Does "Seven Days in Tokyo" truly deserve 5 stars out of 5? Probably not. But every once in a while, I encounter a story that's so right up my alley that it gets an extra star from me just because.

It's one of those stories in which not much happens. A man goes to Tokyo to meet a one night stand he really liked, and gets to see a couple of other friends while he's there. He sightsees. He worries about his work visa for the US. He thinks about his job. He maybe falls in love. He has doubts over the lover who blows hot and cold. He thinks about the meaning of life and the beauty of fleeting things - cherry blossoms, cafes, relationships.

I really enjoyed the style - it's slow and poetic, and it really allows one to feel all the stages of a fleeting relationship, with its remnants of clinging hope and silent questions. Really well-written (but not a romance, despite the tags added to it; more litfic with a relationship theme).

The description of Japan was wonderful. Made me daydream of going there one day. I also loved the slow burn romance.

Seven Days in Tokyo by José Daniel Alvior is a beautifully evocative work that effortlessly captures the highs and lows of human emotion. Blending happiness and melancholy, the author transports readers to Japan with vivid descriptions and an eye for the smallest details that bring the setting to life. Alvior's writing is immersive and poignant, making it easy to feel as though you're wandering the streets of Tokyo alongside the characters. This novel is a testament to his talent, and it leaves you eagerly anticipating more from this gifted storyteller.

This was the perfect read at the perfect time. Cozy but reflective, looking at the messiness of situationships and long distance flings. The tangle of feelings when it's not likely to go anywhere. All mixed up in the beauty of Tokyo, the allure of glimpsing another life you could be living. Really loved this, it was the ideal book to end my year.

Louie and Landon's one night stand held promise - to see if their romance will bloom, Louie goes to Tokyo to spend a week with Landon. A slow-burner of a love story.

This book was full of delightful descriptions of life in Japan - I found myself looking at holidays there as a result - however, despite its promise, the book didn't quite do it for me. Despite its emotion-filled pages, the characters didn't leap into life so I didn't really care whether their romance worked out or not.

I still enjoyed it enough to finish though.

Louie and Landon meet in NYC the last night Landon is in town. After making a connection, Louie plans a trip to Tokyo on the way to review his work visa and visit Landon who is a British expat working there. Ultimately where will this time together with Landon take Louie?

I would describe this as slower paced dramatic queer fiction. Though there are romance elements, I wouldn't describe this as a romance based on the story arc for these characters. As someone who has studied in Japan, I appreciated the tourist's perspective and the layers of relationships. Louie's visa struggles also add a later of complexity.

Thank you to Unbound for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 4/3/25.

This was an interesting read - two men who met once in New York get the chance to meet again in Tokyo to see if there is a future for them sounded an interesting premise.
Sadly while I liked the descriptions of the locations and places visited neither of the main characters appealed to me - I think that I am just not the target audience for the book in many ways.

Seven Days in Tokyo is José Daniel Alvior's debut novel. A slow-paced contemporary fiction love-ish story, it spans the narrator's week-long trip to Tokyo. Louie, born in Manila and struggling to renew his work visa so he can continue the life he's created in New York City, journeys to Tokyo to seek out a man he met as a one night stand whom he hopes may be something more. His stay in Japan is full of surprises, however, including run-ins with old friends and lots of introspection as he explores Tokyo's cafe scene.

I wanted to like this book more, especially with such a gorgeous cover, but I don't think I'm the target audience for it--literary fiction about relationships falling apart the way they do here is not my cup of tea (sorry, Celeste Ng). Landon, Louie's potential love interest, reads as the negatively stereotyped white expat in Asia, though this is obliquely described rather than directly discussed. Meanwhile, Louie's quest for coffee shops seemed like a symbolic metaphor best explored in literary analysis study guides. Their relationship reads like a more realistic, adult version of Call Me By Your Name, sans peaches but plus lots and lots of cherry blossoms, and leaned a bit too hard on the lack-of-communication trope. The descriptions of Tokyo were very detailed, providing a great sense of place, but also felt a bit like a Japanophile's dream visit of touristy areas. Honestly, the relationship that stood out and felt the most fleshed out was Louie's friendship with Sayumi--I loved their interactions! Alvior's craft as a writer shows promise, so perhaps I will enjoy future works better.

Readers who like this book may also enjoy: Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman, Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin, Countries of Origin by Javier Fuentes, Dogs of Summer by Andrea Abreu, The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai, and Hanami by Julia Cejas.

This is a beautifully written touching novel you don't want to end. The characters meet fleetingly in NY and Tokyo and you can feel the emotions dripping off the pages. It was at times happy, sad, poignant, moving, thrilling and so much more. You really feel like you are in the places with the characters, exploring, learning, growing and wanting.

Seven Days in Tokyo" offers a solid, thought-provoking read, but it could have benefitted from more polish in terms of character depth and pacing. It's an enjoyable exploration of both the external world of Tokyo and the internal world of the protagonist :)

Seven Days in Tokyo is a beautifully crafted and heartfelt debut from Jose Daniel Alvior that tells the story of Landon, a British expat living in Tokyo, and Louie, a hopeful visitor awaiting his U.S. visa approval. After a fleeting, magical night together in Manhattan, the two reconnect in Tokyo, spending seven days exploring whether that moment was a spark or something more enduring.

Set amidst Tokyo’s enchanting streets, the novel creates a lyrical and almost cinematic portrayal of the city. As someone who has been to Japan, I was instantly drawn to the title and its setting, which beautifully rekindled my own memories of that place. The author’s creative and descriptive writing immerses readers in every detail.

The story is a slow burn, richly layered with emotions and feelings, which may not appeal to every reader but feels deliberate and meaningful here. Louie and Landon’s journey explores the intricacies of desire, the weight of expectations, and the fragile boundaries between hope and reality. The novel also offers thought-provoking perspectives on relationships, belonging, and the ephemeral nature of connection.

Louie, in particular, stood out for me, as did his circle of friends, who brought warmth and depth to the story. While I appreciated the backstories of the characters, I felt the author could have gone further in fleshing them out. Certain aspects of character development felt underexplored, leaving me wishing to know more about their motivations and inner lives.

While this is not a book I would typically choose, I am glad I read it. The tender and intricate way the author puts emotions into words is commendable, making the novel a deeply personal and moving experience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for providing me a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed this title. As someone who has lived in Japan, the writing totally took me back. I loved reading Louie and Landon's story. It was quiet and internal but Alvior made me care about Louie's thoughts and feelings. Not action packed...but packed an emotional punch. The details that the author highlights stuck with me...who knew I'd be obsessed with images of a bath towel! Also loved that this book was LGBTQ+ but that that wasn't highlighted. Often, I overlooked the fact that Louie and Landon were a gay couple! Their experience just felt true to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a beautifully written title that focuses on feelings.

I really wanted to like Seven Days in Tokyo. The writing is wonderful, but the plot left a bit to be desired. It can't really be described any more than "guy goes on a week-long trip to see someone he hooked up with and accidentally caught feelings for, only to realize he's a bit of a knob." The main conflict that happens seems to be nearer the end of the book, which was a little puzzling to me. I think it could have been interesting to see it slightly earlier to see how the characters deal with that resentment and if the extra time could have changed how they felt. Despite characters' backstories being in the book, it felt as though apart from Landon I could not be able to picture what any of the characters would look like. Whether intentional or not, I think the other characters could have been expanded on just a little more.

The story fell a little flat for me but I cannot put my finger on exactly why. I enjoyed the writing style. I think it lacked in character development

Thank you to NetGalley and Unbound for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this story because of my two trips to Japan, and the fact that it featured a gay male MC. The author provides a vivid story, evoking memories of trips down alleyways in Shinjuku that hit home. He was able to portray visiting Tokyo in a way that made me miss it. The additional layer of love (?) lost didn’t hurt. I would say this was a 3.75 (Fable) or a 4 (Goodreads) and am glad I read it. Again, don’t go into this anticipating a happy ending, but rather, embracing the difficulty of chasing something that you know might be doomed.

The story follows Louie as he visits a former one-night stand, Landon, a British ex-pat in Tokyo, on his way back to Manila. The story evokes a strong feeling that resonated to me as a gay man, of a longing for a man that maybe we think could provide us something we don't have. I felt for Louie frequently throughout the story, often hoping and placing meaning on Landon’s actions that favored him rather than the ones that showed him how much Landon did (or did not) care. Maybe it says more about me, but I felt for Louie, I understood his pining for Landon. I have understood feeling the rose-colored glasses fad and the formerly white flags turn to red, and I commended him for taking the jump in the final chapter despite knowing how it would end, to give himself, closure.
I definitely don’t think of this as a love story between two people but it felt like a cathartic exercise in putting to words the way gay longing can help/hurt us. Louie was able to step outside of his relationship with Landon while in Tokyo and found meaning in his relationships with his friends, those he planned to see and the unexpected. I appreciated the different perspectives on relationships that the story brought out.
It evoked feelings I felt when watching a movie called Weekend though, the tryst in that movie was more like the initial interaction between Louie and Landon, a brief time together, and this story sort of turned the idea of an eventual happy ending on its head. I appreciated the chance to revisit Tokyo, and past loves lost, and seeing a piece of myself reflected back to me, even if I wasn't always proud of it. What is the point of reading if sometimes we don't confront outselves.

This story follows Louis, a Filipino man who had met Landon, a Brit, in New York. Then Louis is taking a trip to Tokyo for the week while he awaits the renewal of his work visa. He's hoping to find out if his romance with Landon is real, or short lived.

My favorite bits of this story were the friends Louis met up with during is trip. They were all more interesting and had more personality to me than Landon.

I didn't really see the chemistry between the two. It was just hard to believe that their time in New York was as magical as Louis believed. Louis can be a bit of an unreliable narrator, he seems rather anxious through the whole story. That part I could understand and liked.

