This is probably the most difficult time I’ve ever had rating a book because my feelings about it are so conflicting. 

On the one hand, the writing is absolutely stunning. Just truly breathtaking in places, the way the author talks about love and loss and the YEARNING gosh it was beautiful.  I also enjoyed how descriptive the flashback chapters were, the historical settings felt so vivid. 

The concept for the story is so unique and had SO much potential. At times it gave me real Addie vibes, one of my all time favourite books. 

But here’s where I’m so torn. I feel like I spent a lot of time being told these people loved each other, but I didn’t actually see anything to make me believe it. I feel like the concept just wasn’t effectively executed, and so the ending just didn’t have the emotional gut punch I think the author was going for. 

Also, I feel like nothing happens for most of the book! The flashbacks are repetitive, the same conversations are had and I know it’s partially because there’s some relevance to the plot but it’s just such a delicate balance and for me it didn’t work. The ending felt a bit random, like we got nothing for 380 pages and then suddenly big things happen but it all falls a bit flat. 

If the concept had been better executed, and there had been a bit more plot either in the modern timeline or the flashbacks (maybe fewer flashbacks, but longer??), this would have been an easy 5 stars. I’m so sad 😭