I loved that this book subverts a lot of expectations and often ignores the low-hanging fruit that can be found in books like these. This is a wonderfully authentic book in every sense of the word - the dialogue feels very realistic and every character has a set voice but is at the same time very grounded and plausible. I loved that even characters that do 'bad' things are not framed as villainous or cartoonish either- it's really easy to understand their perspectives, this book didn't pander or play up to a lot of easy drama but also had enough of a plot that it didn't feel like it was dithering around.
Online I've seen some people be down about the MC- my defence of her is that the author does an amazing job at actually broaching how much people can change and sometimes lose themselves when they have been in a relationship for a long time. When that changes, it's obvious that you're going to be left floundering - I think in the MC's lowpoints, it never reaches the point of annoying; if anything it just...makes sense to match what has just happened to her in the story lmao there's a very organic and satisfying character arc to be found in this book.
The theming around finding peace and acceptance of being able to just enjoy your own company sounds straight forward but it's done in such a positive and easy-going way that you can't help but root for the MC. My only big gripes with this book that knocked some points off was that one of the prominent characters in the book is very anti-relationships to an extent that seems very unrealistic.
I've not been single in... a very, very long time but it seemed to really emphasize how much you 'lose yourself' when you're attached to someone or that you can't be fulfilled personally while dating- the opinions are really important to the character in question but it was a little bit tiring to have this opinion kinda harped on every few chapters or so - it wasn't a BIG problem and it absolutely made sense in the context of why it was there but I feel it's important to add that even in a relationship you absolutely can make space for yourself and that it's good practice in general to make time and ground yourself (source: myself lmao, I'm a strong arguer with enjoying your own company/dating yourself).
But back onto nice things: fantastic rep for female friendships that isn't reeking with unrealistic drama or miscommunication troppes, same for complicated family dynamics that don't overshadow the MC's journey but absolutely pay a part in why the MC is the way they are. In fact the relationship between the MC and her mother-figure is so charming, it's likely one of my favourite relationships I've read this year.
I really do urge people to pick this one up for just a good, uncomplicated and uplifting book to read in the sunshine this Summer.
