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The Space Between Here & Now
Perfect for fans of They Both Die at the End and You've Reached Sam, this gripping, atmospheric YA novel follows a teen with a mysterious condition that transports her to the past when she smells certain scents linked to specific memories.
Seventeen-year-old Aimee Roh has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, a rare condition that causes her to time travel to a moment in her life when she smells something linked to that memory. Her dad is convinced she'll simply grow out of it if she tries hard enough, but Aimee's fear of vanishing at random has kept her from living a normal life.
When Aimee disappears for nine hours into a memory of her estranged mom--a moment Aimee has never remembered before--she becomes distraught. Not only was this her longest disappearance yet, but the memory doesn't match up with the story of how her mom left--at least, not the version she's always heard from her dad.
Desperate for answers, Aimee travels to Korea, where she unravels the mystery of her memories, the truth about her mother, and the reason she keeps returning to certain moments in her life. Along the way, she realizes she'll need to reconcile her past in order to save her present.
From acclaimed author Sarah Suk comes an aching, powerful exploration of memory, grief, and the painful silences we must overcome to discover our truest selves.
Seventeen-year-old Aimee Roh has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, a rare condition that causes her to time travel to a moment in her life when she smells something linked to that memory. Her dad is convinced she'll simply grow out of it if she tries hard enough, but Aimee's fear of vanishing at random has kept her from living a normal life.
When Aimee disappears for nine hours into a memory of her estranged mom--a moment Aimee has never remembered before--she becomes distraught. Not only was this her longest disappearance yet, but the memory doesn't match up with the story of how her mom left--at least, not the version she's always heard from her dad.
Desperate for answers, Aimee travels to Korea, where she unravels the mystery of her memories, the truth about her mother, and the reason she keeps returning to certain moments in her life. Along the way, she realizes she'll need to reconcile her past in order to save her present.
From acclaimed author Sarah Suk comes an aching, powerful exploration of memory, grief, and the painful silences we must overcome to discover our truest selves.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2023
41 people are currently reading
7027 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Suk
4 books293 followersSarah Suk (pronounced like soup with a K) lives in Vancouver, Canada, where she writes stories and admires mountains. She is the author of young adult novels Meet Me at Blue Hour, The Space between Here & Now, and Made in Korea, as well as the co-writer of John Cho’s middle grade novel Troublemaker. When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the water, taking film photos, or eating a bowl of bingsu. You can visit Sarah online at sarahsuk.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 355 reviews
December 22, 2023
book about time travel done RIGHT. thank you sarah suk we're besties now.
September 25, 2023
The Space Between Here and Now was a delight. I’m a sucker for books that play with time, and this does exactly that - Aimee Roh is a Korean-Canadian 17 year old who has a condition that physically shoots her back into her past when she’s triggered by certain nostalgic smells. Her father is very traditionally Korean and doesn’t talk about Aimee’s mom much, who left them when she was younger. She’s grappling with her identity, unsure of what her future holds for her while Aimee’s past has such a strong grip on her present. I’m so happy that I read this - there was so much heart in it, especially dedicated to Aimee and her dad’s relationship.
I also adored all the side characters - I really appreciated that Aimee’s best friend Nikita wasn’t swept to the wayside while Aimee is battling her own identity, family, and self understanding! So many YA books fall into the “forgotten best friend” pit, it’s so old so I loved that The Space Between Here and Now avoided that. Junho was also a very sweet, easy-to-love love interest for Aimee! Their budding romance was a side plot, which I’m more than fine with, but I feel like he was his own person with his own ambitions who really had the spirit to support Aimee. Aimee’s father was a pivotal character, and I loved how their resolution was handled - it actually made me cry (LOL I am a sucker for parental/daughter relationships) - and what the author was trying to say about immigrant parents and their heart but sometimes lack of communication.
Overall, this book had a lot of hearty sentiments about self identity/acceptance and familial bonds. I’ll be looking forward to reading more of Sarah Suk. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I also adored all the side characters - I really appreciated that Aimee’s best friend Nikita wasn’t swept to the wayside while Aimee is battling her own identity, family, and self understanding! So many YA books fall into the “forgotten best friend” pit, it’s so old so I loved that The Space Between Here and Now avoided that. Junho was also a very sweet, easy-to-love love interest for Aimee! Their budding romance was a side plot, which I’m more than fine with, but I feel like he was his own person with his own ambitions who really had the spirit to support Aimee. Aimee’s father was a pivotal character, and I loved how their resolution was handled - it actually made me cry (LOL I am a sucker for parental/daughter relationships) - and what the author was trying to say about immigrant parents and their heart but sometimes lack of communication.
Overall, this book had a lot of hearty sentiments about self identity/acceptance and familial bonds. I’ll be looking forward to reading more of Sarah Suk. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2024
This was a powerful book with many themes intertwined, and done beautifully.
This one sneaks up on you slowly, investing you bit by bit.
The journey Aimee went on, the twist and turns and things she didn't expect.. understanding herself more, seeing things from different angles than coming to terms with it all... just wow.
The part with time loops was scary and sad.. I felt claustrophobic when Aimee was in hers... I hope the one stuck in his on the train platform made it out.
The narrator did an excellent job also 👏 👌
This one sneaks up on you slowly, investing you bit by bit.
The journey Aimee went on, the twist and turns and things she didn't expect.. understanding herself more, seeing things from different angles than coming to terms with it all... just wow.
The part with time loops was scary and sad.. I felt claustrophobic when Aimee was in hers... I hope the one stuck in his on the train platform made it out.
