★★★★★ (5/5)

This book followed the lives of one family over several decades, from 1958 to 2019. The story began with a young boy growing up in a violent home, and later moved to 1979, when Lillian met Ryan, that same boy, in a library. From there, each chapter focused on a different year or period of time, showing how their lives unfolded.

The book told the story of their relationship, marriage, and family, while slowly revealing past choices and long-kept secrets. It explored themes such as love, marriage, miscarriage, parenthood, alcoholism, forgiveness, and how certain decisions could change the course of a life. The story was told through different points of view, including their daughter Jet, allowing the reader to see the same family through different eyes as time passed.

I found this book easy to read but emotionally heavy. It started like a simple love story, but it became something much deeper and more real. The way the author showed the passing of time, both in the family's life and in the world around them, made the story feel very realistic.

I especially liked the different points of view and how Jet's voice was so different from Lillian's. That added a lot of depth to the story. Some moments were unexpected and heartbreaking, and one part made me cry.

Although the book was sad, it was also very meaningful. It was about grief, second chances, and the briefness of life. It was raw, honest, and beautifully written. This book stayed with me long after I finished it and was one of the best books I read last year.

For a debut novel, it was an incredible start.