Picture this: A fine November day of 60 degree weather. Two phone calls. A pool freshly cleaned. A woman who refuses to get out of it.

It’s one pivotal day in Virgil and Kathleen Beckett’s relationship. They recently uprooted their lives to move into a small apartment complex in Delaware. Virgil is barely left with a job, and Kathleen is stuck in her “what if” musings of her dead tennis career. Each chapter volleys back and forth between the perspectives of Virgil and Kathleen, sharing a bit of their history and their infidelities.

As you read the novel, you’re waiting for something, but you’re unsure what. It’s a bit unsettling. The pace gets faster and faster and more secrets come to light as the couple unknowingly starts playing “the Most”, getting them closer and closer to the bridge.

I really enjoyed the little breadcrumbs you were given in every chapter that helped drive the story along. Each character had their flaws, but this novel was not about character development– oh no, this novel was about coming closer and closer to ruin. As their stories weave in and out of the present day, you begin to start asking questions that you’re unsure you really want answered in the end.

Anthony did a great job not being overbearing with details, especially because this is just a novella. It’s a quick read, compelling read set about 70 years ago that can still be resonated with today. The pacing is solid throughout, swiftly bringing the reader to the bridge with the characters.

The only thing that took me out of the story was that I felt it was a little repetitive towards the beginning and middle. However, I’ll say that I didn’t feel this way in the second half of the book, which felt like the pacing was much faster.

This is a captivating little novel that I’d say is perfect for a quick poolside read (though maybe not on a November day in Delaware).

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown for allowing me to read this book ahead of time in exchange for an honest review.

The Most is a short story, about 144 pages. The nice thing about short stories is that there aren't any parts that "get slow" or boring. I loved how this story flowed and how information was provided (and I thought the ending was perfect).

Kathy is married with two young boys and a handsome husband. She's not feeling well when the family gets ready to go to church. When they return, she is lounging in the apartment pool ... and decides to spend the day there.

In regards to rating, I think there are a couple of (minor) editing errors in reading the advance read copy; I'm providing that feedback to the publisher directly and i'm assuming that will be corrected by the July 2024 release date. Rounding up to 5 stars. "List price" for the 144 page short story seems to be $25; maybe a little high? ** updated ** due to the editing error, I've decided to change rating from 4 star to 3 star.

This was my first read by author Jessica Anthony. Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to another "new to me author". Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Little, Brown and Company for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Most in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of Kathleen and Virgil - a married couple who live in an apartment in Delaware with their two sons in the late 50’s. One day while the boys and Virgil are at church, Kathleen gets in the pool and refuses to come back out to play her role in their daily routine. No coaxing from her husband will suffice, and she floats the November day away.
We learn so much about Kathleen, Virgil, others in their lives and their pasts. We see their stories from both Kathleen and Virgil’s perspectives, and witness so much about them both.
Kathleen was a seasoned tennis player in college that could have made a career for herself, but chose to marry Virgil. Virgil was - and still is - a super handsome man that could have any woman he wanted, but married Kathleen. This marriage of theirs is truly one of convenience and we watch them both look back on their decisions with yearning. And now, they have to face the jazz music and tell the truth.
Beautifully written, delicate, and a worthy novella about how our choices shape us and craft our lives. I wouldn’t leave the pool either.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of The Most via Netgalley prior to its publication!

And I’m so glad that I did.
This novella follows Kathleen and Virgil, a married couple living with their two boys in a Delaware apartment complex when one day, inexplicably, Kathleen doesn’t want to get out of the pool.
My first thought was that this would be an outrageous unhinged woman thing (like REALLY would not get out of the pool), but instead it was a domestic drama set in the 1950s, alternating perspectives from husband and wife, expertly crafting a story about the narratives we tell ourselves about the choices we make.
I loved the way that Jessica Anthony told the same stories from both Virgil’s and Kathleen’s perspectives. The way they explained some of the same people with acute precision, but from such different lenses. Each character felt entirely different.
The way Jessica Anthony explored power dynamics and the male/female roles and expectations was— chefs kiss— 👩‍🍳💋
I loved this so much!

The novella "The Most" by Jessica Anthony offers a compelling exploration of an unhappy marriage set in the 1950s. The alternating perspectives between the husband and wife provide unique insight into the couple’s relationship. The themes of betrayal and regret are woven through the story, and a tennis move adds an interesting layer of symbolism. Despite the tragic undertones, there is also sense of hopefulness in the story. Kathleen's character defies expectations, showcasing a surprising level of self-awareness and power. For a short story her character is very well developed. Overall, this novella successfully navigates complex emotions and relationships within a concise format, making it a worthwhile read even for those, like me, who typically prefer longer novels.

Would I recommend it? Yes! It is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you @littlebrown and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced e copy of this novella. Thank you to @entertheanthony for writing one of the best novella’s I have ever read.

I was so excited to read this when I was approved for an ARC because I thought it was going to be a story about an unhinged woman, but it was actually about a woman very much in control and I very much enjoyed it! I don't want to give away too many details since it's a novella but it's about a married couple going through the throes of marriage, both with their own secrets. It takes place over the course of a day and the events are told through alternating viewpoints. Highly recommend.

The Most is a tightly crafted and powerful novella. Set in the 1950s, this story follows Kathleen and Virgil, a married couple who have hit a crossroads on an unusually warm November day.

I loved the way that this story unfolded. Each chapter alternates between the main characters, and you learn more about their pasts as well as how they view their marriage. Both have secrets, regrets, and genuine affection for each other. Even though this is a portrait of a complicated relationship set over 70 years ago, it still feels fresh and relatable.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention how great the cover design is, and how much I'm looking forward to acquiring a physical copy of this to read again when it's released in June '24. I highly recommend this quick and satisfying read and can't wait to read more by Jessica Anthony.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Most follows the two perspectives of a married couple with two sons, Kathleen and Virgil, on an unusually warm day in Delaware. Kathleen decides to take a swim at their apartment complex while her family is ant church and refuses to exit the pool. I received a copy The Most as an ARC from NetGalley.

This book was far more than I expected. I went into this thinking it would be a quick story about a woman being unhinged but instead gave a deep, moving story on marriage, gender, and expectations in the 1950s. I really enjoyed hearing the story told from both the characters perspectives and could not stop reading.

I am really looking forward to reading more by Jessica Anthony!

I'm not the biggest fan of short stories because I feel like authors can sometimes struggle to get the story fleshed out enough to make it make sense.. and sadly, I think my opinion still stands. I know that that is basically the point of short stories.. is that they are short, quick reads, but it honestly took me quite a bit of time to get through this. There was not much that pulled me in and kept me interested. I hated the main male character and could care less about the woman main character. There just wasn't any extra information that had me routing for one character or the other - they both had their faults but they were both equally horrible.

What a surprising and rather satisfying little story this is. Cool and confident, easy with its period setting, neat in its presentation of discrete individuals interlocking, it offers restraint and engagement at the same time. I liked the feminist notes, the plausibly secretive characters and the tightness of the structure. A little gem.

Who knew ~150 pages about a woman in a pool could pack such a punch. An in depth and intricate look into the lives of Kathleen and Virgil, their marriage, and their deceptions. The author did the *perfect* job of capturing those complex feelings we have towards marriage and the fleeting thoughts of “how would my life be if I had done these things differently”.
So many little tidbits interweaved between perspectives and it was done immaculately well.

On the surface, this book is a slice of life look into one single day between Kathleen and her husband Virgil, but underneath, this does a great job showcasing the complexities of marriage, partnership, betrayal, and the moment you make the decision to face it all head on.

I thought this was thought provoking and quirky. I enjoyed the writing style, though it took me a few beats to get used to the jump around timeline.

This was a super short intriguing read set in the 50s, that felt both tragic and hopeful at the same time.

This story captures the essence of a seemingly ordinary day in November 1957, yet delves deep into the complexities of marriage and individual identity. The beauty of "The Most" lies in its brevity. Jessica Anthony's writing effortlessly pulls you into Kathleen's world, making you feel her struggles and emotions as if they were your own. The story flows seamlessly, never letting up on its compelling pace. While some might crave a neat conclusion, the open-ended nature of the story invites you to ponder and interpret, which I enjoyed! Overall, it's a total gem!
(thank you to the publisher for the e-arc)

"The Most" has a plot I couldn't resist -- a woman skips church one morning with her husband and kids, goes for a swim in their apartment complex pool and refuses to come out. Throughout this short story you come to know these characters more intimately than you might expect to in a 400-page book; their motivations, desires, character flaws and search for meaning. This read will cause you to think, and to be jealous of how amazing Jessica Anthony writes. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. #TheMost #NetGalley

This was entertaining. I loved how Anthony wrote the characters and as a boy mom, I just identified with the female main character. I liked Anthony's pace and her writing was brilliant. A good short novel that made me think! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Most releases July 30, 2024

On an unseasonably warm day in November during the late 1950’s, Kathleen wakes up not feeling well and decides to forgo Sunday church with her husband and two kids in favour of spending the entire day in the pool within their apartment complex.
What ends up happening is a bit of a stalemate situation between Kathleen and her husband Virgil.
Through backstory, we get to know who these characters are as individuals outside of their marriage and ultimately what has transpired over the years to make Kathleen so determined to not get out of the pool.

Anthony utilized the minimal page count exceptionally well — any longer and I think it would have ruined the nuance of the story.
If you're a reader that absolutely needs to have every answer wrapped up for you at the end, this probably isn't the story for you.

cw: cheating