A review by mikes_
Expectation by Anna Hope

5.0

Reading this book made me want to be one of those cool people who writes really, really good reviews that are critical but reflective at the same time. I started this, and I just couldn't put it down.

Expectation is a novel about three intricate women—Hannah, Cate, and Lissa. This book explores the different desires of these women and how they deal with making necessary choices in their lives despite the expectations they have for themselves. The main thing that made this book so fascinating to me was the way Anna Hope structured their friendship dynamics. I overthink a lot about how I value friendships more deeply than anyone I know, and as a person who is just starting into adulthood, I'm slowly finding it a struggle to maintain communication and bond with my friends, considering that we now have different sets of priorities. I really enjoy reading books that open a discussion about the range of challenges platonic relationships could take on and endure, and for me, this book touches on a lot of complex topics. Additionally, this novel talks about a woman's decision to enter motherhood or her intention to be childless. This book is also very timely in this current phase of my life, where my idea of a purposeful life is constantly changing, which in turn feels frustrating at times. Throughout this novel, it made me question a lot of things in my life and take a moment to reflect on them. It also felt comforting to be reminded that we are all flawed, and sometimes it's hard to cope with expectations or deal with the consequences of the path we took or the path we want to take. This book serves as a reminder that mistakes are part of the exploration too, and that even though I'm haunted by the idea that the happiest part of my life is starting to fade away from me, this book reminded me that I still have time to be who I am going to be.

This is very much a character study kind of book, and I know that it will stick with me for a long time. I loved this book. I highlighted so many parts of the book that I will soon go back to and highly reflect on. Honestly, I’d label this as underrated, for I really don’t see this much being recommended online. So please read this book.

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𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5 stars ★

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𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨/𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨:

(( i have so many to be updated ))

“Life is still malleable and full of potential. The openings to the roads not taken have not yet sealed up. They still have time to become who they are going to be.”

“She may not ever know. And this fact – the knowledge of his subjectivity, these experiences of his to which she will never have access – feels more violent, somehow, than the betrayal itself.”

“Her wants proliferate, metastasize inside her.”