I decided to read this after having heard about it everywhere. It is more young adult than my usual tastes, but wanted to give it a shot. While it was an enjoyable read, I didn't connect with any of the characters and think I would have preferred to read the story from Luc's perspective. Overall, I'd say it was a predictable love story.
I wasn't sure how I felt about this in the first half. It was different than the other Murakami I have read, no supernatural twists, etc. Then something happened and it turned into a love story that really captured that feeling of wanting to spend every minute with someone. Murakami has a way of transporting the reader to a setting and really making you feel the emotions of the characters. This book covers grief, love, guilt, and sex in a way that feels tender and familiar.