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A Dash of Modern Magic #1
A Thousand Second Chances
The only thing worse than waking up stuck in a time loop is realizing your ex is trapped there with you. When Chris begrudgingly agrees to accompany his best friend Quinn on a university trip to Michigan’s picturesque Mackinac Island, he expects to suffer through a weekend of sightseeing, school-mandated activities, and entirely too much souvenir shopping. What he doesn’t anticipate is also having to avoid the boy who broke his heart. Percy used to love his family’s annual excursions to Mackinac Island, but that all changed with the loss of his mother. This school trip is his chance to revisit some of their favorite haunts and honor her memory. However, what’s already guaranteed to be an emotionally charged weekend grows only more fraught when he discovers that he’s not only caught in a time loop, but that the boy he’d walked away from two years ago is his sole companion. Forced together by the fickle whims of the universe, Chris and Percy must reopen old wounds and confront their painful pasts if they ever hope to escape their infinite Saturday. But even as they grow closer across myriad iterations of the same unending day, they grapple with one terrifying can the fragile connection they’re rebuilding survive their inevitable return to the real world? A Thousand Second Chances is a standalone M/M contemporary romance novel in the A Dash of Modern Magic series.
362 pages, Paperback
Published October 23, 2023
45 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 18, 2025
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. The main characters were starting to annoy me to the point I wants to smack their heads together to get to the hea we all knew was coming I wanted it quicker. This book had a lot of humour while it also tackled a lot of serious topics. This book is a must read and one I would recommend anytime.
October 31, 2023
I struggled with this book. It was a challenge, because it took so long to get to the crux of the what was happening. 25% of the way in and so much of it was unnecessary filler. We have no idea what has happened, or why Chris is such a a raging jerk.
Two years later and he’s still this salty? I’m not saying he should have had balloons and hearts for Percy on the ferry, but ffs, the way he responded seemed a little over the top.
Chris wasn’t a likeable character. I didn’t even understand why Quinn wanted to be around him. Honestly I didn’t even know why Quinn was a necessary character, but at the very least one would think you’d see some dynamic that showcased why they were friends. Nope! 👎🏼 He was a complete douchenozzle to her too!
Percy was likeable, and sad, and I just wanted to hug him. Maybe if the book centered around his perspective and came off as less pretentious I’d have enjoyed it more? The concept was fantastic, and I really really wanted to enjoy it. It just fell flat, unfortunately.
Two years later and he’s still this salty? I’m not saying he should have had balloons and hearts for Percy on the ferry, but ffs, the way he responded seemed a little over the top.
Chris wasn’t a likeable character. I didn’t even understand why Quinn wanted to be around him. Honestly I didn’t even know why Quinn was a necessary character, but at the very least one would think you’d see some dynamic that showcased why they were friends. Nope! 👎🏼 He was a complete douchenozzle to her too!
Percy was likeable, and sad, and I just wanted to hug him. Maybe if the book centered around his perspective and came off as less pretentious I’d have enjoyed it more? The concept was fantastic, and I really really wanted to enjoy it. It just fell flat, unfortunately.
May 3, 2025
3.5 ⭐
It felt a little bit long but I really enjoyed the characters and their growth
It felt a little bit long but I really enjoyed the characters and their growth
October 31, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
I received a free ARC of this book via GRR in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked both the main characters and I struggled to put the book down for the first half especially. The actual writing was great and I was impressed that a story with a ‘groundhog day’ premise, didn’t actually feel repetitive to read.
My main issue is that the plot relied heavily on miscommunication and withheld information. I really struggled to buy into why Percy wouldn’t have told his best friend/boyfriend that his mum was dying and the plot of the story was completely riding on this fact. I wasn’t sold on Percy’s motivations to keep all this from Chris. I did think that Percy’s fears around coming out were written very well and felt very authentic.
Overall I enjoyed the book but it was longer than it needed to be. I will be keeping an eye out for future books by this author though because I really enjoyed the writing style and the story felt like a fresh take on a time loop scenario.
I received a free ARC of this book via GRR in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked both the main characters and I struggled to put the book down for the first half especially. The actual writing was great and I was impressed that a story with a ‘groundhog day’ premise, didn’t actually feel repetitive to read.
My main issue is that the plot relied heavily on miscommunication and withheld information. I really struggled to buy into why Percy wouldn’t have told his best friend/boyfriend that his mum was dying and the plot of the story was completely riding on this fact. I wasn’t sold on Percy’s motivations to keep all this from Chris. I did think that Percy’s fears around coming out were written very well and felt very authentic.
Overall I enjoyed the book but it was longer than it needed to be. I will be keeping an eye out for future books by this author though because I really enjoyed the writing style and the story felt like a fresh take on a time loop scenario.
February 11, 2024
terrific storyline, Chris is a wonderful character but otherwise there’s issues
Rating: 3.5🌈
I found it hard to rate A Thousand Second Chances (A Dash of Modern Magic Book 1) by Elric Shaw because, while it’s got so much to offer in terms of some of the characters and storylines, it’s also got a main character that presents a challenge to the reader in terms of how much we can expect to like or connect with him.
I don’t think Shaw sees this character in the way he comes across, at least not in the manner he does to this reader.
The story is a LGBTQIA contemporary Ground Hog day tale, one situated in an historic location that’s been the subject of many popular stories, lending itself to a magical atmosphere just by its very tone and history. That’s the famous Mackinac Island on Lake Huron in Michigan. No cars, bikes and carriages pulled by horses only, and the gorgeous Grand Hotel, along with all the many other shops and attractions, this is the perfect place to set a story that needs a magical twist to it.
It starts with a college trip, funded by the parent of one of the students, for a small group to go sightseeing, with an historic view, for the weekend, Professor in charge.
Chris, and his best friend, Quinn, are part of the group. Quinn has been the one who has been the instigator in getting Chris to come along. Chris has issues. He has a mother with boundaries problems, it’s her way or no way. Chris came out to family, friends and teammates at college and it didn’t go well. It’s turned him into a loner with self esteem issues. A former runner without a team. His past is also a part of his current issues, and it’s followed him on this journey.
Also on the trip, Percy, whose father set up the trip as a way for Percy to mourn the loss of his mother for both of them. Percy’s character is intertwined with that of Chris’, they have a long history, first as best friends, then as estranged secret lovers. It’s this last part that’s the main storyline of the book and most of the dramatic moments of the narrative.
Shaw’s two person POV gives the reader each character’s side of their journey to this point in their lives. Chris, who is bitter, out as gay, and fighting with his school, classmates (except for Quinn), with his parents, to be a writer. And the one person who he feels betrayed him is there on the trip, Percy.
Percy, whose story is complicated by the fact that he lost his mother to cancer, is a character I was frustrated by and unable to connect to. Yes, it was sad/heartbreaking his mother had died. That journey to a place where they had been happy as a family was a lovely touch but it was marred by a father, who much like his son, was unable to face his loss, so he pushed his “agenda of mourning “ onto his son. A legacy of cowardice that becomes a theme that the author never really thoroughly explores.
For 98 percent of this book, Perce is unable to deal with his own life fears/others expectations/inner voices, and truly face the devastating effect his actions have had on others. I’m not sure if the author is cognizant that they have written a character and a storyline that is so underwhelming weak in this way.
Perce is so unbelievably reliant upon other people’s perception of him that he has taken his own wants and even promises and dreams and tosses them away. Even if those included people who were counting on him. He did it without communication, without thoughtful process, even afterwards when he knew he must have inflicted great harm. It’s a role he set for himself and a path he continues on for almost the entirety of the book.
He says he knows he’s a coward. Chris waits for some word or actions to show that any of the multiple times or moments have changed the way things are. But while Chris is changing, there nothing but stasis for Perce.
And that’s almost certainly a killer when it comes to caring about a character going forward.
They repeat a day over and over, trying to figure out what they need to do to break the cycle. When the “aha” moment comes, it will surprise no one who the character is who makes the connection and saves the day.
Even at the end, Perce has made no concerted effort to talk in detail to anyone who he’s hurt about the choices or lack thereof that’s he’s made. Or really apologized to those people that he’s damaged. It’s left dangling.
So when it came back to the rating, it based solely on the character of Chris, the growth he underwent, the magic of Mackinac Island, and how well Shaw utilized the Ground Hog day format here that gave it that rating. Read it if you’re a fan of the author , the trope, and the storytelling elements above.
Dash of Modern Magic:
A Thousand Second Chances #1
See You In My Dreams #2
Rating: 3.5🌈
I found it hard to rate A Thousand Second Chances (A Dash of Modern Magic Book 1) by Elric Shaw because, while it’s got so much to offer in terms of some of the characters and storylines, it’s also got a main character that presents a challenge to the reader in terms of how much we can expect to like or connect with him.
I don’t think Shaw sees this character in the way he comes across, at least not in the manner he does to this reader.
The story is a LGBTQIA contemporary Ground Hog day tale, one situated in an historic location that’s been the subject of many popular stories, lending itself to a magical atmosphere just by its very tone and history. That’s the famous Mackinac Island on Lake Huron in Michigan. No cars, bikes and carriages pulled by horses only, and the gorgeous Grand Hotel, along with all the many other shops and attractions, this is the perfect place to set a story that needs a magical twist to it.
It starts with a college trip, funded by the parent of one of the students, for a small group to go sightseeing, with an historic view, for the weekend, Professor in charge.
Chris, and his best friend, Quinn, are part of the group. Quinn has been the one who has been the instigator in getting Chris to come along. Chris has issues. He has a mother with boundaries problems, it’s her way or no way. Chris came out to family, friends and teammates at college and it didn’t go well. It’s turned him into a loner with self esteem issues. A former runner without a team. His past is also a part of his current issues, and it’s followed him on this journey.
Also on the trip, Percy, whose father set up the trip as a way for Percy to mourn the loss of his mother for both of them. Percy’s character is intertwined with that of Chris’, they have a long history, first as best friends, then as estranged secret lovers. It’s this last part that’s the main storyline of the book and most of the dramatic moments of the narrative.
Shaw’s two person POV gives the reader each character’s side of their journey to this point in their lives. Chris, who is bitter, out as gay, and fighting with his school, classmates (except for Quinn), with his parents, to be a writer. And the one person who he feels betrayed him is there on the trip, Percy.
Percy, whose story is complicated by the fact that he lost his mother to cancer, is a character I was frustrated by and unable to connect to. Yes, it was sad/heartbreaking his mother had died. That journey to a place where they had been happy as a family was a lovely touch but it was marred by a father, who much like his son, was unable to face his loss, so he pushed his “agenda of mourning “ onto his son. A legacy of cowardice that becomes a theme that the author never really thoroughly explores.
For 98 percent of this book, Perce is unable to deal with his own life fears/others expectations/inner voices, and truly face the devastating effect his actions have had on others. I’m not sure if the author is cognizant that they have written a character and a storyline that is so underwhelming weak in this way.
Perce is so unbelievably reliant upon other people’s perception of him that he has taken his own wants and even promises and dreams and tosses them away. Even if those included people who were counting on him. He did it without communication, without thoughtful process, even afterwards when he knew he must have inflicted great harm. It’s a role he set for himself and a path he continues on for almost the entirety of the book.
He says he knows he’s a coward. Chris waits for some word or actions to show that any of the multiple times or moments have changed the way things are. But while Chris is changing, there nothing but stasis for Perce.
And that’s almost certainly a killer when it comes to caring about a character going forward.
They repeat a day over and over, trying to figure out what they need to do to break the cycle. When the “aha” moment comes, it will surprise no one who the character is who makes the connection and saves the day.
Even at the end, Perce has made no concerted effort to talk in detail to anyone who he’s hurt about the choices or lack thereof that’s he’s made. Or really apologized to those people that he’s damaged. It’s left dangling.
So when it came back to the rating, it based solely on the character of Chris, the growth he underwent, the magic of Mackinac Island, and how well Shaw utilized the Ground Hog day format here that gave it that rating. Read it if you’re a fan of the author , the trope, and the storytelling elements above.
Dash of Modern Magic:
A Thousand Second Chances #1
See You In My Dreams #2
January 21, 2024
A Thousand Second Chances (A Dash of Modern Magic, book 1)
By Elric Shaw
Published by the author, 2023
Four stars
Is the film “Groundhog Day” the pop-culture source of the time-loop novel? So far, I’ve read two M/M novels with this as the guiding motif, and both of them reference the 1993 Bill Murray film. It’s a tantalizing idea, getting trapped in a single day, trying to figure out why you’re there and how to break the loop.
Chris Rawley is on his way to Mackinac Island with his friend Quinn, to join a college weekend trip—all expenses paid. Chris is only tagging along because it’s free and because Quinn egged him on to join her. As they board the ferry from the mainland, Chris spots two people who he’d rather not see: Devon, the captain of his former track team, and Percy Wentworth, the boy who ruined his life.
Right from the beginning, the reader THINKS they know the problem, the key to the puzzle of the loop once it appears. The hurdle to be leapt before happiness is possible is another time-honored trope in M/M (this one being a mature Young Adult variant). Here it is a classic: young men who refuse to actually talk about anything and thus exacerbate their problems fivefold. Oh, Lord, is that true here, to a frustrating degree that I’m sure the author calculated.
Chris and Percy were a couple in high school and college—until they weren’t. The reasons for their bitter breakup are as simple and as frustrating as one could possibly want. There is heartbreak here, more than enough, and of course one suspects that getting at the core of this emotional trauma is going to be the solution.
Well, not really.
The surprise toward the end brought me to tears, and ratcheted up the emotional punch of this story another level. The author neatly manipulated the expectations of his M/M readers, and then tripped us up. We all know that M/M has to end a certain way, but there are no rules about how the author gets us there. Well played, Elric Shaw, well played.
By Elric Shaw
Published by the author, 2023
Four stars
Is the film “Groundhog Day” the pop-culture source of the time-loop novel? So far, I’ve read two M/M novels with this as the guiding motif, and both of them reference the 1993 Bill Murray film. It’s a tantalizing idea, getting trapped in a single day, trying to figure out why you’re there and how to break the loop.
Chris Rawley is on his way to Mackinac Island with his friend Quinn, to join a college weekend trip—all expenses paid. Chris is only tagging along because it’s free and because Quinn egged him on to join her. As they board the ferry from the mainland, Chris spots two people who he’d rather not see: Devon, the captain of his former track team, and Percy Wentworth, the boy who ruined his life.
Right from the beginning, the reader THINKS they know the problem, the key to the puzzle of the loop once it appears. The hurdle to be leapt before happiness is possible is another time-honored trope in M/M (this one being a mature Young Adult variant). Here it is a classic: young men who refuse to actually talk about anything and thus exacerbate their problems fivefold. Oh, Lord, is that true here, to a frustrating degree that I’m sure the author calculated.
Chris and Percy were a couple in high school and college—until they weren’t. The reasons for their bitter breakup are as simple and as frustrating as one could possibly want. There is heartbreak here, more than enough, and of course one suspects that getting at the core of this emotional trauma is going to be the solution.
Well, not really.
The surprise toward the end brought me to tears, and ratcheted up the emotional punch of this story another level. The author neatly manipulated the expectations of his M/M readers, and then tripped us up. We all know that M/M has to end a certain way, but there are no rules about how the author gets us there. Well played, Elric Shaw, well played.
November 2, 2023
This was a new to me author but I was intrigued by the concept and the blurb. And deep down, second chance stories are a favorite of mine. This is the first book in a series from the author. There are some content warnings so check those out before reading.
This book started slowly for me but it did set up the back story of Chris and Percy and goes into their past and where they are now in their lives. Percy isn't in a great place - he's back at the island that holds way too many memories of his mom and smack into Chris' path who he hasn't spoken to in two years. They are college age so the lack of communication between the two MCs didn't frustrate me like it would have with older characters. Although what he did was not great, he hasn't processed his emotions and loss but left Chris with no answers and a broken heart. Understandably, their breakup and Percy's ghosting, left Chris with a lot of animosity towards Percy.
About a 1/4 of the way into the book is where the story shifts and things get crazy for the pair of MCs. I would have liked a little bit more of an understanding of the magic behind the whole time loop concept. It as interesting to see these characters try everything to understand why they are stuck in this loop and how to get out of it. It's a slow burn for these two and also some fade to black scenes as they re-learn everything about each other, uncover things that have gone unsaid for all this time and fall back in love with one another.
I'm curious as to where the series goes from here and what story will be featured next in the series. I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
This book started slowly for me but it did set up the back story of Chris and Percy and goes into their past and where they are now in their lives. Percy isn't in a great place - he's back at the island that holds way too many memories of his mom and smack into Chris' path who he hasn't spoken to in two years. They are college age so the lack of communication between the two MCs didn't frustrate me like it would have with older characters. Although what he did was not great, he hasn't processed his emotions and loss but left Chris with no answers and a broken heart. Understandably, their breakup and Percy's ghosting, left Chris with a lot of animosity towards Percy.
About a 1/4 of the way into the book is where the story shifts and things get crazy for the pair of MCs. I would have liked a little bit more of an understanding of the magic behind the whole time loop concept. It as interesting to see these characters try everything to understand why they are stuck in this loop and how to get out of it. It's a slow burn for these two and also some fade to black scenes as they re-learn everything about each other, uncover things that have gone unsaid for all this time and fall back in love with one another.
I'm curious as to where the series goes from here and what story will be featured next in the series. I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
May 6, 2024
I was planning on giving this story a 2 or 3 star review after about the halfway mark. However, the last quarter of the book is amazing.
I had a lot of issues with the book during the first half.
- Quinn is one of the most one-dimensional best friend characters I’ve ever read. Her sole purpose is to be this perfect friend. She really seemed unnecessary too.
- The story really drags for the first quarter. It’s mostly Chris avoiding and assuming the worst of Percy, and Percy being anxious and not being able to communicate. The time loop should have started much earlier.
- The story heavily relies on lack of communication to drive the plot early on. It’s annoying waiting for Percy and Chris to finally communicate.
The second half of the book is so much better than the first. Once Percy and Chris start communicating more, their relationship becomes very heartwarming and enjoyable to sit through. It got better the more and more they talked. Their relationship becomes very balanced over the course of the story. I was really worried that the time loop or other circumstances would force Percy to come out of the closet, but the story handles the plot-line of Percy being in the closet in a very nuanced and sensitive way. The way the time loop ends is very very clever. The time loop was not stopped in the ways I was worried or thought it would end.
I had a lot of issues with the book during the first half.
- Quinn is one of the most one-dimensional best friend characters I’ve ever read. Her sole purpose is to be this perfect friend. She really seemed unnecessary too.
- The story really drags for the first quarter. It’s mostly Chris avoiding and assuming the worst of Percy, and Percy being anxious and not being able to communicate. The time loop should have started much earlier.
- The story heavily relies on lack of communication to drive the plot early on. It’s annoying waiting for Percy and Chris to finally communicate.
The second half of the book is so much better than the first. Once Percy and Chris start communicating more, their relationship becomes very heartwarming and enjoyable to sit through. It got better the more and more they talked. Their relationship becomes very balanced over the course of the story. I was really worried that the time loop or other circumstances would force Percy to come out of the closet, but the story handles the plot-line of Percy being in the closet in a very nuanced and sensitive way. The way the time loop ends is very very clever. The time loop was not stopped in the ways I was worried or thought it would end.
October 21, 2023
4.5/5 I both sympathised a lot with Percy and Chris and wanted to knock their heads together and make them get over themselves, lol. This was an emotional whirlwind, with so many feelings and a whole layer of complexity with the time loops.
I enjoyed the Groundhog Day feel (or that episode of SG1 or TNG!), the various attempts to break the loop, and the slow unravelling of all the hurt and anger from how Percy and Chris had left things even as they continued to struggle with what this could mean for the future—especially when they’re stuck in a loop that prevents them from having one. There are lots of emotions packed in there, not just between the MCs but with others as well.
I liked the quirky side characters (Quinn was the best!), the quirky town, and the quirky premise. I got a bit impatient with the boys at points, but there was generally enough going on that I didn’t feel too stuck with their angst—not to mention that being stuck was the whole premise of the book.
It definitely felt like these two earned their HEA (and that it would take something extreme for them to have a chance at it). The resolution was very satisfying.
I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.
I enjoyed the Groundhog Day feel (or that episode of SG1 or TNG!), the various attempts to break the loop, and the slow unravelling of all the hurt and anger from how Percy and Chris had left things even as they continued to struggle with what this could mean for the future—especially when they’re stuck in a loop that prevents them from having one. There are lots of emotions packed in there, not just between the MCs but with others as well.
I liked the quirky side characters (Quinn was the best!), the quirky town, and the quirky premise. I got a bit impatient with the boys at points, but there was generally enough going on that I didn’t feel too stuck with their angst—not to mention that being stuck was the whole premise of the book.
It definitely felt like these two earned their HEA (and that it would take something extreme for them to have a chance at it). The resolution was very satisfying.
I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.
October 22, 2023
This was an enjoyable, quiet sort of read. The setup/premise is a familiar one, providing a comfortable framework—we know going in what the basic story will be, and the interest lies in the characters and the details.
I did keep reading the characters as younger than they're supposed to be, with them seeming more like high schoolers than college juniors (I think that's right—though are juniors old enough to drink?). That may be my own quirk more than any issue with the story; hard to say.
The book is on the longer side—which is my preference, but I felt perhaps a scene or two could have been tightened up a bit or omitted. There's definitely a balancing act involved in any story based on this premise: the whole point is the repetition, but it needs to be presented in a way that doesn't become dull. For the most part, I thought it was handled quite well.
It intrigues me that this is positioned as book one in a series—I'll be interested to see what the author has in mind for future books.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
I did keep reading the characters as younger than they're supposed to be, with them seeming more like high schoolers than college juniors (I think that's right—though are juniors old enough to drink?). That may be my own quirk more than any issue with the story; hard to say.
The book is on the longer side—which is my preference, but I felt perhaps a scene or two could have been tightened up a bit or omitted. There's definitely a balancing act involved in any story based on this premise: the whole point is the repetition, but it needs to be presented in a way that doesn't become dull. For the most part, I thought it was handled quite well.
It intrigues me that this is positioned as book one in a series—I'll be interested to see what the author has in mind for future books.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
November 9, 2023
When Chris' best friend forced him to accompany her on a school trip to Mackinac Island he expected a lot of things. Fudge, the smell of manure, and boring school activities. What he didn't expect was to have to deal with his ex-boyfriend, Percy. His first love and the reason for his coming out. Unfortunately, Percy ghosted him soon after. Percy is still reeling from the death of his mother from an aggressive cancer. The sudden illness kept him from coming out to his parents and resulted in his being estranged from Chris. The Universe decides to keep them together in a time loop not only to give them the time to make amends but also to correct a great wrong. This story is a unique spin on the Groundhog Day trope that kept me hooked.
April 4, 2024
An incredible story…
One that, in my opinion, everyone needs to read. Good lordddd this book was so full of important topics and themes, all wrapped up in an interesting “groundhog day” style storyline. The queer love was so, so beautiful and (most importantly) so believable. There was not a moment in the story where I doubted either of their feelings or motivations.
The Owen plot twist at the end was SO well done, and I love how it was foreshadowed from the very beginning. It made me sob, because the feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy presented are ones that I’m strongly familiar with. I wanted to hug every single character in this book. This truly was so well written.
I’m going to order a physical copy ASAP, because I need this story with me forever.
One that, in my opinion, everyone needs to read. Good lordddd this book was so full of important topics and themes, all wrapped up in an interesting “groundhog day” style storyline. The queer love was so, so beautiful and (most importantly) so believable. There was not a moment in the story where I doubted either of their feelings or motivations.
The Owen plot twist at the end was SO well done, and I love how it was foreshadowed from the very beginning. It made me sob, because the feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy presented are ones that I’m strongly familiar with. I wanted to hug every single character in this book. This truly was so well written.
I’m going to order a physical copy ASAP, because I need this story with me forever.
October 29, 2023
The premise here: trapped with an ex in a time loop, sounds like it would be miserable in real life but amazing as fiction (and happening to someone else), so I went into this story with high expectations. For the most part, I think the execution lived up to the idea’s potential– Chris and Percy are at times easy to empathize with, at times easy to be infuriated with, and deeply easy to care about overall. These two definitely get where they need to go the hard way, and it’s worth it to watch it unfold. The small town setting is interesting (in good ways) as are its inhabitants. Overall, an enjoyable read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 31, 2023
Stuck in a timeloop on beautiful Mackinac Island, but with your ex. Not the excursion either wanted. Percy and Chris are college students who have a painful history. The timeloop forces them to confront their past as they try to figure out how to stop the loop. Theyre stuck in the timeloop for several weeks. There was a nice balance of detailed scenes and time passing. The spicy scenes are fade to gray. Overall I enjoyed the story.
There are some heavy issues tackled in this book that I believe warrant some content warnings - death of a parent, homophobia, parental neglect, suicidal ideation.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy provided by GayRomanceReviews
There are some heavy issues tackled in this book that I believe warrant some content warnings - death of a parent, homophobia, parental neglect, suicidal ideation.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy provided by GayRomanceReviews
November 1, 2023
Not a big fan of the movie Groundhog Day and so was hesitant about this one, but the characters of Percy and Chris were so well written that I'm delighted I took a chance. These two had a deep relationship in the past, but some hidden information/communication issues drove them apart. When a strange time loop creates a superb variation on the forced proximity trope, they must confront and deal with the issues from their past. Watching them realize those old feelings are still there but now having the maturity to be honest with each other allowed for a hard-won HEA. I'll be very interested to see where the author goes with the second book.
November 1, 2023
3.5⭐️
Loved the premise of the time loop, such a creative way to force Percy and Chris to deal with their unresolved issues. This is a new author to me and I quite enjoyed the writing style and the two main characters had a lovely connection. The emotion in Chris and Percy’s story felt authentic, after two years, these two are still hurting over their breakup. It did feel long to me, which took me out of the story a bit. But, the writing is really engaging and I will definitely read more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Loved the premise of the time loop, such a creative way to force Percy and Chris to deal with their unresolved issues. This is a new author to me and I quite enjoyed the writing style and the two main characters had a lovely connection. The emotion in Chris and Percy’s story felt authentic, after two years, these two are still hurting over their breakup. It did feel long to me, which took me out of the story a bit. But, the writing is really engaging and I will definitely read more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
November 6, 2023
I didn’t love this book. I spent a lot of it thinking “just TELL HIM about what you are thinking/feeling/worried about!!!” Even though I see the irony of making the reader feel like they are in the time loop, this book could have probably been 1/3 shorter. There were some scenes that were repetitive, and didn’t seem like they added anything new to the story.
It was overall well-written and even though the premise was not new, that aspect of the story was well-handled.
It was also pretty slow burn for the physical relationship stuff, and it’s all fade to black style.
It was overall well-written and even though the premise was not new, that aspect of the story was well-handled.
It was also pretty slow burn for the physical relationship stuff, and it’s all fade to black style.
dnf
March 12, 2024DNF at 45%
There are a number things that I liked in this, but the contrived lack of communication is too much for me. It's a pity as well because I don't think it's necessary, the time-travel and the second-chances elements are enough to carry this IMO.
Percy is so sad, and I feel for him.
Chris is just a dick, holding a ridiculous grudge, and I think Percy deserves better.
I skimmed forward and it looked like there were some good bits but I just don't see them together so I'm going to leave it here.
There are a number things that I liked in this, but the contrived lack of communication is too much for me. It's a pity as well because I don't think it's necessary, the time-travel and the second-chances elements are enough to carry this IMO.
Percy is so sad, and I feel for him.
Chris is just a dick, holding a ridiculous grudge, and I think Percy deserves better.
I skimmed forward and it looked like there were some good bits but I just don't see them together so I'm going to leave it here.
March 17, 2024
it’s called communication
Hey, so this was a sweet well written book, but sometimes a character is just too, too unforgivable and dumb that it makes it hard to finish the story. Sure, these are young guys with hardly one brain between them, but Percy’s anxiety and sins are so much worse. Towards the end, the author tries to level the “ blame game” by giving Chris a few half hearted misunderstandings but it is such a stretch it is not believable. All I can suggest is therapy is good for almost everyone.
Hey, so this was a sweet well written book, but sometimes a character is just too, too unforgivable and dumb that it makes it hard to finish the story. Sure, these are young guys with hardly one brain between them, but Percy’s anxiety and sins are so much worse. Towards the end, the author tries to level the “ blame game” by giving Chris a few half hearted misunderstandings but it is such a stretch it is not believable. All I can suggest is therapy is good for almost everyone.
Read
December 16, 2024Too full of negativity for me. And having an important person dying don’t think excuse other important person in your life “slipping away”. If someone really cares doesn’t behave like that, there’s no excuse. One can do the heathy thing and forgive, not taking back though.
That’s why I don’t usually read second chances books between the same people. If they’d have drifted away naturally okay, buy when there’s hurt and betrayal… I just don’t want them ending together. I have encountered very few exceptions, this isn’t one of them. I recommend any other book from the author though.
That’s why I don’t usually read second chances books between the same people. If they’d have drifted away naturally okay, buy when there’s hurt and betrayal… I just don’t want them ending together. I have encountered very few exceptions, this isn’t one of them. I recommend any other book from the author though.
June 5, 2025
This is a fairly interesting time loop story based, of all places, on Mackinac Island. The author relies too heavily on some one-dimensional characters (an absurdly unrealistic university professor who acts like a cliché schoolmarm; an anything goes, unrealistically positive best friend) to make the story work, and at times the narrative reads like an extended therapy session. But the local detail about the island and the carefully described iterations of the time loop give the story a credibility that kept me reading.
December 26, 2023
Infinite loop but not repetitive
This was a really great book to end 2023. Leaving it with a bang and all the feels. The main characters, and all the characters for that matter were all enjoyable, relatable. There are some serious angst in this book. But by the end it's all turned to joy, and that's what this book is saying that find that hang on to it.
This was a really great book to end 2023. Leaving it with a bang and all the feels. The main characters, and all the characters for that matter were all enjoyable, relatable. There are some serious angst in this book. But by the end it's all turned to joy, and that's what this book is saying that find that hang on to it.
September 7, 2024
Very Poignant
Oh my goodness. This book yanks your heart out and stomps on it repeatedly before stitching it back together. Chris and Percy have A LOT of things to work through but along the way they also find out that it isn’t all about them either. This story is a tear jerker, but it is worth a read.
Oh my goodness. This book yanks your heart out and stomps on it repeatedly before stitching it back together. Chris and Percy have A LOT of things to work through but along the way they also find out that it isn’t all about them either. This story is a tear jerker, but it is worth a read.
October 30, 2023
The premise of the exes stuck in a time loop is what caught my interest. There were a few things that didn't work out well for me but I enjoyed this story overall.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
November 1, 2023
They had been together once but they broke up. He will go with a friend on a trip where he will bump into his ex. If that was normal bad enough they are about to be in a time loop together. How will they get on? Will it solve their issues? Will they get back to normal? See how they get on
November 12, 2023
Percy and Chris
I loved this second chance romance. Lots of angst, but boy did these two learn a lot. Not just about each other, but what about is important in life. You must first learn to love yourself and not worry about having to please everyone all the time.
I loved this second chance romance. Lots of angst, but boy did these two learn a lot. Not just about each other, but what about is important in life. You must first learn to love yourself and not worry about having to please everyone all the time.
January 10, 2024
redo
Loved this book and how this author drags it out of these two boys about all the mistakes they made and how to fix them but in the end it’s saving a life that stops the loop in the day,,,,,,This is a great book start to finish
Loved this book and how this author drags it out of these two boys about all the mistakes they made and how to fix them but in the end it’s saving a life that stops the loop in the day,,,,,,This is a great book start to finish
January 16, 2025
Slow Burn Feel Good Story that leaves you warm!
This was a great story! I read it in a day. Percy and Chris work through their break-up from two years ago in this Groundhog Day like book
This was a great story! I read it in a day. Percy and Chris work through their break-up from two years ago in this Groundhog Day like book
November 2, 2023
This book has an interesting premise with a good use of the the second chance and force proximity tropes as they tie into the plot device. I say all that to say read the book. You'll enjoy it.
November 20, 2023
Really liked this one from a new to me author! It was original and well written with a great cast of characters. Quite thought provoking, I found.
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