Very well written book! The character seems to enjoy being unhappy. Which to me was interesting. Great book!

Emma spends her birthday in a local bar. Nothing unusual about this, but she doesn’t seem to enjoy the company of the other patrons.. Rather than accept her friends’ invitation to join them, she seems to enjoy the unhappiness around her. She is divorced, a mother, and her parents, a cold, financially successful father and a sad, alcoholic mother split apart years ago.. Emma is the author of a successful book; she is a Harvard graduate. Yet, she loses herself in alcohol and wallows in heart-wrenching memories. Anna Bruno invites her readers to spend time with Emma and learn her story through flashbacks from love and security to anger and disillusionment. In addition, we observe the breakdowns and revelations of the other characters heading toward a possibly fatal resolution. An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is brimming with vivid imagery and the author takes the reader into her character's minds with ease and style. I loved her style of writing and I certainly look forward to reading more from her in the future. This is one to recommend.

Wanted to like this book, just didn't flow. Felt disconnected.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

I really enjoyed this book. Great characters. Love the relationship between Lucas and Emma. The story of them, is both heartbreaking, yet throughout you can always feel the love. Emma struggles with. Her past, Lucas is brilliant,, a guy who is so comfortable with who her is. Along the way and meet a great cast of characters, all brilliantly well defined, and All likable and sympathetic in their own way. Thank you for my advance copy. I shall be looking for Anna Bruno’s next novel.

Not for me. I couldn't get with the pacing and the flashbacks. From past to present was confusing at times. I wasn't invested in the characters enough to want to see what happens. The author does seem talented, but I could just not get into it.

Very solid novel. It's a bit gritty with well crafted characters and an interesting small town plot that is mostly engaging. Very good use of language and some witty dialog. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

EXCELLENT! I keep hearing about this title and (thank goodness) it lives up to the hype. This is a beautiful, heartfelt story that manages to tug at your heart strings without being cloying or trite. I adored every minute. Now excuse me while I find a mop for my face.