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The Weight of What Was

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TWO DECADES. ONE FAMILY TRIP OF A LIFETIME. AND A LOVE THAT ENDURES IT ALL.
2002. When Anna meets Grace, they’re swept up in an exciting new romance until a big mistake changes everything. The couple are forced apart, yet their lives remain entangled in a way they never could have imagined.

2022. Whilst the Edwards family journey through the breathtaking snowscapes of the Arctic, secrets come to light which threaten to unravel their close-knit bond. They return home and attempt to pick up the pieces, but will life ever be the same again? And should it?

The Weight of What Was is packed full of humour and heartache, exploring the best and worst things we’ll do for love. A story about a delightfully dysfunctional family, who go on a snowy Arctic adventure. There are lots of twists and turns and a Sapphic romance at the heart of it all.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

36 people are currently reading
310 people want to read

About the author

Pip Landers-Letts

2 books44 followers
Pip Landers-Letts is an emerging queer author of contemporary sapphic fiction. Her work explores themes of love, loss and transformation, by blending emotional honesty with warm, character-driven storytelling.

Pip won the 2025 Kindle Storyteller Award with her sophomore novel, Pyg, a retelling of George Bernard Shaw's play, Pygmalion, told through a modern queer lens.

Pip lives in Warwickshire with her wife, and their two ‘kids’ Mouse (the cat) and Roux (the dog). When she’s not hanging out with her imaginary friends, Pip loves travelling, being in the mountains, making delicious food – and eating it, pouring good wine – and drinking it.

Pip plans to continue writing funny, flawed sapphic protagonists because queer characters deserve stories that are expansive, richly layered, and full of possibility.

You can find Pip online in all of the usual places (including her website, where you can get a FREE Sapphic Short Story when you subscribe to her newsletter). Do reach out and say ‘Hi’, she’d love that.

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5 stars
119 (50%)
4 stars
72 (30%)
3 stars
30 (12%)
2 stars
12 (5%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Diane Wallace.
1,458 reviews175 followers
December 13, 2025
**'Telling a story should be just one word at a time and not having every sentence or paragraph jumble up -- and lots of things happening at once..'

Gobbledygook read!
Okay in the beginning -- meh in the middle then average at the ending..

2.5 stars!
Profile Image for khi.
237 reviews11 followers
May 18, 2024
Might rub some people the wrong way but I liked it
Profile Image for Lez_be_readin_ya.
350 reviews178 followers
April 23, 2024
Wow, this debut novel is absolutely phenomenal! From the beginning, I was hooked. The gripping twin rivalry for the same girl had me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't stop reading.

The relationship between Anna and Grace is quite tumultuous. The past and present timelines kept me engaged and wondering if they would ever be together. It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time and is absolutely beautifully written.

With its short chapters, this book truly embodies the concept of a "one more chapter" read. It effectively keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat throughout the story. The portrayal of the family secrets and the intensity of the love shared between Anna and Grace is simply remarkable. Overall, it is a fantastic read.

I highly recommend this book. It is an absolutely incredible read. It made me laugh and cry throughout. I am just, wow, what a book! I am now lost for words to describe how brilliant it is.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lady Olenna.
853 reviews67 followers
May 14, 2024
4.5 Stars

Ok, I admit, the first few chapters I thought it was a generic romance story with a bit of conflict but safe and ultimately ends up being boring. When the twist twisted? It was like a lightbulb moment. I sat up straighter and focus heightened. This is it. This is what my brain craves from a book. DRAMAAAA!

It was just chapter after chapter of mini conflicts, uncertainty and emotional turmoil. I loved it! Edith was by far my favourite character!
Profile Image for Bookish.
139 reviews19 followers
May 26, 2024
I almost didn't finish this because of the circumstances of the MC's breakup, but i'm so glad I did. This is probably the only book where i've looked forward to the flashbacks - they were so cleverly spaced. This book made me cry too. Definitely one of my top reads this year so far.
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,343 reviews104 followers
September 11, 2024
Real Quality: slightly worried by the back and forth over the years but sort of understood why. It gave hope! Loved it, tears etc. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Menestrella.
401 reviews36 followers
May 31, 2024
Sometimes, life can be very complicated, or people complicate it themselves for whatever reason.

Twenty years of longing for each other and trying to push each other away. And yet, trying to keep it all together for the family.

I enjoyed so much the journey through Norway and Sweden. It was refreshing and different from the usual setting in the American continent. Scandinavy is amazing and I was happy to learn about so many breathtaking spots.

I loved and hated at the same time mant of the characters, for... reasons...
But my heart goes to grandma Edith and her sub-plot. I shed a tear. I would love to read a whole novel about that story.

Grace and Anna... I am happy that love found its way through all that winding road. It's never too late to be free.

This novel has many characters and switches from the past to the present to make you understand how life is a journey and that happiness doesn't always come immediately. It's all about getting to the "right time" and understanding the "in betweens".

My fav quote:

"....you’re like the spaces between the notes. You may not have been together all of these years, but don’t underestimate the importance of the things you have shared despite that. All of those moments in between."

...There is no music without silence.

Great debut and a novel for those who want to read something different.
Looking forward to Pipp-Landers-Letts future releases.
Profile Image for Misha.
1,692 reviews67 followers
May 28, 2024
(rounded down from 2.25)

This was absolutely not for me. The flimsiest conflict ever that lasts over twenty years for no real reason. The worst characters (every single one of the main trio is constantly cheating on their current partners for literally no reason). The most unnecessary and shoehorned-in final act conflict I have ever seen. Also not a fan of the permission to phrases either.

Sorry, absolutely nothing here that I enjoyed at all. The hops and skips in time are also disorienting because literally nothing changes with these characters over time except the names of their partners sometimes.
Profile Image for Linda.
865 reviews136 followers
October 25, 2025
A love story spinning over 20 years….Slow burn much? I must admit that reading the initial few chapters of the book was somewhat off-putting. I just can't get my head around the relationship/dynamics between Anna and Grace all the push and pull, the pining… it was just damn frustrating and their lives are just too complicated. As the story unfolded, it eventually grew on me, and the shining light in this story, to me, is Edith.

High 3+
Profile Image for Clara Addicted to sapphic books.
372 reviews291 followers
September 27, 2024
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.
73 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2024
Review coming soon!
Profile Image for Fran Sappharc.
829 reviews47 followers
August 28, 2025
A bit of back and forth in the timeline at the start had me a bit unsettled but in a totally “I must get to the bottom of this.“
I’m reading quite fast as I am keen to find out why things are as they are and at 15%, desperate to find out what will happen!
I remained riveted and every time the mains shared a tender moment I was afraid of who would catch them. When it happened it was well written and unfair and real and so on character.
80%.... oh my! Not a third act break up as the mains aren't together. I'm cheering for one main and wishing I could hug the other! Wow.
Wow replaced by sobs at a particularly emotional section.
This was a wonderful journey of a book!
56 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2024
Fantastic Debut

This story was amazing & it was hard to believe it is a debut novel! Emotionally this story is a complete roller coaster, and you find yourself caught up in all the ups and downs and twists and turns along the way. Classified as a second chance romance, it's more a "several chances" romance but life keeps getting in their way. The attraction of the two MCs is immediate, but you begin to wonder if they will ever find their way. The story starts in 2002 and ends in 2022, weaving back and forth through time the whole way. As it unfolds you keep hoping and cheering, celebrating the highs and suffering the lows until eventually you do get your HEA. In the mean time, you will be totally invested in all the characters lives, experiencing the excitement and wonder of the family Arctic trip, the joys and sorrows of everyone's lives, as well as learning the family secrets as they are revealed. Start reading this fantastic debut and see for yourself - you won't regret it.
Profile Image for Bib.
312 reviews
May 31, 2024
Great book, good flow and magnetic captivating writing. I probably did not want the book to end, found the ending a little abrupt.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
566 reviews21 followers
April 25, 2024
Oh my gosh, wow. What an incredible first novel! I was instantly drawn in and couldn't stop reading even though it was 1am.

