Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Despite my three stars, I would still recommend it to people if they are interested in reading it! There were just some things I would have changed.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with reincarnation and I thought it was a good twist on that trope. I really enjoy the thought of being reunited with your soulmate over and over again.

It definitely reads as YA at parts, but not in a bad way where it was cringey or bad, just a little young. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was in high school. But it makes sense it is that way because the characters are in high school.

The romance got a little too sweet and romantic for me, but they were still super cute together so I wasn’t totally mad at it.

I did have some issues with the book, which is why I couldn’t give it four or five stars.

It started off very strong. It sent us right into the action and I fell in love with the two of them together very quickly. The humor started off very strong as well. It was as the book went on that I started to not enjoy it as much.

The biggest thing that bothered me was there was way too much miscommunication. I know that was part of the conflict, but if they just had ONE conversation with each other and said how they felt, they could have worked things out within the first half of the book. Instead they kept hiding how they felt and avoiding each other, and that frustrated me. I cannot stand that trope and I didn’t expect it to be that heavy in this book.

It was painful to wait for Jackson to figure out that he liked Riley more than just being friends. Especially because we saw them so in love with to start the book while they were in Italy, so it was hard to go back to reading about how Jackson thought he was straight.

Despite how long it took him to figure out his feelings, Jackson went really fast from thinking he was completely straight to accepting his feelings for Riley and being with him right away. The change was a little too fast for me. It makes sense because of the reincarnation he felt a super strong connection to Riley, but I would think it would take some more time to realize he wasn’t straight. I didn’t mind them kissing, but it went from one kiss to madly in love in two seconds flat.

I personally think this book would’ve been a little bit better if they removed the plotline that Jackson was straight and focused more on the reincarnation part of it. We could’ve spent more time in each timeline, instead of just seeing them together for a little bit and then dying shortly after. It would make more sense why they were so quickly infatuated with each other. There could have been other drama between them other than “no I can’t be with him because he is straight.”

Another issue I had with it, was it felt like two or three different stories put into one. First it was Jackson finding out he wasn’t straight, then the reincarnation, to them trying to figure out how they can stay together. It wasn’t like it didn’t fit at all, but it still felt like different stories. I wish it was a smoother transition between the plots.

There were a lot of fade to black scenes, so nothing explicit, which was good because they are teenagers.

I personally liked how it ended. I was worried it would go a different way and I’m glad it didn’t!

Out of context spoiler warning for the rest of this review:

I almost wish we had one more chapter set in the future, where we saw them meeting again. Even if it was just a page or two, I think that would’ve been a fun little way to see that the cycle was not broken. Even though I did like the last line and thought that it was a fitting end.

A Timeless, Queer Romance That Transcends Lifetimes

Kevin Christopher Snipes’ Don’t Let Me Go is a wildly creative and emotionally charged journey through time, love, and self-discovery. Blending comedy, heartbreak, and a dash of the metaphysical, this novel delivers a queer romance that transcends centuries and challenges the very idea of fate.

At its heart are Riley Iverson and Jackson Haines—two teens thrown together in the present day, each grappling with their own personal trauma. Riley, still reeling from a painful breakup with his closeted ex-boyfriend, is dealing with intense body image issues and lingering resentment over his mother’s abandonment. He finds solace in his tight-knit LGBTQIA+ friend group and a supportive dad who encourages him to live openly and authentically.

Jackson, on the other hand, is forced to relocate and live with his free-spirited aunt after a tragic incident at his previous school. Haunted by guilt and a sense of helplessness for not being able to prevent someone else’s pain, Jackson is trying to rebuild his life—only to find himself questioning his own identity when he and Riley collide in unexpected ways.

Their relationship is a slow burn—almost too slow at times. The early chapters can feel sluggish as the story carefully lays the groundwork, but once the time-bending element kicks in, the narrative truly comes alive. Through a clever, loosely historical twist, Riley and Jackson’s bond is echoed in past lifetimes, with the two boys reappearing as Lucius and Marcus, Charlie and Jack, Rorik and Ragnar, Thierry and Gaspard. These past lives add both humor and emotional depth, giving readers a glimpse into the many ways love can evolve and endure across different eras and identities.

Character development is a major strength—particularly for Jackson. His internal struggle, growth, and journey toward self-acceptance feel authentic and well-earned. His arc is full and satisfying, showing real transformation as he comes to terms with both his past and his present. Riley, however, feels somewhat unfinished. While his pain and struggles are deeply felt, his arc doesn’t fully resolve, leaving some threads—especially around his self-image and the impact of his mother’s abandonment—still hanging by the end. It’s not necessarily a flaw, but it does feel like there was more room for his growth that wasn’t fully explored.

Snipes masterfully explores themes of destiny, choice, and sacrifice, with the looming question: what would you give up for a love that’s written in the stars? The story could have gone in so many different directions—and that unpredictability kept me hooked. Without spoiling the ending, I’ll just say I really liked how it concluded. It struck the right balance between the fantastical and the deeply human, offering a resolution that felt earned and meaningful.

Don’t Let Me Go is a heartfelt, genre-bending romance that dares to ask if love can truly conquer all—even time itself. It’s an ambitious debut that stands out for its originality, emotional resonance, and a love story built to last lifetimes.

Thank you HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Kevin Christopher Snipes for this eARC!!

Truly enjoyed this story and the author's writing style. I was hooked from the very first chapter and sped through the entire book because I desperately wanted to know what happened to the MCs. Would they get their HEA? Would they figure out that they were soulmates/fated lovers? I really enjoyed the time jump from current day to past. It was fun to see how the main characters lived previously and just how they ended up finding one another time and time again. I thought the author did an incredible job of writing side characters who brought purpose and life to the story. Loved the queer rep this story entailed as well. My only complaint was how the book ended. It wasn't at all what I'd hoped for or expected. It wasn't bad and I understand why the author wrote it that way, but I felt a little let down. Will definitely read more by Snipes in the future!

Riley's a gay teenager with great friends and a supportive father. Even so he feels like something is missing from his life. Enter Jackson, who just moved to his town. Jackson is hot, funny, thoughtful and incredibly straight. Yet the two boys feel a strong pull to one another. The second they meet the dreams start, very realistic dreams about past lives where they are soul mates.

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book, a cute romance maybe? Be prepared to have your heart ripped out multiple times. As each new past life unfolds the boys notice one theme, they don't make it past their 18th birthdays.

I really enjoyed seeing the bond between Riley and Jackson grow. Both boys had been hurt in the past and it was nice to see them both realize there are people in their lives who love and trust them. There's a great group of diverse background characters.

Even though the story was a VERY slow burn it was still a fast and enjoyable read. I found myself really rooting for them to solve the mystery of their past lives and find each other.

Without giving spoilers, I will admit the ending was not my favorite, although I do think it was good and overall made sense.

This was a fun and interesting take on soul mates and past lives. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend for anyone looking for a YA romance with a little darkness to it.

Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Just finished this and I’m still all in my feels! A beautiful heartbreaking story! In Pompeii AD 79 Lucius is in love with Marcus but they have to keep that love hidden and Marcus’ father wants to marry him off. But when Vesuvius erupts they’ll stop at nothing to find each other, they spend there last few seconds holding each other. In present day Florida Riley wakes up from the strangest dream, he was so entrenched that it takes him a moment to remember who he is. His friends say he passed out. Then he’s surprised when he looks into Marcus’ face. Or at least he looks like Marcus but no he’s Jackson who just moved to town. Extremely leery of Jackson, despite his dream, he hesitates to get close. Jackson is intrigued by Riley after what happened to him before he moved he’s not really looking to connect to new people but he’s drawn to Riley. But not in that way, Jackson’s straight, isn’t he? However things become more complicated when he has a dream of the two of them himself. They’re drawn together and keep having dreams of people who look and feel like them but who have different names and are from different times. What is happening to them? One thing is for certain they always are together in the dreams and they always meet a tragic end. Can Riley and Jackson figure out what is going on before it’s too late? A nice romantic mix of two people meeting and falling for each other with cutesy couples throughout time! Plenty of swoonworthy moments with a touch of mystery as to what the dreams mean! Kevin Christopher Snipes’ Don’t Let Me Go is a fast paced read that I couldn’t put down and is full of sweet and devastating moments that will leave you with the warm and fuzzies but also tears!

