4.5/5 A vast, pure, and tender epic.

When I first read the description for this book, I was immediately intrigued and requested it on NetGalley. Then I saw the cover, and my anticipation grew even more. Now, after finishing it, I’m genuinely excited that I loved the story as much as I did. It reminded me of how I felt after finishing Cinema Love by Jiaming Tang—so layered and rich that you constantly walk away with something to hold onto.

While I don’t typically gravitate toward character-driven stories, Homeseeking struck the perfect balance between historical elements, romance, and a broader look at family and relationships. I think what many will appreciate about this book is how beautifully it’s written and how immersive each layer of storytelling feels. Especially giving credit to keeping a clear distinction between past and present being told in different sequence.

At its heart, this is a love story—one of second chances, sacrifice, longing, and resilience. But on the historical side, it also opens doors to learning about the varied aspects Chinese culture and history, blending fiction with lived experiences in a way that feels deeply authentic. I’m still in awe that this is a debut novel! The author did an incredible job with the historical research and character development, capturing Haiwan and Suchi’s history and the invisible thread connecting them across a lifetime.

What I really appreciated was how the novel gives readers so many stories to look forward to—so many threads you want to see resolved—while subtly disguising the fact that there isn’t a traditional plot. Instead, it’s an exploration of two people whose lives have been shaped by the world around them, by the magnetism of childhood love in a dangerous time. Beyond Haiwan and Suchi, we also get the stories of their friends, families, and children, further enriching the narrative.

I especially loved how both Haiwan and Suchi experienced life, love, and self-discovery outside of each other, each taking vastly different paths. Haiwan clings to the past, not just in his love for Suchi, but in the choices he made that affected his family. His journey toward reconciling with his loved ones is deeply moving. Meanwhile, Suchi has spent her life committed to duty, leading her to marry someone she knew wasn’t right for her, forcing herself to shrink into a version of herself that wasn’t truly her own. Watching her step into her identity, particularly as her values shift over time—especially in relation to her sister and the exploration of her sister’s sexuality—was incredibly powerful.

Reading this felt like listening to an elder recount their life story, which is why I was so captivated—even though the book was long as all get out. Maybe not in page count, but in weight. This is a story that lingers. You feel the pain of every choice made, the longing to be seen, the desire to hold onto something that feels fleeting yet eternal.

Having the audiobook truly made the experience twice as engaging. The narrator did an incredible job capturing both the intimate, heavy moments and the ones that felt sharp and direct. I know many readers will fall in love with this story and be inspired by the deep respect, admiration, and passion between Haiwan and Suchi—love that echoes through their lives and decisions.

And honestly? This would make a stunning film. I kept thinking about how electric it would feel on screen. One of my favorite book-to-film adaptations is Atonement, and Homeseeking definitely reminded me of it—the way external forces work against two people, yet they always find a way back to each other.

Thanks to NetGalley & G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this e-galley.