This is a memoir where Machado shares vignettes of a past relationship with an abusive partner, who she refers to as "the woman from the Dream House." Between dream-like memories captured in each chapter, she includes essays containing research and information on abuse in queer relationships.

Her use of the second person perspective made me feel like the things she was describing were happening to me, but in an out-of-body-experience kind of way. It felt like I was experiencing it but at the same time there was this distance, as if I was watching it happen to me. I don't really know how to explain it. Maybe it's how a lot of us feel when we recall a traumatic experience.

Machado's words flow beautifully, even when she's writing about her painful past. And that made it a little challenging to step away when things felt too heavy, when some of her experiences reminded me of my own, and I had to take a few breaks to breathe.

This was a beautiful, creative, and powerful memoir. And I am grateful I got to read it.