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You & Me and You & Me and You & Me
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Expected 10 Feb 26Adam and Jules have been married for twenty-five years when they discover a time machine in their shed - can it bring back their romantic spark? Or will it unravel everything? Written by a real-life couple who fell in love while writing their bestselling debut novel twenty-five years ago.
One couple. One past. A million tomorrows.
Meet Adam and Jules. Married for nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut, their future looks, well, boring.
Then Adam stumbles across a box of old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love. He dusts off his vintage stereo, inserts one of the cassettes, presses play … and the unbelievable happens.
With the power to travel back in time, he and Jules can revisit pivotal moments in their pasts. Is this the key to getting their sparkle back? They embark on an epic hunt through the multiverse for their perfect love story. But as they visit the past and recapture the headiness of falling in love, they realize that traveling across time could be as dangerous as it is addictive, because the temptation to change just a few small things is irresistible. As the ripple effects spiral out of control, can they find a way back to their messy and imperfect, yet glorious, real life? Or will they lose each other forever?
One couple. One past. A million tomorrows.
Meet Adam and Jules. Married for nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut, their future looks, well, boring.
Then Adam stumbles across a box of old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love. He dusts off his vintage stereo, inserts one of the cassettes, presses play … and the unbelievable happens.
With the power to travel back in time, he and Jules can revisit pivotal moments in their pasts. Is this the key to getting their sparkle back? They embark on an epic hunt through the multiverse for their perfect love story. But as they visit the past and recapture the headiness of falling in love, they realize that traveling across time could be as dangerous as it is addictive, because the temptation to change just a few small things is irresistible. As the ripple effects spiral out of control, can they find a way back to their messy and imperfect, yet glorious, real life? Or will they lose each other forever?
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 10, 2026
19 people are currently reading
8302 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 4, 2025
Jules & Adam have been married for 25 years, have raised 2 kids and now find themselves “stuck” in an unsatisfying marriage. In their early days of courting, they would make each other mix-tapes. When Adam finds them in a box of things that Jules has set aside for the trash, he is absolutely appalled. He takes them out to his man-cave and goes through them until he finds the very first one Jules made for him. He pops the cassette tape into his player and all of a sudden he has time traveled back to the day she gave it to him. Upon returning to the present, he tells Jules what he just experienced. She doesn’t quite believe what she is hearing, but she picks a mixtape and heads back to that time period. Once she returns, they set ground rules that they can’t change things that are going to affect others, but little by little, they begin breaking those rules until all of a sudden, their marriage is in worse shape than before. What have they done and how are they going to fix things?!? I was totally entertained by this story. I think everyone who has been married this long will totally relate to some of what they were going through.
Many thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an invitation to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Many thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an invitation to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
December 1, 2025
I had never heard of either of the authors before, but I am a sucker for a time travel book, so I was intrigued. Whilst I enjoyed the story, I felt it could do with some more editing. There were a few errors, including one sentence being repeated, and a handful of places where things didn’t feel quite right. That said, overall, I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I picked it up.
Adam and Jules have been married for nearly twenty five years, but their relationship is strained. Both are bored, resentful, and struggling to remember why they fell in love, with their grown children no longer holding them together. Adam retreats to his shed, where he discovers the old mix tapes, they once made for each other. When he plays one, he is transported back to the exact moment the tape was exchanged—half the time before and half after. In these time slips, Adam and Jules can either relive events as passengers in their younger selves or take control to alter the past, reshaping the present. As Jules eventually comes to believe Adam’s discovery, the couple take turns revisiting their history, promising not to interfere. But temptation is strong, and the question remains: can they resist changing what has already happened, and if they do, will it truly make things better?
Overall, You & Me and You & Me and You & Me is an enjoyable time travel story with a clever premise that lets Adam and Jules revisit the highs and lows of their marriage. Although I felt it could benefit from more editing, with a few errors and repeated sentences standing out, the concept and characters kept me engaged. Despite those flaws, I really enjoyed the book and would happily recommend it to anyone who, like me, is a sucker for time travel fiction.
