it such a powerful and inspiring (and exceedingly relatable) testament to figuring out life in your late twenties whilst navigating work, changing lives with friends moving, finding relationships, starting families, etc. (particularly when you feel left behind or like you’re doing something wrong by not being there yet), and seeking out someone who will love you as desperately as you deserve to be loved. This one was funny, heartbreaking, and everything in between, and had the added tried and true triumph of being an ode to the brilliant, magical, beloved friends who carry us through the good, the bad, and the ugly, wine and pizza included. This one also has a profound and honest storyline of mental health issues, their prevalence, and the power in acknowledging them.

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One of my favorite quotes from this one serves as the perfect two-line summary of this brilliant #novel: “Her colleagues and friends got flower deliveries, proposals, wedding bands. Adelaide, repeatedly, got ghosted.”

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This one centers in on Adelaide - a lovely human being who, though obviously imperfect, is bursting to the brim with so very much personality, wit, kindness, and love for the people in her life, and the love stories we convince ourselves are meant for us, versus the ones that actually are.

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler is truly a must read. This book was so real, and so raw; admittedly, it can be a bit of a heavy read at times but worth every second. This novel is an exploration, of love, friendship and self discovery. The MC is on a mental health journey and makes some hard decisions but you want to champion her the entire way. Such an Incredible piece of writing and a smashing debut novel. I look forward to see what more is to come from Genevieve Wheeler’s future writing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book has been one of my most anticipated reads this year, and I was so excited to immerse myself into this beautiful and heartbreaking story.

I paired the book with the audiobook, and loved to read this way, and completely lose myself in the story. It was compelling and so relatable.

I knew when I couldn’t stop thinking of this book and the characters that it would stay with me, and I just loved it so much!

*many thanks to St Martins Press, Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Such a beautiful cover!
This book was not an easy read at all which is probably why it took me so long to finish. It is very triggering and I wish I had known that going in.

This book was just as painful as I thought it would be, highlighting the things that make relationships when you don't quite have your footing and a solid sense of self liabilities to your self-esteem.

4⭐️ This was too real and too raw. Not everyone will be a fan of this book since is not an easy read but it is a great book if you are a fan of deeply emotional books. It was definitely worth the read.

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC

I went into this book really hopeful that I would love it. So many parts of this story were so good - it was touching, moving, perfectly melodramatic, and encapsulating dating in your early 20s. Of course, given the subject matter, it was hard to not get frustrated with Adelaide as you watched her make poor decision after poor decision and not choose herself. The book delicately handled mental health issues and showed the slippery slope of basing your happiness and wellbeing on a relationship. I was pleased with the ending of the book, but eager for the story to wrap up. I definitely plan to read more from this author in the future.

Sadly, I started this book but I could not finish it. The write up about it was definitely misleading and I could not find myself caring for any of the characters. I believe I am in the minority here, but it was not for me.