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A review by natlbugz
Pictures of You by Emma Grey
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
TLDR: If you’re looking for a beautifully written love story with emotional twists and layered characters, pick this one up. Just maybe go in blindly.
I didn’t expect to be so floored by this one. I went into Pictures of You completely blind, and I’m so glad I did because the twists in this story wouldn’t have hit nearly as hard if I’d known more upfront. It’s a beautifully written, deeply emotional book that explores love, resilience, and what it means to truly show up for someone, even in the messiest of circumstances.
This was my first novel by Emma Grey, and now I’m officially hooked—I already have The Last Love Note lined up next because her writing style just works for me. She has such a natural way of weaving complex emotions into every page, making you feel so connected to the characters.
I didn’t expect to be so floored by this one. I went into Pictures of You completely blind, and I’m so glad I did because the twists in this story wouldn’t have hit nearly as hard if I’d known more upfront. It’s a beautifully written, deeply emotional book that explores love, resilience, and what it means to truly show up for someone, even in the messiest of circumstances.
This was my first novel by Emma Grey, and now I’m officially hooked—I already have The Last Love Note lined up next because her writing style just works for me. She has such a natural way of weaving complex emotions into every page, making you feel so connected to the characters.
What makes things true? I can imagine a whole world of experience missing from my memory, but if I don’t remember it, did it ever happen? Aren’t we meant to be the sum of our experiences? Surely that works only if our memories are intact. Piled up over years, shaping us into the people we become.
The love story at the heart of this book isn’t simple—it’s messy, layered, and at times, heart-wrenching. And that’s what makes it so powerful. The story doesn’t shy away from showing the darker side of relationships either, so fair warning: there are trigger warnings for abusive relationships. But the way Grey handles these topics is delicate and respectful, adding depth to the narrative without overshadowing the hopeful moments.
What really stuck with me was the depiction of love as an action—something you do rather than just feel. It’s about showing up, even when things are hard, and finding beauty in the imperfections. It’s a story that feels raw and real, and one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
...the bioluminescence scenes at the beach just melted me.