Michal (written with the accent Michał [Mee-Kal]) is a Polish man that grew up and still lives in Sweden. He works in a local chocolaterie that specializes in free trade Belgian-style candies and food and has a passion for it.
Michael and Magnus were initially supposed to meet via Grindr for a date but Michal came down with some kind of regionally-famous 24 hour sickness and had to cancel (a lot of time is spent on describing this which seemed weird). However, because he was still so interested, the two kept in contact ever since, though Magnus ended up moving to Germany for work. They never made it more than an online friendship, per ground rules laid out by Michal, but chat online every day and consider themselves close.
Later, Michal experiences some physical trauma from a random hookup that lands him a week in the hospital and a lasting mental scar. His mother also just went through full-on breast cancer treatment. Magnus has been there for him via chat throughout and Michal treasures the friendship. However, Magnus has started to ask to meet again and Michal refuses for no real reason other than he doesn't want their current state of friendship to get destroyed. The more Michal refuses, the more Magnus seems to pull back, even going weeks without real contact between them. Then a handsome customer comes into Michal's work and they are both very flirtatious and hit it off pretty instantly...

This wasn't my favourite couple from Horvat. I think Michal has some issues he really needs to work on before he can commit himself to a full-on relationship and his actions and thoughts contradicted each other a lot. And Magnus lying about his identity, despite being utterly charming, is Not Okay. Michal forgave him entirely too easy just because he was horny. They're both too old for this kind of thing.
You also have to kind of suspend some disbelief that the two grew this close online - enough to feel real love for each other - but never saw photos of each other and/or never used any other kind of social media besides a chat app and LinkedIn (mentioned by name). No mentions of video chat, phone calls, Facebook, Instagram, even Livejournal or any other apps popular in northern Europe in the last 10 years. I know there are younger people out there that don't do much social media but as someone who has gained and cultivated many friendships through online-only means, this complete lack of anything other than a no-name chat app after YEARS of friendship is outlandish.

I still gave it 4 stars because Horvat's writing is great and, if you can get past the issues mentioned above, it could be considered a cute romance. I didn't want to put it down despite my eye rolls.