Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

I’ve read my fair share of emotional books, but none of them have really affected me. However, Adelaide did.

Adelaide is a highly compelling, emotional read. As a reader, you get to follow Adelaide (an American expat living her best life in London) through highs and lows that are so well written it’s almost as if you’re there with her. The story feels so real and some may find it really relatable.

What I loved:
🌟Adelaide. She had the best personality, a kind heart and was someone I found to be very likable.
🌟The female friendships are really empowering. Adelaide, Sam, Celeste, Madison and Eloise are the best friends to each other and it’s really great to see.
🌟Accurate depictions of mental health disorders and their treatment.
🌟The emotion. This book had me feeling all the emotions of Adelaide. My heart was literally breaking for her at some points. You feel the emotions of friendship, depression, heartbreak, overwhelm at work, stress, emotions behind a toxic relationship, emotions involved with moving forward after a toxic relationship.
🌟The narration in this one. The all knowing narrator was really satisfying and gave just the right amount of foreshadowing and inside info.

Genevieve Wheeler is clearly talented and I can’t believe this is her debut! All in all, I really enjoyed Adelaide!

If you like emotional romance novels, please give this one a try!

📘Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
Pub Date: 31 Jan 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Genevieve Wheeler, and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

Adelaide is an emotional and brutally honest story about a young woman that would protect others, even at the cost of herself. In an omniscient story told from a third-person point of view, the reader follows Adelaide as she goes through the ups and downs of adjusting to her new life in London; all the while bargaining with fate to be with a man whose path she’s crossed too many times to be considered coincidental.

I took a chance on this book and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was looking for a thought-provoking read; a story that would focus on the strength and perseverance of women amidst their struggles, and that is exactly what I got.

Adelaide, our female protagonist, has a heart of gold. She is the kind of friend that waits for you while you tie your shoe, buys you coffee after a long day, and will stay up all night to annotate your favorite book for you. She will sit through all the movies she hates just to watch the ones you love. If you’ve read the Addicted/Calloway Sister series by Krista and Becca Ritchie, you'll understand what I mean when I say that Adelaide is very much like Daisy Calloway. A girl that gives too much of herself to those around her. Her character is the pure embodiment of Matilda by Harry Styles. The rawness surrounding Adelaide's character was beautiful, yet painful. There is a fervor surrounding her love for others and while I admire the purity of her intentions, it was gut-wrenching to witness her being taken advantage of time and time again. I wish I could tell her that she can't be a pillar for anyone and everyone else if she herself is broken.

Rory, our male protagonist, is a character you hate to love. He gives you just enough to placate you while he disappears for a considerable amount of time. I wanted to be empathetic toward him as I myself am notorious for not responding to messages, but the line had to be drawn somewhere. If doing the bare minimum was a person, it would be Rory Hughes. It broke my heart to see all of Adelaide’s love both romantically and platonically be so one-sided. As Adelaide once said, how does one so consistently fail to show up? He was not worthy of all of the brightness Nathalie and Adelaide shone on this world.

I wanted to root for a happy ending between Rory and Adelaide, more for Adelaide’s sake than anything. Yet, by the end of the story, I was relieved that their relationship was no longer what it was. Not everything that is hopeful is pretty, nor is it always what we desire. Their dynamic was toxic more times than not and therefore, I would not say this is a timeless romance, but rather a story about the power of friendship. The relationships that never disappointed were the ones between Adelaide and her closest friends.

I do believe that the beginning of the story was a little abrupt, the author immediately introduces us to Adelaide by immersing us in the aftermath of her suicide attempt. The structure of this opening chapter was disorienting. I could tell it was going to be important, vital at that, but I wasn’t sure what details I would need to remember. That being said, I do think it was a compelling start to a much more nuanced storyline. After attempting to make one of the most crucial decisions of her life, Adelaide’s pensive state after a moment of heightened grief and sorrow was eerie. As someone that is currently grieving a loss due to suicide, the plot of the story was difficult at times to digest and surfaced many intense, but necessary emotions.

I thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the book being set up along a before/during/after and Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter timeline. It made the story flow with an ease that I don’t believe would’ve been otherwise attainable. I do think the story would’ve been more impactful if the reader was able to see into Rory’s mind just as much as Adelaide’s. It would’ve provided a deeper sense of understanding of an otherwise shallow character.

My most notable critique is in regards to the mention of current events, including COVID. Respectfully, there is not a part of me that wants to read about the very life I am trying to escape from. I do not believe these mentions added anything of substance to the overarching theme of the story.

Overall, Adelaide’s journey to healing made all of the emotional distress worth it, earning it four out of five stars.

Thank you to St.Martin’s Press for providing this ARC via Netgalley.

This books put me through a whirlwind of feelings. I found Adelaide to be completely relatable - which in turn made me absolutely love and hate the book at the same time. The plot was outstanding- but (personally preference), I hate the lack of quotation marks.

