Member Review

Miguel is not a dog person, but his partner, Amelia May, loved Harold with all of her being. She made a deathbed request that Harold take care of Miguel and make sure he found love again, so he's doing the best his old dog bones can handle to make sure that happens. However, Miguel has become a recluse, and even the bookstore that they built together isn't enough to make him leave the house. But when the bookstore is in danger of closing, and their Hail Mary author visit fails because the author is a no-show, Miguel and Harold set off on an adventure that will have both of them discovering more than just a missing author.

Despite the fact that it caused me grief, this is one of the best depictions of grief, support, and moving on that I've read in a really long time. Miguel has a very valid reason for his apathy; feeling hurts too much, so he'd rather not feel anything. And then feeling feels like a betrayal, so he feels like he needs to push everyone away. It's a wicked cycle that shows Pagán knows what she's writing about. It's these deep feelings that made me grateful for the great cast of characters that surround Miguel, becuase they lighten the darkest moments, sometimes just by being present, and that's a great example of support.

I knew where it was going. There are warnings before you even start. I still wound up completely heartbroken and sobbing a little at the end. Pagán takes you so deep into Harold's thoughts and feelings that you end up loving him as if he were your own, which makes the inevitable conclusion hit you like a sledgehammer. There is no preparing for it, even though Pagán made it super sweet in the end.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the emotional read!