I have supper mixed feelings about this book. I liked it enough to want to finish 🤷‍♀️ ending was bit flat!

Sandra Chwialkowska’s The Ends of Things is a beautifully haunting exploration of grief, love, and the moments that shape our lives. Her writing is lyrical and evocative, pulling the reader into a world where emotions are raw and every word feels intentional. The way she weaves together different perspectives and timelines creates a deeply immersive experience, making the novel feel both intimate and expansive.

While the prose is stunning and the themes are poignant, the pacing occasionally slows, and some sections feel a bit dense. However, the emotional payoff is absolutely worth it. If you love thought-provoking literary fiction that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page, this is a book worth picking up.

At the end of this surprisingly deep interrogation of one woman’s adult life and how it’s skidded off the rails so far from where she’d once envisioned it, I burst into tears then contacted my childhood best friend to tell her that I love her.

Like myself and B, Laura Phillips and her best friend Chloe Shipman grew up dreaming of becoming sophisticated jetsetting women. Their friendship eventually fractured, as so many close female bonds unfortunately do in adolescence. Chloe’s thoughts ran to boys, while Laura focused on her studies and, later, career. Now in her thirties and an associate at a prestigious law firm, Laura finds herself still incapable of doing all the things that she wants to, as she’s been conditioned to feel fear and/or shame at the idea of independence, especially as a single woman:

QUOTE
She had dreamed of traveling the world ever since she was a girl but was discouraged by her parents, by her friends, by society itself, it seemed, from traveling alone. Her mother had cautioned her that traveling alone as a woman was dangerous. Threats, she was warned, lurked around every corner. Men could backpack across Europe without fearing unwanted advances or rapes, but not women. Still, Laura yearned to traipse through open-air markets, swim in cerulean waters, and lie under palm trees while drinking colorful cocktails garnished with tropical fruit. [She] yearned to experience the world outside the constraints of a familial or collegiate itinerary.
END QUOTE

But then she starts dating handsome, successful Dave Mitchell, another associate at her firm. When he suggests that they take a couples’ trip to Eleuthera in the Bahamas, she’s both excited and nervous. She’s never really been in a serious relationship before, so she’s not sure how to behave, even as she longs to fully experience finally traveling to one of the many places of which she’s long dreamed.

At first, Eleuthera is everything she imagined and more. The all-inclusive Pink Sands resort they’re staying at is a lover’s paradise… which makes the presence of a single woman traveler there all the more startling. Striking, independent Diana isn’t interested in playing by the unspoken expectations of all the other vacationers, which both intrigues and repels Laura. Laura has always been the quintessential Good Girl, but something about Diana calls to a long suppressed part of her own soul, as the women strike up a tentative friendship.

When Diana suddenly disappears, Laura doesn’t know what to do. Dave thinks she’s overreacting, but Laura knows that something is deeply amiss. She’s determined to do everything possible to find Diana again, fueled partly by her own troubled history with female friends:

QUOTE
To Laura, her friendship with Chloe became a cautionary tale of the frightening fate that could befall a pair of binary stars, who, by orbiting each other too closely, collapsed into each other. In time, she learned to keep everyone she met safely at arm’s length, never allowing herself to fall into anyone’s orbit and never letting anyone get close enough to enter hers.

But with Diana, she had felt the electric hope of meeting someone with whom she could share a profound connection. Only now, Diana was most likely gone forever, murdered or lost at the bottom of the sea, her body entangled in the undulating tentacles of a coral reef.
END QUOTE

With a tropical storm bearing down on Eleuthera, Laura suddenly finds herself in the disorienting position of being the prime suspect in Diana’s disappearance. Soon, she’ll have to risk everything to uncover the truth and save her friend. But is Laura herself truly as innocent as she seems?

