With an "I love you" in the title, one would presume this is a love story. And indeed, it is, but not in the way you might expect...
Does love live on forever? Can it? These are some of the powerful and deep questions that Ms. Ahern investigates in this novel that simultaneously tugs at poignant emotions and warms the heart. This is one of the longer books I've read in quite some time, but the author does an admirable job of keeping the reader engaged and interested in turning each new page.
The most attractive thing about this story to me, ironically, is the way all the messy parts of life are shown unfiltered. While it might appear unattractive to some, being able to convey the raw emotions of each of these characters in a believable and authentic way allows the reader to identify with the realities of life and how not everything works out perfectly. We mess up, we look at things the wrong way. But we also have the ability to forgive, to move on, to live.
This story didn't end how I might have expected it to, but in a strange way, I appreciate that. It supports everything I shared in the last paragraph. Circling back to my opening thought, this is a love story, but not in the way you might expect.
Love comes in so many different forms: romantic, familial, friendly, unconditional, and perhaps most importantly, before any of these, love of self. Each of the characters in this book fights to accept that last form of love in some way. And for that reason alone, this story is one that everyone might enjoy reading to speak those last three words of this title... to yourself.
Dave’s Rating: ☕️☕️☕️
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