Julia meets Elizabeth, Gabe’s recent ex-girlfriend, at his funeral, and from there, the story unfolds. This is a deeply moving exploration of grief, identity, and how one person can hold different meanings for different people. The portrayal of the grieving process feels raw and authentic, making it more compelling.

If you’ve ever debated taking a friendship to the next level, you’ll find this story especially relatable. Through glimpses into the past, we see how Julia and Gabe’s relationship evolved, adding depth to the narrative. The author’s writing is evocative, pulling you in emotionally and making you truly feel the characters’ experiences. It’s a story that’s both heartfelt and unexpectedly humorous at times.

Many thanks to NetGalley, 4th Estate, and William Collins for the ARC!

To be honest, I put this book down for a while about 40% of the way in. The unresolved tension at the heart of the book, which is by its nature, made me reluctant to keep reading. However, I was compelled to pick it up again and I’m so glad I did. I found it both moving and very funny, and I thought the way it handled grief was very unique and well done. Julia and Elizabeth are both people you’d want to hang out with without ever being unrealistic - sometimes they are selfish or rude or unpleasant, but you can totally see why Gabe was drawn to both of them. This book made a really lovely companion to the new Bridget Jones movie as well - I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoyed that.