Quick Stats
Age Rating: 14/15+
Over All: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5

Special thanks to Simon Teen and NetGalley for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.

I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, as well as a physical ARC from YALLWest, and since finishing the book, have also preordered a signed copy from my local indy bookstore.
Rachel Lynn Solomon does not miss. While this is not my favorite RLS book, it is pretty dang high up there. This book bridges a lot of genres: young adult and new adult, science fiction and contemporary and romance. It was definitely a new direction for RLS, but she executed it masterfully.
Barrett and Miles both have my heart completely. They’re both grouchy, stubborn, and way too similar, which, of course, leads to the most amazing banter and swoon-worthy tension. Both of them just felt so real, and so damaged, I just wanted to wrap them up in my arms and hold them. Also I think they should have used one of those September 21s to push Cole off the top of the tallest building on campus. That was a wasted opportunity in my book.
Admittedly, the sciency aspects of this book went right over my head. I have never taken a physics class in my life, and I am never going to, though Miles’s earnest love for the subject almost made me want to change my stance on that… almost. That said, I never felt confused by what was going on. Miles would say something physics-y and I’d just be like “uh huh, cool, smart people stuff” and then move on. The important aspects of time travel physics were dumbed down enough for me to easily grasp the necessary information to understand the book. I am curious what an actual physicist would think of the book and the physics involved. Would they find it laughable, or is the science theoretically sound, or is it some of both?

As someone who grew up in the Seattle area, I always love the Seattle touches of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books. There are so many little local places and quirks that bring me endless joy to see written about in a way that only a Seattleite could do, and seeing UW be the central location of this book was so much fun. Like Barrett, my mom is an alumni of UW, and I, too, always pictured myself going there (though it was never in the cards for me), so it was awesome to read a book that took place there.

There was not a single page of this book where I was not feeling some intense emotion. Mostly it was pure joy and excitement, because, Seattleite or not, this book is beyond fun, but there was also a lot of sadness, and just plain feeling for Miles and Barrett and everything they’ve went through. I grew to care so much about these characters I just want to know more. I want to know what happened after the endless September 21s. What happened with Miles and Barrett, yes, but also with Lucie, with Max, with Barrett’s mother and Josie. I want everything. The book didn’t feel unfinished. It wrapped up nicely, and I was satisfied, plot wise. I just fell head over heels for all of these characters, and I think I could read about them until I die.

All in all, 10/10 book. Definitely recommend. And I cannot wait for whatever RLS brings us next!