A review by quiteliterary
Adjacent But Only Just by Nichole Van

5.0

Oh… this is going to be a long one.

I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, especially ones that involve two siblings, but when they’re written with clear emotional intent and care, I’m all in. Adjacent But Only Just by Nichole Van is one of the rare few that completely nails it.

Viola, a shy and deeply compassionate writer (who also suffers from anxiety and severe asthma), has quickly become one of my favourite heroines in this genre. She is so tenderly written and portrayed with such vulnerability and quiet strength that I found myself rooting for her instantly.

What I love most is that Malcolm isn’t written as her opposite, which refreshingly subverts the usual “opposites attract” trope. Instead, he shares a similar reserved nature. He is a quiet widower who falls for Viola in the most sincere and steady way. Despite their soft personalities, their relationship is anything but dull. Their story starts off as gentle and careful, but gradually grows into something full of passion and quiet fire. The chemistry between them is unmistakable and they bring out the best in each other.

Some of the chapters that was personally memorable to me were Chapters 7 and 9. The conversations they had—open, trusting, and vulnerable—form the heart of their connection. It’s in those pages that you understand not only how, but why, they fall so deeply and genuinely for each other. 

Grief is rightfully present for the most part of this book, and I appreciated how respectfully and realistically it was handled. The author doesn’t water down Malcolm’s grief or the love he had for his late wife. If you’ve read the first book, you know how deeply Malcolm and Aileen loved one another, so much so that even Leah admired and longed for a love like theirs. Aileen’s passing reshaped Malcolm completely, and that emotional weight is honoured throughout. The scene where he speaks to Viola about his grief genuinely moved me to tears. And, the character development throughout the book is fantastic. Watching Viola and Malcolm help each other slowly step out of their shells was such a joy. 

And I have to talk about Ethan—he’s such a wonderful brother, and although we’ve mostly seen him through his literary talents so far, I don’t doubt there’s much more to him waiting to be uncovered. He’s inspired, thoughtful, and clearly full of hidden depths. I can already tell that his love story will be something truly special. A poet falling in love? That kind of story is going to hit like no other.

P.S I read the book and listened to the audiobook interchangeably because I simply couldn’t put it down, even while I was at work. Mhairi Morrison deserves all the praise, she absolutely nailed Viola’s voice and brought the tone of the story to life just as I imagined it.

P.P.S. Although it’s not my favourite, I definitely recommend reading Book 1, which is about Malcolm’s sister Leah, to get the full effect of Malcolm’s journey. He appears quite often in her book, and it really helps frame where he’s coming from emotionally.