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Between Yesterday and Tomorrow
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jul 26****
Zoe lost a part of herself after a heartbreaking loss and when she returns to work, everyone is tiptoeing around her and hoping she is back to her old self. But she knows she’ll never be the same carefree party girl she was before.
Then she meets Cian – her disarmingly charming colleague, who’s working from home after a climbing accident left him temporarily immobile. As they spend the summer hiding from the heatwave, arguing about Studio Ghibli, and sharing moments of vulnerability, their cautious friendship grows into something deeper. But with Cian grappling with his own restless spirit, and Zoe keeping everyone at arm’s length, there are a hundred reasons for them to hit the brakes.
Zoe has a choice to make – retreat into her shell and cling to the safety of what she knows, or risk it all and take a leap of faith into the unknown?
Between Yesterday and Tomorrow is a story of courage and connection, and examines the messy, beautiful ways we rebuild our lives when everything feels broken. It finds the humour in the darkest moments and reminds us of the ways we find hope.
****
Praise for Luan Goldie
‘Important and remarkable’ Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
‘Luan Goldie is one of the most important voices in contemporary British fiction … A story of resilience, family and community, it is finely wrought and unnervingly timely’ Kia Abdullah
‘Intense and powerful novel’ Platinum
‘A brilliant book written with warmth and sensitivity that I recommend most highly. I loved it unreservedly’ My Weekly
Zoe lost a part of herself after a heartbreaking loss and when she returns to work, everyone is tiptoeing around her and hoping she is back to her old self. But she knows she’ll never be the same carefree party girl she was before.
Then she meets Cian – her disarmingly charming colleague, who’s working from home after a climbing accident left him temporarily immobile. As they spend the summer hiding from the heatwave, arguing about Studio Ghibli, and sharing moments of vulnerability, their cautious friendship grows into something deeper. But with Cian grappling with his own restless spirit, and Zoe keeping everyone at arm’s length, there are a hundred reasons for them to hit the brakes.
Zoe has a choice to make – retreat into her shell and cling to the safety of what she knows, or risk it all and take a leap of faith into the unknown?
Between Yesterday and Tomorrow is a story of courage and connection, and examines the messy, beautiful ways we rebuild our lives when everything feels broken. It finds the humour in the darkest moments and reminds us of the ways we find hope.
****
Praise for Luan Goldie
‘Important and remarkable’ Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
‘Luan Goldie is one of the most important voices in contemporary British fiction … A story of resilience, family and community, it is finely wrought and unnervingly timely’ Kia Abdullah
‘Intense and powerful novel’ Platinum
‘A brilliant book written with warmth and sensitivity that I recommend most highly. I loved it unreservedly’ My Weekly
384 pages, ebook
Expected publication July 30, 2026
About the author
Luan Goldie
15 books69 followersLuan Goldie is a Glasgow born novelist and short story writer from East London.
Her debut, Nightingale Point, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the RSL Ondaatje Prize. She is also the author of Homecoming and These Streets.
Her first book for children, Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher is a body swap adventure for middle grade readers, set within the world of K-pop fandom.
In 2018 she won the Costa Short Story Award and her short stories have appeared in Stylist, HELLO! Magazine and the Sunday Express.
A former teacher, Goldie has over a decade’s worth of experience teaching in the capital’s schools. She also tutors for Arvon, Spread the Word and First Story.
Her debut, Nightingale Point, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the RSL Ondaatje Prize. She is also the author of Homecoming and These Streets.
Her first book for children, Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher is a body swap adventure for middle grade readers, set within the world of K-pop fandom.
In 2018 she won the Costa Short Story Award and her short stories have appeared in Stylist, HELLO! Magazine and the Sunday Express.
A former teacher, Goldie has over a decade’s worth of experience teaching in the capital’s schools. She also tutors for Arvon, Spread the Word and First Story.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I believe this is the third book I've read by Luan Goldie, and the thing that has hit me with each one is how well written the characters are. They are truly a joy to read as they have a real depth and complexity while being effortlessly natural. However I've started to realise they can make me gloss over the story, both while reading and when reflecting afterwards.
