I really enjoyed how much LGBTQIA+ representation was in this book. I’m still trying to figure out how and why the bookstore was going between the past and present and which theory Darby and Michael had is the correct one.
Overall it was a cozy and quick read and I enjoyed it.

*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*

This is the adult debut for Edward Underhill. I have read and enjoyed his previously published YA books.

This book takes a good look at how we view our younger selves. And the main character, Darby, has a chance to talk to their younger self, before they have fully understood that they were trans.

This book is based mostly in a small town in Illinois, and I found it very relatable. I especially loved that it centers around the bookstore Darby worked at as a teenager.

I really enjoy this authors writing style, it draws me in every time.

I mostly read romance, and this book is definitely not a romance, but it does give this hope in the unknown, in the what if’s, and it may take a detour, but finding where we belong, and finding where home truly is.

Such an interesting read, wasn't really sure what to expect going in, but I ended up being absolutely captivated, The writing was beautiful, and the ending was just so bittersweet...

Darby, a young trans man in NYC isn't sure where to go next in his life - he's lost his job, his apartment rent is raising, and he really isn't sure on if he even wants to stay in NYC any longer. He has an amazing friends group there, but is that enough? So he gives away all his furniture, packs his things into his rental car and heads back to his hometown. He was so quick to get away from there, but under the pretense of returning home in order to help his mom pack - he heads back and bumps into his former best friend, Michael.

He basically enters the bookstore he worked at while in high school and is transported back to that year - he sees it all again, and sees all of the struggles he went through from a different perspective. Michael is a really compelling and enjoyable love interest. Darby is an absolutely incredible main characters, and I loved all of the other characters as well.

The writing is melancholic and wistful all at once. The struggles easily feel real and I just truly loved the prospect of finding oneself by returning to where you came from.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review..

This book just wasn't really for me. I requested the book because I have enjoyed Underhill's previous works, but I did not realize this was not a romance. That is my bad for not doing the proper research. The book was well written, but it just wasn't what I expected or wanted it to be. Again, this was more an issue of my personal preferences then the actual book itself.

The In-Between Bookstore is an intriguing book. Edward Underhill tells a poignant queer story that blends reality and magical realism. It focuses on identity, time travel, and what you would do if you could give your younger self advice.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Darby moved to New York for college and never looked back to the small Midwest town where he grew up. But when he’s laid off from his job, he impulsively decides to return to his hometown, even though as a trans man, he’s never felt comfortable there. One of his first stops is the bookstore where he worked as a teen. There he meets his unhappy teenage self…but that can’t be right. Soon he’s working in daily bookstore visits to the past, along with helping his mom move and restarting a friendship with his former bestie Michael. Can he stay? And what sage advice can he offer his younger self?

There’s a lot to like about Darby’s story. The set up is great, and the idea of being able to tell your teenage self that things get better is tough to pass up. Darby’s mom Phyllis is a treasure. No matter what happens, or how often (or not) Darby stays in touch, she always supports him unconditionally, and him being trans is a nonissue for her.

Although there are romantic elements, this story isn’t a romance. As the story goes along and characters are revealed, it becomes tougher for the reader to support Darby’s stances. Darby’s frustration with his hometown is evident, along with his frustration with Michael. Later in the story, I felt awful for Michael, who was stuck making decisions with only a fraction of the facts.

The In-Between Bookstore is an interesting LGBTQ story with some magical realism thrown in. I liked spending time with Darby, even when his actions frustrated me. If you like a small town story with great trans rep and some time travel thrown in, you’ll enjoy this story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The In-Between Bookstore begins feeling alone and needing a jolt to the system. Sometimes something happens in our life that makes us have to re-evaluate where we're going. And sometimes to do that, we have to look backwards. We have to be reminded of why we left and what we were running towards. I deeply connected to Darby at the beginning. He's feeling adrift, unsure if he wants to stay in NYC, and feeling like he doesn't belong anywhere. The In-Between Bookstore forces Darby to confront the past. The memories haunting us.

Thank you to Avon books for the free ARC and book.

I think it must be said that this is not considered a romance. I’d categorize it as a coming of age story (with a hint of a paranormal twist) despite Darby being 30 years old.

Darby has lost his job, his rent is going up, and he’s feeling misplaced in his adopted home, NYC, so he goes back to his Midwestern home town to re-evaluate life. It’s there where he discovers the bookstore he worked at as a teenager (AFAB teenager, that is) is stuck in the past, the summer before his friendship with his BFF Michael imploded. It’s like Darby has purposeful amnesia, as he cannot remember why their friendship fell apart the way it did.

And weirdly, instead of just talking to grown-up real life Michael, Darby perseverates on talking to his teenage self to attempt to figure it out. You know, they always say that some lessons have to be learned twice, and Darby is an extreme case of this.

Darby seeing his past self struggle with gender identity mimics his current struggles on where to fit in. That no matter how many people are there supporting you (shout out to his mom!) that your perception of life may be vastly different from an outsider’s looking in.

The end of this story was equally sad and sorrowful and hopeful. I wouldn’t say there is a HEA here, as Darby is just continuing on his journey to self-acceptance, but it feels like it’s a step in the right direction. And really, isn’t that all we can ask for in life? To continue to learn and grow?

So, The In-between Bookstore is an insightful and emotional story regarding the what-ifs we all have in life.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

I had to set with this book before I reviewed it. Not because it is bad, but because the themes within it hit too close to home.

I know what it is like to grow up queer in a small town, move to a larger town, and have people judge you for your background and your love for your hometown. I loved the exploration of themes of not belonging that this book explored, and how our refusal to have difficult conversations. Also appreciated the way the author made it clear that however one is Queer is okay.

I really loved the bulk of this book but the ending left me wanting but I won't spoil totally why. the overall arc of the story is Darby learning through the connection with his past self about how his life and relationships got to the point they were before his 30th birthday. I related a lot to relocating because of finances (literally doing that right now) and I also related to coming back to a hometown after being gone for years. I liked the discoveries he made but a lot of things were extended only due to one or the other just not using their words and talking about things like the adults they are. And then the ending happened and I was upset that we built up this relationship only for it to end up like it did. I'm the type of person that thinks when you find that connection you should do everything in your power to keep it, even if it means some sacrifice on your part but neither character does that and it upset me enough to take away a star.

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that blends elements of nostalgia, self-discovery, and the complexities of change. When Darby, a trans man, returns to his small hometown of Oak Falls, Illinois, after a period of self-exploration in New York, he is faced with a town that no longer feels like home. The town may have changed, but one thing remains the same: In Between Books, the bookstore where he spent his youth. But when Darby steps inside, things take a surreal turn: the store is frozen in time, with newspapers still dated from 2009 and a teen who eerily resembles Darby at age sixteen.

The concept of time and identity is at the heart of this novel. Through his conversations with his past self—through a series of poignant and emotional dialogues with the bookstore’s young clerk—Darby is forced to confront the unresolved feelings about his past, particularly his relationship with Michael, and reflect on the choices he made. This mystical encounter offers Darby a chance to understand what went wrong, what he could have done differently, and what he still needs to resolve within himself to truly move on.

The narrative is incredibly well-written, with Underhill’s skillful prose painting Oak Falls and the bookstore as almost dreamlike, enhancing the sense of déjà vu that Darby feels. The novel skillfully combines elements of magical realism with deep emotional exploration, offering a rich reading experience that resonates far beyond its supernatural elements.

While The In-Between Bookstore isn’t a romance, it does touch on themes of love—both the romantic and platonic kinds—as well as self-acceptance. Darby’s journey isn’t about finding a perfect resolution or rekindling lost relationships. Rather, it’s about letting go of the past, learning to forgive both himself and others, and accepting that some things are simply out of our control.

The beauty of the novel lies in its message: sometimes, no matter how much we long to rewrite our histories, we must face the reality that we can’t go back and change the past. Instead, we must take the lessons it offers and move forward, forging a future based on the wisdom we've gained.

Underhill does an excellent job of capturing the intricacies of the trans experience, particularly in the context of small-town life, without sensationalizing Darby’s identity. The exploration of Darby’s internal conflicts and the process of reclaiming his sense of self is poignant and relatable for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from their past or uncertain about their future.

Overall, The In-Between Bookstore is a beautifully crafted narrative about love, loss, and the importance of finding peace within oneself. It will appeal to readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery, magical realism, and the complexities of personal transformation.

