this was such a great read! i really loved the dynamic of the two main characters, their banter was one of my favorites. i cant wait to read more of this author!! thank you so much for the arc! was absolutely so fun.

In this whimsical and enchanting fantasy romance, the author masterfully ushers in the concept that time loops are more than just a fascinating twist of fate—they are an opportunity for deep self-reflection. This book beautifully explores how being caught in a cycle of repeating moments can make one rethink life choices, learn to live in the present, and let go of the paralyzing fear of what-ifs. Through the protagonist’s journey, we are reminded of the true value of time spent with loved ones and friends, the importance of stepping beyond the comfort zone, and the realization that sometimes, when we’re consumed by routine, trapped in a clockwork existence, and moving through life in a robotic way, we might miss the very person we are meant to meet.

Blending themes of love, relationships, and culture with a touch of magic, the story is both thought-provoking and utterly charming. The author’s writing is immersive, filled with warmth and a sense of wonder that makes the narrative feel both personal and universal. A truly delightful read that lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned!

this is the second time loop romance i've read this month and this one DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!!!

what is this about? oooh let me tell you;
Noelle Tom is stuck. not just in her demanding job, not just in the exhaustion of another draining workweek—but in an actual time loop. every morning, it’s Friday again. every morning, her Wordle answer is happy (which feels like a cruel joke). and every morning, all the work she did the day before is erased, like she never existed at all. at first it’s frustrating. then it’s terrifying. but she meets Cam. he's the only thing in her repetitive world that feels real, even though he doesn’t remember her from one Friday to the next, their moments together are fleeting, bittersweet, and completely one-sided—Noelle is falling, but Cam is meeting her for the first time over and over again and that’s where the heartbreak really sets in.

the whole thing is not just about breaking the loop; it’s about what we’re supposed to take from it. Noelle is forced to ask herself what she truly needs—and whether she’s willing to let go of something she wants in order to move forward. and the worst part? if does escape, Cam might not even be there waiting. it was giving the book Seven Year Slip & the movie See You Yesterday. it was THAT GOOD.

it's a cute a love story, but it’s also a punch to the gut. why??? because, what if the right person shows up at the wrong time? also what if, no matter how hard you try, some things just aren’t meant to last??? *cries on the inside*

thank you thank you Atria Books! i'm so happy you gave me this book, it was such a beautiful read ❤️😭🥟

3.75 stars!

Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau is a delightful rom-com that blends the heartwarming charm of meet-cute romance with a quirky time loop twist. In this fun and fast-paced novel, Lau combines humor, emotional depth, and a dash of sci-fi to create a truly unique love story.

The book follows two characters, both caught in a time loop, who get the chance to relive a particular moment of their lives over and over again. The time loop premise brings an element of both mystery and humor, as they navigate the strange phenomenon while forming a connection that feels both familiar and exciting.

What truly stands out in this book is Lau’s ability to develop relatable characters. The protagonists, despite being in a repetitive scenario, grow in meaningful ways. Their dialogue is sharp, witty, and full of heart, and their chemistry is undeniable. The way they interact, even through the repeated loops, shows just how deep their feelings grow with each iteration. Lau’s clever use of the time loop allows for moments of self-reflection and character growth, making the romance not only sweet but also emotionally rewarding.

The pacing of the story is excellent. The combination of time loop drama with light-hearted romance keeps the reader engaged, offering just enough tension without ever feeling overwhelming. Lau strikes the right balance between humor and emotional moments, making sure the readers are rooting for the couple all the way through. And of course, the concept of "meet-cutes" never fails to bring an extra layer of joy to the book as the characters keep meeting in charmingly unexpected ways.

Time Loops & Meet Cutes is a heartwarming, clever, and thoroughly entertaining read that will leave you with a smile on your face. Whether you're a fan of rom-coms, time-travel stories, or just looking for a quick, feel-good read, this book checks all the boxes. Jackie Lau has once again delivered a charming and fun story that is sure to make any reader believe in the magic of love, even if it takes a few loops to get there.

Thank you Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love a good time travel or time loop story and have read as many as I can get my hands on, so I was really excited to dive into Time Loops & Meet Cutes. And honestly? It was such a fresh take on the trope that it completely won me over. Jackie Lau brings her signature humor, warmth, and heart to this story, making it not just a fun romance, but something deeper and more meaningful.

The setup is classic: Noelle Tom is stuck reliving the same Friday after eating some mysterious dumplings. But what makes this book stand out is that she’s not the only one in the loop—Avery, a stranger to her before this all started, is also stuck. Their friendship quickly becomes one of the best parts of the book, adding both humor and heart. Instead of feeling trapped and isolated, Noelle has someone to navigate the chaos with, making the story feel even more dynamic and hopeful.

Of course, there’s romance—Cam, the charming brewery owner, is easy to fall for—but this book isn’t just about finding love. It’s also about finding yourself. Through Noelle’s repeated day, she gains a new perspective on her life, her family, and her friendships. It’s about the messy, imperfect relationships that actually make life feel full and happy. The story is heartfelt, funny, and uplifting in a way that sticks with you.

This was my first book by Jackie Lau, but it definitely won’t be my last. I’m so excited to go back and dig into her back catalog because if this book is any indication, I’m in for some amazing reads. And if you loved The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, I can almost guarantee you’ll love this one too. It has that same mix of magical realism, romance, and self-discovery that makes for such a compelling and emotional story.

If you love time loop stories but want one that feels fresh and full of heart, this is worth picking up. Time Loops & Meet Cutes is the book that makes you smile, think, and maybe even appreciate your perfectly imperfect life a little more.

i was lucky enough to receive a widget of this title, but after giving it a few attempts, i think i’m going to have to dnf for now! at no fault of the book itself, i simply think it is not my cup of tea at the moment and i would still send it sometimes way if they found it to sound interesting! i will keep my review strictly on netgalley as i did not complete it- thank you!!

A cute fun romance with a time travel aspect. This is a story of finding oneself, friendship, and love. It is a great read for romance readers with some spice but not overly graphic.

This was a fun and refreshing story about a woman's journey navigating personal growth, new friendships, and love in a time loop. Noelle was a relatable FMC and it was fun seeing how she learned to prioritize herself and take risks the longer she was stuck in the loop. Her lovestory with Cam was super sweet and it was fun getting his periodic perspective and his story as time left Noelle by. Even more than the lovestory though I feel like the friendship arc between Noelle and Avery was the highlight of this story. It was so nice seeing how they grew and supported each other and it was a relief as a reader rooting for Noelle that she had someone to confide in and support her. I wasn't totally sure what I was getting myself into when reading a book about time loops but I am very happily surprised. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.

This was a fun book, dual time lines and the mystery at the end that you couldn't help but be like what! I love all of her books and this one is probably a favorite.

I am a tough critic when it comes to romance (not the fault of romance, totally a me problem), but I really liked this sweet romance. I enjoy an added plot point to a contemporary romance - in this case, a time loop. Our main character Noelle, after eating some delicious dumplings, finds herself in a Groundhog Day situation where she wakes up only to repeat the same day over and over. Cam, a man she sees on this constantly re-lived day, seems to be the missing puzzle piece to get Noelle out of this time loop. Chaos and romance ensue. This was just a fun, light read - exactly what I wanted it to be. It’s not super realistic, but our character is caught in a time loop, so don’t come to this one if realism is a necessity for you. I also liked the main character and the love interest, which is not usually the case when I read romance! The romance girlies will love this one.

I can’t express how much I genuinely loved and enjoyed this book, it gave me so much life. Highly, highly recommend for a good romance read.

A romantic, poignant book in the same font as Groundhog’s Day. Lau’s writing is beautiful and lyrical.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I'm a sucker for a time loop novel and I have to say that this one was very different in its execution than ones I've read before...and I mean that in the best way possible.

I couldn't figure out where the plot was going until I got there and it was so interesting to see the ways in which the main characters navigated living the same day over and over again. I feel like I can't say too much about it without giving spoilers but just read it...it's going to make your 2025 Best Reads lists.

P.S. If Jackie Lau reads this review, PLEASE TELL ME THAT AVERY WILL GET HER OWN HAPPILY EVER AFTER, PLEASE I BEG OF YOU

I read this as a palate cleanser and my palate is cleansed 😌

This was a cute story about learning to appreciate the little things in life, your friends, and your family and a reminder there’s more to life outside of work. Thankfully I think I can learn this lesson sans being stuck in a time loop indefinitely 😂

I will admit I’m not much of a romance reader and the spice caught me completely off guard. Maybe spice is typical for this author, I don’t know since this was the first book I’ve ever read by them. I also don’t mean this in a rude way but I saw a few people say they were surprised by the twist but it felt pretty obvious to me?

Anyhoo, a fun romp overall!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

MY ONLY QUALM about this book was how quickly she realized she was stuck in a time loop lol I think she maybe should have questioned that a little more.

Wow this book was so fun and interesting and such a quick read. Noelle eats some magic dumplings at a night market and suddenly finds herself stuck in the same day in a time loop, leading her to meet a new best friend (also stuck in the loop) and Cam <3

I am an absolute sucker for time travel romance probably stemming from romanticizing the time travelers wife as a teen, but I loved this book!! Although she spent a lotttt of days in June 20th, the book wasn’t mundane or repetitive (unless done on purpose) and Noelle was such a relatable and funny character.

Time Loops & Meet Cutes is a fresh take on the classic Groundhog Day. After eating dumplings from a food cart, Noelle is stuck repeating June 20th, the summer solstice. Some notable differences to other classic repeating time loop tropes include a second character also stuck in the loop, a love interest who seems to remember her better than everyone else, and a second act filled with heart. I’m the type of reader who loves to predict what will happen next and most of the time I was either wrong or didn’t pick up on a twist until right before it happened. This book was a delightful read. The time loop starts very quickly so the reader gets to learn about Noelle as she experiences the loop, which I thought was interesting. The inclusion of Noelle’s family and job dynamics helped shape this world to feel real and large. My only criticism would be that the spicy scenes show up suddenly and get fairly explicit compared to the tone of the rest of the book. I enjoy spice but I feel like it would have benefited from less focus on what the fingers and tongues were doing and more in the feelings. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romcoms. Big thanks to Atria and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

very cute! and it did some clever things with the time loop that I hadn't seen before and enjoyed. got a little info dumpy and rushed towards the end but overall I liked this one very much

Jackie Lau absolutely nails the time loop trope in Time Loops and Meet Cutes, delivering a story that’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and brimming with romance. As someone who loves a good mix of rom com charm and deeper emotional layers, this book checked all the right boxes for me. It reminded me of Freaky Friday, but make it an adult romance!

Noelle Tom’s struggle is incredibly relatable—trapped in the cycle of work, routine, and never quite slowing down enough to figure out what truly makes her happy. The time loop forcing her to relive the same Friday over and over had me hooked, but it was her unexpected connection with Cam that stole my heart. Their meet cutes (yes, plural!) were sweet, awkward, and swoony, and I loved watching Noelle slowly lower her walls.

One of my favorite things about this book is how Lau seamlessly blends humor with introspection. It’s laugh out loud funny one moment and deeply emotional the next. Noelle’s journey is not just about breaking the loop—it’s about learning to be present, to let go of perfectionism, and to take a chance on love, even when the future is uncertain. And let’s be real, Cam? Absolute book boyfriend material. If there’s one book boyfriend I wouldn’t mind reliving a day with, it’s him.

Time Loops and Meet Cutes is the kind of book that sticks with you long after you turn the last page. It’s witty, cozy, and full of heart—a must read for anyone who loves a romance with a little magic and a lot of feels.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jackie Lau, and Atria Books for the eARC of this book.

When I first read the blurb for this book I was so beyond excited. Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies and let me tell you, this book lived up to every expectation! What a beautiful story! Noelle and Cam are so sweet together and I love how the story is this wonderful romance while still having little aspects of mystery involved since you truly don’t know what’s going on! It also gets emotional and I found myself laughing and crying right along with both of them. I read this in one sitting and couldn’t put it down! An absolutely perfect book from start to finish! An easy 5 stars!

Time loop story where she’s not the only one in a time loop and has someone to lean on while trying to figure out how to get out of it. Noelle and Avery’s friendship was one of the best parts of this book