This brilliant novel boldly engages with today’s problems.
How long does it take to process the death of a loved one? How much space does a child need to grieve? If Nicola Cooper has learned anything since a drunk driver took her husband two years ago, it’s that there are no clear answers to either. So she does the best she can by hiding her own pain from her daughter, Daisy. Struggling to cope in the town where her husband died, Nicola took refuge a few states away, renting a cottage from her husband’s best friend. Henry has always been a part of the Cooper family, so his steady presence in their life now is a comfort to Nicola and Daisy. And autism makes it challenging for Daisy to navigate a world that doesn’t always understand her, so any comfort is precious. The new neighbors help, too, embracing Nicola with open arms, overflowing wine glasses, and generous hearts. But now Nicola’s mother is calling her back home. Getting the deed to her childhood home would ease some of her financial strain, and being near family could be good for both of them. Still, moving again might be one change too many for Daisy, who misses her dad more deeply than Nicola realizes. “Moving back. Moving on. Moving forward.” Those are the choices in front of her, because standing still won’t help her relate to her daughter, it won’t bring back her husband, and it won’t help her accept herself as she is.
Emotions are messy and unpredictable, and Julee Balko captures every bit of this beautiful chaos in Square Hearts. This brilliant novel boldly engages with today’s problems in a way that surpasses the neat moral packages of the sitcom families many of us grew up with, honing in on neurodivergence, gaslighting, narcissism, and a parent who is well-intentioned but emotionally manipulative. Elevating the mundane into something deeply moving, this grounded novel depicts common daily trials with uncommon insight and understanding. Sharp character development creates a cast that is impossible not to feel close to. Daisy is observant and insightful, even though people usually just notice her quirks. Her frustrations and struggles not only tug at heartstrings but also underscore how deeply she feels, even when she can’t always express it in the ways others expect. Nicola’s evolution feels organic rather than plotted, making her a woman readers will see themselves in. Audiences will find themselves so heavily invested in these realistic characters that even a seemingly insignificant moment, like when Nicola draws a laugh from her daughter while they color silly rainbows, feels like a huge victory. Most people wouldn’t describe love in any shape other than a heart, but the thoughtful imagery and pointed message in Square Hearts remind us that love doesn’t have to be smooth or symmetrical to be our perfect shape.
