The book has a dual timeline and has really short chapters with that addictive feeling of "okay, just one more." The writing is fluid, the pace perfect. The setting in Norway and Sweden during the family trip was really refreshing, even if I remember none of the cities' names. This story is not only about Anna and Grace; all the characters are rich. Landers cleverly makes you understand how this family is so close and solid despite the mistakes and betrayals. Rupert and Edith are important characters that will carve a place in your heart. No, Edith did more than carve; she won it: protective, understanding, patient, with her story that made me shed tears. In books and movies, most of the time, characters are brave and make the right decisions. We don't see, let's say it, cowardly people much.This book is the exception: Grace is scared to be herself in her early twenties, and then life happens, and she hides more behind that heteronormative couple and family life. A lot of decisions and mistakes she made frustrated and angry me for Anna. They hurt and loved each other for 20 years. The book is told only from Anna’s point of view, and man, did I suffer with her.
But this book is the realistic kind: messed-up people making messed-up decisions and mistakes. I enjoyed reading it. It's a very good debut novel.