Go Gentle

by Maria Semple

"Maria Semple is a treasure." —Los Angeles Times

The New York Times bestselling author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette returns to form in her most exuberant and life-affirming novel yet with the story of one woman’s cheerful determination to live a life of the mind only to have the heart force its way in.

Adora Hazzard has it all figured out. A Stoic philosopher and divorcée, she lives a contented life on New York City’s Upper West Side. Having discovered that the secret to happiness is to desire only what you have, she’s applied this insight to blissful relishing her teenage daughter, the freedom of being solo, and her job as a moral tutor for the twin boys of an old-money family. She’s even assembled a "coven"—like-minded women who live on the same floor in the legendary Ansonia—and is making active efforts to grow its membership. Adora’s carefully curated life is humming along brilliantly until a chance meeting with a handsome stranger.

Soon, her ordered world is upended by black-market art deals, secret rendezvous, and international intrigue . . . and her past—which she has worked so hard to bury—lands like a bomb in her present. Inflamed by unquenchable desire, Adora finds herself a woman wanting and she’ll risk everything to get it.

Adora Hazzard’s journey of self-discovery will grip you from the start. Romantic, hilarious, intelligent, and bursting with the stuff of life, Go Gentle is a thrilling story of one woman’s mid-life transformation, cementing Maria Semple in the pantheon of our most exciting and important contemporary writers.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Art, New York

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 21, 2026

About the author

Maria Semple's first novel, This One is Mine, was set in Los Angeles, where she also wrote for television shows including Arrested Development, Mad About You, and Ellen.

Semple was born in Santa Monica, California. Her family moved to Spain soon after she was born. There her father, the screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr., wrote the pilot for the television series Batman. The family moved to Los Angeles and then to Aspen, Colorado. Semple attended boarding school at Choate Rosemary Hall, then received a BA in English from Barnard College in 1986.

Reviews

[emma]

i don't know if literary romance is a genre, but if it is it's my favorite

[Kelsey S · Rating 4 out of 5]

▹TL;DR Review: At times this felt like a fever dream—and I didn’t hate it. This has a bit of everything: philosophy, politics, feminism, white-collar crime, mystery, and romance.

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.75 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for an advanced e-copy of this book. These opinions are my own. Go Gentle comes out April 21, 2026.
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○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– About: Adora Hazzard is a stoic philosopher and recent divorcee living on New York City’s Upper West Side, confident she’s mastered the art of wanting only what she already has. She tutors the twin sons of an old-money family, has a coven of like-minded women in her building, and relishes her solo life—until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger upends her orderly world. Suddenly black-market art deals, secret rendezvous, and buried pasts come crashing in, forcing Adora to risk everything to discover what she really wants.
– Location: New York City, NY / LA / Paris
– POV: Single third-person
– Spice: A open and closed-door scenes (not overly explicit, but could make some uncomfortable)
– Tropes: midlife changes, philosophical quest, Stoicism, Amor Fati, art world antics, single mom, romance subplot
– Content warning: (POSSIBLE SPOILERS) suicide attempt, terrorist attempts, body image issues, divorce, infidelity, sexual misconduct in a workplace, class tension, art-world black-market, existential crisis, US politics in the last 10 years, being stalked, narcissistic parent
– Representation: women supporting women, mid-life FMC, #metoo

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↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Que Sera, Sera by Doris Day

╰┈➤ ❝Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be; The future's not ours to see; Que sera, sera❞

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★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★

➼ Books that lean into the philosophical, like The Stranger by Albert Camus, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
➼ Modern stories that include recent political and social events, from the 2016 US Presidential Election to the #metoo movement to mentions of the Kardashians and Pharrell
➼ Creating a coven of women who support each other

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⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Fast Burn————————✧———Slow Burn
Sweet—————✧——————Spicy
Light/Fluffy———————✧————Heavy/Emotional

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🎯 My Thoughts:

I’ll admit it—I picked up this book for the cover first and the description second. A coven of like-minded women in NYC? Sign me up. As a pretentious New Yorker who has never actually lived there (Midwest born and raised), I loved living vicariously through Adora and her fellow Manhattanites. But this story goes far beyond its aesthetic or setting.

