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The Good Parts
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Expected 28 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 11:15:17
20 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
She erased their past. He’s rewriting their future.
When Landon receives a letter from Rose—the woman he once planned forever with—he learns their love story is over. She’s undergone a radical memory-erasing treatment, leaving behind her grief, her past... and him. But Landon can't bear to lose the love of his life. If she fell for him once, couldn’t she fall for him again?
Now living in Edinburgh, Rose's world is a blank canvas, and she's dating someone new. When Landon reenters her life as a stranger, they become fast friends, their lives entwining once more. But what Rose doesn’t know is that this new friend carries the weight of everything they once their firsts, their marriage, and the heartbreak they barely survived. And when she starts exhibiting strange symptoms, it becomes clear their history isn’t gone—it’s just buried. And remembering could come at a devastating cost.
Told in alternating timelines—his from the present, hers from the past—The Good Parts is an achingly poignant story about the people we become across a lifetime, and the beauty of finding our way with what remains.
When Landon receives a letter from Rose—the woman he once planned forever with—he learns their love story is over. She’s undergone a radical memory-erasing treatment, leaving behind her grief, her past... and him. But Landon can't bear to lose the love of his life. If she fell for him once, couldn’t she fall for him again?
Now living in Edinburgh, Rose's world is a blank canvas, and she's dating someone new. When Landon reenters her life as a stranger, they become fast friends, their lives entwining once more. But what Rose doesn’t know is that this new friend carries the weight of everything they once their firsts, their marriage, and the heartbreak they barely survived. And when she starts exhibiting strange symptoms, it becomes clear their history isn’t gone—it’s just buried. And remembering could come at a devastating cost.
Told in alternating timelines—his from the present, hers from the past—The Good Parts is an achingly poignant story about the people we become across a lifetime, and the beauty of finding our way with what remains.
Audible Audio
Expected publication July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
July 5, 2026
getting hit by a truck would've hurt me less than this book 😃 how am I supposed to cope with that outcome??
this is a book that's going to stick with me forever. this has the perfect balance of romance and devastation and consider me DEVASTATED. this follows landon and rose in a world where a memory erasing pill exists. it doesn't just erase a moment/moments but your whole entire life and essentially makes you a completely different person, just with the same face and body. this book reminded me of the severance tv show because they refer to their old self as their 'other.'
rose experiences something horrible and decides to take the pill without even writing a letter to her husband landon. she completely forgets him but since he didn't take the pill, he still remembers her. he can't live without her so he goes in search of "her" and starts to hang out with the new version of her. this book was such a good mix of magical realism/sci-fi/romance and really had me thinking about how horrible it would be to be landon in this situation but then also getting glimpses into why rose felt it was the only right choice.
thank you to grand central publishing for sending me this ARC, it's the best feeling for an ARC to be 5 stars ⭐️
this is a book that's going to stick with me forever. this has the perfect balance of romance and devastation and consider me DEVASTATED. this follows landon and rose in a world where a memory erasing pill exists. it doesn't just erase a moment/moments but your whole entire life and essentially makes you a completely different person, just with the same face and body. this book reminded me of the severance tv show because they refer to their old self as their 'other.'
rose experiences something horrible and decides to take the pill without even writing a letter to her husband landon. she completely forgets him but since he didn't take the pill, he still remembers her. he can't live without her so he goes in search of "her" and starts to hang out with the new version of her. this book was such a good mix of magical realism/sci-fi/romance and really had me thinking about how horrible it would be to be landon in this situation but then also getting glimpses into why rose felt it was the only right choice.
thank you to grand central publishing for sending me this ARC, it's the best feeling for an ARC to be 5 stars ⭐️
July 11, 2026
I’m actually very annoyed over the amount of tears I shed reading this book.
