The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Schwab, V.E. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. Tom Doherty Associates 2020.

Addie Larue was born in the 17th century in Villon-sur-Sarthe, France. She is an inquisitive child who longs to escape the village. She grows up under the tutelage of the village elder Estele, who teaches her all about the old gods. When Addie turns 23, her parents decide to marry her off to another villager. On the evening of her wedding, Addie prays to the old gods to grant her freedom. Luc, the god of darkness, shows up. He grants her immortality in exchange for her soul once she tires of living. There is a catch; Addie is doomed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

In the year 2014, Addie lives in New York. She has no home of her own and sleeps at random apartments that belong to people she has met over the years. One day, she stops by a bookstore and steals a book. She gets caught by the employee, Henry, who follows her out of the store. Addie is shocked since people tend to forget her instantly.

Addie spends the 18th century living in Paris. At first, she prostitutes herself to get by. After a while, she starts dressing like a man in order to move more freely. She spends a romantic night with a young man named Remy, but he forgets her by the morning. This hurts Addie deeply. Luc frequently checks in on her and tries to tempt her into giving up her soul. Addie remains firm in her desire to live.

Back in the present moment, Addie asks Henry out for coffee. Their date goes on all night and both have a great time. They go out to the movies later in the week. Henry has a panic attack because he feels anxious about how quickly time passes. Henry and Addie have sex that night. She is pleasantly surprised when Henry remembers her in the morning. Henry brings Addie to his friend Bea’s dinner party. His ex, Robbie, gets jealous of Addie. Henry gets confused when his friends frequently forget Addie’s name. That night, Addie decides to tell him her life story. Henry believes her since he made a similar deal with Luc.

Henry suffers from depression. One night, after mixing alcohol with his medications, Luc shows up and offers him a deal. Henry will be deemed “enough” by everyone in exchange for his soul at the end of his life. Henry accepts, but the results are not as great as he hoped. People see what they want to see in him. He feels just as lonely as ever. Addie helps relieve his loneliness because she sees him for who he really is and likes him anyway.

Addie spends the 19th century travelling around Europe. Luc is always trailing close behind, ready to claim her soul. Addie visits Villon and plants a tree over Estele’s grave. She is devastated years later when the tree falls down. Luc comforts her. Luc has become kinder over the years. Addie looks forward to his visits.

In the year 1928, Addie runs into Luc at a speakeasy in Chicago. They dance together. They have sex that night, starting an affair that goes on for decades. By the year 1970, Addie and Luc are living in New Orleans. He tells her one day that he loves her and hands her a key to her new home. Addie loves Luc and has a hard time reminding herself that he is not human, but a god. One night in 1984, it dawns on Addie that Luc is simply using her for her soul. She sets the house on fire and leaves for good.

Luc shows up for the first time in 30 years and hints to Addie that Henry does not have long to live. Henry confesses that he made a second deal with Luc one night, when he nearly killed himself. He traded his life for one year without depression. At the moment, Henry has only one month left. Addie is horrified and begs Luc to cancel the deal. They spend a week together before Addie returns to Henry.

Henry and Addie do their best to enjoy the rest of his time on Earth together. On his last night of living, Addie confesses to him that she has made her own deal with Luc. She promised Luc to stay by his side so long as he wants her. In exchange, Henry will be allowed to live. Addie vanishes in the night.

Henry goes on to write a book about Addie called The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. Addie moves to London and works in a bookstore. She lives with Luc. She pretends to be happy and in love with Luc but in reality, she is secretly plotting her revenge.