This was an interesting and engaging tale of love and relationships, with a plot that kept me guessing and reading.

I really wanted to love this book because the synopsis was really promising but this just fell flat for me. The writing itself was okay, but sometimes the tonal shifts from discussing heavy subject material was followed at one point with ‘holy shitballs’ by another character which pretty much summed up the lighthearted and philosophical elements of the novel. I think this could have gained a lot from either sticking with its lightheartedness or leaning into the darker, philosophical elements. Additionally, the philosophical themes weren’t shown to the reader, instead it was lead by narrative and dialogue and falling into telling the reader as opposed to showing the reader which detracted from evoking ideas, questions, and answers, as they were provided and guided the reader to think in certain ways. This may be a good read for a younger audience but I would struggle to recommend it on its philosophical basis.

I unfortunately did not enjoy this book very much. I did not think the writing was very strong, nor was it consistent. The story’s “message” if you will often came on too strong—at times I felt like I was being lectured to instead of reading a story. The gripe I often have with books with multiple POVs (and which this book also struggled with) is that there is no distinction among the different narrators: they all sound the exact same, they emote and respond the same, reflect the same. It makes it rather confusing and consequently uninteresting to read. Ultimately this book feels like a first draft. I am inclined to agree with a reader on StoryGraph who said that it might’ve worked better as a short story.

A cement wall pops up between two backyards, that no one put there, and a cement cylinder pops up in Leora's backyard, on the same day that her neighbor Xander discovers a circle of wildflowers has replaced his recently planted maple. Then a ghost shows up. This book reminded me of Of Things Gone Astray(Matthewson), Blindness(Saramago, and The Midnight Library(Haig), as a sort of modern adult fairy tale, but blended with philosophy and a heavier WW2/Holocaust element.. I found the first half a bit disconnected and awkward, but overall this was a pleasant read.