I couldn't put this book down.

I'm not sure the description did it justice though. I thought it would be a romance story, but it was really about the love between two friends. And how it's OK to love your job – which I don't feel is written about very often. The actual romantic storylines felt secondary to me.

Reading this, I felt like I was reading vintage Emily Giffin.

I cannot wait to read other books by Rebecca Serle.

When Dannie Kohan lands an interview for a job she has wanted ever since she can remember, she is fully prepared. She arrives dressed to impress and nails all of her interview questions, including where she sees herself in five years. Little does she realize that she is about to be granted one hour five years in the future. Dannie is in a completely different apartment beside someone who is not her fiancé. When she returns back to her present reality, she finds she cannot shake off the memories of her future.

Overall, In Five Years by Rebecca Serle was not what I was expecting. The blurb made me think this would be a story about one thing, but that was simply the tip of the iceberg. The more the novel went on, the more the underlying iceberg got exposed, completely diverting In Five Years from course. Combine that with the fact the not one, but TWO of my least favorite tropes were used made me not enjoy this as much as I initially thought I would. Was I willing to go down with this ship? Eh, more like point me to the nearest lifeboat, Captain!

So... what was I reading exactly? I expected a very emotion-fueled love story. To be honest, I was hoping for the book that flung me back into the insatiable desire to read. Instead, I got a book that left me feeling slightly unsatisfied.

I wouldn't classify this as romance. Yeah, there's some elements of romance in there, I guess. This is more of a women's fiction book, which is fine itself (although disappointing if you were hoping to watch two characters fall in love). I just don't believe it was presented fairly. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it a bit more if I hadn't gone in with certain expectations.

I feel like there were times, especially towards the end, where I was supposed to be feeling this overwhelming emotion with Dannie, but... ultimately, I was left feeling more hollow than anything. The ending? Yeah, just no.

Only 2 stars because I actually saw this one through to its end.

WHEW. First and foremost, the synopsis is misleading. While you might think this will have this big time travel quality to it, think again. And while you might also think this is a love story, but not the kind you think, THINK AGAIN!

I find that this book was entirely way too short to pack in its punches and it is why I had such an emotional disconnect. It gets lost in its descriptions (honestly, do I really need to know what the character is wearing?? The weather??) when it just needed to get to the point, again, considering its length.

Also, Dannie (our MC) is so narcissistic (and a bad friend, really) and really only cares about her friend when shit gets bad, but even then finds a way to make it about her. A tale of best friends at the heart of this story? I think not.

I’m well aware that I just wasn’t the reader for this one. My expectations were just too high, and in the end, this book just made me mad?

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle was an interesting read. Imagine having your life planned out and being relatively happy, but then you envision an entirely different life five years in the future you never expected. In a dream. What does it mean? For Dannie it means learning she cannot control everything and sometime life surprises you. The story was unexpected and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading more of this author.

Happy reading!

I had seen this book around the Internet but wasn't planning to read it because it sounded pretty light and fluffy, which I usually don't love, but boy was I wrong. The premise of this book is simple yet unique: a woman wakes up for one hour, five years in the future and sees her life has gone far off the careful path she’s plotted for herself. I was expecting a sweet, light story about love and “finding yourself” in early adulthood, but what I got was kind of a gut-punch, in the most refreshing way.

"Here. Now. Love doesn't require a future."

I really enjoyed this one! I was expecting a romance when I went into it but the friendship between Dannie and Bella really steals the show. I began the book thinking I was getting another One Day in December but it veered off an authentic and heartfelt story of love and friendship.

I don't have a ton to say bout that expect that it was okay. I wasn't completely blown away by it. The writing was great and the over all story and plot was meh to me. I would still read future works by Serle, but this one wasn't a favorite. Thank you, Atria Books for this gifted copy.

In Five Years was written very well, and I enjoyed the pacing of the story and the way the author kept me turning the pages. However, I was unhappy with the ending and lack of HEA.

"If there's a clock ticking toward anything, it should be your happiness."

Dannie is a lawyer. She's straight-laced, sees things in black and white, and is incredibly type A. She has a solid 5-year plan but really she's been mapping her life out since childhood. Everything is going accordingly. An interview at her dream job, a proposal from her perfect boyfriend. So why is she waking up 5 years in the future in an unknown apartment with a handsome stranger? Soon after, she's back in the present day, but was that a dream or a premonition? And will it all unravel when she meets that same stranger four and a half years later?

