Hanna Stevens has perfected the art of being fine. After her mother’s death and a breakup that leaves her shattered, pretending becomes easier than processing.
At least, until she meets Milo at her best friend's engagement party. The "doesn't do dating" groomsman sits at the top of her list of people to stay the hell away from, but when he witnesses one of her weaker moments, he can't help but offer himself as a distraction. Friends with benefits never backfires, right?
As Milo and Hanna get closer, they’re both forced to admit they aren't as fine as they're pretending to be. With her best friend’s wedding on the horizon—to her ex’s brother, no less—Hanna is juggling a grief that won't give up, an ex who won't give way, and a groomsman who won't give in.
Hanna must decide if she's willing to fight for a real shot at love and risk facing yet another loss, or if she'll settle once again for the safety of “fine.”
"I think you're cool. A little fucked up, but I heard what I just said, so I'm not going to pretend I'm not in the same boat. So. That's where I'm at.' Hanna took his words in, but didn't process a single one of them. She'd never once had someone be so direct. She pursed her lips, 'You're either in a lot of therapy, or none, aren't you?'"
This book is fine. And I mean that like fine wine. If you like emotionally devastating, messy stories about grief and growth.
A cocktail made of a perfect mix of raw, vulnerable romance and a stunningly authentic exploration of loss and grieving, this story not only takes a mirror to the initial shock of loss but the way life keeps happening all around you when you feel like it's over.
Milo & Hanna were stunning characters, I have a slight book crush on them both honestly. They meet, become friends, find common ground and start a meaningless fling - just something to fill a space. But things get confusing, they find more than just a connection over their shared understanding, but a deeper, meaningful connection that they aren't ready to deal with. The way their relationships forms felt so natural, it shifts subtly, ebbs and flows.
There's the nervous question hanging overhead the whole time - is this connection just a bond of two traumatised people sharing in their sadness? Or is it something real that somehow managed to fight its way through their depression.
"Why do you have it in your head that there's a distant future someday where it won't take you down to your knees? They're two sides of the same coin - the price of love is grief."
Hanna was a wreck - reeling from loss, struggling to cope, and faced with her best friends wedding which might have been less overwhelming without her nightmare ex being there. Thankfully, there's the confident, chronically single and charming Milo to distract her. And he's a different kind of wreck - the kind that is terrified to get close to anyone despite all the therapy. Both our main characters were undeniable, multi-faceted and so well written, alongside a beautiful cast of supporting characters and friends that had their own important parts to play.
There was vulnerability and healing, sweetness and some steamy scenes I really wish I hadn't read in public because I definitely blushed. The chemistry between Hanna and Milo was perfection - feverish and desperate at times, but undercut with a playfulness and an authenticity in their awkwardness as they relearn what it means to be around someone else.
It moves slowly, piece by piece - getting better, falling apart and trying to get better again. It jumped from moment to moment but still had a brilliant flow that kept the story moving. An emotionally damaging but beautiful story about love after loss in all its glorious mess.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Fine Fine Fine will be available from December 19th 2025.
- I received a reviewers copy of this title. This book includes potentially upsetting content including death, mentions of cancer and traffic accidents and swearing.
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