​I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Anne Malcom!

One word: WOW. This book was written with heart. It was written with purpose, conviction and meaning. Every word had its place. Every metaphor was beautiful. Every passage was expertly crafted. Without a doubt, Malcom’s best writing yet.

It took me awhile to read this book. Amidst the chaos of my own life, I found peace reading this book. For the moments I dove into the pages, I lived in my fantasy, just like Polly did. I didn’t particularly relate to Polly much, but that didn’t stop me from falling in love with her as a character, connecting with her story and thoroughly enjoying the book. 

This book was full of beauty. Of treasured moments. Of light, and hope. It has a peaceful chaos to it all. Malcom stated that Polly and Heath were complicated. Understatement of the year, but complicated is not impossible, and complicated makes the most rewarding stories. It makes them layered, gives them depth.

Malcom tackles many difficult subjects in this book. Many important subjects that need to be talked about; domestic abuse, rape, human trafficking, homelessness, all the ugly in the world. I’m so proud of Malcom for writing this book. For pushing herself as an author and putting so much into the page. 

This book is definitely a must read and one of my favourite reads of the year.

​I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Anne Malcom!

What a book, what a ride... My emotions are still attempting to recover after nearly 24 hours since I’ve finished the book. Oh man, the roller coaster of emotions this will put you through. 

Anne Malcom has the gift of being able to insert subtleties into her books. Subtle emotional triggers, those little pangs to the chest, some subtle references you will only get if you look closely, the little details of every day life. She takes her time to not only describe it to us, but make us experience it. She teleports us to her world and holds us captive. 

But Malcom can also pack a punch. She sometimes foreshadows them too much, but they definitely do not lack impact. Even when you know what’s coming, you can’t help your heart nearly jumping out of your chest. 

Gage and Lauren are different. They are not your flowers and hearts, fairy-tale-like story. They are raw and real. They are flawed, they fight for what they have, and live in the ephemeral. This story brings forth the dilemma we humans face; live safe and comfortable in our bubble we constructed, or, step out and be daring. Follow our hearts rather than our brain. It’s about taking our walls, our facades, down, even of it’s one brick at a time, to let the light into our lives, and accept and acknowledge who we truly are.

I think the literary devices could have been pushed more, but Anne Malcom truly is a goddess with words. There is no denying it.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Anne Malcom!

This has got to be my favourite Anne Malcom book yet. This book was everything; dark, emotional, riveting, and full of angst. This book took me by surprise with such darkness from Malcom, but I loved it.

Not only is the plot enthralling and enticing - you won’t be able to stop reading - the writing is absolutely beautiful. The metaphors and the symbols are sublime, and the style of the writing itself is just flawless. I’ve never highlighted so many quotes in my life.

And Rosie... I can’t review this book without mentioning Rosie. Such strength and independence, yet also guarded and fragile. A complex and complete character. A character who stands up for what she believes in. A character with strong morals and beliefs. A character, who just like a rose, absolutely beautiful, but protects herself with her thorns.

The concept that good and bad are not cut in dry in this book is integral and beautiful - can you tell I’m running out of adjectives? The book dances in the shades of grey between good and bad, while Rosie insists there is only black and white. A shattering perspective that will take the reader on a wild ride.

As stated above, this is Anne’s best book yet.

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Anne Malcom!

What a page turner! This book had me routing for Gina and Sam the whole way. I loved how although this book was primarily about Gina and her struggles, Malcom also gives us glimpses of Sam in the first four years of the band. She demonstrates his struggles, and his demons.

This is a beautiful body-positive, soul-affirming, beauty is both on the outside and the inside, and beauty is not a mold you either fit in or not. It is everywhere, if only one chooses to open their eyes. I just had a flashback of me and my bestie walking around and just commenting on how attractive every female we encountered was. We still do it. All the time.

I mentioned above that Malcom shows us Gina and Sam's demons, but she also shows us the struggles of the spotlight. Of the constant judgement, and criticism accompanying it. In subsequence, this book was also about being comfortable in your own skin, about being yourself and not trying to be like someone else, another rock star, or follow the stereotypes. It was about breaking the prisons formed by those stereotypes; silencing the demons and those putting them there.

Another fabulously written Unquiet Mind book, although I'm not surprised, because it is Anne Malcom after all.