Twelve Months and a Day

By: Louisa Young

Narrated by: Isabel Adomakoh Young

A poignant, modern love story about a young widow and widower and the two ghosts that bring them together because although love changes form, it never dies.

“Heart-stoppingly romantic.”—The Express (UK)

Two couples. Four unfinished lives. A love that transcends space and time.

Rasmus and Jay, Róisín and Nico: two couples, strangers to each other. Two beautiful, ordinary love stories, cut short. Both in their thirties and too young to be widowed, Róisín swears she still feels Nico beside her in bed and Rasmus hears Jay as he writes songs at the piano.

Jay and Nico don’t even believe in ghosts, yet here they still are. Still in love with Rasmus and Róisín. And maddeningly powerless. Until Jay has an idea that Nico wants no part of—bringing Róisín and Rasmus together. It’s crazy enough that it just might work, but playing matchmaker to the living is no easy feat and one that will require all four of them to discover the meaning of love after loss, and the importance of fighting for happiness against all odds.

Moving and thought-provoking, playful and bittersweet, Twelve Months and a Day asks what is love? And what are we to do with it?

Critic reviews

People’s Book of the Week

“One of the freshest love stories I’ve read in years.”—Colleen Oakley, author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island

“A heartfelt valentine to hope.” —People

“A haunting love story—literally.”—Best magazine (UK)

“Equal parts tender, sparkling, and authentic, Louisa Young’s prose is like watching a flower open, each moment beautiful, mesmerizing, and better than the last. Twelve Months and a Day will have readers captivated from beginning to end.” —Amy E. Reichert, author of Once Upon a December

“Deeply emotional...An impressive and poignant romance.” —Publishers Weekly

“Readers of this novel full of wisdom, joy, and sorrow should have their tissues handy as they read.”—Booklist (starred review)

“A tale of two love stories with a supernatural twist…[Caused] a bitter-sweet pang in my heart as it ended.” —Monique Roffey, author of Archipelago and The White Woman on the Green Bicycle

"The words “emotional roller coaster” seem coined for Louisa Young’s beautiful, bittersweet novel, as heart-stoppingly romantic as it’s heartbreakingly sad...A lovely, moving, ultimately hopeful read."—The Express (UK)

"A wonderful and inventive novel, sorrowful and hopeful in equal measure. It was a true pleasure to read." —Miranda Cowley Heller, author of The Paper Palace

Gorgeous story, exquisite narration

Every part of both the story and the performance feel profoundly true. I will miss being in the world of Twelve Months And A Day, and won't easily leave the feelings and thoughts it inspired behind.

This is my first encounter with both author and narrator, but it won't be my last.

Stunning Story of Loss and Rebirth

I absolutely loved the Vice actress for this book. You could hear the joy and the sorrow. The music was stunning as well. I will definitely read more of this author’s books!

Tear jerker

I’m more than 10 years out from being widowed and this brought back that pain.

An absolutely beautiful love story

I read the synopsis and it intrigued me. I wasn’t sure about the narrator when I found out she had the same last name, but I was completely wrong! The narrator was fantastic and I loved it when she sang some of the songs (I’m sorry Isabel. I should have known because my daughter is an Isabel as well)! This is one of the books that I think in enhanced by the narration, and that is not easy. Kudos to both mom and daughter!