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill follows Darby, a trans man living in NYC.
I really enjoyed the writing. Darby is a really likable character. One of the mail tropes here is time travel. Main character travels back in time to the bookstore where he worked as a teen, and meets his old self. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

This was a 3.5 Star rating for me.

"The In-Between Bookstore" presents an intriguing premise about a magical bookstore that allows a trans man to confront his past self, but ultimately feels more melancholic than magical. While Underhill's writing is strong and the exploration of identity thoughtful, the time-travel element serves more as metaphor than plot device. The relationship between Darby and Michael shines, though Darby's chronic communication issues can frustrate. The audiobook narrator delivers a solid performance, bringing warmth to this bittersweet tale. While it may resonate deeply with some readers, others might find the pacing too slow and the story's heavy emotional weight overwhelming. A contemplative literary novel that happens to contain magical elements, rather than the sci-fi adventure some might expect.

A lovely read! What starts out as the classic 20-something life crisis evolves into a queer coming of age (but not the age you think!) with the ultimate small town vibes. The book goes by so quickly, you could have told me it was a week or a month, everyday we follow Darby was so easy to read. Even in the low stakes scenes, there will be a random line that just hits you in the feels summarizing a queer life.

My only drawback from the story was that it was slight fantasy and slight romance and slight friendship based story, and I wish it picked a bit more of a lane. About 70% through, I felt like maybe I didn’t like the main character because we get a little bit of a mess of everything, but I did think it ended wonderfully messy (compliment).

REVIEW: The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill 3.5

Darby is an almost 30-year-old transgender male living in New York City. When he loses his job and cannot afford rent, his mom offers to return to Illinois to help her move. Coming home means seeing his former best friend and the place where Darby doesn't feel like he belongs. When visiting his high job, The In-Between Bookstore, Darby is transported to 2009 and sees his teen self. Can he change the falling out with his best friend?

The In-Between Bookstore is a magical, realistic book in which the main character, Darby, realizes he can visit his past self when entering the bookstore. The mystical elements were done well; they are still fantastical but believable. Edward Underhill describes everything throughout the book, so you feel right there with Darby. I liked the general message of your identity and discovering who you are, especially in a small-town setting. The audiobook's narrator was great, making you relate to the characters. Shaan Dasani narrates the story of a transgender award-winning actor, writer, and producer.

I didn't quite like some things. Much of the book moved very slowly, and it never felt like much happened. I also questioned some of Darby's choices when visiting his past self. Things could have been handled better, especially since he is 30. Lastly, the ending didn't do it for me. It was very bittersweet, and it felt like it could have shown more growth from the character.

Overall, I enjoyed The In-Between Bookstore, but it didn't quite hit me as I hoped.

Thank you, Netgalley, Avon & Harper Voyager, and HarperAudio Adult, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

The premise of this book drew me in and the story did not disappoint. Darby's return to the small town he left after feeling like he would never belong did not go exactly as I anticipated. His interactions with his younger self did not seem as pivotal to the plot as I thought they would. However, his journey of self-exploration and rekindled friendship with Michael kept me enagaged. While found family is an important part of the novel, Darby's relationship with his mom rang true to me and I enjoyed her character. After reading Underhill's adult debut, I am looking forward to reading his YA titles.

I'm so glad this was my first read of the year! Edward Underhill nails it again - this time with his adult debut! I was a big fan of his YA debut Always the Almost so I couldn't wait to hop into this one.

The In-Between Bookstore follows Darby on the eve of his thirtieth birthday (or his Saturn Return, as his best friend keeps calling it). Darby is feeling the pressure of living in the city and when he's laid off from his job he takes the opportunity to visit his small hometown. By a twist of time travel or birthday-induced hallucination, Darby is sent back in time to meet his teenage self.

Underhill perfectly captures what it's like to turn 30. At 30, you're almost forced to reflect on how far you have (or haven't) "made it" as an adult and how life may be different if you had taken a different path. Darby's visits both home and to the past perfectly highlight this feeling.

It reminded me a lot of one of my favorite movies of 2024, My Old Ass. Highly recommend for fellow fans of heartwarming queer stories with a speculative twist!

