This book has everything I love: romance, humor, depth, thoughtful reflections on life and friendship, and likable-if-flawed (aren’t we all?!) characters. Sigh. I loved it so much I just wanted to read it all over again the moment I finished. (So I did!)

The arc of the story, and of its main character, Wren, is so satisfying, and I loved that it takes the reader through the whole process of grief, and all the many ways grief can manifest. It can make us all less flattering versions of ourselves sometimes, and then, if we’re lucky, take us to a new place of understanding and grace and generosity, as it does in this book.

I love to read romances, and I love women’s fiction, and I feel like this book has the best elements of each. It isn’t predictable, yet it does allow the reader to see some insights before they materialize to Wren, who is clouded by her grief. It’s a coming of age story in the best way. I’ve always thought it silly that so many coming of age stories take place around teenagers, when so many people, myself included, truly came of age in our early adulthood. Wren is lost at the beginning of the book, in ways she doesn’t even realize. By the end, while everything isn’t tidy and easy, she has certainly grown and blossomed in such satisfying ways I really related to.

I love the romantic elements of the book– it’s swoony without being unrealistic. I love how real all the characters felt to me. They were unique and quirky and hilarious, but felt like they could be MY old friends, not just Wren’s! I recognized each of them and yet they surprised me just like real people do. And even when they made dubious choices, I could empathize.

As a Jewish reader, the way that Competitive Grieving portrays the Jewish rituals around death (the funeral, shiva, etc) were well-portrayed and familiar. It is always nice to see representations of Jewish life like this in fiction that isn’t necessarily *about* Judaism or Being Jewish (in capital letters), but rather showing the normalcy of Jewish life in incidental ways. I love when a book features characters who are “incidentally” Jewish, like this one, as it gives a peek into the many ways of being Jewish that is accessible to readers of all faiths and normalizes our traditions and customs by experience. 

Nora Zelevansky’s writing is just flat-out gorgeous. I’m a huge fan of her other novels, especially “Will You Won’t You Want Me” which is one of my all-time favorite books. I re-read it whenever I need a pick-me-up, and I know “Competitive Grieving” will be a similar guidepost for me in years to come. Her prose is evocative and rich, yet accessible, a combination so rare and so lovely. I can’t wait for her next book!!!

---