Thank you @prhaudio for the #gifted free copy of this book.  

 

Relatable.  Witty.  Completely surprising.    

 

After 3 years 10 months 29 days, Jen no longer wants to be in a relationship, and Andy just can’t understand why.  

 

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the dating world.  No doubt it has changed monumentally.  And yet, Alderton taps into the universality of the lovelorn and heartbroken in a way that relates broadly.  Moreover, she does it from the male perspective.  

 

This is a brutally honest examination of both soul and relationship.  The feeling of not being good enough, needing an overhaul to be worthy.  Learning to be a singular when used to be a unit, invalidating those inside jokes and favorite shared experiences.  

 

The booze.  The wallowing.  The cyber stalking.  The rebound relationship. The gym membership.

 

It’s all so very messy… and so sharply observed.  

 

Be forewarned, Andy is insufferable at times.  (Though, that is likely the most authentic part of this breakup portrayal.)  He’s desperate and dramatic.  Like a ship without a sail.  

 

But then, as he sought to reconnect with himself and with life, I began to feel for Andy.  

I appreciated the growth he went through, from whining to winning.  

 

The side characters were dynamic and a perfect juxtaposition to Andy.  I especially loved Morris!  He was such a quirky guy, and I wanted to give him the biggest hug.  

 

And that ending!!!!  A 5⭐️ finale!  This isn’t your typical HEA, but it was chef’s kiss perfection for this read.  

 

This made for such a great buddy read.  The more @thats.one.for.the.books and I talked about it, the more I appreciated what Alderton accomplished here.  

 

🎧 The audiobook was a treat.  Narrator Arthur Darvill brought Andy to life, fully embodying the range of emotions and dramatic forays.  Darvill accentuated Andy’s hurt and brought a warmth to his growth.  There’s a “guest appearance” by Jen at the end, narrated by Vanessa Kirby, who well depicts Jen’s point of view.