ABOUT LOVED ONE

Julia is eighteen when she meets her first-love-turned-close-friend, Gabe, at a party in Barcelona. Twelve years later, Julia meets Elizabeth, Gabe’s most recent ex-girlfriend, at Gabe’s funeral—an interaction that leaves Julia with more questions than answers about Gabe and their shared history.

When Gabe’s mother asks Julia to retrieve the sentimental objects her late son left in the London home he shared with Elizabeth, Julia leaps at the chance to track down her ex’s ex and make sense of their brief encounter. Soon, the two women find themselves in a complex struggle of withholding and revelation. Both, it turns out, have something to hide.

An emotional mystery spanning years, continents, and relationship statuses, Loved One is a moving, witty exploration of grief, love, and friendship.

PRAISE

“Loved One is special. This is the funniest book you’ll ever read about grief, and it’s full of wildly astute, delectably thorny questions about love and loss and possession.” —Maggie Shipstead

“Loved One shimmers with wit even as it explores deep loss. What does it mean to love and lose? How do we undo—and make—each other? Aisha Muharrar asks enduring questions while acknowledging how funny they can be, too. This is a book I will be pressing, urgently, into the hands of my own loved ones.” —Rachel Khong

“Aisha Muharrar has written the type of book you don’t just read, you consume. It’s equal parts hilarious, poignant, and thrilling. I was so engrossed I forgot to pick my kids up from school, so I’m also mad at her.” —Casey Wilson

“Warm-hearted, funny, and written with style and panache, Loved One is both wise and a pleasure to read. I tore through it, from page one until its moving final pages. A terrific novel.” —Adelle Waldman