Member Reviews
See You Yesterday is a cute, time-loop romance. It is set during the main characters' first week in college, which makes it great for older teen readers who might be thinking about what comes after high school. The characters are quirky and likable, and even though the same day repeats, each adventure is different enough that the reader stays interested.
I loved the characters, they are so unique and cute. I can notice the great development that they had. The plot and they relationship kept me on the reading and I finished it within two days.
A great YA book :)
This was a super cute romance time travel book set in college that I absolutely adored. I wasn't sure if this book would bring anything new to the table in that we see this trope many times in young adult fiction, however, I really like the character development and how the relationship built over repeating the same day. I liked how tough topics were explored, science and research was included, all while being a light-hearted and enjoyable read.
Barrett (named for the poet) Bloom is looking at her freshman year of college as the opportunity of a do-over. High school was hell: her expose in the school paper on a corrupted grading system for star tennis players led to her being a social pariah, but also bullying, the loss of a good friend, and a deceptive, mean prom date who took her virginity just so he could brag about deflowering her as revenge for her getting his brother kicked off the tennis team. On her first day of classes, Wednesday, September 21, Barrett discovers her no-show roommate is Lucie, the former friend (whose boyfriend was the one who got kicked off the team!) and the day gets worse from there. She botches her interview with the school paper, is unprepared for physics 101, and accidentally sets fire to a frat house. She runs away, gets lost, finds her way to campus, passes out in the common room, and…. wakes up again on Wednesday, September 21.
Stuck in a Groundhog-Day like time loop, the only bright and shining part of her day is getting to know Miles Kasher-Okamoto, the son of her physics teacher, who seems to be stuck in a time loop of his own. Their bristly temperaments towards each other slowly become sparks as they try to figure out why they are stuck, and agree to approach getting unstuck together from Mile’s more scientific leanings and Barrett’s magical ones. They enjoy going on adventures with no consequences, traveling, exploring, getting tattoos, buying a lot of rescue dogs, and narrowly escape death.
Another approach to find their way back to their reality is to right past wrongs, and this becomes an opportunity for Barrett to try to repair her relationship with Lucie, for Miles to allow his addict brother Max to make amends, and for Barrett to face the shitty things that happened to her on prom date–including confronting Cole Walker– and clue both Miles and her Max in, so she can begin to heal. The pair even tries to track down a former professor from UW who taught a very popular class on Time Travel for Beginners, and while her advice is ultimately helpful, nothing helps, until a missing sock provides an epiphany.
I was thinking of this book as Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl meets Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop: while only two are about the college experience and two are about time loops, all three novels have deeply fleshed out, real new adult characters alongside interesting and non-stereotyped supporting characters strong setting, a compelling story, a sweet, strong first time romance, great pacing, and honestly? just perfect voice and writing.
I loved See You Yesterday for the theme of acceptance and the author’s normalizing what might still be considered marginalized people. Barrett’s mother has dated both men and women, and her current love interest is on the verge of proposing; another character isn’t so sure she likes men all that much and is looking forward to exploring; Barrett is curvy and (mostly) unashamed and gets comfortable being adored as she is; Miles is Asian American, and both are Jewish, but Miles says he is not half anything when he’s telling Barrett about some of the comments he’s heard (presumably from other Jews) about not being a matrilineal Jew. As a Jew by choice, I love seeing myself reflected back in what I’m reading, and their improvised Shabbat on a Wednesday was just so lovely. Barrett’s observation that “Much of Judaism is about making do with what you have, and I’ve always loved that there are so many ways to observe” resonated with me. It should be noted the setting of the book takes place close to the High Holidays, and while they are not mentioned, it is a time of reflection, apologies, atonement, and new beginnings.
I also really loved the pop culture woven throughout–the age of the protagonist means she has a mom that grew up in the 2000s and her introduction to the Gilmore Girls and love of all things from the turn of the 21st century is a nicely woven thread throughout the narrative.
The title is great and I don’t love the pink cover, which features a sketch of the characters at three points in time and coordinates with the author’s last YA book, Today, Tonight, Tomorrow.
I flipped to Good Reads to note I’d finished the book, and realized Rachel Lynn Solomon wrote my favorite book (thus far) of 2022: Weather Girl! As in Weather Girl, the Seattle setting features strongly into the narrative.
One of my favorite things to tell kids embarking on their higher education journey is that college is what YOU make of it. Watching Barrett come to this realization that it’s not college that will change her, but that she will change, is so satisfying.
I received an advance reader’s review copy of #SeeYouYesterday via #Netgalley
I was provided an advance copy courtesy of the publisher; thank you!
I quite literally could not put this book down, I read it in a single sitting! I loved Barret so much and related to her in more ways than one. While the idea of the book is fantastical, the execution is amazing! The book didn't feel trope-y or corny and it was paced really nicely. I cried a little (okay, a lot) at the end, but I was so happy with the conclusion. Overall, a beautiful story that I would highly recommend!
If I have one weakness in this world it is YA rivals to lovers books. I will never ever stop loving them, they will never fail to be the one thing I will always ADORE. I loved the mixed in complication of a time loop, and was glad for some protagonists that are exactly my age! I feel like so many YA characters are still in high school, but college kids also love fluffy cute rivals to lovers arcs of characters their age! So glad for the chance to read this early!
My one critique/complaint has nothing to do with the actual content and everything to do with the format. PDF style galleys can be incredibly difficult to read, and they can sometimes jump around on their own, which can be frustrating.
I don't read a lot of young adults books. I loved this book. I loved seeing Barrett overcome her high school self. I feel like this was a book about second chances. And that not everyone is who they seem to be. I connected with Barretts jewish identity and loved how the author wrote about it. Miles is a grumpy guy on the outside but is really the sweetest guy. I liked the message that colleges really isn't about reinventing yourself but finding who are.
I'm a sucker for a time loop story, and Solomon's latest book is an excellent YA one. Barrett Bloom is having a really bad first day of college, and when she wakes up to the same day all over again a la <i>Groundhog Day</i>, the only thing that makes it worse is realizing that Miles, the boy who humiliated her in her physics class, is also stuck in the loop with her. Barrett and Miles team up to try to figure out how to break out of their time loop, and their growing relationship is absolutely lovely. Barrett is forced to confront her painful high school past in a really nice coming-of-age story, and the slow burn romance is perfectly paced. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for a digital review copy.
See You Yesterday is the first Rachel Lynn Solomon novel I have had the pleasure of reading; it will definitely not be my last! This university freshmen year romance story has many things that are very precious to me:
1) Jewish representation: I absolutely loved the mentions of Hillel and Shabbat, especially observing the holiday in your own, special way. As an undergraduate in college, I was also tasked with maintaining my Jewish identity in a completely new, unfamiliar and limited space, but Solomon provides such an authentic picture of how many college students address these changes.
2) Asian-Jewish representation: I was taken aback by this! As an Asian-Jew myself, it was wonderful to see such personal representation on the pages, as well as how Miles (the main male protagonist) balanced his Jewish identity with his Asian identity. I never ever see this type of representation in popular media!
3) College Student Media representation: as a former student journalist, the mentions of university newspapers (especially having a quote wall) were spot on! I was laughing so hard and was immediately brought back to those 2 am work sessions in the newsroom.
4) Mentions of Veronica Mars, Pride & Prejudice and Carly Rae Jepsen: I mean... what more can you ask for?
Overall, I highly enjoyed this novel and loved getting to know Barrett and Miles. Their dynamic was so cute; my jaw was DROPPED at some romance scenes (especially their first kiss). Solomon perfectly encapsulates the awkward freshmen year flirting and romance that most of us probably experienced. Also, I am a sucker for a good slow burn! The science and mystery-ish vibes were just the cherry on top! I found myself getting chills with them when they discovered new physics theories, met new people and made even more discoveries to help their situation. I also felt my heart break for a second there at the end with the characters... It was very immersing!
I highly recommend this book! Thank you for sending me an ARC!
Ugh I always love me some RLS ♥️ I loved how this was book was with college aged characters instead of her normal high school YA’s. The time loop was very interesting and much different than any others I read! Barrett and Miles were really sweet and I liked how they came together ! I knocked a star off because there was times throughout the middle of the book that it felt like it was dragging a little, but by then end I was thoroughly satisfied!
This story is a fresh new twist of time being suspended and characters being stuck in the same day. College is off to a rough start for Barrett, from rooming with her high school enemy to starting a fire. However, she ends up in stuck in this day with her enemy, Miles. My favorite aspect of this story was that there were two characters stuck together in this, versus just one character experiencing the same day over and over again. The development of the relationship between Miles and Barrett as they try to move to the next day really added to the overall plot of the story.
First, I'd like to thank Rachel Lyn Solomon and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for my honest review.
Over the past year, Rachel Lyn Solomon has become an auto-buy writer for me, and her newest YA novel is absolutely incredible. It's been a long time since I read straight YA, but from the minute I opened this book I was hooked. I read it in 24 hours! It's sweet, charming and so hopeful -- it's the sort of book that keeps you smiling through the entire experience.
I'll save you the plot review because I am sure there are tons of other reviews that go over that in detail. I really loved the Groundhog Day trope (I should probably figure out what the actual trope name is) but I really liked how the science/fantasy element was used to explain the ongoing mystery of being stuck in a time loop. It didn't end up feeling boring, which I would imagine happens from time to time when discussing the same day over and over.
The thing that I loved most though, is the inclusion of Jewish main characters. I can't tell you how much I related to Barrett Bloom growing up, and how had I had this book in high school I would have felt so seen. I didn't relate to only the physical characteristics of Barrett (although I do have Big Jewish Hair and a body type outside of what is "conventionally" attractive) but mostly her personality. I also felt TOO MUCH for people in High School -- like I was too loud or too talkative or too sarcastic or too excited about my personal interests that fell just outside the mainstream. I could hear myself in Barrett's voice and inner monologue and turned to my husband SEVERAL times to read out loud paragraphs that felt like they were taken straight from my brain.
Over the past year or so, RLS has become my go-to author for Jewish characters. The thing I like most is how her characters are not afraid to live their Judaism out loud, WHILE ALSO being multi-faceted and nuanced. I never feel like RLS is writing a character as Jewish for the sake of being the Token Jew. Judaism is important to her characters but it is not the only thing that defines them, which is how most American Jews feel these days. In the big scope of romance and YA books, it always feels so special to read one with characters that look like you and sound like you and have a similar upbringing. Representation matters, and I really really love RLS for making Judaism an important part of her character's personality.
I can't wait to tell my friends about this book!
If the teen you’re pitching the book to has a certain sense of humor, you could call this one a YA horror. After all, so may kids are looking to break out of high school, but also away from the people and circumstances they’ve been surrounded by their whole lives. So when Barrett gets to college and realizes that she can’t escape her (honestly, traumatizing, in many ways) past, it feels like an absolute nightmare. But then she gets stuck in a time loop, and has a chance to reinvent herself to the extreme.
Rachel Lynn Solomon is so talented, and she knocked it out of the park yet again with this one. The nice thing about knowing her body of work is that when I was reading this and saw something that needed to be addressed or a loose end that needing tying, I could trust that she had it handled. What a gift as a reader to have that sort of trust with an author.
I think this would be an amazing movie, and it’s already a fantastic book. Highly recommended for teens and up!
Thanks to Simon + Schuster + Rachel Lynn Solomon for the publicity review copy, pub date May 17, 2022.
zero surprise: I love love love SEE YOU TOMORROW.
It's a time loop, where Barrett Bloom and Miles Kasher-Okamoto are living and reliving their first day of college over and over and over again. This is a romance, no doubt about it, one where you fall in love with Barrett and Miles as they fall in love with each other. But especially the depth, the depth of the characters, of their humanness, of learning that we can be our best selves with others when we know who we are, and that it takes time to truly get to know others. I love this for the diversity of the characters and representation in this book (as in all of Rachel Lynn Solomon's books), especially the Jewishness, the mental health, sexuality, and the body neutrality.
I've read books repeating the same day over and over again before, but this one was so much cuter! The characters were so fun and the romance was awkward and adorable.
I really love a good time-loop romance! Rachel Lynn Solomon is one of my absolute favorites, and she really pulls off the plot well. It was a really great YA, and I just loved the characters. It's a romcom with lots of emotions. Really great ending.
Living one day on a loop? No thank you. Reading about the most adorable couple living a loop? Yes please. Rachel Lynn Solomon you have done it again! This was the sweetest coming of age that really encompasses the feelings of the first days of college. Loved it!
This is my 4th Rachel Lynn Solomon book and I can safely say that I love them all. Thanks to @netgalley and @simonteen for the early copy of SEE YOU YESTERDAY, a contemporary YA/New Adult novel. (PUB 05.17)
What would you do if you were stuck in a time loop Groundhog Day style on the first day of freshman year? Not only that- but you're stuck with a stranger. That's the predicament Barrett and Miles find themselves in as they get to know each other and work together to figure a way out of September 21.
This book tapped all my sweet spots. I am a sucker for nostalgia and this was dripping with it. All the best bits of the "newness" of college. The desire to reinvent yourself mixed with overcoming past trauma and the trepidation of the next big adventure. The angst that comes with relationships- past & new, platonic & romantic.
It’s full of heart and adventure. The characters were smart and vulnerable, yet realistic and nuanced. It had what I've come to expect from Solomon- top notch writing, a fair bit of humor, and a tender understanding of self-growth. I read "that kissing scene" and the last chapter at least 3 times.
"Time is helping me recognize who I'm supposed to be, only I'm not sure who that person is yet. Whatever the reason the universe singled us out, Miles and I found each other in this strange echo of a world. And that means something."*
MORE:
- Just enough physics for my skill level (low)
- Slow burn
- Representation- Jewish, Japanese American, bisexual
- Content- Bullying and PTSD ( past high school trauma), Mental health (anxiety),
- While this is YA I'd say it leans into the top end of the spectrum towards New Adult/17+
*Quotes are from an early copy and may not reflect the final version.
3.5 stars! This was cute! I’ve been looking forward to this one for awhile because the plot sounded fun (very Palm Springs-esque, a movie I adored) and I have liked most of Solomon’s other works. The romance was enjoyable and I liked the main characters well enough, but I’ll be honest and say this didn’t blow me away.
No other Solomon book has managed to capture the same charm as Today, Tonight, Tomorrow for me, which has been disappointing. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly why that is, but there were just a few nitpicks throughout this book (mostly with arguments/conflicts which felt over dramatic and unnecessary) that I didn’t love. Overall it was fun and cute but still not one of my favorites.
It’s September 21st…again and again and again.
⏰
It’s Barrett Bloom’s first day of college, but it’s not off to an auspicious start. Her new roommate is her high school nemesis, she manages to sit next to the most annoying guy in her 8:30 physics class, she blunders her interview for the college paper and then sets a frat house on fire at a party. Only to wake up and live it again and again, Groundhog Day-style. She can’t figure out why this is happening until she realizes the annoying guy from physics is experiencing the same phenomenon. Can they work together to figure it out or will they be stuck in this time loop forever?
⏰
@rlynn_solomon is an automatic read for me anytime: YA, NA, adult—I’ll devour anything she publishes and I always thought Today, Tonight, Tomorrow would be my favorite YA book of hers…until THIS BOOK! I cried several times and it’s a romcom, y’all! There was plenty of laughter too, but the tears can be attributed to the amount of depth Solomon goes into her characters, which is unparalleled. They’re so authentic, relatable and normal—I’d expect to run into them in Seattle. I loved everything about this new adult romance I’d also love to point out time loop tropes are the bomb and Solomon nailed it. I need this to be a movie. This title releases May 17 (not September 21st like I thought it might 😂) Preorder now!
CW: bullying, drug addiction, slut shaming, panic attacks, fat phobia, car accident