’ve read and loved two other books by Valérie Perrin and Forgotten on Sunday, her debut novel, did not disappoint. While it is noticeably shorter than her later novels, her beautiful writing and her ability to seamlessly weave together multiple story threads are clearly evident here.

Justine is 21. She lives in a small French village where she has been raised by her grandparents along with her younger cousin Jules following the death of their parents in a tragic road accident. She works in a care facility and has formed a bond with Hélène, a resident who is nearing 100 years old, listening to stories about her life and recording them in a notebook. Hèléne’s story forms the novel’s second timeline. The characterisation was rich - Hèléne and Lucien especially were depicted with such tenderness. Plenty of small details were seamlessly included which brought the settings both historical and contemporary, including the care home where some residents received no visitors, giving rise to the title. And the plot had lots going on including epic love, illicit love, loss, tragedy, revenge, regret, and a long hidden secret. It is a bit of a slow burn, but the quality of the writing and the storytelling mean it never feels slow. As a reader I was happy to enjoy the journey the author was taking me on, confident it would be a worthwhile and satisfying one. I was not disappointed.