Perfect – Rachel Joyce

Two seconds. One summer. A lifetime of consequences.

In the summer of 1972, eleven-year-old Byron learns that two extra seconds will be added to the world’s clocks. Fascinated by those moments, he becomes convinced they are connected to a tragic accident involving his mother. Guilt, secrets and misunderstandings begin to unsettle the world he thought he knew.

Decades later, the story of a lonely man struggling to understand his past unfolds alongside Byron’s. First published in 2013, Rachel Joyce’s standalone novel Perfect explores childhood innocence, family relationships, mental health and the possibility of redemption through intertwined timelines.

Perfect for readers who loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, A Man Called Ove, or emotionally rich fiction by Jojo Moyes and Claire Fuller. Settle into a reflective story about the small moments that reshape lives, with plenty for a book club to discuss.

Goodreads rating: 3.58/5 from approximately 21,000 ratings, as supplied. Readers praise the writing and emotional exploration of guilt and family; some find its pacing slow or certain twists predictable.

A trade paperback in Good condition: moderate wear, some page yellowing, all pages present.