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Love Deleted: Are you sure you want to erase your love?
"A love story as taut as a thriller" DL ... "This really is a page turner" JC ... "Good luck putting this one down" EN ... "I'm amazed it's a debut novel" KK ... "I loved it so much I'd invite the characters to dinner" BT ... "Read it if you want to miss your stop" TW
ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?
This is an impossible love story…
Cooper came home unexpectedly early that day. The day her world collapsed. The day she heard things she shouldn’t have. Saw things she shouldn’t have.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after returning home to an earth-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they can give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.
They can surgically erase her love for her husband Jethro.
Only what appears to be the perfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can’t imagine.
A life-shattering moment. An easy solution. A rash decision. This isn’t just a love story. Not when a heart isn’t just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story.
* Amazingly, this novel was inspired by the latest in true, cutting-edge medical technology.
ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?
This is an impossible love story…
Cooper came home unexpectedly early that day. The day her world collapsed. The day she heard things she shouldn’t have. Saw things she shouldn’t have.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after returning home to an earth-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they can give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.
They can surgically erase her love for her husband Jethro.
Only what appears to be the perfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can’t imagine.
A life-shattering moment. An easy solution. A rash decision. This isn’t just a love story. Not when a heart isn’t just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story.
* Amazingly, this novel was inspired by the latest in true, cutting-edge medical technology.
Audiobook
Published July 3, 2023
10 people are currently reading
4307 people want to read
About the author
Paul Indigo
1 book80 followersI'm a British author who loves page-turners. It doesn't have to be a thriller. It can be anything, I just want to feel that desperate urge to turn the page. And if it grabs me on the first page...
or the first paragraph...
or the first sentence...
Well! All the better.
I worked in the television industry for many years. However, though I’ve worked with words all my life, I’ve only recently decided to do something with it. My humble aim is to try to produce - if I'm very lucky - my own version of what I consider a page-turner.
I love interesting tidbits... such as that it takes 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey. Or that babies are born bacteria-free. Or that there's a Statue of Liberty in Paris!
I live on the coast of England and love sea and nature reserve walks whenever I get the opportunity (at least once a week, sometimes more). I also like to wake early to enjoy the world before it wakes to catch up with me.
or the first paragraph...
or the first sentence...
Well! All the better.
I worked in the television industry for many years. However, though I’ve worked with words all my life, I’ve only recently decided to do something with it. My humble aim is to try to produce - if I'm very lucky - my own version of what I consider a page-turner.
I love interesting tidbits... such as that it takes 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey. Or that babies are born bacteria-free. Or that there's a Statue of Liberty in Paris!
I live on the coast of England and love sea and nature reserve walks whenever I get the opportunity (at least once a week, sometimes more). I also like to wake early to enjoy the world before it wakes to catch up with me.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 8, 2023
In a Nutshell: A romantic drama written in a quirky writing style that I am somewhat undecided about. Great plot and intriguing theme. Very impressive for a debut work.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 Some of you might have recollected the brilliant ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (one of my favourite movies) when you read the above synopsis. Not gonna lie, I did too. So when I saw that a debut writer had taken a similar premise, I wanted to see if it was just a rehashed version of the movie. Thankfully, it is not! It takes the same foundation but gives it a very different implementation.
😍 I love it when debut authors push the bar in terms of topics and themes rather than sticking to the tried-and-tested formulae. This book is, at its essence, a romantic drama between a couple who might have lost their way together. But it tackles this in an innovative way, creating such scenarios and raising such questions as to glue us to the proceedings almost throughout.
😍 Cooper and Jethro are quite complicated and layered characters, something not common in this genre. In addition to Cooper and Jethro, we have another couple - Cooper’s elder sister Heather and her husband Eddsy, who are dealing with their own challenge. Both these pairs elevate the book with their realistic portrayal.
😍 Another point connected to the characters, but well-deserving of a separate spot in my Yays list: This story shatters typical character-sketching moulds. When you think “rock musician” or “garage owner” or “tomboy”, your mind creates a certain picture of the characters’ personalities. Yeah well, be ready to kick out all your preconceived notions. Absolutely love this approach!
😍 Just as in ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, I enjoyed the concept of altering/eliminating emotions through brain surgery. But what I liked even more is that this is based on an actual science called optogenetics. The author uses quite a bit of the actual science, thereby making the whole procedure sound quite authentic. The nerd in me enjoyed this angle thoroughly.
😍 Even beyond optogenetics, there are many topics in the book where the author’s eye for research shows. Whether in Cooper’s work as a sound engineer (a female MC who is a sound engineer – WOW!) or in the separate arc related to adoption, every detail seems accurate and true-to-life.
😍 On a related note, the author’s bio says that he is a trivia aficionado and this shows up wherever possible. There are plenty of fun facts and interesting anecdotes sprinkled throughout the story, most of which feel a natural part of the narrative rather than being coerced into it.
😍 While I could see the angle that the story would take, it didn’t reduce my enjoyment in any way due to the subject matter. Every conundrum faced by the characters made me wonder what I would have done were I in their position. This is among my favourite kind of experience while reading, when I can put myself in a bookish situation and ask “What if?”
😍 Can’t skip mentioning that stunning cover with red poppies. Poppies signify sleep, peace, regeneration, and remembrance. I am not sure if the flower was a deliberate choice in the cover design, but it fit with the book’s themes perfectly.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 I don’t know how to feel about the writing style. It is mostly effective in this book, no doubt about that! The choice of skipping the subject pronouns (a habit I also tend towards in my text messages) created a staccato kind of effect to the narrative. Moreover, the writing used repetition for emphasis. This made me take some time to get into the groove of the book. However, once I got used to the rat-a-tat of sentences, the book was easier on my ears. (The audiobook helped tremendously.) The negative outcome of this writing choice is that there is a lot of telling instead of showing, and the whole book sounds very informal, even in the serious scenes. The dialogues also look artificial at times, feeling overdramatic and movie-like, and with abundant filler words. (Then again, the characters belonged to the same family, so there’s no reason why they had to be formal with each other.) A great part of your experience would depend on how you adapt to the writing herein. But I hope you do adapt, because the plot is too good to miss out on.
Bookish Nays:
😟 While I do like chapters to be on the shorter side, they were way too short in this work. The chapters jump across various characters, and this shifting narrative perspective means I couldn’t settle in a steady listening rhythm. Also, the chapters with the podcast interview, end too abruptly. This problem will be faced mainly in the audio version as dealing with jumping narratives is easier in physical/digital copies.
😟 The problem is exacerbated by the lack of reference to the timeline. It took me a while to understand that the podcast is in the present timeframe, and Cooper’s story begins some years in the past. To add to the complication, the prologue is set in the future! I still don’t know if this future was after the events in the final chapter or sometime before. The timeline should have been clearer.
😟 The final few chapters drag just a teeny bit.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at almost 14 hours, is narrated by Gill Mills. She performs quite well, but don’t expect separate voices for the characters. While her approach doesn’t create a major problem as the story is in third person throughout, it does get confusing at times as there are so many conversations in the book. Moreover, the lack of timeline references also generates a feeling of disorientation. Then again, the writing style works better on audio, so if you think you might get bothered by the short sentences and repetitive dialogues, audio is the way to go.
All in all, despite my ambivalence about the writing approach, I loved the plot and the characters, and this ensured a much-more-than-satisfactory experience. If you are looking for an unusual character-oriented love story with relatable characters, this might work wonderfully for you. Don’t be unnerved by seeing the page count of 572. The extended length is primarily due to the writing and formatting style. The book is quite quick, and the number of key characters also stays limited to the essential required.
4 stars.
My thanks to Love Books Tours and author Paul Indigo for a complimentary audio copy of “Love Deleted”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Free Add-On:
There’s a companion novelette to this book. Titled ‘The Letter’, this novelette is available for download through the author’s website. This story is set within the events of this book, though it works as a standalone. It focusses on Dr. Applegate, one of the doctors behind the medical procedure undergone by Cooper. While it is better to read this novelette after you complete the novel, it serves as a great way of sampling the writing style. I liked this little story as well, but wish it had had a greater connection with ‘Love Deleted’. 3.5 stars for this story. This rating doesn’t impact my review of the main novel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
When Cooper sees something she shouldn’t have seen, she is shattered. That’s when she stumbles upon a website that talks about a revolutionary new procedure called ‘The GateWay Programme’, which could help her erase her love for her husband Jethro, a musician who has just received his first big break.
What happens next? Does Cooper’s heartbreak vanish after the procedure? How does Jethro feel about his wife’s altered behaviour? What does life hold for the duo after this radical step?
The story comes to us in a limited third person perspective of various key characters, and also through a retrospective podcast interview with the doctors behind the procedure.
Bookish Yays:
😍 Some of you might have recollected the brilliant ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (one of my favourite movies) when you read the above synopsis. Not gonna lie, I did too. So when I saw that a debut writer had taken a similar premise, I wanted to see if it was just a rehashed version of the movie. Thankfully, it is not! It takes the same foundation but gives it a very different implementation.
😍 I love it when debut authors push the bar in terms of topics and themes rather than sticking to the tried-and-tested formulae. This book is, at its essence, a romantic drama between a couple who might have lost their way together. But it tackles this in an innovative way, creating such scenarios and raising such questions as to glue us to the proceedings almost throughout.
😍 Cooper and Jethro are quite complicated and layered characters, something not common in this genre. In addition to Cooper and Jethro, we have another couple - Cooper’s elder sister Heather and her husband Eddsy, who are dealing with their own challenge. Both these pairs elevate the book with their realistic portrayal.
😍 Another point connected to the characters, but well-deserving of a separate spot in my Yays list: This story shatters typical character-sketching moulds. When you think “rock musician” or “garage owner” or “tomboy”, your mind creates a certain picture of the characters’ personalities. Yeah well, be ready to kick out all your preconceived notions. Absolutely love this approach!
