Wren
A partnership shouldn't fill missing pieces, but instead enhance what was already present.
Here comes another attempt to fill the Big Bad Wolf-shaped hole! This one’s more successful than some previous ones, for sure. Especially when it comes to the “solving a mystery together” part. I genuinely adored how the mystery itself was constructed and how Larkin and Doyle played off each other during the investigation. The deeper they got into the mystery, the more engrossed I was, and I’ve gotta say my investment hinged in equal part on wanting to do who did it and to see how they solve it.
As for the romance part, I found it to be a curious mix of fast and slow burn. On one hand, the whole book happens over the course of a few days, and that’s somehow enough for Larkin to have a misunderstanding with Doyle, overcome it along with the initial wariness, feel very seen by Doyle, catch feelings, have an epiphany about his failing marriage, etc, etc. On one hand, I get it; when you haven’t felt seen and accepted in a very long time, entrenched in that “People don’t want to know feeling,” and then someone offers validation, acceptance, warmth, and everything you’ve been lacking, it’s hard not to latch onto that full-force. But still, things felt a little too rushed. On the plus side, between the specific way it was executed, with Larkin reflecting on every step, and the fact that by the end of the book the relationship itself has progressed very little, there are some good slow burn vibes.
I also have to say I absolutely adore Larkin as a protagonist. His memory condition and the way it affects his life and his personality is so interestingly portrayed, and there are a lot of aspects of his inner life I greatly relate to. His head is a fascinating place to spend time in.
A partnership shouldn't fill missing pieces, but instead enhance what was already present.
Here comes another attempt to fill the Big Bad Wolf-shaped hole! This one’s more successful than some previous ones, for sure. Especially when it comes to the “solving a mystery together” part. I genuinely adored how the mystery itself was constructed and how Larkin and Doyle played off each other during the investigation. The deeper they got into the mystery, the more engrossed I was, and I’ve gotta say my investment hinged in equal part on wanting to do who did it and to see how they solve it.
As for the romance part, I found it to be a curious mix of fast and slow burn. On one hand, the whole book happens over the course of a few days, and that’s somehow enough for Larkin to have a misunderstanding with Doyle, overcome it along with the initial wariness, feel very seen by Doyle, catch feelings, have an epiphany about his failing marriage, etc, etc. On one hand, I get it; when you haven’t felt seen and accepted in a very long time, entrenched in that “People don’t want to know feeling,” and then someone offers validation, acceptance, warmth, and everything you’ve been lacking, it’s hard not to latch onto that full-force. But still, things felt a little too rushed. On the plus side, between the specific way it was executed, with Larkin reflecting on every step, and the fact that by the end of the book the relationship itself has progressed very little, there are some good slow burn vibes.
I also have to say I absolutely adore Larkin as a protagonist. His memory condition and the way it affects his life and his personality is so interestingly portrayed, and there are a lot of aspects of his inner life I greatly relate to. His head is a fascinating place to spend time in.