This was an interesting read for me. Definitely different than what I typically read. I think maybe the parts I didn't like were just parts I didn't get. This is a well written novel that I do think many people will enjoy, my issues aside.

Thank you to Net Galley for sending me an early edition!

I received an ARC of Seven Days in Tokyo through NetGalley. This was my first time reading this author, and while the book had some engaging moments, it didn't fully meet my expectations. Seven Days in Tokyo follows the journey of Emma, a travel writer who embarks on a week-long assignment in Tokyo. Tasked with capturing the essence of the city, Emma navigates through its bustling streets, historical landmarks, and hidden gems. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own stories and connections to the city. As Emma immerses herself in Tokyo's vibrant culture, she also confronts her own past and the reasons she chose to become a travel writer. The narrative is structured around Emma's daily explorations, with each chapter dedicated to a different day of her week in Tokyo. Highlights include visits to iconic locations like the Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, and the Tsukiji Fish Market. Emma's interactions with locals, including a retired sumo wrestler, a tea ceremony master, and a young manga artist, add depth to her journey. Throughout the week, Emma reflects on her personal struggles and the transformative power of travel. While the book offers a vivid portrayal of Tokyo and its many facets, some plot points felt predictable, and the pacing could have been tighter. However, the characters are well-developed and relatable, making the story engaging. The author's descriptive writing brings Tokyo to life, capturing both its modern energy and traditional charm. Overall, Seven Days in Tokyo is a decent read for those interested in travel narratives and cultural exploration. Despite its flaws, the book's strong character development and immersive setting make it worth a read.

A really beautifully written book that felt quite magical. Found the themes and characters to be really impactful.

Thanks to Netgalley and | Unbound Firsts for the advanced copy of this book.

Two expat’, Louie, Filipino, and Landon, British, meet for one night in New York. Fast forward a few months later, Louis comes to Tokyo for seven days to find Landon again.
This small summary reminded me of the Before trilogy by Richard Linklater, a serie of movies exploring the relationship of two people meeting and having a conversation for a definite amount of time. Could this be a gay version of this? While it might feel similar, Seven days in Tokyo is a journey of its own.
Following Louie’s point of view exclusively, the possibility of a relationship is explored along with some locations in Tokyo. The initial encounter was a fleeting moment: a date with no follow-up possible. A visa renewal pending, Louie decides to make an additional trip to revisit that moment and see if there is more to it. Moving back and forth between New York and Tokyo, Louie explores that relationship and others as friends are met along the way. From there what would have been a romance novel becomes something and uncover how we can be connected, even if we are miles away from each other.
People meet, fall in love, become friends. We crave that connection but there is a kind of mysterious beauty on how this happens and how we can make it work … or not. The novel does not shy away from the imperfection of its protagonists but puts in evidence how they will find their home, relationship and love.
. Alongside the relationship of the people, we explore the relationship with a place. Leaving behind the familiar New York, Tokyo is an unfamiliar ground: strange and a bit overwhelming. Little by little, a familiarity takes place: he knows where to shop for groceries, have a coffee, a drink. He does not get lost but is ready to explore. This is where you can as well belong to a place as you belong to people.
This is where this short novel finds its strength leaving you with a sweet feeling, no matter what the hardships are, you can find beauty and belonging where you are at this moment.

What a beautiful, beautiful read. This has undoubtedly been one of my fave reads of the year.
Alvior's writing is oddly poetic, without being so - hard to explain, but it has to do with the emotions it kindles in me. whenever I put down this novel, I found myself thinking about it and of Nan Kang Bai's writings (Six Records of a Floating Life and I Will Wait for You until 35) because of that same poetic way in which everyday life is told through brief instants that carry within the very core of the characters' hearts. There was such melancholy in this novel, and it's told in such a heartfelt voice that I found it impossible to stay indifferent to. The main character, Louie (absolutely loved the fact that we only get to know his name right at the end of the book and all the meaning that rests behind and within why his name is only mentioned at that point) is so vivid and real and human I found myself wishing he were my friend. His emotions, the way he handles - tries to - them, the manner in which he both avoids and sinks into his feelings, the very innocence with which he actually follows his heart, when in everything else he comes out as a really guarded, responsible, focused man, is a delight, and so realistic. The prose is beautiful and the way it carries us from the present seven days in Tokyo to the past and the encounters in Louie's life that led to him being where he now is were just perfect to set the stage, even acting as omens of what was to come. Whenever we delved into his past, I'd come out of it into the present of his life with a sense of foreboding, like the snippet of his past Louie was sharing would in time reflect his present and act as some sort of explanation or prediction to what was coming. That ending was like a vindication, actually - beautiful ending, by the way, just PERFECT - and had my mind spinning back to every single account the character gave of what in his past led him to that moment, only to have me suffer the proverbial slap in the face of 'it was all there, every clue, every evidence, it was all there!'
It was indeed one of my favourite reads of this year, evocative, melancholy, a slice of life moment that is realistic and vivid and actually, very relatable. Easy five stars for me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. My opinions are my own.