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I Wish.
There are five stages of grief, or so they say. But what happens when you don't allow yourself to move through them? Briar is stuck, living in a constant state of then and now, while navigating the loss of her best friend. Lifelong feelings of abandonment surface and she begins to question–is she easy to leave?
There’s no map, no rule book, no guide to grief. Which means Briar will either need to figure it out, or figure out how to ask for help along the way.
They say "it takes a village". But when you resent that village and prefer solitude, it’s not easy to ask for help.
Briar has to make the choice–Try to find a new way to move forward, or continue to wander around, wraith-like and lonely–wishing to just feel.
There’s no map, no rule book, no guide to grief. Which means Briar will either need to figure it out, or figure out how to ask for help along the way.
They say "it takes a village". But when you resent that village and prefer solitude, it’s not easy to ask for help.
Briar has to make the choice–Try to find a new way to move forward, or continue to wander around, wraith-like and lonely–wishing to just feel.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2024
96 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Fox
3 books41 followersA. L. Fox is a self-publishing indie author, though she feels weird calling herself the "a" word. She spends her days with her two small children and her farmer husband. She enjoys 70 degree weather and rain, Starbucks and Target, and laughing. A. L. Fox was born and raised in the Midwest and likes to think her writing will reach who it needs to. She plans to continue to create but has no real, big goals while doing so. She's thankful everyday for the chance to do this whole thing.
Her main goal: bring joy to others.
Her main goal: bring joy to others.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 25, 2024
YOU BITCH.
I swear, I’m sobbing so hard right now I could WRING YOUR BEAUTIFUL TALENTED NECK.
THIS BOOK FUCKING HURT.
IT HURT, OKAY??? IT HURT 👹
The way that A.L. Fox so beautifully portrays grief and the anger that so often comes with it was nothing short of life changing. Such a touching and heartbreaking book. Such a testament to true love and the way it irrevocably alters us. Gods you’re a bitch and I love you.
I wish I had better words. This was so phenomenal. This was the best contemporary romance I have read in a really long time. This was extraordinary. This was painful beyond belief.
Please read this.
I swear, I’m sobbing so hard right now I could WRING YOUR BEAUTIFUL TALENTED NECK.
THIS BOOK FUCKING HURT.
IT HURT, OKAY??? IT HURT 👹
The way that A.L. Fox so beautifully portrays grief and the anger that so often comes with it was nothing short of life changing. Such a touching and heartbreaking book. Such a testament to true love and the way it irrevocably alters us. Gods you’re a bitch and I love you.
I wish I had better words. This was so phenomenal. This was the best contemporary romance I have read in a really long time. This was extraordinary. This was painful beyond belief.
Please read this.
May 14, 2024
She should've named this book "I cried." 😂 I was wrecked with this one and in all the best ways. I cried in heartache, in pain, from memories, and with happiness.
Having read all 3 of AL's books now, I have loved watching her develop as an author. This one navigates through grief as Briar is experiencing it. I felt her pain and triumphs are she progressed.
Something I love about AL's books is her writing style. I feel like we are sitting on the couch together and she's just telling me the story of her life. Each chapter of this one has a quote to start it off and I enjoyed that extra detail!
Miles comes out of nowhere it seems and becomes the most supportive MMC 🫶🏻 we all need someone like Miles in our lives.
Please do check content warnings this one as it deals with very heavy topics 💕
Having read all 3 of AL's books now, I have loved watching her develop as an author. This one navigates through grief as Briar is experiencing it. I felt her pain and triumphs are she progressed.
Something I love about AL's books is her writing style. I feel like we are sitting on the couch together and she's just telling me the story of her life. Each chapter of this one has a quote to start it off and I enjoyed that extra detail!
Miles comes out of nowhere it seems and becomes the most supportive MMC 🫶🏻 we all need someone like Miles in our lives.
Please do check content warnings this one as it deals with very heavy topics 💕
April 8, 2024
So good. SO. SO. GOOD!! Will be raving about this book for a while! It’s extremely emotional and heavy on the grief, but the most beautifully healing happy ending. My favorite A.L. Fox book to date and one of my favorite reads this year. Be sure to stock up on Kleenex before this releases and be ready to bawl your eyes out! Highly recommend!!
Update: 2nd time reading it; just as emotional, love it so much, please read this when it releases! That is all!
Update: 2nd time reading it; just as emotional, love it so much, please read this when it releases! That is all!
March 27, 2024
Quick intro:
I.W. follows Briar’s journey of grief and healing in the wake of the loss of her first love and bestfriend.
Quick thoughts:
First off, thank you to A.L. fox for trusting me to beta read her sweet baby book. It was my first time beta reading and I really enjoyed the process of giving feedback and having discussions with the author about the story she created. Thank you!
I loved witnessing Briar’s journey throughout this book. I fell in love with her and was rooting for her to find love again, experience healing and freedom, and grow. A.L. wrote her struggles in such an honest and raw way - often times making me absolutely sob. And our MC Miles was just chefs kiss. He really saw Briar, met her where she was, gave her grace, and cared for her. He was Briar’s perfect match and partner to support her through her through the hard soul work she had to do.
One thing to mention is a lot of this story takes place in therapy. I don’t usually prefer too much of a character’s time in therapy to take place on the page, but in this case it was integral to the story. And honestly, I loved her therapist, too. 🤣 But, be prepared that a lot of time is spent in a therapist’s room.
Read this if you like stories about young love, coming of age, closed door romances, cute nicknames, satisfying epilogues, and books that handle the deep themes of grief and loss.
Again thank you, A.L. Fox, for letting me beta read. Bring on the ARC reread!
Quick details:
CW: absent parent, death from cancer (on page), panic attacks (on page)
I.W. follows Briar’s journey of grief and healing in the wake of the loss of her first love and bestfriend.
Quick thoughts:
First off, thank you to A.L. fox for trusting me to beta read her sweet baby book. It was my first time beta reading and I really enjoyed the process of giving feedback and having discussions with the author about the story she created. Thank you!
I loved witnessing Briar’s journey throughout this book. I fell in love with her and was rooting for her to find love again, experience healing and freedom, and grow. A.L. wrote her struggles in such an honest and raw way - often times making me absolutely sob. And our MC Miles was just chefs kiss. He really saw Briar, met her where she was, gave her grace, and cared for her. He was Briar’s perfect match and partner to support her through her through the hard soul work she had to do.
