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