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The premise centers on Maggie, who faces the daunting reality of inheriting the fatal illness that took her mother at a young age. As she grapples with her mortality, her focus shifts to finding a suitable partner for her husband after her passing, mainly due to her father's unfortunate experience with a con artist following her mother’s death.

The narrative predominantly unfolds through flashbacks, illustrating a teenage Maggie in reckless moments, surrounded by peers, parents, and her sister, all engaged in dialogue filled with sarcasm. This blend of humour against a serious theme aims to create a sense of levity; however, the humour may not resonate as intended, leaving some moments feeling less effective.

The plot requires a significant suspension of disbelief, with several events seeming implausible, which can create a disconnect between readers and the story’s reality. Despite being in their 40s, the adult characters often appear to lack substantial development from their teenage selves, coming across more as caricatures instead of fully fleshed-out characters. The dialogue sometimes feels contrived, missing the richness of authentic human interaction.

There are also aspects of the portrayal of women that could be perceived as problematic, presenting them as predatory figures who target grieving widowers. This characterization raises concerns and could detract from the overall message of the narrative.

Despite initial reservations, I chose to continue reading, influenced by the seemingly positive reviews and hopeful for an improvement in the narrative quality. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met as the story progressed.

The synopsis promised a thriller infused with sharp humour, yet this potential seems underexplored throughout the text. Overall, there are interesting themes at play, but there is an opportunity for more profound character development and a more nuanced approach to humour and relationships.

I lost my mother when I was a teenager due to cancer. I expected a more emotional and nuanced narrative and expected to shed some tears. That wasn’t the case. I was dry-eyed and rolling my eyes and became offended at how they portrayed the women as opportunist vultures.

I want to thank Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.