I thought people were lying about this book being sad but turns out it was even sadder than how they were portraying it 🧍🏻♀️
I thought people were lying about this book being sad but turns out it was even sadder than how they were portraying it 🧍🏻♀️
May 18, 2026
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was like eternal sunshine but ten times more sad to read. The build up between Landon and Rose was so beautiful and the reveal of what happened between them felt like a rug being pulled out from beneath you. This entire book portrayed all of the ways people deal with grief gorgeously and was definitely a tear jerker. The ending was bittersweet but I think it fit the characters and the story perfectly. I would check trigger warnings on this one because one of the main themes can be really difficult to read about but I 100% recommend this.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was like eternal sunshine but ten times more sad to read. The build up between Landon and Rose was so beautiful and the reveal of what happened between them felt like a rug being pulled out from beneath you. This entire book portrayed all of the ways people deal with grief gorgeously and was definitely a tear jerker. The ending was bittersweet but I think it fit the characters and the story perfectly. I would check trigger warnings on this one because one of the main themes can be really difficult to read about but I 100% recommend this.
May 30, 2026
Wow, what a beautiful and emotional ride that was.
The premise of this book was so unique and I am such a sucker for anything with magical realism. The entire time I was reading it, I kept thinking about how this would make such a fantastic book club book. It is so thought provoking and can really stir up some interesting conversations.
I adored Landon and Rose and all of the side characters. Each one played such an important role throughout the story. I would love a version in Poppy’s POV.
This book was so much more than a love story — I felt like the way that it depicted grief and marriage and all of life’s challenges was heartbreakingly beautiful and real and vulnerable.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
The premise of this book was so unique and I am such a sucker for anything with magical realism. The entire time I was reading it, I kept thinking about how this would make such a fantastic book club book. It is so thought provoking and can really stir up some interesting conversations.
I adored Landon and Rose and all of the side characters. Each one played such an important role throughout the story. I would love a version in Poppy’s POV.
This book was so much more than a love story — I felt like the way that it depicted grief and marriage and all of life’s challenges was heartbreakingly beautiful and real and vulnerable.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
July 3, 2026
4.5 rounded down for Goodreads and Netgalley.
It was definitely a thought-provoking and intense read, with a lot of depth in the exploration of the characters’ emotions.
I loved the overall idea of the pill and all the talks about memory and the questions surrounding it. It was such an unique take on an universal feeling: wanting to start over without consequences. Forgetting about all the hurt, all the sorrow, but also all the good. Because I loved the fact that if you forget about the bad, you also forget about the good. You don’t get to choose what to forget, everything gets forgotten. I also liked the dual timeline even though I wished we had a different narrator for one of them. I’ll explain that later.
Throughout my reading experience, I grew a distaste and distrust for the male character, Landon. It’s been quite a while since a character made me feel so many negative emotions (frustration, irritation, disbelief among others). So I’m going to explore that character in this review, because some things have to be said. First of all, there was a duality to this character. With all the other characters he seemed too perfect and sweet and caring but underneath that, there was a thick layer of deceit and a mountain of lies. He was a manipulator and his greatest victim was Rose. Living a part of the story through his eyes was a challenge, and he was the narrator I wish I never had. The constant mask he was wearing with the other characters made him extremely unlikeable and impossible to root for to me. His lies were unbearable, how could he expect anything from Rose if he’s not truthful? He was a coward hiding behind his lies. Lying about his identity to get to her was just nasty. Also, I didn’t like the way he was calling her « his Rose », that was very possessive. It was like she didn’t exist on her own, like she was his possession and nothing more than that. His obsessive behaviour was endangering Rose and he was so deep in this obsession he didn’t understand that he became the danger. During their time together, he was forcing Rose to do things and to become a version of her that just didn’t exist. He tried to control her. He was so selfish and oblivious to Rose’s issues. He kept failing to understand Rose, in so many levels. He did not even seem to try to understand her sometimes. He couldn’t understand her pain, her struggles. So he belittled them. His narrow-mindedness and failure to understand Rose were disrespectful to her. And she deserved to be treated better. He believed his pain was bigger than hers when it has never been and will never be.
And yes, unlike Rose, I do believe it was his fault.
Poppy was the only one who saw through Landon and his deceitful looks. She saw through the lies and she was rightfully protective of Rose. She was Rose’s real support, not Landon. He has never been that. Here when not needed, absent when needed. Inconsistent and unreliable. I do not understand her forgiveness (because I sure as hell do not forgive him) but she always put Rose ahead of him and she always showed love and support for her. And that matters.