The narrator did an excellent job also 👏 👌
April 24, 2024
THIS BOOK IS AN UTTERLY PERFECT MASTERPIECE
November 7, 2025
At first, I didn't think I'd enjoy this book. It felt like it was dragging, and I just wasn't connecting to it. However, about halfway through, I started getting hooked. I loved seeing the world through Aimee's eyes and experiencing her STWS with her. The last quarter of the book truly made me tear up. I am honestly SO glad I kept pushing through. This was such a beautiful story, and I loved the character development between Aimee and her Appa.
Want to read
February 8, 202207.02.2022 a coming-of-age with a speculative twist set in korea already sounds good but the theme of family dynamics with a little bit of time travel; wow.
October 7, 2023
I am once again reminded and validated in my opinion that young adult sci fi books are superior to every other genre. This book was not only intriguing in its premise (time travel - I am always a sucker for any spin on this trope) but also delivered such an emotional, thought-provoking, satisfying story about a Korean-Canadian teen who wants to learn more about her absent mother and also has to deal with the annoying yet fascinating (fictional) Sensory Time Warp Syndrome. I flew through this book and could have read 300 more pages. This reminded me in many ways of The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan, one of my all-time favorites and I’d highly recommend this book to fans of that one! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eBook in exchange for an honest review! I hope everyone picks it up on its publication date of Oct 31, 2023 🙌🏼
Video review here: https://youtu.be/nC7_40no2ns
Video review here: https://youtu.be/nC7_40no2ns
November 27, 2023
امروز یکی از سختترین روزای زندگیم بود...و این کتاب به طرز عجیبی یکم بهترش کرد:)
در حالت عادی شاید اصلا این کتاب توی رادارم قرار نمیگرفت اما یکی دو هفته پیش Cari (چنل یوتیوب cari can read) معرفیش کرد و من اینقدر سلیقهی کری و مدل حرف زدنش از کتابا رو دوست دارم که دلم خواست بخونمش.
خیلی کتاب دوست داشتنیای بود. نحوهای که عنصر سایفایش با زندگی یه دختر نوجوون گره خورده بود خیلی خلاقانه و جالب بود.
قلم نویسنده قشنگ بود و داستان در کل سوییت و دلنشین و آروم بود. نیازی به تمرکز نداشت و برای یه روز سخت و غمگین، خیلی خوب بود.
شخصیت اصلی به عنوان یه دختر نوجوون دوست داشتنی بود و پسری که دوست داشت واقعا کیوت بود.
یه ذره هم رمنس بینشون بود که ساده، قشنگ، کیوت و معصومانه بود:)
در حالت عادی شاید اصلا این کتاب توی رادارم قرار نمیگرفت اما یکی دو هفته پیش Cari (چنل یوتیوب cari can read) معرفیش کرد و من اینقدر سلیقهی کری و مدل حرف زدنش از کتابا رو دوست دارم که دلم خواست بخونمش.
خیلی کتاب دوست داشتنیای بود. نحوهای که عنصر سایفایش با زندگی یه دختر نوجوون گره خورده بود خیلی خلاقانه و جالب بود.
قلم نویسنده قشنگ بود و داستان در کل سوییت و دلنشین و آروم بود. نیازی به تمرکز نداشت و برای یه روز سخت و غمگین، خیلی خوب بود.
شخصیت اصلی به عنوان یه دختر نوجوون دوست داشتنی بود و پسری که دوست داشت واقعا کیوت بود.
یه ذره هم رمنس بینشون بود که ساده، قشنگ، کیوت و معصومانه بود:)
May 30, 2024
SO GOOD!!!!!
4.5⭐️
4.5⭐️
October 17, 2025
The author did a great job of making sci-fi feel realistic. There was a lot of emotion in the story. It was easy to follow but I found the writing style too simple. Unfortunately, it didn't make a big impact on me and I probably won't remember the details.
May 2, 2024
Smells are commonly known to figuratively transport people back in time, into their memories, sometimes quite unexpectedly. For Aimee, this even happens physically: she has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, a medical condition that sends people back in time when their senses are triggered by a memory.
This is such an interesting twist to the time travel trope, very different from what I've read before. I love time travel in media, and it was super interesting to see it explored this way, not as something fun and adventurous, but as a condition that negatively affects Aimee, and also comes with external issues just like other chronic conditions, such as ableism. People keep telling her she should simply try harder not to travel, or they make ignorant comments about the condition and sensationalize it.
I thought the writing was so good, and the time travel element was expertly interwoven with Aimee wanting to find her mum, who left when she was little, and struggling to connect with her dad. It's not just a time travel story or just a story about family secrets and relationships, but these elements really enhanced each other.
However much I loved this book, I will say I wanted a little more from the ending. I would have loved seeing things resolved and explained a little more.
This is such an interesting twist to the time travel trope, very different from what I've read before. I love time travel in media, and it was super interesting to see it explored this way, not as something fun and adventurous, but as a condition that negatively affects Aimee, and also comes with external issues just like other chronic conditions, such as ableism. People keep telling her she should simply try harder not to travel, or they make ignorant comments about the condition and sensationalize it.
I thought the writing was so good, and the time travel element was expertly interwoven with Aimee wanting to find her mum, who left when she was little, and struggling to connect with her dad. It's not just a time travel story or just a story about family secrets and relationships, but these elements really enhanced each other.
However much I loved this book, I will say I wanted a little more from the ending. I would have loved seeing things resolved and explained a little more.
