Laws of Love and Logic

by Debra Curtis

A STUNNING DEBUT NOVEL FROM JENNA BUSH HAGER’S NEW VENTURE, THOUSAND VOICES

A woman finds herself torn between her first love and her devoted husband in this extraordinary debut novel that asks the Can one heart hold two great loves?

In the serene town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Lily Webb is deeply in love with a charismatic boy, a college-bound quarterback whose spectacular athletic talents are matched only by his fierce devotion. But their dreams of a life together are cut short one night in 1977 when his passionate protectiveness leads to an irrevocable choice—one which tears them apart and leads Lily down a path of heartbreak from which she may never recover.

Lily has already known the sting of loss, beginning with the death of her mother—a tragedy that left deep scars on both her and Jane, her gifted younger sister. Jane seeks escape in the abstract world of mathematics and quantum mechanics; that is, when she can keep the demons that fuel her addictions at bay. As the years pass, Lily buries her twin griefs deep in her heart, finding solace and a new beginning with Marshall Middleton, a renowned ornithologist whose love is as steadfast as the migration patterns he studies. Yet, the shadows of her past linger.

When the boy who was once everything to Lily reemerges, she struggles with questions around that terrible night in high school. Can she reconcile the wild wonderment of her first love with the comfort and safety of her second? Laws of Love and Logic explores love's enduring power and the human spirit's capacity for forgiveness and redemption.

Genres: Fiction, Adult

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it. The writing style is well done. It had some great themes and explored some topics that were relevant for the time period and are still relevant now.
That’s probably all the praise I can give it. It paced slow, the format felt like a biography of someone I didn’t want to know about. I kept reading hoping something interesting would drop because it has such high praises but that moment never came for me.
It needs trigger warnings and the fact that we are never given a name for “the boy” drove me absolutely insane.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen Axnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing effort for a debut novel. The relationship between sisters carries through the storyline addressing the major themes of love, loss, and grief. I was swept up into their world from the beginning to a satisfying conclusion.

Lily is the eldest of two daughters raised in a family that honored both religion and science. Additionally, their mother imparted strong beliefs in women’s rights and abilities resulting in two beautiful, intelligent young women – each with different personalities and lifepaths. Their mother’s death left wounds that was never properly healed, which for Lily was compounded by the tragic loss of her first love a few years later. Subsequently, she settles for a safe, secure marriage to a good, loving man, a professor like her father. Jane, her sister, is a free spirit who is uses drugs, alcohol and sex to deal with a reality she finds tedious and treats her talent for solving mathematical theorems as a hobby rather than a career. Despite the contrast in their lifestyles, the bond between the sisters is strong and resilient.

I found myself occasionally bogged down in details of ornithology and quantum theory, but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel. I particularly liked the ongoing reference to “the boy” as a literary device referring to Lily’s first and ongoing love. Overall, this book was entertaining while simultaneously making me feel and think …reflecting the words in the title: love and logic. Kudos to the author on her first novel. I look forward to more.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional, nostalgic and unforgettable. Lily’s story pulled me in from the very first pages. The love triangle is compelling, but it is her relationship with Jane that broke me. Their bond is fierce and fragile all at once, and it carried the story far more than the romance.

It is not a light read. It is layered with grief, feminism, faith and philosophy, and it definitely made me emotional more than once. For me, that is what makes it worth reading.

👯‍♀️ Sisters
💔 Haunting first love
⚖️ Feminism and morality
📚 Coming of age
😢 Guilt and healing

Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Jane Perron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book as it is set in Rhode Island and I am from here. It isn't my typical pick. I am really glad I chose it. It took me a little to build into it, but I am glad I did. It was well written and well developed. So many emotions while I read. And the gut punch at the end.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 out of 5 stars rounded up! The cover was the first thing that caught my eye and made me request this ARC, but once I read the description, I felt like I might be able to relate to the main character and her situation. From the very beginning, I was drawn into Lily Webb’s world and the complicated emotions she carries. This isn’t just a love story—it’s a reflection on grief, choices, and the way our pasts never fully leave us, no matter how far we try to bury them.

What really struck me was the central question threaded through the book: can you really love the same way twice in a lifetime? Debra Curtis approaches this with nuance and depth, creating characters that feel incredibly real. They’re flawed, layered, and memorable in ways that linger long after finishing. I also found it fascinating that Lily’s first love is never actually named, always referred to simply as “the boy.” It gave the story a unique sense of intimacy and mystery, as though he represented not just a person but an entire chapter of her life.

Some of my favorite lines were powerful enough to stop me in my tracks: “Endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.” And: “You have to be careful with guilt. If you let it, it will set up residence in your bones.” Those words summed up so much of Lily’s journey and the emotional weight of the novel.

The pacing started a little slowly, but once I got past the first 20%, it became incredibly bingeable. I flew through the rest, caught up in both the emotional drama and the beautiful writing. The book doesn’t shy away from messy realities—loss, guilt, family fractures, faith, and even the gray areas of morality—but it handles them in a way that feels honest rather than sensational. I especially loved how the story was ultimately about life itself: its fragility, its choices, its capacity for forgiveness and love in many forms.

The relationship between Lily and her sister Jane was my favorite part of the story. Their unshakable bond was messy and complicated, yet unbreakable. That sibling connection gave the book a grounding heartbeat.

If I had one critique, it would be that I wanted more—about fifty pages more, to be exact. The ending felt a little rushed, and I longed for a deeper dive into Lily’s journey back to light and healing. But for a debut novel, this was astounding, and I’m already eager to see what Debra Curtis writes next.
Laws of Love and Logic is perfect for fans of Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall, Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean.

Would I read more from this author? 1000%—let me preorder now.

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: abortion, affairs

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laws of Love and Logic is a meditative, character-driven affair—rich in emotional texture and grounded by strong, soulful writing. Perfect for readers who appreciate family-centered stories that ask big questions about love, fate, and emotional endurance.

[ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She stood looking at the Atlantic. She just wanted to know how to be good.”

This book was an emotional rollercoaster, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. It delves into themes of grief, religion, politics, sisterhood, and love, and how these influences shape the characters’ lives.

The writing is incredibly emotional and beautiful, allowing readers to empathise deeply with our characters’ feelings. Lily’s religious beliefs play a significant role in her life, constantly influencing her decisions, pushing her, shaming her, and providing her with a sense of peace. Readers who grew up in religious households will likely find resonance and connection in her and her rationale.

The love story between Lily and her two love interests, the boy and Marshall, is captivating. It feels as if Lily’s heart made space for both men. And while it’s challenging to root for the second male lead, Marshall’s unwavering love and desire to give Lily everything are endearing. He “could not get enough of her […] Wherever she was, he wanted her”. While I wasn’t disappointed with the resolution of the triangle, I would have loved for everyone to find another that only belonged to them.
With The Boy, despite enjoying his character, I felt as if he was being kept at a distance. Firstly, we never learn his name. Instead, we learn about his attributes, such as his quick temper and how he lives his entire life making up for his mistakes. We also know that he loves our Lily, but there was something about him that made me feel like I hardly knew him. However, when he says things like, “Being without you is killing me”, it’s hard not to be Team Boy!

Readers who enjoy the tension, secrecy, and emotional turmoil of love triangles should definitely consider picking up this book.

At the heart of the story lies the relationship between Lily and Jane. Two sisters, seemingly different in every way, navigating grief and life, both separately and together. The love they share is palpable, radiating from the pages. Despite their close relationship, they hold secrets, which ultimately lead to their downfall. Familial relationships are always intriguing to explore, as they offer depth and complexity that make for compelling stories. Laws of Love and Logic truly captures the essence of these relationships.

I highly recommend this book and would definitely read it again.

A special thank you to NetGalley for providing this arc!

[rosana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars. I'm already recommending to a few friends so they can it to their TBR! After a quick search, I discovered that Debra Curtis is an up-and-coming author and I think she deserves all the hype she can get.

Laws of Love and Logic was a sweet surprise. I was intrigued by the description of the book, but it's much more than that, between coming out of age, sexuality, feminism, abortion, black people's matters, the lgbt community, politics, religion and love.

We follow Lily throughout her life, from childhood to adulthood, and we get a glimpse of what other people are doing, like her sister, her father, some of her friends and the boy. When I picked up this book, I wasn't expecting to read it so quickly, but I have to admit that Lily's life gripped me from the first second and I was so involved that I felt emotional several times.

Lily goes through so much in her life, different ups and downs, while trying to understand her love for the boy and her husband. I think the author did an excellent job of balancing these emotions and I didn't feel frustrated by ‘a love triangle’, even though it wasn't quite it. The more of 'open' ending was perfect, I really liked how it ended.

[Corryn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goodness. There’s a lot in this book. The prose makes you really think about love and of its possible to really love the sane way twice. The poetry throughout the book is definitely thought provoking. There’s a lot to take in, sort through, and comprehend. This isn’t a usual pick for me. I thought the information about the birds was extraneous and unnecessary.

[☆Laura☆]

Laws of Love and Logic es una novela de corte literario que sigue la vida de Lily Webb a lo largo de varias décadas, desde su infancia marcada por una profunda educación católica y feminista, hasta su adultez, donde el pasado y el amor perdido siguen teniendo un peso enorme en sus decisiones. Ambientada entre Rhode Island y Nueva York, la historia explora la identidad, la espiritualidad, las heridas de la infancia y, sobre todo, el amor no resuelto.

La lectura fue entretenida, con una narrativa cuidada y momentos realmente conmovedores. Sin embargo, debo admitir que no fue una historia para mí. Aunque me mantuvo interesada, no logré conectar emocionalmente como esperaba, especialmente con las decisiones sentimentales de Lily.

Me sentí mal por Marshall, porque al final es evidente que ella siempre amó al otro, a su primer amor, al chico, y que Marshall fue, en cierta forma, un premio de consolación.

También de llamar al otro el chico fue raro porque fue importante para la historia, pero el lector nunca logra saber su nombre.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue was so bad that I put this down for a few weeks. I picked it back up to see if it was worth reading (I hate a DNF on an ARC) and I got pulled in to the story of Lily, her boyfriend, her sister Jane, her dad, and all the people who made up her world.

This debut novel by Debra Curtis was magnificent. It spans 3+ decades from the 1970s to the 2000s and tells the story of Lily, who we meet as a teenager living with her father and sister on the grounds of a monastery / boys boarding school where her father is a teacher. She’s in love with the star football player, and their future seems certain until a night ends in tragedy. She finds love again, but she never really gets over her first love. Can you love two people? I loved this book and sobbed at the end. Tbh, it was as much about the relationship between the sisters as it was a traditional love story. I loved Jane, and her and Lily’s deep filial bond.

The ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Comes out Feb 17, 2026

[Samantha Perro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book! Laws of Love and Logic is a wonderful debut novel that truly delivers on every front. While it presents itself as a love story, it’s much more than that—touching on deep and timely themes such as religion, politics, family dynamics, and personal heartache.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is its characters. Each one feels vivid and real, with personalities that stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page. The relationships are complex and beautifully written, but the bond between the sisters stood out the most for me. It added a rich emotional depth that, in some ways, eclipsed the romantic storyline.

This was a book I didn’t want to put down—I finished it in just two days. It’s thoughtful, heartfelt, and refreshingly honest. For a debut, it’s incredibly well-crafted and shows a lot of promise for what’s to come from this author.

I’m genuinely glad I got to read this one.

[Tasj- LitrillyLiterature · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5
......
Quotes:
"Being without you is killing me"
"Storytellers are powerful. Storytellers have conviced kings, queens and presidents to go to war"
"Guilt is a form of social control that i never really bought into"
"Courage to be is the key to the revelatory power of the femenist revolution"
......

A captivating educational read, with a love story that makes you aks: "What if?"

This book made me cry, made me angry, and made me think. It inspired me to be more curious, to question the world, and to look deeper into the things that intrigue me.

