Another book that I really wish I liked more than I did, but I just didn't realize how literary this would be.

It's a beautifully written story and the author does an amazing job of creating her character's world and personalities. The use of He and She for the main character made it so that anyone could put themselves in the story. I really am looking forward to trying this book out again in the future. I just have to be honest with myself that I won't be able to finish it at this point.

gorgeous cover, but more importantly, wonderful writing. gorgeously lyrical and filled with thought and thought-provoking writing. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Tarisai Ngangura's The Ones We Loved is a poignant literary debut that weaves a complex tapestry of love, grief, and self-discovery. The narrative follows two young Zimbabweans—a woman fleeing the consequences of a grave act and a man reeling from profound loss—as their paths serendipitously cross amidst the country's evocative landscapes. Ngangura's prose gracefully transitions between past and present, intertwining elements of myth and memory to explore themes of belonging and the enduring impact of ancestral stories. Drawing inspiration from Zimbabwe's oral traditions, the novel offers a rich, immersive experience that resonates with readers long after the final page.

The Ones We Loved unfortunately was not my cup of tea. I struggled to get through the story as it did not interest me.

Beautiful. Stunning. Atmospheric. Enjoyed wholeheartedly. The romance was heart gripping but it was the story as a whole that costumed my heart.

THE ONES WE LOVED is an elegant and beautiful book, effortlessly moving between timelines and characters in an ultimately captivating and thoroughly satisfying story. While slightly more complex than your average commercial fiction, this novel is richly rewarding and it pulls the reader in right away. I will look forward to more from this author. Kudos to the publisher for being willing to publish a wonderful work of art that will stand the test of time, partially because it is not crafted to the same old commercial blueprint, but rather breaks new and innovative ground.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.