Whatever the reason, it didn’t hinder the book in the slightest, so for all you writers who spend hours labouring over a name choice, maybe don’t? I found myself wondering why this choice was made, perhaps it made it easier to displace yourself into her shoes or maybe it just made sense within the first person narrative. One would expect to notice something missing, but I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t read someone else’s review that pointed it out.

She was human, as were all of Hayes’ characters.Īn interesting note would be the way that the protagonist remains unnamed throughout the book. The protagonist’s firey personality shone through from the very chapter, instantly likable though not free from flaws. I still had my doubts about how easily we would be able to flow from this to the very start of the relationship described in the book but I was now captivated by Hayes’ writing. So I read on, and quickly became entranced with the opening scene, the post-breakup ritual of returning items. Every self-respecting Brit knows the mundane yet sacred phrase. It’s fair to say that the opening line, “Cup of tea?” had piqued my interest. But I did pick it up, and I didn’t put it down until I had to because my boyfriend’s dad had arrived and it would be rude not to greet him, especially considering this was the first time we’d met. It took me a little while to pick it up – like I said, I had my doubts about how a story in reverse would be told.

Still, I have been following Hazel Hayes on Instagram for a while now and there was no doubt in my mind that she would be capable of writing a spectacular book, so despite my lack of understanding, I bought it. I couldn’t quite imagine how that could possibly work. It was a bit much for my little brain to comprehend before I started the book. I’ll be honest, I was dubious about “a romance told in reverse”.

Out of love hazel hayes review