Sad to say the narrator on this wasn’t very good. Their voice was so monotonous that I barely registered anything about the story so can only give it three stars. I do have the proof so will try to read it instead, as I think it will be a great story. That said, the library didn’t materialise until about 75% of the way through so the synopsis is slightly misleading. It might be the translation, but it also felt a bit overwritten at times, although generally the prose is beautiful.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I reached 50% but it took a while. I couldn't find myself really getting into the story and I was becoming uninterested. I couldn't find myself excited to listen on, so unfortunately made the decision to DNF.

I will say though that it was well written and I can see the appeal of this story. I think I was in the wrong mood for this book, and that will be why I just couldn't get into it.

A very slow start, it took me a while to settle into the melancholic pace and establish a connection to the characters, but I implore you don’t dnf as after a slow start something truly beautiful emerges. It’s profound and meaningful the type of book that changes you a little bit. I loved the addition of all different descriptions of heartbeats around the world ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier U.K. audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Thank you so much for letting listen to this audiobook. This is a very quiet story. While listening to it I had the feeling nothing much happened. But in the end it still spanned the history of a family.

DNF at 69%.
I had a love-hate relationship with this book. Three separate stories run alongside each other. I’m assuming by the end connections are made and all becomes clear however it wasn’t quick enough for me. This is a story of loss; the only name character is introduced clearing out his mother’s house following her death. It is here he meets a young boy who knew a different side to the dead woman and presents an alternate representation of events. At times I wondered if rather than being real this boy were the adult’s inner child. Then there’s an additional storyline. The man has also recently lost his son in a freak accident which caused the breakdown of his marriage. Then there’s the woman he grows closer to as the story develops. Reading this book was like attempting a jigsaw with the picture face down. The pieces fit together but the picture doesn’t become any clearer!

I feel I would have gotten more from this book by reading a copy, instead of Audio.
It was very sweet, almost like poetry.
The narrator was very calming, but I did sometimes find myself drifting off.
Nice story, but would be better reading it.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier UK Audio, Manilla Press and the author for my copy.

I am very excited about listening to this audiobook, as the topic of the book is intriguing and I would to know how the story goes. The story is set in Japan which also has a promising start.

I found myself difficult to follow and relate to the story. I think the narrator has a monotone which I kept going back to the beginning of each chapter as I did not catch some of the lines. This will be a more enjoyable story to read instead of listening to.

I was very happy to get this because the description sounded interesting to me, but I just didn't connect with it at all. It was too slow for me to enjoy and the characters didn't draw me in. I think it's a combination of me not being in the right mood for a story like this and the narrator being so flat with his delivery; mostly the latter. I'll likely give this one a try again, but I think reading it myself instead of going with the audiobook will make a big difference in the experience.