Honestly, it took me a lot of effort to keep reading this time loop book. I always forget that while I love time travel, I usually hate time loops. They aren't really the same, they explore more about the person in the time loop than some sort of science fiction. Luckily, Phoebe Mendel is a character worth exploring. She's a lesbian, but not totally publicly out, with IBS who has been waiting for an appointment with a new doctor. She hopes this one won't use her weight as an excuse not to treat her. But now she's stuck, a month away from her appointment.

Things get better when her old friend Jess gets stuck, too. And then Phoebe gets to do some real living and digging into their feelings and what they've been holding back on. Of course, eventually they also have to get out of the time loop. Somehow, the emotions here are all satisfying. It's all pretty dang uplifting, even her new communication with her parents--mostly dad who has never listened to her about her IBS. There's chronic illness and weight issues and new love and a few other things, but the time loop gives us time to explore with Phoebe just like she needs.

I've been rooting for the author and this book for a long time, and was ecstatic to get my hands on an ARC -- I'm happy to say that Time and Time Again surpassed every expectation I had. this book accomplishes something so honest, charming, and new in the contemporary romance space that I'm still reeling from it. Chatham seamlessly turns a common trope like the time loop on its head by weaving in unforgettable characters, a sweet, queer romance, and honest conversations about identity and belonging that make my heart pang. I know so, so many readers will see themselves in Phoebe and Jess's shoes and it makes me so happy that this book is out in the world for them.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

If there’s one thing you want to know about me - I love a time loop. I want to read ALL of the time loop stories. You go to the future? I want it. Stuck in the same day? It’s mine. Go between years? You guessed it, I want that too.

I adored this one about Jess and Phoebe who were stuck in a time loop together after Jess hits Phoebe with their car. Phoebe was originally in the time loop by herself, but soon realized that Jess is there with her. Together, they decide to have some fun in the time loop since they have no consequences and the days start over.

*spoilers*

Things I enjoyed about this book:
Phoebe! What a great character. I loved the representation with being both fat and having a chronic illness. I also just thought Phoebe was so relatable. Those fears? Had/have ‘em. The want to be with someone? Feel that too. I loved Phoebe’s journey in this book. They really grew and overcame so much of their internal struggles.
Jess! I adored Jess. They were funny, smart, and thoughtful. Planning out days?? The outfits?? The care!? It was too sweet. The dates 🥹. I loved Jess’s confidence and their no-nonsense attitude toward their disability.
The sweet first kiss and the grand gesture of the concert!!
I loved the friend group. So great - loved the different characters and how they were each fleshed out in limited book space due to the time loop.
Phoebe’s parents. They were doing their best. When you hear how her dad protected her. 😭
I loved the time loop days. They packed so much fun and growth into them.
Loved how they got out of the time loop!
LOVED that the memories were there for Phoebe’s dad (And Jess)!!
Loved that sweet ending. 🥹🥰

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OMG. Time and Time Again by Chatham Greenfield (they/she) was positively wonderful!!

Phoebe Mendel finds herself in a time loop, living August 6th over and over again. But one day, her perpetual day of pancakes with her mom and scrabble with her dad is thrown a curveball when Jess Friedman lightly hits her with her car and ends up in the time loop too.

The two have a history of friendship and a whole lot of lesbian longing, which only grows as Jess encourages Phoebe to take advantage of the loop and live a little. As August 6ths come and go, they embark on a series of adventures, but Phoebe's worries begin to grow. Will Jess still be interested in her on August 7th? Will they ever get out of the time loop? Will she ever get to the doctor's appointment waiting for her in September to address her chronic IBS pain?

First off, let's talk about Jess. Jess is the perfect badass non-binary lesbian love interest. Jess is chaotic good and the way that she shows care for Phoebe is just *swoon*.

One of the things I loved about this book was the various relationship dynamics - with friends, with siblings, with parents and uncles. In these relationships, Phoebe learned to speak up for herself and also learned the ways that fear had caused her to build barriers and I loved seeing her growth throughout the book.

The disability rep (IBS, chronic pain, anxiety, arthritis) was unapologetic and without euphemisms, which I appreciated. Since some of those are not my lived experience, I hope to read some own voices reviews!

Overall, this book was unwavering in its lesbian, Jewish, disability, and fat representation. It's an excellent YA romance and I hope it delights other readers as much as it delighted me.

I will 100% read Greenfield's next book and also appreciate their speaking out for a free 🇵🇸 on X. Trying to support authors who are not being silent!

"Time and Time Again" by Chatham Greenfield is a captivating young adult novel that seamlessly blends romance, science fiction, and disability representation. Set against the backdrop of an endless time loop, this story is a mesmerizing journey through time and love.

Meet Phoebe Mendel. She has been reliving the same sweltering summer day for a month. Her life consists of mundane routines: pancakes with Mom, Scrabble with Dad, and an unyielding search for answers about her irritable bowel syndrome.

Phoebe's strategy to escape the time loop involves meticulous research and avoiding anything wild. But everything changes when her childhood friend, Jess Friedman, literally crashes into her life after hitting her with their car. Jess becomes trapped in the same time loop, and together, they embark on an extraordinary journey.

Greenfield's storytelling is nothing short of remarkable. The prose is sparkling, drawing readers into the lives of two disabled teens who find solace in each other's company. Phoebe's anxiety and Jess's determination create a magnetic dynamic that resonates with authenticity. As they explore their newfound freedom within the time loop, readers are treated to moments of adventure, humour, and emotional depth.

The representation of disability in "Time and Time Again" is both comforting and eye-opening. Phoebe's irritable bowel syndrome is portrayed realistically, highlighting the challenges she faces daily. Jess, too, grapples with their own disability, adding layers of complexity to their relationship. Greenfield's sensitivity and insight into these experiences make the characters relatable and endearing.

The romance between Phoebe and Jess blossoms gradually, defying the constraints of time. Their chemistry is palpable, and as they pull each other out of their comfort zones, readers will find themselves rooting for their love to transcend the endless loop. But there's a bittersweet undercurrent—the more Phoebe falls for Jess, the more she dreams of a future that may be impossible to reach.

"Time and Time Again" is a poignant exploration of love, resilience, and the power of human connection. It reminds us that even in the most extraordinary circumstances, our hearts remain vulnerable. Greenfield's debut novel is a triumph. It’s a rollercoaster ride through time that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's soul.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*****5 stars!


First I would like to thank Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this amazing book!

I was very excited to give this book a read, the synopsis sounded so interesting and I loved that the main character had IBS and it wasn’t a topic that was shied away from. The representation in this book was absolutely amazing and the characters were so authentic and easy to relate to.

The pace of this story was very enjoyable and kept you hooked, wondering what was going to happen next. This was a book I found very hard to put down! It also had a bunch of excellent and interesting characters that were all fun and easy to relate to.

Phoebe and Jess had so much chemistry and I enjoyed seeing them get closer and closer as the story continued, both of them were so different and yet they complimented each other so perfectly. This is a book I would highly recommend! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

I loved this book! The characters were SO real, and I appreciated that our main character doesn’t shy away from the everyday pain and sometimes gross-seeming elements of IBS and chronic pain. I found their relationship to be extremely sweet, and the misunderstanding keeping them apart very believeable. Would absolutely recommend!

Actually kind of obsessed with this book. It was so creative and well written and deep! Greenfield takes the well loved time loop trope and makes it something fresh. Plus, the representation in this is incredible and so authentic! I absolutely would love to see more fat, queer, disabled characters such as in TIME AND TIME AGAIN. Love!

4.5

Setting: Florida
Rep: fat Jewish lesbian protagonist with chronic pain / IBS; Jewish nonbinary lesbian love interest with oligoarthritis

I was beginning to worry that I'd grown out of YA books, which I was sad about as there are so many that sound great, but this has proved to me that I can still love YA books! This was a great book with two loveable characters at the heart of it, and I absolutely loved all of the diverse representation here. Phoebe and Jess were really strong personalities who felt very real and I devoured this little book!

Phoebe Mendel is stuck in a time loop. In fact, she has been stuck in a time loop for thirty days with no indication on how to get out. It's only when Jess, her crush and former childhood friend, hit them with their car that things start to change: Jess is pulled into the time loop and decide to help Phoebe have some fun. Just because they are the small town only two out lesbians doesn't mean they have to fall in love right?

My last time loop book was Before I Fall back when I was a teen, and I am an enjoyer of the occasional time loop episode in supernatural shows (yes this is about Lost Girl). Time and Time Again manages to explore a shade time loop media that I haven't seen before. Phoebe isn't your typical time loop protagonist. At no point during her first thirty days does she do anything, and I mean, anything slightly unhinged. Like I don't know breaking plates just to know how it feels. It's interesting because you'd think the lack of consequences could lessen anxiety (I feel like maybe it would for me?) but it's an interesting exploration of a character who wouldn't if nobody was pushing her.

At the same time the time loop is both a punishment and a blessing for Phoebe. When the book starts enough time has passed in the loop that Phoebe would have been able to go to her doctor's appointment for her IBS. At the same time, the loop means while there is consequence that day there is no consequence the next days for eating certain foods. But it's only when Jess is drawn into the time loop that they start to push Phoebe to live dangerously. Jess is your regular time loop protagonist. They go to New York on one of their first loops. They try to live each day differently and have fun.