😍 Just as in ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, I enjoyed the concept of altering/eliminating emotions through brain surgery. But what I liked even more is that this is based on an actual science called optogenetics. The author uses quite a bit of the actual science, thereby making the whole procedure sound quite authentic. The nerd in me enjoyed this angle thoroughly.
😍 Even beyond optogenetics, there are many topics in the book where the author’s eye for research shows. Whether in Cooper’s work as a sound engineer (a female MC who is a sound engineer – WOW!) or in the separate arc related to adoption, every detail seems accurate and true-to-life.
😍 On a related note, the author’s bio says that he is a trivia aficionado and this shows up wherever possible. There are plenty of fun facts and interesting anecdotes sprinkled throughout the story, most of which feel a natural part of the narrative rather than being coerced into it.
😍 While I could see the angle that the story would take, it didn’t reduce my enjoyment in any way due to the subject matter. Every conundrum faced by the characters made me wonder what I would have done were I in their position. This is among my favourite kind of experience while reading, when I can put myself in a bookish situation and ask “What if?”
😍 Can’t skip mentioning that stunning cover with red poppies. Poppies signify sleep, peace, regeneration, and remembrance. I am not sure if the flower was a deliberate choice in the cover design, but it fit with the book’s themes perfectly.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 I don’t know how to feel about the writing style. It is mostly effective in this book, no doubt about that! The choice of skipping the subject pronouns (a habit I also tend towards in my text messages) created a staccato kind of effect to the narrative. Moreover, the writing used repetition for emphasis. This made me take some time to get into the groove of the book. However, once I got used to the rat-a-tat of sentences, the book was easier on my ears. (The audiobook helped tremendously.) The negative outcome of this writing choice is that there is a lot of telling instead of showing, and the whole book sounds very informal, even in the serious scenes. The dialogues also look artificial at times, feeling overdramatic and movie-like, and with abundant filler words. (Then again, the characters belonged to the same family, so there’s no reason why they had to be formal with each other.) A great part of your experience would depend on how you adapt to the writing herein. But I hope you do adapt, because the plot is too good to miss out on.
Bookish Nays:
😟 While I do like chapters to be on the shorter side, they were way too short in this work. The chapters jump across various characters, and this shifting narrative perspective means I couldn’t settle in a steady listening rhythm. Also, the chapters with the podcast interview, end too abruptly. This problem will be faced mainly in the audio version as dealing with jumping narratives is easier in physical/digital copies.
😟 The problem is exacerbated by the lack of reference to the timeline. It took me a while to understand that the podcast is in the present timeframe, and Cooper’s story begins some years in the past. To add to the complication, the prologue is set in the future! I still don’t know if this future was after the events in the final chapter or sometime before. The timeline should have been clearer.
😟 The final few chapters drag just a teeny bit.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at almost 14 hours, is narrated by Gill Mills. She performs quite well, but don’t expect separate voices for the characters. While her approach doesn’t create a major problem as the story is in third person throughout, it does get confusing at times as there are so many conversations in the book. Moreover, the lack of timeline references also generates a feeling of disorientation. Then again, the writing style works better on audio, so if you think you might get bothered by the short sentences and repetitive dialogues, audio is the way to go.
All in all, despite my ambivalence about the writing approach, I loved the plot and the characters, and this ensured a much-more-than-satisfactory experience. If you are looking for an unusual character-oriented love story with relatable characters, this might work wonderfully for you. Don’t be unnerved by seeing the page count of 572. The extended length is primarily due to the writing and formatting style. The book is quite quick, and the number of key characters also stays limited to the essential required.
4 stars.
My thanks to Love Books Tours and author Paul Indigo for a complimentary audio copy of “Love Deleted”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Free Add-On:
There’s a companion novelette to this book. Titled ‘The Letter’, this novelette is available for download through the author’s website. This story is set within the events of this book, though it works as a standalone. It focusses on Dr. Applegate, one of the doctors behind the medical procedure undergone by Cooper. While it is better to read this novelette after you complete the novel, it serves as a great way of sampling the writing style. I liked this little story as well, but wish it had had a greater connection with ‘Love Deleted’. 3.5 stars for this story. This rating doesn’t impact my review of the main novel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
June 4, 2023
I loved the premise of this one and that stunning cover, so couldn't wait to see how it played out.
When I started it, I immediately felt a sense of jarring from the writing style. With little punctuation and short sentences, it was a challenge to follow for several chapters, but soon, I adjusted and got stuck in.
I loved the addition of the transcripts of podcasts. That is one of my favourite literary themes, and it was easier to read due to the names of the characters speaking.
I really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it to my followers.
When I started it, I immediately felt a sense of jarring from the writing style. With little punctuation and short sentences, it was a challenge to follow for several chapters, but soon, I adjusted and got stuck in.
I loved the addition of the transcripts of podcasts. That is one of my favourite literary themes, and it was easier to read due to the names of the characters speaking.
I really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it to my followers.
October 31, 2023
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the readalong hosted by Lovebookstours.
Love Deleted is a thought provoking and emotional story which makes you question what you would do if the situation in the book was yours and morally what is right.
Cooper and Jethro have been together since school and have a long history together. When Cooper finds her husband in bed with another woman, her life gets ripped apart. Struggling to process and cope with what has happened after having her heart ripped to shreds, Cooper comes across a surgical procedure (based around one actually available today) which would solve her pain and suffering for good. This procedure removes heartache and love. But at what cost? There's a few great twists in this book that keep you turning each page faster and faster. The characters were all very relatable and the author did a great job of making you feel their emotions.
I loved the podcast entries within this book and found them a great little addition to the story. Although a chunky book, the chapters are very short and you fly through them. I highly recommend this one.
Love Deleted is a thought provoking and emotional story which makes you question what you would do if the situation in the book was yours and morally what is right.
Cooper and Jethro have been together since school and have a long history together. When Cooper finds her husband in bed with another woman, her life gets ripped apart. Struggling to process and cope with what has happened after having her heart ripped to shreds, Cooper comes across a surgical procedure (based around one actually available today) which would solve her pain and suffering for good. This procedure removes heartache and love. But at what cost? There's a few great twists in this book that keep you turning each page faster and faster. The characters were all very relatable and the author did a great job of making you feel their emotions.
I loved the podcast entries within this book and found them a great little addition to the story. Although a chunky book, the chapters are very short and you fly through them. I highly recommend this one.
August 3, 2023
I was sent a copy of this audiobook for review.
What would you do if you suffered a traumatic event and were given the opportunity to delete the pain associated with it? This is the reality Cooper faced after she came home early and caught her seemingly devoted husband Jethro in bed with another woman.
Cooper doesn’t say anything and Jethro leaves to go on tour with his band. Meanwhile, Cooper’s life unravels. She ends up in a car crash from reliving the memories of the betrayal while keeping her pain hidden from all those around her. In a moment of dark despair, she takes up the offer of a new treatment that can target and remove painful feelings while leaving the memories they are associated with intact. Cooper has her love for Jethro surgically erased. The situation is complicated by their teenage son Daniel and how he is going to deal with this new reality and the breakup of their marriage.
However, in life easy fixes are rare and when Cooper discovers new details about what happened she regrets making such a rash decision that altered her life so irrevocably. Can the love that was deleted be restored or will Cooper face a life without it forever?
🌟🌟🌟🌟 I loved the premise of this story which was a cross between sliding doors and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The question of whether you would risk removing all feelings from a traumatic event even when the consequences could cause harm or unknown results. I felt the process Cooper went through in the aftermath of the betrayal and then dealing with the fallout from removing her love for Jethro was intense and addictive listening. I felt her pain deeply and connected with her story strongly. Who wouldn’t want to erase pain from our lives? The side story of Cooper’s sister Harriet and her husband’s marriage and longing for children also was an emotional rollercoaster and I was rooting for them from the start. This was a dramatic romance with a twist but one that kept me addicted to finding out how it would all play out. Overall, an intriguing story that I would highly recommend.
What would you do if you suffered a traumatic event and were given the opportunity to delete the pain associated with it? This is the reality Cooper faced after she came home early and caught her seemingly devoted husband Jethro in bed with another woman.
Cooper doesn’t say anything and Jethro leaves to go on tour with his band. Meanwhile, Cooper’s life unravels. She ends up in a car crash from reliving the memories of the betrayal while keeping her pain hidden from all those around her. In a moment of dark despair, she takes up the offer of a new treatment that can target and remove painful feelings while leaving the memories they are associated with intact. Cooper has her love for Jethro surgically erased. The situation is complicated by their teenage son Daniel and how he is going to deal with this new reality and the breakup of their marriage.
However, in life easy fixes are rare and when Cooper discovers new details about what happened she regrets making such a rash decision that altered her life so irrevocably. Can the love that was deleted be restored or will Cooper face a life without it forever?
🌟🌟🌟🌟 I loved the premise of this story which was a cross between sliding doors and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The question of whether you would risk removing all feelings from a traumatic event even when the consequences could cause harm or unknown results. I felt the process Cooper went through in the aftermath of the betrayal and then dealing with the fallout from removing her love for Jethro was intense and addictive listening. I felt her pain deeply and connected with her story strongly. Who wouldn’t want to erase pain from our lives? The side story of Cooper’s sister Harriet and her husband’s marriage and longing for children also was an emotional rollercoaster and I was rooting for them from the start. This was a dramatic romance with a twist but one that kept me addicted to finding out how it would all play out. Overall, an intriguing story that I would highly recommend.
October 2, 2023
I absolutely loved everything about this book!
When Cooper comes home and hears her husband, Jethro, being unfaithful, her world falls apart.
