Heart the Lover

I don’t read a lot of literary fiction, but new-to-me author Lily King has made me question my life choices! 

For those navigating their young adult lives or those who now have the benefit of hindsight into the choices they made in those vulnerable years, this story may resonate. It did for me. Suddenly I was back in my college days when life revolved around my friends, classes, work and contemplating my future. For me, that included who I would spend it with.

Our unnamed narrator is a creative writing major who is befriended by two astute young intellectuals, Sam and Yash, in one of her literature classes. They quickly adopt her into their small circle, sometimes as “Daisy” and other times  as “Jordan”, and soon she’s spending more time at the professor’s home they’re housesitting than she does at her own place. As might be predicted, when three people are so close, things can get complicated and they definitely do.

The story unfolds in three parts with no chapters, but rather segments of the story, so you can still easily pause at certain points and not lose the thread. You see the narrator at three different points in her life: college, then two later points in the future.

I don’t want to say too much more, because it’s more impactful to let it unfold and surprise you, as it did me. I’ll only say that it was in turns tender, frustrating, relatable, gentle, funny and at times simply heartbreaking. To call this a romance would be a disservice to the book. Yes, there is romance and yes, it plays a major role in the story, but that’s not really the point of the book.

This story looks at the choices we make when we’re young and how they impact us, in both good and bad ways, for the rest of our lives. On the positive side, there’s the thrill of falling in love, setting goals for the future, the freedom and exploration of youth, and the joys of chasing your dreams. On the flip side, it also shows the impact of family dysfunction, ambition, youthful zeal, regret, grief, and loss.

My only complaints are minor. First, there was a little too much going on in the denouement, with too many characters distracting from the emotional impact, and second, I’m really not loving that cover. It doesn’t fit the emotional tone of the book with the bright colors and hippie-looking eyes. This is a melancholy book and only the tears on the cover suggest that. It’s a me thing. 

This is a story that lifted me up and broke me down, but I loved it because that’s life in a nutshell, isn’t it? Joy and sorrow are the seasoning that gives this life flavor, and this book captured it so beautifully. Also, the ending? *Chef’s kiss* It’s not a neat bow, but it’s real and I appreciate that.

I highly recommend this!

★★★★ ½

Thanks to Grove Press, NetGalley and author Lily King for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out on September 30. 2025.