The Things We Leave Unfinished

I had pretty low expectations going in, but I ended up enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would. The dual timeline structure—past and present—was a cool concept that added depth, though I’ll admit it was occasionally confusing. During the climax, both narratives were so gripping that I didn’t want to leave either one, and the chapter switches actually amped up the suspense.

Early on, I found the present-day storyline more compelling (probably because it was easier to relate to), but by the end, I was fully invested in Scarlet’s narrative from the past.

As for the plot twist, I did not see it coming. The buildup was subtle but well-executed, and when it hit, it made total sense in hindsight. Very satisfying.

One element I didn’t love was the inclusion of the letters at the beginning of the present-day chapters. The backwards timeline of the letters, paired with alternating between four characters across two centuries, felt like too much. It added a layer of complexity that didn’t feel necessary and often pulled me out of the story.

Overall, it was a layered, well-paced novel with a twist that paid off, just maybe a little too ambitious in its format. I would recommend it!

Here is my B2M adaptation cast:

Scarlet - Lily James (will always star in my WWII B2M)

Jameson - Nicholas Hoult

Constance - Margaret Qualley

Georgia - Alexandra Daddario

Noah - Sebastian Stan

Damian - Cillian Murphy

Ava - Rachel Weisz