Adam and Jules have been married for nearly twenty five years, but their relationship is strained. Both are bored, resentful, and struggling to remember why they fell in love, with their grown children no longer holding them together. Adam retreats to his shed, where he discovers the old mix tapes, they once made for each other. When he plays one, he is transported back to the exact moment the tape was exchanged—half the time before and half after. In these time slips, Adam and Jules can either relive events as passengers in their younger selves or take control to alter the past, reshaping the present. As Jules eventually comes to believe Adam’s discovery, the couple take turns revisiting their history, promising not to interfere. But temptation is strong, and the question remains: can they resist changing what has already happened, and if they do, will it truly make things better?
Overall, You & Me and You & Me and You & Me is an enjoyable time travel story with a clever premise that lets Adam and Jules revisit the highs and lows of their marriage. Although I felt it could benefit from more editing, with a few errors and repeated sentences standing out, the concept and characters kept me engaged. Despite those flaws, I really enjoyed the book and would happily recommend it to anyone who, like me, is a sucker for time travel fiction.
August 28, 2025
3.5 🌟
Jules and Adam have been stuck in a rut in their marriage, until Adam rediscovers the old mixtapes they used to make for each other. When he decides to play one, he’s unexpectedly transported back in time. Together, Jules and Adam start reliving the “good times” of their relationship in hopes of fixing what’s broken. But as they make small changes, they find themselves slipping into an alternate timeline.
The story does a great job of portraying just how flawed both characters are, which makes them feel very real, even if they aren’t particularly likeable. Personally, that did lower my rating a bit, especially since infidelity is a theme I don’t enjoy. That said, the book was still highly entertaining. I loved the Back to the Future vibes and the reminder that there’s beauty in being authentically ourselves.
Overall, a solid read if you enjoy flawed main characters and a story that leans into realism rather than perfection.
🎶✨📼🩵
Jules and Adam have been stuck in a rut in their marriage, until Adam rediscovers the old mixtapes they used to make for each other. When he decides to play one, he’s unexpectedly transported back in time. Together, Jules and Adam start reliving the “good times” of their relationship in hopes of fixing what’s broken. But as they make small changes, they find themselves slipping into an alternate timeline.
The story does a great job of portraying just how flawed both characters are, which makes them feel very real, even if they aren’t particularly likeable. Personally, that did lower my rating a bit, especially since infidelity is a theme I don’t enjoy. That said, the book was still highly entertaining. I loved the Back to the Future vibes and the reminder that there’s beauty in being authentically ourselves.
Overall, a solid read if you enjoy flawed main characters and a story that leans into realism rather than perfection.
🎶✨📼🩵
November 13, 2025
Pub. date 2/10/26
3.5 stars. Way back at the turn of the 21st century, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees published several well-received novels such as Come Together that used their alternating points of view to portray the romance arc for 20-something MMCs and FMCs. Somewhere along the line, fiction became fact; Lloyd and Rees got together, married, and had kids. I lost track of them for a few decades, but here they are again, older and wiser, with a clever if somewhat confusing time- loop variation on Can This Marriage Be Saved?
Jules and Adam are a typical couple approaching their 25 year anniversary. Although they still love each other, the stresses of jobs, money, and kids combined with several traumatic losses have left them far from the two young adults who used mixtapes* to convey their feelings. After a particularly bad fight, Adam retreats to his workshop and pops one of the tapes into their old cassette player. Suddenly he finds himself back in 1989, crushing on Jules and shyly handing her his first mixtape offering.
Adam returns to the present and tells Jules about the magical cassette player. They start taking turns going back in time, just to relive the experiences and feelings. They pledge to not interfere with anything that happened when they travel back. But surely a few little changes wouldn't be bad? Like Adam warning Jules not to get the name of her soon-to-be-ex boyfriend tattooed on her shoulder. Or Jules casually commenting to Adam that she doesn't care for men with facial hair. But the temptation becomes too great, and soon Adam and Jules are taking more significant actions while visiting the past that will have lasting and unforeseen repercussions beyond their control.
I liked the fact that both Jules and Adam were willing, knowing participants in the time-loop. In most books of this genre, one character does the traveling while the other is either blissfully ignorant or a passive beneficiary of the process. Both MCs, and their college-aged kids, are relatable and sympathetically flawed. I did find myself a little lost in the time-loop mechanics, TBH. I'll buy the outlandish premise that Adam and Jules figure out the rules of the magical cassette player almost immediately. And at first, it's easy to track the effects of their journeys (Jules doesn't have a tattoo now! Adam is clean-shaven!). But as the story progresses, it becomes harder to recall how the numerous changes have built on each other to create the new reality. The fact that Adam and Jules immediately "remember" everything that comprises their new reality felt too convenient. Also, the resolution tidies up things cleanly, which felt like a cop out given the messy premise.
