Mara builds suspense by encouraging the reader to question every character. No one feels entirely trustworthy, and each interaction adds another layer of doubt. This clever manipulation of perspective keeps you guessing throughout. The plot twist was especially effective—I genuinely didn’t see it coming.

One of the highlights of the book was Poppy’s sense of humour which added a lot of charm to the story. Her witty observations and upbeat personality made many scenes genuinely fun to read, especially when contrasted with Alex’s quieter, more reserved nature. Their banter felt natural and was one of the strongest parts of the novel. I also really loved the friends-to-lovers trope, which Emily Henry does well.

That said, the book was a bit slow at times. The pacing dragged in the middle, and the constant jumping between past and present sometimes made the story feel longer than it needed to be. . While the emotional intensity worked for the story, a lot of the conflict relied on miscommunication—which I personally hate. Much of the tension could have been resolved earlier if the characters had just been honest with each other, which became frustrating after a while.

“Humans are a strange breed in the way our fear of getting old seems to be even greater than our fear of dying.”

“I’m constantly reading a book with a missing”

This was elegantly written and deeply moving. Backman proves that a short book can still carry immense weight.

This story is a true tear jerker, not because it relies on melodrama, but because it captures quiet, inevitable loss with heartbreaking honesty. Backman explores love, grief, and the fear of forgetting in a way that feels painfully intimate.

What makes the book especially powerful is how realistic it feels. The emotions are raw and familiar, making it easy for myself to see reflections of my own relationships and grief within the pages.

Backman reminds us that even when time steals moments from us, the love we share leaves an imprint that cannot be erased. This novella is a small masterpiece that speaks volumes.