Welcome book clubbers to our April review!

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As we settle into Autumn with our many, many hordes of choc eggs and ANZAC biscuits galore (personal fave), the cooler weather means cosy reading and books are an essential part of the household for your own hygge. So don your fuzzy socks and well-worn cardy to very comfortably lose yourself in this month’s pick.

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Start at the End by Emma Grey is an emotionally rich and complex love story of Audrey and Fraser (both of whom have risked and been burnt before) who meet and fall deeply for each other in the kind of way that people have written songs about.

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It would be annoying if they both weren’t so damn likeable.

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Fraser is a climate scientist (swoon!) who is still reeling from his recent divorce and struggling to balance work with being a single parent. Following two seemingly small but unforgettable incidents (Fate, you sly matchmaker, you), he clicks with Audrey; a talented (and hilarious) music composer whose career has taken a setback due to an early betrayal of trust. Her love of playing is shared by Fraser’s young daughter Parker (an icon in the making) and Audrey finds herself as a live-in music tutor to the pair.

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Any romantics who love the forced proximity trope, scoot on over, because the temperature does heat up.

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As their relationship kindles from flame to wildfire, Audrey and Fraser plan their next steps together as a family.

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However, in just one afternoon, a tragic accident rips their future apart (why, Fate, why?!), creating two realities in a sliding doors moment in which the other can no longer live.

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Splitting the narrative into two perspectives as the different realities play out, the struggles of both Audrey and Fraser are keenly felt as they cope with the overwhelming emotions of grief, trauma and finding the strength to recover and move on with their lives.

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Written with incredible emotional rawness, nuance and sensitivity, the story never falls into easy cliches and the sliding doors trope offers an interesting take when both characters are plagued by ‘what if’ scenarios.

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One feels almost spoilt by the two stories in one deal.

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While the novel doesn’t veer away from darker themes, Emma Grey provides a skillful balance with humour and lighter moments of rediscovering joy through purpose, the restorative power of music, familial love and opening up to new beginnings.

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I could go on about the many things I loved about Start at the End but we all have somewhere to be, so I’ve condensed it to a list.

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Em’s Book Bingo Card (annoyingly specific, but so am I)

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• A ride-or-die friend group that will be there in a heartbeat with anything you need. In this case: salacious gossip, dating profile tips, bucket of ice etc.

• A costume party – I’m partial to most themes.

• Teenagers dropping the mike – the younger generation and their phones will not stand idly by injustice.

• Musicals! – Audrey’s playlist is basically mine and anyone who aspires to write their own show should do so, quick sticks.

• Hyyge and micro joys – very important in this day and age.

• Meet-cutes – Audrey always accidentally charms instead of infuriates. How do I learn this?

• Saving the planet – Fraser is trying his best, and this book has a great how-to for environmentally friendly confetti.

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So, if you’re looking for an emotionally layered and life-affirming read with complex characters you will find yourself rooting for from start to finish, this is the book for you.

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5 out of 5 Tony awards.

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