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When There's a Tomorrow
50 First Dates meets Princess Bride...
Roman can't help falling for the girl next door, even though she forgets who he is... every single day. He'll stop at nothing to figure out the cause of her memory loss if it means there's a chance she might fall for him.
Roman can't help falling for the girl next door, even though she forgets who he is... every single day. He'll stop at nothing to figure out the cause of her memory loss if it means there's a chance she might fall for him.
Audible Audio
Published December 9, 2024
1 person is currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Karyne Norton
14 books179 followersWant a FREE short story from Karyne Norton?
Grab the prequel to her fantasy series, The Half-Light Chronicles, here: https://BookHip.com/BNBMKQG
Or grab a standalone sci-fi time travel novella here: https://BookHip.com/RMHZCDJ
Karyne Norton hasn’t found the key to time travel, immortality, or infinite lives, so she’s taking a break from nursing and photography to focus on raising four human beings while writing epic fantasy and science fiction. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, which is why she’s also the host of the Finding Fantasy Reads podcast, where she reads a new short story every week from a variety of fantasy authors. Blood of the Stars, the first book in the Half-Light Chronicles, is her debut fantasy novel and The Things We Can Change is her debut sci-fi time travel thriller.
On reviews: I usually give 4-5 stars to every book I finish because a) I don't have time to finish books unless I'm loving them b) even books that have content or themes I disagree with can positively impact me c) stars don't mean a ton to readers, but they mean a lot to the authors. If you want more detailed impressions on books I'm reading, come find me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/karynenorton/) or head over to my website and sign up for my newsletter: https://karynenorton.com
Grab the prequel to her fantasy series, The Half-Light Chronicles, here: https://BookHip.com/BNBMKQG
Or grab a standalone sci-fi time travel novella here: https://BookHip.com/RMHZCDJ
Karyne Norton hasn’t found the key to time travel, immortality, or infinite lives, so she’s taking a break from nursing and photography to focus on raising four human beings while writing epic fantasy and science fiction. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, which is why she’s also the host of the Finding Fantasy Reads podcast, where she reads a new short story every week from a variety of fantasy authors. Blood of the Stars, the first book in the Half-Light Chronicles, is her debut fantasy novel and The Things We Can Change is her debut sci-fi time travel thriller.
On reviews: I usually give 4-5 stars to every book I finish because a) I don't have time to finish books unless I'm loving them b) even books that have content or themes I disagree with can positively impact me c) stars don't mean a ton to readers, but they mean a lot to the authors. If you want more detailed impressions on books I'm reading, come find me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/karynenorton/) or head over to my website and sign up for my newsletter: https://karynenorton.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 29, 2025
3 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fantasy [feels like a fairytale setting with magic]
This is only 48 pages so it feels a bit silly to mark it on Goodreads and for my reading challenge since it took about thirty minutes to read, but I feel like I must after the ending.
If I could summarize my thoughts on this short story: ?!?!???!!!!
Very eloquent, I know.
But really. Where’s the rest of it? *grabby hands* The plot of this one was very well done and had me instantly pulled in, but that ending was not enough because it’s a opened-ending not-an-ending. Meaning it really isn’t a satisfying ending and I feel like I just got conned into reading a teaser of a story without the access to the rest of it. 😩
It was a wee bit much on the romance for my tastes with a long kiss mentioning his desire for her. Other than that and the ending, though, the concept of this book was super intriguing and the setting was interesting too. I would definitely read a connecting story or the rest of this one.
[Side note: not a fairytale, but felt like one due to the setting and magic content.]
Main Content-
*Major Spoilers* .
Mentions of priests & a man praying with the priest for someone’s healing everyday for a miracle (the man is said to be “quite religious”); Mentions of curses/spells & witches; Mentions of someone possibly being a ghost & a place being rumored to be cursed.
Being held at arrow-point & threatened.
Roman wants to rebel again Sienne’s parents a few times or help her break their rule of not being allowed to leave their property (once he tricks her into going past her family’s property and doesn’t do it again because he realizes it was unkind of him);
Mentions of possible death & sickness.
2 hand kisses (one being up to 2-3 sentences),
1 kiss lasting 5-8 sentences (mentioning desire and hunger).
