This is a nice, brief collection of short stories mainly focused on expat life in contemporary Europe. Most of the stories are very similar. Many feel very true to life, especially a White Lotus-like one about three female friends (“Marseille”). I didn’t care for one (“Ghosts”) that felt discordant from the others. Several stories perfectly encapsulate the complex emotions of being a mother (“Cry It Out”). Trigger warning: miscarriage.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC of this book!

This was definitely one of my most anticipated releases of 2025, and I am happy to say it definitely met the hype! If you have not read any Ayşegül Savaş, take this as your sign to pick up some of her previous releases!! (“White on White” has to be an all time favorite book for me!)

“Long Distance” is a short story collection that chronicles snippets of life from a variety of different characters, all at a slightly different point in their life, yet some how feel tied together by Savaş’s prose. Savaş is able to wonderfully render succinct and moving short stories, perfect to dip in and out of!

I did find the first few stories a little slow, but the stories then quickly grew in pacing. The final story “Tw irl” felt so poignant, that I know so many woman will identify with so many feelings it evokes. I will definitely be thinking and revisiting that story later!

Overall, I think so many readers will enjoy and find something special in this collection of stories