Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
I suppose intellectualizing our experiences is just another way to depersonalize them, strip them of pain we would otherwise feel and replace it with pain we can merely think about.
Fantastic character exploration and nuanced relationship dynamics that kept me turning the pages.
i think i just do not vibe with this author & that is okay
Some books require a slow burn before they fully captivate, but from the fourth chapter onward, I was thoroughly engrossed. The dual perspective between Max and Vincent is executed with remarkable fluidity, allowing the narrative to seamlessly shift between their points of view without disrupting the flow. I found myself deeply engaged in both perspectives, never once feeling detached or disinterested. The author excels in illustrating the subtle dynamics of human interaction, deftly highlighting the impact of casual, often careless conversation and the pervasive, intrusive thoughts that continually shape our inner lives.
“You can fall in love with an outline, you can even make a home with one, but there will come a time when you can’t deny the bones their flesh. No person is fewer than two things.”
What starts as a thin framework of emotional connection must inevitably confront the messy, human layers beneath. The characters can no longer remain content with the outline—they must reckon with their pasts, their insecurities, and the parts of themselves they would rather not face. Dinan beautifully shows how love, in its truest form, requires more than surface-level affection—it demands vulnerability, change, and, at times, the willingness to disappoint and be disappointed.
I loved this book, would read it again. It’s a book worth having on the bookshelf!
“You can fall in love with an outline, you can even make a home with one, but there will come a time when you can’t deny the bones their flesh. No person is fewer than two things.”
What starts as a thin framework of emotional connection must inevitably confront the messy, human layers beneath. The characters can no longer remain content with the outline—they must reckon with their pasts, their insecurities, and the parts of themselves they would rather not face. Dinan beautifully shows how love, in its truest form, requires more than surface-level affection—it demands vulnerability, change, and, at times, the willingness to disappoint and be disappointed.
I loved this book, would read it again. It’s a book worth having on the bookshelf!
Wow, this was such a great read! The story, and character Max, resonated with me right from the start, and kept up until finish. There were so many important themes discussed, including the complexities of forgiveness amidst maintaining one's morals and different forms of family. The ending felt just right! Looking forward to reading more from Nicola Dinan!
(Book club)
(Book club)
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was gorgeous and emotional. The main character, Max, is sharp, funny, snarky, sarcastic, and insecure, yet never irritating. She felt immediately familiar, like the kind of friend I’d love to have in my life. I also fell hard and fast for Vincent. The relationship navigation in this book, the anxieties around the future, the desires, and the insecurities, felt painfully relatable. Without giving anything away, the rollercoaster of feelings made me fully invested not just in Max and Vincent, but also in Alex and Simone. The conversations around wanting children, especially, not just whether you want them, but whether you would want them if life’s barriers didn’t make it a painful, complicated decision. This is the kind of book I wish I could read again for the first time. I’m begging you to pick it up, not just because of the moving story but because I believe this book could shift perspectives and fuel empathy.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for access to this book.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes