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You and Me on Repeat
In this swoony and hilarious debut rom-com graphic novel, two former friends are trapped in a time loop together, repeating their high school graduation day over and over and over—for fans of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Pumpkinheads, and Groundhog Day.
Chris O’Brien has a genius plan: If he can share the perfect first kiss with his crush, Andy, then of course he’ll break free from the time loop that has him repeating graduation day over and over…and over.
Alicia Ochoa thinks Chris’s plan is doomed. Valedictorian and a total nerd, she knows it’ll take more than a kiss to escape the loop they’re trapped in together. Besides, Chris may be a hopeless romantic, but Alicia doesn’t think he has a real shot with Andy.
Once close friends, Alicia and Chris have history—lots of it. As they got older, the pair fell out after Chris ditched her for the “cool kids” and left her in the dust. But when you’re looping side by side, you never know if friendship might rekindle or what new feelings could spark along the way.
Chris O’Brien has a genius plan: If he can share the perfect first kiss with his crush, Andy, then of course he’ll break free from the time loop that has him repeating graduation day over and over…and over.
Alicia Ochoa thinks Chris’s plan is doomed. Valedictorian and a total nerd, she knows it’ll take more than a kiss to escape the loop they’re trapped in together. Besides, Chris may be a hopeless romantic, but Alicia doesn’t think he has a real shot with Andy.
Once close friends, Alicia and Chris have history—lots of it. As they got older, the pair fell out after Chris ditched her for the “cool kids” and left her in the dust. But when you’re looping side by side, you never know if friendship might rekindle or what new feelings could spark along the way.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2025
11 people are currently reading
6175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
May 25, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
A YA coming of age story & rom com of sorts with a different take on a time loop where two friends are caught repeating high school graduation over and over. I really liked it!
Chris is certain that finally kissing his crush will break the loop, but his friend Alicia isn't so sure that's the problem. Especially since she has been caught in the time loop even longer than he has! But after awhile, they're both willing to try anything.
Alicia is a fantastic character. She's a bisexual eldest daughter from an immigrant family, always taking care of everyone else and trying to be perfect. But endless do-overs give her the chance to step outside of that and be free. I like the nuanced way this explores the push and pull of her heavy responsibilities, and her genuine desire to be there for her younger siblings and help them succeed. It's really well done.
The time loop wasn't what I expected, but I also liked how that was handled. Both characters really go on a journey of growth and face some hard truths along the way. But it's also very funny! I recommend checking it out. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
A YA coming of age story & rom com of sorts with a different take on a time loop where two friends are caught repeating high school graduation over and over. I really liked it!
Chris is certain that finally kissing his crush will break the loop, but his friend Alicia isn't so sure that's the problem. Especially since she has been caught in the time loop even longer than he has! But after awhile, they're both willing to try anything.
Alicia is a fantastic character. She's a bisexual eldest daughter from an immigrant family, always taking care of everyone else and trying to be perfect. But endless do-overs give her the chance to step outside of that and be free. I like the nuanced way this explores the push and pull of her heavy responsibilities, and her genuine desire to be there for her younger siblings and help them succeed. It's really well done.
The time loop wasn't what I expected, but I also liked how that was handled. Both characters really go on a journey of growth and face some hard truths along the way. But it's also very funny! I recommend checking it out. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
October 9, 2025
As the author, I’m obviously VERY biased 😅
I really hope y’all enjoy Chris and Alicia’s story, I’m very fond of those two ♥️
I really hope y’all enjoy Chris and Alicia’s story, I’m very fond of those two ♥️
May 8, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
what would you do if you were stuck in a time loop on the day of your high school graduation? what would you change?
you and me on repeat is a fantastic graphic novel about emotions of all kinds: the fear of the unknown after the stability and structure of high school, the inability to make your own choices due to social/economic circumstances, but especially grief. we see grieving the untimely deaths of loved ones, grieving who we once were for who we will become, and also grieving the people we never will be because of our choices, good or bad.
i especially appreciated the speech our mmc chris gave regarding “knowing” your peers — do you really know them, or do you know the idea of them?
the art was beautiful and full of expression, and i really loved that stinkin hamster!!
what would you do if you were stuck in a time loop on the day of your high school graduation? what would you change?
you and me on repeat is a fantastic graphic novel about emotions of all kinds: the fear of the unknown after the stability and structure of high school, the inability to make your own choices due to social/economic circumstances, but especially grief. we see grieving the untimely deaths of loved ones, grieving who we once were for who we will become, and also grieving the people we never will be because of our choices, good or bad.
i especially appreciated the speech our mmc chris gave regarding “knowing” your peers — do you really know them, or do you know the idea of them?
the art was beautiful and full of expression, and i really loved that stinkin hamster!!
May 16, 2025
Ahh!! This book was so good!! I love a time loop story, and You and Me on Repeat does it SO well! Very genuinely, this might be one of my favorite books now. I am beyond amazed at the complexity of this book’s structure. The planning that must have gone into this plot and keeping the continuity! And to not only tell a time loop story, but to use it to tackle themes of grief, race, sexuality, and growing up. That’s not even to mention that it is a story told through the medium of comics! The art is immaculate, most especially the use of color! This is a world that’s been meticulously plotted visually, and not just in terms of story. There’s so much we come to know about the characters through their surroundings. I loved all the little Easter eggs, and how current the setting felt—being set in June of 2025 (a yet to be time as of this review). The color in this! The art style! Ah! The way the planning of these aids in the telling of the story. I am obsessed. This book was an absolute BANGER, and I will be recommending it to many. I love Chris and Alicia
February 13, 2025
Time loop fans, rejoice! Mary Shyne has crafted a clever, gorgeous treasure box of a story. Part coming-of-age, part romance, part sci-fi, all heart. I was drawn in from the very first page, hooked with the stylish art and the intriguing premise. I fell so hard for Chris and Alicia and all of the stupidly teenage and deeply human choices that lead them into a pocket dimension of space-time. Who hasn't wanted a redo option on one of the most important days of their life? What would you do if trapped in a time loop of your high school graduation day? I left the book rooting for these two!
I had the pleasure of reading this book early :) It's available for preorder now, or grab it from a bookstore in May 2025!
I had the pleasure of reading this book early :) It's available for preorder now, or grab it from a bookstore in May 2025!
August 1, 2025
A colorful, well-illustrated variation on a time loop for teen readers.
December 9, 2024
I was not planning on reading this five months before its release date, but I was just really in the mood for a graphic novel today, and it totally hit the spot.
Chris and Alicia are stuck in a time loop on the day of their high school graduation. Turns out, Alicia has been in the loop longer than Chris so she shows him the ropes, which provides the perfect opportunity for them to repair their long-dormant friendship. Chris' mission for the day to have the perfect first kiss with his girlfriend quickly morphs once he's looping, and naturally he gravitates towards the only other person he knows who is stuck in the same day. A connection to a tragically deceased teacher leads to the answer they need, but will they be ready to get back to reality?
This was really cute. I think it's perfect for young adults (the intended audience) but also was a great read for me (a person in her mid-30s dealing with what feels like secondary teenager syndrome). Shyne gives so many of the characters here surprising complexity considering they're repeating the same 24 hours over and over again. And there are big questions here that, again, feel incredibly relevant as you enter adulthood but are still relevant as you journey through it: is it better to dwell in the familiar past, or try to move forward into the unknown future? How do you grieve? How do you repair a friendship? How do you learn to understand others in all of their facets? Should you stay near home or venture away? Is it okay to change what you want? How do you move through the world?
The art style is absolutely stunning. With alternating-color duochrome panels (a ROYGBIV color and then grey/black), occasionally Shyne throws in all the colors at once, to indicate something magical/scientific/loop related. Beautiful and effective.
Also, I would die for Mr. Chunkums.
Chris and Alicia are stuck in a time loop on the day of their high school graduation. Turns out, Alicia has been in the loop longer than Chris so she shows him the ropes, which provides the perfect opportunity for them to repair their long-dormant friendship. Chris' mission for the day to have the perfect first kiss with his girlfriend quickly morphs once he's looping, and naturally he gravitates towards the only other person he knows who is stuck in the same day. A connection to a tragically deceased teacher leads to the answer they need, but will they be ready to get back to reality?
This was really cute. I think it's perfect for young adults (the intended audience) but also was a great read for me (a person in her mid-30s dealing with what feels like secondary teenager syndrome). Shyne gives so many of the characters here surprising complexity considering they're repeating the same 24 hours over and over again. And there are big questions here that, again, feel incredibly relevant as you enter adulthood but are still relevant as you journey through it: is it better to dwell in the familiar past, or try to move forward into the unknown future? How do you grieve? How do you repair a friendship? How do you learn to understand others in all of their facets? Should you stay near home or venture away? Is it okay to change what you want? How do you move through the world?
The art style is absolutely stunning. With alternating-color duochrome panels (a ROYGBIV color and then grey/black), occasionally Shyne throws in all the colors at once, to indicate something magical/scientific/loop related. Beautiful and effective.
Also, I would die for Mr. Chunkums.
November 4, 2025
this was almost perfect except it had a bad opinion about fanfiction smh. (perfect is an exaggeration but it was quite good!) i really liked the twist on a time loop, making there be a portal felt very new and the reason why it existed was great. the art style was awesome, beautiful yes but also the use of colors was really spectacular. loved the storylines of the characters, especially alicia. honestly interesting to have the mc be a kinda dickish white man LOL. anyways, super fun and also just a nice and unexpected read before bed!
November 16, 2025
A graphic novel AND a time loop! Two of my favorite things!
A few things that don't make "logical sense" - but we're dealing with time loop rules, so it's probably fine.
Liked the color palette for the story, how it progressed through the rainbow and sometimes used all of the colors as well.
A few things that don't make "logical sense" - but we're dealing with time loop rules, so it's probably fine.
Liked the color palette for the story, how it progressed through the rainbow and sometimes used all of the colors as well.
August 6, 2025
So I cried.
March 20, 2025
Really good! This is a teen story but I think it will resonate with anyone who’s feeling a little lost. I think my high school and college selves would’ve liked a few repeats of some key days tbh. A chance to breathe before everything got hectic.
I was pleasantly surprised by the plot and some of the character choices, I was expecting something cliche but it was wonderfully refreshing 💛
I was pleasantly surprised by the plot and some of the character choices, I was expecting something cliche but it was wonderfully refreshing 💛
November 23, 2025
11/23/25 third reread time. it is still so iconic and peak to me. Chris's character arc really stood out to me this time.
9/7/25 yes i reread it already. sue me! it's a damn good book.
9/4/25 A potential book of the year for me. I highly, *highly* recommend this one. Gorgeous art, very clever use of color. Time loop shennanigans. Very strong main characters. An absolute delight.
9/7/25 yes i reread it already. sue me! it's a damn good book.
9/4/25 A potential book of the year for me. I highly, *highly* recommend this one. Gorgeous art, very clever use of color. Time loop shennanigans. Very strong main characters. An absolute delight.
August 25, 2025
Reading 2025
Book 171: You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne
Found this graphic novel on some lists I was perusing to pick some new GNs to read. Was also able to get this at the library.
Synopsis: In this swoony and hilarious debut rom-com graphic novel, two former friends are trapped in a time loop together, repeating their high school graduation day over and over and over—for fans of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Pumpkinheads, and Groundhog Day.
Review: I almost put this book down about at around 50 pages. Then I leafed through and read a bit from the middle of the book, that made me go back and read the whole thing. A very good debut GN. The story is multilayered, tragic, heartbreaking, and triumphant. Definitely recommend. My rating 4⭐️
Book 171: You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne
Found this graphic novel on some lists I was perusing to pick some new GNs to read. Was also able to get this at the library.
Synopsis: In this swoony and hilarious debut rom-com graphic novel, two former friends are trapped in a time loop together, repeating their high school graduation day over and over and over—for fans of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Pumpkinheads, and Groundhog Day.
Review: I almost put this book down about at around 50 pages. Then I leafed through and read a bit from the middle of the book, that made me go back and read the whole thing. A very good debut GN. The story is multilayered, tragic, heartbreaking, and triumphant. Definitely recommend. My rating 4⭐️
July 7, 2025
Chris and Alicia are stuck on the same graduation day timeloop. Chris hopes to kiss the girl of his dreams, Alicia begrudgingly offers to help. But that's just the first few loops, and the stakes get higher and emotions run hotter the more graduation day repeats itself.
Holy fuck this book was so good, maybe my favorite YA read of 2025. At its core, this book is a love story, but it has so much more grit and depth than most YA stories are willing to offer. You get teachers who are both hero worshipped and problematic, the high school gatekeeping of dungeons and dragons, viral tiktok dances with swimmer hotties, and more. This comic gives teenagers the foresight and agency they could only achieve in a time loop, and it does it extremely well. This is the most beautifully packaged plot I've seen in a minute, and is a must read.
Holy fuck this book was so good, maybe my favorite YA read of 2025. At its core, this book is a love story, but it has so much more grit and depth than most YA stories are willing to offer. You get teachers who are both hero worshipped and problematic, the high school gatekeeping of dungeons and dragons, viral tiktok dances with swimmer hotties, and more. This comic gives teenagers the foresight and agency they could only achieve in a time loop, and it does it extremely well. This is the most beautifully packaged plot I've seen in a minute, and is a must read.
January 4, 2026
You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne is a simple idea executed brilliantly - a time loop story (à la 2020’s Palm Springs) told via graphic novel.
It’s the perfect format to break and bend a narrative flow and Shyne leverages so many of the form’s features to emphasise her story - from delineating different days in contrasting two-tone colours to exaggerated expressions and unexpected panelling emphasising the absurdity of the narrative conceit.
The story itself sees former friends Chris and Alicia stuck reliving their high school graduation day and I really appreciated how Shyne emphasised the grief and romance at the core of the characters’ experiences but also pushed beyond it to create an ending that felt much more earned and nuanced.
It’s the perfect format to break and bend a narrative flow and Shyne leverages so many of the form’s features to emphasise her story - from delineating different days in contrasting two-tone colours to exaggerated expressions and unexpected panelling emphasising the absurdity of the narrative conceit.
The story itself sees former friends Chris and Alicia stuck reliving their high school graduation day and I really appreciated how Shyne emphasised the grief and romance at the core of the characters’ experiences but also pushed beyond it to create an ending that felt much more earned and nuanced.
January 2, 2026
4.5 Book 2 of my read through the 2026 Morris Award finalists. This was a fun time loop YA graphic novel with a lighthearted romance. It very much felt like watching a high school rom com mixed with Groundhog Day and I loved that about it. I wasn’t so sure about some things in the beginning, but I’m happy to say that they all circled back around (pun intended?) and were justified by the end. The characters all felt very real and vivid, and diverse in a way that felt genuine, nuanced, and earned. I could see a lot of high school readers digging this.
December 28, 2025
I love a good time loop story, so I was already sure I'd enjoy this one! I thought the actual loop had a good amount of chaotic whimsy without feeling totally untethered, but the actual lessons of pressure of identity and unlearned racism and being able to see people in various shades of gray was really well done! The romance was sweet, though I would have been just as happy for this to have been a purely platonic story. My one dislike was the ending, which fell a little flat for me.
December 30, 2024
Summary:
Chris O’Brien had this whole grand plan for graduation day. Of course, nothing went to plan - not even the hundredth time around. That’s not an exaggeration, as Chris willingly stepped into a time loop to get that perfect day.
Now, Chris can’t get out of the loop, and Alicia is the only person who knows what is going on. She’s a nerd and better understands how to get out of the loop - and she knows this grand kiss Chris is planning on won’t cut it.
Review:
If you’re looking for a good novel with time loop shenanigans (think Groundhog Day), I have good news! You and Me on Repeat is a fantastic read that fits the bill. In addition to having all the chaos of a time loop, it has a romantic focus and a coming-of-age element.
You can tell that You and Me on Repeat was made for young adults and maybe even a touch younger. This is because it addresses many familiar coming-of-age concerns, from what to do with one’s life to how to find your person. The best part is that it’s all bundled in one nice package!
Don’t let the cute art style fool you; You and Me on Repeat has a deep center. Each character is fully fleshed out, from Chris and Alicia to the secondary characters they interact with. Some of the secondary plots get shockingly heavy and human, but that makes the story so much more powerful.
I am so happy that I took the time to read You and Me on Repeat. I hope other readers enjoyed it as much as I did!
Highlights:
Young Adult Graphic Novel
Time Loop
Coming of Age
Young Romance
Groundhog Day Vibes
Trigger Warnings:
Death of a Friend/Classmate
Thanks to Henry Holt. and Co. BYR Paperbacks and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Tumblr | Reedsy
Chris O’Brien had this whole grand plan for graduation day. Of course, nothing went to plan - not even the hundredth time around. That’s not an exaggeration, as Chris willingly stepped into a time loop to get that perfect day.
Now, Chris can’t get out of the loop, and Alicia is the only person who knows what is going on. She’s a nerd and better understands how to get out of the loop - and she knows this grand kiss Chris is planning on won’t cut it.
Review:
If you’re looking for a good novel with time loop shenanigans (think Groundhog Day), I have good news! You and Me on Repeat is a fantastic read that fits the bill. In addition to having all the chaos of a time loop, it has a romantic focus and a coming-of-age element.
You can tell that You and Me on Repeat was made for young adults and maybe even a touch younger. This is because it addresses many familiar coming-of-age concerns, from what to do with one’s life to how to find your person. The best part is that it’s all bundled in one nice package!
Don’t let the cute art style fool you; You and Me on Repeat has a deep center. Each character is fully fleshed out, from Chris and Alicia to the secondary characters they interact with. Some of the secondary plots get shockingly heavy and human, but that makes the story so much more powerful.
I am so happy that I took the time to read You and Me on Repeat. I hope other readers enjoyed it as much as I did!
Highlights:
Young Adult Graphic Novel
Time Loop
Coming of Age
Young Romance
Groundhog Day Vibes
Trigger Warnings:
Death of a Friend/Classmate
Thanks to Henry Holt. and Co. BYR Paperbacks and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Tumblr | Reedsy
October 16, 2025
Such a sweet read! It's hard to get a time loop book storyline well and this book did a great job capturing it. Loved how they used the colors to tell the story and how the author lays out the pages to tell this amazing story. Great read! Go check it out :)
October 27, 2025
3.5 - read this so long ago idek
November 20, 2025
the art and use of color are wonderful, loved the story, I LOVE TIME LOOPS!
November 24, 2025
Beautiful art, so many boards, color tones, so many ways. A good story with depth. YA but you’re never too old to enjoy. Loved it.
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January 4, 2026i love Groundhogs Day type stories and yet i still haven't actually watched Groundhogs Day
July 10, 2025
Ur girllll is back by popular demand 😚
Im getting my reading in and hoping to complete my goal; 20 down, 25 to go 😅
Anywayyy this book was pretty good, it was a fun and quick read for a summer day!
Im getting my reading in and hoping to complete my goal; 20 down, 25 to go 😅
Anywayyy this book was pretty good, it was a fun and quick read for a summer day!
November 8, 2025
Fun time loop stort with great color palettes. Some of the teen speak was a little cringe but overall fun gn!
January 22, 2026
I read this because it was shortlisted for the Morris Awards in 2026. This was much better than the other graphic novel on the list. I liked the use of the color scheme to show the different "loops", as well as the growth arc that Chris goes through. It was nice to see the juxtaposition between Chris & Alicia vs. Dr. Ido-Cantor. The relationship growth felt natural instead of forced because they're the only ones in the loop. The artwork was appealing. The story was well written and fun. I liked this a lot.
January 22, 2026
This was soo good! I loved the art, the colors, the characters, the story. ALL OF IT! Its such a cute book!!
January 24, 2026
If you’re a fan of a good time-loop story, check out You and Me on Repeat. It’s a YA graphic novel that takes that "Groundhog Day" trope and uses it to explore that weird, high-pressure time of being a high schooler on the verge of graduation.
I loved how this graphic novel tackles the heavy stuff that older teens are dealing with… things like the anxiety of life after graduation, shifting friendships, and the weight of parental expectations. I’d recommend this for high school juniors and seniors especially.
I loved how this graphic novel tackles the heavy stuff that older teens are dealing with… things like the anxiety of life after graduation, shifting friendships, and the weight of parental expectations. I’d recommend this for high school juniors and seniors especially.
December 9, 2025
3.5
Palm Springs + Booksmart
I liked this and think that Shyne tells a fun, thoughtful story with truly lovely illustrations and color art, and even if I thought that it got a little tonally messy (using the brutal death of a mother and daughter as a backdrop for a teenage romance, while also using the dead mother as a vehicle to teach that even well-meaning liberals can be subversively racist, was, to me, a bit of a misfire) I think that the world of these kids is vivid and charming, and the lessons imparted are useful and timely.
Palm Springs + Booksmart
I liked this and think that Shyne tells a fun, thoughtful story with truly lovely illustrations and color art, and even if I thought that it got a little tonally messy (using the brutal death of a mother and daughter as a backdrop for a teenage romance, while also using the dead mother as a vehicle to teach that even well-meaning liberals can be subversively racist, was, to me, a bit of a misfire) I think that the world of these kids is vivid and charming, and the lessons imparted are useful and timely.
January 22, 2026
first book to make me cry
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews