3 Stars - I would recommend if you like quirky characters and slow building narratives about real life struggles.

This book follows Joanna and Abe, a 20+ year middle-aged couple living in Seattle. They have their flow, their own life together, and work together to help Joanna's daughter Lily navigate her 20-somethings. However, when they meet Lioness, a mysterious woman who needs a place to live, everything is slowly turned upside down.

I have not read The Last Unicorn, and I didn't know what to expect with this book. I really enjoyed Beagle's writing, and Abe and Joanna's characters were very complex and interesting. I liked all of the every day detail Beagle gives the story. However, I felt like Lily was kind of a confusing character, I didn't feel like I understood her. Lioness is barely a part of the detail in the story, but somehow the main part at the same time. I found this book to be a little confusing in general... because almost nothing happens throughout the bulk of the story, and then everything is kind of falls apart for the characters. This book is listed as having a fantasy element, which it does, but it's sort of subtle and in the background. It could almost do without it all together. I don't know, just not my type of book I think.

I was given advance access to by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These reviews are my own opinion, and based on the edition of the book I was given at the time. Thank you Netgalley!