Rose… I grew to be quite protective of her too, in a way. And that’s most likely why I felt such strong emotions towards Landon, who massively hurt her. Watching Rose fade away as the story progressed was such a dreadful experience. She gave so much away of herself to that male that she slowly lost herself and this helplessness was insufferable. She went through so much pain alone when she was supposed to be supported by the male she trusted to be on his side at all times. In the present, Rose was absolutely not regretful of her choice and I liked that. When I found out why she made that choice… it was an obvious one. And choosing herself was the strongest decision she ever made. She deserved a life without all that misery and agony. She deserved some peace of mind.
I liked the ending, I’m glad the author chose to write this ending. It was the most realistic ending and it made sense. Anything else wouldn’t have.
This review is most likely all over the place and driven by emotions, but I feel like this is the sort of review this book deserves. It’s a bit messy but it’s raw, and it’s meaningful. The fact that this is a debut is truly remarkable. It will definitely stay with me for a little while.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
It was definitely a thought-provoking and intense read, with a lot of depth in the exploration of the characters’ emotions.
I loved the overall idea of the pill and all the talks about memory and the questions surrounding it. It was such an unique take on an universal feeling: wanting to start over without consequences. Forgetting about all the hurt, all the sorrow, but also all the good. Because I loved the fact that if you forget about the bad, you also forget about the good. You don’t get to choose what to forget, everything gets forgotten. I also liked the dual timeline even though I wished we had a different narrator for one of them. I’ll explain that later.
Throughout my reading experience, I grew a distaste and distrust for the male character, Landon. It’s been quite a while since a character made me feel so many negative emotions (frustration, irritation, disbelief among others). So I’m going to explore that character in this review, because some things have to be said. First of all, there was a duality to this character. With all the other characters he seemed too perfect and sweet and caring but underneath that, there was a thick layer of deceit and a mountain of lies. He was a manipulator and his greatest victim was Rose. Living a part of the story through his eyes was a challenge, and he was the narrator I wish I never had. The constant mask he was wearing with the other characters made him extremely unlikeable and impossible to root for to me. His lies were unbearable, how could he expect anything from Rose if he’s not truthful? He was a coward hiding behind his lies. Lying about his identity to get to her was just nasty. Also, I didn’t like the way he was calling her « his Rose », that was very possessive. It was like she didn’t exist on her own, like she was his possession and nothing more than that. His obsessive behaviour was endangering Rose and he was so deep in this obsession he didn’t understand that he became the danger. During their time together, he was forcing Rose to do things and to become a version of her that just didn’t exist. He tried to control her. He was so selfish and oblivious to Rose’s issues. He kept failing to understand Rose, in so many levels. He did not even seem to try to understand her sometimes. He couldn’t understand her pain, her struggles. So he belittled them. His narrow-mindedness and failure to understand Rose were disrespectful to her. And she deserved to be treated better. He believed his pain was bigger than hers when it has never been and will never be.
And yes, unlike Rose, I do believe it was his fault.
Poppy was the only one who saw through Landon and his deceitful looks. She saw through the lies and she was rightfully protective of Rose. She was Rose’s real support, not Landon. He has never been that. Here when not needed, absent when needed. Inconsistent and unreliable. I do not understand her forgiveness (because I sure as hell do not forgive him) but she always put Rose ahead of him and she always showed love and support for her. And that matters.
Rose… I grew to be quite protective of her too, in a way. And that’s most likely why I felt such strong emotions towards Landon, who massively hurt her. Watching Rose fade away as the story progressed was such a dreadful experience. She gave so much away of herself to that male that she slowly lost herself and this helplessness was insufferable. She went through so much pain alone when she was supposed to be supported by the male she trusted to be on his side at all times. In the present, Rose was absolutely not regretful of her choice and I liked that. When I found out why she made that choice… it was an obvious one. And choosing herself was the strongest decision she ever made. She deserved a life without all that misery and agony. She deserved some peace of mind.
I liked the ending, I’m glad the author chose to write this ending. It was the most realistic ending and it made sense. Anything else wouldn’t have.
