The Confirmation

I loved this novel. After a slow start, the style reminded me a little of William Nicholson. This was an exploration of character and relationships - friendships, family and romantic - and the positives and negatives they bring. The end brought the novel full circle with both beauty and pathos. Thanks Netgalley for introducing me to this author!

This is the kind of book that grows on you. The story begins with Annie in her apartment, locked away from the world, wanting nothing but to get lost in her grief and you cannot help but ask, who died?
The story then takes us back in time to her friends, work, childhood and also to James. James is the reserved man who is not keen on social gatherings when they first meet for dinner at Kirsty and Duncan's place. As you read on, Annie warms up to him and their friendship morphs into love, trust, understanding and they become this close knit couple who not only care for each other but understand each other.
The pace was very slow for me in the beginning. I expected a quick turn of events into knowing Annie's source of grief but it seems that the author wanted to delve into more than just grief but also get me to understand Annie's personality and her relationship with those dearest to her. I'll admit, I couldn't stand Kirsty and Virginia in the first half of the story, but trust me, I don't know what changed towards the end, but I found myself warming up to Kirsty. We'll leave Virginia out of this conversation indefinitely.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'd recommend it readers of fiction because the author peels the layers of each character in this book such that you find yourself seeing and believing each one of them at whichever point in the story for being true to themselves.