Perfect by Rachel Joyce

*Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House publishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Synopsis(via Goodreads):

In 1972, two seconds were added to time. It was in order to balance clock time with the movement of the earth. Byron Hemming knew this because James Lowe had told him and James was the cleverest boy at school. But how could time change? The steady movement of hands around a clock was as certain as their golden futures.

Then Byron's mother, late for the school run, makes a devastating mistake. Byron's perfect world is shattered. Were those two extra seconds to blame? Can what follows ever be set right?

This insomniac's review:

I was thrilled to receive this advanced reader's copy as I adored Rachel Joyce's superb novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. And, friends- Ms. Joyce did not disappoint!

Perfect is, well- perfect. It is more somber than Harold, and distinctly different. I quickly lost myself in the characters and the author's prose. I didn't come up for air until the last page was turned. Wonderful.

I do have to admit that I did not like it quite as much as Harold, but very close. And, kudos to the author for writing two such distinct novels.

Worth staying up all night to read?

YES!

Rating: 

5 stars