One thing to mention is a lot of this story takes place in therapy. I don’t usually prefer too much of a character’s time in therapy to take place on the page, but in this case it was integral to the story. And honestly, I loved her therapist, too. 🤣 But, be prepared that a lot of time is spent in a therapist’s room.
Read this if you like stories about young love, coming of age, closed door romances, cute nicknames, satisfying epilogues, and books that handle the deep themes of grief and loss.
Again thank you, A.L. Fox, for letting me beta read. Bring on the ARC reread!
Quick details:
CW: absent parent, death from cancer (on page), panic attacks (on page)
July 29, 2025
"Forever yours, eternally sorry, always in love."
This book was extraordinary! I haven't read something THIS emotionally charged in a long time. This was brutal, and heavy, so definitely check your trigger warnings. If you want a story that makes you feel big feelings... This is for you! The way A.L. Fox portrays love and how all-consuming it can be, and also grief, and the anger that follows, is honestly life changing. It's a hard, and often ugly, journey and A.L. Fox made me feel like I wasn't alone. I felt so seen. The writing is painfully relatable. She hit the nail right on the head with this one!
Briar is such a complex character. She suffers in silence, and is hesitant to accept help from those around her. She's stuck in the past, unable to push herself forward, after suffering the loss of her best friend. Lifelong feelings of abandonment surface and she begins to question–is she easy to leave? This book follows Briar and her dynamic with her family, her best friend, the love of her life, and new relationships. She goes through the motions, trying to figure out how to heal from the past and grieve.
I think my favorite thing about this book is the continuous therapy sessions. A.L. Fox didn't portray therapy as a "one and done" kind of solution. Briar's character stuck with her therapist throughout the entire book.
Asking for help when you're struggling is not an easy thing to do. It never feels comfortable, but from personal experience, talking to a stranger, like a therapist, is easier than speaking with a family member or friend. I never could understand that feeling. You'd think that speaking with someone you know would be much easier. Maybe it's embarrassment. Or feeling like you're letting them down... Either way, it doesn't feel great, and I think we often hide behind a facade when we're around the people we love.
"I can fake it far better with my family and friends than I can with my shrink. And thank God for that. Because if my mom knew just how not-great I am handling things lately... I shiver at the thought."
The family dynamic is very relatable, especially when it came to the relationship with her mom. Personally, feeling like I was letting my mom down was a big insecurity of mine, and it only grew as I got older, believe it or not. Briar teeters on the fence of wanting her family to notice her struggles, then feeling resentful when they don't. The facades we assume are very convincing...
"So far, they don't notice anything is amiss with me. I can never decide if I'm grateful for that or resentful. Both, perhaps."
The portrayal of grief in this book is unbelievably realistic. From the dread, emptiness, exhaustiveness, to the panic attacks, isolation, and emptiness. There is no timeline for which someone experiences grief. It's a process. It's sometimes a lengthy process. Sometimes it's easier not to grieve at that specific time. You may find yourself grieving a year after an incident, which was Briar's case.
"I'm frozen in this space where it's just me and this cloak of grief that's covering me up, swallowing me whole."
9 months had passed, and she has not let herself feel or grieve the loss of Aster. She didn't know how. She didn't want to bring herself to the realization that he was gone, so she isolated herself from her friends and family. She never talked about him and tried not to think about him.
"I'm exhausted. The acting like I'm normal- like I feel anything at all other than this gaping emotionless emptiness. Who knew feeling nothing would be so tiring?"
Going through this grieving process with this character, conjured up feelings of grief and anger that I thought I had buried...
It is not an easy journey, so again, check your trigger warnings for this book.
I need to talk about Miles...
"I fucking love the curve of your waist. The way your ass looks in leggings and jeans. I can't wait to see every single part of you, every mark and freckle, up close and personal someday. Don't think that for a single second that I base my feelings for you on anything other than who you are. And I hope to God you believe all of that. I pride myself on honesty, Briar. I don't say things I don't mean."... Come the fuck on. Are you kidding me?
What an unexpected angel of a man. He's so patient with her throughout her journey. He's such a genuine character. A.L. Fox wrote him in a way that would bring tears to your eyes with how understanding he is. He isn't written as a crutch or as someone that Briar leans on to get her through. He is simply there to give encouragement.
"He's giving me back the life I haven't been living."
That's so important when you're going through something as heavy as a grieving process. You need to do it on your own and at your own speed, and that's exactly what Briar did. Miles wasn't pushy. He wasn't jealous of her relationship with Aster. He spoke about him and asked her questions.
"Aster's dying isn't anything that is ever going to be something that I can remedy or resolve or fix or replace for you, Briar. And I know that. But I also know that I can be your best friend and partner that's here. I choose to be that. To be the one that asks about the first one- the one before me. I want to know how you loved him- how he loved you."
He was there when she needed courage to face certain obstacles. He gave her confidence, whether it be with her journey or within herself. He was always there. A constant in her life. His loyalty never wavered, and his love for her only grew.
"Everyone is messy. Your mess doesn't scare me. I can understand your hesitation to let someone new in. I can see why that would make you nervous. But you don't scare me. So, let me be happy-go-lucky for the both of us. Let me show you that you are worthy, that you're incredible. Let me help you find that part of yourself- for yourself."
Figuring out how to love someone, when a part of your heart belongs to someone else, is very challenging. Miles knew and understood that. I fell in love with his character for that. What a man. Part of Briar's journey is figuring out how to not feel guilty about loving someone else. She's figuring out that it's okay to love both of them at the same time. Her love for Aster doesn't take away the love that she has with Miles.
"(...)But I hate me because I love him, and I love you, and I feel like that's horrible of me. (...)Because nothing lasts forever. And then when, or if, this doesn't... I'm going to be really honest, this one might just fucking do me in for real, Miles. (...)I don't know what to do with the love I feel for you, and the love I have for him because it's there, both of those things."
Briar's character growth, and her journey throughout this book, is something that I deeply admire. I will think about this book for a very long time! This is already a long review, but there's so much more I could've talked about. I'm so emotional😭 I haven't felt such feelings for a book in SO long!
Thank you to A.L. Fox for writing something so vulnerable. This is definitely one of my all-time favorites!
This book was extraordinary! I haven't read something THIS emotionally charged in a long time. This was brutal, and heavy, so definitely check your trigger warnings. If you want a story that makes you feel big feelings... This is for you! The way A.L. Fox portrays love and how all-consuming it can be, and also grief, and the anger that follows, is honestly life changing. It's a hard, and often ugly, journey and A.L. Fox made me feel like I wasn't alone. I felt so seen. The writing is painfully relatable. She hit the nail right on the head with this one!
Briar is such a complex character. She suffers in silence, and is hesitant to accept help from those around her. She's stuck in the past, unable to push herself forward, after suffering the loss of her best friend. Lifelong feelings of abandonment surface and she begins to question–is she easy to leave? This book follows Briar and her dynamic with her family, her best friend, the love of her life, and new relationships. She goes through the motions, trying to figure out how to heal from the past and grieve.
I think my favorite thing about this book is the continuous therapy sessions. A.L. Fox didn't portray therapy as a "one and done" kind of solution. Briar's character stuck with her therapist throughout the entire book.
Asking for help when you're struggling is not an easy thing to do. It never feels comfortable, but from personal experience, talking to a stranger, like a therapist, is easier than speaking with a family member or friend. I never could understand that feeling. You'd think that speaking with someone you know would be much easier. Maybe it's embarrassment. Or feeling like you're letting them down... Either way, it doesn't feel great, and I think we often hide behind a facade when we're around the people we love.
"I can fake it far better with my family and friends than I can with my shrink. And thank God for that. Because if my mom knew just how not-great I am handling things lately... I shiver at the thought."
The family dynamic is very relatable, especially when it came to the relationship with her mom. Personally, feeling like I was letting my mom down was a big insecurity of mine, and it only grew as I got older, believe it or not. Briar teeters on the fence of wanting her family to notice her struggles, then feeling resentful when they don't. The facades we assume are very convincing...
"So far, they don't notice anything is amiss with me. I can never decide if I'm grateful for that or resentful. Both, perhaps."
The portrayal of grief in this book is unbelievably realistic. From the dread, emptiness, exhaustiveness, to the panic attacks, isolation, and emptiness. There is no timeline for which someone experiences grief. It's a process. It's sometimes a lengthy process. Sometimes it's easier not to grieve at that specific time. You may find yourself grieving a year after an incident, which was Briar's case.
"I'm frozen in this space where it's just me and this cloak of grief that's covering me up, swallowing me whole."
9 months had passed, and she has not let herself feel or grieve the loss of Aster. She didn't know how. She didn't want to bring herself to the realization that he was gone, so she isolated herself from her friends and family. She never talked about him and tried not to think about him.
"I'm exhausted. The acting like I'm normal- like I feel anything at all other than this gaping emotionless emptiness. Who knew feeling nothing would be so tiring?"
Going through this grieving process with this character, conjured up feelings of grief and anger that I thought I had buried...
It is not an easy journey, so again, check your trigger warnings for this book.
I need to talk about Miles...
"I fucking love the curve of your waist. The way your ass looks in leggings and jeans. I can't wait to see every single part of you, every mark and freckle, up close and personal someday. Don't think that for a single second that I base my feelings for you on anything other than who you are. And I hope to God you believe all of that. I pride myself on honesty, Briar. I don't say things I don't mean."... Come the fuck on. Are you kidding me?
What an unexpected angel of a man. He's so patient with her throughout her journey. He's such a genuine character. A.L. Fox wrote him in a way that would bring tears to your eyes with how understanding he is. He isn't written as a crutch or as someone that Briar leans on to get her through. He is simply there to give encouragement.
"He's giving me back the life I haven't been living."
That's so important when you're going through something as heavy as a grieving process. You need to do it on your own and at your own speed, and that's exactly what Briar did. Miles wasn't pushy. He wasn't jealous of her relationship with Aster. He spoke about him and asked her questions.
"Aster's dying isn't anything that is ever going to be something that I can remedy or resolve or fix or replace for you, Briar. And I know that. But I also know that I can be your best friend and partner that's here. I choose to be that. To be the one that asks about the first one- the one before me. I want to know how you loved him- how he loved you."
He was there when she needed courage to face certain obstacles. He gave her confidence, whether it be with her journey or within herself. He was always there. A constant in her life. His loyalty never wavered, and his love for her only grew.
"Everyone is messy. Your mess doesn't scare me. I can understand your hesitation to let someone new in. I can see why that would make you nervous. But you don't scare me. So, let me be happy-go-lucky for the both of us. Let me show you that you are worthy, that you're incredible. Let me help you find that part of yourself- for yourself."
Figuring out how to love someone, when a part of your heart belongs to someone else, is very challenging. Miles knew and understood that. I fell in love with his character for that. What a man. Part of Briar's journey is figuring out how to not feel guilty about loving someone else. She's figuring out that it's okay to love both of them at the same time. Her love for Aster doesn't take away the love that she has with Miles.
"(...)But I hate me because I love him, and I love you, and I feel like that's horrible of me. (...)Because nothing lasts forever. And then when, or if, this doesn't... I'm going to be really honest, this one might just fucking do me in for real, Miles. (...)I don't know what to do with the love I feel for you, and the love I have for him because it's there, both of those things."
Briar's character growth, and her journey throughout this book, is something that I deeply admire. I will think about this book for a very long time! This is already a long review, but there's so much more I could've talked about. I'm so emotional😭 I haven't felt such feelings for a book in SO long!
Thank you to A.L. Fox for writing something so vulnerable. This is definitely one of my all-time favorites!
July 7, 2024
Such a beautiful book. As a woman with daddy issues and who has been grieving for the past few years his death, this book hit home. A.L. Fox really captures what it means to grieve and how healing can be such a transformative journey. I don’t cry in books very easily (if at all) and maybe it’s because I relate to the pain of the FMC, but I definitely had tears streaming down my face. Highly recommend.
July 30, 2024
Stayed up till 2 am finishing this book and I was in a puddle of tears by the end 😭
I felt all of the emotions with this one! I could definitely relate to certain parts and I just love the way A.L. Fox describes and writes about the different stages of grief.
If you want a story that is going to make you FEEL, read this one! Briar’s journey is a tough one, but I was so proud of her by the end of it 🥲 also the support from Miles was EVERYTHING!! Ugh! Just loved it all so much.
I felt all of the emotions with this one! I could definitely relate to certain parts and I just love the way A.L. Fox describes and writes about the different stages of grief.
If you want a story that is going to make you FEEL, read this one! Briar’s journey is a tough one, but I was so proud of her by the end of it 🥲 also the support from Miles was EVERYTHING!! Ugh! Just loved it all so much.
September 1, 2024
I devoured this book. Briar’s story of grief, and how she works through, it is beautiful written. Add in Miles who sees her mess and doesn’t love her any less for it. Swoon.
April 12, 2024
I’m still trying to find the words to describe this book.
