This new novel by Lily King beautifully and evocatively captures all the struggles and solaces of writers and lovers. The agony, excitement, heartbreak and sense of accomplishment are some of the common qualities being traced in both of these phenomenon – beginning to write and falling in love.

The story, first person narrated by Kacey is primarily about her creative pursuits, how she is struggling to complete her debut novel for so many years while moving from place to place and one companion to another. I would say companion and not lover because her struggle seems to be to get a companion who can understand her heart as well as  her soul, with whom she could connect and write effortlessly. In earlier times, she used to have such easygoing companionship with her mother who has left a lasting influence on her life and her sudden death is still traumatizing Kacey to this day.

Kacey tries to build such smooth relationship with Luke but on the face of it, she is more a muse to him than a romantic partner. Recovering from the shocking departure of her mother and chaotic years spent chasing a mirage of being successful writer, it’s not surprising that Kacey falls headlong into this temporary, translucent affair. As the readers can guess, this doesn’t bode well for her already fractured heart.

And nothing is making her fragmented life whole; there are so many pieces left to be picked for Kacey that more than once she is contemplating about her future, questioning of existence even. So, her search of a worthy companion leads her to build up a friendship with Muriel and Harry. They prove to be the strong pillars on whom she can lean on time and again whenever she feels exhausted with her living.

Then come not one but two suitors, trying to woo Casey with their charm and attitude. Silas and Oscar are quite different from each other like chalk and cheese; it’s nothing to do with their age only but more to do with their intelligence and outlook, each has his own baggage, experiences and expectations from life. Both of them are enamored by Kacey but for different reasons, as she explains in later part of the story; one is looking for mindful passion while other is trying to fill the big hole in his and his children’s life. Apparently both men like themselves better when they are with Casey, but what about her? What is she looking for- fireworks or coffee in bed?

Although the novel starts out with gushing details about Kacey’s splintered life, her working life and relationships at Iris and then her headlong dive into Luke; it’s somehow not able to connect to the readers, as there is not enough backstory provided about her mother, about Paco, why and what was she doing in so many cities after completing her studies. Yes, some information comes in bits and pieces but that doesn’t build a connect. That leads to a kind of waywardness of the story especially in the middle chapters. The story, however picks pace at the end once Kacey says goodbye to Oscar’s kids. Well, saying anything beyond will be giving away a spoiler or two about how the plotline shapes up in the end and leads the readers to a somewhat expected ending.

This book is especially good to understand the creative process, to be able to reach to a place of self expression and to answer some elusive questions about writing, getting inspired, finding inner voice and loving your writing. So, if you would like to see a down on hard luck protagonist who is trying to make a place in the world and doesn’t stop that trying in all the difficult circumstances, then this book is definitely for you.