The premise of this book seemed perfect for me, especially with my love for William Shakespeare and the dual timeline featuring two similar narrators. Unfortunately, that’s about where my expectations ended. The story was filled with nothing but heartache, toxic men, and frustrating situations. I get the intention of highlighting that not all lives are happy. However, when I read a book I tend to crave a balance between good moments mixed with the bad, to offer an escape from the harsh realities of life. That said, I do appreciate how Picoult tackles tough, often taboo topics with a depth that other authors tend to avoid.

*Thank you to Jodi Picoult, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.