LOVE YOU MORE is a heartwarming novel about friendships, love, goals, careers, and choices. Giffin sets her novel in the middle of America's heartland, Wisconsin. The opening introduces Billie, a doctor in New York, who is newly engaged to Dean, also a doctor from New York. Their celebration is interrupted by a phone call from Mick, a blast from Billie's past, her ex.

The narrative reverts to Billie's beginnings. Readers follow as Billie embarks on a lifelong friendship with dynamic Erin and also meets Mick in a high school math class. The pacing is good, so readers aren't bogged down with minutiae. One theme that runs throughout the story is the importance and significance of friendships and having a circle of friends for support.

As readers traverse the history of Billie and Mick's relationship, there is a hint of doomsday due to Billie's ambition to become a doctor and Mick's personal backstory. They stay together through college, but then Billie relocates to New York City for med school. The writing on the wall is just a matter of time.

One feature that Giffin does very well is relating the hardships of medical school. Intense studying and grueling hours take a toll on med students, and their lives are not their own as they sacrifice for their goals.

I read certain chapters with a sinking feeling because I anticipated what would happen. There are a couple of major plot speed bumps that rock the narrative and change the trajectory of the book. The ending, although neatly wrapped, did seem a bit hurried.

Readers not familiar with Midwestern ways may have to explore what cheese curds and Culver's are, but will be able to relate to the comfort and stability of Midwestern culture.

LOVE YOU MORE is a good read about navigating the waters of life: sometimes it's smooth sailing, and sometimes it's choppy waters with lots of waves.