For those picking up "Adelaide" after seeing the Romance genre tagged to it expecting your typical sappy, feel-good novel... pause. While this novel does indeed focus on relationships, this is far from your usual read.

Our protagonist Adelaide Williams is a 26 year-old woman living in London, after having grown up in the States. Like everyone else, she's been in her fair share of relationships but when she (re-)meets Rory Hughes, she's sure she's found <i>the one</i>. At first glance, their relationship is picture-perfect and Adelaide falls head over heels in love with him, imagining their future together... but when cracks begin to appear, Adelaide is forced to confront the question of if her love is enough.

There's so much that I loved about this novel, including just how raw and true-to-life Adelaide was, and the extent of experiences she's gone through. She's still dealing with the memories of being abused and mistreated by her first boyfriend in high school; attempting to climb up the corporate ladder and achieve her career goals; and juggling her separate relationships with her friends and peers. And just like many women, Adelaide never feels good enough, constantly comparing herself to others and Rory's ex, Nathalie. I think many readers will connect with and empathize with Adelaide and her situation, and the many frustrations and struggles she deals with. More than anything, I appreciated how Wheeler highlights just how fruitless romantic relationships can be when they don't have the right foundation, and how important and strong female friendships can be in contrast.

Wheeler's writing is descriptive and poignant, crafting such complex characters that you can't help but feel your heart break for them. I know this novel will tug at many readers' heartstrings when it's published in April of 2023.

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler is an emotional coming of age story about Adelaide Williams.

The story follows Adelaide who is living in London for graduate school. Adelaide meets Rory, her “Disney prince”. Adelaide sees life through rosy glasses. While she has bad taste in men Rory does a number on her.

Adelaide covers heavy topics (abusive relationships, rape, miscarriage, mental health, and more). While the story is well written at some points hard to read.

If you enjoy emotionally heavy reads, like I do, Adelaide is a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down, and when it was over, I found myself wishing I could read it for the first time all over again. Adelaide is a twenty-something American woman living in London, navigating career changes, mental health struggles, friendship, and love—or is true love after all? At first glance, Rory Hughes is a real-life Disney Prince, the charming man Adelaide was fated to meet. But when tragedy strikes, it becomes clear that Rory can't reciprocate Adelaide's love, and doesn't treat her the way she deserves to be treated. Can Adelaide break away from this toxic relationship and finally show herself the same kindness she's always giving to everyone else?

Adelaide is such a well-developed, lovable character, and I was rooting for her from start to finish! The strong, supportive female friendships were also a huge highlight of this story for me—I loved getting to read about them, as well as about Adelaide's life in London. The setting was so vivid, and it was easy to get completely absorbed in Adelaide's world. I think that many people will be able to see themselves reflected in Adelaide and in parts of her story. This was a beautifully written, thoughtful, and poignant novel, and I am so excited to see what Genevieve Wheeler writes next! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I adored reading this book! I sympathized with the MC. Adelaide is a twenty something American living and working in London. Wheeler writes all about the relationships she has and most of the book focuses on her love life with a man named Rory.

You’ll fly through this book. Your emotions will go on a roller coaster ride but in a good way. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about Adelaide for a long time.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for the purpose of this review. Five stars!

I went in blind with Adelaide and I was immersed in a very emotional, real, relatable and fully alive story of a 25 year old American woman who is trying to live her life to the fullest in her English dream life. She met Rory Hughes who she has claimed her Disney Prince. Rory was amazing, he is handsome and so easy to love but does Rory love Adelaide back?

At some point in our life we have been in Adelaide’s shoes. Someone that is so dear to us, can be a friend, a sister, a co-worker has at some point or another, was once an Adelaide. Full of love, full of life, bubbly, happy, hyper, extra high and super low. Someone who pleases someone, someone who was thoughtful, who deeply cares, who has your back, who seem to have everything together until they break. And once they’re broken …… What are they exactly?

The feelings in this book exists! It is real, it reminds, and it thugs and knocked my insides out! Looking at the mix reviews of this book just proves that reality was breathing in these pages. It was very hard to get through at some parts but just like life, one has to do anything to keep going and do what needs done to get by.

The writing is beautiful, and Caitlyn Kelly’s voice narrated so spectacularly. It was like having a best friend that constantly looks out for you. A life message that needs to be out out there and the story needs to be read! I enjoyed it and I am super thankful to St.Martins Press via Netgalley, Macmillan Audio via Librofm for both ebook and audio files for review! a solid 4.5stars, half a star off because I would have wanted a little more of Bub’s being highlighted! I recommend this beautiful story of Adelaide!

Adelaide is a beautifully written story of a young woman’s journey through love, grief and a mental health diagnosis. Adelaide is finishing up school in London she meets Rory. Even though there are signs Rory might not be the best boyfriend material, Adelaide decides to fully dedicate herself to him. When both their loves get turned upside down by Rory’s ex-girlfriend’s unexpected death. Their relationship becomes even more strained and Adelaide’s mental health suffers as a result. Will Adelaide and Rory get the help they both need to make their relationship work or will come to an end? This book expertly weaves together mental health issues with romance in a very thoughtful way. The content could be triggering for some readers but it is worth the read to help others understand those who are struggling with grief, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts and how relationships are affected by by mental health.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Suicide, Gaslighting, Manipulation

Adelaide is living the dream by moving to London. When she meets Rory, everything seems to come together. Except, Rory doesn’t always answer her texts. And sometimes he goes days without speaking to her. Oh and often manages to not cancel their plans until well after he should have already met her. Also, he tends to speak down to her and put down her thoughts and feelings. OK, so maybe Rory isn’t the Prince Charming she thought he was. She loves him though. So it must be meant to be right?

OK I am going to start with the only bad part of this book. There is a line talking about how great a particular author is, and how wonderful a certain book about humans that are just completely average was. (IYKYK and you know my feelings on that one!) I have also seen people compare this book to that one and to that I say, absolutely not. All I kept thinking while listening to this book was….damn I HATE Rory. What a terrible, horrible, not good, very bad person. Rory is to Adelaide what Stephen is to Tell Me Lies. OK maybe not exactly the same, but the hatred I felt was the same! I absolutely despised this man and the way he treated Adelaide as well as Natalie. I wanted so badly for her to recognize what a horrible human being this man was and leave his ass behind. If you enjoy books about super toxic relationships, you will enjoy this one.

Adelaide is a twenty something American living in London. While navigating the hardships of young adulthood, she struggles in her romantic relationship with Rory Hughes.

This is such a raw, riveting, vulnerable, and important read for young women! It touches on some hard topics like mental illness, toxic relationships, and not defining yourself by others. Adelaide is a lovable character, and her desire to be loved is heartbreaking. Genevieve Wheeler was able to write a a story that has heavy topics while also being an enjoyable read. Adelaide and her friends are likable and relatable! Wonderful debut novel!

This is the story of Adelaide an American young woman living in England who falls head over heels for a handsome man who consistently makes her feel “ less than”.. I so wanted to slap her for putting up with such treatment. That being said I could not stop reading this book and loved how it came all together , I was cheering for Adelaide by the end. An insightful look into mental illness. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this early e copy.

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler is a poignant and beautifully written story. Her struggles and triumphs are portrayed with sensitivity and insight, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. Highly recommended for those who enjoy introspective tales of personal growth."

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler is a book that I have been impatiently anticipating and was so excited to get an ARC. Adelaide is a 26 year old expat living in London who is experiencing the typical struggles that the mid-twenties offer: trying to find herself, find a partner, and find happiness. She meets Rory Hughes on a dating app and feels like she has found her guy. As their relationship progresses she starts to question if it is so great after all.

While this book is pitched as a love story it is really much more than that. There are some serious trigger warnings and topics explored through Adelaide's relationship with herself and her family. Much of the dating feels very familiar and true to the experience of many in the real world - the author did a great job of capturing that longing, anxiety, and tension that comes with being with someone who isn't always giving you what you need back. This book was heavy and unexpected - it may not be what I expected to read but it was better.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Adelaide is out 4/18/23.

Easily a five star review. I found myself looking for an opportunity to pick up this book through out the day. What a beautiful and painful story Genevieve Wheeler has given us. Adelaide made me feel truly “seen,” which may or may not be a great thing but it helps to normalize the conversation that everyone can be in a bad place at some point in their lives. Adelaide, an American studying abroad in London, finds herself experiencing deep depressive episodes through an emotionally manipulative relationship that pained and frustrated me to observe, but I really loved the female characters in this story so much and the empowering female relationships. I found myself thinking “That reminds me of me” too often. It was an absolutely heavy and I highly suggest checking the content warnings first. I don’t tend to re-read books but I look forward to picking this one up again. I can’t wait for whatever Genevieve writes next!

