Book Review: Loved One by Aisha Muharrar
From the moment I heard Aisha Muharrar on the Gilmore Guys podcast, I knew I had found a storyteller whose voice resonated deeply with me. The excitement I felt when I learned she was releasing her debut novel, Loved One, was palpable. This book is not just a story; it’s an emotional journey that thoughtfully explores grief, friendship, and the complexities of love—both romantic and platonic.
At the heart of Loved One is Julia, a character whose world shatters when she learns of the sudden death of Gabe, her good friend and first love, who happened to be a rising star in the indie music scene. What follows is a beautifully crafted emotional mystery. Julia’s journey intertwines with that of Elizabeth, Gabe’s last girlfriend, as they grapple with their experiences and memories of him. The dynamic between Julia and Elizabeth offers a wonderful contrast, beautifully portraying how different types of love can coexist and inform one another.
The way Muharrar captures the nostalgia and confusion surrounding first loves is both poignant and relatable. There’s an electrifying connection illustrated when Julia and Gabe reunite as adults—a shared rhythm that feels more like an involuntary pull than a choice. One passage that particularly struck me reads: "It was like finding out someone else was fluent in a language you thought you had invented." This metaphor was so spot-on, capturing how deep friendships can harbor their own dialects and nuances.
Muharrar’s writing style is captivating, marked by her ability to weave humor and heartache seamlessly. The imagery she employs is rich and evocative, especially when Julia reflects on her grief: “I pause, grateful to run into him again.” This subtle acknowledgment of loss amidst the beauty of life resonated with me deeply. The pacing of the story felt just right, unfolding the emotional mystery at a tempo that kept me engaged, allowing me to feel each twist and turn without rushing to conclusions.
The narrative is also strikingly set in 2016, a period that, in retrospect, feels both familiar and nostalgic. This choice amplifies the themes of loss and change, making the characters’ struggles with grief even more poignant given the cultural shifts since then. The detail about "Rachel Comey boots" resonated with my own memories from that year—little touches like this make the narrative feel immersed in reality.
Overall, I adored Loved One. It’s a beautifully layered exploration of how we hold on to those we’ve lost, even as life changes around us. Muharrar’s first book is a testament to her gift for storytelling, and I cannot wait to see what she creates next. If you are someone who appreciates a heartfelt exploration of relationships, or if you’ve ever grappled with loss alongside the fond memories of a loved one, this book will resonate with you. It left me feeling reflective and grateful, a feeling I suspect will linger long after the last page is turned.
In a world where grief is often unexplored in literature, Loved One emerges as a refreshing and resonant voice. Whether you’re a fan of Muharrar’s previous work or new to her storytelling, this novel is well worth your time.
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