The Impossible Us by Sarah LotzMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Impossible Us by author Sarah Lotz is a quirky, fun, heart-breaking sci-fi rom-com that bursts at the seams with originality. I usually inhale books like oxygen, racing through the pages in record time. Here, however, I found myself savoring the moment and wishing the pages would stretch into eternity.
Nick and Bee meet online when Nick accidentally misdirects a scathing message meant to go to a client who hasn’t compensated him for ghost writing a novel. Bee, a seamstress who repurposes wedding wear, receives the missive and responds, thus beginning one of the most beautiful and frustrating love stories ever penned. Back and forth they banter, until finally they both agree it’s time to remove their blindfolds and meet in person. Clearly they are soul mates who have finally found one another. When both arrive at Euston Station for their first encounter, they are unable to connect, in spite of the fact that they are texting in real-time, both insisting they are in the exact same location. Bee is convinced she is being ghosted, but Nick feels there are forces at work that neither of them fully understand. When they finally compare notes, it’s clear that they WERE both at Euston Station—in parallel worlds. Somehow a glitch in the mesh between their worlds has allowed them to connect electronically. Both quickly realize that trading barbs via the internet will never be enough. The novel follows their love story as it unfolds, and the two reach out, grasping only the space that separates them, as they are forced to acknowledge that sometimes even soul mates aren’t guaranteed a future.
First and foremost, the plot is incredibly clever. Melding romance and quantum physics is no small feat, yet Lotz pulls it off with aplomb. Her use of brilliant character development in advance of the parallel world twist is nothing short of genius, as it first allows the reader to establish an investment in Bee and Nick. In doing so, if the reader wants the relationship to continue, it is imperative to suspend disbelief and accept the premise. The investment pays off in ways both large and small, as Lotz delivers barriers and obstacles against a backdrop of a profound connection between the truly star-crossed lovers. As the book winds it’s way to a conclusion, the reader experiences sadness and joy, rooting for the impossible and hoping for a Hail Mary pass.
I cannot recommend this novel strongly enough. Set aside a few hours, find a comfy chair in front of a fireplace or a quiet spot on the beach, and allow yourself to be whisked away on a romantic adventure that will leave you with both smiles and tears.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me access to an ARC for review. The scheduled date for publication is March 22, 2022.
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