Interesting. Unusual. Weird. A bit nostalgic at the end. Full of possibility, maybe?

Our main character, Bertie, makes a significant choice that I don't quite understand why she would, which drives the thrust of the tale.

Set against a dystopian version of our world, which makes an interesting landscape to set the novel against. Also gives an excuse for throwing in every modern day, fear-mongering trope such as anti-Americanism, anti-oil, "gender studies", environmentalism, and more. Does do a nice play on the perceived morality of tech companies while they are just making money like everyone else, which was intriguing to see.

Overall enjoyable, but not super enthralling. Great if you like the mind-bending aspect of potential outcomes of time loops. And Bernie is a sweet character one can root for while following her story. ( )

As I began this book, I realized that I'm not really the demographic to read about a BFF trip to Paris during the end of their (fictional) world. Yet I appreciated that one of the strongest parts of End of the World House is pointing the reader to how most people go on with their lives, making minor adjustments, as our world disintegrates. Likewise in the novel, Bertie and Kate figure – well, what can we do about all that? – and decide to preface Kate's imminent move to Los Angeles, away from best friend Bertie, with a Paris jaunt. If the norm, it still seems callous and clueless, but then again, what am I doing about climate change and BPAs and an ocean full of plastic and . . . . So I read on.

When Bertie and Kate get an opportunity to skip the line and be let into the Louvre before anyone else, they jump on it, and that's when the novel turns sideways. The rest of Adrienne Celt's book, full of time loops and new characters, offers a couple of answers to the end-of-the-world question. Kate accepts one answer; Bertie chooses another, though Berte's “choice” is a flaw in the narrative, for me. She is hedged into it. And that's not good on several levels. Confusing characterizations in the two long-time friends' loyalty and love for each other add to the wobbly nature of the second half of the novel.

While the book blurb calls this book comedic, I disagree. It is such an intriguing premise, though. Not the catalyst of BFFs run off to Paris. One that to avoid spoilers I can't reveal here. See for yourselves.

I received an advance copy of this book from Simon and Schuster via NetGalley. This is an honest review. ( )