Let’s Go On Holiday!
Friends, Secrets, and Sunsets: A European Road Trip to Remember
I couldn’t put down Because All Fades, Freddie Gillies’ debut novel. It’s a story that dives into the tangled web of friendships and relationships, set against the backdrop of a sun-soaked European summer. Think of it like Normal People meets the classic Kiwi OE story, but with older, more jaded characters trying to find their way through the messiness of adulthood.
The novel follows two Kiwi couples—Andrew and Jess, Jaryd and Olivia—who are living the dream (or trying to) in Europe. Andrew and Jess are stuck in a cramped flat in London, barely scraping by, while Jaryd and Olivia are living it up in Paris with more money and glamour than they know what to do with. But despite appearances, neither couple is as happy as they seem, and a summer road trip around Italy quickly brings out all the cracks.
The three parts of the book—Kids, Becoming, and Adults—reflect the journey from youthful dreams to harsh adult realities. In Kids, Andrew and Jess are holding onto the hope that their big move to London will somehow fix everything, but it’s clear that Andrew is pulling away or is losing interest.
Meanwhile, Jaryd and Olivia seem to have it all—Jaryd’s the life of the party in Paris, and Olivia, with her perfect looks and fashion job, is living the dream. But things aren’t perfect behind closed doors. Jaryd is a chaotic force, dragging everyone into his whirlpool of late-night parties, dangerous drinking, and bad decisions.
When the four of them set off on their road trip through Italy, the sun-drenched landscapes are the perfect contrast to the brewing storm between them. Gillies’ writing captures the beauty of southern Europe, vineyards, rolling hills, shimmering seas, while also building up the tension in their relationships. But beneath it all, secrets and unspoken feelings are pushing everyone to the edge.
The novel opens with a prologue that hints at something violent and dramatic, and while the tension slowly builds throughout the story, it’s the quieter moments that pack the most punch.
One of the standouts for me was how the novel tackles male friendship. The dynamic between Andrew and Jaryd is complicated, full of competition, resentment, and unspoken loyalty. It’s messy, and it feels real. I am pretty sure we all know a Jaryd? This character was so well developed, he was really getting on my nerves!
I was addicted to this book. It really captures the uncertainty of growing up and the precariousness of relationships. It’s a short novel (I actually wish it was longer!) but it packs a punch—perfect for anyone who’s ever felt adrift in their twenties or thirties, wondering if this is as good as it gets. Go out and grab this one today, because life is too short to read bad books.