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Seven Days in Tokyo
Two strangers meet in Manhattan and spend a perfect night together. In Tokyo, they have seven days to see if that one night might mean something more.
Landon’s living alone in Tokyo as a British ‘expat’, Louie’s visiting while he anxiously waits for approval on his US visa. Against the backdrop of a misty Tokyo Spring, their precious time together is spent wandering into side streets and coffee shops, sharing unmade beds and plates of food. But as the days tick by, Louie’s expectations start to overtake reality and he falls too deeply for a life that’s not yet his.
Breathtakingly tender, Seven Days in Tokyo is an astonishing debut about the intricacies of desire and a search for belonging. It is a lyrical, immersive portrait of how some things, however beautiful and profound, are destined to be as short-lived as the cherry blossoms.
Landon’s living alone in Tokyo as a British ‘expat’, Louie’s visiting while he anxiously waits for approval on his US visa. Against the backdrop of a misty Tokyo Spring, their precious time together is spent wandering into side streets and coffee shops, sharing unmade beds and plates of food. But as the days tick by, Louie’s expectations start to overtake reality and he falls too deeply for a life that’s not yet his.
Breathtakingly tender, Seven Days in Tokyo is an astonishing debut about the intricacies of desire and a search for belonging. It is a lyrical, immersive portrait of how some things, however beautiful and profound, are destined to be as short-lived as the cherry blossoms.
208 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
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524 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
February 23, 2025
Gay expat romance where they take a chance on a spark? Yes please! Alas...
Got this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review and...Oof.
This wasn't the best, yet on paper I should have loved it.
This has a weird writing style which veers between past and present for no particular reason. It felt like it was going for the likes of Garth Greenwell or Edouard Louis but it was simply too shallow and didn't really get into the characters. Yet it didn't work as something light and breezy either, as it possessed neither humour nor a particular charm.
Speaking of lack of charm...
The love interest, Landon, is thoroughly unlikeable. Just a bland white expat who behaves like a douchebag but it's not a major issue for our main character cos he's tall and blond, apparently.
As for the main character, he's a bit of a drip and tries too hard.
Overall, I never got the relationship between the two and wound up skimming near the end. The dialogue is dull, they're shown to be laughing a lot but over things that aren't really funny. I'm also puzzled as to what even drew them together, really, for them to see a brief encounter in NYC as more than a fun holiday fling.
Not recommended. 2* for the evocative descriptions of Japan, rounded up from 1.5*.
Got this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review and...Oof.
This wasn't the best, yet on paper I should have loved it.
This has a weird writing style which veers between past and present for no particular reason. It felt like it was going for the likes of Garth Greenwell or Edouard Louis but it was simply too shallow and didn't really get into the characters. Yet it didn't work as something light and breezy either, as it possessed neither humour nor a particular charm.
Speaking of lack of charm...
The love interest, Landon, is thoroughly unlikeable. Just a bland white expat who behaves like a douchebag but it's not a major issue for our main character cos he's tall and blond, apparently.
As for the main character, he's a bit of a drip and tries too hard.
Overall, I never got the relationship between the two and wound up skimming near the end. The dialogue is dull, they're shown to be laughing a lot but over things that aren't really funny. I'm also puzzled as to what even drew them together, really, for them to see a brief encounter in NYC as more than a fun holiday fling.
Not recommended. 2* for the evocative descriptions of Japan, rounded up from 1.5*.
October 8, 2024
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
“Today is exceptionally beautiful, and it will not be here tomorrow. We may never have a day as beautiful again.”
A scene in Up in the Air that I always remember with an aching heartbreak is that pivotal moment when George Clooney's character's world comes crashing down upon him - his startling earth-shattering discovery he makes of Vera Farmiga's character's betrayal. It is gut-wrenching, even when no words are exchanged between the two - the action speaks for itself. For some reason, that scene continued to circle my head, as I made my way through José Daniel Alvior's debut novel. 😢
“The heart has four chambers, plus one more: the invisible one, where we find ourselves sometimes.”
There is a strange dreamlike state to the prose that I had difficulty appreciating, almost as if by having it emit a floating feel to it, it'll capture the transience of the Seven Days in Tokyo. ☁️ I also struggled with the nonlinear narrative of the past with the present, because there was that shift from present tense to past tense that I wish could somehow be avoided, but I guess I just don't know the proper etiquette of writing mechanics. 🤷🏻♀️
Plus, the focus on the past - even with other characters - I could have done without it. It took away time to allow the actual couple's relationship to develop. I know the reason why they were featured - to show that there were other friendships in their lives - but, they just felt forgettable to me. 🙍🏻♀️ I also had issues with certain aspects of relationship dynamics; it felt like a safe excuse, a reason to justify these hook-ups that happen on the fly - that it is really not hurting anyone, if all parties are open to the arrangement. Why not have them be monogamous? Or even single? This choice just felt strange to me. 🤔
The writing seemed almost semi-autobiographical at times - like it was a moment in time from an experience of their own - 'this is a fragment of my secret world that I’m letting people see' - so I do apologize if I'm being too harsh on a memory that may be too personal for me to take offense to. 😟 But, I do have to point out that the few instances of the usage of nonetheless and nevertheless was not a good choice - it did not make the flow of the story feel good; it was jarring and made the writing stilted.
“Most good things in life are fleeting. Why is that?’
‘Because they’re just a means to a greater end unbeknown to us.”
Louie's desire to rekindle that same spark with Landon after one miraculously perfect night was palpable. It was described with an aching sense of longing - yearning for belonging - to someone. To mean something more than the transient fleeting escape of just one night of passion that could encompass something more meaningful. 'This place, this time, this love, flourish – and vanish – all together.' 🥺 It was heart-wrenching and deeply frustrating to see them both at a stagnant impasse where even if one yielded their emotions, you could not determine how one would respond in kind. To shoulder the doubt that trickles in that perhaps what either wants is not one and the same.
The author captured that ephemeral feeling that the magic can not quite be captured the same way again impact-fully; indeed, lightning can never strike the same place twice. 'I want this moment to last forever.' With vivid imagery of the bustling life of Tokyo, we see just how lost Louie is even now - still searching for a place and person he could call his. 💔💔 Each parting and outing carries a slight symbolic allusion to their relationship that was done well, particularly two that stood out. Yet there was some tenderness to their affections - a softness that sometimes slipped through the cracks, giving me a fleeting glimpse of what could have been.
“How many lives are we allowed in a lifetime? I’m given a peek of this other world and feel a great sense of gratitude.”
Perhaps I would have appreciated the story more had it not been the troubles I encountered with the writing that bothered me, because the overall theme does resonate with me. 😕 It is a story that shows how even when we let down our walls - show our vulnerable sides - allow for tenderness and passion to mix together - there still may be something not in one's control that prevents us from connecting - from mattering enough to be worth someone's time. There is a divide between love and lust - a quick fix and a permanent mark, and that is what made the ending that more painful and bittersweet. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
A visceral cut to the heart that even when you expose your deepest confessions - you just don't know if the romance that you hoped for - could exist. 'What feels real, however, is that I’m again an outsider looking in.' Yet, even by taking that chance is enough to not live a life of regret and living a life where happiness could not have been. It was only a week - but it defined and defied all of Louie's expectations and hopes to pave the way with clarity 'for the first time, a clearer, brighter look to everything.' 😔
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“Today is exceptionally beautiful, and it will not be here tomorrow. We may never have a day as beautiful again.”
A scene in Up in the Air that I always remember with an aching heartbreak is that pivotal moment when George Clooney's character's world comes crashing down upon him - his startling earth-shattering discovery he makes of Vera Farmiga's character's betrayal. It is gut-wrenching, even when no words are exchanged between the two - the action speaks for itself. For some reason, that scene continued to circle my head, as I made my way through José Daniel Alvior's debut novel. 😢
“The heart has four chambers, plus one more: the invisible one, where we find ourselves sometimes.”
There is a strange dreamlike state to the prose that I had difficulty appreciating, almost as if by having it emit a floating feel to it, it'll capture the transience of the Seven Days in Tokyo. ☁️ I also struggled with the nonlinear narrative of the past with the present, because there was that shift from present tense to past tense that I wish could somehow be avoided, but I guess I just don't know the proper etiquette of writing mechanics. 🤷🏻♀️
Plus, the focus on the past - even with other characters - I could have done without it. It took away time to allow the actual couple's relationship to develop. I know the reason why they were featured - to show that there were other friendships in their lives - but, they just felt forgettable to me. 🙍🏻♀️ I also had issues with certain aspects of relationship dynamics; it felt like a safe excuse, a reason to justify these hook-ups that happen on the fly - that it is really not hurting anyone, if all parties are open to the arrangement. Why not have them be monogamous? Or even single? This choice just felt strange to me. 🤔
The writing seemed almost semi-autobiographical at times - like it was a moment in time from an experience of their own - 'this is a fragment of my secret world that I’m letting people see' - so I do apologize if I'm being too harsh on a memory that may be too personal for me to take offense to. 😟 But, I do have to point out that the few instances of the usage of nonetheless and nevertheless was not a good choice - it did not make the flow of the story feel good; it was jarring and made the writing stilted.
“Most good things in life are fleeting. Why is that?’
‘Because they’re just a means to a greater end unbeknown to us.”
Louie's desire to rekindle that same spark with Landon after one miraculously perfect night was palpable. It was described with an aching sense of longing - yearning for belonging - to someone. To mean something more than the transient fleeting escape of just one night of passion that could encompass something more meaningful. 'This place, this time, this love, flourish – and vanish – all together.' 🥺 It was heart-wrenching and deeply frustrating to see them both at a stagnant impasse where even if one yielded their emotions, you could not determine how one would respond in kind. To shoulder the doubt that trickles in that perhaps what either wants is not one and the same.
The author captured that ephemeral feeling that the magic can not quite be captured the same way again impact-fully; indeed, lightning can never strike the same place twice. 'I want this moment to last forever.' With vivid imagery of the bustling life of Tokyo, we see just how lost Louie is even now - still searching for a place and person he could call his. 💔💔 Each parting and outing carries a slight symbolic allusion to their relationship that was done well, particularly two that stood out. Yet there was some tenderness to their affections - a softness that sometimes slipped through the cracks, giving me a fleeting glimpse of what could have been.
“How many lives are we allowed in a lifetime? I’m given a peek of this other world and feel a great sense of gratitude.”
Perhaps I would have appreciated the story more had it not been the troubles I encountered with the writing that bothered me, because the overall theme does resonate with me. 😕 It is a story that shows how even when we let down our walls - show our vulnerable sides - allow for tenderness and passion to mix together - there still may be something not in one's control that prevents us from connecting - from mattering enough to be worth someone's time. There is a divide between love and lust - a quick fix and a permanent mark, and that is what made the ending that more painful and bittersweet. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
A visceral cut to the heart that even when you expose your deepest confessions - you just don't know if the romance that you hoped for - could exist. 'What feels real, however, is that I’m again an outsider looking in.' Yet, even by taking that chance is enough to not live a life of regret and living a life where happiness could not have been. It was only a week - but it defined and defied all of Louie's expectations and hopes to pave the way with clarity 'for the first time, a clearer, brighter look to everything.' 😔
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC.
Finding the book that's right for you requires a very finite alchemy, but with a stroke of luck, Seven Days In Tokyo by José Daniel Alvior turned out to be exactly my cup of tea. What an incredible debut. The lyrical prose was hypnotic, simultaneously transporting the reader onto the thronging streets of Tokyo whilst making the city a temperamental being in it's own right that yields into moments of symbolism that correspond with the visceral journey the protagonist has assumed to pursue a brief but ultimately transient love affair. It's precisely the evanescence of the romance that I found most beguiling; it captures that bittersweet joy of “mono no aware” between the pages of a book. It never once shied away from the ephemeral nature of existence. This novel made me poignantly aware of the importance of measuring my own life in imperfect, impermanent moments. My only grievance was with the nonlinear narrative; taken out of chronological order, the exploration into Louie's past had a tendency to pull me out of the emotive journey he was experiencing in the present. The ending, however, redeemed such a small fault. I found it simply breathtaking. I have no doubt that Alvior will frequent my bookshelves in the future.
Finding the book that's right for you requires a very finite alchemy, but with a stroke of luck, Seven Days In Tokyo by José Daniel Alvior turned out to be exactly my cup of tea. What an incredible debut. The lyrical prose was hypnotic, simultaneously transporting the reader onto the thronging streets of Tokyo whilst making the city a temperamental being in it's own right that yields into moments of symbolism that correspond with the visceral journey the protagonist has assumed to pursue a brief but ultimately transient love affair. It's precisely the evanescence of the romance that I found most beguiling; it captures that bittersweet joy of “mono no aware” between the pages of a book. It never once shied away from the ephemeral nature of existence. This novel made me poignantly aware of the importance of measuring my own life in imperfect, impermanent moments. My only grievance was with the nonlinear narrative; taken out of chronological order, the exploration into Louie's past had a tendency to pull me out of the emotive journey he was experiencing in the present. The ending, however, redeemed such a small fault. I found it simply breathtaking. I have no doubt that Alvior will frequent my bookshelves in the future.
November 18, 2024
This was a beautiful book but it won't be for everyone. It was litfic more than a romance and the story was more about loneliness than a love story. If you've ever been obsessed with a situationship and wanted to take a risk on something more meaningful, Louie's often inexplicable motivations will make more sense.
Unhappy with his long-term relationship and chasing after the fleeting moments of emotional intimacy that he found with a one-night-stand with a British expat teacher in New York, cafe hunter Louie then hunts Landon to Japan for a seven-day vacation while he waits for the status of his work visa.
Thus follows a wrenching tale of heartbreak and loss as Louie begs for the few scraps of emotional vulnerability that Landon's willing to give, before finally accepting that to Landon he was just a booty call but to Louie those fleeting moments of emotional intimacy made him remember that he was alive.
There wasn't much happening in this story, it was a lot of taking a leap for love only to fall in love with a foreign country and realize just how alone you really are. It was a lot of gay yearning and Louie sightseeing. The descriptions of Japan and the culture were lush and beautiful, and I felt like I was there. I also related to the inexplicable pull of loneliness as a former expat who did a gap year teaching English in Japan after college.
As a side note, this book must have been written before covid because I found it odd that Louie was so perplexed by people wearing face masks that he'd remark upon it not only once but again just before he was leaving as one of the more memorable moments of the trip. It would have made more sense if he was unaware of the cultural differences around sanitation but face masks aren't so out of place anymore.
This was a sad story with a sad ending and absolutely beautiful writing, about the considerations of relationships other than happiness and romantic love. There were several beautiful reflections on the contrasts between settledness, loneliness and romantic happiness that I found moving.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unhappy with his long-term relationship and chasing after the fleeting moments of emotional intimacy that he found with a one-night-stand with a British expat teacher in New York, cafe hunter Louie then hunts Landon to Japan for a seven-day vacation while he waits for the status of his work visa.
Thus follows a wrenching tale of heartbreak and loss as Louie begs for the few scraps of emotional vulnerability that Landon's willing to give, before finally accepting that to Landon he was just a booty call but to Louie those fleeting moments of emotional intimacy made him remember that he was alive.
There wasn't much happening in this story, it was a lot of taking a leap for love only to fall in love with a foreign country and realize just how alone you really are. It was a lot of gay yearning and Louie sightseeing. The descriptions of Japan and the culture were lush and beautiful, and I felt like I was there. I also related to the inexplicable pull of loneliness as a former expat who did a gap year teaching English in Japan after college.
As a side note, this book must have been written before covid because I found it odd that Louie was so perplexed by people wearing face masks that he'd remark upon it not only once but again just before he was leaving as one of the more memorable moments of the trip. It would have made more sense if he was unaware of the cultural differences around sanitation but face masks aren't so out of place anymore.
This was a sad story with a sad ending and absolutely beautiful writing, about the considerations of relationships other than happiness and romantic love. There were several beautiful reflections on the contrasts between settledness, loneliness and romantic happiness that I found moving.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 22, 2024
i had a privilege of reading this book before the release and can i say how poetic this story is? i don't know whether to laugh, cry or be angry after i finished it. all i know is i was full of emotions.
it started with two people, Louie and Landon. Louie finds himself falling for Landon after a one night stand in NYC. 5 months go by, Louie finds himself in Tokyo where Landon lives looking to maybe further their relationship & give it a chance. sadly, Landon does not feel the same way for him which this leads through Louie's emotional heart-wrenching experience exploring Tokyo, Japan for seven days.
the way the author described Tokyo is perfection. it made me miss visiting Japan like i used to. i miss the ramen shops, the cute coffee shops, the peaceful streets and the cold chilly nights and all you wanna do it grab something to eat to warm yourself up. the cherry blossoms in March that the locals go to and the tourist visits just to see how gorgeous they are.
unfortunately the book didn't speak to me as much as i want to that is why i gave an average rating. why? cause i was yearning for more chemistry. the couple did not have it, but Louie our protagonist felt like a real person to me—he is super relatable and i saw myself relating to every thought he has and stuff he does. i feel so bad for him because he is that kind of person that just loves deeply and wants to be loved the same way, suck to suck Landon cannot offer that for him but you will find Louie finding himself and growing from this unrequited love they have.
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
the writing felt like poetry it was really beautiful. i will definitely read more books from this author. it felt like i traveled through the pages.
it started with two people, Louie and Landon. Louie finds himself falling for Landon after a one night stand in NYC. 5 months go by, Louie finds himself in Tokyo where Landon lives looking to maybe further their relationship & give it a chance. sadly, Landon does not feel the same way for him which this leads through Louie's emotional heart-wrenching experience exploring Tokyo, Japan for seven days.
the way the author described Tokyo is perfection. it made me miss visiting Japan like i used to. i miss the ramen shops, the cute coffee shops, the peaceful streets and the cold chilly nights and all you wanna do it grab something to eat to warm yourself up. the cherry blossoms in March that the locals go to and the tourist visits just to see how gorgeous they are.
unfortunately the book didn't speak to me as much as i want to that is why i gave an average rating. why? cause i was yearning for more chemistry. the couple did not have it, but Louie our protagonist felt like a real person to me—he is super relatable and i saw myself relating to every thought he has and stuff he does. i feel so bad for him because he is that kind of person that just loves deeply and wants to be loved the same way, suck to suck Landon cannot offer that for him but you will find Louie finding himself and growing from this unrequited love they have.
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
the writing felt like poetry it was really beautiful. i will definitely read more books from this author. it felt like i traveled through the pages.
October 17, 2024
Thanks to Unbound and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this. This book made me want to visit Japan and never fall for someone ever again in equal parts. It’s deep, emotional and resonated in ways I didn’t expect. A captivating exploration of Japan and relationships.
September 27, 2024
"Seven Days in Tokyo" by José Daniel Alvior is a captivating novel that immerses readers in the vibrant yet haunting streets of Tokyo through the eyes of a mid-life protagonist. Set over the course of a week, it explores the fleeting nature of love in a city that feels both strange and magical.
Alvior’s lyrical prose paints vivid images of Tokyo's bustling neighborhoods and serene temples, making the city feel like a character in its own right. This unfamiliar backdrop mirrors the protagonist's emotional journey as he navigates a brief but intense romance.
The relationship that develops during these seven days is beautifully portrayed, filled with joy and vulnerability. Alvior captures the excitement of new love while also acknowledging its inevitable transience. The narrative evokes a bittersweet feeling, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of connections in their own lives.
Ultimately, "Seven Days in Tokyo" transcends a simple love story; it’s a meditation on time and the moments that shape us. Alvior’s skillful blend of emotion and rich setting makes this novel a memorable read, lingering in the mind long after the final page. If you enjoy stories that explore the beauty and sadness of love, this book is a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alvior’s lyrical prose paints vivid images of Tokyo's bustling neighborhoods and serene temples, making the city feel like a character in its own right. This unfamiliar backdrop mirrors the protagonist's emotional journey as he navigates a brief but intense romance.
The relationship that develops during these seven days is beautifully portrayed, filled with joy and vulnerability. Alvior captures the excitement of new love while also acknowledging its inevitable transience. The narrative evokes a bittersweet feeling, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of connections in their own lives.
Ultimately, "Seven Days in Tokyo" transcends a simple love story; it’s a meditation on time and the moments that shape us. Alvior’s skillful blend of emotion and rich setting makes this novel a memorable read, lingering in the mind long after the final page. If you enjoy stories that explore the beauty and sadness of love, this book is a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2024
Seven Days in Tokyo by José Daniel Alvior is a poignant and evocative debut that explores fleeting connections, unrequited love, and the quiet beauty of self-discovery. Through Louie’s week-long journey in Tokyo, the novel paints an intricate portrait of longing and belonging, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
Louie, a Filipino man awaiting his U.S. visa, ventures to Tokyo in hopes of rekindling a spark with Landon, a British expat English teacher he met during a magical night in New York. What follows is not a love story but an intimate reflection on the ephemeral nature of relationships and the yearning to find meaning in fleeting moments.
Alvior’s prose is lyrical and immersive, capturing the bustling streets of Tokyo with vivid precision. From ramen shops to serene cherry blossoms, the city itself becomes a living, breathing character in the story, embodying the theme of impermanence that echoes throughout Louie’s emotional journey. This rich imagery, however, occasionally veers into territory that feels more like a travelogue than a narrative, slowing the pacing at times.
While the setting and introspection shine, the central relationship between Louie and Landon falls short. Landon’s cold demeanor and dismissive treatment of Louie make it challenging to understand the protagonist’s devotion. Yet, this dynamic may resonate with readers who have experienced the complexities of unreciprocated affection. Louie’s growth and eventual closure provide a satisfying arc, even if the romance itself lacks chemistry.
The nonlinear storytelling—punctuated by flashbacks and side anecdotes—adds depth but occasionally disrupts the flow of the narrative. Some readers may find these interludes enriching, while others might feel they detract from the central plot.
Ultimately, Seven Days in Tokyo is a reflective and beautifully written exploration of love, identity, and the spaces in between. Despite its imperfections, Alvior’s debut showcases a remarkable talent for capturing human emotions and the transient beauty of life. It’s a book that lingers, leaving readers with both questions and quiet revelations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Unbound for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to seeing what Alvior crafts next
Louie, a Filipino man awaiting his U.S. visa, ventures to Tokyo in hopes of rekindling a spark with Landon, a British expat English teacher he met during a magical night in New York. What follows is not a love story but an intimate reflection on the ephemeral nature of relationships and the yearning to find meaning in fleeting moments.
Alvior’s prose is lyrical and immersive, capturing the bustling streets of Tokyo with vivid precision. From ramen shops to serene cherry blossoms, the city itself becomes a living, breathing character in the story, embodying the theme of impermanence that echoes throughout Louie’s emotional journey. This rich imagery, however, occasionally veers into territory that feels more like a travelogue than a narrative, slowing the pacing at times.
While the setting and introspection shine, the central relationship between Louie and Landon falls short. Landon’s cold demeanor and dismissive treatment of Louie make it challenging to understand the protagonist’s devotion. Yet, this dynamic may resonate with readers who have experienced the complexities of unreciprocated affection. Louie’s growth and eventual closure provide a satisfying arc, even if the romance itself lacks chemistry.
The nonlinear storytelling—punctuated by flashbacks and side anecdotes—adds depth but occasionally disrupts the flow of the narrative. Some readers may find these interludes enriching, while others might feel they detract from the central plot.
Ultimately, Seven Days in Tokyo is a reflective and beautifully written exploration of love, identity, and the spaces in between. Despite its imperfections, Alvior’s debut showcases a remarkable talent for capturing human emotions and the transient beauty of life. It’s a book that lingers, leaving readers with both questions and quiet revelations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Unbound for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to seeing what Alvior crafts next
October 22, 2024
2⭐️
Unfortunately, I struggled to get into the story.
I didn’t feel much attachment to the characters, and I couldn’t bring myself to care about their relationship.
That said, I did enjoy the descriptions of Japan and the discussions around the visa struggles.
Thank you NetGalley and Unbound for the ARC.
Unfortunately, I struggled to get into the story.
I didn’t feel much attachment to the characters, and I couldn’t bring myself to care about their relationship.
That said, I did enjoy the descriptions of Japan and the discussions around the visa struggles.
Thank you NetGalley and Unbound for the ARC.
dnf
July 18, 2025DNF at around 50%. For a book so short I should really finish it, but I sadly have no interest.
This wasn't quite what I expected, I didn't particularly warm to any of the characters didn't like the romance. Some of the descriptions of the setting were beautiful, but I found myself disappointed by the overall story.
May be for some, just not one for me.
This wasn't quite what I expected, I didn't particularly warm to any of the characters didn't like the romance. Some of the descriptions of the setting were beautiful, but I found myself disappointed by the overall story.
May be for some, just not one for me.
November 18, 2025
A short, quiet book that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but one I quite enjoyed. Not a lot happens and for the most part you’re questioning what the heck the characters are playing at, but, on reflection I think it really highlights the complexities of human interaction and relationships and how ‘neediness’ has so many other layers to it. I think this book perfectly brings that to life. It’s so easy to judge others behaviour.
I enjoyed the setting of this book, enjoyed the time frame and enjoyed reading about a male relationship as this isn’t something I have read much of in the past at all, most of the books I read are male/female.
Interesting book, only 200ish pages but there would be a lot for a book club to unpack and discuss here.
I enjoyed the setting of this book, enjoyed the time frame and enjoyed reading about a male relationship as this isn’t something I have read much of in the past at all, most of the books I read are male/female.
Interesting book, only 200ish pages but there would be a lot for a book club to unpack and discuss here.
July 27, 2025
"But if he moves, or finds that house in the suburbs, or leaves Japan for good, how I will be connected to this time and place? Who will attest, at the time the blossoms were in full bloom, to the beauty that also thrived here? To him this will probably be just a fleeting memory. I, on the other hand, will remember everything, from the most shameful of emotions to those that made me feel alive."
I don't think it's a book for everyone, but I actually enjoyed it very much after coming to terms with the fact that it is not a typical romance as expected. It's actually a painfully honest, melancholic reflection on loneliness and feeling disconnected, especially when surrounded by people. Loved vivid, detailed depiction of Tokyo, felt as if I was there together with the main character.
I don't think it's a book for everyone, but I actually enjoyed it very much after coming to terms with the fact that it is not a typical romance as expected. It's actually a painfully honest, melancholic reflection on loneliness and feeling disconnected, especially when surrounded by people. Loved vivid, detailed depiction of Tokyo, felt as if I was there together with the main character.
January 20, 2025
“Seven days in Tokyo” truly captures what I want and expect out of a contemporary novel. It language is lyrically descriptive and immersive in a way that makes you long for the streets of Tokyo all the while you get to see emotions and experiences you’ve probably experienced yourself mirrored back to you through the characters you’re reading about.
This is a story about love, culture and identity, about feeling lost, about self-doubt and trying to figure out whether love is worth a leap of faith or not. It is a story about grasping with what it means to fall in love in a modern world; the power dynamics, the cultural differences, the bleak reality of worrying about work and visas and the isolating feeling of never truly belonging somewhere. In short, this is a story that feels like a comfort to anyone who feels lost in their 20s.
I could relate to Louie’s struggle with never really fitting in anywhere, of being too much of one thing, not enough of another. Of never truly belonging to one place or culture because you’re a mix of several. As a person of colour, it was also a comfort to read about the dynamics — and awareness of dynamics the characters display themselves, to a certain point — that can exist in relationships between a white person and a person of colour, which in this story is truly contrasted even more by Landon’s status as a white, british expat (or, immigrant, as the rest of us would be called) in Japan.
Furthermore, the delicacy of the relationship, the uncertainty and second guessing you may experience when you’re standing at the precipice of something that might change you (for worse or for better) felt incredibly real and relatable.
Although the writing is beautiful and the plot at times compelling, there are times where the story is a bit too slow paced for my sake and times where it drags on to the point where it’s hard to care for the characters. At times I also wondered whether all of the flashbacks were necessary or not, since so little time has passed between them and the present day and not much really happened that would be cause for a reader to need the flashback. I think if this story would have been told through another format (I am thinking of film specifically here) the flashbacks would have been more welcome but as it is right now I did at times feel like they weren’t needed. However this is a personal opinion and preference and doesn’t affect the overall experience of the story too much.
If you want a more realistic and grounded Call me by your name-esque story and don’t mind a miscommunication-trope (and I certainly don’t!) this is a story for you. I see a lot of potential from this author and would love to read more by Alvior in the future!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Unbound Publishing for sending me this ARC and allowing me the chance to read and review it!
This is a story about love, culture and identity, about feeling lost, about self-doubt and trying to figure out whether love is worth a leap of faith or not. It is a story about grasping with what it means to fall in love in a modern world; the power dynamics, the cultural differences, the bleak reality of worrying about work and visas and the isolating feeling of never truly belonging somewhere. In short, this is a story that feels like a comfort to anyone who feels lost in their 20s.
I could relate to Louie’s struggle with never really fitting in anywhere, of being too much of one thing, not enough of another. Of never truly belonging to one place or culture because you’re a mix of several. As a person of colour, it was also a comfort to read about the dynamics — and awareness of dynamics the characters display themselves, to a certain point — that can exist in relationships between a white person and a person of colour, which in this story is truly contrasted even more by Landon’s status as a white, british expat (or, immigrant, as the rest of us would be called) in Japan.
Furthermore, the delicacy of the relationship, the uncertainty and second guessing you may experience when you’re standing at the precipice of something that might change you (for worse or for better) felt incredibly real and relatable.
Although the writing is beautiful and the plot at times compelling, there are times where the story is a bit too slow paced for my sake and times where it drags on to the point where it’s hard to care for the characters. At times I also wondered whether all of the flashbacks were necessary or not, since so little time has passed between them and the present day and not much really happened that would be cause for a reader to need the flashback. I think if this story would have been told through another format (I am thinking of film specifically here) the flashbacks would have been more welcome but as it is right now I did at times feel like they weren’t needed. However this is a personal opinion and preference and doesn’t affect the overall experience of the story too much.
If you want a more realistic and grounded Call me by your name-esque story and don’t mind a miscommunication-trope (and I certainly don’t!) this is a story for you. I see a lot of potential from this author and would love to read more by Alvior in the future!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Unbound Publishing for sending me this ARC and allowing me the chance to read and review it!
February 3, 2025
Thank you to Unbound and NetGalley for the early copy!
As a litfic enjoyer, there were elements of this short novel I liked - the beautiful rendering of busy cities, the minutiae of everyday life which can get lost in the constant rush, and a heartfelt desire to slow down and enjoy the little things. This is a love story to urban locations, the hum and roar of cities and the particular feeling of loneliness that comes with being surrounded by so many people; getting lost in the flow.
I also found that the creeping disquiet associated with the love interest resonated - and will resonate - with people who’ve felt they’ve had to claw for attention. Who’ve thought too hard about how someone feels about them.
However, I was jaded by the actual love interest, Landon, who unfortunately is exactly the sort of dislikable hot then cold Brit I’ve encountered far too many times. I didn’t find the attraction or connection between the MC and the LI believable, nor did I enjoy the way the MC hung onto him despite his unreliability.
While I appreciate the close inspection of bad habits, particularly when it comes to choice in romantic partners, I found this a little lacking on the emotional engagement side. Though as someone who finds large cities endlessly fascinating, I enjoyed how much of this is for people who both love and abhor how easy it is to lose yourself in them.
A book for travellers, perhaps, rather than a truly enjoyable romance.
As a litfic enjoyer, there were elements of this short novel I liked - the beautiful rendering of busy cities, the minutiae of everyday life which can get lost in the constant rush, and a heartfelt desire to slow down and enjoy the little things. This is a love story to urban locations, the hum and roar of cities and the particular feeling of loneliness that comes with being surrounded by so many people; getting lost in the flow.
I also found that the creeping disquiet associated with the love interest resonated - and will resonate - with people who’ve felt they’ve had to claw for attention. Who’ve thought too hard about how someone feels about them.
However, I was jaded by the actual love interest, Landon, who unfortunately is exactly the sort of dislikable hot then cold Brit I’ve encountered far too many times. I didn’t find the attraction or connection between the MC and the LI believable, nor did I enjoy the way the MC hung onto him despite his unreliability.
While I appreciate the close inspection of bad habits, particularly when it comes to choice in romantic partners, I found this a little lacking on the emotional engagement side. Though as someone who finds large cities endlessly fascinating, I enjoyed how much of this is for people who both love and abhor how easy it is to lose yourself in them.
A book for travellers, perhaps, rather than a truly enjoyable romance.
October 20, 2024
2.5. This book is about Louie who finds himself infatuated with Landon after a night spent together in NYC. Several months later he decides to go visit Landon in Tokyo to rekindle their spark. But things end up going in in a different direction and we end up following him through Tokyo while he tries to find himself.
The book was really well written, and with the authors writing, it became really atmospheric, and it felt like I was really visiting Tokyo with Louie.
Everything else wasn't just for me. I didn't really like the relationship, there wasn't any chemistry between them. And it was really frustrating because Louie was trying so hard, and I just wanted to shake him and tell him that it was not worth it.
I feel like this book had a lot of potential and reading it it frlt like it came from real experience by the author so i kind of feel bad for not liking it as much as I hope I would. But maybe if the romance had been explored in a more in-depth and different way, it would have been the perfect book for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
The book was really well written, and with the authors writing, it became really atmospheric, and it felt like I was really visiting Tokyo with Louie.
Everything else wasn't just for me. I didn't really like the relationship, there wasn't any chemistry between them. And it was really frustrating because Louie was trying so hard, and I just wanted to shake him and tell him that it was not worth it.
I feel like this book had a lot of potential and reading it it frlt like it came from real experience by the author so i kind of feel bad for not liking it as much as I hope I would. But maybe if the romance had been explored in a more in-depth and different way, it would have been the perfect book for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
February 16, 2025
This book was marvellous. I do love my happy ever after books. But every so often the lack of similarities with real life grate on me. And this story about fleeting romance, heartbreak, and disappointment full of introspection and life teachings was just the thing I needed. It is wonderfully written, mixing present and past seamlessly, with a beautiful prose that flows effortlessly. I could have read the full story in one sitting, if not because I already started reading pretty late that night.
This story also brought me a lot of nostalgia, the story is very similar to my own experience also in Japan. With a Japanese person, although my stay in Tokyo was much longer. Curiously, the places our protagonist explores are some of the places I visited less when staying in Tokyo, but the description of the society working the streets and businesses brought back so many memories I find myself wanting to go back to Tokyo to explore some more.
A beautiful, unassuming story, really well written, full of great thoughts about love, live, relationships and friendship. Absolutely recommend this book.