Having been best friends since school and together ever since, she really struggles to come to terms with not being with this man.
While he's away on tour, she discovers a company who can perform a surgical procedure that removes the love she had for her husband and as such, removes her heartache.
This already sounds like it's going to cause issues but love definitely rules the head and the chaos begins....
I absolutely adored both Cooper and Jethro. As we progress with their story, we get to see flashbacks from their meeting and see how their love developed from then on. An absolutely beautiful story and this made it all the harder to accept what he'd done and why.
Cooper taking such drastic action, really did look like her only option. But as we soon discover, things only get worse....
Throughout the book we also hear Harriet and Eddsy's story (Cooper's sister). This links brilliantly as through Harriet, we also learn about her and Cooper's childhood.
Harriet and Eddsy were brilliant and I loved following their thread to a really heartwarming conclusion.
Dotted through these threads we also follow a podcast that details all the science involved in the procedure Cooper undertook. This adds in another couple of pov's - those a little more detached from the emotion of it all.
I loved that all the characters were completely relatable. I was totally invested in each thread of the story and felt all their joy and devastation right along with them.
I'm saying no more about the storyline as it was just genius. There were so many twists and shock moments where I literally had to just stop for a moment to get my head and emotions together before continuing.
The writing style was really fresh and unique. I found it very conversational which helped me connect with the characters.
There was a lot of repetition of words and phrases which looked a little odd on the page....but believe me - get into the zone of the characters emotions and this really does work well to burrow into your brain and add to the whole atmosphere of the book and the theme of having this all-comsuming psychological torment.
I loved this so much - it will be going on my favourites for 2023 list and I am really intrigued about future work by this author.
I can't wait to see what comes next ..... but in the meantime, I've joined his newsletter and grabbed myself a free copy of the spin off novella on offer - I can't wait to get stuck in and will pop my review up here soon...
When Cooper comes home and hears her husband, Jethro, being unfaithful, her world falls apart.
Having been best friends since school and together ever since, she really struggles to come to terms with not being with this man.
While he's away on tour, she discovers a company who can perform a surgical procedure that removes the love she had for her husband and as such, removes her heartache.
This already sounds like it's going to cause issues but love definitely rules the head and the chaos begins....
I absolutely adored both Cooper and Jethro. As we progress with their story, we get to see flashbacks from their meeting and see how their love developed from then on. An absolutely beautiful story and this made it all the harder to accept what he'd done and why.
Cooper taking such drastic action, really did look like her only option. But as we soon discover, things only get worse....
Throughout the book we also hear Harriet and Eddsy's story (Cooper's sister). This links brilliantly as through Harriet, we also learn about her and Cooper's childhood.
Harriet and Eddsy were brilliant and I loved following their thread to a really heartwarming conclusion.
Dotted through these threads we also follow a podcast that details all the science involved in the procedure Cooper undertook. This adds in another couple of pov's - those a little more detached from the emotion of it all.
I loved that all the characters were completely relatable. I was totally invested in each thread of the story and felt all their joy and devastation right along with them.
I'm saying no more about the storyline as it was just genius. There were so many twists and shock moments where I literally had to just stop for a moment to get my head and emotions together before continuing.
The writing style was really fresh and unique. I found it very conversational which helped me connect with the characters.
There was a lot of repetition of words and phrases which looked a little odd on the page....but believe me - get into the zone of the characters emotions and this really does work well to burrow into your brain and add to the whole atmosphere of the book and the theme of having this all-comsuming psychological torment.
I loved this so much - it will be going on my favourites for 2023 list and I am really intrigued about future work by this author.
I can't wait to see what comes next ..... but in the meantime, I've joined his newsletter and grabbed myself a free copy of the spin off novella on offer - I can't wait to get stuck in and will pop my review up here soon...
June 16, 2023
Imagine you could erase the feelings you have for someone. At the beginning of the book the author states this is based on real technology. While this may not be possible yet, the technology is there. It is fascinating to think about and also the possible consequences. I found the story so interesting that I didn’t want to put it down. I loved how the author told the story as is happened and alternated in chapters with a podcast being taped. The podcast chapters always ended on a cliffhanger and I thought they fit perfectly with the story. I enjoyed the premise and the story very much.
June 11, 2023
At a whopping 520 pages long, this book requires quite a commitment. But I think picking it up is a choice you won’t regret.
This book is not like anything else I’ve ever read. It was heart-wrenching and beautiful and horrible, sometimes all at the same time. It was absolutely one of those books that wrecked me, but in the best kind of way. Boo-hooing, cursing the fates, a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach – all things that happened during the reading of this book. And love. Over 500 pages, one can’t help but fall in love with the characters, as messy and human and real as they are. Our cast of main characters is a gorgeous study of the human condition. A microcosm of some of the best and worst parts of humanity – love, fame, jealousy, selfishness, self-sacrifice, humility, and so much more.
Though this revolutionary treatment is science fiction, it will probably leave you wondering if you would do the same in Cooper’s place. The devastating aftermath, however, is a poignant and deep piece of social commentary. The characters are beautifully developed, and the world – though mostly our own – is so intriguing in its differences.
Despite the book’s long length, it was a hugely interesting and quick read. I couldn’t put the book down!
The blurb says this book is an impossible love story, and that is absolutely true. So if you’re a hopeless romantic, buckle up, because you’re going to keep hoping throughout this book right until the final pages. If you enjoy drama, tense family dynamics, romance, and light science fiction, this is a book for you. However, it also deals with serious mental health issues, including depression and suicidal ideation, as well as infertility.
This book is not like anything else I’ve ever read. It was heart-wrenching and beautiful and horrible, sometimes all at the same time. It was absolutely one of those books that wrecked me, but in the best kind of way. Boo-hooing, cursing the fates, a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach – all things that happened during the reading of this book. And love. Over 500 pages, one can’t help but fall in love with the characters, as messy and human and real as they are. Our cast of main characters is a gorgeous study of the human condition. A microcosm of some of the best and worst parts of humanity – love, fame, jealousy, selfishness, self-sacrifice, humility, and so much more.
Though this revolutionary treatment is science fiction, it will probably leave you wondering if you would do the same in Cooper’s place. The devastating aftermath, however, is a poignant and deep piece of social commentary. The characters are beautifully developed, and the world – though mostly our own – is so intriguing in its differences.
Despite the book’s long length, it was a hugely interesting and quick read. I couldn’t put the book down!
The blurb says this book is an impossible love story, and that is absolutely true. So if you’re a hopeless romantic, buckle up, because you’re going to keep hoping throughout this book right until the final pages. If you enjoy drama, tense family dynamics, romance, and light science fiction, this is a book for you. However, it also deals with serious mental health issues, including depression and suicidal ideation, as well as infertility.
June 4, 2023
What a difficult book to review! I'd say it's a book of two halves, I found the first half fairly arduous to get through. Once we hit just over 50%, I absolutely flew through it.
Practically speaking, this is a long book. You need to take your time with it. It's also written in the seemingly upcoming format with no quotation marks, I find this style very difficult to navigate and often had to go back and re-read a few sentences to understand what was speech and who's speech it was.
I particularly loved the characters of Eddsy and Harriet, I'd have loved to see a little from their perspective of the treatment Cooper had.
Interspersed throughout are segments from an interview with Dr. Stewart Way and Dr. Applegate. This really tied everything together nicely, though it did get a bit sciencey at times!
It's a really interesting premise, if you could delete your love for someone, would you?
There's so many twists and turns throughout that it keeps the pages turning automatically.
A book to make you think, that's for sure!
Practically speaking, this is a long book. You need to take your time with it. It's also written in the seemingly upcoming format with no quotation marks, I find this style very difficult to navigate and often had to go back and re-read a few sentences to understand what was speech and who's speech it was.
I particularly loved the characters of Eddsy and Harriet, I'd have loved to see a little from their perspective of the treatment Cooper had.
Interspersed throughout are segments from an interview with Dr. Stewart Way and Dr. Applegate. This really tied everything together nicely, though it did get a bit sciencey at times!
It's a really interesting premise, if you could delete your love for someone, would you?
There's so many twists and turns throughout that it keeps the pages turning automatically.
A book to make you think, that's for sure!
September 10, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book had such an interesting concept. The idea behind it was something I'd never read before. It was also written in a way that made me leave my comfort zone as a reader. Paul Indigo has a very quirky and unique way of writing, and it was definitely something to get used to, but so interesting as well.
Synopsis:
Cooper experiences something she should not have and, through various events, ends up coming across a website that might be her solution. There is a revolutionary treatment called "The GateWay Programme," and it will help her forget her love for her husband Jethro, a musician who just got his big break.
This was something unusual and engaging, and definitely worth a read, I won't give too much away 😉 it is a longer read, but chapters are short, and the pages seem to fly by.
This book had such an interesting concept. The idea behind it was something I'd never read before. It was also written in a way that made me leave my comfort zone as a reader. Paul Indigo has a very quirky and unique way of writing, and it was definitely something to get used to, but so interesting as well.
Synopsis:
Cooper experiences something she should not have and, through various events, ends up coming across a website that might be her solution. There is a revolutionary treatment called "The GateWay Programme," and it will help her forget her love for her husband Jethro, a musician who just got his big break.
This was something unusual and engaging, and definitely worth a read, I won't give too much away 😉 it is a longer read, but chapters are short, and the pages seem to fly by.
September 30, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I went into it thinking it would be mostly a romance with a little something else sprinkled in. Actually, it is equal parts science-fiction, romance, and suspense. I could not flip the pages fast enough. I had a suspicion of what would happen and the itch to find out if I was right was strong. Indigo knows how to create that tension that keeps the reader intrigued and wanting more.
