Starred review from March 14, 2022
Refreshing more than one classic trope, Solomon (Today Tonight Tomorrow) creates an emotionally savvy and genuinely romantic story of opposites attracting within a time loop. A far cry from her dreams of reinventing herself after high school, the first day of college classes isn’t going well for aspiring journalist Barrett Bloom, who is white and Jewish. Barrett’s roommate turns out to be her high school nemesis, she blows her interview for the university newspaper, and she accidentally sets a frat house on fire—all before finding that she’s set to endlessly repeat that first day. But she isn’t alone; physics classmate Miles Kasher-Okamoto, who is biracial (Japanese and white) and also Jewish, is stuck in the same loop. They’re not a natural fit: shy, uptight faculty kid Miles is interested in solving the science of the loop, while pop culture–savvy Barrett is brash and sarcastic, wondering if maybe there’s something she—or they—need to learn. And so begins a month of do-overs in which they study science, argue, confide in each other, and undertake stupid pranks. Through Barrett’s cranky, funny voice, which softens as she changes, Solomon deftly shows that reinvention can happen relationally, as the flawed characters find themselves in time and with each other. Ages 14–up. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (May)■
Starred review from June 1, 2022
Gr 10 Up-Barrett Bloom is ready to discover herself in college. However, on her first day of class, September 21, everything goes wrong. Her roommate is her high school frenemy, she's humiliated by a random guy in her physics class, she botches her interview for the college paper, and she accidentally sets a frat house on fire. Exhausted and terrified, she falls asleep only to wake up on September 21. Again. Barrett quickly learns she's not alone in her Groundhog Day experience, the random guy from physics class, Miles, is also trapped and has been trapped for months. Together, Miles and Barrett try to free themselves from their time loop. What neither of them expects is how much they start to like, maybe even love, each other. Solomon creates a fun and believable time travel plot by balancing magical realism and scientific explanation. The characters make the story an engaging read, as while Barrett and Miles navigate time loop high jinks, they also process serious issues such as bullying, trauma, sex, and familial drug addiction. Barrett and Miles are realistic and flawed but still likable. Both main and supporting characters are diverse. Barrett and Miles are both Jewish and Miles is also Japanese. Barrett's mother and girlfriend are queer. VERDICT Perfect for fans of Solomon's work, but also recommend to readers who enjoy contemporary romance and are open to science fiction and a bit of magic.-Kaetlyn Phillips
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from March 15, 2022
Dorm-mates Barrett and Miles get stuck in a Groundhog Day-like time loop reliving their first day of college classes. University of Washington first year Barrett Bloom wakes up at 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 (a date some will recognize from its Earth, Wind & Fire fame), shocked to find out that her high school nemesis, Lucie, is her new roommate. The day grows progressively worse after a science nerd named Miles humiliates her in Physics 101, she botches her newspaper staff interview, accidentally sets a frat house on fire, and gets locked out of her dorm room and is forced to sleep in the common room. But the next morning, it's still Sept. 21. On her third time reliving the day, Barrett discovers that physics prodigy Miles Kasher-Okamoto has been experiencing the time loop for months, and now they're both repeating the same day. Attempting to restart time, together they go on fun adventures, research scientific solutions (which appeal to Miles), and strive to be their best selves (which Barrett suspects is the solution). All the while, it's clear their intense bonding is a slow-burn romance in the making. Both main characters are Jewish: Barrett is White, with a single mom who is bisexual; Miles has a Japanese American mother and White father. Vividly expressing the singularity of attraction, Solomon presents another inclusive, sex-positive love story featuring Jewish teens dealing with loneliness, stress, and secrets. A swoon-y time-travel rom-com that captures the overwhelming nature of first love. (Romance. 14-18)
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