Adora put me through an entire emotional spectrum: annoyance, anger, camaraderie, intrigue, pity, reflection. She’s a woman shaped by a narcissistic parent, who becomes a comedy-writer-turned-philosophy-convert after trauma, then becomes a mother navigating an era of political chaos, and a tutor teaching wealthy New York boys how to think. Following her life sometimes felt like a fever dream, but Maria Semple weaves these threads together into a surprisingly cohesive tapestry—one many readers will recognize pieces of. And honestly? She may have converted me to Stoicism.

One of my favorite elements was the way pop-culture references were juxtaposed with philosophy. I’m sure plenty of nuance flew over my head, but I loved the delightful clash of arts, humanities, relationships, crime, politics—and the romance subplot didn’t hurt, either.

Would I Recommend?: Not to everyone. But if you enjoy following a complex woman juggling motherhood, marriage, vocation, and identity—only to have it all upended by a white-collar art crime—this is absolutely worth your time. It’s different from my usual picks, but I’d happily read more from this author.

[Christopher Febles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of the cult favorite Where'd You Go, Bernadette returns to form with a twisty, philosophical thriller/romance/retrospective/find-yourself tale.

As you see from the tagline, I have no idea how to categorize this thing. But if you loved that banger in Bernadette, you were waiting with bated breath for this one.

Adora Hazzard has a weird job: family philosopher. She teaches Stoicism et al to the Lockwood twins. They’re the twelve-year-old heirs to the Lockwood fortune, the holders of the famous Lockwood Library and priceless artifacts in a palatial estate on Fifth Avenue, or what they call “The Museum Mile.” A recent divorcee, she lives just across Central Park in a classic apartment building, on a floor where three women support each other financially and spiritually, a setting she calls “The Coven.” She has a past that includes a comedy-writing career that was cut short by a disgusting #metoo-inspired incident and a lucrative NDA. Philosophy was the happy pivot from that turbulent life.



One day, waiting in line for the ballet, a mysterious, “gorg” stranger buys her extra ticket. One thing leads to another which leads to a hot and steamy romance. But Mr. TD&H turns out to be some sort of agent involved in a dangerous scandal with her employers, one that threatens precious artifacts…and lives.

Adora might be Semple’s best-written character yet. Yes, the backstory has its own chapter and takes us away from the riveting plot, but it’s a good one. Her monologue is chock-full of wonderful quotes from the classic thinkers, snippets of wisdom that’ll have you nodding and agreeing. She’ll make Stoicism clearer than ever (and yes, the title comes from the famous Dylan Thomas poem). She’s brilliant, tough, and both an underdog and an everywoman. I thought some aspects of her life connected less with the plot than others, but I liked her nonetheless. And her superpower is making sense of the insane and taking life’s slings and arrows with grace and strength.

Thus, she’s a terrific protagonist for this wild, crazy caper. The challenge Adora faces is scaffolded around high fashion, eight-figure philanthropy, and how ancient statues are acquired. All topics of which I have little knowledge, and hence I found following the clues to the mystery a little difficult.

That said, the golden goose chase is as fun and globe-trotting as Bernadette’s. Looks to me like Adora and her 21st Century teen daughter Viv stayed in the same place I did on my trip to Paris! Her banter with love interest Digby is snappy and intelligent, just as you’d expect. Her encounters seem random at first, but later fit perfectly in the plot jigsaw puzzle. The later chapters have some exciting reveals, one after another, that build a big crescendo. Sure, the denouement is a little Scooby-Doo: everything pulls together at a big fancy party, but it’s a nice reward for a likeable MC.

Of course, the snarky, witty, sarcastic, absurdist tone from Semple’s earlier work is there, and maybe better than ever. It’s not the slapstick humor you find in the Stephanie Plum series, but it warms the action and will get a wry grin out of you.

Hey, looks like our buddy with the Bernadette fame is back! Go Gentle is a sharp, pithy, dizzying ride into a contemplative and intriguing world.

Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date for Go Gentle by Maria Semple is April 14, 2026.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Intrigue, mystery, humor, philosophy and huge art deals.

Basics: New York City
The Ansonia
Former comedy writer
Current Philosopher (professor and moral tutor for young twin boys of wealthy family.
Divorced and not looking for a mate.
Sex is naturally acceptable with a willing partner.

Adora Hazzard works for the wealthy Lockwood family in NYC as a moral tutor to their twin sons and at their Lockwood Museum. Layla and Lionel are old money New Yorkers trying to do their part for the art world on the Upper West Side.

Lionel was seriously injured in a climbing accident and is in a wheelchair with limited mobility. Layla tries to do everything possible to make her husband’s life more interesting. That includes a total remodel of their townhouse into a glass structure complete with elevators and a tunnel under the street to their museum.

Layla has plans to purchase and ship an ancient statue from France to their home in the US. Suspicions are aroused by this unknown statue and the French woman they’re purchasing it from. She is on the Board of the Louvre plus her father was instrumental in getting art pieces back from the trove of art stolen by the Nazis.

Adora somehow meets a man at the ballet that might be involved in this deal and has a night of wild, wonderful sex with him. Ravi, a curator for the museum is the most suspicious.

The story moves quickly with characters involved in many aspects of the art world and fabulous quotes by ancient philosophers. No one is who they appear to be. Fun! Kept me guessing to the last sentence.


Thanks Edelweiss and Atria.

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is chaotic- with bizarre structure and pacing, it seems to break all the rules of contemporary fiction writing, and yet I loved it. The main character Adora refuses to be categorized, much like the genre. Plenty of twists, time jumps and character building at random.

Adora is an “in house philosopher” for a generational wealthy Manhattan elite family. She is a divorced woman who has lived through different “lifetimes” and is forever changed by the American landscape and the traumas she has overcome. I related to her on a visceral level- and my highlighter got a workout as I kept underlining and writing “THIS” in the margin.

My guess is it will be a Book of the Month selection.

This book won’t be universally loved, but please read it, especially if you meet the following;

-a lady over 40
-feminist
-interested is philosophy
-would like to be in a coven
-like reading about modern Manhattan

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC. Book to be published April 13, 2026.

[Monica Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

From philosophy to romance to politics to mystery, this was a story that grew on me. At first all of the philosophy talk and Adora's job made the book drag a little for me. However as I kept reading I was drawn in as I learned about Adora's past and what she went through. As the book progressed to the end, I did not want to stop reading to find out what was going to happen.

When we first meet Adora she is a philosopher working for a prominent New York City family. She likes her life and when she meets a man at the ballet things slowly take a turn. The novel flashes to the past where we learn about Adora's time as a screen writer. This is where the book really hooked me. The book returns to the present where we learn of a possible conspiracy and art theft. Adora also has the possibility of a new romance on the line.

There were not really chapters in this book but it was written in parts. I did not mind this style and it did make sense when I think about the story as a whole. Adora was an interesting character who went through a lot. There were some wise quotes and I actually enjoyed learning a little more about philosophy. The ending is what made this book. It is definitely hard to classify exactly what this books is but I can say that it is a good story.

Thank you to G. P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Holden Wunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hit 100 pages and the first thing I did was text my mother that Maria Semple is back and to watch out for April 14th and I will gladly tell my book friends as well.

Typically, I’m not super attached to literature where the protagonist is much older than me as I don’t find a lot relatable yet. Perhaps in another ten years that would be different, different phases in life call for different books. But there is something special about Semple and her writing style that allows you to relate no matter the time and space you’re currently in.

I was so enamored with Where’d You Go Bernadette that I’ve been on the look out for more since and I’m so pleased with the outcome.

