This rereleased edition of Waiting for the Flood includes the novellas Waiting for the Flood and Chasing the Light, as well as “Aftermath,” a short story epilogue. The compilation itself encompasses what happens after the dissolution of a relationship and how past relationships bleed into the beginnings of new ones.

I do so adore Alexis Hall’s writing. It truly is lovely how they craft stories and characters. If you are more familiar with the London Calling or Material World books, expect things to be a bit heavier here. There are some comedic quips and moments in Waiting for the Flood but not as much levity as in some of their newer works. This book made me think and put me in my feels.

Waiting for the Flood, the novella, is Edwin’s side of the story. Four years after Marius broke up with him, he’s still in the home they bought together, living with the ghosts of their relationship. He’s earnest and loving and lonely. And, well, there’s a flood coming, for which he is not entirely prepared. And then a giant of a ginger comes into his life. Adam is one of the engineers tasked with mitigating damage from the flood. He’s there with sandbags and pumps and wellies. And he keeps turning up in Edwin’s periphery and at his front door. As it turns out, he may be exactly what Edwin needs.

Chasing the Light is Marius’s side of the story. Marius was never entirely honest with Edwin, so when he spies his former, longtime partner along with the new boyfriend, Adam, at his parents’ home at Christmas, Marius retreats, and, well, he isn’t entirely paying attention to where he is going. Or to where he is stepping. And he manages to sprain his ankle in the dark alongside the river. And to lose his phone. And that’s not entirely how he intended to spend his Christmas Eve.

But, as luck would have it, a gentle lion of a man emerges from a narrow boat docked alongside the path. And this man, Leo, takes Marius into his home and takes care of him. Both have things from their pasts that they are not proud of, but they find acceptance in each other.

“Aftermath” is a candid glimpse into both couples’ lives months later. It’s a nice affirmation that things will be okay.

I was fortunate to have advance copies of both the ebook and the audiobook, and you can’t go wrong with either. Will Watt’s narration is fantastic, and he captures the personalities of Edwin, Adam, Marius, and Leo so well. I especially enjoyed his portrayal of Marius’s parents.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Sourcebooks Casablanca and an advance copy of the audiobook from Dreamscape Media, both via NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.