I think the fundamental truth here is that any relationship requires conscious effort from both parties. One person alone can’t carry that weight. If your friend wants to salvage this relationship then I think they need to convince their partner to pursue individual therapy, and also they need to talk to a couples counselor together. Without professional help I think it’s going to be very difficult to shift the dynamic here. That being said, life is short, and you can waste years hoping that someone will change. Sometimes you have to make the hard choice to move on.

Some Favorites from this year;

Adrian Tchaikovsky is the best - “The Final Architecture” series is also rad, and his standalone novel from this year “Service Model” was great.

August Kitko and the Mechas From Space by Alex White. “Evangelion by way of David Bowie”

Space Opera Catherynne Valente. A very literal play on the genre!

Fractal Noise & To Sleep in a Sea of Stars Christopher Paolini

Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells