While not necessarily a standout of the year, I quickly became invested in the pair and their eventual outcome. If you are fans of reading about a mid life crisis, pick this up.

What I often enjoy about a slow moving novel is the opportunity to discover the characters in depth. Their temperaments and their motivations.are what keep my interest in a story. Unfortunately although the writing was good, I couldn't warm up to the characters, I was put off by Zuzu, and her romantic interest in Cash, her male, married, college friend. Involved n a sad, unfulfilling marriage with an inability to communicate with her work obsessed wife Agnes, my sympathy waned.. Although this was not for me, I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Not a bad book, but I was hoping that either they would decided to work on their relationship or decide to break up. I felt like at the end, we were left hanging. I wanted a resolution and didn't get it.

Zuzu, nearing forty, has everything she’s ever wanted. Yet something is missing. When a tragedy leads to her return home, she reflects on all of the decisions she has made that have led her to this point, particularly her decision to marry her wife Agnes despite unresolved feelings for her best friend Cash.

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to read it ASAP. I have read a few stories where the FMC finds new love with another woman, following the end of her marriage, but never a story like this, in reverse. And that had me completely intrigued. I am also living in my literary/contemporary fiction era and have been craving more character-centric novels. With all those factors working for it, I was sure this would be a major win. And yet I ended up feeling like, at the end of the day, this story just wasn’t for me.

While I love a slow-burn story, especially one where you are able to get inside of the characters’ heads and see what makes them tick, this was way too slow-burn for me. From almost the start, this book felt like it dragged on and on, going almost nowhere. I also struggled to connect to the FMC, who felt more two-dimensional to me than a fully fleshed-out character. By the time I reached the end, which felt very anti-climactic, I found myself feeling very blah about the whole experience. That said, I am sure the very slow burn, introspective style of this story will appeal to others. If you have been eyeing it, I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Read if you like:
▪️literary fiction
▪️inner monologues
▪️sliding doors(esq) trope
▪️character-driven stories
▪️self-discovery

Thank you Riverhead Books for the advanced copy.

This was such an interesting book. I got pulled into the story right away, which I credit to the writing. Such skill in drawing in the reader. I had to know what happened in this story, even though I didn't really like the characters.

Usually when I read a book, I can connect with or at least like one character that I root for. But, not in this book. I didn't like Zuzu and frankly really didn't like her wife Agnes or any of the other ancillary characters either. I would wonder why I kept reading if I didn't like them, but I did. I really enjoyed the writing style and will likely read anything else this author comes out with.

The flow of the story is maybe what sold me to keep reading. There was some time jumps but ultimately stayed in the present. This story flowed so well.

There was a lot of toxic relationships and bad communication styles and just a lot of people who are unhappy but not doing anything about it. An interesting look at what unhappiness does in friend groups and families.

Thanks to NetGalley and Riverhead Books for a copy of this eARC, all opinions my own.

"Dishes could become the thing you thought about most in your life, if you let your life get that small."

I really loved this book. It made me think about my own life and the choices l've made. The story follows Zuzu, who starts to question her past and what could have been. The writing is beautiful and honest. It's a quiet, thoughtful novel that stays with you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early cop.