Jackson and Riley are the most unlikely of friends: the popular good looking football star and the introverted out and proud gay kid, but the one thing they do have in common is: their dreams.

But Riley and Jackson’s dreams are more than what they seem; they’re memories of past lives they have shared and died in together. They are memories of the love and desperation the boys share, that may lead to something more in the future, if they can stop dying and reincarnating long enough to figure out how to break the cycle.

The flashbacks were perfect! I would have read an entire novel of just them. The love and connection the boys felt, wven in such short scenes was palpable and heartfelt. I cried every time. As for their budding relationship in the modern day, it was cute. Obviously the boys didn’t have time for the build up of the history their previous incarnations—who had years together—but their romance was cute.

The ending, while expected, was still heartbreaking in the best way, if somewhat abrupt. I was rooting for them to break the cycle and get to live together for a change. It makes me wonder if maybe the author is planning a sequel (or is that just me hoping for a happy ending for our poor boys?!). Either way, I would highly reccommend this book to anyone looking for an angsty romance that just hurts in a good way.

So here's the thing: I'm not really a big YA contemporary reader anymore. I've outgrown it and its central themes, which is fine, but nevertheless I'm always open to being surprised because there are a lot of gems in this broad genre. "Don't Let Me Go" hooked me with its premise, because I just really love the whole idea of fated lovers through the times and the tragedy that was already seeping through the lines of the description.

And I did enjoy my time with this book. Now, admittedly the characters never really managed to endear themselves completely to me, I found them rather stereotypical in many ways. But they were both very likeable and I enjoyed following them. I also, sadly, wasn't that big of a fan of their romance as I wanted and hoped to be, because it's very instalovey - and yes, clearly that's because they're soulmates and all, but even that trope could have been written with more nuance. One of the two struggles with the implications of suddenly feeling the feels for a boy, when he used to be very entirely straight all his life, for about ten minutes tops before he's fine with it (minus the typical struggle that his homophobic parents put him through). And yes, in a way it's refreshing to not dwell too much on the coming out part of the story when it's so starkly focused on in most of queer YA literature with similar characters, but it also felt like there was no real narrative weight there. So, cute romance, cute characters, the supporting cast you'd expect in a novel like this (though I really enjoyed some of the more unique ideas here) and in general very low stakes in the story - but then comes the part I actually enjoyed!
Because our protagonists, Riley and Jackson, are having these strange dreams featuring each other in different eras of world history. And be it Pompeii, WWII Blitz London or Viking Age, always they dream of the love they have for each other, which begs the question of whether they're just going crazy or might be reincarnations of all these people they see in their dreams. All these people who love each other dearly and died way too soon on the 18th birthday of Riley's ancestor. And Riley is approaching his 18th birthday now too.
I really really loved whenever we went back in time to see the past lives of Riley and Jackson, I wish we had gotten even more glimpses. I loved the way the two boys came to terms with what their dreams might mean for them, and I loved how the tragedy of all their past lives ending so soon and often abruptely seeps into their lives. Were the final chapters a bit rushed? Yes. Was the great romance between Rilkey and Jackson in the Now at all times completely believable? Not really. But did I feel all the feels when the big finale came, and did I maybe shed a tear or two along the way? Yes, yes, yes.

So there it is: A sweet story between sweet characters with a twist I really enjoyed but that could have, in my opinion, been incorporated a bit better into the contemporary romance without taking the short cuts the book took. Still, absolutely enjoyable and emotional, so a deserved 3 stars. And honestly, i do think readers in the YA age range would enjoy this even more, so take my review with a grain of salt as always.

What is life without love?

The first line of this book had me hooked, and I ended up finishing it within a day.

"From the moment I could speak, I saved all my words for him. From the moment I could walk, my legs carried me in his direction."

Every one of Riley and Jacksons previous lives and stories had me hooked and rooting for them and the pure love and adoration was palpable.

Riley (prickly hedgehog) learns to let love in and Jackson (golden retriever) is so sweet and naive but goes through so much growth.

"I love you. In this life and every life"

Their current day story had excellent side characters (Aunt Rachel and Rileys dad were so supportive) and though they get to know each other quickly, it still feel genuine with the past lives interwoven throughout.

This book was everything I wanted to get out of Song of Achilles and The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. I laughed, I was giggling and kicking my feet, and I was sobbing.

I will absolutely be picking up a physical copy when it releases on May 20, 2025.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the free eARC.

oh my goodness. a gay reincarnation doomed lovers book?!?! but how will they ever change their fates? what's love got to do with it anyways?

the way the back half of this book redeems the front half of this book from being just another average YA gay outing! Riley and Jackson are likable and annoying and funny and smart and singularly-focused on, well, each other. The book takes place over a summer, but these two act like they have known each other for forever. And frankly, it's a bit much. Calm down you two. But ultimately the book's success is in it's gay little protagonists' strive for love and righting the wrongs of the past.

Definitely recommend. So much recommending.

What an interesting read! And that ending! I wasn’t ready. I had such an enjoyable time reading this book. Admittedly, YA has become a bit stale lately but this book really flipped that around for me. Highly recommend

4.5 rounded up to 5 Stars

Wow!! The way I could not put this book down! I had to keep reading. It captured me from the first page to the last! Absolutely recommend. This was a thought-provoking read that begs the question of what would you choose?

Riley meets Jackson after he moves to town for a refresh and restart. While there is an initial clash between these characters, mostly on Riley's side the ice quickly melts away developing first into an intense friendship and then into something more. Riley and Jackson begin to have dreams of the past, in each of their dreams they are together, in the past, and at the end they both die. Soon enough they are both having the same dreams or maybe memories? Riley and Jackson have to decide what they want to do with the information and how they proceed. And let me tell you it's beautiful, devastating, and I could not look away.

This novel beautifully captured what supportive friends, and parents can look like and explored themes of love, and finding yourself. It was beautifully written and unputdownable. If you've loved anything by Eliot Schrefer or Adam Silvera I'd pick this up. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kevin definitely knows how to write magical realism books. I’m not a fantasy gal, but I might just be a sucker for romances with fantastical elements. The more I read, the more I am coming to like.

Plus, Kevin slays at writing chemistry. I mean, I somehow end up jealous of every single relationship he writes — even the side characters and platonic relationships ships!

But I will say, I liked this a lot more than Milo and Marcus. I flew threw it and had such a fun time!

Have you ever read the first line of a book and known you're going to devour it? That it's going to devour YOU?

"If there was ever a time when I didn't love Marcus, I don't remember. From the moment I could speak, I saved all my words for him. From the moment I could walk, my legs carried me in his direction."

My aching heart! Riley and Jackson have only just met in present day Orlando, but something draws them together, made even more poignant by vivid dreams they both have of the past. In these dreams, they are in love and die young and together (Pompeii, WWII London, etc).
As they figure out why their lives are fated together, they are on a deadline to break the curse so they don't suffer the same fate as their past lives.

This multi POV book absolutely ripped my heart out! Golden retriever Jackson was my favorite. His growth and dedication to Riley was unmatched. And Riley, the prickly little hedgehog, learned to let down his defenses and allow love in.

This book was everything I needed. I was sobbing. I was clinging to hope. I couldn't put it down!

I received this ARC from @netgalley and publisher @harperkids. The opinions are my own.

Don't Let Me Go will be released on May 20, 2025.

I absolutely loved this book. It had me in a chokehold from page one and I could not put it down. I loved both Riley and Jackson. Riley could be a bit much, but in a "that's how teenagers are" kind of way. Yes he was quick to lash out and tended to have a pretty black or white viewpoint on a lot of topics, but these are quite common traits of teenagers, so I didn't mind.
I loved Riley and Jackson's relationship. We actually get to see them interact and slowly develop feelings as they get to know each other. Well, I guess it "technically" wasn't that slow, as the story takes place within a pretty short timeline, but the relationship still felt well developed. The conversations felt organic and balanced deep conversations and silly banter. I would regularly find myself either smiling at a cute interaction or feeling my heart tug at a particularly emotional conversation. Riley and Jackson also make each other better. They both help each other gain confidence and learn to accept themselves (and more). Riley and Jackson are meant to be soulmates and this was clear in the present timeline and all the past ones.
I do wish there could have been more interactions with some of the side characters, but I still liked what we got. And the story likely would have been bogged down had there been more focus on other relationships.
I absolutely loved this book and have been thinking about it since I finished it. Just writing this review is making me want to cry all over again. I can't wait for it to come out in May so I can buy myself a copy and read it again.

I've have not read many reincarnation stories in novel format, and I'm beginning to think that I might love them. Don't Let Me Go was devastating and wholesome and encapsulated teenage desperation perfectly. Seriously, the dramatics from these characters were so over-the-top, granted, they were warranted considering their situation, especially towards the end of the book. The amount of angsty yearning that was fit into this relatively short book was giving me second-hand embarrassment and giggle fits. That ending too...ugh (and I mean that in a good way). I will for-sure be buying myself a copy of this upon it's release.

Thank you @epicreads for a digital copy to review!

A moving romance about two star-crossed boys trapped in a millennium-spanning cycle of reincarnation whose only hope of escape may be a price that neither is willing to pay.

^from the publisher!

This was the very definition of romance. Swooning. Yearning. Coming of age. Sex positive. Bi-awakening. Supportive parental figures (minus 2).

My god I was giggling and squealing so much during this book. Riley and Jackson are SO freaking romantic in every single timeline!!!

Also truly LOVED Aunt Rach and Riley’s dad and the entire friend group. Little meddlers. Love them all!!!! Duy was a special fave.

I refuse to give anything away but let’s just say I had tears for the last 25% of this book and I LOVED the ending. @kevinchristophersnipes took my heart and smashed it and said “here you go” with a sweet lil forehead kiss.

Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes is a heartfelt and thought-provoking story that delves into the complexities of love, friendship, and self-acceptance. The novel masterfully explores themes of identity and belonging, centering on characters whose struggles feel deeply authentic. Snipes’ compelling prose and nuanced storytelling create a narrative that is both tender and raw, making it an emotionally rich reading experience. A beautiful and moving tale that resonates long after the final page

"A story of two boys, always together, one with eyes bluer than the sea and hair like polished bronze and the other with hair like midnight and eyes as sharp and green as glass."
If you're a sucker for star-crossed lovers reincarnated over and over, this is the PERFECT book for you. This book perfectly captured teenage love, made me believe in soulmates, and gave me a history lesson in one sitting. DON'T LET ME GO was insanely good. I cried, I laughed, and I swooned over and over. Every interaction between Riley and Jackson in every life was so intensely, adorably romantic and I was rooting for them in every lifetime. The scenes between Riley and his dad had me getting up to hug my parents, and Riley has the best group of friends. Riley is actually so funny. His personality is so perfectly written. I love how Snipes incorporates little elements into each "flashback" scene so we can tell which character is Riley and which is Jackson in their other lives. I love picking out the little connections. I have so many highlights and annotations in my copy because everything Snipes writes is so iconic. This book is literally the epitome of love. Like, "At the end of the world, he chose me." Hello? Now I need someone to hold me.

*Disclaimer I have received a free copy of this book and it will not affect my thoughts or feelings towards it.*

From just reading the first chapter of this book I knew I was hooked on the concept of this book. I mean who wouldn't love a romance book about how people will always find a way to be with each other regardless of what time period it is? That said my only complaint about this book was the lack of usage of the flashbacks to the other timer periods they fell in love with each other because they were always great additions to the story in my opinion. Besides that I only have good things to say about this book. I think the dialogue that Snipes crafts is simply witty and fun to read and feels like authentic conversations being discussed today. On top of that the character dynamics between Riley and Jackson with Riley's friend were always delightful scenes to read. Most importantly if you are looking for a comfy, good vibes romance this book is perfect for you! Riley and Jackson were really one of the cutest couples and you will never stop rooting for them!

Overall I would rate this 4.5/5 stars rounded up.

This poetically beautiful executed arrangement is the embodiment of the quote "Why think separately of this life than the next, when one is born from the last? Time is always too short for those who need it, but for those who love, it lasts forever" - Dracula Untold. The usage of inclusive characters and their cultures/backgrounds are well thought-out making the reader understand them even if the reader, themselves, may or may not have had prior knowledge of.