*Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for advanced copy for a review*

3.5 rounded up

So I love a good time loop story. Seeing characters evolve as everyone around them is stuck is so fascinating. There was a lot I liked about this story I just wished the narrative could have been framed from Alicia perspective as well. Seeing it through Chris's lens was okay, but having to explain racism and queer prejudices to a person with privilege can be tiring. That being said it was nice when Chris started to understand their differences.

The art style in this was really good. I loved how the different loops were colored. I would love to read something else from this author for the art alone.

I did not feel strongly about this story. Chris and Alicia were good characters, at least they felt fleshed out enough that I cared for them. The two of them are stuck together in a time loop, which happens to be on their high school graduation ceremony.

Although, sweet and moving, it wasn't anything new. It is hard to really make the 'time loop' repetitive but that's okay! I enjoyed the story for what it was, but not a graphic novel I would recommend or reread.

I will say, if you like coming of age with tragedy, I think this will be enjoyable for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great graphic novel! I’m a sucker for a good time loop, and I loved the way this one was handled. I was pleasantly surprised by how serious the book got at points. The overall mood is pretty lighthearted, but it explores themes like grief and feeling trapped in life in a way that felt really genuine.

Note: I received a DRC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
“In this swoony and hilarious debut rom-com graphic novel, two former friends are trapped in a time loop together, repeating their high school graduation day over and over and over—for fans of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Pumpkinheads, and Groundhog Day.

Chris O’Brien has a genius plan: If he can share the perfect first kiss with his crush, Andy, then of course he’ll break free from the time loop that has him repeating graduation day over and over…and over.

Alicia Ochoa thinks Chris’s plan is doomed. Valedictorian and a total nerd, she knows it’ll take more than a kiss to escape the loop they’re trapped in together. Besides, Chris may be a hopeless romantic, but Alicia doesn’t think he has a real shot with Andy.

Once close friends, Alicia and Chris have history—lots of it. As they got older, the pair fell out after Chris ditched her for the “cool kids” and left her in the dust. But when you’re looping side by side, you never know if friendship might rekindle or what new feelings could spark along the way.”

I absolutely love this book! Chris and Alicia are great characters, and I loved their relationship. I loved everything about the loop, and I really enjoyed all of the things that Chris and Alicia get into in certain parts of the loop. The twists were great, and I related to Chris a lot. The illustrations were stunning and really beautiful. I love how each loop has a different color for the illustrations. “You and Me on Repeat” is a stunning and beautifully charming book that I would recommend to rom-com enjoyers and graphic novel lovers.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You and Me on Repeat is a fantastic graphic novel about 2 kiddos who are about to graduate high school when they get stuck reliving graduation day over and over. I think this one did a great job tackling some hard issues like the different responsibilities that each kid carried and tough subjects like grief while also staying lighthearted. I loved that it pointed out some of the problematic areas of its predecessors like Groundhogs Day, and felt like I really got to know the characters. The illustrations are fantastic, and I would definitely recommend this one!

Thanks to NetGalley, Mary Shyne, and Macmillan for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

"You and Me on Repeat" by Mary Shyne is a YA graphic novel about two teens in a time loop on their graduation day. Chris initially begins his day with a goal of finally kissing his crush, but through a series of events, his day plunges into something much more poignant and bigger than himself when he finds out that his childhood friend is experiencing the same day on a loop and invites him to join her in the experience. This is a bit of a twist on the classic time loop trope, as two characters are involved in the time loop, and their actions affect one another and have staying power as the looping continues. I was so impressed with the amount of character development and depth the author managed to pack into just over 200 pages.

As someone who grew up in an Illinois suburban setting, I found Chris and Alicia to be very relatable, despite having graduated from high school over twenty years ago in a time before smartphones and social media. Many of the adolescent fears and emotions explored in the story are universal, including the excitement of leaving home and starting a big, exciting life, or the decision to stay closer to home and make responsible choices about your future, sacrificing your ambitious dreams for the sake of duty or sensibility.

The story also poses questions about the nature of love- whether it happens out of a sense of proximity, convenience, or shared circumstances, or comes from selflessly wanting to know and see another person and appreciate them for who they are as a whole person.

Of course, Chris and Alicia explore many of the classic time loop plot devices- recklessly testing the limits of the "no consequences" benefit to their shared situation, living out different choices to determine which ones yield the best outcomes, visiting people in their respective lives to see different sides of people they thought they knew, etc. And no time looping story would be complete without the characters eventually seeking a way out of their situation.

This story stayed with me long after I finished reading. It was thought-provoking and layered, exploring themes of grief, privilege, love, and leaving home. It also explores the transition from adolescence to adulthood and the discovery that the people we once placed on a pedestal are, in fact, fallible human beings, just like us. Chris discovers that parents and teachers are learning as they go in life just like he is, and he sees that some of his life has been experienced through the lenses of rose-colored glasses or privilege.

This would make a great graduation gift for a high school senior, and fans of coming-of-age graphic novels or time loop stories will really enjoy this one.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced read.

