I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Noah is 79 years old and trying to figure out what to do with his retirement now his wife, and his sister have both passed away when, unexpectedly, he receives a call to look after his great-nephew who has ended up in the care of a social worker. Noah takes on Michael for a week which means he needs to take the young boy to France with him, as Noah travels to his birthplace to find out more about his mother.

This was a really lovely book with a lovely friendship that blossoms between Noah and Michael, as well as some looks into the past and the history of Noah's family during WW2. This isn't a book full of rainbows and flowers as Michael, while loved, hasn't had things easy either and he has lots of opinions to share with Noah - normally full of cuss words. This book reminded me of an adult version of Up, but it was just as heartwarming.

I found myself rooting for the pair and I really wanted them to find happiness together while also a bit afraid because is, to be frank, fairly old. I enjoyed the bits of history in this book, and Emma Donoghue definitely had to put a lot of work and research into this story and you can really tell, and I appreciated it.

Emma Donghue always writes such interesting, different, books and as a reader, she keeps me on my toes and I don't know what to expect from her which I love.