Definitely to be a contender for debut of the year! (2023). Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

By the time I get to the end of this review, I'm not sure I will stick with a three star rating or move it up to 4 stars. If I stick with three stars, those stars do not indicate a lackluster book as much as it indicates that this is definitely a millennial book filled with millennial actions at a time when too many women's names have been in the paper after last being seen in the presence of some guy they just met that same night.

In fact, when I first started reading this book, I thought, "Oh no! Is this a murder mystery? I don't read murder mysteries! What was I thinking when I requested this book?" As I continued reading (because if I read an ARC such as this courtesy of NetGalley and St. Martin's Press I want to follow through), I realized that there are so many triggers in this book (suicide ideation, sexual violence, miscarriage to name a few), that what I thought meant a murder was actually the author providing hope along the way. While the sexual scenes are not line upon line graphic, it's enough to make my younger relatives wonder about me reading this book when I expressly turned away offers to read books by their favorite author CoHo (at least any that include incest, murder, etc.).

It sounds like I'm talking myself into a 2 star rating, yet here's my conflict. There are so many rom-coms out there where everything comes up roses. Wheeler's book faces reality and it's not pretty...but thankfully, it is hopeful. It would be a great book for interning psychologists and social workers (it's totally in story form, not textbook at all). It's also a great book for discussion groups (I can see members getting fired up on this one). And, for all the many followers of the Enneagram, this book would make the rounds. Eights wouldn't make it very far without getting fed up with Adelaide's unhealthy two-ness. I'm a six so all along the way, I'm telling this fictional character: "No, no, don't do that. This is going to be disastrous!" And, it is. Y'all need to listen to 6s! I'm up in the middle of the night thinking and worrying about how I'm going to write this review because this story feels so real, and I'm worried about all the women out there hurting.

For my friends and family who look to see what my mom would do with this book -- Um, all I had to write was "millennial" and you know. Not only that, it would be too painful for her to walk through it and also confusing. It does have ongoing variation in timelines (one of the brain benefits of reading fiction -- can one keep track of the story). I finished the book in two days. Okay, so I'm giving it 4 stars -- blame it on my Enneagram number; I can't help but feel that this is a personal story for the author (I don't know that, but I honor her for for making it through if it is).

At least one review of 1 star exists and the publisher / editor needs to pay attention to it because the reviewer makes some valid points (the mention of harem, a president, a cause). The book is set for release in April or May of 2023 so I think they have time for some editing.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Adelaide releases April 18/2023

The premise of this was intriguing, but this was painful to read. And not because it was emotionally moving - because it wasn’t (at least not for me). Now, I’m not trying to gloss over the severe mental health and suicide ideations in this because those are heavy and sensitive topics, but this was the furthest thing from a romance or love story, in my opinion. If anything, it was more centered around friendship? (Yes, I know this is a women’s fiction but the entire book is about a romantic relationship). There was nothing to show that this was brought upon by “fate”. The relationship depicted was extremely toxic, unhealthy, and showed many red flags.
I also could not get past the writing style with the abundant need to exclude all proper quotation marks for dialogue.

TW: mental health, suicidal ideations, emotional and sexual abuse, r*pe, grief, stomach ulcers, bipolar disorder, manic depression, anxiety, ocd, miscarriage, endometriosis, uses the term harem in context with cults, mentions donald trump & pro-life.

Adelaide is split into quite a few sections — before/during/after, as well as spring/summer/autumn/winter.
It’s set in the UK and is mainly told from the pov of the main character Adelaide, but has a few parts featuring Rory.

The start of this story packs a punch - immediately immersing the reader into the tailend of Adelaide’s suicide attempt. Thus, the rest of the story is the build up to what lead to that moment.

I struggled to ever feel any type of chemistry between these two main characters.
My main gripe was that Rory truly was not in any position to be in a relationship to begin with. He had a lack of commitment, and was too hung up about an ex-girlfriend. The way he demanded and expected certain actions but never cared to reciprocate any was laughable. You want a man to ghost you, essentially feel like a friend zone, a tier less than friends with benefits? Sure, swipe on Rory on your dating app.

Adelaide falls head first, all-in love with Rory (why? who knows, because this man truly does not even do the bare minimum) / (the diagnosis at the end of the book regarding Adelaide makes this make a tad more sense, but still not really).
The compassion, kindness, and 150% effort that Adelaide exuded was very one sided. She gave her all for this man, in the hopes that he would love her too, only for it to completely and utterly wear her out, break her to rock bottom and lead to suicidal ideations.
The message at the end of the book where it said that Adelaide was the one meant to appear in Rory’s life at the right time, and not the other way around - felt conflicting. Yes, I get that there are instances where people come into our lives for a reason (whatever that might be), but I strongly don’t believe that in doing so, it should exert so much of yourself that the only other option of relief is suicide. So unhealthy.

