'Brief Encounter set in contemporary Tokyo . . . Short, emotional and very funny, an unmissable treat for romantics everywhere' Stylist

Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award
'The perfect marriage of Sally Rooney and early Murakami' Kathy Wang, author of Impostor Syndrome

'A brilliant modern love story . . . atmospheric and transporting but also wise, clever and universal in its exploration of love, family and identity. I loved it' Cathy Rentzenbrink

Mizuki is a Japanese housewife. She has a hardworking husband, two adorable children and a beautiful Tokyo apartment. It's everything a woman like her could want . . . isn't it?

One rainy night, she meets Kiyoshi. In him, she rediscovers freedom, friendship, a voice, and the neon, electric pulse of the city she has always loved. But the further she falls into their relationship, the clearer it becomes that she is living two lives - and in the end, we can choose only one.

Shrewd commentary on Japan's societal expectations of women