Description

‘Unapologetically romantic: complicated, colourful and includes many tales that tug at the heartstrings. Soffer’s saga goes down like bittersweet chocolate, with a hint of sugar to soften the sharp edge of loss’ New York Times

‘One of the best love stories I have read in a long time’ 5-star NetGalley Review

‘Can something be quiet and intimate yet impactful and expansive? Because that’s the best way I can describe this book. I’m going to need some time to process this one!’ 5-star NetGalley Review

‘Lyrical, graceful – Jessica Soffer has captured the glittering magic of New York City’ Jenny Jackson, NYT-bestselling author of Pineapple Street

‘A revelation – the kind of novel to read in one sitting’ Liz Moore, bestselling author of The God of the Woods

Abe and Jane have been together for fifty years: as two among the thousands of starry-eyed young lovers in Central Park, as frustrated and exhausted parents, as an artist and a writer whose careers were taking flight. Now, Jane is seriously unwell, and together she and Abe look back on their marriage – on the parts they cherished, and those they didn’t: Abe’s early betrayal; and the trials of raising their son Max, who, now grown, still believes his mother chose art over parenthood.

A homage to New York, to pleasure, loss and love that endures despite or perhaps because of what life throws at us, This Is a Love Story brings these layered voices together in a chorus as complex, radiant and captivating as the city itself.

Publisher Review

Delicate and beautiful … Every once in a while, I read a novel and think, “What a gift.” This is one of those books — Ann Napolitano, NYT-bestselling author of Hello Beautiful A stunning New York confessional. Soffer’s exquisite, kinetic portrait of a family asks us to consider what it means to be devoted to love, to art and to one another in the face of human frailty — Aube Rey Lescure, Women’s Prize-shortlisted author of River East, River West An iridescent, kaleidoscopic novel… A beautiful book of seasons, marking the cycles of a city, a family, the creative process, and a singular life — Nathan Englander With her lyrical, graceful novel, Jessica Soffer has captured the glittering magic of New York City — Jenny Jackson, NYT-bestselling author of Pineapple Street A revelation – the kind of novel to read in one sitting. It performs the magic trick of being a highly specific story that feels universal and timeless. You’ll find that your worldview has been altered — Liz Moore, bestselling author of The God of the Woods Praise for Jessica Soffer * : * Soffer’s breathtaking prose interweaves delectable descriptions of food with a profoundly redemptive story about loss, self-discovery, and acceptance * O: The Oprah Magazine * Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots is an astounding accomplishment for a young, new voice. Undoubtedly this is the beginning of a spectacular career * Woodbury Magazine * An unhappy teen and a shellshocked widow make a vital connection, though not the one they initially think, in Soffer’s somber debut … Well-written and atmospheric * Kirkus reviews * This first novel by Jessica Soffer is a work of beauty in words. There is no dead wood in this story; not a word is indispensable. Ms. Soffer is a master artist painting the hidden hues of the human soul. Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots is an intelligent work in the vein of Azar Nafisi where the humanity of the characters transcends cultural or national differences and illustrates commonalities * New York Journal of Books * A profound and necessary new voice. Soffer’s prose is as controlled as it is fresh, as incisive as it is musical. Soffer has arrived early, with an orchestra of talent at her disposal — Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin Lit by prose of startling beauty and originality, Jessica Soffer’s novel of loss, love, food, and finding family is insightful and, as the story unfolds, increasingly moving. This is that rare debut with the capacity to genuinely satisfy the broadest swath of readers-from foodies to poets, mothers to daughters, solitary souls to friends debating subjects close to their hearts. She is a writer to watch; this is a story that matures and expands with each page — Nicole Mones, author of The Last Chinese Chef This lovely book is the story of lost souls hanging on to each other for dear life, then finding hope and healing. An emotional page-turner with characters who touched my heart and soon felt like old friends, it commandeered my time until the sweet and satisfying ending. Hard to believe such a wise book is a first novel. Here’s hoping there’s much more to come from this wonderful writer — Bo Caldwell, author of City of Tranquil Light Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots is elegant, sensual, surprising and rich. Jessica Soffer delivers a world to us, populated with indelible characters whose fates, as they become entwined, spur us to read fast, faster, except to do so would be to miss the beauty of Soffer’s language, which is to be savored. This is a superb debut — Dani Shapiro, author of Signal Fires