Besides the interesting plot, this book also made me consider what love is, what choice we have (or don’t have) in who we love, and how our approach to love forms so much of our daily lives.
Besides the interesting plot, this book also made me consider what love is, what choice we have (or don’t have) in who we love, and how our approach to love forms so much of our daily lives.
August 4, 2023
This is really three intertwining stories in one- a couple struggles with infertility, another couple faces infidelity, with crushing ramifications, and an ongoing podcast shares treatment for tracing traumatic memories (and love). The book was long and my favorite part was the podcast - a fascinating look at the possibilities of neuroscience. As a trauma therapist, I found that so interesting. Overall a wonderful book. *I was given a free copy from a Goodread contest in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2023
Love Deleted by was one of those books that intrigued me from the start. Second photo for the blurb….
I loved the premise, a love story but wrapped up in the tension of almost a psychological thriller-esque story. I also really enjoyed the snippets of other storylines like adoption tucked in.
The characters are well written, likeable enough, but flawed, which makes them seem so much more real.
The subtext of science made for a really different take on a love story - especially science that has you questioning if it’s actually possible.
Whilst it might not suit everyone I really enjoyed the alternate chapters from past and present, and the inclusion of a podcast interview. It built the tension and intrigue in a new way and had me second guessing where the story was going.
Ultimately though this is a story of love, of betrayal, trust and loss. I felt like I went through all the emotions with Cooper and Jethro, from anger and pain, through to indifference and confusion and finally onto soul crushing sadness. I didn’t expect it at all, but this book had me in tears during the final few chapters - sobbing heartbreak and emotion that had me wanting to pull my loved ones close. If a writer can create that whirlwind of emotions and leave you wanting more - that definitely deserves a 5 Star from me!
I loved the premise, a love story but wrapped up in the tension of almost a psychological thriller-esque story. I also really enjoyed the snippets of other storylines like adoption tucked in.
The characters are well written, likeable enough, but flawed, which makes them seem so much more real.
The subtext of science made for a really different take on a love story - especially science that has you questioning if it’s actually possible.
Whilst it might not suit everyone I really enjoyed the alternate chapters from past and present, and the inclusion of a podcast interview. It built the tension and intrigue in a new way and had me second guessing where the story was going.
Ultimately though this is a story of love, of betrayal, trust and loss. I felt like I went through all the emotions with Cooper and Jethro, from anger and pain, through to indifference and confusion and finally onto soul crushing sadness. I didn’t expect it at all, but this book had me in tears during the final few chapters - sobbing heartbreak and emotion that had me wanting to pull my loved ones close. If a writer can create that whirlwind of emotions and leave you wanting more - that definitely deserves a 5 Star from me!
October 31, 2023
I was sad I didn’t get a paperback as the cover is awesome 🤣. To start with I found the style of writing where it was repetitive quite annoying 🙈 until I realise that was literally what my head does when I’m “over thinking”, so actually this was perceived really well! I think we probably would have all jumped to the same conclusion as the main character and I think we all felt devastation for her when she found out the truth. By this point I couldn’t stop reading as I was “rooting” for them. The secondary storyline as a bit hard hitting if you’ve been in that situation, but overall a really well thought out enjoyable read. The ending made me happy, I was just annoyed that it took so long!
June 16, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars What if we could erase the biggest hurt of our lives and just experience happiness all the time?
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2023
Love Deleted by Paul Indigo is a masterpiece. I loved this book and didn't want it to end.
I can't wait to read everything this author writes in the future.
Wow! What a fabulous book! What fabulous characters and what a story that will stay with me for a very long time.
I will be on the lookout for anything and everything he writes. This is a debut novel that gets everything right.
Wow.
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2023
Love Deleted by Paul Indigo is a masterpiece. I loved this book and didn't want it to end.
I can't wait to read everything this author writes in the future.
Wow! What a fabulous book! What fabulous characters and what a story that will stay with me for a very long time.
I will be on the lookout for anything and everything he writes. This is a debut novel that gets everything right.
Wow.
October 9, 2023
The concept of this book is absolutely amazing. I’ve had my heart broken many times in my life and if I could have erased those feelings for those people, I would have! Who wants to spend their days crying over someone who left them? Who cheated on them? The best part is that you don’t forget and you can still learn from the experience. Indigo created well thought out characters. The reader really gets to know them. The transcript of the podcast was a nice touch as well. I do happen to think that the book was a little too long. I felt it could have been more concise and that it dragged on at times. It was definitely a slow burn. I did enjoy the end! It was very sweet.
June 21, 2023
One afternoon, Cooper came home unexpectedly. Dizzy Rascal was playing, there was a smell of Homme aftershave and she just opened her bedroom a little, she saw the couple in her bed. The young woman with long brown hair and the lithe body of the man, the moans and the kisses, she had seen too much. She managed to get out of the house without being noticed and was driving over to see Harriet when she crashed the car by driving into a tree. Harriet drove out to collect her then contacted the police and recovery for the car. An ambulance came but Cooper refused to go to the hospital for a check up. Harriet took her to hers that night but she wouldn’t let Harriet inform Jethro of what had happened and Cooper was ignoring all his calls and texts to her mobile phone. Jethro went off to start a European tour with Sabre Light that day. He would be gone for three months.
Cooper then discovers The Gateway Clinic website and gives them a call. She goes for an interview which goes well and she decides that she wants to go ahead with the programme which will delete her love for Jethro. In the meantime, her and Jethro are hardly speaking on the phone so Jethro doesn’t know anything is wrong and what his wife is contemplating. Cooper goes ahead with the procedure and finds she no longer has feelings for Jethro. She throws herself into work. When Jethro is due home, their son, Daniel is home too, which is a surprise to Cooper but she realises on seeing Jethro the procedure was successful she has no feelings for him at all.
Jethro knows there is something different about her. There is something in her missing, she doesn’t seem so alive in her eyes. They go to The Savoy Hotel for an evening meal and overnight stay but it’s all a surprise for Cooper, all planned by Jethro and Daniel. Daniel brings his girlfriend along, only Jethro picks up on the fact that Cooper has seen her before. On Sunday morning, Cooper rings The Gateway Clinic 24hr helpline and gets through to a doctor. She asks if there is any chance of having the procedure reversed but it can’t be done, it hasn’t been looked into and research could take years.
Then she hears Jethro back and trying to get into the bathroom so she cuts the call, wets her hair under the shower and opens the door to him. He asks about the call and she says it was Graeme about work.
It’s at the back of Jethro’s mind for a few days and one night he can’t sleep so in the early hours, he checks Cooper's mobile for texts but none are from no one he didn’t recognise. Then he thought to check the laptop but didn’t find anything on the laptop either. Than his mind was niggling that he didn’t check phone calls so he got up again, got the phone and checked it by Coopers side of the bed, there was one that she rang four days ago, that Sunday at the Savoy, he was remembering the number to write down when Cooper spoke to him about being her side of the bed, he came up with answer quickly. The next morning he found a business card for The Gateway Clinic so he rang to speak to them and got an appointment. He learnt a lot whilst there and it answered his question as to why his wife had the procedure.
What happens next? Can Jethro stay with a wife that doesn’t love him? Does he talk to her?
This was quite an interesting read. It was written well with some great descriptive prose. It’s quite a long book so I spread it over a few days. This is the author's debut book and it is a good one. I would read more of his books once written. This is the type of book I wouldn’t usually read but I was intrigued by the plot and to see how the book was written using that in a storyline.
Cooper then discovers The Gateway Clinic website and gives them a call. She goes for an interview which goes well and she decides that she wants to go ahead with the programme which will delete her love for Jethro. In the meantime, her and Jethro are hardly speaking on the phone so Jethro doesn’t know anything is wrong and what his wife is contemplating. Cooper goes ahead with the procedure and finds she no longer has feelings for Jethro. She throws herself into work. When Jethro is due home, their son, Daniel is home too, which is a surprise to Cooper but she realises on seeing Jethro the procedure was successful she has no feelings for him at all.
Jethro knows there is something different about her. There is something in her missing, she doesn’t seem so alive in her eyes. They go to The Savoy Hotel for an evening meal and overnight stay but it’s all a surprise for Cooper, all planned by Jethro and Daniel. Daniel brings his girlfriend along, only Jethro picks up on the fact that Cooper has seen her before. On Sunday morning, Cooper rings The Gateway Clinic 24hr helpline and gets through to a doctor. She asks if there is any chance of having the procedure reversed but it can’t be done, it hasn’t been looked into and research could take years.
Then she hears Jethro back and trying to get into the bathroom so she cuts the call, wets her hair under the shower and opens the door to him. He asks about the call and she says it was Graeme about work.
It’s at the back of Jethro’s mind for a few days and one night he can’t sleep so in the early hours, he checks Cooper's mobile for texts but none are from no one he didn’t recognise. Then he thought to check the laptop but didn’t find anything on the laptop either. Than his mind was niggling that he didn’t check phone calls so he got up again, got the phone and checked it by Coopers side of the bed, there was one that she rang four days ago, that Sunday at the Savoy, he was remembering the number to write down when Cooper spoke to him about being her side of the bed, he came up with answer quickly. The next morning he found a business card for The Gateway Clinic so he rang to speak to them and got an appointment. He learnt a lot whilst there and it answered his question as to why his wife had the procedure.
What happens next? Can Jethro stay with a wife that doesn’t love him? Does he talk to her?
This was quite an interesting read. It was written well with some great descriptive prose. It’s quite a long book so I spread it over a few days. This is the author's debut book and it is a good one. I would read more of his books once written. This is the type of book I wouldn’t usually read but I was intrigued by the plot and to see how the book was written using that in a storyline.