February 26, 2024
i love this book with a burning passion, i can only think of them and i don’t want to read another book that isn’t this
November 24, 2023
3,5 *
This was a really enjoyable book and I’d definitely recommend it! This book follows Aimee, who has a condition that sometimes makes her travel to a past memory of hers for short periods of time. Her condition has been getting worse (she’s been jumping to the past more often and for longer periods) and she thinks it might be related to the fact that her mum abandoned her with no warning some years prior, so Aimee goes to Korea to try and find her to get closure.
My favourite thing about this book was definitely Aimee’s personal journey. Seeing her having to deal with her terrible situation (both because of her condition and because of her family) was really emotional, and I truly just wanted the best for her. It was all soooooo well done! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 And I REALLY enjoyed that the author didn’t wrap everything in a pretty bow at the end; Aimee didn’t get everything she expected, but her journey realizing what she needs and deserves was just really nice, and I appreciate that the book acknowledges she will need a long time to process everything, but that doesn't mean she can’t find happiness in the meantime. I also really liked Aimee’s letter to the Hapjeong Station Ghost – it was a bit of an unsubtle way of summing up the message of the book, but it didn’t bother me at all! I actually REALLY loved it! Idk man, I had chills! 😳
Now regarding the side characters:
➤ I absolutely couldn’t stand her father. I know his actions are explained (more like *excused* 🙄) by his upbringing (aka him being korean and not really liking doctors lol), but I’m sorry: Aimee had been BEGGING her father for help for YEARS and he kept on neglecting her, so she had to deal with those horrible and disorienting situations for years and years. She tried talking to her father about soooo many things (regarding her condition, her family, etc.), and he ignored her, brushed all her concerns aside, and regularly lied to her. Aimee then had to go to the other side of the planet just to find her family, in hopes that finding closure would help her manage her time-traveling condition. And even after following her to Korea, her father only truly cared about Aimee when her aunt told him that he’d lose his daughter’s affection by treating her poorly. THAT’S when he’s suddenly worried 🙄🙄🙄. Listen: I understand he was in a bad situation, since he was abandoned by Aimee’s mum, too. But that (+ the fact that you don’t really trust doctors) isn’t an excuse to let your child suffer. God, the way this man treated his child was aggravating! I’m not forgiving enough to excuse neglectful parents lol. This man infuriated me. Byeeeee.
➤ Despite also being in a difficult situation, Aimee’s mum and grandparents were also very awful, but that was purposeful and realistic, and I actually really enjoyed the way the author wrapped that plotline up!
➤ The LI, Junho, was soooo sweet! He’s kind, caring, immediately acknowledges his wrongdoings and apologizes (even when he didn’t do anything too bad), he openly communicates…. He’s truly one of the best LIs out there!!!! The only problem is that………… the romance was barely developed, so I didn’t care about Junho at all, and I actually disliked most of his time on-page, since it was a constant reminder of the lowkey-insta-love 😭😭😭. Aimee had met him once in passing as a child, and had a little crush back then. Now they meet again, like a decade later, and after 1 conversation she’s already blushing and feeling butterflies….. Whyyyyyyyyyyyy 😭. God, I was soooo sad! This romance could’ve been so good (probably a new favourite, since the LI is so great!), but I just COULDN’T take it seriously, because they literally started liking each other after hanging out twice. 🫠 The romance was very underdeveloped, and I genuinely couldn’t tell you why they liked each other! I mean, sure, they’re both nice people, but why do *these 2 characters specifically* make sense together????? We don’t know, because it was insta-love (them having met once as children isn’t a good foundation for this romance, fyi; you can literally disregard that meeting lol). 🥲 Affff. What a waste of great potential.
Now for other aspects I enjoyed: I really liked the setting, and I think the author did a good job showing different parts of Korea in a way that made sense and made the story richer. I also appreciate that the non-english terms were put into context, so you don’t have to constantly google what they mean (a lot of books nowadays forget to do that lol). Overall, really enjoyable book!
This was a really enjoyable book and I’d definitely recommend it! This book follows Aimee, who has a condition that sometimes makes her travel to a past memory of hers for short periods of time. Her condition has been getting worse (she’s been jumping to the past more often and for longer periods) and she thinks it might be related to the fact that her mum abandoned her with no warning some years prior, so Aimee goes to Korea to try and find her to get closure.
My favourite thing about this book was definitely Aimee’s personal journey. Seeing her having to deal with her terrible situation (both because of her condition and because of her family) was really emotional, and I truly just wanted the best for her. It was all soooooo well done! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 And I REALLY enjoyed that the author didn’t wrap everything in a pretty bow at the end; Aimee didn’t get everything she expected, but her journey realizing what she needs and deserves was just really nice, and I appreciate that the book acknowledges she will need a long time to process everything, but that doesn't mean she can’t find happiness in the meantime. I also really liked Aimee’s letter to the Hapjeong Station Ghost – it was a bit of an unsubtle way of summing up the message of the book, but it didn’t bother me at all! I actually REALLY loved it! Idk man, I had chills! 😳
Now regarding the side characters:
➤ I absolutely couldn’t stand her father. I know his actions are explained (more like *excused* 🙄) by his upbringing (aka him being korean and not really liking doctors lol), but I’m sorry: Aimee had been BEGGING her father for help for YEARS and he kept on neglecting her, so she had to deal with those horrible and disorienting situations for years and years. She tried talking to her father about soooo many things (regarding her condition, her family, etc.), and he ignored her, brushed all her concerns aside, and regularly lied to her. Aimee then had to go to the other side of the planet just to find her family, in hopes that finding closure would help her manage her time-traveling condition. And even after following her to Korea, her father only truly cared about Aimee when her aunt told him that he’d lose his daughter’s affection by treating her poorly. THAT’S when he’s suddenly worried 🙄🙄🙄. Listen: I understand he was in a bad situation, since he was abandoned by Aimee’s mum, too. But that (+ the fact that you don’t really trust doctors) isn’t an excuse to let your child suffer. God, the way this man treated his child was aggravating! I’m not forgiving enough to excuse neglectful parents lol. This man infuriated me. Byeeeee.
➤ Despite also being in a difficult situation, Aimee’s mum and grandparents were also very awful, but that was purposeful and realistic, and I actually really enjoyed the way the author wrapped that plotline up!
➤ The LI, Junho, was soooo sweet! He’s kind, caring, immediately acknowledges his wrongdoings and apologizes (even when he didn’t do anything too bad), he openly communicates…. He’s truly one of the best LIs out there!!!! The only problem is that………… the romance was barely developed, so I didn’t care about Junho at all, and I actually disliked most of his time on-page, since it was a constant reminder of the lowkey-insta-love 😭😭😭. Aimee had met him once in passing as a child, and had a little crush back then. Now they meet again, like a decade later, and after 1 conversation she’s already blushing and feeling butterflies….. Whyyyyyyyyyyyy 😭. God, I was soooo sad! This romance could’ve been so good (probably a new favourite, since the LI is so great!), but I just COULDN’T take it seriously, because they literally started liking each other after hanging out twice. 🫠 The romance was very underdeveloped, and I genuinely couldn’t tell you why they liked each other! I mean, sure, they’re both nice people, but why do *these 2 characters specifically* make sense together????? We don’t know, because it was insta-love (them having met once as children isn’t a good foundation for this romance, fyi; you can literally disregard that meeting lol). 🥲 Affff. What a waste of great potential.
Now for other aspects I enjoyed: I really liked the setting, and I think the author did a good job showing different parts of Korea in a way that made sense and made the story richer. I also appreciate that the non-english terms were put into context, so you don’t have to constantly google what they mean (a lot of books nowadays forget to do that lol). Overall, really enjoyable book!
September 24, 2024
4.5 stars
I can’t wait to see more stories from Suk. This is such a beautifully told tale about a girl going through the pain, loneliness, confusion, and anxiety of an absent parent and (what I interpreted as) the resulting mental illness. STWS seemed like a great parallel for PTSD and a creative way to have young readers understand the illness and how it makes you feel. I saw a lot of myself in Aimee, and I think many young people would too as they navigate their own traumas and questions about life in their growing years. The Space Between Here and Now is truly a masterful piece of youth fiction that can teach even adults a great deal about ourselves and the relationships we may struggle to navigate in our lives.
I can’t wait to see more stories from Suk. This is such a beautifully told tale about a girl going through the pain, loneliness, confusion, and anxiety of an absent parent and (what I interpreted as) the resulting mental illness. STWS seemed like a great parallel for PTSD and a creative way to have young readers understand the illness and how it makes you feel. I saw a lot of myself in Aimee, and I think many young people would too as they navigate their own traumas and questions about life in their growing years. The Space Between Here and Now is truly a masterful piece of youth fiction that can teach even adults a great deal about ourselves and the relationships we may struggle to navigate in our lives.
March 5, 2024
4.5 stars : made me cry, finished in one sitting.
Powerful themes of understanding one’s own family and the social aspects of mental illness with an inexperienced parent, with a sprinkle of cute romance and touches of the Korean-immigrant experience to bring it all closer to my own, biased heart.
Loved the use of time loops as a narrative tool as well as a metaphor for the reality of living with a mind that doesn’t always work with you. Creative, driven, and polished concept that felt human and grounded. Everything felt necessary and from the heart. Lovely story I am glad to have read.
Sometimes side characters felt a little distant, but the main body of the story hit each emotional beat wonderfully, and made decisions that made me feel seen and respected as a reader.
Powerful themes of understanding one’s own family and the social aspects of mental illness with an inexperienced parent, with a sprinkle of cute romance and touches of the Korean-immigrant experience to bring it all closer to my own, biased heart.
Loved the use of time loops as a narrative tool as well as a metaphor for the reality of living with a mind that doesn’t always work with you. Creative, driven, and polished concept that felt human and grounded. Everything felt necessary and from the heart. Lovely story I am glad to have read.
Sometimes side characters felt a little distant, but the main body of the story hit each emotional beat wonderfully, and made decisions that made me feel seen and respected as a reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, and to Insta Book Tours, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I really loved the approach to time travel in this - I thought it was completely fascinating, the idea that you can be transported back to a memory by certain scents. This was really easy to read, and I really liked Aimee as a main character, and it was quite emotional watching her and her dad learn to communicate with each other and understand each other. Overall this was really sweet, I just think the ending felt a little rushed.
I really loved the approach to time travel in this - I thought it was completely fascinating, the idea that you can be transported back to a memory by certain scents. This was really easy to read, and I really liked Aimee as a main character, and it was quite emotional watching her and her dad learn to communicate with each other and understand each other. Overall this was really sweet, I just think the ending felt a little rushed.
November 30, 2023
A beautifully unique, heartbreaking and heartwarming YA contemporary.
Aimee Roh has a disorder called STWS, which causes her to have intense flashbacks. This underresearched (fictional) disorder makes her disappear, sending her into memories at any given moment. Although STWS isn't real, the parralels that the author draws between it and real-life disabilities is clear. Aimee's constant fear, her insecurity, and the way it stops her living a normal life are a strong representation of how people with disabilities go through life, never knowing if they can get through an everyday event without trouble.
The relationship dynamics in this book, as well as the characters, are incredibly well done. Aimee has an emotionally unavailable father who is trying his best but refuses to see that Aimee is struggling. Her best friend instead fills in most of the emotional needs she doesn't get from her parents. The love interest, Junho, is as complex as he is adorable, an eldest son who knows how to work with Aimee's personality and disorder, protective but not overbearing. This romance develops well, with strong pacing and believable tension.
And between all of this - the great characters, the STWS, the romance and other relationships - we have the plot of Aimee travelling to Korea to search for her mother, who abandoned her as a child. In so many ways, this search broke my heart, seeing Aimee struggle so much just for a glimpse at her mother. Without spoiling, this heavily emotional arc made me feel a lot of feels. On the other hand, travelling Korea with Aimee and Junho was very fun, creating an engaging plotline.
My only disappointment was that the time travel aspect wasn't as fun and exciting as I'd hoped. In fact, it isn't time travel at all except for the MC revisiting memories. She can't interact or change the future; the 'time travel' is really just having a flashback. This isn't the fault of the book or the author - I think it was marketing as more sci-fi than it is.
Highly recommend to YA readers and adult readers alike. I really believe this can be enjoyed by anyone, with its blend of heavier and more fun themes.
(Thank you to the publisher for my advanced review copy.)
Aimee Roh has a disorder called STWS, which causes her to have intense flashbacks. This underresearched (fictional) disorder makes her disappear, sending her into memories at any given moment. Although STWS isn't real, the parralels that the author draws between it and real-life disabilities is clear. Aimee's constant fear, her insecurity, and the way it stops her living a normal life are a strong representation of how people with disabilities go through life, never knowing if they can get through an everyday event without trouble.
The relationship dynamics in this book, as well as the characters, are incredibly well done. Aimee has an emotionally unavailable father who is trying his best but refuses to see that Aimee is struggling. Her best friend instead fills in most of the emotional needs she doesn't get from her parents. The love interest, Junho, is as complex as he is adorable, an eldest son who knows how to work with Aimee's personality and disorder, protective but not overbearing. This romance develops well, with strong pacing and believable tension.
And between all of this - the great characters, the STWS, the romance and other relationships - we have the plot of Aimee travelling to Korea to search for her mother, who abandoned her as a child. In so many ways, this search broke my heart, seeing Aimee struggle so much just for a glimpse at her mother. Without spoiling, this heavily emotional arc made me feel a lot of feels. On the other hand, travelling Korea with Aimee and Junho was very fun, creating an engaging plotline.
My only disappointment was that the time travel aspect wasn't as fun and exciting as I'd hoped. In fact, it isn't time travel at all except for the MC revisiting memories. She can't interact or change the future; the 'time travel' is really just having a flashback. This isn't the fault of the book or the author - I think it was marketing as more sci-fi than it is.
Highly recommend to YA readers and adult readers alike. I really believe this can be enjoyed by anyone, with its blend of heavier and more fun themes.
(Thank you to the publisher for my advanced review copy.)
May 4, 2025
3.5 ☆
This was such a nice book. A little out-of-this-world, yet at the same time so close.
The syndrome of disappearance that Aimee has to deal with sounds like such a hassle. Really. I can’t imagine how it’d feel living like that (especially if you have more bad memories than the good ones) and I feel Aimee is so so strong for knowing how to deal with it.
It was such a nice plot, I loved reading about how she felt throughout her “episodes” and how she always managed to figure out life after coming back. Heartbreaking how even with a fictional (i hope lol) syndrome, people that don’t have it don’t really care.
Or even worse - treat it as something fascinating and don’t even think about asking how the person is feeling.
I really liked how Junho was always there for Aimee when she needed, same for Nikita. Honestly such good friends, I loved them ♥︎
My only issue was that the book was too short 😭 I really wanted to learn more about Aimee’s family, maybe see something more about her mom (I feel like the subplot with her was so rushed for some reason), and I know that this was always about Aims and her dad - but I really wanted to get a few more answers to my questions.
Nevertheless - the book was really good. It’s a quick read, somehow melancholic at times (or maybe that’s only me) and for some reason made me really stop and reflect on life after I put it down.
It really gives you this weird sense of - spend time with people you love, doing things you love and cherish your memories but don’t let them consume you.
I feel like this is what I took from the book with me 💜
Give it a read, it’s a very nice one ;)
This was such a nice book. A little out-of-this-world, yet at the same time so close.
The syndrome of disappearance that Aimee has to deal with sounds like such a hassle. Really. I can’t imagine how it’d feel living like that (especially if you have more bad memories than the good ones) and I feel Aimee is so so strong for knowing how to deal with it.
It was such a nice plot, I loved reading about how she felt throughout her “episodes” and how she always managed to figure out life after coming back. Heartbreaking how even with a fictional (i hope lol) syndrome, people that don’t have it don’t really care.
Or even worse - treat it as something fascinating and don’t even think about asking how the person is feeling.
I really liked how Junho was always there for Aimee when she needed, same for Nikita. Honestly such good friends, I loved them ♥︎
My only issue was that the book was too short 😭 I really wanted to learn more about Aimee’s family, maybe see something more about her mom (I feel like the subplot with her was so rushed for some reason), and I know that this was always about Aims and her dad - but I really wanted to get a few more answers to my questions.
Nevertheless - the book was really good. It’s a quick read, somehow melancholic at times (or maybe that’s only me) and for some reason made me really stop and reflect on life after I put it down.
It really gives you this weird sense of - spend time with people you love, doing things you love and cherish your memories but don’t let them consume you.
I feel like this is what I took from the book with me 💜
Give it a read, it’s a very nice one ;)
December 2, 2023
A heartwarming, unique and introspective coming-of-age story that beautifully explores the complexities of familial relationships, the loneliness that can come with being labeled as 'other' and the intricate threads between past and present. Sarah Suk has a real talent for writing characters and relationships that are well developed and feel incredibly genuine. I founding myself rooting and caring for Aimee from the get-go and was fully invested in her story and quest. I adored the sweet beginnings of romance and the discussions surrounding therapy and mental health were fantastic.
All in all, this was a story that was tender, emotional and refreshingly original and it's one I'd highly recommend. The audiobook narration was also wonderful.
All in all, this was a story that was tender, emotional and refreshingly original and it's one I'd highly recommend. The audiobook narration was also wonderful.
January 17, 2024
Who knew that I would be reading a book that has become one of my favourite reads of the year (and the year has just started)? Reading The Space Between Here & Now was what I needed to get out of the reading slump I was in. This is one of those books that I will describe as heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time and has solidified that Sarah Suk is going to become of my favourite writers. The way she writes and captures emotions is just incredible and I am truly truly in awe. More people need to be reading this like now!!!
January 4, 2024
3.75 Stars
I'm really glad this was the first book I finished in 2024. En lieu of a proper eloquent review, I'm just going to list what I liked and didn't like because it's that kind of day - a linear day that prioritizes the shortest distance between two points instead of the more scenic route (or flowery review).
WHAT I LIKED:
× Single Dad Representation
× Explanation of Why Immigrants Who Move to Western Countries Are Resistant to Therapy. I have experienced this first hand in my family so it felt so validating to see it mentioned in The Space Between Here & Now.
× Open Dialogue About How Therapy Can Be Beneficial , especially when you - like the main character Aimee Roh - are experiencing something that no one else in your family or social circle has, can relate to, and is able to give good advice or guidance on how to cope with the situation.
× I Consider The Space Between Here & Now Pure Science Fiction with Sensory Time Warp Syndrome (STWS) Treated Somewhat as a Medical Problem , not the result of sorcery, magic, ghosts, etc.
× Although The Space Between Here & Now Is What I Consider Pure Science Fiction, It's Accessible; There is no technical jargon or long monologues on why STWS occurs medically. Aimee deals with the same motifs and themes that most humans experience in life like attraction, fears about the future, maintaining friendships, feeling misunderstood, etc.
× Whether it Was Sarah Suk's Intention or Not, the Challenges and Symptom's Aimee Encounters Because of STWS are Similar to that of Mental Illness or Other Prolonged or Continuous Medical Problems . So although STWS is a made up condition, I think many people who are not able-bodied physically and/or mentally may feel seen and be able to relate to what Aimee goes through.
WHAT IRKED ME:
× In the Beginning of the Novel Aimee Mentions that she likes Neutral, Loose Fitting Comfy Clothing , so the author typically mentions what Aimee's wearing before she leaves the house. What bothered me is that it added absolutely nothing to the story and failed to be descriptive enough for me to imagine what she was wearing. For example, on one occassion the author writes that Aimee is wearing a black jumpsuit and on another the author mentions she's wearing clay yellow earrings. A jumpsuit can be long sleeved or short sleeved, it can have spaghetti straps or be sleeveless. Is the bottom part of the jumpsuit short like shorts or long like pants? Is it skin tight like women wear to the gym or is it loose? And the earrings, the color and material alone are not enough for me to form an image in my mind. Are the earings spherical, an abstract blob, molded to look like corn on the cob (yes, this exists, you can buy them on etsy). It's such a small unnecessary detail that would probably enter and exit the minds of most in one breath. But my anamalous meticulous mind felt frustrated.
I'm really glad this was the first book I finished in 2024. En lieu of a proper eloquent review, I'm just going to list what I liked and didn't like because it's that kind of day - a linear day that prioritizes the shortest distance between two points instead of the more scenic route (or flowery review).
WHAT I LIKED:
× Single Dad Representation
× Explanation of Why Immigrants Who Move to Western Countries Are Resistant to Therapy. I have experienced this first hand in my family so it felt so validating to see it mentioned in The Space Between Here & Now.
× Open Dialogue About How Therapy Can Be Beneficial , especially when you - like the main character Aimee Roh - are experiencing something that no one else in your family or social circle has, can relate to, and is able to give good advice or guidance on how to cope with the situation.
× I Consider The Space Between Here & Now Pure Science Fiction with Sensory Time Warp Syndrome (STWS) Treated Somewhat as a Medical Problem , not the result of sorcery, magic, ghosts, etc.
× Although The Space Between Here & Now Is What I Consider Pure Science Fiction, It's Accessible; There is no technical jargon or long monologues on why STWS occurs medically. Aimee deals with the same motifs and themes that most humans experience in life like attraction, fears about the future, maintaining friendships, feeling misunderstood, etc.
× Whether it Was Sarah Suk's Intention or Not, the Challenges and Symptom's Aimee Encounters Because of STWS are Similar to that of Mental Illness or Other Prolonged or Continuous Medical Problems . So although STWS is a made up condition, I think many people who are not able-bodied physically and/or mentally may feel seen and be able to relate to what Aimee goes through.
WHAT IRKED ME:
× In the Beginning of the Novel Aimee Mentions that she likes Neutral, Loose Fitting Comfy Clothing , so the author typically mentions what Aimee's wearing before she leaves the house. What bothered me is that it added absolutely nothing to the story and failed to be descriptive enough for me to imagine what she was wearing. For example, on one occassion the author writes that Aimee is wearing a black jumpsuit and on another the author mentions she's wearing clay yellow earrings. A jumpsuit can be long sleeved or short sleeved, it can have spaghetti straps or be sleeveless. Is the bottom part of the jumpsuit short like shorts or long like pants? Is it skin tight like women wear to the gym or is it loose? And the earrings, the color and material alone are not enough for me to form an image in my mind. Are the earings spherical, an abstract blob, molded to look like corn on the cob (yes, this exists, you can buy them on etsy). It's such a small unnecessary detail that would probably enter and exit the minds of most in one breath. But my anamalous meticulous mind felt frustrated.
January 13, 2024
Content warnings: parental abandonment (central theme), terrible communication between parent/child.
Rep: Amiee (MC) is Korean-Canadian. Everyone is POC.
This is a wonderfully fascinating concept for a book. I haven't read anything like this before and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The way Aimee described her condition, and how if affected her on a daily basis was indicative of so many disabilities, especially invisible ones.
The writing, the plot, the pacing, the family dynamics, and everything about this book was so incredibly well written.
An easy 4 stars from me.
Rep: Amiee (MC) is Korean-Canadian. Everyone is POC.
This is a wonderfully fascinating concept for a book. I haven't read anything like this before and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The way Aimee described her condition, and how if affected her on a daily basis was indicative of so many disabilities, especially invisible ones.
The writing, the plot, the pacing, the family dynamics, and everything about this book was so incredibly well written.
An easy 4 stars from me.
2023
June 17, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books
November 13, 2025
it made me….feel things…
November 23, 2024
4.75/5 ⭐️
W końcu dobrze przedstawiona pętla czasowa i ta książka jest idealnym przykładem, że nie potrzeba żadnego ciała do tego. Nie będzie tu wartkiej akcji. Książka jest pełna bólu i nierozumienia. Czułam się jakbym towarzyszyła Aimee w tej podróży do Korei, robiąc z nią zdjęcia aparatem analogowym. Kocham!! 4.75, bo zabrakło mi czegoś malutkiego, żeby to było idealne. Jeszcze nie umiem tego nazwać.
W końcu dobrze przedstawiona pętla czasowa i ta książka jest idealnym przykładem, że nie potrzeba żadnego ciała do tego. Nie będzie tu wartkiej akcji. Książka jest pełna bólu i nierozumienia. Czułam się jakbym towarzyszyła Aimee w tej podróży do Korei, robiąc z nią zdjęcia aparatem analogowym. Kocham!! 4.75, bo zabrakło mi czegoś malutkiego, żeby to było idealne. Jeszcze nie umiem tego nazwać.
January 6, 2024
Time travel AND generational trauma? Sign me up!!
January 13, 2024
3.5 stars: not a bad book, but it was quite predictable
October 27, 2023
The Space Between Here and Now was such a lovely story with a huge focus on family, and a very therapy-positive perspective. Aimee has something called Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, which basically means she loses chunks of her life falling back into memories. She's not living them again, she's watching her past self live them. I figured this would be either incredibly hokey or incredibly cool, and luckily, it was the latter. In Aimee's case, smells trigger her going back into these moments, and they quite often revolve around her absent mother, who left the family quite abruptly. As you can probably imagine, Aimee has a lot of questions about her mom's disappearance, but her dad simply does not want to talk about it.
One day, Aimee disappears for a long time, longer than she has before, and decides that enough is enough. She's going to head to Korea and track down traces of her mother, and she even thinks that perhaps her mother left because she suffered from STWS too. I loved that Aimee made this big decision, because it was brave and a thing she just plain needed to do for herself so she could (hopefully) have some closure. Her dad, who very much did not want her to go, acquiesces, and arranges for Aimee to stay with her aunt, his sister.
I loved the Korean bits of the book. First of all, the book had me really, really needing to locate my nearest Korean restaurant (just kidding we don't have good food around here, the closest one I found is like 45 minutes away. Still, when I have the time, I'm there.) because obviously the amazing smells of the Korean cuisine was going to trigger Aimee (and me, to do a deep dive into how far UberEats would actually go, and just the discussion of the culture in general. A huge piece of this story is the Korean-Canadian diaspora that Aimee is experiencing, which comes into play in a big way in terms of stigma around mental illness, and even the communication between family members. Aimee's dad is so reluctant to tell her things, and the cultural piece is extremely relevant in that regard.
I also loved that Aimee got to hang out with her aunt! More of her, please! Aimee needs her in her life, frankly, and she seemed like an awesome influence. I also really enjoyed the character of Junho, who was Aimee's first crush, who somehow is in Korea at the same time she is. It was really important for her to have some people to trust, and while that was incredibly hard for her (and you can understand why), it was an important part of her journey.
Bottom Line: Ultimately, the focus on family and mental health made this a huge win for me. Bonus points for the cool memory-travel situation.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
One day, Aimee disappears for a long time, longer than she has before, and decides that enough is enough. She's going to head to Korea and track down traces of her mother, and she even thinks that perhaps her mother left because she suffered from STWS too. I loved that Aimee made this big decision, because it was brave and a thing she just plain needed to do for herself so she could (hopefully) have some closure. Her dad, who very much did not want her to go, acquiesces, and arranges for Aimee to stay with her aunt, his sister.
I loved the Korean bits of the book. First of all, the book had me really, really needing to locate my nearest Korean restaurant (just kidding we don't have good food around here, the closest one I found is like 45 minutes away. Still, when I have the time, I'm there.) because obviously the amazing smells of the Korean cuisine was going to trigger Aimee (and me, to do a deep dive into how far UberEats would actually go, and just the discussion of the culture in general. A huge piece of this story is the Korean-Canadian diaspora that Aimee is experiencing, which comes into play in a big way in terms of stigma around mental illness, and even the communication between family members. Aimee's dad is so reluctant to tell her things, and the cultural piece is extremely relevant in that regard.
I also loved that Aimee got to hang out with her aunt! More of her, please! Aimee needs her in her life, frankly, and she seemed like an awesome influence. I also really enjoyed the character of Junho, who was Aimee's first crush, who somehow is in Korea at the same time she is. It was really important for her to have some people to trust, and while that was incredibly hard for her (and you can understand why), it was an important part of her journey.
Bottom Line: Ultimately, the focus on family and mental health made this a huge win for me. Bonus points for the cool memory-travel situation.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
November 15, 2023
✨B O O K • T O U R✨
The Space Between Here & Now // Released: Oct 31, 2023
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book - many thanks to @_sarahsuk @epicreads and @storygramtours #partner
This book follows seventeen-year-old Aimee Roh, who grapples with Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, a rare condition triggering time travel tied to specific scents.
Aimee's fear of unpredictable disappearances hinders her from leading a normal life.
However, when she vanishes for an extended period into a previously unknown memory of her estranged mother, Aimee becomes determined to unravel the mysteries of her past.
The story takes an emotional turn as Aimee embarks on a journey to Korea, seeking answers about her memories and her mother's departure.
The narrative weaves together themes of self-discovery, family secrets, and the intricate connection between past and present. Aimee's quest to reconcile her past becomes the focal point, driving the plot forward.
This book has a unique blend of coming-of-age elements, mystery, and the exploration of a rare condition, offering readers a captivating and emotionally resonant narrative.
Those intrigued by stories of self-discovery and the complexities of family dynamics may find this novel a compelling and thought-provoking read. I know I sure did!
What a book!
#TheSpaceBetweenHereAndNowtour #TheSpaceBetweenHereAndNow #epicreads #storygramtours #tbr #bookworms #booksofig #alwaysreading #bookrecommendation #bookaesthetic #bookishlife #readstagram #girlswhoread #readersofinsta
The Space Between Here & Now // Released: Oct 31, 2023
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book - many thanks to @_sarahsuk @epicreads and @storygramtours #partner
This book follows seventeen-year-old Aimee Roh, who grapples with Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, a rare condition triggering time travel tied to specific scents.
Aimee's fear of unpredictable disappearances hinders her from leading a normal life.
However, when she vanishes for an extended period into a previously unknown memory of her estranged mother, Aimee becomes determined to unravel the mysteries of her past.
The story takes an emotional turn as Aimee embarks on a journey to Korea, seeking answers about her memories and her mother's departure.
The narrative weaves together themes of self-discovery, family secrets, and the intricate connection between past and present. Aimee's quest to reconcile her past becomes the focal point, driving the plot forward.
This book has a unique blend of coming-of-age elements, mystery, and the exploration of a rare condition, offering readers a captivating and emotionally resonant narrative.
Those intrigued by stories of self-discovery and the complexities of family dynamics may find this novel a compelling and thought-provoking read. I know I sure did!
What a book!
#TheSpaceBetweenHereAndNowtour #TheSpaceBetweenHereAndNow #epicreads #storygramtours #tbr #bookworms #booksofig #alwaysreading #bookrecommendation #bookaesthetic #bookishlife #readstagram #girlswhoread #readersofinsta
October 26, 2023
4.5/5 stars
The Space Between Here & Now is a Young Adult time travel coming of age story.
The heroine is 17 year old Korean Canadian Aimee. She has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome (STWS), a rare condition that has her disappearing from the present to re-watch moments from her past. She smells something linked to a past memory. And she time travels to view said memory. But only as an observer. She can't change anything.
This book focuses a lot on the Korean culture, which I loved. And honestly everything about STWS is so fascinating and original. I loved all of the questions that Aimee had and I was so invested in her story.
This book is so unique. It features time travel and magical realism. It is our world, but where this condition exists. There is a mystery to do with her mother who left when she was little. Also much of the book takes place in Korea. The whole story is so interesting and unpredictable.
The supporting characters include her dad (who is very closed off and doesn't want to talk about her condition, her aunt (who supports her), her best friend (who always want to help), and a boy (who she met as a child). There is a bit of romance (but it's not the main part of the story).
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes an original premise and lots of Korean culture.
Thanks to HarperCollins Canada and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
The Space Between Here & Now is a Young Adult time travel coming of age story.
The heroine is 17 year old Korean Canadian Aimee. She has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome (STWS), a rare condition that has her disappearing from the present to re-watch moments from her past. She smells something linked to a past memory. And she time travels to view said memory. But only as an observer. She can't change anything.
This book focuses a lot on the Korean culture, which I loved. And honestly everything about STWS is so fascinating and original. I loved all of the questions that Aimee had and I was so invested in her story.
This book is so unique. It features time travel and magical realism. It is our world, but where this condition exists. There is a mystery to do with her mother who left when she was little. Also much of the book takes place in Korea. The whole story is so interesting and unpredictable.
The supporting characters include her dad (who is very closed off and doesn't want to talk about her condition, her aunt (who supports her), her best friend (who always want to help), and a boy (who she met as a child). There is a bit of romance (but it's not the main part of the story).
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes an original premise and lots of Korean culture.
Thanks to HarperCollins Canada and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
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