56 Days by Catherine Ryan HowardMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
56 days ago, Oliver and Ciara meet at the supermarket in Dublin. They begin a new romantic relationship. At 35 days, in the wake of the global pandemic and subsequent lockdown, they decide to move in together. Ciara is relieved; she can finally have a relationship without pressure from her friends and family. And Oliver is relieved as well; this offers him more time to hide from Ciara who he really is. And now, at Day 0, the police are called to Oliver's apartment. A decomposing body has been found.
"Everything is so much easier when he stays away from other people. The only way you can lose your own shadow is to stand in the dark. The problem is, Oliver hates the dark."
This book completely captivated me with its short chapters and twisty story! It is told from Oliver and Ciara's point of view, going back and forth from the present to when they meet and all the time in between. We also hear from the police and detectives who are investigating the body they find at Oliver's apartment. Occasionally Oliver and Ciara tell us the same event from their own side, which I typically find repetitive, but somehow it worked quite well here.
"In between favorite movies and what they studied in college and where they hope to go this summer, they forgot to ask each other what kind of person are you in a global pandemic?
This book was just fun. Most of it occurs as Dublin is in lockdown, or heading toward it. Howard weaves in COVID expertly into the story. It's the reason for the plot, but it does not dominate it. It's fascinating to think about--how would you react in a brand new relationship if something like COVID hit? It is filled with twists and surprises that keep you guessing. It's interesting, especially since you can quite read Oliver and Ciara fully.
Overall, this is a quick read--it's an easy-to-read, interesting thriller. 4+ stars.
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