This was a BOTM pick last fall, and while the synopsis sounded like it might be right for me, I didn’t add it to my box. Over the following weeks, I read several reviews raving about the book, and almost all of these reviews came with a warning that this one would rip your heart out. While I enjoyed the book, it wasn’t as emotional as expected.

The book follows Kate, a 40-something widow doing her best to get by after the death of her husband, Cameron. She is raising her young son and works in fundraising for a university in Australia. She’s doing the best she can but often feels as though she is moving through life without any real purpose after her husband’s death. It isn’t until she and her boss, Hugh, get stranded during a work trip that she has a chance to sit back and breathe and realize that she needs a change. She needs to write that book she’s always dreamed of writing. She needs to get away for a while, and maybe she needs to allow herself to fall in love again.

I loved all of the characters in this book. I could easily connect with Kate, and Hugh – her husband’s friend and Kate’s boss – was a super nice guy. I understood why Kate found herself suddenly smitten with him. The supporting characters in the story add depth and dimension to Kate’s world. Her overbearing mother and her best friend, Grace, provide both comedic relief and sources of conflict, adding complexity to Kate’s already complicated life.

The writing is strong, and I liked how the author alternated between the past and present as we learned about Cameron’s illness, how Kate maneuvered his end-of-life care, and, eventually, how she learned to move on. Grey delves into the various stages of grief, highlighting the different ways in which individuals cope with loss. Kate’s journey towards healing is portrayed realistically, showing the ups and downs she experiences along the way.

The author lost her husband at a young age and is no stranger to grief. You can tell she channeled what she went through into this story, portraying Kate’s emotions with depth and vulnerability. The reader is immediately drawn into Kate’s journey, empathizing with her pain and rooting for her to find happiness once again. The narrative flows smoothly, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged throughout. The humorous moments sprinkled throughout the book provide a much-needed balance to the heavier themes of loss and love.

This book definitely tackles some heavy topics, but I was surprised that I wasn’t as emotional as I expected to be. I appreciate lighter moments to break up the sadness, but aside from a couple of scenes, I never found myself teary-eyed. The emotional punch that I went in hoping for never really transpired. I also found the ending of the story to be a bit predictable. I liked it, and I loved watching Kate grow and find her life after Cameron, but there weren’t many surprises along the way.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with relatable characters and a well-paced plot. While it may not have had the emotional impact that I expected from a book centered around grief and moving on, it still offers a heartwarming story that reminds us of the importance of finding happiness amidst the challenges of life. Romance lovers will definitely eat this one up.