Adelaide broke my heart into pieces and then put the pieces back together better than before. Does it sound cheesy? Yes, but I truly mean it. This book touched me with its openness about how abuse when we are young shapes who we become, it’s full and undiluted show of depression, and the beautiful and realistic ways one can come back from rock bottom. 

Adelaide is a twenty something from the US living in London. When she meets Rory Hughes, she’s not looking for a soul mate but becomes convinced it is serendipity. As she pours her love and time into him, Rory never returns the favor. Starting from the end and working through the past, this book slowly shows us how an unhealthy relationship can bring out so much grief, trauma, and self doubt. 

This book is lovely and perfect, but it is extremely heavy. I suggest checking content warnings if you need to, and there are many. But on all of them, the author writes with respect, hope (but not the annoying kind), and sincerity. I highly recommend this for fans of Sorrow and Bliss and Maame. 

I couldn’t put it down. I did cry. I did laugh. Not to be missed. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.