This is not the typical book I read. However, after seeing it win a gajillion awards and on everyone’s recommended reading list I decided to give it a shot. Doesn’t hurt that video games play a pivotal part.

I am so glad I did. This book affected me on a deep level. It’s rare to see a story about a man and a woman who are deeply in love but not in a romantic way. For many years of my life I was conditioned to believe this wasn’t a possible scenario, as I worked for an employer who expressly forbid such relationships. Yes, Sam and Sadie occasionally broached the topic, but never in more than a fleeting “but it would never work” way. The fact that it resolved spectacularly in a place of “we’re more than what we could have been as lovers” was just perfect.

Excellent read.

An enjoyable read. Early on, I was a little skeptical and thought it might just be packed with game references to appeal to gamers, but it actually worked. The references felt natural and added to the world instead of distracting from it.

It was funny, cute, and then devastating at times. I really felt like I was alongside Sam, Sadie, and Marx through all their highs and lows. Their relationship felt real and bittersweet, messy in a way that made it hit harder. It reminded me of those diagrams you see of relationships drawn with lines that are sometimes largely parallel and overlap for only a short while, intersect once and never again, squiggly and meet at various points to later become one, drift away or a line ending early. Just felt cosy reading this.