The Seven Year Slip is a lyrically beautiful romance. Clementine is an overworked publicist dealing with grief over losing her aunt when she is surprised to find a temporary, charming roommate, only to find he lives seven years in the past. The writing is beautiful and easy, there’s so much heartache and brightness mixed together. The story is romantic and lyrical. Clementine is so complex, she’s dealing with such heavy grief, a crazy busy career, and really complicated feelings with falling for Iwan. And she’s so likable and Iwan too is so sweet and charming. There’s magic in this plot and writing and the characters just sparkle. There’s a lot of growth and heart and I just really love Ashley Poston’s writing!

The Dead Romantics was my favorite book of 2022 - I still recommend it all the time - so I was absolutely thrilled to read an early copy of Ashley Poston’s second adult romance, The Seven Year Slip. The blurb promised a hint of magic like TDR and it really delivered.

Clementine West is a successful book publicist climbing the ranks at a smaller publishing house. She’s also mourning the loss of her Aunt Analea who died six months earlier and left a magical apartment to Clementine. The apartment has the ability to bring one back seven years to the past.

I won’t say much more about the plot to avoid spoiling any of the magic. Instead I’ll focus on how this book had me smiling and tearing up from beginning to end. One of the things that TDR did so well was explore complicated feelings of grief, and Seven Year Slip picks up this theme from a different perspective but equally tenderly and moving. The book also explores what it means to grow into new versions of ourselves, while still chasing the dreams and goals a previous version of ourselves created. The relationship and chemistry between Clementine and Iwan was so great, my only complaint about this book is that I wanted more of them together on the page.

Content warnings: references to death by suicide

I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I am finding it difficult to put into words how much I loved The Seven Year Slip because James and Clementine's story is lovely beyond words.

Their story begins when Clementine, who is heartbroken over the loss of her aunt, moves into the apartment she left her, and somehow travels back seven years in time where she meets Iwan. Iwan and Clemetine feel an instant connection; he's a young aspiring chef hoping to make his grandfather proud and she's a bit lost. Clementine knows that love and time travel never end well. Still, she cannot help but feel attracted to Iwan and being with him is the first time Clementine has felt happiness in a long time.

However, her travels to the past seem to be dictated by the magic within the apartment and she believes she's seen the last of Iwan after it fails to take her back. Until she meets present day Iwan who is now known as chef extraordinaire James Iwan Ashton, and he remembers her. Through subsequent meetings in the past and present Iwan and Clementine must overcome the obstacles keeping them apart and decide if present day Iwan and his Lemon are truly meant to be or if it was just a fluke in time.

The Seven Year Slip involved a bit of magical realism that required a bit of suspended reality, but it was done beautifully. A lovely story about love, grief and finding happiness.

This is Ashley Poston's second book to absolutely hit it out of the park for me. She has become an instant read. I can't wait to see what she destroys me with next.

This book was pure magic ✨

The real treasure in this book is Aunt Analea. I think we all need someone like her in our corners. When she first lets Clementine in on her apartments little secret of time hopping, I was very nervous how it would all play out. Will it be realistic? Cheesy? Not make sense… I suspended my beliefs and let the magic take over and I’m so happy I did. The Monroe Apt. no. B4 is now one of my favorite settings in a book!

I went into this one with a small glimpse of what it would be about and finished it feeling so surprised. You get glimpses of what grief can look like day to day hour to hour. A romance that can flourish over a good meal and how food can bring people together. Another take away you can always pick up something you set done, and for that I’m thinking of Clementine’s love of painting there is a scene that felt so relatable, coming back to something that your passionate about.

This is a truly special book and I didn’t think it could get anymore special until the authors note. She did a fabulous job. Also the book pairing list at the end! I need this in all books ASAP!

Thank you Berkley for this gift ARC

A cute story about how important timing is in relationships but also about growing as a person and finding out who you are outside of other people's expectations.

I think I loved this even more than her debut. I’m officially a forever fan. Give me a story about grief any day but add in time travel, romance and food and I’m head over heals. This story is pure magic! Lemon & Iwan forever. I’ll be raving about this to book friends. Grab the tissues too.

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************
An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate…only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that she needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future. Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolours. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed. After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

This is a cute little read that I absolutely devoured! A sweet story that was an easy read and that I will recommend far and wide to my casual readers. There are some serious Back to the Future vibes here if you are in that age bracket or if you have discovered those movies for the first time on demand.
It was well crafted and its characters and plot will hold your attention for hours: if you take it to the beach (or back yard, fire escape, porch, etc.) don't forget to reapply your SPF as you will lose track of time. Enjoyable even if just sitting in front of the a/c or fan during what is supposed to be a record-breaking HOT summer (oh, yeah ... not) as it is a wonderful little book to pick up and add to your TBR pile.
#shortbutsweetreviews

Rating: 3.5

I liked the romance for the most part, but the overall pacing of the story felt off and it was predictable. Other than that, there wasn't really anything wrong with it, I just didn't have much feelings about it.