Rory as a whole:
- notoriously horrible for never responding to messages.
- makes the fmc either leave his house so he can sleep, or makes her sleep on his FLOOR.
- if it’s after midnight and she’s politely asking to crash at his house because cab drivers make her feel uneasy, he’ll say “go take a ten minute walk to the night bus in the pouring rain.”
- calling ahead to their hotel to request two separate beds when you’re on holiday with the person you’re dating.
- the ONLY time he texted back immediately or regularly was if sexts/nudes were involved.
- complains when the fmc goes out of her way to make him food that contains meat (she’s a vegetarian) and instead of saying thank you, grunts about it upsetting his stomach ulcers.
- when asked about his girlfriend Adelaide, he says “oh, Adelaide, her name didn’t even cross my mind.”
- immediately runs to set up a dating app profile at the slightest hint of a “break” + never deletes it when they’re still intimate.
- “he wanted the perks that came with dating a woman like Adelaide” - okay gross, women are actual human beings with feelings, not some customizable package where you can select add-ons to your choosing.

Content that was personally off-putting/questionable as a reader:
- using the word harem in the same sentence as referencing cult behavior. In light of recent discourse surrounding the trope term “reverse harem” and changing it to “why choose” because of authentic concerns from the affected communities - the wording here can use some heavy revision.
“It was always difficult to capture the firm’s cultlike essence when speaking to anyone who hadn’t lived it—which, she supposed, was also true of actual cults and harems.”
- having the fmc at the age of 26 straight up pee her pants in the streets of London? I mean, I could have done without reading that.
- Including mentions of Donald Trump and pro-life on the same page as when the fmc is experiencing a miscarriage due to endometriosis. I realize that this was probably written before events of 2022, but it’s being published well afterwards, and I think it’s a very sensitive and controversial statement that does not need to be included.

Overall, I think I would have liked to seen less of Rory/Nathalie and his grief, and more of how Adelaide was able to rebuild coming out of a toxic relationship, with the support of her friends, as well as processing her new bipolar disorder diagnosis.


“Oh golly, no, I’m not American. I don’t just mask things with pills.”

“She struggled with hot-and-cold behavior. It was triggering for her. Unhealthy.”

“Sickness feels different when it takes place inside your head. When the illness flows through the chemicals of your mind rather than clogged sinuses or broken bones. No illness is ever really linear.”

I totally wept on the subway over this book. It’s outstanding and I can’t wait to read what Genevieve Wheeler writes next!

I loved absolutely everything about Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler! This compelling story reads quickly, I couldn't put it down. The characters, especially our titular Adelaide, feel beyond real and oh-so-relatable. Pangs of heartbreak nestled throughout slices of life will grip you from start to finish. The all-knowing narrator hints at "What's To Come" in a truly inspired writing style - foreboding, engaging, clever.
Weeks after finishing the book, I still find myself longing to hear from my dear friend, Adelaide. I suspect I'll be thinking of her for some time.
I hope and pray Ms. Wheeler has more stories up her sleeve!
Read it, you'll love it. Gift it, they'll thank you. 5 Stars.

Just as Adelaide’s life is divided into before and after Rory, I firmly believe my life will now be divided into before and after reading this masterpiece of a book.
I felt all of Adelaide’s pain and heartbreak and joy and love, and I absolutely adored every minute of it.
Adelaide is out in April 2023 and I strongly suggest you put it on your TBR.
(Content warnings: suicidal ideations, mental health, sexual assault)
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Adelaide tells the tale of what happens when you give too much of yourself to everyone else and it literally sucks the will
to live out of you. For anyone who has suffered through a relationship where you are carrying the entire emotional load and you need a cathartic cry, this is the book for you.

That’s not to say that there were not amazing moments in Adelaide’s journey to healing, especially those with her best friends who were there for her as much as she was for them.

Overall, this was a tough but necessary read. It shows that even when you hit rock bottom, there is a way back up, and hopefully you never find yourself tangled up with the Rorys and Emorys of this world.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for this ARC.

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler follows the life of Adelaide Williams, an American in her twenties who is living her dream, living and working in London. When she sees Rory Hughes, the man she once told he was a Disney Prince, on a dating app, she swipes on him and they wind up dating. What she doesn't know is that her relationship with him will eventually end, and she will spiral into a suicide attempt, which is where the novel starts.

Although I loved Adelaide, thought she was just charming, I found the book dragged in many areas. The author was very enigmatic about Rory's feelings towards Adelaide...the reader could see them clearly, but Adelaide could not. However, that was overcome by the strong female friendships that Adelaide had, as well as her life in London, supportive work relationships and I even loved the cover art. I also loved that Adelaide could get the help that she needed, when she needed it...not sure that would have happened in the States!

Thanks to the author,St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. I did wind up loving this one!

Omniscient narrator? Yes please! Female friendship focus? I'm sold! Young adult American expat living in London? Genevieve Wheeler nailed it! Adelaide is a beautiful, tragic, and hopeful story. And the cover art isn't bad either!

I knew nothing about this book when I started it. Within 2 chapters I couldn't put it down. Adelaide is loving, giving, caring, and a wee bit broken without realizing it. I found myself rooting for her and hoping for all the best in her life. You learn of her loves, losses, past, amazing friendships, and crazy adventures. It's beautifully and sensitively written and I am so glad I enjoy every minute of this book.