The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

Alma Belasco managed to escape Poland in 1939 just in time, traveling to San Francisco to live with relatives until it would be safe to return to her family. Alma is never reunited with her parents and, instead, is adopted by the Belasco family. While living in the grand Belasco house called Sea Cliff, Alma becomes close friends with the Japanese gardener's son of the same age, Ichimei. Eventually, the two become secret lovers throughout most of their lives due to the pressures and constraints of class as well as cultural and familial traditions. Decades later, in the twilight years of Alma's life, she moves from Sea Cliff to a nearby assisted living facility called Lark House. It is at Lark House that Alma meets a young, enigmatic Romanian caretaker, Irina Bazili, who is trying to escape demons from her own harrowing childhood. As Alma and Irina grow closer and more trusting, each begins to divulge secrets from their traumatic pasts.

Allende focuses her story on the trials that can be overcome by true  and everlasting love, especially physical separation. Alma and Irina, and a whole host of other characters, have many secrets and, therefore, keep their emotions and thoughts in check. Relating to such disconnected, unrevealing characters may be a struggle for readers until the secrets are divulged in a torrent nearer the end of the book. Many mysteries and frustrations then become clear, leading us to a better understanding of the limitations of humankind and how far we will go to protect those we love while remaining true to ourselves. The Japanese Lover is listed as one of the Best Books of 2015 by Publishers Weekly for fiction.