Overcoming curses together.

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Pages: 405

First published: 2024

Original language: English

The plot:

Justin is cursed. Every woman he dates meets their soul mate right after they break up. So when Emma, a woman navigating a similar curse, comes into his life, they decide to date each other in the hope of breaking the curse. Because the moment they break up, they’ll each meet their soul mate. Sounds simple, right?

What begins as a fling soon turns into something more complex. Could fate have brought these two together? Is it really just a fling, or something deeper?

What did I think of this book?

When life throws you lemons, turn to romance. That’s why I did, anyway. Last year presented me with a number of significant health issues, not the least of which was a battle with insomnia. On the long nights when sleep eluded me, I found that I needed something light and frothy to bring light into my life when things felt very dark. So I turned to romance novels.

Romance novels aren’t my usual cup of tea (I prefer something deeper and more complex). Whilst this one follows a fairly standard girl meets boy model, it is lifted by complex family dynamics : Emma’s relationship with her toxic mother, and Justin about to become the sole carer for his siblings, due to his mother, who is about to begin a prison sentence. The curse too, adds a new dynamic to a heady brew (despite being rarely mentioned once the relationship moves past the initial meet-cute).

What was most interesting about this story?

Emma being a fearful avoidant was an interesting take, and one I related to on a personal level. Many of her experiences cut quite close to the bone with me! I loved too that Justin had his own issues – how could he not, with all the responsibility sitting on his shoulders? – and that he and Emma overcame their issues together (eventually).

What am I going to take away from this book?

In the middle of the night, our minds often turn to dark thoughts. Many sleep disorders arise from anxiety and depression, and this was certainly the case for me. The most powerful revelation I took away from this novel was that, like Emma, I too needed to heal. Many of Emma’s experiences in this novel mirrored my own – no one should have to live through some of the things she (and I) did. But we did, because that is what felt normal to us at the time. We survived, because we chose to survive.

Will I enjoy this book?

This book worked on a few levels, and I think you will enjoy it, even if you aren’t a romance fan. The layers to the story lifted it beyond standard rom-com territory, and although it was a tad too long in parts, overal I enjoyed it.

Rating: 3/5