Staring at lips & Wanting to kiss (including Roman thinking about doing it despite it possibly ruining that day when she won’t remember it the next day, up to a few sentences).
Touches, Hand holding, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (and wanting to do all of this, up to a few sentences); Blushes & Flirting; Noticing & Staring (including her curves which makes him blush, up to a few sentences).
*Spoilers* When Roman goes to talk with Sienne’s father about marrying her, his father asks “And what do you think it would do to her? What if she got pregnant?”, which Roman hadn’t thought about how Sienne would react to waking with “stomach swollen with a pregnancy she didn’t remember?”; Later, Sienne asks Roman how many times they’ve kissed and he says none because it didn’t seem fair for him to hold a memory of that which she wouldn’t share *End of Spoilers*.
Mentions of kisses/kissing; A couple mentions of flirting.
This is only 48 pages so it feels a bit silly to mark it on Goodreads and for my reading challenge since it took about thirty minutes to read, but I feel like I must after the ending.
If I could summarize my thoughts on this short story: ?!?!???!!!!
Very eloquent, I know.
But really. Where’s the rest of it? *grabby hands* The plot of this one was very well done and had me instantly pulled in, but that ending was not enough because it’s a opened-ending not-an-ending. Meaning it really isn’t a satisfying ending and I feel like I just got conned into reading a teaser of a story without the access to the rest of it. 😩
It was a wee bit much on the romance for my tastes with a long kiss mentioning his desire for her. Other than that and the ending, though, the concept of this book was super intriguing and the setting was interesting too. I would definitely read a connecting story or the rest of this one.
[Side note: not a fairytale, but felt like one due to the setting and magic content.]
Main Content-
*Major Spoilers* .
Mentions of priests & a man praying with the priest for someone’s healing everyday for a miracle (the man is said to be “quite religious”); Mentions of curses/spells & witches; Mentions of someone possibly being a ghost & a place being rumored to be cursed.
Being held at arrow-point & threatened.
Roman wants to rebel again Sienne’s parents a few times or help her break their rule of not being allowed to leave their property (once he tricks her into going past her family’s property and doesn’t do it again because he realizes it was unkind of him);
Mentions of possible death & sickness.
2 hand kisses (one being up to 2-3 sentences),
1 kiss lasting 5-8 sentences (mentioning desire and hunger).
Staring at lips & Wanting to kiss (including Roman thinking about doing it despite it possibly ruining that day when she won’t remember it the next day, up to a few sentences).
Touches, Hand holding, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (and wanting to do all of this, up to a few sentences); Blushes & Flirting; Noticing & Staring (including her curves which makes him blush, up to a few sentences).
*Spoilers* When Roman goes to talk with Sienne’s father about marrying her, his father asks “And what do you think it would do to her? What if she got pregnant?”, which Roman hadn’t thought about how Sienne would react to waking with “stomach swollen with a pregnancy she didn’t remember?”; Later, Sienne asks Roman how many times they’ve kissed and he says none because it didn’t seem fair for him to hold a memory of that which she wouldn’t share *End of Spoilers*.
Mentions of kisses/kissing; A couple mentions of flirting.
February 15, 2024
tear in my eye. That’s all I can say I don’t wanna spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t read it but it makes you appreciate what love really is.
August 2, 2025
Content:
Profanity: None.
Violence: None.
Sexual: Mild. First love stuff. Hand holding, blushes, and one kiss that isn't descriptive beyond it being called "passionate" and the guy pulling her close.
Dang. I really want this short story to get expanded. It ends right when it was getting good, but the thing is, it ends on a bang. It's incredibly well written for how short it is, which is a feat. Short stories are unique in how they need to be paced, and the author hits it out of the ballpark on that front. The only reason this is 4 stars instead of 5 is I desperately needed this to end on a more complete note. Roman and Sienne were just figuring things out!
It is the sweet and clean version of 50 First Dates, with a fairy tale vibe.
Fantastic story. I'm excited to put some of the author's novels on my TBR!
Profanity: None.
Violence: None.
Sexual: Mild. First love stuff. Hand holding, blushes, and one kiss that isn't descriptive beyond it being called "passionate" and the guy pulling her close.