Really good! This is a teen story but I think it will resonate with anyone who’s feeling a little lost. I think my high school and college selves would’ve liked a few repeats of some key days tbh. A chance to breathe before everything got hectic.
I was pleasantly surprised by the plot and some of the character choices, I was expecting something cliche but it was wonderfully refreshing 💛

I thought it was really cute. It'd be a really good read for teens who are about to graduate high school, because it tackles a lot of the uncertain feelings associated with that. I enjoyed seeing the character growth that Chris had from the beginning to the end, and him realizing the mistakes he made in middle school, but also that those mistakes do not have to define you. Also, that as someone who is white and has more privilege, he didn't realize the struggles that Alicia was going through, or that she was getting different treatment for being Mexican. His worldview was opened up and he became a better person by truly getting to know Alicia. I found the romance cute as well. And I enjoyed the diversity in regards to race and LGBTQ. I also thought the art had a nice charm to it. I'd give it 4.5 if half stars were an option.

Chris and Alicia used to be friends, until he ditched her in middle school for more popular friends. Now, they are both stuck in a time loop where they relive their graduation day over and over again. Personally, I love a time loop story when it is done well, so I really loved this graphic novel, that explores themes of friendship, grief, and growing up. I found the monochromatic coloring for each loop very well done and a clever way to denote the different loops. The humor of Alicia's various hijinks give the book needed levity, while the tragedy of Chris's swim coaches death right before graduation also give the story added depth and emotion.
All in all, I really enjoyed everything about this book and will be happy to add it to my teen graphic novel collection.

to repeat a day that didn't work is always what teens are hoping for, and even some adults. i enjoyed reading about how the characters tried different things to see if they could return to their "regular" life. all the while learning about themselves and what they really want.

Chris and Alicia are stuck in a time loop. Between crash-outs, texting, and family, these two have a lot on their plate as they replay their graduation. The art really solidifies the sci-fi and artsy side of this graphic novel. The shifting of colors with the time loops was gorgeous and signaled seamlessly to the reader about the passage of time.

As a time loop hater, I find this one pretty good. A definite order for our library!

Graphic novels are the perfect medium for expansive stories with improbable scenarios, epic adventures, and relationship/life do-overs, This book is no exception, and the transformation of Alicia's personality as well as the main character's growth were best told through illustrations. I wish it had been longer or a two-parter, because I really wanted to follow Coach Icy's family's story and hear more from them. As it was, the story was mostly wrapped up by the end.

This would make a great movie, reminiscent of Can't Hardly Wait from the 90s. I highly recommend this for schools and libraries, and especially for graduating seniors who are feeling nostalgic about the changing of time and the wish to hold on to the way things are, or ready to embrace the next step in their lives.

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a stunning story! The tight illustrations and story really help make it shine. The characters go on emotional and long journeys that pay off in the end. Shyne did a brilliant job in capturing the feeling of hopelessness in the face of the future. It sounds depressing but it's not, it's a very bittersweet story.

This is a cute little story about missed chances (as are all groundhog day type of stories) while at college. It's a bit text heavy and the artwork at times can feel a bit unattractive. But it has its own blend of heart without being sappy. Honestly, it was a fine read at the time but I didn't even remember I had read it after a week and had to look at he story again to write this review. It didn't leave much of an impression. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

This was so great! I found myself thinking about it whenever I wasn't reading. It had lots of elements I enjoy in a story and made me think a lot, in a good way.

You and Me on Repeat was an adorable rom-com that centered around a fun time loop. This is the first graphic novel that I have seen capture a time loop so well! I loved the alternating color schemes to portray the times, and of course Chris and Alicia. I have placed an order for this title and plan to add it to my library's shelves soon. Thank you for the ARC!

Interesting time travel graphic novel about two high school seniors who have become stuck in a time loop focused on their graduation day. Part sci fi adventure, part coming of age novel, and part rom-com, this graphic novel should enjoy broad readership and popularity. I wouldn't be surprised to see it show up on some short lists for awards during the coming year.

There was so much good tea in this book which I think the teens will especially relate to and appreciate especially with the LGBTQ representation.

One of my favorite debuts ever. Shyne has such a unique voice and a gifted ear for dialogue, and the illustrations just make the whole story visually interesting and compelling. Love the story, the time travel elements are brilliantly executed, and the romance is grounded beautifully.

Summary:

Chris O’Brien had this whole grand plan for graduation day. Of course, nothing went to plan - not even the hundredth time around. That’s not an exaggeration, as Chris willingly stepped into a time loop to get that perfect day.

Now, Chris can’t get out of the loop, and Alicia is the only person who knows what is going on. She’s a nerd and better understands how to get out of the loop - and she knows this grand kiss Chris is planning on won’t cut it.

Review:

If you’re looking for a good novel with time loop shenanigans (think Groundhog Day), I have good news! You and Me on Repeat is a fantastic read that fits the bill. In addition to having all the chaos of a time loop, it has a romantic focus and a coming-of-age element.

You can tell that You and Me on Repeat was made for young adults and maybe even a touch younger. This is because it addresses many familiar coming-of-age concerns, from what to do with one’s life to how to find your person. The best part is that it’s all bundled in one nice package!

Don’t let the cute art style fool you; You and Me on Repeat has a deep center. Each character is fully fleshed out, from Chris and Alicia to the secondary characters they interact with. Some of the secondary plots get shockingly heavy and human, but that makes the story so much more powerful.

I am so happy that I took the time to read You and Me on Repeat. I hope other readers enjoyed it as much as I did!

Highlights:
Young Adult Graphic Novel
Time Loop
Coming of Age
Young Romance
Groundhog Day Vibes

Trigger Warnings:
Death of a Friend/Classmate