Reviews

I devoured this book. A story that is equal parts love, sci-fi, mystery, and retrospective. And in being all of those things, it becomes something completely new. A completely unique time loop story that captures you from the first chapter and never lets go.

That ending…can’t wait to discuss with someone else!

Content Warnings

jazhandz's review

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I’m a huge Mike Chen fan, and so was excited to receive an eARC of this book, thanks to NetGalley! Opinions are my own.

I enjoy a crunchy scifi, and this book manages some crunch while still remaining human and character-driven. How do you escape a time loop? It’s not so easy as living life the right way and learning a lesson. I appreciate that this book doesn’t shy away from the science aspects of science fiction. (Not to mention some really lovely subtle worldbuilding.)

The thinnest part of this book is the romance - I completely believed that Carter and Mariana had a connection, but not the way that it played out. I gladly would’ve preferred some of the flashback stuff get trimmed down in exchange for a better-paced romance. And this is just a personal preference, but I tend not to enjoy books where 80% of chapters are from one character’s point of view, because it’s a little jarring to have the other 20%.

Despite that, I thought Mariana and Carter were terrific characters, and I loved the way they got to know each other. (My love language is also food, so I get it.) Overall this is a charming and emotional read. Like a less crunchy Ars Paradoxica.

Content Warnings

kazzyquarius's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Wow wow wow. This book made my head hurt in a good way and my heart hurt in a… mostly good way. The characters slowly getting to know each other through repeating time loops felt so perfect. Carter and Mariana felt so real and I appreciated their individual ways of working through their feelings surrounding their predicament and each other. I admittedly don’t understand much of the science-ness of this book but as a lover of a time traveling moment it did not disappoint.

The romance plot is there but maybe not as much as I would expect with “love story” in the title. I think that makes it feel realistic though, because it wasn’t Insta-love, they had to actually form a connection. I also haven’t read much romance-ish stuff by a man so props to Mike for pulling me in!

Spoilers ahead-
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The ending surprised me a bit and I will admit to wishing there was a bigger reunion scene but the openness leaves room for interpretation and my romantic imagination.

The dog dies but the cat doesn’t.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

gmihalko15's review

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challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Now, this, this was an emotional rollercoaster. There is so much to say about this book. The idea of people falling in love during a time loop was very intriguing to me. I wasn't sure how the author was going to make this work, but I found the way Chen brought characters together was very interesting and heart braking at times. One aspect of this book that I adore is how much we get to know both Carter, Mariana, and their mannerisms. For instance, I love how Carter is writing everything down in his notebook: down to the second. Those are the ones to trust. Also, Mariana's place is giving smart house vibes- if you know, you know.

Another aspect that I find to be intriguing is how both Mariana and Carter are interpreting their experience. At first, Mariana thinks Carter is from a different dimension, and he thinks he's stuck in time. However, the shock for me was Carter's justification for bringing someone else into the loop- he is so casual about it.

In terms of the book's logistics, I don't love how the characters will randomly go into flashbacks with no inclination in the text. You just figure it out as you read. Also, I understand the plot towards the solution, but I'm not loving this divergence, which leads us to an ending where I can't say that I love it. It may just be me, but it really bothered me that in ever word that had an "f" next to an "l" there was a space? I sensed no reason for this, and I found it to be distracting. Ultimately, I am giving this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Genesis's Random Thoughts While Reading:

-I am rooting for them so hard: it's so sweet; also, I love how much Carter loves food

-I am so shocked at where all of this sudden romance is coming from. Like, a private experience on the Wimbledon tennis court???? Dang, Carter: you got game.

-I am so proud of Mariana for going for it, but we see that selfishness coming through

-He can't be forgetting her, I won't allow it.

lisareadsthings's review

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reflective medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This review will be slightly spoilery (though vague and partly mentioned in the synopsis) so read ahead at your own risk.

This was a really interesting read and it has a little bit of everything: science fiction (emphasis on fiction), romance, humor, mystery, grief.

I loved watching Carter and Mariana spend time together in the various loops and the growth of their friendship seemed natural and realistic. But I wasn't really feeling the romance.

Spoiler

There are small hints and you can tell that's where it's heading... maybe. With a little more buildup, and more of a certainty Carter felt the same way, the emotional impact of him not remembering the end of the boat day would have been that much more powerful. And, it would add more credence to what Mariana ultimately decides to do.

Even without the emotional oomph that could have been, it was still a good read. A nice bit of nerdy, quirky escapism.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

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