Romance & Magic Realism
My Initial Thoughts
I thought the premise of this book was such an intriguing concept. With the two main characters meeting seven years apart, I honestly couldn’t imagine how their story could possibly end happily—but that uncertainty made me even more eager to keep reading and see how it would all unfold.
My Review
Clementine, a book publisher still reeling from the loss of her beloved aunt, moves into her aunt’s old apartment—only to discover the magic her aunt once spoke of is real. The apartment has a peculiar quirk: it can slip seven years into the past. One evening, Clementine meets Iwan, a charming young man with dreams of becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant. What follows is a tender and time-bending love story that begins in the past and slowly weaves its way into the present.
What I loved most about this novel was the timeless love story—not only between Clementine and Iwan, but also between Clementine and her aunt, Analea. Their bond extended beyond aunt and niece and into a true friendship, one that felt both grounding and magical. Through Clementine’s memories and the apartment’s slips in time, we get glimpses of their deep connection. I found myself eagerly waiting for the moment when Clementine might see her aunt again through the apartment’s magic.
It was equally touching to watch Clementine and Iwan’s relationship unfold across two timelines. Despite the seven-year gap, Iwan’s love for her never wavered. I especially appreciated the moment when Clementine admitted she wouldn’t have been ready for Iwan seven years earlier—a beautiful nod to the idea of the “right person, wrong time.” The relationships at the heart of this story—romantic, familial, and personal—were what made it so special. By the time I turned the last page, I was in tears, moved by the way love, in all its forms, endured through time.
Ashley Poston’s writing style is so unique, and I loved how she brought not only the characters to life but also the setting itself. The magical apartment building felt so vivid and enchanting that I found myself wishing I could live there, even just for a little while. It reminded me of the Arconia from Only Murders in the Building—a place full of mystery, charm, and secrets—except with an added layer of magic woven into its walls. I completely fell in love with this setting and would give anything to spend just one night in that apartment.
Spoilers
Spoilers Hiding Below
One of my favorite parts of the novel was the relationship between Vera and Analea. Through Clementine’s memories, we learn that her aunt had a love story of her own within the magical apartment. Analea and Vera fell deeply in love, but ultimately chose to let each other go, never attempting to carry their relationship beyond the apartment’s walls. Later, when Clementine visits Vera, she discovers that Vera did move forward with her life—she built a family and raised a son, who happens to be Iwan, the talented chef. This revelation felt bittersweet to me: while Vera and Analea missed their chance at lasting love, their paths made it possible for Clementine to find hers. That sense of love lost, giving way to love found, struck me as truly beautiful.
Shelf to Table
One food that really stood out to me was the lemon pie Iwan makes for Clementine during their very first night together. This dessert isn’t just a sweet moment in the story—it becomes a thread woven throughout the entire novel. Described as a deconstructed key lime pie, it was so vivid and mouthwatering that I felt like I could actually taste it while reading. The tangy citrus, the creamy filling, the crumbly crust—it’s the kind of dessert that lingers, both on the page and in your imagination. As I read, I kept picturing it as a “key lime pie in a cup”—light, refreshing, and layered with flavor. To bring this bookish bite to life, I found the perfect recipe from Cook Craft Love. It captures all the flavors of a traditional key lime pie but with the fun twist of being served in a glass, just like the dreamy, deconstructed version in the story.
“You are who you are, and you like what you like. You are you, and that’s a lovely person to be.”
Ashley Poston