At times, the pacing felt uneven and the structure took some getting used to, but that's not necessarily bad, it's just different from other books i've read.

It’s a worthwhile read with powerful themes — feminism, science, religion, environmentalism, forgiveness, and the nature of time — all woven into a story that challenges and provokes reflection.

⚠️ TW: sexual assault, systemic injustice, substance abuse, racism

[Mary Haggerty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily Webb’s story is an emotional journey through love, loss, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, this novel captures the complexities of a young woman who endures heartbreak, the devastating loss of her mother, and the painful unraveling of her first love. Though Lily often moves through life burdened by grief and shadowed by her sister’s contrasting lifestyle, the author portrays her struggles with honesty and depth. The writing has a quiet power—it shows how someone can continue forward even when joy feels out of reach. This is not a lighthearted tale, but rather a moving exploration of endurance, family ties, and the unspoken strength it takes to keep going. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories with emotional weight will find much to admire in Lily’s journey.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Perfect name for this book for sure! Lily is basically torn between 2 great loves. The book does a great job of telling the story from past to present and it really made me get caught up in the emotions of the main character. And I could basically relate to her and feel everything she was feeling in the book. With immense themes of loss and grief as well as love and coming to terms with the past, this book as an emotional ride through time. Lily is one of the greatest characters I’ve ever met through a book and the emotions she has to deal with and the forgiveness we all hope to have are so well developed. This book is an absolute must read, again and again.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this NetGalleryAdvanced Reader Copy of Laws of Love and Logic. The novel spans decades of Lily’s life, from a young girl through adulthood. Although the book is filled with a fair amount of tragedy and family drama, love is woven through the entire book. My heart broke several times for Lily, her family, her husband, and her first love who remains nameless through the book. I’m surprised this is a first book for the author, it is well researched and written and the hard parts are told with compassion and obvious love for the characters. I’m glad I read this and can’t wait to see how others receive both this book and Jenna Bush Hager’s new imprint.

Warning there are triggers for many topics in this book, but all are handled with care

[Kathleen Currie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book by the cover (yes I admit) but I finished it in 2 days because of the story. Two sisters raised in the Catholic faith by parents who believed in science and taught them that questioning the man-made church’s teachings does not conflict with the Church built by Jesus. After losing their mother as children and a tragic event in high school the sisters cope in very different ways but remain close. There are several love stories within the novel but the one I found most drawn to is the love of the sisters.

Thank you NeGalley for the ARC

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laws of Love and Logic is beautifully written and layered with themes of love, grief, feminism, sisterhood, and morality. Many readers will appreciate how religion is interwoven into Lily’s journey, shaping her choices and relationships. For me, however, the religious element felt more like a hindrance than a help, and it made it harder to fully connect with the story. This just isn’t my type of book, though I can see why others will find it powerful and thought-provoking.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC.

[Brittany Gerberich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a masterclass of nuance, which is something our society and culture desperately needs more of. I was astonished that Laws of Love and Logic was the author’s debut novel. The characters were so realistic and unlike any I have read before. This book will make you cry, laugh and think. Something I think is priceless, especially now.

THANK YOU to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own

[Tam📖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

Also huge thanks to Jenna Bush for spotlighting this book as one of her future books for her book venture, A Thousand Voices.

This book gave me the same feeling as Bright Years… a quiet book that made my heart heavy every time I picked it up but it was so damn good I had to pick it up.

Just loved this one. Don’t just add it to your TBR, preorder this because it’s that good!

These characters 💔

[Adele Sizer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review- parts of this book had me really gripped and intrigued about where it was going to go. I liked the flickering time periods and different relationships explored (and also the anonymity of one of the characters throughout was interesting)


The book includes a lot of loss and at some points the main character is very irritating- would’ve been interesting to read perhaps the boys POV.

[Miss Wuthering · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't recommend this book to anyone because I expected a reflective journey, but I felt the opposite. I was very bored and found the character and her indecision truly pathetic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Abby Liebenthal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ The writing was beautiful and I liked the use of anonymity. It was very slow for me in the middle but the story of two sisters’ love and pain was worth it.