Pub date: 4/18/23
Genre: coming-of-age
Quick summary: Expat twenty-something Adelaide thinks she's found the perfect man in Brit Rory - but when he needs more than she's able to give, she'll have to figure out if she can live without him.

I went into this book not really knowing what to expect, but I devoured it over two days with the combo of text and audiobook. Adelaide's (mis)adventures took me back to that time of being in my early twenties, trying to figure out who I wanted to be. I loved how her voice came through on audio - it felt like I was right there with her.

It's hard at times to listen to Adelaide's romance with Rory - it's clear to the reader that, as much as Adelaide thinks their story is a love story, it isn't, and Rory is going to continue to disappoint her. For this reason, this book may be triggering to those who've experienced abusive relationships. I was glad to see Adelaide eventually grow to understand her worth and figure out her path forward.

If you enjoy character studies/coming-of-age novels, give this one a try! It reminded me a bit of Sally Rooney, but I liked it more than Rooney's last book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my e-ARC and Macmillan Audio/Libro.fm for my e-ALC.

4.25. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Genevieve Wheeler and St Martin’s Publishing for the ARC. When I looked at Goodreads to see what this book was about someone there had written if you liked Normal People you’ll probably like this. Well that’s all it took. I loved Sally Rooney’s Normal People and couldn’t wait to read this. (Actually the author even mentions Normal People in this book!). From the first paragraph of the Prologue I knew this was going to be an emotional journey. Mental health/illness can be really difficult to read about or live with. And if you are in love with someone who is emotionally distant or physically distant for days on end with no explanation whatsoever that is hard. When you give and give but often times you are left feeling unseen, unloved, unwanted or misunderstood by the person you are in love with - that’s hard. There’s a lot of foreshadowing in this novel and I knew the main character was headed toward something hurtful and I wanted her to escape before it happened. This ultimately is a book about life - the ups and the downs in live and in life. It’s a slow journey through the highs of life in your 20’s taking on the world - and some of the grief that also comes. I very much enjoyed this emotional book.

I just finished this book and I am still reeling from it so this review will likely be biased. It's usually better if I sit with it for a few days. I read this whole story in one sitting. First of all, I loved the writing style. It pulled me in immediately. I connected with it.

I also connected with Adelaide even though we are not very similar. It's hard not to fall in love with her. It's hard to not get swept up by the story of someone who falls so hard for someone who just will not love them back equally. It's so hard to watch her suffer as she navigates her relationship before, during and after. It's so hard to both want to yell at her to get out and also deeply understand why she just can't let go.

I underlined so much of this book. There are some beautiful, beautiful passages in it that spoke to me deeply. It reminded me of my two favorite books from the last few years: Normal People and Sorrow and Bliss. I absolutely loved it.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book brought me back to the toxic relationship cycle of feeling like you like someone more than they like you, and how that feeling is all consuming. Great, nostalgic read about the hard feelings of a love where it given back to you.

My Thoughts
For the biggest chunk of this books story our American character Adelaide Williams is a hot mess.

She proves to be very likable to everyone she interacts with but unfortunately not lucky in love.

Her entire history with men, past and present to date, has consisted of heartbreak.

Her never ending quest for an HEA has to happen someday, right.

Read the book to find out if Adelaide finds her one and only, be prepared for quite the up and down journey with her.
[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. I couldn’t put this book down. I loved Adelaide’s feminism, her confidence, and the way that relationships were written so completely and beautifully throughout this book - both positive relationships like those with her girlfriends and Adelaide’s relationship with very toxic Rory. This book also tastefully tackles mental health and abusive relationships.

Thanks very much to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC of this satisfying debut novel about about finding one’s way in the world when you’ve suffered terrible trauma in the past and the agony of loving someone who does not reciprocate those feelings. Like Acts of Desperation, which I also enjoyed recently, this is a painfully accurate depiction of what it’s like to date a pouty, selfish man-baby. It also deals sensitively with mental illness issues. I wish I had friends as devoted as Adelaide’s! Lovely prose, as well. I’ll look forward to the author’s next novel.

Absolutely beautifully written book. Heartbreaking and honest. I had a hard time putting this book down as I wanted to keep reading! Thank you for the advanced read!