A romance for the tortured bookish types, who like angst (me. I’m talking about me). Aldo is a doctoral student in theoretical mathematics, while Regan is a former forger in court-mandated therapy for her bipolar disorder, and volunteering as a docent at the art museum. They meet one morning at the museum and Aldo is fascinated by Regan. Challenging her to six conversations, Regan agrees, if only to add some spontaneity to her currently dull existence.

Blake is writing about mental illness as person with lives experience of the mental illness. I like how Frank this book was, with no excuses for Regan’s behaviour, but also letting you root for her in a complicated way. Their six conversations lead to a relationship, intense and loving, and Regan trying to find a way to cope with her mind that makes her feel like herself. It was a solid read, though I think Blake is at her best when world-building versus just being in our boring world.

One thing about me is if Olivie Blake writes a book, I am going to read it. Does that make me bias? Maybe, but also I know this was an incredible read. Alone with You in the Ether is a beautiful look into the lives of two people and the way they can intersect in the most quiet ways. I loved the formatting of this book, I thought it was unique and very much reminded me of a script. It makes reading the book feel all the more cinematic. I highly recommend this book to any contemporary romance lovers and those who love a good Olivie Blake novel!

I was so close to giving up this book. Aldo and Regan are unlikeable and selfish, and I felt sorry for all the side characters who had to deal with them. Then they meet. It was interesting to watch two horrible people slowly fall in love, and I like how their love didn’t make them better people. They were just as horrific in the end as in the beginning.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

Alone with You in the Ether was a lyrical, lovely exploration of love—what it means, what it looks like, and how it can keep us tethered or help us fly. Although the plot was minimal, the characters' interiority (they felt so real!) kept me turning pages, and the prose was meditative and soothing.

Cool concept and good writing. It’s too taste specific for our libraries but the right readers will definitely enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.