This story is apparently a romance. I can see that argument, there are people doing romance things after all. if that's what you want then enjoy, I'm not the best judge on the genre but the characters fit that plotline and I think it works well. But for me, this is a book about healing. I don't just mean Cian's knee healing, both he and Zoe have broken spirits. Two outwardly confident people if you didn't know them, but both carrying scars very near to the surface. Their friends and family know their suffering, it's no hidden secret. Their self-assuredness not an act, but a remnant of before their respective worlds fell apart. And yes, they find comfort in each other. They heal with each other, and find a way to move past their traumas. A way to start living again instead of just pretending everything is fine like before. So a romance? Sure, that's here to enjoy. But if you want more, that's here too. There is so much pain in the world these days it felt good to see two people find a lighter path. To see the spiral of doom and gloom stopped and to feel optimism. Amazing characters, but a story I can't help but appreciate right now.
This story is apparently a romance. I can see that argument, there are people doing romance things after all. if that's what you want then enjoy, I'm not the best judge on the genre but the characters fit that plotline and I think it works well. But for me, this is a book about healing. I don't just mean Cian's knee healing, both he and Zoe have broken spirits. Two outwardly confident people if you didn't know them, but both carrying scars very near to the surface. Their friends and family know their suffering, it's no hidden secret. Their self-assuredness not an act, but a remnant of before their respective worlds fell apart. And yes, they find comfort in each other. They heal with each other, and find a way to move past their traumas. A way to start living again instead of just pretending everything is fine like before. So a romance? Sure, that's here to enjoy. But if you want more, that's here too. There is so much pain in the world these days it felt good to see two people find a lighter path. To see the spiral of doom and gloom stopped and to feel optimism. Amazing characters, but a story I can't help but appreciate right now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Zoe is not really coping. Ever since her best friend Cassie died, she's really retreated into herself. Her friends and family are worried about her - but she's not bothered - she's happy just doing the minimum.
Cian is a colleague who Zoe doesn't really know at all but when she's asked to drop some work stuff off at his house while he recuperates from a leg injury, they seem to click and before long Zoe falls for him....
To be honest, it feels like that's most of the 'story'. They become friends, then more than friends, then things cool off, then they get their HEA.
I was kind of expecting something else to happen - something that would make me care more about whether they were going to work things out between them. Neither of them really seemed that likeable either - they were both pretty rubbish at communicating and being honest and yes, I know there were some reasons behind their behaviour, but still.
This just didn't really do it for me.
Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC.
Cian is a colleague who Zoe doesn't really know at all but when she's asked to drop some work stuff off at his house while he recuperates from a leg injury, they seem to click and before long Zoe falls for him....
To be honest, it feels like that's most of the 'story'. They become friends, then more than friends, then things cool off, then they get their HEA.
I was kind of expecting something else to happen - something that would make me care more about whether they were going to work things out between them. Neither of them really seemed that likeable either - they were both pretty rubbish at communicating and being honest and yes, I know there were some reasons behind their behaviour, but still.
This just didn't really do it for me.
Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I rarely read fiction but I find Luan Goldie's books engaging and enjoyable. There was a degree of predictability to the plot but Zoe's (the central character) grief and hesitant communication seemed real and relatable; Cian wasn't quite so richly drawn but he gets more depth as the story runs on. Anyone who has been in a relationship, or wanted to start one will identify with Zoe's' anxiety of saying the wrong thing and the chasm between what you feel and what you say.
There are plenty of smiles and a few outright laughs and Luan does a great job of making Zoe both sassy and uncertain. The backstory to Zoe's time off work and the way those around her support her (or otherwise) as she gets back on her feet kept me turning the page.
There are plenty of smiles and a few outright laughs and Luan does a great job of making Zoe both sassy and uncertain. The backstory to Zoe's time off work and the way those around her support her (or otherwise) as she gets back on her feet kept me turning the page.
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June 13, 2026A warm, gentle and often humorous novel about friendship, family, loss and love which examines connection, family, community and navigating life in your 20s and 30s. Its smooth narrative and well-rounded character made for an addictive read. Moving between two timeframes this is the perfect readers of character led stories.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews