<p>Lexi Kent-Monning's debut novel The Burden of Joy is an incessant dagger to the heart. After Lexi's husband leaves her on Valentine's Day to join a commune that time forgot her home stops belonging to her. Instead she discovers a parade of dead animals a man who turns her blue eyes green true love in equal parts cocaine and MDMA and a revolving door of solitude. In the end Lexi must ask herself is her craving to nurture virtuous or hedonistic?</p>