If the Portuguese word saudade were an author, it would undoubtedly be André Aciman. His books exude nostalgia, that aching sense of longing and what if. They have a certain mysticism, a quiet kind of magic woven into the mundane, that never fails to capture me. I can’t quite pinpoint what it is that grips me so tightly, but it’s there, unmistakable and irresistible.

And no, of course this book doesn’t come close to Call Me by Your Name. If you’re hoping for the same depth of feeling, the same intensity, you’ll likely find yourself disappointed. To approach it with such expectations is to set yourself up for an unfair comparison. But it's still good.

This collection consists of three novellas, each a meditation on love in its many forms. The first story I was familiar with, I read it years ago when it was first released. The other two were new to me.

I don't think I can pick a favorite; each story stands on its own, unique in tone and style. But if I were to choose the one that resonated with me most, it would be Mariana. There was something about its delicate intimacy, its unspoken truths, that felt deeply personal.

André Aciman, the celebrated author of "Call Me By Your Name," returns with his latest work, "Room on the Sea," a collection featuring three evocative novellas. While it is classified as a romance, I urge readers to adjust their expectations, particularly those seeking a queer romance.

Instead, the stories incorporate elements of fantasy and magical realism, with themes of connection and regret woven throughout.

Aciman showcases a lyrical and imaginative writing style in this book. While it didn’t quite resonate with me—mostly because I approached it with different expectations—those in search of a whimsical, dreamy escape from reality may find it enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the ARC.

Thank you for the ARC from NetGalley which I received in exchange for an honest review.

I chose this book because I had previously enjoyed 'Call Me By Your Name' (both the book and film). This volume consists of three novellas united by the theme of lost chances, unseen connections and the question of 'what might have been' had circumstances been different.

For me the first story was the most engaging and intriguing. A group of American travellers stranded at a hotel on the Italian coast encounter a mysterious gentleman from Peru. He turns out to know things about each of them that only a clairvoyant could know. The story gradually unfurls and reveals its secrets. I enjoyed Aciman's lucid prose, humorous touches and the use of magical realism. The Mediterranean setting is beautifully evoked with a deft touch. Aciman seems at his best when writing about nostalgia.

The other stories are equally well-written, but I found the third one 'Mariana' tended to drag and I eventually found the narrator's self-absorption tedious.