This story also brought me a lot of nostalgia, the story is very similar to my own experience also in Japan. With a Japanese person, although my stay in Tokyo was much longer. Curiously, the places our protagonist explores are some of the places I visited less when staying in Tokyo, but the description of the society working the streets and businesses brought back so many memories I find myself wanting to go back to Tokyo to explore some more.
A beautiful, unassuming story, really well written, full of great thoughts about love, live, relationships and friendship. Absolutely recommend this book.
January 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★¾
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Not often do I read a new book that is exactly my cup of tea. Or should I say coffee? I instantly connected with the story and characters, growing more curious about their journey with every page I turned. The writing style was different than what I am used to, but I am saying this in the most positive way one can imagine. It was refreshing. I loved it. This book reads more like a literary fiction covering the topic of loneliness, rather than a romance book, but there was enough romance to stay interested in the love story. With this only being the author's debut release, one can only expect great things for their future releases.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Not often do I read a new book that is exactly my cup of tea. Or should I say coffee? I instantly connected with the story and characters, growing more curious about their journey with every page I turned. The writing style was different than what I am used to, but I am saying this in the most positive way one can imagine. It was refreshing. I loved it. This book reads more like a literary fiction covering the topic of loneliness, rather than a romance book, but there was enough romance to stay interested in the love story. With this only being the author's debut release, one can only expect great things for their future releases.
April 20, 2025
4.0⭐️ - somehow managed to buy this book in Waterstones even though it’s not published until July and I’m so glad I did! This book felt like a love letter to Tokyo and modern love in 2025. I thoroughly enjoyed and read in one evening!
However, I do get the criticism with this book - I think its marketing as an international romance is so misleading and imo if you were reading it based on that idea you’d be so disappointed which I guess is where all the bad reviews are coming from?
However, I do get the criticism with this book - I think its marketing as an international romance is so misleading and imo if you were reading it based on that idea you’d be so disappointed which I guess is where all the bad reviews are coming from?
November 16, 2024
I expected a little more from this one to be completely honest. The blurb read as something quite exploratory, both in character and concept, but it often felt like it was rattling over points in the story and focusing on a surface level romance plot instead.
Glad to have read it but just not my personal favourite kind of read! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Glad to have read it but just not my personal favourite kind of read! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Read
January 20, 2025DNF @ 25%
received an earc thanks to netgalley !!
This one had beautiful scenery and details but I just could NOT get into it. The relationship was painfully boring and I didn’t feel an ounce on chemistry between the main characters.
Would absolutely love to go to Tokyo after reading though so I guess that’s a plus
received an earc thanks to netgalley !!
This one had beautiful scenery and details but I just could NOT get into it. The relationship was painfully boring and I didn’t feel an ounce on chemistry between the main characters.
Would absolutely love to go to Tokyo after reading though so I guess that’s a plus
September 14, 2025
Hard to give this more than a 2*. Poignant in places and somewhat beautiful descriptions of Japan. But slow and not a page turner for me.
January 27, 2026
I felt nothing really happened.
October 20, 2024
the writing was a bit over the top for this kind of genre imo but I can look past that. the REAL issue was that I just did not get the mc. how are you in an open relationship and still get yourself caught up in this thing with an emotionless BRIT for months on end please explain.
thanks netgalley for the arc
thanks netgalley for the arc
November 29, 2024
Endless thanks for Unbound Press and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Seven Days in Tokyo by José Daniel Alvior follows Louie, who is in Japan visiting a friend with benefits to chase a potential spark.
This novel has moments of warmth and fuzziness that immerses readers into the vibrant and busy streets of Tokyo. It has a lyrical, dreamlike prose and focuses on the art of noticing, but the pacing is quite slow which can make the story drag.
The timeline alters between past and present in a way which is easy for readers to keep up with, and I love the descriptions of all of the places and foods. There is also a large focus on the harsh realities of immigrants desperately trying to obtain visas, and I found those parts of the novel educational and urgent.
Louie and Landon have a lot of communication issues, and it was sad to read as Louie desperately held onto scraps of hope over the most bare minimum of actions from Landon, only for the cycle to repeat again and again.
I loved the chapters where Louie was with other fiends, such as Sayumi and Sebastian, and would have loved to have read more of those relationships rather than the monotony of Louie’s days with Landon. Though I believe this difference in pace was necessary to show the difference in the characters, this caused a bit of an imbalance in pacing, and Louie’s internal monologue while figuring out if Landon was a toxic person or not was very long and slow.
One more thing that is worth noting is that the unusualness of face masks was brought up three seperate times, which isn’t a lot but it is enough to be noticeable. I’d love to know if this novel was written pre normalisation of face masks, or if this novel is simply set in a world without illnesses like covid.
Seven Days in Tokyo by José Daniel Alvior follows Louie, who is in Japan visiting a friend with benefits to chase a potential spark.
This novel has moments of warmth and fuzziness that immerses readers into the vibrant and busy streets of Tokyo. It has a lyrical, dreamlike prose and focuses on the art of noticing, but the pacing is quite slow which can make the story drag.
The timeline alters between past and present in a way which is easy for readers to keep up with, and I love the descriptions of all of the places and foods. There is also a large focus on the harsh realities of immigrants desperately trying to obtain visas, and I found those parts of the novel educational and urgent.
Louie and Landon have a lot of communication issues, and it was sad to read as Louie desperately held onto scraps of hope over the most bare minimum of actions from Landon, only for the cycle to repeat again and again.
I loved the chapters where Louie was with other fiends, such as Sayumi and Sebastian, and would have loved to have read more of those relationships rather than the monotony of Louie’s days with Landon. Though I believe this difference in pace was necessary to show the difference in the characters, this caused a bit of an imbalance in pacing, and Louie’s internal monologue while figuring out if Landon was a toxic person or not was very long and slow.
One more thing that is worth noting is that the unusualness of face masks was brought up three seperate times, which isn’t a lot but it is enough to be noticeable. I’d love to know if this novel was written pre normalisation of face masks, or if this novel is simply set in a world without illnesses like covid.
November 30, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and | Unbound Firsts for the advanced copy of this book.
Two expat’, Louie, Filipino, and Landon, British, meet for one night in New York. Fast forward a few months later, Louis comes to Tokyo for seven days to find Landon again.
This small summary reminded me of the Before trilogy by Richard Linklater, a serie of movies exploring the relationship of two people meeting and having a conversation for a definite amount of time. Could this be a gay version of this? While it might feel similar, Seven days in Tokyo is a journey of its own.
Following Louie’s point of view exclusively, the possibility of a relationship is explored along with some locations in Tokyo. The initial encounter was a fleeting moment: a date with no follow-up possible. A visa renewal pending, Louie decides to make an additional trip to revisit that moment and see if there is more to it. Moving back and forth between New York and Tokyo, Louie explores that relationship and others as friends are met along the way. From there what would have been a romance novel becomes something and uncover how we can be connected, even if we are miles away from each other.
People meet, fall in love, become friends. We crave that connection but there is a kind of mysterious beauty on how this happens and how we can make it work … or not. The novel does not shy away from the imperfection of its protagonists but puts in evidence how they will find their home, relationship and love.
