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.

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.

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.

Thank you NetGallery and Unbound for this eARC!

Louie finds himself falling for Landon after a night of magic in NYC. Months later, Louie finds himself in Tokyo where Landon lives and seeks to kindle his intrigue further. Unfortunately, Landon does not care for Louie in the same way Louie cares for Landon, which leads us (the readers) on his emotional experiences exploring Tokyo for the week.

Let’s start with the things I really enjoyed within this story. First of all, I felt that Louie was a real person. The way he experiences things and thinks through them almost felt taken out of an actual persons mind/experience. It really stirred this nostalgic-esc emotion that lasted throughout the story. I have never been to Tokyo or New York, yet I felt myself missing these places within Louie’s narrative. I enjoyed the characters that popped in and out of Louie’s story, Suyumi and Sebastian were loving friends. I wanted more of them, but I also appreciated how little they were involved. This connection is very reminiscent of Louie being a real person, he would only think so much about the people he’s known forever.

I also appreciated the mirror that is created in the beginning and closing chapters of this book. Starting with Landon waking up with Louie in New York, then ending with Louie waking up in Tokyo with Landon, but refusing to wait for him. It speaks to this closure Louie eventually gets. The beginning and ending to short, fleeting beautiful experiences.

Why my rating is so average, however, stems from the fact that it drags quite a bit in the middle. There were moments I caught my mind drifting away from the text in front of me. For it being such a short novel, this was disappointing. Also, it was hard not seeing Louie’s name on page often. I understand the power it had being said only once through Landon at the end, but I caught myself being unsure of the narrators name. This can be intriguing, but for a short novel it felt eh. For being a debut, I will definitely come back to Alvior when he writes more. He definitely has a way with prose, which I know he will grow stronger in over time.

I really enjoyed Seven Days in Tokyo. It felt like I was discovering parts of Toyko the same way Louie was. I think it was beautifully written, and gave a unique telling of a short lived romance.

I really wanted this to be a couple I could root for, and be emotionally devastated at the end of the story. But I just couldn't get into this, I didn't really get why they were together, I found the love interest haughty and irritating and I just couldn't bring myself to care about them.

To start, this book made me ache to go back and visit Japan again. From the imagery to the mention of Family Mart and Lawson stores, my entire body wanted to be back walking the streets of Tokyo again.

The story had potential, I loved the premise. I loved the travel but I felt slightly let down by the characters. Landon is not a nice person, I did not like him at all. He is rude, selfish and arrogant. Louie is a lot better but I felt like he was lacking something, I cannot put my finger on what.

I didn’t enjoy the jumping back and forward in time as it get get quite confusing at moments.

Overall, this book had potential but the characters let me down.

I was expecting this to be more emotional, but it was SO bland. The writing in it is great, and at points I felt like I was there in Japan with Louie. The thing is, I enjoyed the author describing the scenery more than anything. There was no chemistry between the two main characters, and when reading about their time together, it felt tedious. I'm not sure what I was expecting with the ending; it seemed like Louie was trying so hard just to end up in the same place he started, so to me the ending felt disappointing. Overall, it is a fast-paced read and is very well written. I feel that this has a lot of potential to it and that maybe it's not my cup of tea.
Thanks for the ARC! (:

I DNFed this one at 30%.

I had high hopes for it, especially with my upcoming trip to Japan, thinking it could set the mood for my travels. I was hoping for something similar to Before Sunrise (the movie), with deep conversations but Tokyo as a vibrant backdrop. While Tokyo is present as almost a character in the book, it felt cliché and lacked the emotional depth I was expecting.

The writing was too stiff for my taste, and as a romance reader, I wanted more from the characters' relationship. Their connection felt robotic, and I couldn't sense any real spark between them. Unfortunately, it didn’t click with me, and I decided to put it down.

This is simply lovely. The descriptions of both place and character bring you right into the story. Small details matter in this book as does both passion, longing, cherry blossoms and food. If you know Tokyo, you'll feel as if you are there as the author is particularly adept at bringing a place alive. It's a simple story and a complete examination of a relationship that mirrors the cherry blossoms themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. So nicely done!

This is a great book! I think the way the author wrote about Tokyo and the scenery was soooo good! It made it feel so realistic and play out like a movie in my head. The story was a love story with themes of friendships and relationships, and it was well written! It was a great read

\Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

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.

"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.

What a beautifully written book, full of emotion and longing. That sense of life slipping by without you in it, yearning for another view. A truly lovely description of Japan, it's places and traditions. I cannot wait to buy it in print and can see it becoming a real classic in the future. An absolute triumph. Thank you!