[ARC Review] Glitterland by Alexis Hall

Publisher's synopsis: 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?  

My thoughts: Ash Winters is, by far, one of the hardest romance characters I've ever read. He's gritty and he's real in his feelings - which often trend downward. His world is muted, his days full of reasons to simple avoid everything.

But when Ash meets Darian? I'd love to say that everything immediately changes for Ash, but it doesn't. Hall keeps it real; in reality, illness just doesn't disappear overnight - and Darian isn't a magical fix for Ash, either. A good portion of this story follows Ash's journey as he learns that he can feel both depressed and worthy of someone's love. 

Darian and Ash's story was beautiful in its own, darker way. Pretty much the opposite of rainbows and butterflies, Glitterland is a romance to remind us that love isn't always love at first sight and love doesn't instantly make all your problems go away. But, as Ash and Darian discover, love can be unexpected, look nothing like you thought it would, and can ease (but not solve) some of your heaviest burdens. 

Due to the darker recesses of Ash's mind, Glitterland is unlike any other romance I've read recently. Ash may not find a knight in shining armor, but he does fall in love with his very own glitter pirate and I wouldn't have it any other way.

A huge thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing a review copy of this revised and expanded edition of this book!

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Release date: 1/17/23

Format: eARC

eARC provided via: Edelweiss