Description

Their love is against the laws of a merciless state-but the heart has its own power.

For rollercoaster designer Theo, living on the edge is just part of the job. He’s used to wandering the world perfecting thrills, his heart immune to commitment. But then a commission in repressive North Korea exposes him to emotions he’s never dared to feel.

Tour guide Min has a soul that wants to soar, but she knows it’s safer to build walls around her heart and mind. Skilled in showcasing the mesmerising beauty of capital city Pyongyang without revealing its darker secrets, she introduces Theo to a country he will never forget-and begins to question her policy of quiet compliance.

But forgetting-or pretending to-is the key to survival for Min’s formidable grandmother Cuckoo. After a devastating heartbreak years ago, she learned that passion and oppression just don’t mix.

As Min and Theo grow closer and long-held secrets come to light, all three are forced to confront emotions they’ve tried to suppress. In a country where following their hearts will put them in danger, how much are they willing to risk?

Publisher Review

"A heartbreaking yet life-affirming story of forbidden love woven through the extraordinary backdrop of North Korea. I loved everything about it." -Clare Pooley, author of The Authenticity Project "A beautifully written novel, both page-turning and moving." -Richard Osman, bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club