I haven't read a Rainbow Rowell book since I was in high school and I completely forgot how real, authentic, and addicting her writing is. Cherry and every other character in this book felt like a real person. This book felt like it could take place in your own town, like Cherry could be your next door neighbor. Everything felt so much like real life.

I was hooked by the summary of this book and felt like it was one I needed to read. I am back to being addicted to Rainbow Rowell's writing. As I started this, I was immediately invested. The plot picks up right away with Cherry running into an old crush, Russ Sutton. I really enjoyed Cherry falling in love with someone new and wrestling with changing her life. It felt exactly like what someone in her situation would be feeling.

As a married woman, Cherry wrestling with her divorce felt so raw and real! So many descriptive lines felt exactly like how I would feel if I was in the midst of losing my husband. I liked how the plot devolved slowly in finding out why Cherry was getting a divorce. There were some flashbacks that helped fill in the gaps. This book is kind of split into two halves: new life and old life as Cherry wrestles with how to move on.

This book was also really helpful in overcoming the idea that 'fat' can be eradicated. In a world overwhelmed with botox and ozempic, this felt really timely for what it means to really love your body and do your best to take care of yourself. I really enjoyed that element of Cherry talking about her body and I think this would be so helpful for everyone to read! Her relationship with one of her older sisters was a really powerful and beautiful side plot point in this book. It was really beautiful.

Cherry was an adorable main character that I want to be friends with! I love her. The whimsy of her home and her art was such a special main character element. I did love Tom too and the way he fit into her family and the way their relationship was described. Truly, I did not know who to root for! And that was fun and so different for a novel with a romance element. I would say this felt more like a women's lit fic with a strong romance element. Very much Rainbow Rowell's norm.

I really enjoyed this and I'm deeply grateful for the ARC. This is such a precious book about second chances, loving yourself, and changing. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it! The cover is also gorgeous. I can't wait for it to be out in the world.