For over a year, I kept seeing Heart the Lover by Lily King featured at my library. It has a beautiful, intriguing cover, but for some reason, I had convinced myself it was probably just a cheesy rom-com. Yes, I judged a book by its cover. Eventually, I decided to give it a chance. I went in completely blindâI had never read anything by Lily King, I didnât really know what the book was about, and I had no expectations. I downloaded the audiobook and started listening. And within minutes, I was hooked. I finished the entire book in less than 24 hours. I want to tell you why I loved Heart the Lover, and why I chose to pick up two more Lily King novels immediately afterwards.
â¤ď¸ Heart the Lover
I am so glad I went into this one without knowing anything about it because I think that made the experience even better. I had no idea where the story was taking me, but I was completely along for the ride. It was such a raw, beautifully told story. The kind of book where you wouldnât change a single word because every piece feels intentional. The whole arc was so thoughtfully crafted and the ending was absolutely perfect. It explored first love, long-lost love, heartbreak, friendship, time, memory, and the ways our lives become intertwined with other people. It was emotional without feeling forced, philosophical without feeling heavy, and deeply human. It broke my heart and somehow managed to put it back together again before the very last sentence. Five stars. âââââ
đ Both a Sequel and a Prequel?!
After finishing Heart the Lover, I discovered that itâs actually a companion novel to Writers & Loversâboth a prequel and a sequel. Naturally, I immediately downloaded it. I decided to read the Kindle version because I had enough Amazon credits saved up to get it for free. (A little life tip: I almost always choose the slower shipping option in exchange for the $3 credit. Those little credits add up!) I read Writers & Lovers in one day, on Shabbat, while we were home and enjoying a quiet weekend together. I really enjoyed it. I obviously couldnât put it down, but I didnât love it quite as much as Heart the Loverâwhich is completely fine. Not every book needs to become a five-star favorite to be a wonderful read. Four stars. ââââ
âď¸ Five Tuesdays in Winter
And then, because apparently I had entered my Lily King era, I picked up Five Tuesdays in Winter from the library. This is a collection of short stories, and I loved each and every one. Each story pulled me in almost immediately. I found myself invested in the characters and their lives so quickly, and every time a story ended, I wished there was more. I think thatâs one of the best signs of a great short story collection: when you feel like youâre saying goodbye too soon. Five stars. âââââ
⨠My Thoughts on Lily King
After reading three Lily King books in one week, I definitely noticed some common threads. Her writing is very literary. You can tell she takes her English literature background seriouslyâthere are plenty of references to books, authors, and the larger literary world throughout her novels. There were moments where it felt a little self-aware or even slightly pretentious, but honestly? It worked. After reading her biography, it also became pretty clear that Writers & Lovers draws heavily from her own life. And really, who can blame a writer for pulling from their own experiences? Some of the most powerful stories come from that place.
What I loved most about all three books was how deeply she understands people. Her characters are complicated, messy, thoughtful, and real. Her stories stay with you because they feel like theyâre asking bigger questions about love, friendship, time, and what it means to be human.
đď¸ Listen Here
Books Mentioned đ
â¤ď¸ Heart the Lover by Lily King â âââââ
â¤ď¸ Writers & Lovers by Lily King â ââââ
â¤ď¸ Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King â âââââ