See You Yesterday

A common writing exercise is to rewrite the same exact scene several times, each from a different viewpoint. By flipping the POV character, the writer is forced to look at the world through a different lens. To pick out the details that would otherwise go unnoticed. In Rachel Lynn Solomon’s latest YA romance, See You Yesterday, we have a variation on this theme. The viewpoint character, Barrett Bloom, does not change. Instead, she relives her first day of college over and over in a time loop, taking the reader deeper and deeper into the story.

Now, as far as first days go, Barrett’s is a total disaster. I literally sobbed in relief when I realized this quirky, sarcastic, lovable freshman was about to get a second chance. Especially when it is revealed that the only other person stuck in time is Miles – a physics student who instantly won me over with his science puns. (The same can’t be said for him and Barrett. This is definitely not a story of love at first sight).

As Miles and Barrett try to find a solution to their time loop dilemma by researching in the library (Miles’s idea) and living life to its fullest (Barrett’s idea) we learn more about Barrett’s past and why college is so crucial to her. I won’t spoil it, but if you are like me and have a difficult time processing sex being used as a weapon to shame women – there may be a few pages you want to skip. Solomon handles this plot point deftly and the story feels both real and raw.

Miles, on the other hand, turns out to be much more than just a physics nerd (although let’s face it, that is my favorite about him). He is the son of a physics professor and a Jewish studies professor and is fiercely proud of both parts of his heritage. In fact, he finds a way for Barrett to celebrate Shabbat despite the fact that they are perpetually stuck repeating a weekday. Perhaps in the most Jewish thing ever, the Shabbat scene is a pivotal moment in Miles and Barrett’s relationship.

The banter between Miles and Barrett is glorious, but my favorite part about their relationship is the fact that Solomon has allowed her characters to have realistic bodies. Barrett navigates some insecurity surrounding her weight and Miles has ears that take some time to love. But it doesn’t matter. Because time is literally unlimited for these two.

As usual, the book is a masterclass in craft. It not only shows the development of romance over time, it also spirals down into every single nook, cranny, character and plot point that occurred in this one single day and milks them for they are worth. There is no stone left un-turned, no relationship unexamined, and in a delightful moment – no puppy left un-adopted. My heart was bursting and my smile wide when I clicked through to the last page (at one am, because I couldn’t go to sleep until I finished).

Note: I received an e-arc from the author because she was kindly allowing Jewish reviewers to request them through her social media

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E Broderick is a writer and speculative fiction enthusiast. When not writing she enjoys epic games of trivial pursuit and baking. She currently lives in the U.S. but is eagerly awaiting the day a sentient spaceship offers to take her traveling around the galaxy.