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emma's Reviews > Heart the Lover
Heart the Lover
by
by
emma's review
bookshelves: arc, non-ya, literary-fiction, 5-stars, recommend, favorites-2025, reviewed, currently-reading
Jul 17, 2025
bookshelves: arc, non-ya, literary-fiction, 5-stars, recommend, favorites-2025, reviewed, currently-reading
Reading for the 2nd time. Most recently started January 9, 2026.
the longest i could possibly go before rereading this.
--------------------
original review
where do i even start.
https://emmareadstoomuch.substack.com...
soon into reading this i felt giddy. i knew almost from the start that the pained-heart sensation, the propulsive forwarding of the pages, the visceral reality of this world and these people and their relationships to each other meant i was never going to forget this book.
every year, generally, i read more books and every year, i five star the same number.
sometimes this can feel like a failure of imagination but this was a reminder that i save those perfect ratings for perfect books. this was something so special.
i read most of it on a short flight and the thought of returning to it brought me through international check-in, a layover, a dismal airport lounge, a flight cancelation, a baggage pick-up, rebook, and a sleepless night in a hotel. eventually i gave in, finished it at 3 am to the sound of snoring, and cried.
i’m writing these notes now on my phone at 3:30 am, failing to stop thinking about it and missing it badly already.
i know i’ve said barely anything about the book, but i promise: its prose is visual and searing, its characters are fully rendered and flawed and so wonderful, its story is one of the most emotional i’ve ever read without ever feeling cloying or false, its themes the same.
i don't know how to say it.
it's my absolute favorite book of the year.
bottom line: i just want everyone to read it.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
--------------------
original review
where do i even start.
https://emmareadstoomuch.substack.com...
soon into reading this i felt giddy. i knew almost from the start that the pained-heart sensation, the propulsive forwarding of the pages, the visceral reality of this world and these people and their relationships to each other meant i was never going to forget this book.
every year, generally, i read more books and every year, i five star the same number.
sometimes this can feel like a failure of imagination but this was a reminder that i save those perfect ratings for perfect books. this was something so special.
i read most of it on a short flight and the thought of returning to it brought me through international check-in, a layover, a dismal airport lounge, a flight cancelation, a baggage pick-up, rebook, and a sleepless night in a hotel. eventually i gave in, finished it at 3 am to the sound of snoring, and cried.
i’m writing these notes now on my phone at 3:30 am, failing to stop thinking about it and missing it badly already.
i know i’ve said barely anything about the book, but i promise: its prose is visual and searing, its characters are fully rendered and flawed and so wonderful, its story is one of the most emotional i’ve ever read without ever feeling cloying or false, its themes the same.
i don't know how to say it.
it's my absolute favorite book of the year.
bottom line: i just want everyone to read it.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
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Reading Progress
April 25, 2025
– Shelved
October 3, 2025
–
Started Reading
October 4, 2025
–
Finished Reading
January 9, 2026
–
Started Reading
Comments Showing 1-14 of 14 (14 new)
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Bailey
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added it
Oct 05, 2025 08:16PM
Oooo adding to my TBR!
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Thank you, Emma, for so eloquently capturing exactly how I feel!
It was magnificent, wept on the subway.
the way i read this review and immediately added this book
Emma I know just what you mean. So looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the recommendation.
Exactly. That’s why I save the five stars for the rare exceptional book.
I’ve heard so many people (whose taste I trust) reccomend this book! I usually only read children’s novels and adult non-fiction, but I thin’ I am going to try this book. Also, ‘The Correspondant’, which has also been reccomended to me by the same people!
I loved this book! I bought it following your old mini review lol and I couldn't be more grateful, you're reviews are always super helpful :)
Sooooo good. My only caveat is I really hate crying and oh did it make me cry
It’s only 11pm but I too, have finished this to the sound of snoring, with many many tears
I had that exact same feeling when trying to review this book. Where do I even start?!
I bawled my eyes out on my plane ride home last night
this is how i want every book to make me feel
