Reviews

I wanted Isa to find the wardrobe of pictures Ivan had drawn of him and for them to reflect on the years of their hidden love. I wanted Isa to admit the only reason he fucked a girl on Ivan's sofa was so he could connect with Ivan in a sexual way again. I wanted Ivan to admit how much he hates not being the only man Isa has ever fucked and how much jealousy that caused him. All these little things could have created a desperate ending if they had been brought full circle and while I can imagine them it isn't the same as if Marina had written them.

Despite the huge drowning emotions and themes that this book deals with, it is gentle. This book is about gentle caring and longing love that is unable to be voiced. Of all the books I've read by Marina I think that this one the most could have benefited from a dual POV. The book is amazingly well written, but it has left me wanting, despite the character's happy ending.

Content Warnings

endemictoearth's review

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challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I just really like Vivancos’s prose style. I think some people might find her style overwrought, but I'm generally a fan of poetic metaphors and dreamy reminiscences, if done well. This one has some serious subjects in it, with one of the MCs having just left the military after 8 years of active service. He definitely has some form of PTSD and that leads to some anger issues and depression. It’s lovely and lyrical, but also hard. I very much enjoyed it, but would recommend you go in knowing that there will be some tough stuff. (Also, the forthright cousin from Sicken of the Calm is back, and she just tells it like it is. Big fan of hers.)

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