2021: a good dip back into contemporary fantasy after a brief stint away!

It's been a while since I read a modern fantasy tale, and this one checked a lot of my boxes. Decently progressive, I most enjoyed the casual bi representation in this book. It was made clear that both Addie and Henry are bi, it's included in their character development, and it helps move the plot along without being gratuitous. Their sexualities come from a positive place, rather than from a place of trauma (it's not a "problem" or a plot conflict that they are both bisexual). Gave me very Schitt's Creek vibes, which I loved.

I am such a sucker for #sadboys that Henry easily won me over as the best love interest in this book. Absolutely NO QUESTION as to who I wanted Addie to end up with at the end. A big trigger warning here (suicide & suicidal thoughts). Through Henry, Schwab makes a ton of excellent book references that I got a good kick out of. I'm assuming her art references are equally as wonderful, but as I'm not as "in-tune" with the art world, so it's hard for me to say.

I was a little disappointed at how Euro-centric / Western world focused this journey was. Over the course of her 300 years, I got the vibe that Addie only ever visited major cities in the US and Western Europe. I thought that was a missed opportunity for a little more variation, and would have been more true to Addie's character. She's literally the least tied down character ever; let her take advantage of it!

All I have to say in the end is make sure you read the final seven paragraphs of the book, because up until that point, I was ready to throw this book straight across the room for its ending. I'm still not entirely convinced that things will really go Addie's way, which is why this overall is sitting at a clear 4/5.