Cover image from Goodreads.com
Gabe is the love of Pippa’s life; he’s charming, successful, and loving but can also be unpredictable and manic. They buy a cottage near The Drop, a cliff face, and Gabe stops several people from jumping off. That is, until one woman takes her own life in front of him. Pippa, watching from the window, misses the event but sees Gabe with his arms out after the woman went over. Suspicions grow when Pippa finds out Gabe knew the woman.
This novel reminds me more of a romance, the way Pippa keeps reminding the reader how much she loves Gabe and how he’s the centre of her life. Pippa rationalizes a lot of Gabe’s behaviour even though his actions are erratic and sometimes extreme. A diagnosis of ADHD seems to fit, but Gabe continues his manic behaviour even while medicated. Later, the true mental illness is revealed.
Pippa’s character arc is a good one. She loves her husband and her children, but has been cleaning up his messes for so long that she’s not really living, just reacting to his behaviour.
Overall the novel was a good depiction of what it’s like to live with someone, and love them, with mental illness.
Should Be Writing 