Go Gentle is filled with so much that makes the genre so unique. There is thrilling aspects, romance, witchy coven vibes, all dressed up in a literary bow. Not only does the cover art encapsulate the book in the aesthetic but also the writing and plot. I am attached to these characters and will wish nothing but they best for them in the future, like they old friends that they are.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was as if the author had three different ideas for a book and couldn't decide which one to write about, so she smushed them all into a single book. The plot that starts out the book with the main character trying to create a "coven" of older women living on the same floor of an apartment building and supporting each other as they grow older together just pretty much disappears and is not really relevant to the rest of the book. The other two main plots eventually tie into each other even though it all seems kind of ridiculous. If the author had settled on one story to pursue this book could have been a lot better than it actually was. It felt way too disjointed as written.

[Athena A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought this was a silly story about middle-aged, upper-middle-class women creating community in NYC (part 1, strong start). And then I read that the author went to Barnard (as did I) and it even made MORE sense! And then it got wild and thrilling (part 2). And then it got upsetting and horrible and biographic (part 3) but still darkly funny at times. Some skippable sections.

Overall, we’re living in the brain of a philosopher barreling into the chaos of a transnational scheme… I felt like this book took on a lot and could have consistently leaned more into mystery/romance or weird girl lit fic or focused on the femme relationships better. Does this even pass the Bechdel test?

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC.

[Book Riot Community]

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:

Adora is a single mom and stoic philosopher employed by an eccentric billionaire. She’s given up on dating and, instead, is trying to create a coven of divorced women who support each other in her New York Upper West Side apartment building. But a chance encounter with a handsome man pulls her into a romance she never expected and a high-stakes mystery that puts everything in her life at stake. The way every single highly specific, highly bizarre detail fits together by the end is nothing short of a masterpiece. Seriously, if you want to read a book about #MeToo, art repatriation, stoic philosophy, middle age, and motherhood, this is the book for you. —Alison Doherty

[britta ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Covens, you can’t afford not to!”

I had such a good time reading this! Maria Semple wrote Where’d you go, Bernadette?, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Her writing is very singular; simultaneously quirky, funny, deep and relatable. This story has it all: eccentric apple billionaires, art terrorism, a middle aged single lady condo coven, Paris, peonies, a lip-reading dog walking teenager, a philosopher queen, the Grateful Dead, a mystery to be solved and lots more. Adora the FMC is so totally loveable and there’s a wonderful cast of characters and a little romance too. I loved the philosophy bits.

“Adora is trying to find someone to blame because she hasn’t won her Oscar.”
“My Oscar?” I said with a jerk.
“We all thought she’d have an Oscar by now,” my mother explained to the therapist. “But she’s stuck writing for television shows none of us have ever heard of.”
My therapist recognized narcissism when she saw it, and this was god-tier. I half expected her to throw the Ali-G hand sign and say, “Respect.”

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Content warnings: Narcissistic parent, suicide attempt, sexual assault (in flashbacks)

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable book. I loved Adora’s character as she is extremely relatable. I was entertained at how she handles life and loved the mix of themes in this book - from mid-life and love to secrets and silliness. I was lost in the pages as I gasped and giggled. This book is lighthearted for the reader while delving deep enough into Adora’s life to keep you guessing what could happen next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Seawitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple but I struggled with Go Gentle.

If you like zany stories that move around a lot and have unique charicature-y characters and lots of references to popular culture and just a lot going on, then this book might be for you.

(My popular culture knowledge is limited and some of that whooshed right over my head.)

This felt like a few different stories rolled into one - including a “mystery-like” plot. There is also time spent on a comedy show as a writer by the protagonist.

There is a marriage that falls apart and a teenaged daughter who also gives the protagonist a run for her money - I found the domestic bits more interesting than the instructions on philosophy and how to be a Stoic.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so f’n much. Adora is so smart and funny, sometimes to her detriment. The celery/bread scene cracked me up. I love her and her coven of badass women and the few good men in her life.

[Marisa Thalberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to get an ARC of Maria Semple’s new novel ahead of its upcoming pub date in 2026, having adored “Where Did You Go, Bernadette” many years ago.

