Darby, a trans man living in NYC on the cusp of his 30th birthday loses his job and his rent goes up, so he packs up and heads back to his mom's house in the midwest to help her move. He stops in the old book store he worked in as a teen, and when he enters, he finds he has stepped back in time to the summer before his senior year of high school, when he hasn't yet figured out he's trans and right before he ruins the relationship with his best friend Michael. Able to go between the present where he and Michael, who turns out is gay, reconnect but still have unresolved issues from high school, and the book store, Darby tries to guide he younger self to not mess up the friendship with Michael and to be more self assured and that there is a place for him in the world. The novel spends more time on the budding relationship than the time travel aspect. Overall, a positive message about belonging and the sometimes confusing path to figuring out who you are and where you fit in the world.

The InBetween Bookstore by Edward Underhill, when we meet Darby, he is at a crossroads in his life. his weeks away from turning 30 living in New York City in the same tiny apartment he moved into right after college and just got fired from a startup. So when he calls his mom who he’s never visited since graduating, but who visited him in New York, but he was so embarrassed to do the touristy things. His mom a Tourist, wanted to do. So essentially she stopped visiting,. When he calls to tell her his problems, he learned she is downsizing and selling his childhood home and moving to a condominium. Helping her move is the excuse he uses to retreat back home and try and get some space to figure out what he wants to do. When he tells his closest New York friends he’s going home. They don’t take it well but throw him a goodbye party anyway. So OK he arrives in Oak Falls, Illinois and before going to his mom’s he stops to see if The In-Between Bookstore is still there and not only is it still there he sees someone at the checkout who is dressed and looks strikingly like Darby himself. when he goes to get back in his car, he runs in to his childhood friend Michael Weaver, who abruptly stop being his friend on the 17th birthday. There were many things I liked and didn’t like about the book 1st of all, when it begins Darby just made me depressed. It seems there was nothing about his life. He liked not that he had three great friends who wanted to help him not that he had a loving mother. He really started grading on my nerves when he realize that, yes, gay and transgender? people do live in small towns,he acted almost as if he was left out of the no on purpose. I was looking so forward to this book because who wouldn’t like to speak to their younger self, but sadly the ending ruined it for me they had many likable and even lovable characters, but the ending was a little bit like a pointless exercise, because I didn’t get the point. It was a little bit like you get to the last page. In the last sentence it says don’t read this book. I can’t say anything because I don’t want to give anything away. People are going to love this book. I just did not.#NetGalley, #EdwardUnderhill, #TheInBetweenBookstore,

The In-Between Bookstore is about Darby, a trans man, who discovers that his hometown bookstore is sending him back in time to meet his closeted self.
The story is very slow and low-stakes, and I loved the concept of “what would you say to your former trans self?” However, it was a little too slow, and I ended up losing interest in the story.
I wished there had been more time travel in the story, and I wish there had been more interaction with young Darby. It would’ve made the messaging stronger. I felt like the messaging was trying too hard, and it came off as cheesy and predictable more than anything.
The ending was good, but the rest of the book didn’t match up with it, so it came off as weak. It ended up being a giant miscommunication that I wish had been solved earlier.

CW: transphobia; panic attacks; bullying; dysphoria; sexual content

This was such an interesting read. I truly had no idea what was going to happen, I was just rooting for Darby to live his best life. What would you say to yourself if you were face-to-face? This is the dilemma that Darby faces when he returns to his hometown and somehow ends up looking at himself as a teen, working in the bookstore. Do you impart great wisdom? Do you try and right a wrong? Or do you let fate get the last say? I was so in love with this story until the very end, which threw me for a loop. It was still a wonderful story and I loved it. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Harper Collins for the free advance copy. This review is my honest opinion.

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill is my newest early book read from Net Galley. In this book, Darby is a trans-man who isn’t sure he fits into his life in New York anymore. So he decides to go back to his old hometown in Illinois. His mother is moving, his former best friend is gay, almost everything he knew back home is changing. One thing that hasn’t changed: the old bookstore that he worked at as a kid. It even has a younger version of himself behind the counter selling books! What would you do with a chance to talk to your younger self?

I have to admit the concept of “talking to your younger self” intrigued me as soon as I saw it. I’ve always wondered what I’d say if I could do that. I have a ton of regrets. I guess a lot of people do. Darby isn’t sure how to deal with his regrets.

So for most of the novel he’s very confused and unsure of himself which makes him feel very relatable. I’m not trans nor do I know much about being trans (though I’m slowly learning more thanks to some of the books I’ve read), but regretting my past, feeling confused and unsure of myself are the order of the day. I did like finding out about his experience as a trans-man too. I like reading about someone who is not me and being able to visit their world for a while.

The In-Between Bookstore has a bit of fantasy but overall, its more focused on Darby. Its a much cozier book compared to what I read last time. I needed this palate cleanser before going back to horror with The Night Birds. The In-Between Bookstore is a really good book, with wonderful characters and a familiar small town world. I really liked this book. I felt myself speeding through it; I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Darby. The resolution to the story is pretty satisfying while also leaving a bit of magic on the table.

If you want a story about someone who is lost and confused and trying to find their way in life with a bit of magic, then The In-Between Bookstore is the story you should read. I know I don’t regret reading this one.

The In Between Bookstore is coming out on January 14th, 2025. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an early digital review copy of this book.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for approving me for this arc!! I was ecstatic to find this book and had high hopes I’d get approved for it!! As a transgender person myself, i was intrigued by the storyline, and I honestly haven’t read many books about perspectives such as mine. So thank you for allowing me this read, it has been amazing and I cant wait to buy the book when it releases in stores!!

THIS BOOK RELEASES JANUARY 14TH!!!

The In-Between Bookstore is about Darby and his journey through life and honestly, his quarter life crisis. Darby is a transgender man living in New York from a small town in Illinois. His job doesn’t work out and he finds himself moving back to his hometown to help his mother move and figure out what he wants to do in life.

Darby transitioned after moving to New York, so he is confronted with past friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. this story is heart wrenching that I have a hard time putting it all into words for you. Darby keeps going back to the In-Between Bookstore where he worked when he was in high school, but whenever he visits this store travels back in time and is able to see his past high school self, and all the struggles he went through during that time.

Again, as a transgender person this book hit HARD. I have to thank the author for putting these struggles into words, and for writing something so relatable it hurt to read at times. I literally cannot wait to buy this book (yes I have an arc ebook copy, but I need the real thing on my shelf) when it releases!!

Author Edward Underhill has written a sweet book, THE IN-BETWEEN BOOKSTORE, about finding one’s true self, whether one is a teen on the brink of adulthood or a newly thirty-something struggling with adult demands. In this tale, both time frames are represented by Darby, a trans man in adulthood. Unlike many time travel books, this one is more about self exploration than time travel. How is Darby to fully understand herself today if she still carries the slings and arrows of adolescence? He travels home to Illinois on the eve of his 30th birthday and comes face to face with her past, while still struggling in his present. The book raises interesting issues about how well we ever really see ourselves while grappling with internal confusion. Suitable for YA; there is a modest sex scene. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thank you for the ARC of this beautiful novel. I loved getting to know Darby and Michael.

The In Between Bookstore is a heartwarming novel about a magical bookstore that offers a trans man a unique opportunity to travel through time & reconnect with his teenage self.

Darby returns to his hometown of Oak Falls, Illinois, after losing his job and finds comfort in the familiarity of In Between Books, the bookstore where he spent much of his youth and worked during high school. The bookstore sends to be stuck in time and remains unchanged despite the town's significant changes, offering him a chance to alter his present day life.

What would you tell your teenage self of you could go back in time?

4.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

Underhill, you got some explaining to do.

Darby comes back to his hometown after being away for more than a decade, no longer the person he was before leaving, and has to contend with some bad memories and miscommunication to reconnect with old friends. He finds out his old bookstore is still there, almost eerily the same.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this, knowing my thoughts on Underhill's other books (we're not going to talk about Always the Almost...). He can write an adult novel full of nostalgia for your hometown mixed with trepidation that you won't be welcomed back anymore. Darby was such an interesting character and I loved being in his mind while he navigated all this.

With all that being said, what the fuck was that ending. I wasn't expecting Darby to suddenly want to live in his hometown, this isn't a Hallmark Christmas Movie, but ughghghghgh. Michael, you deserve the world, sweetie.

DNF at 44%. I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care. On the surface, I relate to Darby’s social anxiety, but I just didn’t feel like he was all that well-drawn to make me resonate with him. No one else in the story was all that interesting either. And the time travel element was super weird and underwhelming.

A moving coming of age story with a magical time travel twist that has a young trans man getting a chance to help his younger self when he mysteriously goes back in time for a chance to prevent a years long fall out with his former best friend and crush. Great on audio narrated by Shaan Dasani and perfect for fans of authors like Timothy Janovsky and Laura Kay. I really liked the found family and unique premise of this book. This is definitely a new favorite for me by Edward Underhill. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.5/5

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill is a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery, love, and the choices that shape our lives. This stunning novel follows Darby, a 29-year-old trans man who, after losing his job in New York City, returns to his small hometown of Oak Falls, Illinois, to help his mother move out of his childhood home. But what begins as a reluctant homecoming turns into a journey through time and memory, anchored by the magical and mysterious In-Between Bookstore.

Darby hasn’t been home since high school and carries a lot of unresolved emotions about his past, from his teenage crush on Michael to the identity struggles of his younger self. When he steps into the bookstore where he worked as a teen, Darby is inexplicably transported back to 2009, coming face-to-face with his 16-year-old self. What follows is a beautiful and poignant journey as Darby grapples with the person he was, the life he has now, and the future he wants to create.

Underhill’s writing shines in capturing Darby’s emotional growth and his attempts to reconcile with the “what-ifs” of life. The story blends past and present seamlessly, offering a unique lens through which to reflect on identity, belonging, and personal growth. The Midwest setting adds a special charm, and as someone from Illinois, I loved the subtle quirks that made Oak Falls feel so relatable and real.

Overall, The In-Between Bookstore is a touching and memorable read. It’s perfect for anyone who has ever felt caught between their past and their future, and it will resonate deeply with queer millennials who understand the struggles of self-acceptance and finding where you belong. With its heartfelt writing and vivid characters, this book lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.

✨ Highlights:

A poignant journey of self-discovery and growth.
Midwest charm and relatable small-town quirks.
A perfect blend of magical realism and contemporary fiction.
A must-read for fans of queer stories and introspective narratives.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books, Harper Voyager US, and BookClubGirl for this copy of "The In-Between Bookstore."

If a book even mentions time travel, I want to read it. What would you tell your younger self if you were able to meet them?

This story is so touching and reflective. Teenage years are tough enough but what if you're questioning your gender and feeling like no one understands or cares. Author Underhill makes us feel all the doubt, uncertainty, fear, and searching that some queer teens and adults feel.

Darby is struggling with figuring out his life, feeling like something's missing, and feeling untethered. Recently fired from his job in NY, he decides to head home to IL to stay with his mother for awhile.

He enters the bookstore where he worked as a teen and sees his teenage self? But how can that be?

And then he runs into his former best friend Michael. What happened to their friendship all those years ago? And all the teenage insecurities bubble to the surface. But maybe this time he can get answers.

The In-Between Bookstore follows Darby, a trans man, after he loses his job in New York and decides to move back home to Oak Falls, IL, for an indefinite amount of time to help his mother move out of his childhood home. Darby has not been home for a very long time (high school, he is now 29) and has some unprocessed feelings about his teenage job site (the bookstore) and his teenage crush (Michael). When he stops by his teenage bookstore, where he used to work, he is suddenly transported back 13 years to 2009 and comes face to face with his teenage self.
This book is for the queer millennials. In 2009, it was difficult to know where you fit in, especially if you’re grappling with your sexuality and gender identity. It’s easy to feel stuck in high school, and I think this book hits on that and does a pretty good job of doing so. Your childhood crushes are still real, but you have grown up, and so have they.
The In-Between Bookstore is Edward Underhill’s first foray into adult fiction, previously having stuck with YA, and it does read that way. Some of the writing is stilted, and some plot points are too easy. Basing the book around an adult reconciling his childhood can lend itself to feeling quite high school in nature. There was a lot of “what could have been” mixed in with longing for acceptance that Darby grapples with throughout the story.
Thank you to Edward Underhill, Avon, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The In-between Bookstore is a book that is about having to completely loose yourself in order to truly find yourself and who you are. The story centers on an almost 30 year old Darby, a trans man, who is happily proud and openly out. The story begins in media res where Darby has been let go from his job because it is shutting down. This is coupled with his rent being increased and his mom has decided to sell the family house. This sets Darby onto a journey of returning home and has him facing and coming to terms with his past, present, and future. The novel is a quick read that has dialogue that cuts right to the heart while also making laugh out loud moments. The time travel is the marketing point and what brought my interest to this novel but sadly it was not the strongest point of the story and eventually became background noise for me in the end.

Edward Underhill wrote a touching debut for Adult Fiction that will stick with me for a little while. The novel thrived in its characters and the almost slice of life vibe that it gave off. It was a great first attempt to cater to the mature audience that any queer person will be able to connect to. And for that I am thankful.

