<u><b>Likeness</b></u>
Samsun Knight
Publication Date: July 29, 2025

ARC courtesy of University of Iowa Press and NetGalley.

Sebastian and Anne have had, upon Sebastian’s insistence, an open relationship from the start. Now Anne is expecting, and their relationship is thrown into a spiral when one of her husband’s lovers becomes pregnant.

<i>Likeness</i> is an emotional character study which examines the nature of relationships, love, and the viability of modern open relationships taken to the extreme. The writing is sharp and engaging. At around 120 pages long, this book makes for a nice summer read, sipping drinks at the poolside, yet will surely have you thinking for some time after you have finished turning the pages.

Wow! This is a classic for me. The writing is on point and feels creative without being too creative. The plot is driven by the relationships between the characters and it makes for a very interesting book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

this book explores the tangled lives of Anne, who learns of her husband's lover’s pregnancy just as she discovers her own, and Sandy, the lover, grappling with her unexpected journey into motherhood. As their lives collide and unravel, both women must navigate the complexities of love, secrets, and finding their way through unexpected changes. A poignant, introspective tale of relationships and self-discovery.

Ah! What a creative story. I love books like this one. I was hooked from the first chapter. The relationships are complex and at the core of this novel. Excellent writing moves everything along at an appropriate speed. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"Likeness" by Samsun Knight explores the complexities of relationships—between parents and children, lovers, friends, and more. It examines both well-defined connections and those that are ambiguous and unregulated.

Set around 1990, the novel is narrated from two perspectives. The first is Anne, who discovers she is pregnant at the same time that her husband’s lover is also expecting a child. Although they have maintained an open relationship, this revelation shakes Anne’s world. The first three-quarters of the novel focus on Anne’s thoughts about her relationship with Sebastian, reflecting on his past and present relationships with other women, as well as her efforts to navigate the new dynamics of her life.

In the final quarter of the book, the narrative shifts to Sandy, Sebastian’s longtime lover and the mother of his son, Bobby. Unlike Anne, who is deeply reflective during her pregnancy, Sandy's perspective is portrayed after she has given birth.

These two women, experiencing similar situations simultaneously involving the same man, have different outcomes that are perceived in contrasting ways, making this novel particularly compelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the University of Iowa Press for the opportunity to read this novel.