I enjoyed this - though admit I’m not entirely sure how to summarize it (and looking at some other early reviews, that is part of its charm to some, part of its frustration to others). What I did love: main character Adora Hazzard (a one time “SNL”-type comedy writer as we learn about in a big flashback section… turned Stoic philosopher and tutor to the wealthy Lockwood children). A divorced mom with teenage daughter Viv, they live in the Ansonia, one of my favorite buildings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and she has formed a “coven” of similarly middle aged single women neighbors (a plot line that seems more important than it proves to be).

I quite liked the peppering of “greatest philosophy hits” from Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, who believed happiness comes from managing emotions. Does that leave room for… love?

This of course becomes an underlying theme when Adora meets dashing Digby when he buys her spare ticket to the ballet. Their instant romance seems too fortuitous - because it is.

How this all turns into a mystery involving stolen / reclaimed art is a little hard to explain!

If you can accept it as a mixed bag of interesting characters and some quite outlandish plot lines and character developments, you’ll enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for the preview read.

[Kiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

this had everything i could ever want. ancient art, hollywood drama, a LOT of philosophy, heists, corrupt rich people, and very funny and relatable main character. my first ARC!

[Stephanie Lennox · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up! Semple’s writing is so captivating and compelling, I was locked in for this book! I do, however, think this book could’ve been two books. I was super interested in the story of older women taking care of one another in a “coven” and could have read a whole book about a divorcee and mother navigating live in middle age. I wasn’t taken aback by the switch up, but felt some parts were rushed and left the story feeling a bit disjointed. That being said, I still really enjoyed the story and love Semple’s writing.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. Not only could I not put it down. But I also couldn't stop thinking about it when I had to. I loved Where'd You Go, Bernadette for the hilarious satire -- but this new book by Maria Semple (out next year) is just as funny but felt much deeper emotionally and in the twisting, turns of the plot. Adora is a stoic philosopher employed by the eccentric son of a billionaire and a single mom trying to create a coven of middle aged divorced women who support each other. But a chance encounter with a handsome man pulls her into a high stakes mystery that puts everything in her life at stake. The way every single highly specific, highly bizarre detail fits together by the end is nothing short of a masterpiece. And the character development we see through Adora's past and present is fully engrossing. Seriously, if you want to read a book about #MeToo, art repatriation, stoic philosophy, middle age, and motherhood, this is the book for you. I didn't know I wanted to read a book about all of those things. But this book gave me something I didn't even know I wanted. Big thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advanced review copy in exchange for this honest (if overwhelmingly positive) review.

[jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolutely delightful ROMP. Like, goofy, heartwarming, twisty, shocking, and a very fun ride overall. I liked being in Adora’s head- she was a fun narrator, (laughed out loud a few times) and her struggles as a mom to a teen and also navigating new relationships after being divorced were interesting to read. Her daughter, Viv, is iconic. (although the pop culture references will certainly date this book to 2025…) I loved that even as I thought I understood the crazy museum heist mystery plot, things kept changing until almost the last page. Another quality of this story I appreciated is how well acquainted I felt with so many of the characters- a fairly large cast, but the speed of the story kept everything fresh. I figured I would enjoy this plenty because I liked Where’d You Go, Bernadette years ago, so, another win for Semple!

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt kind of like a fever dream that could have been broken out into 3 or 4 separate books. For me, the plot took a while to get into and the slang felt slightly out of place.

The different parts in itself were written in a more clunky fashion compared to some of the other parts, and the topics jumped all over the place. There were discussions of philosophy, love, politics, feminism and white-collar crime.

I’m usually a fan of quirky characters but this felt like it pushed the boundary a little too far. Perhaps I read this at the wrong time, and hopefully others will enjoy this even though this wasn’t for me. With this, though, I will definitely look to try other books from this author in the future!