Dang. I really want this short story to get expanded. It ends right when it was getting good, but the thing is, it ends on a bang. It's incredibly well written for how short it is, which is a feat. Short stories are unique in how they need to be paced, and the author hits it out of the ballpark on that front. The only reason this is 4 stars instead of 5 is I desperately needed this to end on a more complete note. Roman and Sienne were just figuring things out!
It is the sweet and clean version of 50 First Dates, with a fairy tale vibe.
Fantastic story. I'm excited to put some of the author's novels on my TBR!
February 6, 2025
This is a sweet short story. My only real beef with it is the cliffhanger ending, though I do have a bunch of questions. Do they heal her heart? Do they break the curse and if so, are there any consequences to them being 500+ years old or dp they just go from that day as if the 500 years never happened? How did no one else realize this family had been here that long???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2025
1. I loved this!
2. Roman is the sweetest.
3. I was crying!
4. Karyne, give us more please!!
This was such a sweet, short novella and I loved how Roman was with Sienne. I need more, Karyne, pretty please. LOL. I want to see if a cure was found and the curse broken. Excellently written.
2. Roman is the sweetest.
3. I was crying!
4. Karyne, give us more please!!
This was such a sweet, short novella and I loved how Roman was with Sienne. I need more, Karyne, pretty please. LOL. I want to see if a cure was found and the curse broken. Excellently written.
Want to read
October 19, 2024Included in the "Of Storms and Stardust" charity anthology for victims of Hurricane Helene.
February 17, 2024
Pitched to me as "The Princess Bride" meets "50 First Dates," I couldn't not read this one as soon as I had a bit of time to.
"When There's a Tomorrow" follows a young man named Roman who meets Sienne, the mysterious girl who just moved in next door. . . except he knows that's not true because he's known her for years. Every day, Sienne forgets who Roman is, but that doesn't stop Roman from falling in love with her. As eight years go by, Roman works to discover the mysterious circumstances behind Sienne's memory loss and why she doesn't remember his visits the next day.
This story is a cute tale of perseverance, love, and dedication. Roman knows that Sienne won't remember him the next day, but that doesn't stop him from returning to her side day in and day out. When he comes of age, he even goes to become a physician to learn more about ailments of the brain in order to try to help Sienne. The "50 First Dates" vibes was at the forefront of this one, and I loved the magical twist to the tale (which is why I presume it's pitched as being similar to "The Princess Bride"). I love both of these stories, and I feel that it is fair judgement to compare it to these two, though it leans more into one than the other.
Overall, I thought that "When There's a Tomorrow" is a short and sweet love story that was unique as it was familiar. I enjoyed seeing a fresh spin on a topic that has already been explored before. I also enjoyed the hints of mystery and the fantastical elements at play. It was pretty good for such a short story and once again proves to me that Norton can draw an audience in with a fairly limited number of pages.
"When There's a Tomorrow" follows a young man named Roman who meets Sienne, the mysterious girl who just moved in next door. . . except he knows that's not true because he's known her for years. Every day, Sienne forgets who Roman is, but that doesn't stop Roman from falling in love with her. As eight years go by, Roman works to discover the mysterious circumstances behind Sienne's memory loss and why she doesn't remember his visits the next day.
This story is a cute tale of perseverance, love, and dedication. Roman knows that Sienne won't remember him the next day, but that doesn't stop him from returning to her side day in and day out. When he comes of age, he even goes to become a physician to learn more about ailments of the brain in order to try to help Sienne. The "50 First Dates" vibes was at the forefront of this one, and I loved the magical twist to the tale (which is why I presume it's pitched as being similar to "The Princess Bride"). I love both of these stories, and I feel that it is fair judgement to compare it to these two, though it leans more into one than the other.
Overall, I thought that "When There's a Tomorrow" is a short and sweet love story that was unique as it was familiar. I enjoyed seeing a fresh spin on a topic that has already been explored before. I also enjoyed the hints of mystery and the fantastical elements at play. It was pretty good for such a short story and once again proves to me that Norton can draw an audience in with a fairly limited number of pages.
May 30, 2025
I went into When There’s A Tomorrow thinking it’d be a simple little romance novella—cute, emotional, probably predictable. But wow, was I wrong.
Yes, it is a romance at heart—Roman and the girl-next-door dynamic totally pulls you in—but it’s also got layers I didn’t see coming. Memory loss, mystery, emotional depth… and then that ending?! I need more!
The story surprised me in the best way. It’s sweet, yes, but also thought-provoking and bittersweet in parts. You can really feel Roman’s heart in every page, and the pacing keeps you hooked the whole way through.
Honestly, it left me wanting more—in a please tell me there’s a sequel kind of way.
Yes, it is a romance at heart—Roman and the girl-next-door dynamic totally pulls you in—but it’s also got layers I didn’t see coming. Memory loss, mystery, emotional depth… and then that ending?! I need more!
The story surprised me in the best way. It’s sweet, yes, but also thought-provoking and bittersweet in parts. You can really feel Roman’s heart in every page, and the pacing keeps you hooked the whole way through.
Honestly, it left me wanting more—in a please tell me there’s a sequel kind of way.
September 2, 2024
"When There's a Tomorrow" is a quick read. Imagine "The Princess Bride" X "Groundhog Day." Roman wonders why the girl next door can't remember meeting him ever...for the past eight years. He'll have to do some investigating. I really wish this one were longer. I'd like to know what happens after the conclusion of this story.
January 9, 2025
I went into this short story with an expectation that it would be, essentially, a fantasy version of "50 First Dates". While it does seem to be that way, at first, this short story takes a bit of a turn and when it ends, it leaves you wanting more in the best of ways.
January 16, 2025
I love, love, love this story. It's a stand-alone short romantasy that's beautifully written and heartwarming. It's described as 50 First Dates meets Princess Bride, which is pretty accurate and makes for a great story. Can't wait to read more from this author.
November 11, 2024
I want to cry…🥲
This book ends kind of on a cliffhanger, where we have no idea what happens after😫
I just needed a happy ending😔
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book ends kind of on a cliffhanger, where we have no idea what happens after😫
I just needed a happy ending😔
⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 23, 2025
Good little short story
August 26, 2025
Sweet and unexpected :)
August 26, 2025
Sweet and unexpected :)
December 23, 2024
This was a bookfunnel freebie. An intriguing short story. I don't want to spoil it so won't say anything more.
February 24, 2025
sweet
October 19, 2024
I was introduced to this EXCELLENT author from an anthology I picked up. To say that I was impressed would be a major understatement! I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!! Blown away at how fully Karyne tugged at my heart, blown away at the immense emotions this story brought out in me, blown away at these majorly impressive characters and blown away at story that is the sweetest story ever! I was so upset there wasn't more! I really really want it to continue! Ronan and Sienne are a romance made in heaven! Seriously! The intensity of their love knows no bounds, literally, and Ronan took up a painfully loving task over and over again. But he never faltered, he never gave up...I cannot love a character more than Roman. His love and persistence in trying to fix Sienne, trying to get her to remember, is so poignantly beautiful, it touched my heart. To be stuck in a time loop is bad enough but to be in the same one for 500 years....geez! Groundhog day at it's best and worst! Sienne, likewise has intense feelings for Ronan and this short story shows that true love will ALWAYS find it's way! Such a beautiful, poignant read, so full of love, tenderness and hope. Absolutely LOVED it!!!
October 26, 2024
Well written with an interesting premise and adorable chemistry.
There is a continuity/logic issue that I can't discuss that bugged me, but no one else seems to have noticed it in other reviews and talking about it would be spoilers, so just going to go with maybe it's just my brain making connections/not giving room for the characters in the story to be super bad about putting things together? It didn't ruin things enough for me to not enjoy myself. I was just kind of "but wait, what about..." one element at the end.
There is a continuity/logic issue that I can't discuss that bugged me, but no one else seems to have noticed it in other reviews and talking about it would be spoilers, so just going to go with maybe it's just my brain making connections/not giving room for the characters in the story to be super bad about putting things together? It didn't ruin things enough for me to not enjoy myself. I was just kind of "but wait, what about..." one element at the end.
November 15, 2024
A great 50 First Dates retelling with a pinch of magic!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews