I’ve had this book in my Libro.fm library for nearly 4 years, one of the first ALCs I ever downloaded when I joined the programme. So it felt immensely satisfying to finally check it off my to-read list when its number came up in audiobook roulette! I can’t say it was a new favourite, but it was certainly a unique and addictive read. I was surprised at how easy it was to keep up with the time-leap concept via audio, but the chapters are kept super clear and structured. 

It’s such a unique concept - at the stroke of midnight on 1st January 1983, Oona’s 19th birthday, she leaps forward into 2014, waking up as a 19 year old in a 51 one year old’s body, and no recollection of a life she’s supposedly lived for 32 years. From then, she continues to live her life out of order, jumping between years, while remaining 20, then 21, then 22 etc in her mind. It’s not explained, and the more I think about the logistics, the more my brain hurts. But Margarita Montimore handles the complex idea with a nice levity. It’s not bogged down in the specifics of the time jumps, but rather the effects of living life non-chronologically on Oona and her personal relationships.

Oona is not always the most likeable character, but honestly I’d probably be a little unreasonable too in her situation. I loved her relationship with her mother and Kenzie, but I wish we had more of Dale, Peter - and less of Edward, jesus christ. I’m also a bit disappointed that we only got 5 or 6 years of Oona’s life - there was so much potential there! 

A fun, heartwarming read with a few hang ups, but great for getting immersed in while gardening - it made time go super quick!