The Weight of What Was is a beautiful story of love, loss, family and second chances.

I loved Anna and Grace. They were clearly meant to be together, but the timing had to be right, it felt like it never would be though. Actually I loved all the characters, even Rupert! They made up such a wonderful, slightly dysfunctional family that I would happily be part of!

The descriptions of their holiday were brilliant. I could really picture the locations, and I'm so jealous that they got to see the Northen Lights.

I think this book is so well written, with humour, love and heartache all brilliantly interwoven into one fantastic storyline.
January 1, 2025
My Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book!
The style was something I enjoy in a book as it goes from present day to the past. I feel it is a good way to understand the plot and where the story is going. I felt like I flew through this book as I couldn’t put it down I needed to know more about Grace and Anna’s lives!

I really loved all the characters in this book as they all added their own personalities! I think my favourite was Anna as I felt like I related more to her character!

As this was a romance ❤️‍🔥 I felt it provided the main characters stories as well as the extra characters love stories from the past too!! There were also some steamy scenes which I loved !!!

The twist in the book I was like wait what just happened!!! And I love that in a book!!

Now endings make or break for me but this novel provided me with a satisfying ending even if I did shed a tear along the way to get there!

The only thing I would say is I wanted the book to be longer !!!
But overall , a great contemporary romance ❤️‍🔥I would recommend!
2 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2024
Wow, firstly hats off to the author on your debut novel! An absolutely fantastic read! Coming from someone who doesn’t actually like reading, I struggled to put the book down! Without even trying you become absolutely invested in the characters, the plot twists and turns are outrageous and very well written!

The story alternates by chapter back and forth from the past to the present and this adds an extra layer of understanding, allowing you to relate to the characters more and builds suspense and tensions as the plot unfolds.

Congratulations on your debut novel, I sincerely hope this is the first of many!

P.S…. I really want to visit Norway now!
14 reviews
April 1, 2024
I loved the complexity of the narrative, how it explored the characters in a multi-dimensional landscape. As the novel spans 20 years the characters evolve and mature as their lives become more intertwined. You get a true sense of their inner turmoil as they try to balance desire and morality. Love isn’t always easy and this story demonstrates that, exploring both the elation and heartache in this heartfelt but rich and warm story of this delightful yet dysfunctional family.
1 review
April 4, 2024
I was hooked from the very beginning. The characters are so human - warm, caring, quirky but not without faults. You might not like some of their decisions but you never stop liking them. The story is exciting and believable with the added advantage of introducing me to a place I’d never been. A great read with a travel blog thrown in - what’s not to like?
Profile Image for The Wild Weary Cow Reads Sapphic .
205 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2025
✨Wowzer!
BOOK HANGOVER ALERT!!

This is one messy book!
Messy in a way I chuffing well love!!
So much so I stayed up till 1.30am to finish it 🤦🏼‍♀️💤💤

I started this book yesterday, on my day off, and I inhaled it. Pip Landers-Letts is a wonderful writer and the depth of emotions she puts down on page is 💋...

Although I spent most of it either wondering why poor Anna stuck around after the first betrayal, never mind all the other emotional back and forth that went on.. I was absolutely hooked & also kind of understood Anna's pull to stay nearby.
Also wanted to slap Grace a lot for being selfish at times, yes she's got her own struggles with accepting herself and how she dealt with family and society as whole but she really puts poor Anna through it.

When the Edwards family take a family trip at the request of their fabulous grandmother Edith, it becomes the catalyst to dealing with their history/trauma, feelings and how their futures might play out for twins Anna & Rupert and Grace, Rupert's wife.

This is a duel timeline from the early 2000's to the present day.

The side characters in this book are just as well hashed out as the MCs and add a wonderful layer to the story.

The scenery as they travel around Norway is beautifully written and I spent a lot of my time jumping onto Google to find out more about these places and the images are stunning!.
Norway is now firmly on my hit list. I've always wanted to visit but now I definitely need a trip thanks to Pip lol .

