Sorrow

I have been waiting for Tiffanie DeBartolo's next book for YEARS. When I saw Sorrow under “Read Now” on NetGalley, I screamed, downloaded it ASAP, and then left it sit for days because I was so afraid to start it for fear that it wouldn't live up to the masterpieces that are HTKARS and God-Shaped Hole. Spoiler alert: I didn't need to be worried.

Joe Harper is a perpetual floater through life. He doesn't take chances. When things get too tough, he runs. After isolating himself from his family and friends, he takes a job with eccentric artist October Danko. As an empath, October immediately senses that Joe is holding back. She is inexplicably drawn to him and for the first time in his life, Joe wants to be brave and sees the possibility of a full life with October. Enter plot twist, which leaves Joe with a tough choice to make.

Sorrow is not your typical love story wrapped in pretty paper with a bow on top. Love often hurts and Tiffanie doesn't shy away from that in this book. What I also enjoyed about this story and about Tiffanie DeBartolo in general is that her books focus on so much more than just romantic love. Sorrow touches on the love of self, love between friends, the love of music and art and nature.

I always come away from a Tiffanie DeBartolo book feeling restored, like I just had a great chat with a friend I haven't seen in a while. I waited so long for Sorrow and now that I've read it, I can't wait to read it again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Woodhall Press for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.