With its easy prose and short chapters, this is a novel suited to air travel. Yet it is sophisticated in two ways: it carefully considers the ramifications of split-second decisions on human relationships, and it highlights the importance of a strong question to a narrative. Come back to me – the eponymous request – is skilfully applied not only to Chloe’s husband, Alex; but to Chloe herself; to her would-be suitor, Mark; to Mark’s ailing father; to Alex’s problematic ex-girlfriend, Julia. Each character, trapped in this undercurrent of longing, makes the story somewhat earnest. But there is balance in carefully placed moments of the everyday, like those in the relationship between Chloe and her wayward cousin. As a result, we, the avid readers, are continually reminded of the particular strength of the characters. It is a gentle strength, but a relatable one: the strength that comes from the simple, gallant act of moving forward.