I needed a bit of time to figure out why I liked this book so much. It's got a few things going for it:

Interesting premise: Memory, time, neuroscience... OK I'm in.
Relatable characters: The two lead characters feel real, and I care about them quickly.
* Plot development: The book pulled me in quickly, and kept layering on elements to keep it interesting.

It's also got a very cinematic/thriller feel in terms of pacing. That's a neutral point for me. I don't really need quick cuts and a sense of urgency to stay interested, but it doesn't hurt either.

After reading some low-star reviews, I see a few recurring themes. One that stands out is that some people are bothered by the hand-wavy approach to some of the tech concepts. They want a deeper, more thorough dive into the science.

I suspect this is a key point in determining if this story (and others like it) will work for you. For me, going into unnecessary detail is a job and a hobby! In a story like this though, I prefer a hand-wavy sense of wonder. I often don't want to know all the detail. I want an interesting ride with characters I care about, and ideas that pop around in my head when I'm trying to get to sleep. I'm not out to poke holes in the plot, or find ways that the science is implausible. So this book delivers on all counts that matter to me :).

I've only read this and Dark Matter from Blake Crouch, and loved them both. There are enough parallels/overlaps between the two that I'm wary of getting tired with the formula. Thankfully I'm not there yet!