Writers & Lovers
Writers & Lovers Book Review by Lily King
I devoured Writers & Lovers faster than I could say “aloha” while on vacation in Hawaii with my family this summer. It was a quick, easy read with prose so smooth it practically melted into my delicious maitais.
The story centers around Casey Peabody, a 31-year-old writer stuck in the eternal grind of trying to make it as a novelist while working a soul-sucking job as a waitress.
On top of that, she’s grappling with the recent sudden death of her mother—a loss that looms over her entire journey, pushing and pulling her in all directions, especially if there’s geese nearby (iykyk).
Casey’s life feels like a mess, and King does not shy away from showing every horrible, awkward, and painful inch of it.
Casey is not a perfect or traditionally likable protagonist. She’s a wreck—sometimes infuriating, sometimes heartbreaking. She struggles with self-destructive behaviors that made parts of the book tough to read, but I found her painfully relatable.
At 31, still trying to figure out who she is and what her art means, dealing with grief and complicated relationships—those are struggles that most of us have experienced in our own lives.
Casey’s personal and professional struggles are the heart of the story. She’s stuck in limbo—caught between heartbreak, her failing relationships, and the challenge of finishing her novel while trying to figure out what she really wants from life.
The novel tracks Casey’s journey through writing workshops, failed dates, therapy sessions, and the relentless push-pull between hope and despair.
Romance plays a big role, but it’s complicated and messy—just like real life. Casey’s torn between Oscar, a 45 year old widow who tells her he loves her and whom she dates for several months only for him to drift farther away emotionally as the book goes on, and Silas, a charming but somewhat enigmatic writer like herself.
The ending gives the impression that Silas is supposed to be the “better” choice, the person Casey should end up with, but honestly? Both men are flawed in ways that made me question whether there even is a good option.
Silas has his own issues and is no saint, while Oscar’s turn from devoted partner to distant and self-absorbed was honestly painful to watch, even if his sons were charming and adorable.
As someone currently spiraling in an existential crisis about AI taking over the world and wondering if writing even matters anymore, this book hit me hard.
It made me marvel at the stubborn beauty of artists and writers trying to create meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
But it also made me wonder: would Casey, the main character, still feel high and mighty about writing in 2025 when AI is crafting better prose than most humans?
Casey gets rejected 10 or so times before going into a bidding war for her debut novel. Talk about unrealistic publishing standards that no longer exist anymore.
In the book, Casey is devastated by the few rejections and talks about the difficulty of being a writer.
Meanwhile, it’s normal for people these days to send in upwards of 100 applications and still get rejected. Sigh.
Also, Lily King’s portrayal of men was…interesting. Every man felt like a walking pervert who was terrible to women, which was sometimes accurate but also a little much.
I’ve had this complaint more and more recently as it seems to be very prevalent in almost every book I read.
Overall, Writers & Lovers was an enjoyable read that felt both timely and timeless. It’s a story about finding your voice—both literally, as a writer, and figuratively, as a woman trying to carve out a life.
It hit too close to home in some places, but that only made it more compelling and real.
Recommendation: If you’re in a creative funk, dealing with complicated relationships, or just want a solid, fast read that explores the messy parts of life and art, give Writers & Lovers a try. Just don’t expect tidy romance or flawless characters.
Score: 7/10