As you know if I've loved a book I ordered my physical copy......
It's now winging it's way to my bookcase 😁

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
388 reviews14 followers
July 22, 2025
This debut novel by the author was wonderful to read. So intriguing that the story was played out for 20 years and you are moved between now and then and slowly get the full love story between Anna and Grace that is so frustrating at times. The writing is on point all the time, never dragging and the chapters just long enough. Since I am Swedish of course extra bonus points that the now story is played out in Norway and Sweden during a family trip.

The whole story is played out in Anna’s POV, and I cannot imagine her pining and heartbreak for 20 years when Grace is acting like she is, not ready to love Anna the way she deserves, but at the same time she loves Anna so much. It is so clear from the start they are so right for each other but sometimes life just is so complicated.

This book is really recommended if you like a book with some unbearable pining but at the same time such a fantastic love story.
1 review
August 21, 2024
Fantastic

Feeling every emotion from hope to despair. From joy to betrayal, this first book by author Pip Landers-Letts pulls you in and devours the pages.
So many times a book will begin with a meet cute and it can’t sustain the emotions. Not this time, this book pulled me along with Anna and her family with the delightful Gran leading the charge.
With a debut like this, what does Pip have in store for her next book?
I can only imagine, but you better believe I’m reading it.
Profile Image for Sophie Lexie.
45 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2024
Honestly I loved this book so much that I stayed up all night and read it in one sitting. I loved how it jumped back and forth between the two years (2002 and 2022). At first I really hated Rupert’s character and often thought he was quite selfish and self-centred at times. I liked the way Anna and Grace always stuck by each other despite everything that happened between them. I thought the book was fast paced even though at first it started off slow but the more you get into it the more addictive it is and you will not want to put it down. When I found out this was Pip’s debut novel I didn’t believe it because of how well written this book its like she’s been doing this for years.
Profile Image for Tessa La Vella.
Author 6 books4 followers
January 21, 2025
I almost can’t believe that this was a debut novel! Exceptionally good writing, and I loved the story. Went through all the feelings 🥹😍😫😳😭😱🫠 ans I rarely cry while reading.
Dual timelines are not easy to handle, but Pip Landers-Letts managed to keep it going at a great pace with lots of foreshadowing without falling into the trap of doubling parts of the plot. Great balance between character driven and plot driven storytelling, and all the characters were just adorable.
Can’t wait to read more from this author!
Profile Image for MA.
44 reviews
August 21, 2024
Feeling every emotion from hope to despair. From joy to betrayal, this first book by author Pip Landers-Letts pulls you in and devours the pages.
So many times a book will begin with a meet cute and it can’t sustain the emotions. Not this time, this book pulled me along with Anna and her family with the delightful Gran leading the charge.
With a debut like this, what does Pip Landers-have in store for her next book?
I can only imagine, but you better believe I’m reading it.
Profile Image for Britni MacDonald.
83 reviews4 followers
March 6, 2025
Second chance romances are typically more fun for me than this one. Very well written, the book was very good. I however found myself relating to Anna a little too much over her 20 years and my own nearly 20. This book brought up so many emotions and I won’t lie, most of them bad. A friend of mine told me though, that’s how I know this was a great book. Please be cautious if you read this and have felt constantly left behind by your person.
27 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2024
❤️❤️

Omg! Started off a little confusing with the switching back & forth of the years, but, once I found the rhythm of the book, it was an Awesome read. I love HEA's!
Profile Image for Elsa .
189 reviews9 followers
April 27, 2025
3.75 stars



To me, this book is about a hesitant woman who asks a lot from others but doesn’t have the courage to love the one she truly cares about.
Profile Image for Ollie.
286 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2024
Alright, good story, but I had issues with Grace and Anna. They seemed very wishy washy. Maybe it's because I've never been in love for years before. But these ladies can't make up their mind. Grace finally holds her ground at the end.
The book made me cry, so that's something.
If you want sapphic romance with some heartache in it, this is for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews

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