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Non-spoiler synopsis:
Have you ever wished you could go back in time and tell your younger self something that would make the rest of your life easier? The In-Between Bookstore is a whimsical, heartfelt queer story about self-discovery, friendship, (found) family, romance, and second chances. Darby is a trans man who grew up in rural Illinois and couldn’t wait to move away from home as a teenager, find a community who understands him and people who accept and affirm his authentic self. And so he does – he moves to NYC for college, finds a job and a solid group of friends, and plants himself there. As he nears his 30th birthday, he finds himself out of a job and unable to afford his absurd NYC rent, so he goes back home – a place he never envisioned moving back to – to figure out his next steps. While home, he discovers the Bookstore he worked at as a teenager is a portal to the past.

Review:
I really enjoyed the premise of this story, but there are a few things I found myself longing for that made this bump down from a 5- to a 4-star read. For one, I wish there was a bit more description to help visualize the setting, especially of the bookstore. There was some, but I just found myself wanting more. I felt like I really wanted to imagine myself there and be able to transport myself back in time with Darby, but it was difficult for me to do. I also felt like the ending fell a bit flat. Maybe I was just hoping for more and that clouded my judgement?
But, nevertheless, I found the story very sweet and cozy and enjoyed it the whole way through. I really enjoyed how dynamic Darby and all of his relationships were – there was a lot of growth across all of the focal characters. I loved the way younger Darby and current Darby were able to learn and grow from each other, the increasing self-awareness and the repairing of relationships throughout.

Please read The In-Between Bookstore if you like magical realism, The Butterfly Effect, and heartfelt stories that center queerness; it publishes on January 14, 2025!! I’m interested to hear what you think of it if you do!
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TW: gender dysphoria

Darcy travels back to his hometown after suddenly losing his job in NYC. In theory it is to help his mother move to a new condo but, in reality, Darcy is feeling a little lost in his life. When he visits the old bookstore where he used to work, he is transported back in time and meets his younger, pretransition, self. Is the time traveling a chance to undo the mistakes of the past or are there other lessons to learn?

With this book, Underhill masterfully displays a 'quarter-life crisis' (kind of, Darcy is turning 30) and all of the painful feelings that come with said crisis. Regardless of life experience, I believe that any reader would identify with unmoored Darcy feels in his life and the hard lessons that one learns trying to find oneself. I certainly did! Underhill's prose puts you in Darcy's head, for better or for worse, to the point where I had knots in my stomach the more anxious Darcy became. This is definitely a book that will make you feel a lot of emotions.

Without delving into spoiler territory, I appreciate that Underhill subverted several time travel and coming of age tropes. Subverting these tropes makes for a more realistic and meaningful story. Darcy cannot undo the mistakes that he made in the past, but that doesn't mean he can't go on to have a perfectly content life. Underhill also acknowledges that sometimes we do have to leave people we love behind in order to grow and yet that fact doesn't change how impactful the relationship was. There is a happy ending but not in the way you expect. In my opinion, that made the overall book much more fulfilling.

Overall, a beautiful and emotional book that hit all the right notes, especially the conclusion.

Reviews going live on Goodreads, Storygraph, Fable and Tik tok on 1/5.

** SPOILERS AHEAD **

Edward Underhill has written a powerful and evocative novel about identity and love and closure. He is a great writer and has produced a wonderful tale, based in the time travel trope, where the main character, a trans man, has the opportunity to interact with his younger self. He also makes peace with his mother and his former best friend, for whom he harbors both wistful and romantic feelings. While I tend to prefer a more typical happily-ever-after, I also appreciate a realistic and true happy ending that includes love and hope and found family. I also truly appreciate a book about a trans character written by a trans writer. The own-voice aspect of a novel like this is so very important. And it features a perfectly, aptly named bookstore, In-Between Books.

Thanks to NetGalley for access to the eARC.

It's like if The Midnight Library and The People We Meet on Vacation had a very queer child. One of those books where you playfully tear your hair out thinking, "Why can't you just talk to this guy about your feelings?" And I say that with love! I've felt this frustration while reading huge bestsellers featuring straight, cis romances, (cough cough PWMOV,) but gosh darn it, queer readers deserve these stories, too.

The In-Between Bookstore is a sweet, cozy book featuring a trans guy turning 30, coming back to his hometown, and discovering that the indie bookstore in town allows him to travel back in time. I actually had the flu while I was reading this and it was the perfect comfort read. I don't typically read YA, but I will consider reading Underhill's other books because The In-Between Bookstore was just so gosh darn sweet.