Olive is in her early 30s and has struggled with establishing romantic relationships. Growing up, she struggled with enmeshment with her mother following her parent’s divorce. She is a successful radio interviewer; she holds audience with writers who are between projects. She has always been fascinated with recording conversations and the ambient sounds in her daily life and does it constantly, compulsively. 

Then she meets Theo. A 35-year old surgeon with whom she is obsessed, instantly. He seems to feel similarly. 

This book grappled with relational themes like boundaries, consent, transparency, jealousy, and longing. I liked how the exploration of things that can feel so messy became, well, tangible. 

I remember my first love and what it was to feel like you could never get close enough. I think that it’s such a human experience. This story asked, how far would you go to stay close? To keep the outside world at bay and live inside of your love? And what would you be willing to sacrifice?

What a ride. The last few pages brought me to tears. I was not expecting to be so surprised or so deeply affected. I highly recommend Open Wide and I’m looking forward to reading more by Jessica Gross. 

*Thank you to Abrams Books & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.*