The character development was everything. So real, so relatable even if we didn’t go through everything Briar has.
The last chapter had me crying 🥹 because of its emotional impact after everything…
The character development was everything. So real, so relatable even if we didn’t go through everything Briar has.
The last chapter had me crying 🥹 because of its emotional impact after everything…
May 3, 2024
We were so graciously given an ARC of this book. And wow did A.L. Fox deliver.
Spoilers ahead:
The main character Briar is on a journey through grief. Grief can be a really hard subject to write since everyone’s experience is different. However, I feel like Fox did a wonderful job encompassing the hardship of living in the grief while also having to still live. By the end of the book you are cheering Briar on as she navigates so much we go through everyday, that might not be a big deal for some people, but those going through grief experience it in a different way. We laughed with Briar, cried with Briar, and was angry with Briar.
We definitely recommend reading this book. Please check the trigger warnings first 💕
Spoilers ahead:
The main character Briar is on a journey through grief. Grief can be a really hard subject to write since everyone’s experience is different. However, I feel like Fox did a wonderful job encompassing the hardship of living in the grief while also having to still live. By the end of the book you are cheering Briar on as she navigates so much we go through everyday, that might not be a big deal for some people, but those going through grief experience it in a different way. We laughed with Briar, cried with Briar, and was angry with Briar.
We definitely recommend reading this book. Please check the trigger warnings first 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
A.L. Fox did it AGAIN. 🙌🤌💖
I Wish was such a beautiful story of heartbreak, grief and healing. Family struggles to boundaries and strength. This book hit me HARD with all the feels. I feel so seen because of this book. Thank you Amber from the bottom of my heart for witting this and allowing me to heal right alongside sweet Briar (even though we healed in different ways).
SO grateful I got to read an ARC of this beauty of a book. 💖
I Wish was such a beautiful story of heartbreak, grief and healing. Family struggles to boundaries and strength. This book hit me HARD with all the feels. I feel so seen because of this book. Thank you Amber from the bottom of my heart for witting this and allowing me to heal right alongside sweet Briar (even though we healed in different ways).
SO grateful I got to read an ARC of this beauty of a book. 💖
June 26, 2024
Everything hurts. Maybe I’ll write an actual review when I finish grieving.
EDIT- (I’m still grieving, but…)
★★★★.5
“He is the sun. Yet I have never felt colder.”
It took me about 4 days to read this book & I sobbed every single day of it. My heart hurts. My eyes hurt. Every fiber of my being hurts. I am surrounded by Kleenex & lying on a tear-soaked pillow as I write this review.
This story was about the reality of grief. It was both devastating & healing—but mostly, it was devastating & I will be thinking about it for a very long time. The FMC was so relatable & I couldn’t help but feel everything she was feeling—although I probably cried more than she did. Even the quotes the author chose to add at the beginning of each chapter made me cry. If you know me, then you should know this means I loved it.
A. L. Fox absolutely crushed it. Crushed my soul. Crushed my heart. And if I can ever get back up after this, I would definitely let this book crush me all over again.
I went into this blind & I’d recommend you do the same if you are a rom-traum lover, but please do read the content warning if you know that certain topics can cause you distress. If you’re willing, I’d suggest saving this for one of those days you need a good, long, ugly cry.
Or if you don’t mind being emotionally destroyed any day of the week, you can just read it now because it’s totally worth the hurt. 😂 I promise you’ll be swooning too. The MMC is 100% top tier book husband material. 🥹🥰
EDIT- (I’m still grieving, but…)
★★★★.5
“He is the sun. Yet I have never felt colder.”
It took me about 4 days to read this book & I sobbed every single day of it. My heart hurts. My eyes hurt. Every fiber of my being hurts. I am surrounded by Kleenex & lying on a tear-soaked pillow as I write this review.
This story was about the reality of grief. It was both devastating & healing—but mostly, it was devastating & I will be thinking about it for a very long time. The FMC was so relatable & I couldn’t help but feel everything she was feeling—although I probably cried more than she did. Even the quotes the author chose to add at the beginning of each chapter made me cry. If you know me, then you should know this means I loved it.
A. L. Fox absolutely crushed it. Crushed my soul. Crushed my heart. And if I can ever get back up after this, I would definitely let this book crush me all over again.
I went into this blind & I’d recommend you do the same if you are a rom-traum lover, but please do read the content warning if you know that certain topics can cause you distress. If you’re willing, I’d suggest saving this for one of those days you need a good, long, ugly cry.
Or if you don’t mind being emotionally destroyed any day of the week, you can just read it now because it’s totally worth the hurt. 😂 I promise you’ll be swooning too. The MMC is 100% top tier book husband material. 🥹🥰
April 24, 2024
I was so lucky to be able to BETA/ARC read this book.
I’m very much a mood-reader, so first of all, AL, sorry it took me so long and respectfully, I hate you.
Being an emotional wreck right now and reading this book probably wasnt the best idea but fuck did it get all of the emotions out of me. The quotes chosen at the beginning of each chapter were most definitely my favorite and probably made me cry even harder. What a description of grief, how it comes in waves, and the raw reality that healing isnt linear.
Now McMan has redefined my mental depiction of lasagna and Irish nicknames. 😅
I’m very much a mood-reader, so first of all, AL, sorry it took me so long and respectfully, I hate you.
Being an emotional wreck right now and reading this book probably wasnt the best idea but fuck did it get all of the emotions out of me. The quotes chosen at the beginning of each chapter were most definitely my favorite and probably made me cry even harder. What a description of grief, how it comes in waves, and the raw reality that healing isnt linear.
Now McMan has redefined my mental depiction of lasagna and Irish nicknames. 😅
February 9, 2025
3.75 stars
ok tell me why this was actually really good?
she was fast-paced, realistic and got me out of this god-forsaken reading slump!!
this was such a beautiful book about grieving, healing, mental illness and learning to love yourself. it was so fricken good and such a great representation
i had no idea what i was going in for (my bad, should've read the blurb) so i got a bit of whiplash with the whole "i dont feel nuthing." start. LIKE WOAH? OK THEN!
