Finished this book in just two days; my fastest ever since becoming a mom of two. Between the chaos of diapers, dinners, and bedtime stories, this story had me hooked. I read it during stolen moments, and I just couldn’t put it down.
What I loved most is how it speaks softly but deeply about anxiety at work; the quiet kind that hides behind smiles and polite emails. It reminded me how easy it is to assume someone’s okay just because they look like they have it all together. The truth is, everyone’s struggling with something. And sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is just show up sincerely, with no agenda.
The book also nudged me to think about how past wounds, especially the ones from our younger years, don’t disappear. High school hurt, unspoken fears, they follow us quietly unless we face them. It reminded me: don’t be shy to ask for help. We all need it, and we all deserve to heal.
And Jolene and Cliff? Their chemistry gave me butterflies! The story had just enough twists to keep it interesting, but still felt light and comforting. And maybe what made me love it even more, it’s by a Canadian author. All the familiar places and little cultural quirks brought me back to my 2015–2019 memories. I found myself daydreaming… what if I had said yes to those two job offers I turned down back then? 😮💨🫣
If I had to rate it, I’d give it a solid 4.5/5. It’s not just the story; it’s the tone, the pacing, and the emotional honesty that made it stand out. The writing isn’t flashy, but it’s quietly powerful. The only reason it’s not a full five is because I wish we got a little more closure on one of the subplots, but maybe that’s life, too: not everything gets tied up neatly.
The book is available here: Kinokuniya
No comments