August 2, 2023
Today I am reviewing Love Deleted by Paul Indigo for the Lovebookstours audio blogtour. I was gifted a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author and Kelly from Lovebookstours. The audiobook was narrated by the fabulous Gill Mills.
The combination of a really interesting premise and a great cover made me want to read this book. I was fascinated (but slightly horrified) by the idea of deleting love from the brain in order to get over heartbreak. The story is told from different perspectives over past and present. The main story is that of the protagonist, Cooper Hall, a talented sound engineer (not sure if that’s the right term), who lives with her husband, the up and coming musician Jethro Hall, and their son, Daniel, who’s at university. Cooper is described as a tomboy who loves her work and is devoted to her family. The other story focuses on Cooper’s sister Harriet and her husband Eddsy, a devoted couple who own a chain of garages.
The story is told from alternating points of view, interspersed with transcripts from the Sue Baxter Podcast, in which Sue is interviewing the doctors who founded the Gateway Programme… It’s hard to talk about this without giving spoilers so I won’t dwell on the plot, hopefully the description in the blurb is enough to tempt you! I really enjoyed the format of the book and the different timelines. I loved the characters – they were all flawed but likeable and I became invested in them early on.
Cooper has a real mix of strength and vulnerability and fierce independence. I was crying out for her to talk to someone about what she was going through! I really liked Eddsy and the way he cared so deeply about not only his wife but also Cooper. There was a lot of love and kindness in the books as well as pain and heartbreak and misunderstanding. What really struck me was how so much of the pain could have been prevented by the characters opening up to each other and being honest. There was so much love but still they held back and didn’t say what they were really feeling. It was lovely to see how much the male characters really cared and how deep their feelings went. I often feel its unfair that men are depicted as being shallow and unemotional, whereas the author has shown their vulnerability and huge capacity for feeling.
“Soft Kisses….soft moans…”
The way the story develops is fabulous. It’s so nailbitingly gut-churning when you begin to get the answers. Oh my, the Savoy Hotel!!! I could totally imagine how Cooper must have felt, the sense of panic and sickness. I must admit, I had considered the big reveal as a possibility early in the story, but had then dismissed it due to the author’s clever story weaving. I found it really interesting the way love and dependence were analysed and the ending was fabulous. The book stirred up a lot of emotions and a lot of questions. It’s incredibly thought provoking. I really, really enjoyed it and didn’t want it to end.
I loved the narration by Gill Mills, she was perfect. I loved the little phrases that repeated through the book, they really helped to illustrate the pain and emotion and gave the book an almost poetic feel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a book that’s a bit different, gets you questioning; a love story with a twist; interwoven stories; different timelines and wonderful characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
The combination of a really interesting premise and a great cover made me want to read this book. I was fascinated (but slightly horrified) by the idea of deleting love from the brain in order to get over heartbreak. The story is told from different perspectives over past and present. The main story is that of the protagonist, Cooper Hall, a talented sound engineer (not sure if that’s the right term), who lives with her husband, the up and coming musician Jethro Hall, and their son, Daniel, who’s at university. Cooper is described as a tomboy who loves her work and is devoted to her family. The other story focuses on Cooper’s sister Harriet and her husband Eddsy, a devoted couple who own a chain of garages.
The story is told from alternating points of view, interspersed with transcripts from the Sue Baxter Podcast, in which Sue is interviewing the doctors who founded the Gateway Programme… It’s hard to talk about this without giving spoilers so I won’t dwell on the plot, hopefully the description in the blurb is enough to tempt you! I really enjoyed the format of the book and the different timelines. I loved the characters – they were all flawed but likeable and I became invested in them early on.
Cooper has a real mix of strength and vulnerability and fierce independence. I was crying out for her to talk to someone about what she was going through! I really liked Eddsy and the way he cared so deeply about not only his wife but also Cooper. There was a lot of love and kindness in the books as well as pain and heartbreak and misunderstanding. What really struck me was how so much of the pain could have been prevented by the characters opening up to each other and being honest. There was so much love but still they held back and didn’t say what they were really feeling. It was lovely to see how much the male characters really cared and how deep their feelings went. I often feel its unfair that men are depicted as being shallow and unemotional, whereas the author has shown their vulnerability and huge capacity for feeling.
“Soft Kisses….soft moans…”
The way the story develops is fabulous. It’s so nailbitingly gut-churning when you begin to get the answers. Oh my, the Savoy Hotel!!! I could totally imagine how Cooper must have felt, the sense of panic and sickness. I must admit, I had considered the big reveal as a possibility early in the story, but had then dismissed it due to the author’s clever story weaving. I found it really interesting the way love and dependence were analysed and the ending was fabulous. The book stirred up a lot of emotions and a lot of questions. It’s incredibly thought provoking. I really, really enjoyed it and didn’t want it to end.
I loved the narration by Gill Mills, she was perfect. I loved the little phrases that repeated through the book, they really helped to illustrate the pain and emotion and gave the book an almost poetic feel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a book that’s a bit different, gets you questioning; a love story with a twist; interwoven stories; different timelines and wonderful characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
December 31, 2024
This book was a different experience. And I am a bit shook by how much I enjoyed it. I was definitely hooked. This book has multiple POV's so its hard to narrow down an exact number and I don't even want to try. It is also told from the third person.
It mainly follows four characters, Eddsy and Harriet, and Cooper and Jethro. Both couples have been married for years. Harriet and Cooper are sisters. Both struggle with mental health although Cooper deals with it a bit more intensely. Eddsy is a mechanic who loves the fuck out of his wife. They own multiple shops but one of the issues in their marriage is the inability to have children. Jethro and Cooper are in the music industry. Jethro a musician and Cooper works in audio. They have a college aged son named Daniel. Cooper walks in one day by accident and feels so betrayed by Jethro that she falls into a deep depression. She looks every which way for a way to get over it, get over him. On a last ditch effort she finds the Gateway Program who can wipe emotions linked to a certain person.
This writing style was so incredibly different. I was a bit annoyed by it at first but the farther in I got to the book the more I realized it kind of fit the story perfectly. The intense amount of repetition added so severely to the emotions that I started to appreciate how the author chose to write this book. It does take some getting used to though.
There are some heavy themes in this book such as depression, suicide, infidelity, and infertility. Through this book, however, the love these characters have for one another is so beautiful and at the same time so destructive. The in between chapters that contained a podcast with the two doctors involved was artfully done.
The biggest issue these characters had was miscommunication. I think it came down to the idea of love as such an amazing emotion while also viewing some of the downfalls of love. It becomes a blind spot to many. Like Eddsy and Harriet wanted the same things but wouldn't voice it to each other for the sake of hurting each other in the end to just have waisted many many years. Jethro and Cooper's situation blew so far out of control. I honestly didn't see that switch up coming though. If I was Daniel I would be so heavily wracked with guilt. I felt so bad for him. But in the end, the situation that caused so much destruction ended up being a blessing in disguise.
I absolutely fell in love with Cooper's growth. The woman she became at the end of the book was magnificent. Honestly, this is one of the few books where you see such tremendous character growth in multiple characters. The ending was beautiful.
If you're up for something different, definitely check out this book.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
It mainly follows four characters, Eddsy and Harriet, and Cooper and Jethro. Both couples have been married for years. Harriet and Cooper are sisters. Both struggle with mental health although Cooper deals with it a bit more intensely. Eddsy is a mechanic who loves the fuck out of his wife. They own multiple shops but one of the issues in their marriage is the inability to have children. Jethro and Cooper are in the music industry. Jethro a musician and Cooper works in audio. They have a college aged son named Daniel. Cooper walks in one day by accident and feels so betrayed by Jethro that she falls into a deep depression. She looks every which way for a way to get over it, get over him. On a last ditch effort she finds the Gateway Program who can wipe emotions linked to a certain person.
This writing style was so incredibly different. I was a bit annoyed by it at first but the farther in I got to the book the more I realized it kind of fit the story perfectly. The intense amount of repetition added so severely to the emotions that I started to appreciate how the author chose to write this book. It does take some getting used to though.
There are some heavy themes in this book such as depression, suicide, infidelity, and infertility. Through this book, however, the love these characters have for one another is so beautiful and at the same time so destructive. The in between chapters that contained a podcast with the two doctors involved was artfully done.
The biggest issue these characters had was miscommunication. I think it came down to the idea of love as such an amazing emotion while also viewing some of the downfalls of love. It becomes a blind spot to many. Like Eddsy and Harriet wanted the same things but wouldn't voice it to each other for the sake of hurting each other in the end to just have waisted many many years. Jethro and Cooper's situation blew so far out of control. I honestly didn't see that switch up coming though. If I was Daniel I would be so heavily wracked with guilt. I felt so bad for him. But in the end, the situation that caused so much destruction ended up being a blessing in disguise.
I absolutely fell in love with Cooper's growth. The woman she became at the end of the book was magnificent. Honestly, this is one of the few books where you see such tremendous character growth in multiple characters. The ending was beautiful.
If you're up for something different, definitely check out this book.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
February 26, 2025
This book was....kind of good, but it frustrated me. First, the frustrating. My main issue: the writing style. Now, I imagine the way it was written--short sentences (that aren't all technically sentences), a lot of repetitiveness, conversation parts with quotes, then without quotes, then closing quotes though there were no opening ones (or vice versa) and so on--was a creative choice. I imagine it was to add to the intensity of the story, add to the emotion. While I get the rationale (I think?), all it did was frustrate me to no end. I am, admittedly, a member of the Grammar Police, and I hate seeing a ton of grammatical errors. That was the main thing that turned me off and why, though I'd give this a 3.5 out of 4, I rounded down due to the writing style. Also, a part of me felt at some points the style was covering up editing/grammatical errors....and there were still errors to be found. Whether intentional or not, I guess I'll never know.
Now, onto the story. I love the premise. I can imagine disconnecting emotion from former relationships, whether romantic or friendship. I can see the desire to do that, understand the want. But...wow were the doctors are irresponsible in this book! They wanted to talk to Jethro. All Cooper has to do is say he's abandoned their home and they 1) completely believe her and 2) don't even try to figure out a way to contact him. In fact, they don't try to talk to anyone in this woman's family regarding her mental health....like, oh I don't know, her sister, maybe? So yeah, that's annoying. Then, after the treatment, I struggled to like Cooper. Again, as someone who deals with mental health issues on a daily basis, I get why she did the treatment, I understand why she felt she had to or something horrible would happen. BUT....wow. I'm trying not to spoil here, but, her actions afterwards, all of the things that happen, that she is at the forefront of making happen....I struggled. I truly felt for her at the beginning, heart breaking reading how she's reacting. Then--and this is another issue--it goes a predictable route. Right when I read why she did what she did, I had an idea of what happened and I was disappointed I was right. It's just....of course that's what really happened. Of course she misinterpreted. Okay, stopping there before I really spoil!
Overall, there were parts to like about it. Honestly, I kind of liked Eddsy and Harriet's story, thought it added a nice little compare and contrast on how they handle their relationship compared to Cooper and Jethro. Wasn't the biggest fan of the podcast, though I suppose it was added in to explain the scientific aspect of the treatment.
Now, onto the story. I love the premise. I can imagine disconnecting emotion from former relationships, whether romantic or friendship. I can see the desire to do that, understand the want. But...wow were the doctors are irresponsible in this book! They wanted to talk to Jethro. All Cooper has to do is say he's abandoned their home and they 1) completely believe her and 2) don't even try to figure out a way to contact him. In fact, they don't try to talk to anyone in this woman's family regarding her mental health....like, oh I don't know, her sister, maybe? So yeah, that's annoying. Then, after the treatment, I struggled to like Cooper. Again, as someone who deals with mental health issues on a daily basis, I get why she did the treatment, I understand why she felt she had to or something horrible would happen. BUT....wow. I'm trying not to spoil here, but, her actions afterwards, all of the things that happen, that she is at the forefront of making happen....I struggled. I truly felt for her at the beginning, heart breaking reading how she's reacting. Then--and this is another issue--it goes a predictable route. Right when I read why she did what she did, I had an idea of what happened and I was disappointed I was right. It's just....of course that's what really happened. Of course she misinterpreted. Okay, stopping there before I really spoil!
Overall, there were parts to like about it. Honestly, I kind of liked Eddsy and Harriet's story, thought it added a nice little compare and contrast on how they handle their relationship compared to Cooper and Jethro. Wasn't the biggest fan of the podcast, though I suppose it was added in to explain the scientific aspect of the treatment.
August 7, 2023
This has been a hard one for me to rate and review because I loved the first 80% of the book, but hated the last 20%!
3 might be harsh considering how much of the book I did enjoy, but that last part ruined it for me!
What I Enjoyed:
*The concept was brilliant and unique. It made me question my own life, love and relationships.
*The addition of the Podcast. It cleverly intertwines with the story.
*Eddsy. He is a fantastic character. I love his personality, humour & the relationships he has with his wife, Harriet & their friend (who the story centres around), Cooper.
*For the most part, Cooper. I felt her pain. I completely emphasised with her even though I would have done 1 thing differently.
*Again, for the most part, the narrator. Gill Mills.
She helped the flow of the story and brought the characters to life.
*Finally, the Savoy duck! Read it and you’ll know! Lol
What I hated:
*How it ended!
I can’t say more without spoilers, so the full review will be on my Goodreads.
*Cooper was beyond selfish at the end of this story. She angered me so much.
The whole “Love makes you believe you are worthless” is a crock of sh!t. Yes, if your partner leaves and breaks your heart, you question if you are good enough and may never fully lose that feeling, but that cannot apply if your partners dies! It’s not like it’s their choice to die ffs! Flawed explanation that just highlighted her self motives!
*And the way she left! Selfish using their own SON! Never, NEVER would I put my child in that position!!
*Her cheating confession! Again, beyond selfish! She wanted to clear her conscience, that is all.
*Moving to Ireland and “becoming” Irish! Wtaf?
I get people adapt and may pick up a slight accent, but this was insane & maybe the narrator didn’t help because her Irish accent was atrocious!
All I could think about when hearing that was Ritchie from the Boyband 5ive!
He is from Birmingham, moved to Australia for a few years and then suddenly started taking in a strange Brummy/Australian accent. It’s so bizarre and so fake!
Honestly, listening to the accent, even at 90%, I was close to DNFing!
*Cognac. Pointless!
*”Even the soil loves you” this is so corny. I mean really?? Come on!
*And finally, I understand friends/family supporting you when going through a difficult time, but I can’t understand how having love deleted, (and dealing with the aftermath), connects with Harriet & Eddsy’s story. It wasn’t needed. Yes, it was a cute storyline, but in all fairness, pointless!
Thank you, Love Books Tours, for the audiobook in return for an honest review.
3 might be harsh considering how much of the book I did enjoy, but that last part ruined it for me!
What I Enjoyed:
*The concept was brilliant and unique. It made me question my own life, love and relationships.
*The addition of the Podcast. It cleverly intertwines with the story.
*Eddsy. He is a fantastic character. I love his personality, humour & the relationships he has with his wife, Harriet & their friend (who the story centres around), Cooper.
*For the most part, Cooper. I felt her pain. I completely emphasised with her even though I would have done 1 thing differently.
*Again, for the most part, the narrator. Gill Mills.
She helped the flow of the story and brought the characters to life.
*Finally, the Savoy duck! Read it and you’ll know! Lol
What I hated:
*How it ended!
I can’t say more without spoilers, so the full review will be on my Goodreads.
*Cooper was beyond selfish at the end of this story. She angered me so much.
The whole “Love makes you believe you are worthless” is a crock of sh!t. Yes, if your partner leaves and breaks your heart, you question if you are good enough and may never fully lose that feeling, but that cannot apply if your partners dies! It’s not like it’s their choice to die ffs! Flawed explanation that just highlighted her self motives!
*And the way she left! Selfish using their own SON! Never, NEVER would I put my child in that position!!
*Her cheating confession! Again, beyond selfish! She wanted to clear her conscience, that is all.
*Moving to Ireland and “becoming” Irish! Wtaf?
I get people adapt and may pick up a slight accent, but this was insane & maybe the narrator didn’t help because her Irish accent was atrocious!
All I could think about when hearing that was Ritchie from the Boyband 5ive!
He is from Birmingham, moved to Australia for a few years and then suddenly started taking in a strange Brummy/Australian accent. It’s so bizarre and so fake!
Honestly, listening to the accent, even at 90%, I was close to DNFing!
*Cognac. Pointless!
*”Even the soil loves you” this is so corny. I mean really?? Come on!
*And finally, I understand friends/family supporting you when going through a difficult time, but I can’t understand how having love deleted, (and dealing with the aftermath), connects with Harriet & Eddsy’s story. It wasn’t needed. Yes, it was a cute storyline, but in all fairness, pointless!
Thank you, Love Books Tours, for the audiobook in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
⭐️
I found this book on NetGalley and didn’t realize it was a “read now” of a book that was released in 2023. I thought the title sounded interesting and the cover was pretty. It’s been on my TBR for a while, so I decided to dive in.
First off, it’s a thick one, almost 600 pages. I love long books as long as they keep me interested. I felt, however, this book was about 300 pages too long. I read the first 400 pages and skimmed the rest. I was extraordinarily close to DNFing.
First off, I thought this book would focus on the main characters, Cooper and Jethro. Cooper has a sister who was introduced who I thought would be a secondary character, but Harriet and her husband, Eddsy. They have their own issues going on.
The premise of the book is that Cooper comes home to find Jethro in their bed with another woman. She flips out and runs away to her sisters and gets in an accident along the way. Cooper closes herself off and doesn’t talk to anyone. She falls into a deep depression and despair. She comes across a new treatment for patients with PTSD that cause part of their memory to be deleted. She thinks that maybe if she can delete her love for Jethro, she can have peace. So she goes through with it. Deleted her love for Jethro. Only, she NEVER talked to Jethro about it. She soon learns that she didn’t catch Jethro with another woman, it was in fact their son, Daniel (also, why was their sun sleeping with his girlfriend IN his parents bed? I don’t find much disturbing, but somehow this weirded me out!). Cooper freaks out and wants the treatment reversed, but it’s not possible. This went on forever and ever too long.
There was a part of the story where Harriet and Eddsy also had super shitting communication skills. Apparently her could father kids, but Harriet wanted them. He felt he let her down. One day he walks into an adoption agency and looks to see if that is an option for him and Harriet. He gets hopeful about his meeting, but is too chicken shit to talk about Harriet about it so instead does nothing.
These characters piss me off and their stories should have been separated. Also, the book had a podcast every few chapters that interrupted the story so much, it was awful and I couldn’t wait to be done with this book! Ugh it was a painful, drawn out read!
I found this book on NetGalley and didn’t realize it was a “read now” of a book that was released in 2023. I thought the title sounded interesting and the cover was pretty. It’s been on my TBR for a while, so I decided to dive in.
First off, it’s a thick one, almost 600 pages. I love long books as long as they keep me interested. I felt, however, this book was about 300 pages too long. I read the first 400 pages and skimmed the rest. I was extraordinarily close to DNFing.
First off, I thought this book would focus on the main characters, Cooper and Jethro. Cooper has a sister who was introduced who I thought would be a secondary character, but Harriet and her husband, Eddsy. They have their own issues going on.