Sandra Chwialkowska’s debut novel is a powerful re-examination of tropical getaway tropes, as well as of the many ways that women are taught both to limit themselves and to distrust one another. Laura is a flawed protagonist whose sanity often feels like it’s teetering on a knife edge. I spent so much of this book feeling either impatient with or deeply concerned about her, as she refuses to think about things that she considers too painful, choosing instead to hobble herself in the way that so many modern women unfortunately still do, with the resulting ugliness that pours out when she inevitably loses control. The lessons that Laura learns are hard, and I genuinely worried that Ms Chwialkowska wouldn’t stick the landing. She does, though, with a luminous, moving ending that makes The Ends Of Things the best book I’ve read of 2025 so far.

This book started off with a bang, with a mysterious woman on a remote island, and had all the makings of a suspensful thriller. About halfway through the book, it started to really slow down. The storyline felt repetitive, and the plot got a bit boring.

Disappointing. I didn't like the characters and the mystery wasn't really a mystery. I get what it was going for but didn't feel like it worked for me.

Yet another thriller I could not put down. This one centers on Laura, an attorney who has always had a fear of travelling alone who decides to take a last minute trip to the Bahamas with her newish boyfriend Dave. Once on the island, Laura becomes intrigued by a single woman at the same resort and she wants to get to know her better. Laura strikes up a conversation with the woman. What happens afterwards changes Laura's life in ways she could never have imagined.

I would have to say I would have liked more mystery to this book but overall it was good. I feel like it was lacking in a sense and there wasn't enough drama. I would definitely recommend the book to others and my followers and will look out for other books by this author.

The Ends of Things a is a beautifully written, introspective novel that explores themes of loss, grief, and self-discovery. The prose is poetic and reflective, drawing you into the emotional journey . While the pacing is slower, the deep character development and emotional depth make it a rewarding read. It’s not a light story, but it’s poignant and thought-provoking. A solid 4 stars—emotionally and beautifully crafted.

**Review of *The Ends of Things* by Sandra Chwialkowska**

*The Ends of Things* by Sandra Chwialkowska is a haunting and thought-provoking exploration of grief, loss, and the complex ways in which we attempt to navigate the end of relationships and the closing of chapters in our lives. Chwialkowska’s writing is poetic, raw, and deeply introspective, making this novel a powerful meditation on the emotional aftermath of difficult farewells.

The story centers around the protagonist, whose life is disrupted by a significant loss that forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her future. Through vivid, often poignant imagery, the author examines the emotional weight of endings, and how they can linger long after the event itself has passed. The writing carries a sense of melancholy, yet there’s a quiet strength in the way the protagonist grapples with these challenges.

Chwialkowska’s prose is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into a world where emotions are tangled and hard to untangle. The pacing of the narrative allows readers to reflect on the intricacies of the protagonist’s journey, offering moments of introspection and even a sense of catharsis. While the book deals with heavy themes, it never feels overwhelming; instead, there is a delicate balance between despair and hope that makes the novel incredibly compelling.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its exploration of the nuances of human relationships. The author doesn’t just focus on romantic loss but also delves into familial ties, friendships, and personal identity. These relationships are portrayed with a great deal of empathy and understanding, showing how people can be both a source of comfort and conflict.

At its core, *The Ends of Things* is about the difficult and often confusing process of finding closure, both in our internal world and in our interactions with others. Chwialkowska beautifully illustrates how the end of one chapter can lead to a painful, yet necessary, process of transformation. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers or clear resolutions, but it leaves readers with a powerful sense of what it means to rebuild and start anew after loss.

