Impossible (aka The Impossible Us) by Sarah Lotz, Review: Shimmers
Sarah Lotz’ Impossible (aka The Impossible Us) is a beautifully executed genre-bending novel that shimmers with romantic tension and pulsates with heart. Read my full review.
Impossible Book Synopsis
This isn’t a love story. This is . . .
‘The book we all need right now’ – Sarah Pinborough
‘Unputdownable’ – Jennifer Saint
‘Breathtakingly good’ – Josie Silver
Nick: Failed writer. Failed husband. Dog owner.
Bee: Serial dater. Dress maker. Pringles enthusiast.
One day, their paths cross over a misdirected email. The connection is instant, electric. They feel like they’ve known each other all their lives.
Nick buys a new suit, gets on a train. Bee steps away from her desk, sets off to meet him under the clock at Euston station.
Think you know how the rest of the story goes? They did too . . .
But this is a story with more twists than most. This is Impossible.
(HarperCollins Australia, March 2022)
* Published under the title The Impossible Us in the US and Canada.
Genre: Romance, Drama, Sci-Fi, Mystery
Disclosure: If you click a link in this post we may earn a small commission to help offset our running costs.
Book Review
Wow… I think I have shell shock, in a good way. But this is going to be a VERY tricky title to review. Sarah Lotz’ Impossible twist (one of them, anyway) is revealed very early on in the story. And, I refuse to spoil a second of this reading experience… other than to say the plot hinges on what I consider a highly accessible science fiction concept.
Firstly, if you are not ‘into sci-fi’ you must not let that element put you off. Why? Impossible is an epistolary novel overwhelmingly about HEART. It is about love in all its mysterious and wonderful forms – the romantic (big tick), but also the love between friends, parents and children, cranky neighbours and animals… even love for a cause and ultimately, for ourselves.
Emma Gannon (Olive) said, “I feel the same way for this book as I did when I first read One Day.” Yes, yes, yessss!
The blistering rapid-fire dialogue, simmering tension and authentically raw and messy pulsating hearts of Lotz’s lead characters Nick and Bee had me glued to its pages. And, if that wasn’t enough, even the most jaded of readers will be won over by Impossible‘s eclectic and feisty supporting cast. I found it refreshing too that the bulk of the characters in this romance novel are well past their 30th birthdays.
And, just when you think you know how this story goes, Lotz skilfully delivers another twist, and another. I want to say Sarah Lotz’ Impossible is an emotional rollercoaster, but it goes far deeper and is infinitely more nuanced than that suggests. Yes, it is a thrilling page-turner, but it is also heartwarming and thought-provoking, haunting and immensely satisfying. A title destined for the ‘Best of’ lists…
BOOK RATING: The Story 4.5 / 5 ; The Writing 5 / 5 ; Overall 4.75
Get your copy of Impossible (aka The Impossible Us) from:
Bookshop.org US Indigo CA Waterstones UK Booktopia AU/NZ Audio Libro.fmMore heart-filled reads:
More Impossible reviews
This book. The zingy dialogue, the romance, the suspense. I loved everything about it’ – Gillian McAllister
‘A thought-provoking and clever genre-bending blend of romance and science fiction.’ – Kirkus Reviews
‘I am BAWLING. Bawling. An actual masterpiece. There will not be a book I love more in 2022’ – Anstey Harris
‘A ripping clever story with so much damn heart. I loved it’ – Lauren Beukes
‘If you don’t read romance normally then this is the romance for you and if you do read it then you will also fall in love with it.’ – For Winter Nights
Related Reading: Smart Romance Novels, recommended reading list
About the Author, Sarah Lotz
Sarah Lotz is a screenwriter and award-winning novelist whose previous work has been translated into over twenty languages. She lives on the Welsh borders with her family and far too many rescue dogs. Check out her website and connect with her on Facebook.
* My receipt of a review copy from the publisher did not impact the expression of my honest opinions above.
