"This Love" is the debut novel by Lotte Jeffs, offering a coming-of-age tale exploring the complexities of friendship between Mae and Ari.

Set against the backdrop of college life in the UK, their connection sparks with an instant camaraderie. However, as they navigate the intricacies of their personal lives, both grapple with the shadows of past traumas that inevitably shape their relationship choices.

Early in the story, determined to start a family together, Mae and Ari decide to have a child. This choice sets them on a transformative journey filled with challenges and triumphs, forcing them to confront the evolving nature of their friendship.

The narrative depicts a range of relationships—ranging from toxic to nontraditional, and from fragile to flourishing—revealing how love can manifest in various and unexpected forms.

Despite these compelling themes, I found myself struggling at times. I wanted to embrace the emotional depth of their journey more fully; however, the novel didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped, especially as a queer person. I would prefer different pacing or flow to the story, and more character development.

Readers who enjoy heartfelt themes akin to those in films like "Beaches," or who appreciate the writing styles of authors such as Coco Mellors and Naoise Dolan, may find this novel appealing. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for providing the advanced reader copy.

Before I get into my thoughts, I think it’s important for me to add a disclaimer that I am a straight, cis-gender woman who grew up in America. This is important because I found the first third of the book to fall completely flat in its characterizations of queer people.

Both Mae the lesbian and Ari the fluid pansexual felt like stereotypes. They were extremely predictable and in no way unique. It wasn’t until major tragedies strike that either character grew in depth, complexity, and uniqueness. Once they were fully realized, they were beautiful characters that I felt an emotional attachment to, however I still recalled the reductive portrayals in the first third and they continued to leave a sour taste.

My other (somewhat nit picky) complaint is that there clearly is a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Americans in this novel. Ari is American, however as an American with a British parent, I felt that Ari was validated in his great code-switching. However, when we get into his adult life in NYC, there is inexplicable mentions of WhatsApp groups and extremely British dialogue coming out of american characters mouths. Maybe not important, but it was extremely jarring and will be noticed by any American readers.

Overall I really enjoyed the plot of this novel, queer love in every facet of life. Family, friends, romance. I really wish that the characters were more than just stereotypes when the book began.