ANYWAYS!! ONTO MY THOUGHTS! i loved the plus-size representation, we love to see it!! her mental health issues were portrayed really well and i felt like i was in her head understanding everything. i enjoyed following her healing journey and how she is able is able to grow and properly communicate her emotions. and i related a bit too much to the whole not opening up and hating others and herself for it (why did you read my mind and choose to put it into a book???). HOWEVER. i did not enjoy HOW EASY IT FELT??? there was little to no actual conflict in this book, just this girl on a journey to heal. and i mean good for her, but where were we going with this??? every chapter it was "omg, im getting better! im ready to take a new leap, but first let me CRY MY EYES OUT TO MY NEW BOYFRIEND WHO IS SOMEHOW PERFECT!!!!" every. single. chapter. and dont get me wrong, i loved it, ate her up, saw the message there, but god she was repetitive!!
and how is miles just casually so perfect?? and how is this girl as well?? "yep, im the perfect level of emotionally intelligent that every problem i ever have i just fix by talking about it!" i fear that's not how it works??? and her only "low" points was just her fucking crying, getting comforted, and BOOM! that's it. sorry, but that's not how grief/depression works!!!
and although it was a huge plot point and like the whole premise of the story, i hated the idea that she was still in love with aster. personally it just didnt sit right with me, probably because i couldnt relate to it. also at the the start i was so confused because is bro dead or did he break up with her? (turns out both)
i really loved all the characters and how she bonds with them, but again, they just felt so.. forced?? like it was too easy for her to become besties with everyone in her life again.
overall, she was pretty damn sad.
ok tell me why this was actually really good?
she was fast-paced, realistic and got me out of this god-forsaken reading slump!!
this was such a beautiful book about grieving, healing, mental illness and learning to love yourself. it was so fricken good and such a great representation
i had no idea what i was going in for (my bad, should've read the blurb) so i got a bit of whiplash with the whole "i dont feel nuthing." start. LIKE WOAH? OK THEN!
ANYWAYS!! ONTO MY THOUGHTS! i loved the plus-size representation, we love to see it!! her mental health issues were portrayed really well and i felt like i was in her head understanding everything. i enjoyed following her healing journey and how she is able is able to grow and properly communicate her emotions. and i related a bit too much to the whole not opening up and hating others and herself for it (why did you read my mind and choose to put it into a book???). HOWEVER. i did not enjoy HOW EASY IT FELT??? there was little to no actual conflict in this book, just this girl on a journey to heal. and i mean good for her, but where were we going with this??? every chapter it was "omg, im getting better! im ready to take a new leap, but first let me CRY MY EYES OUT TO MY NEW BOYFRIEND WHO IS SOMEHOW PERFECT!!!!" every. single. chapter. and dont get me wrong, i loved it, ate her up, saw the message there, but god she was repetitive!!
and how is miles just casually so perfect?? and how is this girl as well?? "yep, im the perfect level of emotionally intelligent that every problem i ever have i just fix by talking about it!" i fear that's not how it works??? and her only "low" points was just her fucking crying, getting comforted, and BOOM! that's it. sorry, but that's not how grief/depression works!!!
and although it was a huge plot point and like the whole premise of the story, i hated the idea that she was still in love with aster. personally it just didnt sit right with me, probably because i couldnt relate to it. also at the the start i was so confused because is bro dead or did he break up with her? (turns out both)
i really loved all the characters and how she bonds with them, but again, they just felt so.. forced?? like it was too easy for her to become besties with everyone in her life again.
overall, she was pretty damn sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2024
4.75
Wow. I, hurt. A lot. *cue emotional damage song* when A.L reached out to me about reading this, I immediately said yes, the tropes definitely had me hooked and intrigued, I did not however read the synopsis so I was not prepared, but I loved that for me, honestly. This book is 322 pages, and I cried for approximately 300 of those pages (give or take but pretty close if I had to guess).
Tell me why I’m sobbing like Aster was my boyfriend, like sobbing - ugly crying, snotty nose, can’t breathe sobbing. Yup, you read that right.
The way Briar dealt, or let’s be honest, didn’t deal with things for so long was so raw and real. I think that might be why I cried so hard for so much of this. I felt her pain like it was my own, and truly that could be because A.L is just that talented of a writer too, we’ll say it’s both. Having loved someone for the majority of your life, and losing them at such a young age, after the absent time between you two, is so hard. And my heart hurts for our sweet Briar girl.
Miles is truly the most precious, loving, kind soul. He deserves everything and more. His love and patience and acceptance of Briar and Aster. I could scream. I love Miles. His constant reassurances to her and his support in both her journey through grief and her journey into bettering her living relationships. He’s a true king, honestly. Briar’s support system grew so much during this, and it made my heart soar. She deserves the world. All the happiness. Every sun.
I don’t know that I’ll stop crying, because yes, I’m crying while I write this 🥲😭😂 it was just so emotional, and beautiful, and raw, but perfect. I really think everyone needs to read and experience Briar’s story. She deserves it to be shouted from the rooftops.
What to expect:
❤️🩹 Pain (emotional damage, crying, heartache, all the sad)
🧠 Mental Health/Grief Rep
🗓️ Dual Timeline
🫶🏻 Comfort/Healing
🤞🏼 Two Great Loves
🫂 Supportive Friends and Family
🥀 Slow Burn
🌶️ Closed Door
While this is a romance, it definitely focuses on Briar’s journey and self discovery more, and it’s so worth it.
Wow. I, hurt. A lot. *cue emotional damage song* when A.L reached out to me about reading this, I immediately said yes, the tropes definitely had me hooked and intrigued, I did not however read the synopsis so I was not prepared, but I loved that for me, honestly. This book is 322 pages, and I cried for approximately 300 of those pages (give or take but pretty close if I had to guess).
Tell me why I’m sobbing like Aster was my boyfriend, like sobbing - ugly crying, snotty nose, can’t breathe sobbing. Yup, you read that right.
The way Briar dealt, or let’s be honest, didn’t deal with things for so long was so raw and real. I think that might be why I cried so hard for so much of this. I felt her pain like it was my own, and truly that could be because A.L is just that talented of a writer too, we’ll say it’s both. Having loved someone for the majority of your life, and losing them at such a young age, after the absent time between you two, is so hard. And my heart hurts for our sweet Briar girl.
Miles is truly the most precious, loving, kind soul. He deserves everything and more. His love and patience and acceptance of Briar and Aster. I could scream. I love Miles. His constant reassurances to her and his support in both her journey through grief and her journey into bettering her living relationships. He’s a true king, honestly. Briar’s support system grew so much during this, and it made my heart soar. She deserves the world. All the happiness. Every sun.
I don’t know that I’ll stop crying, because yes, I’m crying while I write this 🥲😭😂 it was just so emotional, and beautiful, and raw, but perfect. I really think everyone needs to read and experience Briar’s story. She deserves it to be shouted from the rooftops.
