3.75.
This novel follows Hope, an ex-musician drifting through life after a break-up, untethered from both her sense of self and her direction. Naturally, her ex-girlfriend Julia then asks her to play in a band… at Julia’s wedding. To someone else. And Hope is very much still in the “not over my ex” phase.
Julia doesn’t sound like Hope’s person, but Hope wants her back — and honestly, I was here to follow this wild ride of trying to win back your ex while planning to perform at her wedding.
The opening felt intense, but about 30% in I settled into the tone and became invested in Hope’s journey of self-discovery. We move between her present world (friends, family, restlessness, even magical intervention) and snippets of her past with Julia. The more I read, the more I needed Hope to have a future that was Julia-free.
It’s a unique, character-driven story, brought to life by a diverse, quirky, larger-than-life cast. I especially loved Ruby and Hope’s growing connection — someone who makes her feel "energised". It’s 🔥!
Watching Hope reclaim her confidence away from her past's negative dynamic was so satisfying: “I need to stop looking for answers in other people.”
And the sapphic romance reader in me wanted more Hope and Ruby on the page — but I loved what we got, and I closed this book smiling ❤️