This review is most likely all over the place and driven by emotions, but I feel like this is the sort of review this book deserves. It’s a bit messy but it’s raw, and it’s meaningful. The fact that this is a debut is truly remarkable. It will definitely stay with me for a little while.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
January 11, 2026
I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central for allowing me the utmost privilege to read The Good Parts.
This may have been one of the best books I have ever read. I loved the story, the concept, but most of all I love Rose and Landon. This book broke me, I cried at so many chapters, especially nearing the end. Understanding why we got to where we were, but I also, surprisingly, thought it ended perfectly.
The writing is so well done that you can’t help but find yourself there watching the story unfold. I love the way the story is from Rose in the past and Landon in the present. It shows you the story in such a way that keeps you involved and hanging on for each chapter and then for the next to finish the one before.
I would pay to see this book turned into movie or limited series, played exactly as the author intended with the back and forth.
I cannot praise this book more, I hope everyone reads it and loves it and feels as broken as I do now.
Thank you again for allowing me an early release of this amazing book.
This may have been one of the best books I have ever read. I loved the story, the concept, but most of all I love Rose and Landon. This book broke me, I cried at so many chapters, especially nearing the end. Understanding why we got to where we were, but I also, surprisingly, thought it ended perfectly.
The writing is so well done that you can’t help but find yourself there watching the story unfold. I love the way the story is from Rose in the past and Landon in the present. It shows you the story in such a way that keeps you involved and hanging on for each chapter and then for the next to finish the one before.
I would pay to see this book turned into movie or limited series, played exactly as the author intended with the back and forth.
I cannot praise this book more, I hope everyone reads it and loves it and feels as broken as I do now.
Thank you again for allowing me an early release of this amazing book.
October 27, 2025
The Good Parts is an exquisite exploration of memory, grief, the choices we make, and the ways we love. The fantastical premise drew me in, and the cozy backdrop of Edinburgh made me want to stay. Normandin's characters navigated the moral and ethical dilemmas she posed in such a way that, despite the surreal elements, made the narrative feel entirely true. For a book about forgetting, The Good Parts will not let you go, and will keep you thinking about the world she has built long after you've finished reading.
June 17, 2026
wow wow wow wow wow 😭😭😭😭😭😭 i have no words
June 7, 2026
if Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and No Matter What by Cara Bastone had a love child, it would be this book.
writing this review with fresh tears, the last 10% really puts you through the ringer. i loved this book, the characters, the writing, the storytelling. it was truly so good. if you could take a pill to forget everything and start fresh, would you? what would you write in a letter to your post-pill self? really thought provoking.
Rose’s decision making was a bit questionable in my opinion but you can still understand why she does what she does. Landon was perfection if not a little overbearing. I LOVED Poppy and wanted more of Conor.
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc! 4.5 ⭐️
writing this review with fresh tears, the last 10% really puts you through the ringer. i loved this book, the characters, the writing, the storytelling. it was truly so good. if you could take a pill to forget everything and start fresh, would you? what would you write in a letter to your post-pill self? really thought provoking.
Rose’s decision making was a bit questionable in my opinion but you can still understand why she does what she does. Landon was perfection if not a little overbearing. I LOVED Poppy and wanted more of Conor.
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc! 4.5 ⭐️
April 26, 2026
5 ⭐️ Wow this was an emotional roller coaster. Rose and Landon’s love story was interrupted by her decision to take a memory loss pill and start over. Landon grapples with the why and if it’s possible to get his true love back.
I loved the way the book jumped in time between their first meeting and present day. I was completely immersed in this one and loved the character development throughout. It broke my heart and picked up the pieces repeatedly.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the early copy!
I loved the way the book jumped in time between their first meeting and present day. I was completely immersed in this one and loved the character development throughout. It broke my heart and picked up the pieces repeatedly.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the early copy!
June 21, 2026
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
WOW, I cannot believe this is a debut. This book was everything I had hoped The Poppy Fields would have been. This isn’t set as a romance, but gosh is it this most heartbreaking and real love story there is. I have never seen such accurate and beautiful descriptions of the every day ordinariness of love and being with the person you aren’t meant to be with.
This story will sit with me for awhile and I have a feeling this book will be the next big sensation this summer.