What to expect:
❤️🩹 Pain (emotional damage, crying, heartache, all the sad)
🧠 Mental Health/Grief Rep
🗓️ Dual Timeline
🫶🏻 Comfort/Healing
🤞🏼 Two Great Loves
🫂 Supportive Friends and Family
🥀 Slow Burn
🌶️ Closed Door
While this is a romance, it definitely focuses on Briar’s journey and self discovery more, and it’s so worth it.
June 12, 2025
Grief.. in writing.
Catt and Briar are best friends. Thick as thieves. They don’t need anyone else but each other. Until this new boy moves to town.. Aster. Aster quickly becomes part of their friend group forming a close bond with Briar. They have a fun game they like to play.. they park at the dead end and watch the planes take off and create stories of where the people on the plane are going and why. It’s just another day at their place until Aster makes the story about them and their best friends love becomes all consuming true love. They are soulmates. They’re gonna get married one day and have kids and do the whole life thing together..
But one day never comes..
I Wish is Briar’s journey in therapy coping with loss and grief. For almost a year she’s been nothing but numb. Believing that she is destined to live her life as a shell of her former self. Unloved and unhappy. But with the help of a great therapist, the return of her best friend, Catt, and an amazingly patient man named Miles, we’ll witness Briar learning to accept what is and what was while simultaneously learning to speak up for herself in regards to her family.
I was not prepared for the amount of tears I would shed over this story. Beautifully raw writing and an achingly good story. Reading through Briar’s journey.. I was so proud of her for the progress she made. If you’re looking for a book that will hit you where it hurts, I highly recommend this book!
Catt and Briar are best friends. Thick as thieves. They don’t need anyone else but each other. Until this new boy moves to town.. Aster. Aster quickly becomes part of their friend group forming a close bond with Briar. They have a fun game they like to play.. they park at the dead end and watch the planes take off and create stories of where the people on the plane are going and why. It’s just another day at their place until Aster makes the story about them and their best friends love becomes all consuming true love. They are soulmates. They’re gonna get married one day and have kids and do the whole life thing together..
But one day never comes..
I Wish is Briar’s journey in therapy coping with loss and grief. For almost a year she’s been nothing but numb. Believing that she is destined to live her life as a shell of her former self. Unloved and unhappy. But with the help of a great therapist, the return of her best friend, Catt, and an amazingly patient man named Miles, we’ll witness Briar learning to accept what is and what was while simultaneously learning to speak up for herself in regards to her family.
I was not prepared for the amount of tears I would shed over this story. Beautifully raw writing and an achingly good story. Reading through Briar’s journey.. I was so proud of her for the progress she made. If you’re looking for a book that will hit you where it hurts, I highly recommend this book!
March 25, 2024
This book was so real. And full of depth. And beautiful. And I’m just amazed at A. L’s writing of this story; I think it’s unlike anything I’ve read before which is one of the reasons I loved the book, and the writing style, so much. We get to follow along on Briar’s journey of healing from trauma. And along the way, read a beautiful love story as well.
I felt so many emotions in this book. Sadness, heartbreak, anger, but also such gladness for how Briar was loved and cared for; Miles is truly amazing. I loved that we also got to see her conversations with her therapist. You can tell the author put so much of her heart into this.
I also love how the main characters are just regular people working regular and blue collar jobs. They do regular things like meet at the grocery store to shop together.
Also LOVE the openness and adult communication through the whole book; no miscommunication games.
Definite 5 ⭐️ read!
(single POV, fade to black, cursing)
I felt so many emotions in this book. Sadness, heartbreak, anger, but also such gladness for how Briar was loved and cared for; Miles is truly amazing. I loved that we also got to see her conversations with her therapist. You can tell the author put so much of her heart into this.
I also love how the main characters are just regular people working regular and blue collar jobs. They do regular things like meet at the grocery store to shop together.
Also LOVE the openness and adult communication through the whole book; no miscommunication games.
Definite 5 ⭐️ read!
(single POV, fade to black, cursing)
September 18, 2024
I’m not sure what drugs the author laced these pages with, but me, a person who doesn’t often feel the feels very hard, was a blubbering mess through more than half the book. This book was absolutely stunning. The story, the journey, the pain and heartache hit me so hard, I’ve never sobbed through an entire book before like I did with this one. Not just the sobs like, “oh that’s cute. I shed some tears.” Like sobbed until I couldn’t breathe or see, then it literally ripped my chest open and my heart physically hurt and I was hugging myself rocking by the end. infinity stars, I want to immediately read it all over again just to feel it all in the depths of my soul. Don’t get me wrong, I have my few book boyfriend crushes, but Miles is hands down my absolute favorite and the only one I’ve ever heavily wished was not just a fictional character. I absolutely adored this story.
December 31, 2024
Dear A.L. Fox,
First of all... you sent me TISSUES?! Thank you. I'll definitely need them while I reread this absolute masterpiece of a book. (I cackled when the tissues came tumbling out of the package before the book did!)
Second, thank you for trusting me to read your book babies. I love them all for different reasons, but this one is definitely my favorite. I want to scream it from the rooftops how everyone should read this book. It hurts. It really does, but it is SO GOOD. 🤍 "this damn book hurts" *insert picture of self crying while arc reading*
And last, thank you for the friendship we now have. I love it most of all. 🫶
To everyone else: Please go read this book. I'll be here for support when you need it. Enjoy the heartbreak. 🤍
First of all... you sent me TISSUES?! Thank you. I'll definitely need them while I reread this absolute masterpiece of a book. (I cackled when the tissues came tumbling out of the package before the book did!)
Second, thank you for trusting me to read your book babies. I love them all for different reasons, but this one is definitely my favorite. I want to scream it from the rooftops how everyone should read this book. It hurts. It really does, but it is SO GOOD. 🤍 "this damn book hurts" *insert picture of self crying while arc reading*
And last, thank you for the friendship we now have. I love it most of all. 🫶
To everyone else: Please go read this book. I'll be here for support when you need it. Enjoy the heartbreak. 🤍
September 9, 2024
4.5⭐️
This book was BEAUTIFUL. It was an emotional read about healing after grief. Miles is TOP TIER book boyfriend, and I’m actually in love. While this book was emotional, sad, and demonstrated mental illness, it also was hopeful and beautiful. Al did a wonderful job of sharing this story in a way that makes you FEEL.
Also - each chapter has a beautiful quote at the top. I enjoyed reading each of these and reflecting my own thoughts into my own healing journey.