. Alongside the relationship of the people, we explore the relationship with a place. Leaving behind the familiar New York, Tokyo is an unfamiliar ground: strange and a bit overwhelming. Little by little, a familiarity takes place: he knows where to shop for groceries, have a coffee, a drink. He does not get lost but is ready to explore. This is where you can as well belong to a place as you belong to people.
This is where this short novel finds its strength leaving you with a sweet feeling, no matter what the hardships are, you can find beauty and belonging where you are at this moment.
Two expat’, Louie, Filipino, and Landon, British, meet for one night in New York. Fast forward a few months later, Louis comes to Tokyo for seven days to find Landon again.
This small summary reminded me of the Before trilogy by Richard Linklater, a serie of movies exploring the relationship of two people meeting and having a conversation for a definite amount of time. Could this be a gay version of this? While it might feel similar, Seven days in Tokyo is a journey of its own.
Following Louie’s point of view exclusively, the possibility of a relationship is explored along with some locations in Tokyo. The initial encounter was a fleeting moment: a date with no follow-up possible. A visa renewal pending, Louie decides to make an additional trip to revisit that moment and see if there is more to it. Moving back and forth between New York and Tokyo, Louie explores that relationship and others as friends are met along the way. From there what would have been a romance novel becomes something and uncover how we can be connected, even if we are miles away from each other.
People meet, fall in love, become friends. We crave that connection but there is a kind of mysterious beauty on how this happens and how we can make it work … or not. The novel does not shy away from the imperfection of its protagonists but puts in evidence how they will find their home, relationship and love.
. Alongside the relationship of the people, we explore the relationship with a place. Leaving behind the familiar New York, Tokyo is an unfamiliar ground: strange and a bit overwhelming. Little by little, a familiarity takes place: he knows where to shop for groceries, have a coffee, a drink. He does not get lost but is ready to explore. This is where you can as well belong to a place as you belong to people.
This is where this short novel finds its strength leaving you with a sweet feeling, no matter what the hardships are, you can find beauty and belonging where you are at this moment.
October 26, 2024
Oh wow!!! "Seven Days in Tokyo" by Jose Daniel Alvior is such a richly captivating story that explores personal challenges and self-discovery against the backdrop of Tokyo. I could envisage every detail. Love it.
October 13, 2024
A beautifully sentimental and vivid exploration of Tokyo through the eyes of a Singaporean immigrant living in New York, bringing the reader on a whirlwind trip to the city whilst dealing with his infuriatingly toxic British situationship and personal immigration issues. This was perfect to read soon after getting back from a trip to Japan, fondly recalling so many details I loved about the city. I'm glad I'm not the only one with a Landon in my past, and my heart breaks for others wrapped up in a similarly difficult relationship, as well as others having to navigate the nightmare of US immigration.
The story is on the shorter side so ended up being a quick read, but ended up being far more relatable and memorable than expected.
The story is on the shorter side so ended up being a quick read, but ended up being far more relatable and memorable than expected.
September 30, 2024
Wow. Seven days in Tokyo evokes so many emotions. It’s happy and sad, it’s friendships and longing. It’s lust and hurt. You just follow along this almost moment in time. The descriptions of Tokyo were beautiful, it made me wish to go back.
June 27, 2025
Real Rating: 4.25* of five
The Publisher Says: Two strangers meet in Manhattan and spend a perfect night together. In Tokyo, they have seven days to see if that one night might mean something more.
Landon’s living alone in Tokyo as a British ‘expat’, Louie’s visiting while he anxiously waits for approval on his US visa. Against the backdrop of a misty Tokyo Spring, their precious time together is spent wandering into side streets and coffee shops, sharing unmade beds and plates of food. But as the days tick by, Louie’s expectations start to overtake reality and he falls too deeply for a life that’s not yet his.
Breathtakingly tender, Seven Days in Tokyo is an astonishing debut about the intricacies of desire and a search for belonging. It is a lyrical, immersive portrait of how some things, however beautiful and profound, are destined to be as short-lived as the cherry blossoms.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.<
My Review: There are some moments in life that are perfect: sounds, colors, smells, companions...everything is perfect. They live forever in one's mind. They have in mine anyway, and I hope they do in yours as well.
Problems are created, then multiplied, when one or more of those involved stay in that moment long past the time it has ceased to exist. Clinging to a beautiful bygone image of something that, for whatever concatenation of causes, could not be. I've done that; it's a greedy response to a cosmic gift, but I'm pretty sure if one's never tried it the futility and the stunning destructive energy of it simply don't become part of one's usable experience.
This is the story of that one Perfect Moment℠ and of how horribly the effort to cling to it, to summon it back, hurts all involved and all who are around those involved.
The story is indeed tender, and it (at times) took my breath away with the mannered, distanced-from-disaster way it told the hard parts. I can only say that every story beat, every emotional trigger, every exhausted introspection, matched exactly what I'm familiar with. “How many lives are we allowed in a lifetime? I’m given a peek of this other world and feel a great sense of gratitude.” Gratitude without common sense, I fear, is what sets the painful reckoning with the incalculably precious gift of A Perfect Moment℠. Falling in love with a one-night stand? A bad misuse of the enormous gift of perspective the event gave you.
Details aren't mine to reveal, the Spoiler Stasi has agents in each and every nook of the bookish world. I'll say that Louie is more than a little spoiled as the (stochastic) trip through his past shows. I might've preferred a very slightly more linear look into his past, but that would be a different book, one less immersive in its ease of scansion, used in its archaic climbing sense. There is effort required to get this story into your head. It's rich and evocative, but not the way ice cream is rich and cloying; more like the way lobster is rich and evokes its home the sea.
I suspect many hoping for salaciousness will leave the read not fully satisfied. Intimacy is the focus here: accidental; granted; withheld; refused. One important note is the Japanese trait of wearing masks in public strikes Louie pretty forcefully, as he mentions it though without ever bringing up COVID. I think, in the absence of explicit dating, that places the action in 2019 or before, or else the editor was uncharacteristically sloppy with that detail. I doubt this because the masks were so perfectly symbolic.
You'll see. Or I hope you will. I can't offer all five stars but that's because I wanted more Landon in Louie's book. It's not instantly obvious to me that Landon remaining more or less a screen to project onto was an enriching authorial choice. I was aware that I knew little enough about Landon as a man to get where Louie's fantasies mapped onto the real man.
They're not fatal flaws to me, just points where I expected a more polished performance from a writer with these chops. And what chops! I was transported to Tokyo. I don't mean a native's Tokyo. I mean the one a man truly and deeply in love would notice from the ten million things bombarding his senses. Louie is Christopher Isherwood's camera: "I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking."
Evoking that state of utterly aware passivity is a huge feat. It's a deeply moving story told well...but perfection is wihin Author Alvior's grasp. I want him to reach it.
The Publisher Says: Two strangers meet in Manhattan and spend a perfect night together. In Tokyo, they have seven days to see if that one night might mean something more.
Landon’s living alone in Tokyo as a British ‘expat’, Louie’s visiting while he anxiously waits for approval on his US visa. Against the backdrop of a misty Tokyo Spring, their precious time together is spent wandering into side streets and coffee shops, sharing unmade beds and plates of food. But as the days tick by, Louie’s expectations start to overtake reality and he falls too deeply for a life that’s not yet his.