I was hesitant to read this book for two reasons. One: this book has been very hyped. Two: I am one of the few that didn't love the Dinner List. Thankfully I ignored my doubts and picked up this book anyway. And I LOVED it. Dannie is uptight and very particular but this made her my ideal character for this book (plus she's Jewish which is always a plus for me). Dannie is always in control of everything. Her job, her relationships, her future. I loved watching this analytical planner grapple with this premonition and the idea of fate. It's so foreign to her and that made it all the more exciting to watch unfold. She's this perfect combination of numbers and feelings.

Although we watch Dannie try to understand which man is right for her. The "perfect on paper" man of her dreams or the one from her actual dream, this is not a romance novel. It is a love story but not the one I expected. It's the story of an extraordinary friendship and the true love that comes with it.

This book got me thinking so much about control and fate. How much control do you really have over your own life? Is it our choices that guide us or something else?

I've seen a lot of people complain about the ending but I actually loved it! If you've read this already, what were your thoughts?

This was a phenomenal book set in NYC about friendship, love, loss, careers, what matters in life, everything. I was a sobbing mess at the end and it was so well done. Serle broke me with The Dinner List, and did it again with In Five Years. She has mastered the art of deceiving you into thinking this is going to be a nice little romcom but then turns it into a profound life reflection that guts your soul. And I’m here for it. I loved Dannie and Bella and their strong friendship since childhood. I am definitely a Dannie - Type A, and more on the career driven, planned approach to life. I can relate to trying to control everything and upsetting those around me for it (but if they’d just let me, it would be easier, haha). I wish I were more like Bella, carefree and letting life happen, but alas, I am not.

I will stop there because if I go any further we will get into spoiler territory. This is a beautiful story and at its core is the fact that even though you may think you know where you want to be in five years, the universe may have other plans. Add this to your list, but you have been warned, tissues required.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free copy to review.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I remember seeing this book for request on Netgalley. I liked the sound of it- except I wasn’t too sure about that seeing in the future thing- but I just kept going back to it and decided to request it.

Then it just got lost on my Kindle. That is what happens to Netgalley books- if they are not front and center on my Kindle, I may forget about them for a few weeks.

Since we’ve been social distancing, I’ve been trying to do something new with my reading- read a book that is publishing in a few months, one that is currently being published, and one from a year-ish ago. On Sunday morning, I laid in bed, ignoring my massive To-do list and started In Five Years. And was 100% hooked.

Ya’ll. I LOVED this book. And read it in one day. It was so good. So what I needed. I didn’t cry, but my heart felt full.



What I liked:

The cover. So pretty!

Dannie and Bella. Friendship goals! I loved their story.

The ending. Yes, I SO loved how it ended.

Bottom line: This is a wonderful story- it’s different than what I was expecting- I was anticipating a bit of a One Day In December storyline- but that is so not how this book goes. Just pick a day where you can fully immerse yourself in this story and enjoy!

“Where do you see yourself In Five Years?” is a standard interview question. Dannie is a driven corporate attorney interviewing for her dream job. It’s December 15, 2020. Later that night, Dannie’s boyfriend, David, proposes and she accepts. Slightly high from champagne, Dannie falls asleep on the couch and dreams…

Dannie awakens in a strange Dumbo apartment. There is a good-looking man asking if she’s hungry. She surreptitiously looks at his driver’s license. His name is Aaron. And she has never seen him before. They have passionate sex on the bed. A newscast shows that it is December 15, 2025. Dannie once again sleeps.

When next Dannie wakes, she is back with David in 2020. However, she wonders why she doesn’t feel the same all-encompassing feelings with David that she did with Aaron. Was her scene with Aaron a dream or a vision?

When you think of romantic comedies, you don’t think of surprising twists. However, In Five Years has several truly surprising turns in its plot. The most surprising was its change from comedy to drama. It actually contains some good life lessons along the way. I really enjoyed it and I think you will too—even if romances are not your usual genre. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I recently finished reading In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, which I enjoyed. It is about a woman who falls asleep the night of her engagement and has a premonition five years into the future--only she was in a different apartment and appears to be engaged to someone else. She almost convinces herself it is a dream when she actually meets the guy from the premonition. If you are thinking romance, it is not one. But it is sort of a love story in its own way. I could relate to the main character in her penchant to plan and always be prepared. She is thrown for a loop, however, by not only the premonition, but events that follow, her emotions all over the place, and must really take a look at who she is and what she wants in her life. I did not expect In Five Years to be the tearjerker it turned out to be. And while the novel felt a bit predictable much of the time, when it came to the ending . . . well, it really made the book for me.

This book has a great intriguing premise, and starts off quite strong. The mystery of Dannie’s premonition five years into the future definitely kept my interest, but the story started to fall short for me around the third act with the revelation of her best friend’s cancer. Then it just became pretty depressing and began to drag a bit. The relationship between her and her fiancé also grew so dull (though I guess that was part of the point). Overall, a very quick read that I’m happy I explored because it wasn’t your average love story. More than anything, it’s a story of friendship which I loved and found unique.

Ugh, GUYSSSS. This book was SO SAD. I’m going to be real upfront with you, this book is not what I expected, whatsoever, and I’m going to do my best to not spoil it for you either. I think there’s something magic in the book I expected to get, becoming the book I got – and I wouldn’t want to ruin it for anyone. Whoever wrote this synopsis did a lovely job. Specifically, “In Five Years is an unforgettable love story, but it is not the one you’re expecting.” It certainly was not.

Dannie is a corporate lawyer, living exactly the life she planned for herself in New York. Her best friend is her total opposite: free-spirited and loving and flitting from one thing to next. But Dannie is okay with that; she’s content with her own life and knows Bella’s is far different.

Until the night she gets her dream job and gets engaged, when she falls asleep and wakes up in what is certainly not a dream but most definitely a vision of the future – five years from now, in a different apartment, with a different man. When she returns to her present, she lives with this haunting memory until the day she meets that man in person, four and a half years later.

Honestly, that’s really all I can tell you without spoilers! But if this description sounds good to you, buckle up. This is not the ride you think it is.

Somewhere around the halfway point of this book, things took a sharp right turn, I started sobbing, and I haven’t stopped since. I cannot relay to you the beauty of this book in words, and how it made me feel. The characters were incredible and whole, and while I felt at first that they were too perfectly cast to be real, I know now that that’s the point of the story, and what can be drawn from it.

One interesting thing I noted was that Dannie’s perspective is very robotic. You understand right from the beginning that she’s very Type-A, she lives things exactly according to plan and thrives in environments of her own making. But her voice gains strength throughout the novel: as she’s forced to step outside and feel, you can see the change in her perspective and her dialogue, the way she interacts with others. It’s like a blending between two extremes (you’ll see!) that leaves her a little bit better than we found her, prepared to move on to something greater. Again, it’s so hard to review this book without ruining it for you. I want everyone to experience, the shock, the grief, the love that this book has to offer, without my having tainted it.

This book flew by for me. Whenever I picked it up, I could hardly put it down. You’ve been warned. 🙂 I highly recommend In Five Years.

An advance copy of In Five Years was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley. It was released March 10, 2020.
*Review will not be live on site until 4/21/20.

A sweet, sad, sentimental love story. Love between two best friends that tackles illness. It is also an unlove story. Predictable is some ways yet endearing. Characters are likable and relatable. Dialogue flows and is believable. A quick and enjoyable read.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

An ARC that I’m just getting around to. Started off a little clunky and stiff, but we learn that’s just Danni, and got steadily better. Sometimes a pat, perfect life I think why we need.

I listened to the audiobook over the course of a day.

Heartbreaking and beautiful. This book was a wonderful love letter to New York City, friendship, and thinking you know what you want until the universe tells you otherwise. This is required reading for anyone who has ever had a best friend that they loved like family. Dani is the most likeable millenial character I have read in a long long time.

A very different love story than the reader would expect. What happens when you seem to have your life perfectly planned and everything seems to be falling into place but you awaken one morning seeing yourself in a different place with a different man five years later. Is the dream just that-a dream or is it a foreboding of things to come? Your very best lifelong friend, who is much more spontaneous than you, sees you in a different lifestyle and spares no words in saying so. How do you respond when that friend is faced with a devastating illness? This is a love story on different levels-all of them important in their own right. Not just between couples but also a love story of friendship-deep and meaningful and the loving gifts we give each other personally and emotionally.