[Julie Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Gentle is quirky, fun and fast paced. I loved it!
Adora is a strong, intelligent and interesting character. She finds herself later in life and the author did a fantastic job describing her past and how it has affected her future. All the characters were very well drawn out and I could definitely see it made into a movie. I especially enjoyed the relationship Adora has with her teenage daughter Viv. It was very realistic and the banter was very relatable. There is also romance which is always lovely to read about. It was very fast paced and I did have to follow closely for it all to make sense. I highly recommend and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashton Rohrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, I couldn’t have read this at a more perfect time, with 2025 coming to a close. Talk about inspiration, self discovery and realizing that just maybe you can actually want more for your life and that being OKAY! I could easily relate to Adora with having a day to day routine, that is definitely my current life but I also learned that something even better could happen!

[Lisa F. Ellner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 2/3’s of the book were great - well written, good character development. The last third took a left turn into an unrealistic, fantastical farce that seemed like a different story. So all in all I would say it was entertaining and worth reading, but not amazing. I will say that due to the book I am now very interested in learning more about Stoicism.

[Christine Rains]

This one took awhile to get into but it was a good story with a surprise ending. Keep at it! It's worth the read.

[Oolookitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! The story takes so many unexpected twists and turns that you are never quite sure where it’s going; something that is really in keeping with the life of lead character Adora, who goes from wannabe television writer to writing for her favorite comedy show to leaving the industry under a cloud, then somehow finding a new life in New York City where she falls into a romance with someone who may not be what he seems.

There’s also a charming, believable relationship with her teenage daughter, whom Adora struggles to get off her phone and engaging with the real world. But the daughter also turns out to have surprises in store for Adora, who finds new respect for the person her child is becoming.

There may have been a couple of moments where I thought… OK, this is crazy, have we gone too far here? But in the end I really just enjoyed the entire thing, craziness and all.

And as a television writer myself, of course Semple’s portrayal of the industry, or one dark side of it, really rings true. Aside from the madness of what women often have to go through in this industry, she also gives us the tiny everyday details of life in a writers room, right down to “the place on Barham” where the PA buys flowers.

A fun read.

Received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tam📖 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A timely read as it covered Covid, me too movement, as well as the political environment.

[Shazzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is kind. I received a review copy from the publisher.

[Clair · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok so. imagine a comedy writer getting the break of her dreams in los angeles and gets on an SNL esque show for three maybe four weeks but becomes one of the guys (kind of, in a weird mocking kind of way) but this does not protect her from the industry standard sexual assault, but she signs an NDA to protect the man. then she has a mental breakdown (understandable) shifts gears, gets married to a pseudo trumper and then realizes wait no, why did I marry this guy and she becomes a philosophy writer/tutor/coven leader of mid class white (I'm guessing?) ladies, who then finds herself in the midst of a terrorist plot, which finds itself within an international art heist coverup scandal, all the while she toils away for her rich, disabled benefactor employers with random energetic coworkers and neighbors and doormen and dog walkers. she also falls in love with the guy who drafted the NDA (??/barf). and all of these timelines cross over and are told in different order. but then later she goes to paris to give a talk on philosophy but completely butchers the talk (nightmare) with her next gen daughter who wants to hit all the Emily in paris/instagram hot spots (nightmare x2) but then solves everything with the help of a landscape architect, contractor, and random French guy. happily ever after with her man, go gently.

yeah, it was all too much. i did enjoy the philosophy tho (who knew!)

I received an e arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!

I wasn't sure what to expect really, when I started this book, except maybe some mystery. It was so much more than that... a history lesson, a statement about women's rights, discussion about motherhood, and romance to boot!

I enjoyed the lessons on Stoicism and the philosophy aspect. That was actually pretty interesting, and played a much larger role in the book than I anticipated based on the synopsis. And for the first 250 pages of the book, I was invested in the story. But sadly, for me, the last 100 pages felt very long. It seemed like it took an awful lot of time to wrap up the mystery and maybe some of Adora's interactions could have been shortened or left out to keep things moving. Some funny parts, but very detailed day-to-day stuff.

I give the first 250 pages three and a half stars but the last 130 pages two stars. Combining those two, I'll give it overall three stars.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic and lyrical book about a philosopher, art, and how no matter how much you try eventually the heart will take control. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.