I am blown away by how truly wonderful this book is. I think it’s Rainbow Rowell’s best book. I rarely rate an ARC with five stars, because my rule is that if I rate it five stars I am committing to re-read it upon pub date. And I can’t wait to re-read this one. I’ve already preordered it. It is ultimately a pretty sad book, but it’s also beautiful, strikingly original, and very original.
This book is the perfect example of creating such slot-on realistic characters and then just letting them be. Not forcing the characters into situations. This book is not at all formulaic— we are much more used to a well-defined “first act/ second act/ third act” and this book does not follow that. The characters and the descriptions of their internal thoughts are the real star of the book.
The book tackles what it means to be a plus size woman today, it approaches the issue of GLP1 medications with a lot of raw emotion. I haven’t seen a book yet that tackles the dynamic of how fat people view the widespread use of weight loss medications. I can’t tell you how much I related to Cherry and I just sobbed at some of her experiences. I also loved how her family was legalistic from a religious standpoint but she still lived them and they still had great relationships. The sister group text thread chapters were some of my favorite parts of the book.
If you aren’t yet where Cherry is in her journey of fat acceptance, the experience of her fat phobia may bother some. For me, it was incredibly validating and timely. I will also say this book has much more sexytime parts than Rainbow Rowell’s other books.
Also- there is a dog in it that I loved. Her name is Stevie and she is a Newfoundland-Pyrenees mix.
Situational divorce drama was really creative and original. For example, Cherry and Tom trying to separate their belongings, and mostly arguing about wanting the other one to take the item, and not wanting to take it themselves. Not wanting to give it to the goodwill because they like it but they don’t want to have it. So they try to make the other one take it. I can totally see that happening!! I don’t want to give away anything, but Cherry arguing with her sister Hope about Hope taking Monjauro and lying about it. Wow I just sobbed at that scene. They were both so hurt and I could completely see where they were both coming from.
This book is unapologetically itself. I absolutely loved the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins William Morrow for the ARC. Book to be published 4/13/26
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