I know How This Ends

 

I Know How This Ends

by Holly Smale

Holly Smale takes a leap into the complexities of destiny and self-acceptance with her newest novel, I Know How This Ends. This isn't your typical light-hearted romp; instead, it's a nuanced and emotionally rich exploration of what it means to live, love, and grow when you think you know exactly what's coming next.

We're introduced to Margot Wayward, a woman who is unravelling after a decade-long relationship implosion. Her method of coping? Gleeful self-destruction. Margot is derailing her successful career, joyfully taking down men on dating apps, and living in a state of defiant chaos. It's a relatable, albeit heightened, portrayal of post-breakup purgatory that many readers will find both amusing and poignant.

Then, an inexplicable vision shifts her chaotic world on its axis. Margot, a staunch non-believer in fate, finds herself face-to-face with a man she's never met – a man from her premonition. When that vision comes true, exactly as she'd foreseen it, with the single-dad Henry, her carefully constructed cynicism begins to crack. As her future continues to reveal itself, glimpse by uncanny glimpse, Margot is forced to confront an impossible reality: she knows exactly what's going to happen, and when. And there's nothing she can do to change any of it.

What follows is a compelling exploration of what it means to live when your future is, quite literally, laid out before you. If every significant moment, every love, every turning point is already written, how does one find agency? How do you genuinely feel the present moment when you know its eventual outcome? Smale uses this speculative premise to dive deep into Margot's internal world. This is not a fast-paced book; instead, it allows for plenty of self-reflection, inviting the reader to truly inhabit Margot's perplexing journey.

I Know How This Ends shines as an emotionally layered story, propelled less by external events and more by Margot's profound internal evolution. The characters are complex, flawed, and ihuman, making their struggles and triumphs feel authentic. It's a tale of growth that navigates themes of free will versus destiny, healing from heartbreak, and the courage it takes to open oneself up to love again, even when the path is eerily clear.

For readers who appreciate character-driven narratives that delve into the human psyche, question free will, and offer a heartfelt journey of healing and self-discovery, I Know How This Ends promises a truly singular reading experience. It's a book that asks big questions and encourages you to ponder them long after the final page.