I am so glad I grabbed this one at the library the other day. This gut-wrenching and immersive novel is a woman’s reflection on her complicated relationship with an addict. When Leah meets Charlie at the grocery store their connection is instant. Leah is a writer studying for her MFA and Charlie admits that he’s a recovering heroin addict but swears to never use again. The more time they spend together, the more Charlie’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and Leah is put in dicey situations where she feels unsafe. Leah loves Charlie unconditionally but knows their relationship will eventually destroy her.

This book is a raw and honest look at addiction, mental health, and the thin line between love and codependency. Leah and Charlie are both compelling, deeply flawed characters and I became so invested in their lives. The story dives into Leah’s past to examine the root of her issues with abandonment and codependency in relationships while Charlie’s character is purposely more vague. For a character-driven story it was riveting and certain passages had my anxiety through the roof. It evoked so many emotions in me as I was in a similar relationship in my early twenties. Loving an addict opens you up to a whole new world of pain, helplessness, and uncertainty and Halperin captures this perfectly. A beautifully written, devastating story you won’t be able to put down. Highly recommend.