*Warning: Spoilers Below: Nothing intense just subplot points*
The Good
As I mentioned the conversations and the dialogue in this novel is superb. It truly felt grounded and real and there were moments where I felt I was reading Darby’s diary. This was done with the parenthetical commentary and it brought a tenderness and authenticity you do not always get in fiction. The writing style provided an a almost chaotic voice and that brought the story to life and made the experience very sweet and causal.

If you know my then you know on test that I give any books is to see if it will make me cry. It is not difficult to do so but I use it as a litmus test for the heart of the novel. Happily this novel/story got me to cry a few times. It was moments where Darby speaks up for himself or when he connects with his friends and they just went straight to my heart and got me to cry. In addition my gay feet were kicking with joy as I read the short but intense romance that occurred within the pages. I mean that football scene and the kiss had me screaming!

The novel has a lot of heart and it is made for the queer community. It gave a place for those that may have felt misunderstood in their youth to exist and show that they are never alone.

The last comment that I have on what was really good in this novel was Darby. I am not going to lie but Darby made me mad at certain points in the story and it was not due to horrible writing but in fact the opposite. Darby had is head stuck in his ass for a while and could not see what was happening around him and for my reactions was visceral which made me happy because it felt real the actions Darby was making. I mean Michael was being cute and Olivia was trying to reach out and Darby was just so not aware. Darby is flawed and had to grow in the story and he was trying to avoid what was going on and if that is not real life than I have no idea what is.

The Bad
Let it be known that I really liked this book and “The Bad” is not meant to detract from the achievement the book is but it is to be honest and let readers share thoughts.

Okay so my first things is there was a weird attention to details. Not always is it the details because of a over explanation but but it was odd inclusions or decisions. An example is

“Behind my Solar Plexus”

Like I know where that is, and I and I know what is being said about that but does everyone know it? Or was that just used as something so adults feel more adulty? I have no clue and I found it distracting.

Chapter and chapter breaks are a decision made by the author. A shorter chapter and make the pace quicker while longer chapters can slow things down. For this novel the chapters are rather slow, and at the beginning the chapters were abrupt and had breaks that split a scene in half, which I found odd. Towards the middle the chapters did even out and they were used to change scenes, locations, or days.

Another issue that I has was the switch in Darby and the related sex scene that for me came out of nowhere. Darby doubled down on his stubbornness and unwillingness to see around himself and it was quite shocking because at the time Darby was paying too much attention to others and what is going on. Darby had some growth but then the sex scene threw it all away. The morning after Darby was not giving Michael attention or seeing that he was vulnerable and only worried about getting back to the bookstore. I am not the hugest of romance and so I do not need a sex scene to feel happy, so when the out of nowhere quick escalation to that fade to black scene took me out of the moment. Part of me feels that was thrown in there for the adult audience and the for the genre rather than being a naturally occurring thing.

Now I know there may be an argument that the two needed to get it out of their systems so they could progress in being friends but they had not talked in 12.5 years! So to have that sudden kiss to sex transition was a lot for me. (I am not the target audience for things like this so if you like that type of thing it may be for you).

The last “bad” thing that I have to talk about is the time travel that almost felt like a hallucinations rather than actually traveling through time. I am thankful that the logistics of time travel was briefly discussed but I am not even upset with the how but more of the why time travel happened. Darby is a proud person and has a sense of who he is so going back in time did not provide that clarity since he already had it. Darby was also retrospective before getting home and was thinking about his past and life at Oak Falls so the time traveling did not help there either. Also Darby did not even learn why Michael was made at time from the traveling but because of a fight they had together. I think it was all to discuss the theory that each choice splits into multiple universes? But Darby did get something out of the traveling and I am glad for that and it did push him to truly understand where he belongs but that could have been done without seeing the younger version of himself. (Also what was going on with the phone thing, just leave it in the car)

Rating
⭐⭐⭐.5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I think book was a strong 3.5 star book. It had good laughs and touching moments. It was a rather easy read that had a decent flow to it. For me the time travel and the odd romance is what knocked it down the 1.5 stars.

Target Audience
Queer people of any identity and specifically that that have had to go home to their trauma and face their demons. It is a story for those that have lost themselves and have had to find their way back to themselves

Overall
The book has a lot of heart and it was a pleasure getting to read it. I will be keeping an eye out for Edward Underhill and see if he publishes any more adult fiction because he has the ability to write characters in ways that I do not see frequently.