WOW, I cannot believe this is a debut. This book was everything I had hoped The Poppy Fields would have been. This isn’t set as a romance, but gosh is it this most heartbreaking and real love story there is. I have never seen such accurate and beautiful descriptions of the every day ordinariness of love and being with the person you aren’t meant to be with.
This story will sit with me for awhile and I have a feeling this book will be the next big sensation this summer.
April 21, 2026
Wow did this book fuck me up. Full ARC review to come..
The Good Parts left me pretty devastated at the end, a sign that Normandin's story hit me so emotionally that it will stay with me for a while.
In a world where a memory-erasing pill exists, Rose takes one following a devastating tragedy and her new "other" moves to Edinburgh to start anew (literally; the story gave me some Severance vibes because the pill not only erases your memory but your whole self, leaving your body with a fresh, blank slate). Meanwhile, her ex-husband Landon is cluelessly left behind and desperately still in love with Rose. In an attempt to get "Rose" back, and despite their best friends advice, Landon, too, travels to Edinburgh to see if he can get the other Rose to fall back in love with him. In a dual timeline, Rose takes us through her relationship with Landon from its inception at an unnamed college in Vermont through her decision to take the pill.
Normandin intricately explores grief and memory with just enough surrealism to make the story feel true. Rose and Landon's journey of deep love and loss and what it takes to find ourselves will leave you wondering what you would do if you found yourself in a similar situation.
EVERYONE needs to read this book!!!!!!!! Thank you to NetGalley to the publisher for this ARC (and broken heart) for an honest review.
The Good Parts left me pretty devastated at the end, a sign that Normandin's story hit me so emotionally that it will stay with me for a while.
In a world where a memory-erasing pill exists, Rose takes one following a devastating tragedy and her new "other" moves to Edinburgh to start anew (literally; the story gave me some Severance vibes because the pill not only erases your memory but your whole self, leaving your body with a fresh, blank slate). Meanwhile, her ex-husband Landon is cluelessly left behind and desperately still in love with Rose. In an attempt to get "Rose" back, and despite their best friends advice, Landon, too, travels to Edinburgh to see if he can get the other Rose to fall back in love with him. In a dual timeline, Rose takes us through her relationship with Landon from its inception at an unnamed college in Vermont through her decision to take the pill.
Normandin intricately explores grief and memory with just enough surrealism to make the story feel true. Rose and Landon's journey of deep love and loss and what it takes to find ourselves will leave you wondering what you would do if you found yourself in a similar situation.
EVERYONE needs to read this book!!!!!!!! Thank you to NetGalley to the publisher for this ARC (and broken heart) for an honest review.
April 27, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for my advanced copy of this genre-bending love story.
Would you take a pill to forget your life and start over again? What if the person you love took the pill and forgot you? These are the deeply emotional and thought-provoking questions at the heart of this story, one that examines love, friendship, grief, and forgiveness in ways that will stay with you long after the last page.
This is a perfect book club pick. You feel deeply for the two main characters, even when you don’t always agree with their decisions. The love in this story is the kind you can almost feel pouring off the page. And because of where the book begins, you know tragedy is ahead, yet you simply have to know how their story ends.
This isn’t a romance. It has love, moments of joy, and genuine humor, but at its core it’s a stark and unflinching look at relationships and the ways life can throw you curve balls you may never fully recover from. A brilliant debut from Evann Normandin. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for my advanced copy of this genre-bending love story.
Would you take a pill to forget your life and start over again? What if the person you love took the pill and forgot you? These are the deeply emotional and thought-provoking questions at the heart of this story, one that examines love, friendship, grief, and forgiveness in ways that will stay with you long after the last page.
This is a perfect book club pick. You feel deeply for the two main characters, even when you don’t always agree with their decisions. The love in this story is the kind you can almost feel pouring off the page. And because of where the book begins, you know tragedy is ahead, yet you simply have to know how their story ends.
This isn’t a romance. It has love, moments of joy, and genuine humor, but at its core it’s a stark and unflinching look at relationships and the ways life can throw you curve balls you may never fully recover from. A brilliant debut from Evann Normandin. Highly recommend.
May 13, 2026
Upon further reflection, it’s going to get a 3 😅
I’m really conflicted on how to rate this book…I think I’ll stick with 4 but in some ways, it’s a solid 3.
On one hand, I loved the premise and set up of the book; her story line in the past, watching their love story unfold and his in the present.
But on the other hand, I’m wholly unsatisfied. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone but I am not conflicted by the ending. While I completely understand the choice of that ending, I would have liked it to go the other way.
I think that many will love this book and it would be a great book club pick, a lot of good conversations would come from it!
Definitely thought provoking and an engaging read! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
I’m really conflicted on how to rate this book…I think I’ll stick with 4 but in some ways, it’s a solid 3.
On one hand, I loved the premise and set up of the book; her story line in the past, watching their love story unfold and his in the present.
But on the other hand, I’m wholly unsatisfied. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone but I am not conflicted by the ending. While I completely understand the choice of that ending, I would have liked it to go the other way.
I think that many will love this book and it would be a great book club pick, a lot of good conversations would come from it!
Definitely thought provoking and an engaging read! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
July 8, 2026
Do you want a book that’s a little traumatizing and will ruin your day? Pick this one up!
It’s Eternal Sunshine, with the premise of it being that you can take a pill that makes you forget your life and start over. Rose took the pill and her significant other didn’t.
This was frustrating at first because I did not care for Landon at all. Rose took the pill, wrote him a letter asking to be left alone, and he followed her across the country to try to win her back by “accidentally” crossing paths with new Rose and trying to win her heart again. I think it was supposed to be sweet and soulmate-ish but it came across as manipulative, controlling and stalkerey. Especially when Landon just continued to put himself first after everything, while claiming it was for her. I don’t know, he gave me such an ick. The book is told in the present with flashbacks to Rose and Landon’s relationship from the beginning to end and what caused her to take the pill.
By the end of the book, I did understand Landon a little bit better. Some of his actions made a tiny bit more sense, but it didn’t really make up for it.
Overall, the book was trauma. There were aspects of romance. I found myself unsure where I wanted their new relationship to go. The whole concept was interesting and the is would make a good one for a book club to discuss.
It’s Eternal Sunshine, with the premise of it being that you can take a pill that makes you forget your life and start over. Rose took the pill and her significant other didn’t.
This was frustrating at first because I did not care for Landon at all. Rose took the pill, wrote him a letter asking to be left alone, and he followed her across the country to try to win her back by “accidentally” crossing paths with new Rose and trying to win her heart again. I think it was supposed to be sweet and soulmate-ish but it came across as manipulative, controlling and stalkerey. Especially when Landon just continued to put himself first after everything, while claiming it was for her. I don’t know, he gave me such an ick. The book is told in the present with flashbacks to Rose and Landon’s relationship from the beginning to end and what caused her to take the pill.
By the end of the book, I did understand Landon a little bit better. Some of his actions made a tiny bit more sense, but it didn’t really make up for it.
Overall, the book was trauma. There were aspects of romance. I found myself unsure where I wanted their new relationship to go. The whole concept was interesting and the is would make a good one for a book club to discuss.
July 8, 2026
This is a book that many people will love. I really enjoyed it. It was very reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I think this would make an excellent Book Club discussion because there is just so much to talk and think about. I want to note that it is being marketed as a love story and even though this is about a marriage, I wouldn’t call it a love story, even though I much prefer that term for this story over calling it a romance. There is much more to it than just the relationship between the two main characters. It’s really a reflection on grief and if your memory makes you who you are today. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and I cannot wait to talk to readers about it, but I do have a small criticism that I think it was too drawn out and needed a tighter edit. However, I highly recommend it. Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!
July 7, 2026
I am actually speechless 😭
Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Libro.fm for the advanced copies <3
Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Libro.fm for the advanced copies <3
March 12, 2026
The Good Parts uses magical realism in a similar way to Rachel Serle. Using a magical element that drives the plot leaving you sobbing at 1am questioning life and the genius author behind such a whimsical, grief driven story. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this amazing debut novel!
I would also like to add that Coming Up Roses by Harry Styles is literally this book.
