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.

This was a very different type of genre from books I usually read. I'm obsessed with books in the romance category, but this one had the main focus in another genre. Like, it was almost a book infused with sci-fi elements.

I am very glad that I gave this book a chance because it told me that I could potentially enjoy books with different sub-genres, but I don't think I enjoyed this book as much as I thought I would. It's a good book, but I don't know if it aligned with my reading style as of right now. I could see myself enjoying this book one day.

I think if you like books in the medical setting, then this book would be perfect for you.

Thank you to Micheal Thompson, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for this arc!

This is a 3.5 or maybe even a 3.75 rating. But the reason I didn’t round it up to a 4 is because it is a little strange to me. It almost has a touch of sci-fi to it. And, to be honest, I am not a sci-fi fan. Charlie is the hero of the story and he is a doctor. He’s working in a small family practice but longs to work in an emergency department in a larger facility. But there are several things holding him back. And there it gets a little weird. Parts of the book, I really enjoyed and parts I almost laid it down to never pick up again. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

If you could know how many days you had left to live, would you want to know? All the Perfect Days wraps you into a world where medicine and spiritual mix in the most perplexing ways. How could someone know this information, how would they live with it? This book started so many interesting conversations. Well written from a medical perspective, well written from a reader’s perspective. A book you wanted to finish to just find out what happens.

This book is a very thought-provoking read that will make you feel all sorts of feelings. I certainly wasn't expecting that! Charlie's gift made me think about people in my personal life and what I would do in his shoes. Incredible read!

If you enjoy romantic magical realism stories, you will enjoy All The Perfect Days by Michael Thompson. It was a great read.

Thompson’s writing is reflective and emotional, delving into the complexities of life, death, and regret. The novel beautifully explores how knowledge of the future can both enlighten and burden, especially when it comes to those we care about most. Charlie’s internal conflict is relatable, and his relationship with Genevieve adds a poignant layer of tension.

While the pacing can feel slow at times, the emotional depth and philosophical themes are captivating. This introspective, character-driven novel will resonate with readers who appreciate stories that explore life's impermanence and the choices we make along the way.

4/5

Charlie Knight is a general practitioner navigating complicated family relationships after a traumatic loss and subsequent family crisis that happened seven years ago. Just as he is about to make a huge life change and move away from everything he's ever known, two major things happen. First, Genevieve Longstaff returns to town, the woman who Charlie loved seven years ago but who ended up leaving him and moving away after everything happened. Second, Charlie develops an ability to see exactly how many days of life each of his patients has remaining before they die. What ensues is a beautiful story of contemplating mortality and having to put those you love above everything else.

To call this book a romance is a disservice, as it is so much more than that. It is a story of messy families, making decisions for the better of those around you, and living life to its fullest. In the beginning, Charlie's reaction to his "gift" was quite realistically done. He completely freaks out and starts to think of making even more major life changes. Overall, he really was an great character; my favorite scene was him calling Glenn to get two kittens after realizing Glenn would have many years to live alone after his cat died. Charlie's character shone in this scene among many others. Many of the decisions he made were frustrating to me, as the reader, but I could completely understand where he was coming from (especially once I understand everything that happened seven years ago). I thought the premise of being able to tell when people would die was very interesting; it went in a different direction than I initially expected which was a good surprise. It does lead to good self-reflection for the reader as Charlie and Gen think about how they're living out their lives. Gen was a great character as well. I love how she supported Charlie's decisions, even when she didn't necessarily agree with him, but still let him know exactly what she thought. I loved the ending for him and Gen; I thought it was beautiful. I love how each character doesn't necessarily get their storyline finished and tied with a pretty bow; some were left ambiguous, and I think it adds to the realism. Overall, this book wasn't what I expected at all, but I enjoyed it very much! Would thoroughly recommend

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this e-ARC!

Voracious and casual readers alike read the on-trend "The Measure" a few years ago and it was quite thought provoking, keeping lively conversations about how we shouldn’t know how long we have left. I can’t even imagine writing a review of “All the Perfect Days” without referring “The Measure,” and while this does have the same theme, it approaches the question in a much smaller way, more magical realism and less sci fi/ speculative fiction.

Charlie is a family doctor that has an episode in the first scene. Everything in his office and with his patient turn into grayscale, as if the world went into Black and White. When after a few minutes the world returns to normal, he sees the number 4. He doesn't yet put two and two together when that same patient dies 4 days later. Eventually he realizes that when he sees someone's number, that is how many days they have left to be alive. All the plot elements you would expect; someone with a larger number than you'd expect, someone with a much smaller number than you'd expect, and most of them being appropriate for the person's age.

There is a side love story about Charlie connecting with Gen- who quits her job to sell essential oils- and who Charlie is hesitant to get close to as he is expecting to move into Emergency Medicine far away. I wish we got to know Genny a little more, the narrative didn't tell us a lot about her and I would have liked that.

A few twists and changes to the story as Charlie tries to figure out how this works - how it happened- and should he or should he not- interfere with someone based on their number.

It is thought provoking for certain, and a classic twist on an old episode of The Twilight Zone- would you want to know how long you have left, and what would you do any differently? I think this book gives you all the alternatives, and enough space to decide for yourself what your answers are.

Thanks to @netgalley and @sourcebooks landmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published May 21, 2025.

Michael Thompson’s All the Perfect Days is a poignant and beautifully crafted novel that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of perfect moments. With a lyrical and introspective narrative, this book is a testament to how fleeting moments can leave lasting impressions.

The story’s emotional depth is its greatest strength, drawing readers into the characters’ lives and their bittersweet journeys. Thompson’s prose is evocative and poetic, capturing the highs and lows of life with authenticity. The characters are flawed yet relatable, their struggles and triumphs resonating on a deeply personal level.

Set against a vivid backdrop, the settings feel as much a part of the story as the characters themselves, adding an atmospheric quality that enhances the emotional tone. While the pacing meanders at times, the reflective nature of the story allows readers to fully immerse themselves in its themes.

All the Perfect Days is a moving exploration of the human spirit—a reminder to cherish the perfect days, no matter how fleeting, and to find hope even in the face of heartbreak. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy introspective and emotionally resonant fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.