Every sentence of The Book of Love and Hate leaves the reader wanting more. The novel’s protagonist, Jennifer Baron, is an ex-Olympic speed skater and alcoholic who is trying to stay sober. The daughter of a billionaire,  Jennifer is left to run the family business during her mother’s long absence, her brother’s death, and most recently, her father’s disappearance. Jennifer’s father’s absence is the catalyst for much of the novel’s action, provoking her journey to Israel in search of him.

In Israel,  Jennifer is surrounded by rumours of her father’s death, crimes, and his apparent plan to draw her into the country. Sheis determined to find out the truth about him, leading Jennifer to her father’s ex-lover, Gila, a former Mossad agent who she believes is in league with her father. As the novel progresses,  Jennifer’s own emotions towards Gila start clouding her judgment, and she begins to question the reason she is in the country at all.

The novel’s structure contributes to this overall sense of confusion and mystery. Playing out much like movie flashbacks, new information, places, and characters appear in each section. It is evident that Jennifer has not yet connected all of this information, and when she thinks back to a vital conversation or intimate moment, the reader can piece together the puzzle with her. This desperation to connect the dots and analyse the clues creates an addictive reading experience.

Every character begins to seem suspicious, except Jennifer. However, this does not mean that Saunders puts her protagonist on a pedestal. Jennifer’s relationships are toxic, and her romantic life is an extension of this. Her relationship with her coach becomes one-sided and Gila leaves her questioning everything constantly.  Jennifer’s feelings of loneliness and an overwhelming desire for recognition and escape are apparent. At one point Jennifer reveals, “the truth is I want escape, I want to swallow not spit, to recover some lost piece of myself I didn’t even know I was looking for.” Jennifer is clinging on to the edge; lost from the beginning. And because of this,the reader feels as though they are right alongside her on this tense and exciting journey of self-discovery.