This book was BEAUTIFUL. It was an emotional read about healing after grief. Miles is TOP TIER book boyfriend, and I’m actually in love. While this book was emotional, sad, and demonstrated mental illness, it also was hopeful and beautiful. Al did a wonderful job of sharing this story in a way that makes you FEEL.
Also - each chapter has a beautiful quote at the top. I enjoyed reading each of these and reflecting my own thoughts into my own healing journey.
July 3, 2024
This emotional rollercoaster is heartfelt and sad and sweet and everything. As a fellow therapy-girl, I found so much comfort in these pages. Briar's story is for everyone who's been through something. And everyone has. So, Briar's story is for all of us. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time. Don't miss it.
March 8, 2024
Wow, AL has positively WRECKED me once again. I haven’t sobbed so hard in a longgg time. Legit cried so hard I was skipping breaths at one point. What an amazing experience to travel this journey of grief with Briar while she navigates a heavy loss. Briar describes herself as a ghost, a shell of a person she was before the loss and AL truly captured this and led us on one extremely emotional ride. Miles, could not be more perfect of a man in the way he was there for Briar every step of the way - through the highs and very very lows. Whew, my eyes might remain puffy for days after this rollercoaster. A truly powerful portrayal of the way grief consumes us.
May 1, 2024
ARC read -- I went into this book knowing it would probably break my heart. But, DAMN A.L. Fox did not hold back.
Grief is just an interesting emotion because it really isn't just one emotion. It is a lot of different emotions all fighting for a spot to a poin where you shut down and feel nothing at all, only for them to all start fighting again. It is a rollercoaster.
A.L. Fox described it thoughtfully and beautifully in a way that, even though I've never experienced loss like the FMC I understood what she was going through. I cried when she cried, I was angry when she was angry, I was numb when she was numb. Experiencing the character growth was, simply put, amazing. This book is an experience.
My only complaint is that the MMC is too perfect 😂 like I know this is fiction, but that man is NOT real. You feel me? But I am not too mad because we need him to get through this.
Grief is just an interesting emotion because it really isn't just one emotion. It is a lot of different emotions all fighting for a spot to a poin where you shut down and feel nothing at all, only for them to all start fighting again. It is a rollercoaster.
A.L. Fox described it thoughtfully and beautifully in a way that, even though I've never experienced loss like the FMC I understood what she was going through. I cried when she cried, I was angry when she was angry, I was numb when she was numb. Experiencing the character growth was, simply put, amazing. This book is an experience.
My only complaint is that the MMC is too perfect 😂 like I know this is fiction, but that man is NOT real. You feel me? But I am not too mad because we need him to get through this.
January 8, 2025
I loved this book. My dad passed away suddenly a few years ago and nothing helped. There was this weird unresolved grief that I had (still have) and nothing helped me “cope”. This book was great. It felt so good to read something so similar to how I feel.
Update as of 1/8/25
I am actually gifting this book to a friend’s daughter who lost her father. I hope she finds it a good comforting cry like I did.
Update as of 1/8/25
I am actually gifting this book to a friend’s daughter who lost her father. I hope she finds it a good comforting cry like I did.
November 18, 2025
I ABSOLUTELY adored this book. There’s so much grief and heartbreak throughout but getting to see the healing was everything! I loved the emotions this one brought and think it was written with such care! Highly recommend Briar and Miles story. The characters are truly amazing and I loved them to pieces. I especially loved how kind and patient Miles is- he’s so supportive of Briar and Aster’s past and helps her through everything. Ugh, this story will stick with me for a while 🥺
March 9, 2024
Ready for my review, wanna know how I’m feeling…
Everything.
That’s the review. This book, is everything.
Everything.
That’s the review. This book, is everything.
August 16, 2024
This is by far the best, most needed book that I have ever read.
I found this book on KU and honestly it was the simple title and simple cover that made me intrigued so I went into this book blindly. I read the TW and felt I should probably not read it but something propelled me - and I will forever be grateful for that.
This is a profound book on loss, grief, and all that comes along - the numbness, the loss of self, the walking alone and in a fog because that’s all that is left, the anger that makes you truly see red, and the pain. The agonizing pain that leads you to feel as though you will never recover. This is what it is to love and to grieve.
I urge you to pick up this book and to read it, especially if you have ever had a profound loss that has defined you - this book will open it up, destroy you in a good way, and then help you truly heal. It will also help you see that loss and life do go together, that they truly do - they mesh in a way that is profound and intense but it’s powerful.
I am absolutely blown away at the power that this simple book holds… and the mental health representation is beyond powerful. This is real, this is truth of love and pain, and it all is wrapped up in this beautiful book that can be read in a day.
Just a few of the quotes that I have saved because they truly touch my soul -
I wish it made me feel. Anything. Everything. Something. I wish things were different. I wish he was still here. Hell, I wish I was still here.
I’m exhausted. The acting like I’m normal—like I feel anything at all other than this gaping emotionless emptiness. Who knew feeling nothing would be so tiring? It’s the faking the opposite that does it, though.
I am a high-functioning shell of depression
He was the sun—bright and good and always whole. I was the moon—ever changing and a bit dark, always missing him
I found this book on KU and honestly it was the simple title and simple cover that made me intrigued so I went into this book blindly. I read the TW and felt I should probably not read it but something propelled me - and I will forever be grateful for that.
This is a profound book on loss, grief, and all that comes along - the numbness, the loss of self, the walking alone and in a fog because that’s all that is left, the anger that makes you truly see red, and the pain. The agonizing pain that leads you to feel as though you will never recover. This is what it is to love and to grieve.
I urge you to pick up this book and to read it, especially if you have ever had a profound loss that has defined you - this book will open it up, destroy you in a good way, and then help you truly heal. It will also help you see that loss and life do go together, that they truly do - they mesh in a way that is profound and intense but it’s powerful.
I am absolutely blown away at the power that this simple book holds… and the mental health representation is beyond powerful. This is real, this is truth of love and pain, and it all is wrapped up in this beautiful book that can be read in a day.
Just a few of the quotes that I have saved because they truly touch my soul -
I wish it made me feel. Anything. Everything. Something. I wish things were different. I wish he was still here. Hell, I wish I was still here.
I’m exhausted. The acting like I’m normal—like I feel anything at all other than this gaping emotionless emptiness. Who knew feeling nothing would be so tiring? It’s the faking the opposite that does it, though.
I am a high-functioning shell of depression
He was the sun—bright and good and always whole. I was the moon—ever changing and a bit dark, always missing him
March 21, 2024
Wow. This review is going to be all over the place because I am feeling all the things. I Wish is the book I've always wanted to write. I am so grateful for this author's courage to write this story. This book touched my soul and was something I needed to read. I loved all the chapter heading quotes. I wanted to save them all. I wanted to quote so many parts of this book. I feel like it was written well. This book was giving me Nicholas Sparks/A Walk to Remember vibes.
Briar's character growth was tremendous. The only thing I didn't like or the part that lost me was her letter to her dad - I felt like that was a little long - but I could see how it was needed as a part of her character growth. Her growth through working through therapy for her depression and handling her grief was extremely real and relatable. Aster's death anniversary was written with such raw feeling and emotion - it was perfectly depicted.
Miles was perfect and perfect for Briar. This author knows how to write swoony book boyfriends.
A book is considered a 5 star read for me when I feel something during my read and also after. I will be thinking of this book for awhile.
"Everyone is messy. Your mess doesn't scare me."
"I love earning that laugh."
"He's giving me back the life I hadn't been living."
"But there isn't a timeline on grief. There isn't a playbook or an instruction manual. There aren't rules and regulations. There isn't someone telling you what to do next and how to do it. Sure, there are books that might help, guides and things that give generalized directions on what route to maybe take. But there is no one set way to deal with loss."
This story includes: grief, depression, plus size fmc, dual timeline, swoony mmc, lgbtq ally rep, cancer, loss from cancer
Briar's character growth was tremendous. The only thing I didn't like or the part that lost me was her letter to her dad - I felt like that was a little long - but I could see how it was needed as a part of her character growth. Her growth through working through therapy for her depression and handling her grief was extremely real and relatable. Aster's death anniversary was written with such raw feeling and emotion - it was perfectly depicted.
Miles was perfect and perfect for Briar. This author knows how to write swoony book boyfriends.
A book is considered a 5 star read for me when I feel something during my read and also after. I will be thinking of this book for awhile.
"Everyone is messy. Your mess doesn't scare me."
"I love earning that laugh."
"He's giving me back the life I hadn't been living."
"But there isn't a timeline on grief. There isn't a playbook or an instruction manual. There aren't rules and regulations. There isn't someone telling you what to do next and how to do it. Sure, there are books that might help, guides and things that give generalized directions on what route to maybe take. But there is no one set way to deal with loss."
This story includes: grief, depression, plus size fmc, dual timeline, swoony mmc, lgbtq ally rep, cancer, loss from cancer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2024
ARC BOOK REVIEW
This book was something else entirely. From reading the tropes and blurb alone, I knew that I wanted to read this book instantly. I have to say that clean romances are not my usual type when reading, but this author always takes me by surprise each time I read her books.
I Wish is a story which is filled full of grief and sadness yet through all of the pain that our main character Briar feels there is still hope for her to find a love worthy of her yet again.
The story follows Briar through past and present which was a specific thing that I very much enjoyed while reading this book, by the author doing this it had meant that I was able to see how Briar's past life was like before all of the pain she endured and then how she well didn't cope with it like most people. The one thing I wanted for Briar from the start of the book is to finally feel happy once more, and I definitely feel that she allowed herself to be that once more.
I love reading A.L. Fox's books so much as they are always beautifully written and so easy to read. This book took me on a rollercoaster, to say the least. I experienced so many emotions while reading this book, and it pains me that the main character felt so bad all of that time. She did not have life on the easy mode at all! This book shows sadness and grief but also hope that everything can be okay as long as you let people help.
This book was something else entirely. From reading the tropes and blurb alone, I knew that I wanted to read this book instantly. I have to say that clean romances are not my usual type when reading, but this author always takes me by surprise each time I read her books.
I Wish is a story which is filled full of grief and sadness yet through all of the pain that our main character Briar feels there is still hope for her to find a love worthy of her yet again.
The story follows Briar through past and present which was a specific thing that I very much enjoyed while reading this book, by the author doing this it had meant that I was able to see how Briar's past life was like before all of the pain she endured and then how she well didn't cope with it like most people. The one thing I wanted for Briar from the start of the book is to finally feel happy once more, and I definitely feel that she allowed herself to be that once more.
I love reading A.L. Fox's books so much as they are always beautifully written and so easy to read. This book took me on a rollercoaster, to say the least. I experienced so many emotions while reading this book, and it pains me that the main character felt so bad all of that time. She did not have life on the easy mode at all! This book shows sadness and grief but also hope that everything can be okay as long as you let people help.
April 26, 2024
I finished this book days ago but it hasn't left my thoughts. I have so much to say about this book but the short is - you should read it.
I knew this was going to be an emotional read but it isn't a downer. I definitely had tears as I read sections but A.L. Fox gives us sweet moments that felt real. This whole book felt very real. Grief is so hard to write about but the author captured it. Sometimes you put your grief on hold like Briar. You can swing between laughter and panic attacks in moments. Sometimes grief is a lingering feeling and other times it knocks you to the ground. Sometimes the Fear of Others Missing Out sucks the joy out of life. This book tells Briar's story in present time with flashbacks. She starts to open up to the people in her life and acknowledge what she lost.
What I think the author really excelled at with this book was that I was left feeling inspired. I want to be like Briar who makes those difficult conversations happen and puts in the work while giving her self some grace. I want to be like Miles who understands people, sees people, and know exactly how to support them.
Its hard to mention all the things I loved without spoilers but here are a few...
- The Chapter Quotes. These were an incredible selection of quotes that felt like a work of art themselves.
- The Irish Terms of Endearment. Plus all of the other little Irish connections.
I knew this was going to be an emotional read but it isn't a downer. I definitely had tears as I read sections but A.L. Fox gives us sweet moments that felt real. This whole book felt very real. Grief is so hard to write about but the author captured it. Sometimes you put your grief on hold like Briar. You can swing between laughter and panic attacks in moments. Sometimes grief is a lingering feeling and other times it knocks you to the ground. Sometimes the Fear of Others Missing Out sucks the joy out of life. This book tells Briar's story in present time with flashbacks. She starts to open up to the people in her life and acknowledge what she lost.
What I think the author really excelled at with this book was that I was left feeling inspired. I want to be like Briar who makes those difficult conversations happen and puts in the work while giving her self some grace. I want to be like Miles who understands people, sees people, and know exactly how to support them.
Its hard to mention all the things I loved without spoilers but here are a few...
- The Chapter Quotes. These were an incredible selection of quotes that felt like a work of art themselves.
- The Irish Terms of Endearment. Plus all of the other little Irish connections.
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