Breathtakingly tender, Seven Days in Tokyo is an astonishing debut about the intricacies of desire and a search for belonging. It is a lyrical, immersive portrait of how some things, however beautiful and profound, are destined to be as short-lived as the cherry blossoms.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.<
My Review: There are some moments in life that are perfect: sounds, colors, smells, companions...everything is perfect. They live forever in one's mind. They have in mine anyway, and I hope they do in yours as well.
Problems are created, then multiplied, when one or more of those involved stay in that moment long past the time it has ceased to exist. Clinging to a beautiful bygone image of something that, for whatever concatenation of causes, could not be. I've done that; it's a greedy response to a cosmic gift, but I'm pretty sure if one's never tried it the futility and the stunning destructive energy of it simply don't become part of one's usable experience.
This is the story of that one Perfect Moment℠ and of how horribly the effort to cling to it, to summon it back, hurts all involved and all who are around those involved.
The story is indeed tender, and it (at times) took my breath away with the mannered, distanced-from-disaster way it told the hard parts. I can only say that every story beat, every emotional trigger, every exhausted introspection, matched exactly what I'm familiar with. “How many lives are we allowed in a lifetime? I’m given a peek of this other world and feel a great sense of gratitude.” Gratitude without common sense, I fear, is what sets the painful reckoning with the incalculably precious gift of A Perfect Moment℠. Falling in love with a one-night stand? A bad misuse of the enormous gift of perspective the event gave you.
Details aren't mine to reveal, the Spoiler Stasi has agents in each and every nook of the bookish world. I'll say that Louie is more than a little spoiled as the (stochastic) trip through his past shows. I might've preferred a very slightly more linear look into his past, but that would be a different book, one less immersive in its ease of scansion, used in its archaic climbing sense. There is effort required to get this story into your head. It's rich and evocative, but not the way ice cream is rich and cloying; more like the way lobster is rich and evokes its home the sea.
I suspect many hoping for salaciousness will leave the read not fully satisfied. Intimacy is the focus here: accidental; granted; withheld; refused. One important note is the Japanese trait of wearing masks in public strikes Louie pretty forcefully, as he mentions it though without ever bringing up COVID. I think, in the absence of explicit dating, that places the action in 2019 or before, or else the editor was uncharacteristically sloppy with that detail. I doubt this because the masks were so perfectly symbolic.
You'll see. Or I hope you will. I can't offer all five stars but that's because I wanted more Landon in Louie's book. It's not instantly obvious to me that Landon remaining more or less a screen to project onto was an enriching authorial choice. I was aware that I knew little enough about Landon as a man to get where Louie's fantasies mapped onto the real man.
They're not fatal flaws to me, just points where I expected a more polished performance from a writer with these chops. And what chops! I was transported to Tokyo. I don't mean a native's Tokyo. I mean the one a man truly and deeply in love would notice from the ten million things bombarding his senses. Louie is Christopher Isherwood's camera: "I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking."
Evoking that state of utterly aware passivity is a huge feat. It's a deeply moving story told well...but perfection is wihin Author Alvior's grasp. I want him to reach it.
May 2, 2025
Sometimes I hate having to review something. Just because I know how hard it is to write stories and put your soul into them and if someone disliked my stories I would be sad but at the same time its never going to be for everyone.
Let me preface this, I read fantasy which usually yes can have romance entwined. I am trying to get better at reading other genres so this looked like an easy short read.
Onto my review.
This couple are described as "as complex as a Sally Rooney couple" and I have to disagree.
Louie is the author I think, the author describes Louie and he is basically describing his own features, I always get disconnected when the author has self inserted themselves into a book it just feels off to me and even moreso when I found the character unlikeable.
We are supposed to feel bad for him for being in an open relationship he CLEARY hates and doesn't leave for no apparant reason.
Landon is insufferably aloof and distant and they giggle but I'm not sure exactly what they giggle for except for dramatic effect.
The writing style is nice in parts but only in the parts where it is not trying so hard to sound profound.
As a couple they were enjoyable but I don't see why Landon wouldn't reply to Louie's last words to him, it doesn't make sense to me. Probably to not hurt but honestly it made me like angry and sad at the same time. Even without Landon I don't know why Louie hasn't left his boyfriend who I get from the story, he basically dislikes at this point but feels stuck. No one is stuck.
Also two separate characters who are dating men but in open relationships is over kill? its too much and the parallel was trying too hard to the point it didn't sound necessary or realistic.
I gave it 2 stars because it wasn't enjoyable enough for 3 but not bad enough for 1.
I would give the authors next book a read but I would probably read a page or two before deciding for sure to spend my money on it next time.
I'll admit I ended up skimming at times during the non Landon/MC being alone chapters. The chapters with sebastian and the girl he's friends with just felt like filler honestly.
I think the author has potential, but this book wasn't the best introduction to him for me as I found all of the characters quite insufferable at one time or another.
I did enjoy the romantic descriptions and I'm sad that he didn't end up with Landon in the end, I truly hoped for a like extra chapter in which they reconnected unexpectedly and started a life together, because this world doesn't need more reality and open relationships, it needs more fantasy and love otherwise you're left feeling hollow.
Let me preface this, I read fantasy which usually yes can have romance entwined. I am trying to get better at reading other genres so this looked like an easy short read.
Onto my review.
This couple are described as "as complex as a Sally Rooney couple" and I have to disagree.
Louie is the author I think, the author describes Louie and he is basically describing his own features, I always get disconnected when the author has self inserted themselves into a book it just feels off to me and even moreso when I found the character unlikeable.
We are supposed to feel bad for him for being in an open relationship he CLEARY hates and doesn't leave for no apparant reason.
Landon is insufferably aloof and distant and they giggle but I'm not sure exactly what they giggle for except for dramatic effect.
The writing style is nice in parts but only in the parts where it is not trying so hard to sound profound.
As a couple they were enjoyable but I don't see why Landon wouldn't reply to Louie's last words to him, it doesn't make sense to me. Probably to not hurt but honestly it made me like angry and sad at the same time. Even without Landon I don't know why Louie hasn't left his boyfriend who I get from the story, he basically dislikes at this point but feels stuck. No one is stuck.
Also two separate characters who are dating men but in open relationships is over kill? its too much and the parallel was trying too hard to the point it didn't sound necessary or realistic.
I gave it 2 stars because it wasn't enjoyable enough for 3 but not bad enough for 1.
I would give the authors next book a read but I would probably read a page or two before deciding for sure to spend my money on it next time.
I'll admit I ended up skimming at times during the non Landon/MC being alone chapters. The chapters with sebastian and the girl he's friends with just felt like filler honestly.
I think the author has potential, but this book wasn't the best introduction to him for me as I found all of the characters quite insufferable at one time or another.
I did enjoy the romantic descriptions and I'm sad that he didn't end up with Landon in the end, I truly hoped for a like extra chapter in which they reconnected unexpectedly and started a life together, because this world doesn't need more reality and open relationships, it needs more fantasy and love otherwise you're left feeling hollow.
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