This is a beautiful book. Evocative descriptions of the Croatian coastline, a sympathetic main character struggling with so much loss, and trying to find the courgae to move on, and a love triangle—I was mesmerized from the first page. Ivona's ex, whom she still loves, has remarried, although he keps Ivona close. She's the godmother to his children, a friend to his new wife. When someone new appears, he stirs from his complacency. To move forward, Ivona must face her painful past and her complicated, deep attachments to him and to a property she can no longer afford. Her bravery as she assumes these challenges is deeply moving. I loved it.

Meaningful, poignant, and purposeful. A beautiful story of grief, love, and the inevitable. It roped me in from page 1 with its welcoming and thoughtful prose.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

This book was fantastic and entertaining to read. I loved learning about a new-to-me country and setting. The characters appeared authentic and the situations they find themselves in were well written. I liked the author and hope for more of their work soon. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Oh, this beautiful book! It was my perfect read. I absolutely adored it. The viewpoint character Ivona shares her heart and soul with us - we feel everything she feels as she navigates love and heartbreak, making impossible choices, facing the unfacable, The setting - Croatia - was so vividly portrayed, it's definitely a character in the story. Through Ivona, we experience Croatia's beauty, its traditions and the way it frustrates and disappoints its citizens. This added layer of interest worked so well with the narrative playing out on the page, complicating Ivona's decisions. My only regret about this book was that I read it far too quickly because I wanted to know what happened. I will definitely be reading it again. Soon.