After reading Underhill's previous 2 YA books, I was super excited to dive into his debut adult book. I will read anything he will write and was excited at the prospect of reading a "time travel/what could've been" type of story. But unfortunately, something fell flat for me. The writing was good, but I just didn't feel this was whole heartedly an adult book since we were so focused on the MC going back in time and talking to his teen self. Therefore it still felt like a YA story with not as much hearts his previous two books gave me.

Darby is a trans man that moved to NYC shortly after high school, never looking back. He found his people. But after getting laid off from work and not having a way to pay the exorbitant rent of the city, he decides to return home and help his mother move, or that is what he tells himself why he is returning back to his small town where he grew up. While there, he reconnects with a former BFF as well as with his teen self that works at the bookstore he worked at.

The In-Between Bookstore was a good story and easy to follow along with Darby and him connecting with his past in his small town he grew up in. I liked the concept of being able to go back in time to talk to your teen self and what they should be doing differently. Don't we all wish we could go back and tell our teen self some things that may change their outlook on the future or the future itself? What didn't work for me is I wasn't quite sure what the whole point was of visiting young Darby was doing for his present self. I did appreciate him connecting with his old BFF Michael and wish they had more resolution on their past and were able to push their present situation into something a little MORE. I also liked that he did get a little time with his mother, but there still seemed to be something that wasn't touched on in their relationship that was never brought to resolution. I wanted some closure or at least more discussions between them since there seemed to be parts of their pasts that they just let go. I felt it in the two tire swing scenes.

Overall, I liked the book, but wished I liked it more. This may be because I came in with high expectations. Probably more of a me thing than the actual book, but I would still recommend it to perhaps someone in their mid 20's and younger. It is well written, but just didn't come full circle in a few aspects that I thought it would.

The In-Between Bookstore is a heartfelt adult debut from Edward Underhill. Darby just got laid off and is struggling with the rent in NYC. On a whim, he decides to return home to IL. As a trans man returning to a small town, he wonders what he will find. Once there, he reconnects with his mom and is shocked to run into his old best friend, Michael. As Darby retraces his steps, he encounters a mysterious bookstore that invites self-reflection and perhaps a second chance.

The In-Between Bookstore is such a thoughtful story. Edward Underhill writes about the melancholy allure of wondering what could have been. This is such a relatable experience in the queer community and it is beautifully portrayed. While most people don’t have access to a time-traveling bookstore, I think anyone can relate to thinking about “what if” only one thing had been different in their past. The ending was a little bittersweet, but also felt honest and realistic. Darby has an amazing group of found family and I was also glad to see him rekindle his connection with his supportive mom.

Readers who seek found family, self-reflection, and magical bookstores will enjoy The In-Between Bookstore.

Thank you to Edward Underhill, Avon, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

This was a very interesting read. As others have said, the premise of the novel is really cool, but I was kind of expecting things to take a different turn, and I think that stepping away from my expectations and just accepting the book for what it was helped me out a bit. It's a lovely little book, and I think a lot of queer adults are gonna resonate with a lot of it.

I haven't read any of Edward Underhill's YA books, but I can say that the writing here is really compelling and relatable. I think it's gonna make a little bit of a splash next month!

A thoroughly enjoyable story surrounding Darby, a transgender male, as he reassesses his life just prior to his 30th birthday. When his New York City life takes a downturn, he reaches out to his mother in Oak Falls, Illinois, where Darby grew up and couldn't wait to escape from as a high schooler., only to discover his mother is planning to sell the family home to move into a condominium elsewhere in town. To buy some time for himself, Darby agrees to go back to Oak Falls, ostensibly to help his mother pack up and move. In a clever twist on not being able to go home again, Darby discovers that the weird doubling of things that stay the same and those that have changed in small towns over the course of more than a decade jumbles together in In Between Books, the same bookstore a young female Darby worked at during high school, in her last year before leaving Oak Falls. For some reason, when Darby enters In Between Books, he is returned to the exact same day and the exact same time thirteen years earlier, but only while he remains inside In Between Books. Faced with his younger self, Darby explores his life at this pivotal moment, hoping that understanding his past, will help him understand his place in the present as he comes to realize thigs were not always what they seemed even then.

A quick and thoughtful read, I'm not sure if Underhill has truly shed his YA leanings. The book definitely leans heavily on the YA character of young Darby and feels a little weak on the "adult" nature of present Darby. Still, it was an enjoyable look at the what-ifs that tend to plague us all at each of those milestone birthdays, be it 30, 40, or 50.

A second chance romance with time travel and a bookstore lured me right in, and I'm so glad. I really enjoyed this book, especially the ending. Id absolutely recommend this book, I think many people can connect with this story in different ways.