Eloy Moreno steps into the intimate world of a couple, and the moment their bond fractures, in his new novel when was it fun (Penguin Random House). He explores the hard reality of accepting love’s end with a humor that catches you off guard. Moreno jokes about his international success, a 46-year-old writer from Castellón who became a bestselling phenomenon with his first widely read works years ago. Since then, more than a million copies have found readers as his stories—Gift, Invisible, World, Different—have traveled beyond borders. In this work, he invites readers to Alicante for a live event this Wednesday at 18:30, at the 80 Mundos bookstore.
“A story about how love will end.” He keeps his cards close about his novels, and this last one is no exception in its significance. Everything is already known here, and the title itself hints at revelations that might have been kept under wraps otherwise. The book doesn’t hide what is happening; it simply tells it straight, with a clarity that invites reflection rather than concealment.
Readers are warned that the novel can be disturbing. Was there discomfort while typing? In the end, the author draws on true stories gathered from acquaintances, suggesting that almost anyone who reads the book will recognize themselves—whether they are in a relationship or know someone who is. The challenge lay in keeping the identities anonymous; both main characters share a name, and the author worked to avoid revealing who is who even in dialogue, allowing readers to map the voices to their own experiences.
One notable feature is that the two protagonists share the same name. Did the author know in his head who was speaking at any given moment? A nerdy challenge, really. He attempted to alter the voice in each episode, yet there are no obvious clues to tell the speakers apart. The result encourages readers to imagine the speaker from their own circumstances, and the author was careful not to use gendered adjectives that would bias the reader toward one character. The core theme remains a relationship between two people, explored with nuance rather than labels.
In the author’s earlier work, the protagonist did not have a name, but in this novel both characters bear the same name. Why complicate the reader’s task? It made sense because the narrative wants to avoid bias based on gender or romantic preference. The idea is that the reader should decide who is who, based on the situations and phrasing, rather than on a fixed identity. The book remains deliberately gender-neutral in its presentation, inviting universal interpretations rather than singular conclusions.
Some readers have asked whether the book is suitable for every age. The author, aware that the authorial perspective touches on school-age readers, notes that this tale may challenge younger readers who haven’t encountered the rhythm of long-term relationships. The intent isn’t to shock but to illuminate the realities people face when love changes course.
The opening scene includes a first intimate moment, a moment of sexual awakening that feels essential to the trajectory of the story. The intention isn’t to sensationalize but to reflect how sexuality can be a visible and meaningful part of a relationship. The narrative acknowledges that sex plays a significant role in the dynamics between partners, even when the broader story goes beyond physical closeness.
Readers often wonder how long a couple can go without sex. A quick online poll reflected the diversity of experiences: some couples have slept in separate rooms for years, others keep a spark alive through shared routines or even amidst the chaos of family life. The truth is, there are as many answers as there are couples, a reminder that each relationship follows its own timetable.
Why write about heartbreak? The core premise is that heartbreak often sits beside the start of a new love. When one chapter ends, another can begin, and love can endure in new forms. Observing couples around him—some staying together for years for practical reasons, like shared mortgages or family life—pushed the author to explore why some relationships last and others drift apart. The book delves into those questions with frankness and empathy.
Discussing these emotions remains challenging. There are people who endure routines and responsibilities that keep them together even when it strains their bond. The reality that a mortgage or children can outlive romance is not rare, and the novel treats this truth with honesty, inviting readers to consider their own situations without judgment. The story has resonated with many, quickly becoming a touchstone for people seeking understanding or closure.
From Facebook comments and reader messages, it is clear that some couples have found resonance with the narrative. It has even felt like a form of personal development for some, a gentle invitation to examine what keeps two people together or what finally persuades them to part ways. In this sense, the novel acts as a mirror rather than a sermon, reflecting readers’ own experiences back to them.
The book is complemented by a playlist on Spotify, a feature Moreno has used in prior works to share the music that accompanied his writing process. Readers often reference it as a map to the emotional terrain of the pages, a soundtrack that deepens the immersion.
Why should someone pick up this novel among the many about love and heartbreak? The author expresses gratitude for the many readers who have reached out with their stories. The work avoids glorifying romance or presenting a flawless ending; it offers unvarnished truth and shared humanity. It invites readers to see themselves in the characters and to recognize that real life often defies tidy endings.
The reception has been encouraging. People describe the novel as a strong opening to a story that sticks with them long after the last page. It feels universal, tapping into a common human experience that spans cultures and generations. The author did not anticipate this response, yet it confirms the enduring appeal of relationships in all their imperfect, dramatic, and tender moments.
What comes after this novel is not fixed. The author has been on a lengthy promotional cycle and is keeping plans flexible for new projects. The freedom granted by the publisher means the next work could explore different ages and audiences, perhaps a young adult tale or a more mature exploration. No concrete timetable is set, and that openness is welcomed as part of the creative process.