Review: Great and Precious Things - Rebecca Yarros

Review: Great and Precious Things - Rebecca Yarros - February 2020

Rebecca Yarros has yet to disappoint me when it comes to her romance novels, and while I'm still working my way through her catalog (yes, Fourth Wing is on my list—I promise I'll get there as a somewhat fantasy fan!), I decided to tackle another one from my ever-growing physical TBR pile. I snagged this gem secondhand from Facebook Marketplace, and honestly, it couldn't have come at a better time.

Lately, life has been pulling me in different directions, and I haven't been in the headspace for romance reads. But something about Great and Precious Things just hit differently. I finished it with this overwhelming "WOW" feeling that reminded me of walking out of the cinema after watching A Star is Born with Lady Gaga—you know that powerful, emotionally stirring sensation that's hard to put into words but stays with you for days.

The story follows Cal, who returns home after six years in the military to his small hometown where he's still seen as the troublemaker from his teen years. Worse yet, he's carrying the weight of his brother's death—a brother who followed him blindly into service. Cal's homecoming isn't exactly triumphant; his father is battling dementia and needs care, forcing Cal to confront not only his past but also his childhood love, who happened to be his deceased brother's fiancée.

On paper, this sounds like your typical small-town romance with military elements, and honestly, as a standalone read, it probably is fairly average. The homecoming trope, the complicated love triangle dynamics, the family drama—it's all familiar territory. But Rebecca Yarros doesn't shy away from heavier topics, particularly euthanasia, which struck a deeply personal chord with me.

The book reminded me of my own mum and why I voted Yes in New Zealand's referendum on assisted dying. By the time Mum passed, her body was shutting down, and she had become a shell of herself. Watching someone you love suffer like that changes you, and I wouldn't want anyone to endure what I witnessed her go through.

This personal connection transformed what could have been just another pleasant romance into something much more meaningful. The emotional aftershock this book delivered was unexpected and powerful. It stirred up feelings I wasn't prepared for, making me reflect on loss, love, and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make for the people we care about.

For that reason alone—for making me feel something profound when I wasn't expecting it—I'm giving Great and Precious Things a solid 5 P read. Sometimes a book's true value isn't in its technical perfection but in its ability to reach into your chest and squeeze your heart when you least expect it.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44PxNU4