Thank you for this ARC in exchange for a review! This book is different from what I normally read. I wouldn’t consider this a romance per se, but a book about love and relationships. Devoured this book in one sitting! The characters reminded me of myself and the people on my life. Great read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Genevieve Wheeler, and the publisher for providing an advanced reader's copy of Adelaide.

Adelaide is a beautifully written, emotional, and intense novel that delves into the complexities of toxic relationships, mental health struggles, and self-worth. The story follows Adelaide, a 20-something American woman living in London, who meets Rory, a charming British man. What starts as a seemingly perfect relationship quickly descends into emotional abuse, leaving Adelaide caught in a web of love, insecurity, and self-doubt.

Wheeler’s writing is poignant and immersive, capturing the heartache and confusion of being in a toxic relationship with deep empathy. The portrayal of Adelaide’s emotional journey is raw and real—at times, it’s heartbreaking to witness her slowly losing herself in a relationship that, despite her best instincts, she cannot walk away from. While I couldn’t personally relate to being in a toxic relationship during my 20s, the way Wheeler presents the emotional complexities of the situation felt incredibly authentic.

Adelaide’s character is written with such depth that you can’t help but sympathize with her, even as you become frustrated with her decision to stay in the relationship for so long. Rory, on the other hand, is a character who is hard to like, yet his flaws and trauma are shown with such care that it's clear he too is a product of his past. Their dynamic is toxic and devastating, but Wheeler doesn’t shy away from the reality of how these kinds of relationships can unfold.

This book is a heavy read, with a lot of emotional weight and some difficult subjects, including mental illness and emotional abuse. The story is undeniably moving, but the pain Adelaide goes through might be too much for some readers. I found myself frustrated at times, wishing I could help her, but I also understood why she stayed and what kept her trapped in this cycle of abuse.

Despite the heaviness of the story, Adelaide ultimately carries a sense of hope and self-realization. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of self-love, support systems, and the strength it takes to break free from toxic relationships. The ending is both realistic and hopeful, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

In conclusion, Adelaide is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page. While the journey is painful and difficult to witness, the writing is stunning, and the story provides a much-needed conversation about the complexities of love, self-worth, and mental health. This is a story that will resonate deeply with anyone who has struggled with relationships and finding their sense of self.

Did not finish. It just wasn’t really for me or my genre preferences. I found it to be kind of boring and slow but I appreciate the concept.

SO MANY CRINGE REFERENCES. This was published in 2023 and there are plenty of non-problematic references to use instead of Harry Potter and Call Me by Your Name.

There is a lot of graphic rape/sexual assault early on that did not sit well with me and the moment the book got graphic with parental death via car accident, I had to peace out.

Lots of my friends loved this, but it wasn’t for me!

Recall being in your early 20s and trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be. It’s such a tough time in a person’s life and Genevieve Wheeler gets it heartbreakingly right in Adelaide. It is also a good depiction of depression and mental health issues. This one was painful, but so spot-on.

*Adelaide* by Genevieve Wheeler is a poignant and emotionally charged debut that explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of modern relationships. Wheeler’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the inner turmoil and vulnerability of the protagonist as she navigates heartbreak and self-discovery. With its rich character development and deep emotional resonance, *Adelaide* is a compelling and thought-provoking read.

This book hit hard. It related heavily to Adelaide’s attempts to keep her partner together and losing herself in the process.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

While this book is not YA, I would have loved this as a teenager. It's full of emotional angst and uncertainty between all of these characters. They read younger than they are.

Our main character Adelaide falls completely in love with with a boy named Rory. Rory has has a lot of baggage and healing to do on his own after a traumatic event, yet toys along Adelaide by doing less than the bare minimum. We follow their 'relationship', but this book really is not a romance... it's about a girl figuring herself out as she grows through her twenties (including receiving a psychological diagnosis that "explains" certains things...) Some people love that approach, while for others, it's definitely a more sensitive topic.

If I didn't have the audio, I'm not sure I could have finished or enjoyed this at all. This book uses no quotation marks and personally that drives me nuts.

We followed trauma after trauma. Go in with caution!

I really liked the epilogue and cute meaningful reminders & message it had to it.

At points this is difficult read because of the raw emotion oozing from the page as the titular character deals with mental illness and a very toxic relationship. But, that raw emotion is also what makes this book very special.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Not gonna lie, I felt for Adelaide.
I expected this to be a different kind of story but I enjoyed it. Was a bit slow of a read but it hooked me.

*** 4.5 ⭐️ ***

"When love asks too much from us, how do we find the strength to put ourselves first?"

Adelaide is a good person; but if she's so good, why can't she get a guy to love her? Adelaide's back story is flushed out in a way that makes the reader grieve for her, hurt for her, and want to give her a hug. Is she destined to keep repeating the same mistakes or will she finally get something good back for all her efforts?

Rory is a nice guy, but he's a horrible boyfriend. He doesn't put in the effort, ignores text messages, and shows up when he wants to. He doesn't appreciate Adelaide until it's too late.

Throughout this book, the theme of mental illness is prevalent, and trigger warnings should be heeded (as the story starts off with an SI situation). Adelaide and Rory have issues from the get-go, which is very apparent and, as much as Adelaide pushes, Rory retreats. They are unbalanced in their relationship, which is relatable for some readers, and their reactions hit too close to home at times. Adelaide's friends are ride or die, which was great to see, while Rory's entourage was nonexistent. This book was slightly repetitive, but understandable, as Adelaide tries to work through one of life's greatest questions - when will it be "my" turn to be loved?

I ADORED this book. So much. Emotional, delicate, and sometimes difficult - I felt Adelaide's emotions the whole time I was reading this book.

Genevieve Wheeler's debut, Adelaide, is poignant, honest, and a powerful case study on love in the modern world. Love asks a lot of us as humans. This book asks the question of how we keep ourselves sane and protected when our love becomes all-consuming. Fans of Dolly Alderton will love this truly special novel.

4.5 out of 5 stars. I adored this book and saw so much of myself in Adelaide. I teared up multiple times while reading. I only shaved off a half star as it was a bit slow to start, and the commentary on mental illness felt a bit too crammed into one small section of the story. Overall a great read!

First thank you to st martins press and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars

Synopsis: Adelaide is a young woman living in London completing her masters when she meets Rory Hughes on a dating app. She falls madly in love and does a lot to keep the relationship going through a very tough period.

What I liked: Adelaide is so complex in that she is young but also mature, smart but makes dumb choices and so interesting. You really felt everything that she felt and my heart ached for her. She tried everything putting herself last and it took such a toll on her health. I love how the author did not shy away from any aspects. She show the highs and the lows. Adelaide friends are so loyal to her and really help her see how great she is. I also liked how the author show a realistic picture of mental illness and her struggles. I would highly recommend this book to everyone as the writing is beautiful

A beautiful book on friendship which is definitely a theme that's not common in books much anymore. There are trigger warnings here but overall the book was beautiful and portrayed a life of love and loss and friends.

Frustrating and difficult to read at times, but ultimately it pays off with a hopeful narrative. The writing left a bit to be desired, but I think the author has a bright future. I'll be keeping an eye out for her.

ADELAIDE is a piece of contemporary fiction following the experiences of the titular character, a mid-20s American woman living in London who falls deeply, hedonistically and irreversibly into unrequited love with an Englishman named Rory. In many ways, ADELAIDE felt similar to Sally Rooney’s Normal People as Adelaide and Rory’s relationship takes center stage here, with all its miscommunication, complexities, and emotional baggage (although I do feel the power dynamics here are more uneven and the majority of the story is from Adelaide’s POV).

While I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending, overall I found ADELAIDE to be a realistic portrayal of a toxic, contemporary relationship (dating apps included) and blazed through this in a single day. I’d definitely check out more from Wheeler in the future!

Unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me. I had a hard time connecting with the main character, and by the end I was frustrated with her.

This ARC sat on my TBR for far too long. But even so, I don't think I was ready for the turmoil it would do to my heart. Adelaide experiences a relationship and heartbreak that was all too relatable. I don't fault her choices and graciousness. Sometimes when you're in love, or so you think, it's hard to see the toxicity with clarity.

**I received this advance copy free from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**