Not Exactly What I Had in Mind

Brook’s enjoyable debut tackles the messiness of love and family as the relationship between two sisters suffers unexpected complications. After London roommates Hazel and Alfie have a one-off hookup, they worry things could become awkward around the apartment and hesitate to bring up their budding feelings for each other. Meanwhile, Hazel’s sister, Emily, and her wife, Daria, visit Hazel while on a trip to look at homes as they consider settling down and having children. However, Daria harbors a deep fear of pregnancy and motherhood that she’s afraid to disclose to Emily, even as Emily starts trying to conceive. As the quartet deals with their hidden feelings, Daria and Emily meet Alfie, and Emily strikes upon a solution to her and Daria’s sperm donor troubles, one that will test all four characters. Brook cycles between the perspectives of Hazel, Alfie, Emily, and Daria, investing each with keen psychological insight that achingly illuminates the pain of miscommunication and words unsaid. Heartfelt and entertaining, this has a lot to offer. (June)