Peter and Ivan have lost their father. The two Koubek brothers aged 32 and 22 years old respectively in the story written by Irish writer Sally Rooney don’t get along at all. They are grieving and have complicated lives. Peter is a lawyer and Ivan is a former chess genius who is a freelancer too. Ivan’s love life becomes the bone of contention so much so that Ivan blocks his elder brother to avoid his calls and texts. Their mother Christine before their dad died had married another man who has a family. Ivan was attached to his father and was closer to him. Peter does not share a very good relationship with either of his parents. Christine sees to it that she has a balanced approach towards both her sons. Sylvia, who Ivan considers her as his sister, broke up with Peter after she met with an accident. That phase is a tough one for the trio as no one is able to connect with each other and a void takes shape on its own. Sylvia is Peter’s best friend too and from time to time they meet. Naomi, a 23-year-old college goer indulges in paid sex to appease Peter’s fantasies. He is involved emotionally and somehow cannot let go of Naomi either. 

Ivan is in love with a 36-year-old woman Margaret who is separated from her husband Ricky. Arts Program Director is her profession and she is pretty enamoured by Ivan. The lovebirds have a very good chemistry that gives rise to a scandal. Set in Dublin and rural Ireland the plot has some very interesting strained relationships. The book has grief, miscommunication, misunderstanding, loss, regrets, jealousy, love, hatred,  and forgiveness to name a few. It has many unpleasant situations but manages to be unputdownable.