Loved One

Named a Best Book of 2025 by NPR and Newsweek

“[A] funny, heartwrenching novel.” —People

“A genuine pleasure to read.” —Vogue

“Full of wildly astute, delectably thorny questions about love and loss and possession.” —Maggie Shipstead, New York Times bestselling author of Great Circle

A tender story “about who we love and who we are” (Town & Country), from an Emmy Award–winning writer of Hacks, Parks and Recreation, and The Good Place

After falling in love one summer in Barcelona, Gabe and Julia went their separate ways—she to college, and he to pursue his dream of becoming a singer-songwriter. Years later, they reconnected in LA, forming a close friendship each of them relied on throughout their messy twenties.

But on the cusp of Julia’s thirtieth birthday, Gabe, now a semi-famous indie musician, suffers a tragic accident and is found dead in his hotel room. Disoriented and in shock, Julia ruminates on their ambiguous relationship history as she embarks on an international journey. Ostensibly, she’s going to London to meet Gabe’s last love, Elizabeth, in order to bring some of his belongings home to his mother. But Julia’s true purpose—which she obscures even from herself—is to find out, once and for all, who she and Gabe were to each other. Does she really want to know the answer?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs