All the Perfect Days by Michael Thompson initially had me feeling a bit confused. The story started off in a way that left me unsure of where it was going, and it took a little while to fully engage with the Charlie and the plot. However, as I continued reading, I began to appreciate the intricacies of the narrative and the emotional depth of the story. Thompsons writing style grew on me, and I found myself drawn to the unfolding journey of Charlie. By the end, it turned out to be a really nice read with heartfelt moments and a satisfying resolution. While it may take a bit of time to get into, it's definitely worth the patience.

Charlie Knight is a small-town doctor with aspirations to leave for the big city and the excitement of the ER. He accepts a new job offer in the city, and just as he plans his escape from all that is familiar, two things happen:
1. His ex-love, Genevieve Longstaff moves back to town.
2. He receives a gift / curse which enables him to see the number of days a person has until they die.

But Charlie’s plans cannot be deterred by the ill-timed return of Gen and his plans for a new life (no matter how he feels about her). And at first, Charlie sees his new ability as a gift, as a way he can better support his patients. But actions and interventions have consequences and before long Charlie begins to view his ability as a curse. Knowing someone’s fate is a heavy burden, especially when it’s the woman you love.

All the Perfect Days explores the idea of fate, and whether it is predetermined or if our actions have the power to change our future. It explores the question of what we would do differently if we knew when we were going to die. All the Perfect Days leads the reader to self-reflection; I particularly enjoyed the use of magical realism to tackle the serious subject of death.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and author Michael Thompson for an advanced reader copy.

love when i go on goodreads to write my review and mark it as read that i see the title again and am like ‘ah!! this is so perfectly suiting the story!”

a lot i loved about it. it was well executed of having the reader deprived of a secret event that happened in the past. it was the right timing when it’s introduced.

When I first started reading this book, I assumed it would be just another love story—some turmoil in the middle, followed by a happy ending. But I was quickly proven wrong. I finished it in about a day and a half, which doesn’t happen often for me. The suspense was masterfully woven throughout, keeping me intrigued, especially regarding the protagonist’s strained relationship with his mother. That aspect of the story was a powerful way to highlight a significant global issue, though I wish it had been explored in greater depth. A little more insight into the mother-son dynamic would have made it even more compelling.

I also loved the touch of the supernatural. As a big Outlander fan, I never thought I’d be drawn to elements like time travel or the ability to see how many days someone has left on earth, but this book handled it in an intriguing way. I do wish the "power" had a bit more flexibility—perhaps allowing for a greater than 50% accuracy or some blurred lines, like the 18 days make it until her grandmother passes so that it may not always be accurate, but has a connection to a family member or close friends that are family. It felt like the story wrapped up a little too quickly, and I found myself wanting more, especially about Mary Ann—her story left me with lingering questions.

Despite my small critiques, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, in return for my honest review:

I loved the premise of this book. If you could see the number of days someone had to live- what would you do with that information? Would you tell them, in hopes they live what remains of their lives to the fullest, or would you keep the information to yourself, in order to avoid causing them stress or other unintended consequences? I enjoyed the speculative nature of this book and watching our MC navigate that question within his own professional and personal relationships, but there were a couple things that fell flat for me. I do wish we got further closure on a few things, especially Charlies relationship with his mother, but I suppose that the author may have left some things unanswered intentionally, as that is a major plot point in the book, that the nature of life and death is sometimes you don't have get all the answers. I do think the romance aspect of this could have been better, I had trouble connecting with the characters as a couple as their past was not explained until the last quarter of the book and in my opinion their connection was lackluster.

I liked this book a lot! It was sad in some parts but overall a really enjoyable read. Definitely needs a warning about some of the content

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, in return for an unbiased review.

This book's premise had so much potential: Like Nikki Erlick's "The Measure," in this story a doctor in a small town suddenly gains the ability to see how many days left a person has before death.
Unfortunately, the story went nowhere, and the constant coy hints about big backstory reveals were a lot of nothing. I didn't feel that any of the characters were believable, or acting in a believable manner (particularly Charlie's mother and Gen).

This premise sounded interesting to me- similar to a few other books I've read (Here One Moment is the most recent one that comes to mind), but different, and it did not disappoint. A thought-provoking novel about life, death, and what you might want to do differently if you knew the end. This is my first novel by Michael Thompson but it won't be my last; I enjoyed his writing and his characters and his unique storyline. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second Michael Thompson book I’ve had the pleasure of reading through NetGalley, and I’m incredibly impressed by the consistency of his writing.

The characters are realistically flawed without pushing past the point to where you can be sympathetic of their struggles, and with the stakes as high as they were in this novel, caring about each person Charlie encounters is paramount.

The story was excellently paced, though that could be in part due to the fact that I read it in a single day. Plot points were hinted at and revealed throughout the book in a way that kept you reading, rather than frustrating you with the lack of information.

I can’t wait to see what this author comes out with next!

This novel presents a compelling premise centered around Charlie Knight, a family doctor seemingly stuck in a comfortable but predictable rut. His life, filled with routine tennis games and familiar faces, feels stagnant until a secret desire to break free begins to simmer. The return of Genevieve Longstaff, a woman from his past, along with the sudden, extraordinary gift of seeing the exact number of days someone has left to live, throws Charlie's carefully constructed world into delightful chaos.
The author excels at depicting the comfortable, small-town familiarity that both anchors and confines Charlie. We feel his yearning for something more, and his relationships are portrayed with depth and nuance. While the introspection occasionally feels a touch prolonged, slowing the pace, it also offers valuable insight into Charlie's internal struggles and his changing perspective.
The core of the story lies in the ethical and emotional dilemmas that Charlie faces with his new "gift." Initially, he believes he can use this power for good, guiding patients and loved ones to live more fulfilling lives. The narrative explores the positive impact he has on those around him, from mending fractured bonds to inspiring adventures. However, the narrative cleverly subverts this initial idealism. As Charlie grapples with the darker aspects of his ability, particularly when he's forced to confront the mortality of those he cares about, the story gains a dramatic edge. The suspense of what might happen, especially regarding Genevieve, keeps you turning the pages.
While I did find myself occasionally wanting more focus on the dramatic potential of his gift, overall, the book offers a thought-provoking and engaging reading experience. The well-developed characters, especially Charlie, and the unique premise kept me invested, and I appreciated the complexities that arose as he grapples with his extraordinary burden. This is a story about choices, regrets, and the profound impact of our own mortality, making it a rewarding read for those who enjoy a blend of character-driven drama and a touch of the fantastical.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Original, and nicely written with some lovely side characters. Maybe needed a little something extra, I couldn’t tell if it felt slow or just anticlimactic. I was looking for a romance book, and I found this book in the romance category, so I felt a little underwhelmed in that regard, but still, a good book.

All the Perfect Days presents an intriguing premise—what if you could see the exact number of days a person had left to live? This concept is both a privilege and a burden, and Michael Thompson explores it through the protagonist, Charlie Knight, a family doctor whose life takes a dramatic turn when he begins seeing these numbers above people’s heads.

The novel offers an introspective take on this ability, raising ethical and emotional dilemmas that make for some compelling moments. Charlie’s journey as he grapples with the weight of his gift is thought-provoking, and at times, deeply moving. His father, Malcolm Knight, is a standout character—warm, humorous, and grounding. His presence brings heart to the story, and his dynamic with Charlie was one of the highlights for me.

While the premise is fascinating, the execution didn’t always match its potential. The story starts off a bit confusing, particularly with Charlie’s first experience of his ability while treating a patient named Edna. The pacing also feels uneven, with moments that lack a strong sense of suspense or anticipation, making it difficult to stay fully engaged.

The romance subplot, while an interesting addition, felt somewhat disconnected from the main narrative. It would have been more compelling if the love interest had been more integrated into Charlie’s personal struggles or professional life. Additionally, certain aspects of Charlie’s relationships—with his mother, his boss, and even his own ability—felt underexplored, leaving some unanswered questions by the end.

That said, All the Perfect Days is an intriguing, slow-burn story that may resonate more with readers who enjoy introspective narratives with a touch of magical realism. Though it didn’t completely meet my expectations, it still offers moments of depth and reflection that some readers will appreciate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very warm and inventive magical realism book — I absolutely adored the concept as well as the characters. My only two minor complaints with this book was that I felt the romance, at times, didn't exactly have emotional depth for me to care and I wish that the author explored the theme of handling grief a little bit more in this novel. Overall, a very solid read and looking forward to picking up more books from Michael Thompson in the future!

I had the pleasure of reading this ARC thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review. The book is set to be published on May 21, 2025.

The story centers around a doctor with the uncanny ability to see when someone is going to die—a premise that immediately piqued my interest as an avid reader of fantasy and magical realism. Having recently loved Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty, which tackles a similar theme, I had high hopes for this one.

While the book briefly explores romance, it lacked the emotional depth or chemistry needed to deliver on the angst and attraction of its "second chance love" trope. The potential was there, but it felt underdeveloped and ultimately fell flat.

Another element that didn’t resonate with me was the frequent references to religion, particularly framing the doctor’s ability as a “gift from God.” While I don’t usually mind religious undertones, the repetition made it feel less like a work of magical realism or fantasy and more like something else entirely.

What disappointed me the most, however, was the missed opportunity to dive deeply into the themes of grief. Having experienced grief personally, I often seek books that approach the subject with nuance and authenticity—stories that connect deeply and help readers feel seen in their loss. Books like The Seven Year Slip masterfully explore grief in a way that lingers with the reader, and given the losses the MMC faces in this story, there was so much untapped potential to truly move the audience.

Overall, the book was enjoyable enough, and I’m glad I read it. That said, I wouldn’t revisit it nor recommend it to friends for their TBR lists.

I really enjoyed this as a magical romance novel, it had that element that I wanted and enjoyed the world that was created. I was invested in what was happening and thought the characters were everything that I was looking for. Michael Thompson has a strong writing style and can't wait for more.

Seven years ago Charlie and Gen split after a miscarriage. Gen left for bigger things while Charlie stayed in their small town to care for his mother and work at the local clinic. He missed his chance to go elsewhere and experience the wider world. Just as he finally starts to make the big move to a hospital in London, two things happen. Gen returns and, somehow, he starts to know the number of days that his patients have left to live. Unsure how to handle this information, Charlie struggles with if/when/how to intervene and is overwhelmed with the responsibility and knowledge. Certain that his move to London will disconnect him with this very personal information of his friends and family, he is simultaneously trapped by his local responsibilities and the possibility of Gen.

A warm-hearted story with such a fun premise to explore (what do you do with the information about the fate of others). A fun fast read.

I’m now 2 for 2 with this author. I loved this so much and I’m not one for character driven novels. From the concept to the characters to the sprinkle of magical realism, just like his previous book, How to be Remembered, this book will be staying with me for a long time.

Overall, I liked this book! It’s definitely a mix of drama, romance with a touch of sci-fi. I don’t feel like I fit into one genre so that part appealed to me.

I think one of my favorite parts was when Charlie used his gifts to help save the girl in the accident and I would have really liked to see more of that. I felt like it could have been more exciting with a few more of those scenes in it.

I would still recommend this book to friends!

I really liked the concept of this book, but i think it was written strangely. It was in 3rd person, the story was a very very slow build which made it hard to keep up with. I think the premise was enjoyable and it did pick up in the end so at least that was good.

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

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this e-ARC! After an ambitious and successful debut How To Be Remembered, Michael Thompson is back with All The Perfect Days, a riveting read which follows Charlie Knight, a conscientious family doctor who discovers he has an unusual gift/curse, depending on how one sees it, and how its involvement in his life creates complications in his social life as well as professional practice.
Written in third person perspective, the novel explores Charlie's life in his hometown as he interacts with a diverse cast of characters each day. The tone of the story becomes much more serious about halfway through the book, and things pick up pace just before the end. I personally loved how Thompson described Charlie's experience of the visions, but I found the romance a little lackluster. There was a lot of potential in exploring the ups and downs of Gen and Charlie's relationship since they share such a complex history. Nevertheless, the novel paints a compelling picture of grief and love, and is a moving story that provides varied perspectives on dealing with the death of a loved one. I would have loved to know how the curse/gift played out without the added modifications towards the end, but the ending was still lovely and I appreciate it.
All in all the intriguing premise and unique characters made for a compelling read and a story that stays with you for a long while. 3/5.