Every once in a blue moon, there’s that one book that makes you feel like romance is actually real. Absolute Certainty by Gissane Sophia is that book. That warm, cozy, slow-burn romance book that hits absolutely every trope that made my heart sing. If I could have dreamed a perfect book into being, fed an algorithm all the necessary ingredients I wanted to make a flawless book, I surely would have given it the pieces of the puzzle that make up this one. Put that together with Gissane Sophia’s precise, beautiful writing, and this is the kind of book that just puts a big smile on your face every three pages.
Typically, I try to write reviews about why everyone will like a book. This review is a little more personal because this is a book I personally enjoyed so much. And I feel like, perhaps, since this is a book I appreciated so much, if I explain why I loved it as much as I did, then maybe I can convince someone who might like the same things I did to give it a chance.
Slow-burn romances are a very commonly loved trope. But this isn’t just a great book for slow-burn romance (though it is!). This is a fantastic grumpy/sunshine book (my favorite trope in the history of tropes) where he falls first, that gifted me with one of those characters that felt like too much, and healed my heart in the way that was handled.
It’s so rare that romances manage to actually balance a character that feels like they are too much—think Ted Lasso, in an actual romance that makes them feel fulfilled, loved, and allows them to love someone back. Instead, we usually get characters like that in relationships that feel like they are either giving too much or the dynamics of the romance are skewed one way. Here, Sahar and Jay feel genuine, interesting, and warm. And their dialogue draws you in right away. This happens even as the author uses clever techniques to examine what it is to really be vulnerable.
Then there’s the witty banter. Eloise (I’m an absolute sucker for kids in romances, especially when done as well as this one is!! And the coparenting!!!) And the way this is just a study in patience. Oh and the fact that healing from trauma and finding your happily ever after look different for everyone. So often, there’s this idea in romance that there’s only one way to fall in love. Or that there’s only one way to love right. And Absolute Certainty did a great job at shattering those expectations and giving me quiet love, something that left me feeling warm and fuzzy for long after I first read the book.
In fact, I’ll admit I loved it so much I went back and re-read parts of the book multiple times. And I desperately need an actual physical copy so I can highlight these two specific lines:
“She was like sunlight cascading through a stained glass window to him.”
“In my perfect world, you and I would be together.”
Truly a perfect romance. Would not change a word of this one, would re-read again every year. Smile thinking about Sahar and Jay. Please read it. Thank you. I’ve enjoyed all of Gissane Sophia’s books, and yet this one might be my favorite.
Absolute Certainty by Gissane Sophia is now available wherever books are sold.