Of course the time loop isn't about the time loop but Phoebe coming to terms with herself, learning that she is worthy of love and can stand up for herself. All the intersections of Phoebe's identity are adressed during the loop. She's a lesbian who's isolated, in the grey area of out, who doesn't speak to the other lesbian in town. She is fat, has suffered from medical fatphobia and from her peers and this has been something weighing between her father and her. She has IBS and anxiety and doesn't know days without pain, watching herself, without social stigma and unwanted advice. In this Jess who is also disabled, offers the rare comfort and understanding of a fellow disabled lover. At last, Phoebe is Jewish like Jess and are the only Jewish families in town.

I hope this was obvious in the review but Jess, the love interest, is a nonbinary lesbian. Unlike certain other YA books with nonbinary lesbian characters, I didn't find this one too unsubtle about it? Jess is they/them-ed from their first appearance with no mention of their gender, then referred to as a lesbian and only later the character says "i am nonbinary and a lesbian" without getting into an info dumpy paragraph about it (actualyl they say it twice but time loop so it's fine). I do love being represented

I’ve said it once & I will continue to say it - you are never too old for a great YA book! Time & Time Again by Chatham Greenfield was such a fun YA romance. I’m not sure which element was more beautiful - this stunning cover or this incredible storyline. Check it out - you’ll be so glad you did!

Thank you NetGalley & Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books|Bloomsbury YA for the ARC copy of this book.

The Run-Down: Time and Time Again by Chatham Greenfield is a delightful young adult romance that combines important conversations with a fun time loop twist.

Review:
I’m typically a tough sell when it comes to romance books, but I thought that if there’s any romance I might enjoy, it would be a queer time loop romance. (Also, the cover art for this book is amazing! The artist knocked it out of the park with the detailed renditions of the characters). I’m thrilled to report that I loved Time and Time Again by Chatham Greenfield. All of the characters are likable but realistic, and the two main characters feel like genuine teenagers with their own problems, strengths, and worries. The protagonist, Phoebe Mendel, is a Jewish lesbian who spends most of her time studying and hanging out with her family. She struggles with painful IBS-D, but she’s hopeful that a new doctor might be able to shed some light on her condition. Unfortunately, she finds herself stuck in a time loop before she can reach the day of her appointment. Phoebe’s strategy to get out of the time loop is to avoid doing anything wild and research the time loop phenomenon, but that changes when her childhood friend, Jess Friedman, gets pulled into the endless day of August 6 with her.

Greenfield’s storytelling is engaging, entertaining, and relatable. The time loop premise allows for some fun moments and some fantastic moments for character growth. It’s hard not to root for Jess and Phoebe as they navigate through universal teenage concerns and their identities as queer, disabled, Jewish young people—along with the particular challenges the time loop presents. This book proves that a romance story doesn’t need to resort to pure wish fulfillment to be sweet and fun; I also appreciate that this book affirms these characters’ experiences and identities without feeling preachy. The ending is a bit weak (after all, figuring out how to break a time loop is never an easy narrative choice), but does not detract from the overall quality of the book. Time and Time Again is a stellar romance debut, one I would recommend to longtime romance fans and people like myself, who typically struggle to find entries they like in the young adult romance genre.

Quick Note: This book contains mentions of sex and some kissing, but no on-page depictions of sex.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It it cliche to call something an instant classic? Full disclosure, the author is a friend and colleague, but I swear this book was written especially for me. And I'm not usually one for a time loop! But the prose is so smooth, the characters are unique and hilarious and engaging, and this is a book that is truly FOR teens, which is the highest compliment and I can give it.

I LOVED this book. I can’t wait to recommend it to my teens! Jess and Phoebe are such unique, real characters. Phoebes IBS struggle is so relatable and Jess using a cane made me so happy for teens who struggle with mobility and chronic pain. The romance was so sweet and perfect - they way they completely accepted each other. The time loop was a great device for their relationship to grow at a fast pace that made sense. Greenfield found a satisfying way to end the time loop and maintain the characters’ evolution.

Sometimes life feels like it's in a never-ending cycle and sometimes it really is! That's what Phoebe Mendel learns after reliving the same August day dozens of times. Things get interesting when Jess, her old (and maybe still current) crush, gets trapped in the time loop along with her. Rarely do I get a chance to read a story with fat representation, queer representation, and Jewish representation and this story executes the different identities beautifully. It's a story not only of accepting yourself, but also advocating for yourself, especially when dealing with chronic illness.

I really enjoyed the authors writing style! I didn't realize until I was reading the acknowledgements and then authors bio that this was a debut novel. This is a strong debut! The story was engaging from the start, and I found that I truly cared for the characters. The story dragged a little for me in the second half, but the overall story was enough for me to still really enjoy it.