Clementine is very good at her job in book publishing. But the spark that was in her eyes is missing since the death of her aunt Analea. She always told Clementine that magic lived in her apartment. But now, when Clementine could really use some magic, she thinks her aunt was just making up stories.
But magic has a way of happening when you need it most. Suddenly, Iwan appears, but not in Clementine’s present, but seven years in the past. How can she reconcile who she is with who she once was? Will the magic last, or will their future only lie in the past?
A heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story of love and loss, and realizing that sometimes you meet the right people at the wrong time. I love loved The Dead Romantics and The Seven Year Slip was a close second.
Oh and I really liked Clementine’s friends, Fiona, and Drew.👍

I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours. I liked Ashley Poston when I first read Geekarella as an intern at the publisher. I haven't read her since 2016, and I'm glad I've started again.

Clementine thinks she has it all together, and then fate pulls the rug from under her. Her aunt dies with no warning. She inherits her aunt's apartment, but it has a catch. You can come across people you may or may not know, but you're in the present, they're seven years in the past.

My previous experience with the whole "sliding door" timeline phenomenon was with an early Taylor Jenkins Reid, and it read less than savory (cooking pun semi intended). This read much better. It's short and sweet. While I wish we had more of Clementine and Iwan, I'm glad there was not much angsty pining or miscommunication. For once, I'm glad I didn't become furious with the characters. Sometimes I got confused as to which timeline we were seeing Iwan, but I think that also sort of adds to the whole idea of Clementine never really knowing which Iwan she would see.

I absolutely loved this book. Ashley Poston is now a must buy author for me. The Dead Romantics was one of my favorites of last year and this was such a wonderful, smart, heartwarming and heartbreaking delight. I laughed and cried and my heart feels full. I cannot WAIT to sell this at our store—I want everyone to know how talented and incredible this author is.

“You can take the lead.
And you’ll follow?
To the moon and back..”

This book is pure magic and I loved it.

Short Synopis:
Clementine moves into her aunt’s apartment after her aunt passes. Her aunt has always said this apartment was magical. Clementine doesn’t believe it. Until one day a man walks in from seven years in the past.

My Thoughts:
Oh my heart just burst. The longing and the waiting was just top notch. My heart hurt for both Clementine and Iwan as they both develop feelings and realize that they can’t be together. They do meet in the present. But seven years has passed for Iwan. A lot can change in seven years.

Read if You Like:
🍋 The Dead Romantics
🍋 Romance with a bit of magical realism
🍋 Second Chance Romance
🍋 Food
🍋 Witty side characters
🍋 Laughing in books

Clementine "Lemon" recovering from the grief of loosing her aunt moves into her old apartment. Only to be met with the cutest man. The only problem is he living 7 years in the past. Their relationship quickly evolves. Iwan is an aspiring chef but working as a dish washer at his favorite restaurant. Lemon works for a publishing house. In present day Lemon and Iwan's lives are about to be more connected than than they realize. Ashley Poston really knows how to write a captivating, complex story is full of whit and romance. I loved every moment of it! A must read!

Ashley Poston does it again with the most unique quirky read that has you falling in love from page one. If you liked her first book I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with this one.

Here’s what to expect:
✨ sweetest family relationship
✨ a dash of romance (I wish there’d been more but that’s ok still loved it)
✨ a magical time traveling apartment
✨ the sweetest moments of both family love and romantic love
✨ fantastic character development and self growth
✨ FMC on a journey of self discovery
✨ made me think of the movie About Time
✨ witty banter, second chance romance, tear jerking moments

If you’re looking for a more unique read this should scratch the itch! I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

The most intriguing plot I have ever read.

What happens when a woman wakes up and finds a stranger in her apartment, only to find out he lives 7 years in the past. Clementine and Iwan brough the banter and swoon in this book.

I sobbed, laughed, smiled and had a great time reading this book.

Some of the issues I had was that I did not see enough of their relationship in the present. I needed more from them. Also there were a lot of sub plots that did not feel resolved? I needed more explanation about them but did not.

Thanks Berkley publishing for the ARC!!!!

So I read this book a tad out of order in terms of Ashley Poston as I'm seeing tons of mentions of "The Dead Romantics" ... safe to say I liked "The Seven Year Slip" so much that I'm running to grab that one next!

Synopsis: This is a time-traveling, ghost-story-ish look at romance that centers around falling in love at the wrong time. Our main character Clementine has a close relationship with her aunt and travel partner, Analea, from a young age. At 8, Analea tells Clementine that her apartment slips in time - seven years forward or back. Walk through the door, and sometimes, you'll slip. We learn of Analea's love story with Vera, her love interest she would run into during slips in her apartment. But Analea was afraid of the unknown, so she set a main rule in the apartment - never fall in love with anyone you meet when you slip through that door. Then we meet Clementine as an adult - grieving the loss of Analea while living in her "magic" apartment when she meets Iwan, who once sublet the apartment while Analea was traveling. But as we know, this gray-eyed, endearing, aspiring chef lives seven years in the past - so we see Clementine fighting not to break the dont-fall-in-love-in-this-apartment rule. Then, she finds Iwan in the present - but why has he changed so much from the man that cooked her lemon pie in the kitchen and talked about big dreams to become a chef to honor his grandfather?

This book was witty, sweet, and oh-so-romantic. I love how seamlessly the "time travel" was interwoven into the story, as sometimes I can get a bit lost when slips are involved. Young Iwan was the most adorable character *swoon*, and I really enjoyed Clementine, or Lemon's, personality as well. If you're interested in New York City stories, second-chance romance, time travel, coworker/best friend relationships, the culinary world, etc., this book is for you. Just a heads up that there are some off-page recounts of suicide and messaging of grief interspersed throughout the novel.

Nearly five stars - giving this one a 4.5 as it seemed to drag ever so slightly toward the end. I wanted more of a finale with Iwan and Clementine versus several chapters about making peace with her aunt's death kind of thing. Give me all the romance between these two!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
- Wibbly-Wobbly-Timey-Wimey Situations
- Publicist FMC
- Chef MMC
- Adorable and super cute nicknames
- Feeling super sad while reading but kind of in a good way?

This is going to be one of my top books of 2023. I could not put it down even when most of it just had me SO SAD. My heart just hurt so bad for Clementine and Iwan but god, the hurt was so good.

Ashley Poston's writing just really resonates with me and she has solidified her place as one of my favorite and auto-buy authors.

It's hard to write this without spoiling anything so I'll make it quick -

The Seven Year Slip is filled with undeniable chemistry, lots of banter, laugh out loud moments and will make you have butterflies like a schoolgirl - all while navigating grief and inevitable changes of growing up. Clementine and Iwan are absolutely everything.

This magical and romantic story is a warm hug for anyone who has lost someone they love.

Keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from The Dead Romantics characters!

If you’ve read The Dead Romantics, you’ll know this but Ashley Poston’s adult romances always have a slightly magical twist to them. In The Seven-Year Slip, it’s all about a magical apartment Clementine inherits from her aunt. The twist this time is that Clementine can go back 7 years in the past.

Of course, that leads to some mixed results as one of her aunt’s friends’ son is staying there. We meet Iwan who we come to find out is a very different guy in the future. However, it’s clear these two have an undeniable connection. Watching them go back and forth between the two time periods is so bittersweet.

In the past, we’ve watched them fall for each other yet know something doesn’t work out. In the present, they’re trying to figure out what drew them apart and work on at least, being friends with each other. It’s honestly so heartbreaking what these characters went through and seeing how they used each other as a crutch was a bit sad.

Regardless, the romance between Clementine and Iwan was undeniable. They were so sweet and soft for each other. The reason why I fell so hard for these two is that they worked to make each other better. For Clementine, she was dealing with making some hard choices amidst the loss of her aunt and Iwan was trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his career. Coupled with Iwan’s cute nickname for her, I was in love.

This was honestly my first taste of Ashley Poston’s adult romances and I’m dying to pick up The Dead Romantics now. She’s easily cemented herself as a new favorite romance author with The Seven-Year Slip. I just can’t wait to see what she does next.

I really loved The Dead Romantics, so I had a lot of hope for this one...but I just didn't like it. I think it was because it felt like there was no real progression between the two MCs in the slip or in real life? Their chemistry came eventually, but not until halfway. But at the beginning it read a lot like YA and felt like basic exposition which made it hard for me to really buy into them. I thought the dialogue would be a little snappier and it just wasn't. And something about her having sex with old Iwan while still flirting with new James felt wrong even thought it wasn't???? It felt murky, almost like she was using old Iwan. It was still a good read, just not my favorite