Alone With You in the Ether Review
By Nic Daniels
Hello audacious readers!
Hot Love Summer is in full swing while the season is on the verge of winding down (metaphorically because this heat is saying otherwise). Last month, we enjoyed a balmy week in New York City with Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. This month, we explore a once-in-a-lifetime connection in Alone With You In the Ether: A Love Story by Olivie Blake.
Regan and Aldo are opposites that weren't meant to cross paths. Regan is a stifled artist, bored with the predictable, "responsible" person she's trying to be. Between her underwhelming relationship and tedious schedule, she wants nothing more than a chance in her dreary day-to-day. Aldo, on the other hand, not only likes his schedule but needs it to fight the chaotic world around him. With his mind constantly buzzing about numbers, bees, and the theoretical possibility of time travel, Aldo isn't sure what is coming next nor is he looking for the answer.
Yet, when these two cross paths, they are intrigued by one another. They decide to have no commitment beyond six conversations. Little do they know that these conversations will change everything they thought they knew about themselves.
For me, this book is style over substance in the best way. The story’s summary is pretty basic: Two people meet, understand each other in ways no one else could, and fall in love. However, it's the way they do so, specifically their conversations and experiences with each other, that makes the book so special.
It takes them a while to truly understand each other as Regan is constantly confused by Aldo's matter-of-fact view of his life while he is bemused by Regan's odd requests like cutting his hair or going to church with him. There are moments of miscommunication and recklessness that don’t make their relationship easy. However, where the two shine is how they listen to each other.
Aldo understands that Regan is an artist—even when she doesn't believe so—a liar, and not someone not easily understood. In fact, it's his favorite thing about her. For Regan, she appreciates how Aldo is always himself. He doesn't try to change himself for her or others and admires his unrelenting honesty. In a lot of ways, it makes it easier for her to be truthful.
An important aspect of this story and these facts are how both Regan and Aldo are neurodivergent. Regan has been diagnosed with a mood disorder, which is a huge component of why her routine is regimented. While Aldo isn't given a specific condition, it's heavily coded in the book that he may be on the autistic spectrum. In most books tackling this topic, one person would be neurodivergent while the other is neurotypical with the neurotypical partner trying to either fix or “deal” with their partner's condition, but that's not the case for this one.
Instead of their conditions being an issue to overcome, it helps in their understanding of each other and fit the parts that other people miss. It doesn't make their relationship an example, but rather realistic in a way that's rare for most love stories.
Beyond the coincidence of their first meeting, everything between Aldo and Regan requires effort. They had to meet and talk and try constantly. Their relationship is never perfect but it feels right when they're together. I don't know if these two will be together for 50 years or just two, but I know that they're better off for trying either way.
Also, the line with Aldo calling Regan "infinite" when talking to her sister...Bridgerton wishes.
I hope you enjoyed Alone With You In the Ether. I'll be sharing all my thoughts on the upcoming IG live. Feel free to share your thoughts and, until next time, don’t forget to read audaciously.
