I love a well-done character arc, and this one is exceptional. The relationship between Raymond and Eleanor is so sweet and, as she says, life-saving for her. Loneliness amongst those younger in life has only grown exponentially post-pandemic, so this 2017 pub date book is particularly timely now. This was a re-read for me, but I had forgotten what happened with her mother. I read the entire book in one day!

The tension of what will potentially happen with the musician is so upsetting that it detracts from the rest of the story, though. Is it my favorite book? No. But I will and have recommended it to others, and I think in re-reading it, I appreciated it much more.