by Mark Manson
First published 2019
Alex and Emma cross paths in London and spark immediately. Both carry heavy emotional scars that threaten their connection before it begins. Alex battles his history with addiction, finding it nearly impossible to open up to another person. Emma carries the weight of a marriage that ended badly, leaving her afraid to risk her heart again. Their attraction pulls them together while their histories push them apart. Each encounter forces them deeper into territory that feels dangerous. Alex must confront whether recovery means staying isolated or learning to depend on someone else. Emma faces the choice between protecting herself from pain or allowing herself to be vulnerable again. Their relationship becomes a test of whether two broken people can build something whole together. The city around them moves forward while they remain stuck between their damaged pasts and an uncertain future. Both must decide if love is worth the risk of being hurt again.
Genres: fiction, romance, contemporary, contemporary-romance
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, second-chance
Setting: London
224 pages · Kindle Edition · HarperOne
Content warnings: addiction, emotional-abuse