Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for this honest review.

Oh, this is a book that will stick with me for a long time to come. The writing is romantic and poetic and just gripping - it kept me awake and I couldn't stop reading until this book was finished (well after 4am!). This book is simply just beautiful.

The tragedy, the broken hearts, and the love story that follows is incredibly well done.

Tarisai Ngangura's The Ones We Loved is a stunning literary debut that reads like poetry in motion, weaving together the stories of two young Zimbabweans whose paths converge on a bus journey toward the same destination. Known only as He and She, these characters are fleeing their respective traumas—she from the consequences of a grave act, he from profound loss—and their universal designations allow readers to step into their shoes with remarkable intimacy. Ngangura's prose has a rhythmic, almost musical quality that draws from Zimbabwe's rich oral traditions, creating a narrative that feels like it should be shared over tea, with each page offering lessons tucked into beautifully crafted sentences.

The novel moves fluidly between past and present, building a complex portrait not just of these two broken souls finding each other, but of Zimbabwe itself—its landscapes, its struggles, and its enduring spirit. The non-linear structure allows memories and myths to interweave naturally, exploring themes of love, grief, resilience, and the possibility of healing after trauma. Ngangura's connection between her characters and the natural world is particularly striking, grounding their emotional journeys in the very soil and seasons of their homeland. The writing often feels melodic and evocative, reminiscent of Toni Morrison's lyrical storytelling approach.

While this won't appeal to every reader—it's decidedly literary and demands patience with its contemplative pacing—The Ones We Loved is a richly rewarding experience for those who appreciate innovative storytelling that breaks from commercial formulas. Ngangura has crafted something genuinely special here: a debut that feels both timeless and urgent, rooted in specific place and culture yet universal in its exploration of love's capacity to heal. This is the kind of book that lingers long after you've finished reading, and I'm eager to see what this talented author creates next.

“How many endings would be carved out of this catastrophe? Her own, the town, the woman whose body was on the ground.”

This beautiful, haunting, and heartfelt story is written in a rhythmic lyrical style, a call and response building from both a past and present where the broken hearts find each other. I also listened to this audiobook and enjoyed that thoroughly, the narrator did an exceptional job, this story is one that feels like it should be told over a cup of coffee, or tea. Lessons learned in the small things, and carried through the prose.

i am so disappointed to say that i could not finish this novel, in all honesty. however, it wasn’t necessarily due to the content of the book, but the formatting that made it really difficult for me to immerse myself. the copy i received was confusing in its format and drew me out of the story. i would love to try this again in the future when i am in the right headspace and can buy myself a copy that will be formatted properly and not contain the spelling mistakes of the drafted copy.

This won't be for everyone but it's beautifully written and evocative. Two young Zimbabweans, He and She, meet on a bus. This tells their stories, moving back and forth in time to create a picture not just of these two but also of their country. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction-look for this one at Booker time.

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.