I would also like to add that Coming Up Roses by Harry Styles is literally this book.
April 7, 2026
Perfection.
Rose, Landon, Poppy and Conor: felt like I was their personal friend in this beautiful and heartbreaking story of friendship, grief and eternal love. This story was so beautifully and eloquently written and I felt so connected to each of the characters.
I don’t think I will ever get over this book. Beginning was so moving and beautiful and ending was the same. Wouldn’t change a thing.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is coming up very soon on my rewatch list bc this shattered me the same way.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review ✨📖💛
Rose, Landon, Poppy and Conor: felt like I was their personal friend in this beautiful and heartbreaking story of friendship, grief and eternal love. This story was so beautifully and eloquently written and I felt so connected to each of the characters.
I don’t think I will ever get over this book. Beginning was so moving and beautiful and ending was the same. Wouldn’t change a thing.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is coming up very soon on my rewatch list bc this shattered me the same way.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review ✨📖💛
May 9, 2026
Wow, what a fabulously written story about love, loss and friendship. Normandin’s writing had me hooked from the first chapter. The way she mirrored Rose and Landon’s story from past and present timelines was truly beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩.
𝙃𝙚’𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.
After Landon receives a letter from Rose informing him that she’s taken a pill that has erased her memories, he’s heartbroken. Once sharing an incredible love, the two had been separated, but he still harbored hope that there was a chance of reconciliation. Distraught but determined, Landon decides that if she fell in love with him once, she can do it again, and so he sets out to find the new Rose.
Told in a dual timeline and perspective, the alternating chapters flow seamlessly together with Rose’s chapters from the past painting the portrait of their relationship from start to fracture and Landon’s chapters in the present as he sets out to see if he can win her over once more. The tension builds steadily between the two timelines with an emotionally charged undercurrent until they bridge together. While the event that causes Rose to ultimately take the forgetting pill isn’t hard to guess, the journey there is no less beautiful and devastating.
Though the pill for forgetting is a plot device that features heavily, the story is never bogged down by the science behind it; the focus remains on Landon and Rose –their past, their love, their grief, their present. The juxtaposition of having both perspectives from two people who shared in the same trauma where one chose to forget and one chose to remember is especially poignant.
I really enjoyed 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀, and I think it’s going to be a buzzworthy one that a lot of readers pick up and love this year!
✨ Thank you Grand Central Pub for the ARC ! [𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 7•28•2026]
𝙃𝙚’𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.
After Landon receives a letter from Rose informing him that she’s taken a pill that has erased her memories, he’s heartbroken. Once sharing an incredible love, the two had been separated, but he still harbored hope that there was a chance of reconciliation. Distraught but determined, Landon decides that if she fell in love with him once, she can do it again, and so he sets out to find the new Rose.
Told in a dual timeline and perspective, the alternating chapters flow seamlessly together with Rose’s chapters from the past painting the portrait of their relationship from start to fracture and Landon’s chapters in the present as he sets out to see if he can win her over once more. The tension builds steadily between the two timelines with an emotionally charged undercurrent until they bridge together. While the event that causes Rose to ultimately take the forgetting pill isn’t hard to guess, the journey there is no less beautiful and devastating.
Though the pill for forgetting is a plot device that features heavily, the story is never bogged down by the science behind it; the focus remains on Landon and Rose –their past, their love, their grief, their present. The juxtaposition of having both perspectives from two people who shared in the same trauma where one chose to forget and one chose to remember is especially poignant.
I really enjoyed 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀, and I think it’s going to be a buzzworthy one that a lot of readers pick up and love this year!
✨ Thank you Grand Central Pub for the ARC ! [𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 7•28•2026]
June 29, 2026
Wow. I wasn’t prepared for how emotional this book was going to be! Landon + Rose’s story was very real + raw, they went through something awful and it was heart breaking to read about. The “pill” was a good twist and the ending felt very real, which I appreciated. Thank you NetGalley for the early release of this, and I recommend if you like reading realistic romance!
June 4, 2026
well that was depressing 😃
July 9, 2026
Oof that hurt. Full review to come
June 24, 2026
(5.0) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book completely surprised me.
The speculative premise hooked me immediately, but it was the emotional core of the story that kept me turning pages. Told across two timelines, this follows Rose and Langdon’s relationship from its beginnings while also exploring the aftermath of a choice that changes everything.
This reminded me a lot of The Poppy Fields and The Memory Keepers in the way it uses speculative fiction to explore memory, grief, and identity. But what really stood out to me here was the character work. I was so invested in Rose and Langdon, both as individuals and as a couple, and their relationship felt genuine, messy, and deeply human.
This book tackles love, loss, and the ways we cope with pain while asking some really thought-provoking questions about memory and whether it’s ever possible to truly leave the past behind.
I honestly can’t believe this is a debut. It’s heartfelt, emotional, and incredibly impactful for such a short book. Sweet, bittersweet, hopeful, and heartbreaking all at once, this one really worked for me.
This book completely surprised me.
The speculative premise hooked me immediately, but it was the emotional core of the story that kept me turning pages. Told across two timelines, this follows Rose and Langdon’s relationship from its beginnings while also exploring the aftermath of a choice that changes everything.
This reminded me a lot of The Poppy Fields and The Memory Keepers in the way it uses speculative fiction to explore memory, grief, and identity. But what really stood out to me here was the character work. I was so invested in Rose and Langdon, both as individuals and as a couple, and their relationship felt genuine, messy, and deeply human.
This book tackles love, loss, and the ways we cope with pain while asking some really thought-provoking questions about memory and whether it’s ever possible to truly leave the past behind.
I honestly can’t believe this is a debut. It’s heartfelt, emotional, and incredibly impactful for such a short book. Sweet, bittersweet, hopeful, and heartbreaking all at once, this one really worked for me.
July 3, 2026
Books are supposed to make me happy. And this did not make me happy 😭
May 22, 2026
Great debut novel. Wish I could take the pill to relive all the good parts of this book again.
May 30, 2026
I heard the synopsis of this book and wanted to read it immediately.
It is haunting, romantic, and devastating. The characters are wonderful. The settings are beautiful. And the idea of a pill that allows one to forget and start fresh is intoxicating. I believe if such a thing existed, so many would be willing to try it.
This was a fantastic read!
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for providing this digital ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
It is haunting, romantic, and devastating. The characters are wonderful. The settings are beautiful. And the idea of a pill that allows one to forget and start fresh is intoxicating. I believe if such a thing existed, so many would be willing to try it.
This was a fantastic read!
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for providing this digital ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
Did Not Finish
July 2, 2026DNF at 17% because I'm not in the mood to angry read a book and I spoiled myself for the ending. I can't believe how poorly Landon was treated by Poppy, and Rose, too. Nobody wants to feel pain, but our pain is what makes us, us. I'm feeling a bit betrayed, too, because I was expecting a happily ever after as this is classified as romance, but is not (there's no HEA for the couple in the end).
I think in the future I'll give a chance to this book, but is a DNF for now.
I think in the future I'll give a chance to this book, but is a DNF for now.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I am so honored to have received an ARC copy of this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
To say this book was devastatingly beautiful is beyond an understatement. It has been a while since I have read a book that made me cry and sit in thoughtful silence for longer than I would like to admit.
If you are thinking of picking up this book, for the love of all that is holy, please do so. The entire journey of an incredible love, profound loss, and finding while simultaneously losing oneself is written with such care, precision, and truth, that the reader is left wondering what they would do if they found themselves in a similar situation.
If you could forget it all, would you? Would you choose to forget everything, or would you want to remember the good parts?
I know one thing is for certain, I will forever and always treasure The Good Parts.
To say this book was devastatingly beautiful is beyond an understatement. It has been a while since I have read a book that made me cry and sit in thoughtful silence for longer than I would like to admit.
If you are thinking of picking up this book, for the love of all that is holy, please do so. The entire journey of an incredible love, profound loss, and finding while simultaneously losing oneself is written with such care, precision, and truth, that the reader is left wondering what they would do if they found themselves in a similar situation.
If you could forget it all, would you? Would you choose to forget everything, or would you want to remember the good parts?
I know one thing is for certain, I will forever and always treasure The Good Parts.
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