I cannot stop thinking about this book. What a knockout. So very hauntingly sad, yet somehow managed to lift my heart back up into my chest?

An epic slowburn by the way, which I typically only allow Kate Clayborn to do to me, but welcome Diana Biller to the team.

Amelie St. James, prima ballerina, with her focus on being a "saint" to maintain an image to allow her to keep her and her sister in their home. Discussions of gentrification and the aftereffects of social upheaval in Paris. Young sweethearts who stole one kiss before ripping their hearts out of their chest. Competence porn from both Amelia and Dr. Benedict Moore. My goodness.

This is incoherent but basically I feel like the discussion of grief, loss, and sadness combined with the romance was so exquisitely portrayed.

I need to do a reread soon.

CW - pain, medical stuff, injuries, depression, war PTSD, drinking, discussion of drugs, threat of sexual violence, ghosts, murder, dead bodies