For those who enjoy literary fiction that delves into complex emotional terrain, *The Ends of Things* is a must-read. With its evocative prose and multifaceted exploration of loss, it’s a novel that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Sandra Chwialkowska proves herself to be a master of capturing the delicate, intricate dance between pain and healing.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounding to 4
Theme: Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Murder
Genre: Fiction | Women's Fiction, Thriller, Suspense
Author: Sandra Chwialkowska
Book Publication date: Jan 14, 2025
Page Count: 256 (Paperback) / 251 (Kindle)
Book Cover first thoughts: Love the book cover, it is absolutely beautiful

One Liner: Laura goes on a trip to an island in the Bahamas and ends up in a mysterious investigation.
Story Review / Summary: 
I usually do not read the synopsis except for ARCs but I wish I didn’t as others mentioned. I feel it is a bit confusing and too much is mentioned. (Which is typically why I don’t read them so I go in blind)

I really enjoyed the start, plot and character development of Chloe, Diana and Laura. But I feel like the ending was a little confusing, possibly rushed.

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Thank you to #NetGalley and Blackstone publishing for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of #TheEndsofThings by Sandra Chwialkowska
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was Jan 14, 2025. This review is being shared on NetGalley and Goodreads

It was a twisty tale and interesting. I would say ok for me. I would like more dark thrillers for me. Overall fast pace and okay read for me.

If you are a lover of dramatic, vacation themed thrillers between strangers in a gorgeous setting.. this one is for you!

What a gorgeous cover! Having read in the winter with snow and cold temps, it was a perfect escape to beachy sunshine! I enjoyed the vacation vibes of this one along with a fresh story. I was drawn in almost immediately and couldn't wait to see what happened. The ending felt a little lackluster for me but the reader does get some closure. Sorry for being vague, don't want to give any spoilers!

Reading the description, this book is described as being a "thriller" and "suspenseful" and unfortunately I spent the entire time reading this book chasing those things. I think if the book description and genre had been different, I would have been able to read and enjoy it for what it is. I think it was a big mistake describing it this way. The Ends of Things looks closely at a woman and her insecurities and also the relationships with the people in her life. I thought the writing was good and entertaining, sometimes a little redundant. I felt like it was always hinting at there being something more behind the scenes but ultimately there didn't seem to be... but that also could have been my "psychological thriller" mindset looking into things more than I should have. In the end, it was an easy read but it left me with an unsatisfied feeling.

It was pretty good. But I wouldn’t read it again personally. I love thrillers but I don’t feel like this one captivated me as much as others. For a debut novel, I’d say 3.5 stars.

Laura and her boyfriend Dave go on a romantic getaway to the Bahamas. At their resort, everyone is a couple, except for one person. Laura befriends her because she is curious why she is alone. When they go on a hike, Diana vanishes. Laura feels compelled to report her missing, even as she knows nothing about her. Now she is a suspect and can't leave the island.

This is a good suspense book that holds your interest.

A big buildup of nothing

I thought this book was going to be awesome
We have a couple who are lawyers that go on vacation together
Laura meets Diana
Diana disappears
Dave, her boyfriend, seems to be hiding something
There's even a weird dude in a truck and perhaps 2 men that could have harmed Diana
But no, nothing nada 😒
I get the moral at the end of this book, but it totally didn't match the plot

Pink sandy beaches of the Bahamas and a captivating synopsis had me wanting to dive in.

I enjoyed this book. I did find that the synopsis over shared some details and found the story to be more character driven, then mystery suspense based on the summary.

This Canadian author did a great job illustrating a beautiful setting, I found I connected with the characters quickly.

Solid 3 ⭐️ for me! Thank you NetGalley & Blackstone publishing for the ARC!

I really struggled to get through this one and almost DNFd. I went into it as it was described a thriller and I found it more literary fiction and did not keep my attention. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.

Laura's newish boyfriend invites her on a romantic getaway to the remote island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. There, Laura befriends the woman, Diana, and as they spend time together, Laura finds herself telling Diana secrets she’s never shared with anyone.

When Diana disappears, Laura finds herself in the middle of the investigation.

This book had promise but quickly moved from a mystery/thriller to just an odd story about the past. I found the characters unlikeable and the book too long.

This is a wonderful beach read! It is far more wholesome than my usual thriller. I wanted the best for Laura and I also want to be on a beach.