The premise of the book is that Cooper comes home to find Jethro in their bed with another woman. She flips out and runs away to her sisters and gets in an accident along the way. Cooper closes herself off and doesn’t talk to anyone. She falls into a deep depression and despair. She comes across a new treatment for patients with PTSD that cause part of their memory to be deleted. She thinks that maybe if she can delete her love for Jethro, she can have peace. So she goes through with it. Deleted her love for Jethro. Only, she NEVER talked to Jethro about it. She soon learns that she didn’t catch Jethro with another woman, it was in fact their son, Daniel (also, why was their sun sleeping with his girlfriend IN his parents bed? I don’t find much disturbing, but somehow this weirded me out!). Cooper freaks out and wants the treatment reversed, but it’s not possible. This went on forever and ever too long.
There was a part of the story where Harriet and Eddsy also had super shitting communication skills. Apparently her could father kids, but Harriet wanted them. He felt he let her down. One day he walks into an adoption agency and looks to see if that is an option for him and Harriet. He gets hopeful about his meeting, but is too chicken shit to talk about Harriet about it so instead does nothing.
These characters piss me off and their stories should have been separated. Also, the book had a podcast every few chapters that interrupted the story so much, it was awful and I couldn’t wait to be done with this book! Ugh it was a painful, drawn out read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2023
Love deleted by Paul indigo
Synopsis- ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?
This is an impossible love story…
Cooper came home unexpectedly early that day. The day her world collapsed. The day she heard things she shouldn't have. Saw things she shouldn't have.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after coming home to witness a life-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they can give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.They can surgically erase her love for her husband Jethro.Only what appears to be the perfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can't imagine.A life-shattering moment. A rash decision. An easy solution. This isn't just a love story. Not when a heart isn't just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story.
As soon as I read the synopsis I was drawn in, what an interesting and unique plot to a love story, something that I don’t think I’ve come across before which made me excited to read. The characters are so well written , I felt so many emotions towards these characters as I was drawn in deeper and deeper into their lives with each page I turned. This book really highlights the importance of the choices we make in our everyday life and how they can make a huge impact on ourselves and others around us. The chapters are nice and short which I personally prefer and I really enjoyed the podcast style writing dotted throughout the book and the science aspect were very interesting.The book is a wonderful story that is super thought provoking, a huge congratulations to the author Paul indigo on you debut novel it was a brilliant read and I look forward to reading more of your books in the future 😊 4 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis- ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?
This is an impossible love story…
Cooper came home unexpectedly early that day. The day her world collapsed. The day she heard things she shouldn't have. Saw things she shouldn't have.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after coming home to witness a life-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they can give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.They can surgically erase her love for her husband Jethro.Only what appears to be the perfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can't imagine.A life-shattering moment. A rash decision. An easy solution. This isn't just a love story. Not when a heart isn't just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story.
As soon as I read the synopsis I was drawn in, what an interesting and unique plot to a love story, something that I don’t think I’ve come across before which made me excited to read. The characters are so well written , I felt so many emotions towards these characters as I was drawn in deeper and deeper into their lives with each page I turned. This book really highlights the importance of the choices we make in our everyday life and how they can make a huge impact on ourselves and others around us. The chapters are nice and short which I personally prefer and I really enjoyed the podcast style writing dotted throughout the book and the science aspect were very interesting.The book is a wonderful story that is super thought provoking, a huge congratulations to the author Paul indigo on you debut novel it was a brilliant read and I look forward to reading more of your books in the future 😊 4 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 16, 2023
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours, Paul Indigo and Random World Media for having me on the tour and sending me a copy of the book to review. For once there will be spoilers in my review! You have been warned!
Well, I have yet to listen to too many audiobooks and I do love giving them a try because often it's not the story that makes or breaks it but the narrator. And I have to say I did really like the narrator for this one, she had a really easygoing way of reading the book and it made it easy to get lost in.
I really enjoyed hearing the majority of the book from Cooper's point of view, it meant that we were with her finding out about Jethro and how he didn't cheat and the ripple effects of what she chose to do and so then it was good to switch to Jetheros POV and carry the fallout that way. I can't believe Daniel thought it was acceptable to have sex in his parent's bed, i mean his own bedroom was next door for Christ's sake!
I loved that we got the 12 years later jump forward in Cooper and Jethro's story and i really didn't see him having the treatment because of how he was so against it but I love that he did because it gave them that chance to start anew.
Eddsy and Harriets' story was a nice interlude popping in and out just at the right times and i really liked that they ended up adopting and how they ended up wanting the same thing but through lack of communication weren't on the same page about their feelings. It was another good example of lack of communication in marriage but without the extreme outcome that Cooper and Jethro ended up with to start.
If I'm honest i could have done without the podcast/interview sections, i didn't like them and i get that they were meant to give background to the process but i really didn't feel they were needed.
Overall it was a good book to listen too, i really enjoyed it.
Well, I have yet to listen to too many audiobooks and I do love giving them a try because often it's not the story that makes or breaks it but the narrator. And I have to say I did really like the narrator for this one, she had a really easygoing way of reading the book and it made it easy to get lost in.
I really enjoyed hearing the majority of the book from Cooper's point of view, it meant that we were with her finding out about Jethro and how he didn't cheat and the ripple effects of what she chose to do and so then it was good to switch to Jetheros POV and carry the fallout that way. I can't believe Daniel thought it was acceptable to have sex in his parent's bed, i mean his own bedroom was next door for Christ's sake!
I loved that we got the 12 years later jump forward in Cooper and Jethro's story and i really didn't see him having the treatment because of how he was so against it but I love that he did because it gave them that chance to start anew.
Eddsy and Harriets' story was a nice interlude popping in and out just at the right times and i really liked that they ended up adopting and how they ended up wanting the same thing but through lack of communication weren't on the same page about their feelings. It was another good example of lack of communication in marriage but without the extreme outcome that Cooper and Jethro ended up with to start.
If I'm honest i could have done without the podcast/interview sections, i didn't like them and i get that they were meant to give background to the process but i really didn't feel they were needed.
Overall it was a good book to listen too, i really enjoyed it.
October 21, 2023
Book Review: "Love Deleted" by Paul Indigo
Blurb:
Dive into a world where love collides with technology, heartbreak meets the digital age, and decisions are as irreversible as erased data. Welcome to "Love Deleted".
Review:
There are love stories, and then there are tales that redefine the genre. "Love Deleted" by Paul Indigo does just that. With a tagline as intriguing as "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?", one can't help but embark on this impossible love journey, where emotions meet cutting-edge technology.
In an age where technology has seeped into every facet of our lives, it's only apt to find a story where love entwines with the digital. Indigo, through the character of Cooper, beckons readers to tread the fine line between a love that's healing and a love that's wounding. Cooper’s discovery of a radical website and her consequent decision bring forth a cascade of events that spirals like a thriller.
This page-turner draws us into the depths of the human psyche, questions on love, and the extent to which technology can meddle. Indigo crafts a narrative where characters don't just live; they pulsate, hurt, love, and most importantly, evolve.
What truly amazes me, however, is that this is a debut novel.
The cherry on top? The inspiration from genuine, cutting-edge medical technology lends this narrative a shade of reality, making us wonder about the blurred lines between science fiction and the very imminent future.
To sum it up, "Love Deleted" is more than just an impossible love story. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human heart, the malleability of our emotions, and the pervasive influence of technology. So, if you're in the mood for an electrifying ride through love’s digital landscape, Paul Indigo's debut is a must-read.
"Love Deleted" - Where love isn't just written, but can be rewritten.
Blurb:
Dive into a world where love collides with technology, heartbreak meets the digital age, and decisions are as irreversible as erased data. Welcome to "Love Deleted".
Review:
There are love stories, and then there are tales that redefine the genre. "Love Deleted" by Paul Indigo does just that. With a tagline as intriguing as "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?", one can't help but embark on this impossible love journey, where emotions meet cutting-edge technology.
In an age where technology has seeped into every facet of our lives, it's only apt to find a story where love entwines with the digital. Indigo, through the character of Cooper, beckons readers to tread the fine line between a love that's healing and a love that's wounding. Cooper’s discovery of a radical website and her consequent decision bring forth a cascade of events that spirals like a thriller.
This page-turner draws us into the depths of the human psyche, questions on love, and the extent to which technology can meddle. Indigo crafts a narrative where characters don't just live; they pulsate, hurt, love, and most importantly, evolve.
What truly amazes me, however, is that this is a debut novel.
The cherry on top? The inspiration from genuine, cutting-edge medical technology lends this narrative a shade of reality, making us wonder about the blurred lines between science fiction and the very imminent future.
To sum it up, "Love Deleted" is more than just an impossible love story. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human heart, the malleability of our emotions, and the pervasive influence of technology. So, if you're in the mood for an electrifying ride through love’s digital landscape, Paul Indigo's debut is a must-read.
"Love Deleted" - Where love isn't just written, but can be rewritten.
August 29, 2023
Love Deleted is a story of love but I wouldn’t call it a love story. This book follows Cooper who has just witnessed her husband of 20 years being unfaithful. She doesn’t quite know how to deal with this heartbreak and keeps replaying the day over and over. When a new technology becomes available, Cooper has the power to remove all emotions tied to her husband from her mind. She gets to keep the memories but not grief. This seems like the perfect solution…until it’s not.
This book is a lot like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (the book even mentions that!) but instead of erasing whole memories, it erases emotions using technology and science that is actually real. One of my favorite things about this book was actually the interview style chapters that were a bit of a break between the actual story because they were so fascinating.
This book is long and it takes a little bit for the actual story to start but once it does, you can’t put it down! The chapters are short so it’s very easy to keep saying just one more chapter over and over until you finish the book. The writing style is very stylized. It’s like a hybrid of stream of consciousness while being in third person present tense that takes a little while to get used to.
The story itself is heartbreaking at times and very introspective and asks the question “what is love really?” in its own way several times. I found myself tearing up a bit by just the emotional journey the characters went through. This is a long book but worth it to try and get into because it does what it’s trying to do well. I read several other reviews that said this but this is truly not like anything else I have ever read and I loved that about it.
This book is a lot like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (the book even mentions that!) but instead of erasing whole memories, it erases emotions using technology and science that is actually real. One of my favorite things about this book was actually the interview style chapters that were a bit of a break between the actual story because they were so fascinating.
This book is long and it takes a little bit for the actual story to start but once it does, you can’t put it down! The chapters are short so it’s very easy to keep saying just one more chapter over and over until you finish the book. The writing style is very stylized. It’s like a hybrid of stream of consciousness while being in third person present tense that takes a little while to get used to.
The story itself is heartbreaking at times and very introspective and asks the question “what is love really?” in its own way several times. I found myself tearing up a bit by just the emotional journey the characters went through. This is a long book but worth it to try and get into because it does what it’s trying to do well. I read several other reviews that said this but this is truly not like anything else I have ever read and I loved that about it.
October 17, 2023
Love Deleted is the story of Cooper Hall who, after witnessing a terrible betrayal by her husband, decides to have specialist treatment to erase the love she feels for him. This book is about the repercussions of this treatment and the effect it has on Cooper and her family's lives.
It’s a really interesting concept and idea that if you are hurt by someone you love then you can cure yourself of the pain by having your feelings for them removed. Cooper is a very strong main character - strong willed and stubborn but also extremely vulnerable. Cooper has struggled with her self worth and her mental health for many years. There were many times in this novel where I wanted to give her a big hug and also times when I wanted to shout at her. I love all the characters around her, especially Jethro, who has to deal with the repercussions of his wife’s decision.
This book asks a lot of questions about what you might do if you were in a similar situation and the second half of the book deals with some unique ideas about love which I can’t really discuss here without giving away spoilers.
Love Deleted is a big book at 520 pages long but it actually feels quite short mainly thanks to the short, sharp chapters which I think really helped the story move along at a fast pace. There are interviews with the scientists who created the treatment that Cooper undertakes, at the beginning this is a little frustrating as they don’t give much information but by the end of the novel they help create a unique view of the circumstances in the novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed Love Deleted - it’s a thought provoking, fascinating story.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
It’s a really interesting concept and idea that if you are hurt by someone you love then you can cure yourself of the pain by having your feelings for them removed. Cooper is a very strong main character - strong willed and stubborn but also extremely vulnerable. Cooper has struggled with her self worth and her mental health for many years. There were many times in this novel where I wanted to give her a big hug and also times when I wanted to shout at her. I love all the characters around her, especially Jethro, who has to deal with the repercussions of his wife’s decision.
This book asks a lot of questions about what you might do if you were in a similar situation and the second half of the book deals with some unique ideas about love which I can’t really discuss here without giving away spoilers.
Love Deleted is a big book at 520 pages long but it actually feels quite short mainly thanks to the short, sharp chapters which I think really helped the story move along at a fast pace. There are interviews with the scientists who created the treatment that Cooper undertakes, at the beginning this is a little frustrating as they don’t give much information but by the end of the novel they help create a unique view of the circumstances in the novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed Love Deleted - it’s a thought provoking, fascinating story.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
October 31, 2023
Cooper came home unexpectedly early that day. The day her world collapsed. The day she heard things she shouldn’t have. Saw things she shouldn’t have.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after witnessing an earth-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.
They can surgically erase her love for her husbperfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can’t imagine.
A life-shattering moment. A rash decision. An easy solution. This isn’t just a love story. Not when a heart isn’t just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story
While the premise may seem akin to that of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, this book has its own unique twist on someone dealing with emotional pain using science.
The writing style is a little different to anything I’ve read before, with short chapters a podcast scripted dotted throughout. The characters are developed well and are relatable as well. I constantly found myself thinking about what I’d do in their situation - it seems clear cut to start with but this book gets you thinking about the butterfly effect of one simple choice and how it can then ripple through the rest of your life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after witnessing an earth-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.
They can surgically erase her love for her husbperfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can’t imagine.
A life-shattering moment. A rash decision. An easy solution. This isn’t just a love story. Not when a heart isn’t just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story
While the premise may seem akin to that of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, this book has its own unique twist on someone dealing with emotional pain using science.
The writing style is a little different to anything I’ve read before, with short chapters a podcast scripted dotted throughout. The characters are developed well and are relatable as well. I constantly found myself thinking about what I’d do in their situation - it seems clear cut to start with but this book gets you thinking about the butterfly effect of one simple choice and how it can then ripple through the rest of your life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend.
January 7, 2025
This is an unusual novel in a positive way – well-crafted, informative, and provocative. It explores the meaning of love that challenges the fairytale, happily-ever-after, romantic version held in such high regard in western culture.
Cooper and Jethro, childhood friends, have been married for twenty years and remain deeply in love. When she discovers what she perceives as a devastating betrayal, Cooper takes a drastic step to end her heartbreak with unforeseen consequences.
A secondary love story explores the relationship between Harriet (Cooper’s sister) and her husband Eddsy. While successful in their joint business venture, each harbors the disappointment of being unable to conceive and establish their longed-for large family.
The structure of the story is woven in an interesting format. It alternates between not only the points of view of the main characters but also includes interviews from a sequence of podcast transcripts which describe the technological procedure (optogenetics) that Cooper undergoes.
The writing style is unique and drew me into the story once I adjusted to the rhythm. I appreciated the wisdom and insights into the nature of love and was gratified with the ending. The issues of infidelity, mental illness and infertility are significant life challenges, but they were compounded by the breakdown of communication between people who genuinely care for each other.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 27, 2023
First of all, I'd love to thank the author for sending me the book! I really appreciate it.
Now for the review:
I honestly don't know what I expected from this book. It's about a woman named Cooper who sees something unexpected after arriving home early one day. After that she doesn't know what to do. But then she stumbles upon a website talking about a treatment that may help her, but things don't really go as planned.
This book had me at the edge of my seat. I just kept reading and reading and reading because once something is mentioned I needed to know how things would unfold. Plus, the chapters are pretty short which made it so easy to read! And it's not only about Cooper, but also her husband Jethero, her sister Harriet, and her sister's husband Eddsy. So there was more than one plot line going on.
I will say that the only thing I didn't really like is that sometimes there would be more than one perspective at the same time so I'd get confused and have to reread again, but apart from that it was pretty solid!
The book's concept is quite unique and I feel like it would make a great movie. The plot twist was so simple yet still got to me because I wasn't expecting it at all.
I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy science fiction with an emphasis on science because the book goes into a lot of detail to explain how exactly the treatment works. Also if you're just looking for an interesting and different read!
Now for the review:
I honestly don't know what I expected from this book. It's about a woman named Cooper who sees something unexpected after arriving home early one day. After that she doesn't know what to do. But then she stumbles upon a website talking about a treatment that may help her, but things don't really go as planned.
This book had me at the edge of my seat. I just kept reading and reading and reading because once something is mentioned I needed to know how things would unfold. Plus, the chapters are pretty short which made it so easy to read! And it's not only about Cooper, but also her husband Jethero, her sister Harriet, and her sister's husband Eddsy. So there was more than one plot line going on.
I will say that the only thing I didn't really like is that sometimes there would be more than one perspective at the same time so I'd get confused and have to reread again, but apart from that it was pretty solid!
The book's concept is quite unique and I feel like it would make a great movie. The plot twist was so simple yet still got to me because I wasn't expecting it at all.
I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy science fiction with an emphasis on science because the book goes into a lot of detail to explain how exactly the treatment works. Also if you're just looking for an interesting and different read!
September 18, 2023
Love Deleted by Paul Indigo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I am so thrilled to have been offered Love Deleted as my first audio ARC. The debut novel for Paul Indigo, is a beautiful written, thought provoking, unique love story. The story of Cooper and Jethro. I totally enjoyed it. “Make everyday like the first day”, my favorite quote/relationship advice. This should definitely be at the top of your TBR.
Blurb: ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?
This is an impossible love story…
Cooper came home unexpectedly early that day. The day her world collapsed. The day she heard things she shouldn’t have. Saw things she shouldn’t have.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after returning home to an earth-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they can give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.
They can surgically erase her love for her husband Jethro.
Only what appears to be the perfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can’t imagine.
A life-shattering moment. A rash decision. An easy solution. This isn’t just a love story. Not when a heart isn’t just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story.
I am so thrilled to have been offered Love Deleted as my first audio ARC. The debut novel for Paul Indigo, is a beautiful written, thought provoking, unique love story. The story of Cooper and Jethro. I totally enjoyed it. “Make everyday like the first day”, my favorite quote/relationship advice. This should definitely be at the top of your TBR.
Blurb: ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO ERASE YOUR LOVE?
This is an impossible love story…
Cooper came home unexpectedly early that day. The day her world collapsed. The day she heard things she shouldn’t have. Saw things she shouldn’t have.
Now Cooper is running away. Driving recklessly. Blindly. A broken heart spiralling out of control after returning home to an earth-shattering scene.
Then Cooper discovers the website. Speaks to the doctors. Can they help her? Can they can give her the treatment she desperately wants? Yes they can. They can do something mind-blowing.
They can surgically erase her love for her husband Jethro.
Only what appears to be the perfect solution sets off a devastating chain of events not only for Jethro and herself. But one also involving their teenage son Daniel in ways she can’t imagine.
A life-shattering moment. A rash decision. An easy solution. This isn’t just a love story. Not when a heart isn’t just broken, it is irreversibly silenced.
This is an impossible love story.
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