Glitterland by Alexis Hall is a contemporary romance. Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people's expectations. Then a chance encounter throws him into the path of Essex-born Darian Taylor. Flashy and loud, radiant and full of life, Darian couldn't be more different...and yet he makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it's like to step beyond the boundaries of his anxiety. But Ash has been living in his own shadow for so long that he can no longer see a way out. Can a man who doesn't trust himself ever trust in happiness? And how can someone who doesn't believe in happiness ever fight for his own?
Glitterland grabbed my attention and emotions and refused to let me do anything else until I finished the book. I thought the description and explanation of how Ash felt and what he was going through felt very honest and was told with respect and caring for those that might have gone through something similar or know someone who has. The honest look at his thoughts, and not only how he felt but how it affected those around him all felt very real. The push and pull of Ash's mental state, his friendships, and how he thought others thought about him was so raw and real to me that I felt like I really knew him. I felt like most of the characters that had a part to play in this story were very well developed, and I would love to revisit many of them. I really enjoyed Darian as a character, and his group of family and friends as well. This is yet another fantastic read from Hall, and I cannot wait to see what might come next.
Glitterland is a heartfelt romance with an honest exploration of mental health.
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