I'm happy to see that Lloyd and Rees are still professional and personal partners. Can we expect another book in 20 years that catches up with their literary doppelgangers as they share the joys of aching joints, failing memories, and weekly doctor appointments?
*If you're younger than 40, ask your parents.
ARC received from publisher and Net Galley.
3.5 stars. Way back at the turn of the 21st century, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees published several well-received novels such as Come Together that used their alternating points of view to portray the romance arc for 20-something MMCs and FMCs. Somewhere along the line, fiction became fact; Lloyd and Rees got together, married, and had kids. I lost track of them for a few decades, but here they are again, older and wiser, with a clever if somewhat confusing time- loop variation on Can This Marriage Be Saved?
Jules and Adam are a typical couple approaching their 25 year anniversary. Although they still love each other, the stresses of jobs, money, and kids combined with several traumatic losses have left them far from the two young adults who used mixtapes* to convey their feelings. After a particularly bad fight, Adam retreats to his workshop and pops one of the tapes into their old cassette player. Suddenly he finds himself back in 1989, crushing on Jules and shyly handing her his first mixtape offering.
Adam returns to the present and tells Jules about the magical cassette player. They start taking turns going back in time, just to relive the experiences and feelings. They pledge to not interfere with anything that happened when they travel back. But surely a few little changes wouldn't be bad? Like Adam warning Jules not to get the name of her soon-to-be-ex boyfriend tattooed on her shoulder. Or Jules casually commenting to Adam that she doesn't care for men with facial hair. But the temptation becomes too great, and soon Adam and Jules are taking more significant actions while visiting the past that will have lasting and unforeseen repercussions beyond their control.
I liked the fact that both Jules and Adam were willing, knowing participants in the time-loop. In most books of this genre, one character does the traveling while the other is either blissfully ignorant or a passive beneficiary of the process. Both MCs, and their college-aged kids, are relatable and sympathetically flawed. I did find myself a little lost in the time-loop mechanics, TBH. I'll buy the outlandish premise that Adam and Jules figure out the rules of the magical cassette player almost immediately. And at first, it's easy to track the effects of their journeys (Jules doesn't have a tattoo now! Adam is clean-shaven!). But as the story progresses, it becomes harder to recall how the numerous changes have built on each other to create the new reality. The fact that Adam and Jules immediately "remember" everything that comprises their new reality felt too convenient. Also, the resolution tidies up things cleanly, which felt like a cop out given the messy premise.
I'm happy to see that Lloyd and Rees are still professional and personal partners. Can we expect another book in 20 years that catches up with their literary doppelgangers as they share the joys of aching joints, failing memories, and weekly doctor appointments?
*If you're younger than 40, ask your parents.
ARC received from publisher and Net Galley.
November 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Star Review for You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees
Whew—what an absolute rollercoaster! This book took me on a loop-de-loop of messy human choices, questionable decisions, and moments where I genuinely wanted to shake the MCs… but also, would I have made better choices in their shoes? Honestly, maybe not. 😅
The premise is so much fun—super messy, full of drama, and sprinkled with just enough sci-fi/time-travel magic to keep things fresh. The time-travel elements are inventive and new, and I was all in on the wild ride. I’m basically the exact target-audience reader for this book, and it delivered.
The characters? Chaotic, flawed, lovable, and occasionally exasperating. I wanted the absolute best for them, even when they were making me want to yell “STOP!!!” at the page. There were also flashes of humor and heart that hit perfectly, and the writing is easy and bingeable.
That said, I do wish we’d gotten a bit more depth and connection between the characters—there’s so much potential there. Still, this is a lighthearted, gossipy, sleepover-energy kind of read, full of crushes, drama, and magical little moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
Whew—what an absolute rollercoaster! This book took me on a loop-de-loop of messy human choices, questionable decisions, and moments where I genuinely wanted to shake the MCs… but also, would I have made better choices in their shoes? Honestly, maybe not. 😅
The premise is so much fun—super messy, full of drama, and sprinkled with just enough sci-fi/time-travel magic to keep things fresh. The time-travel elements are inventive and new, and I was all in on the wild ride. I’m basically the exact target-audience reader for this book, and it delivered.
The characters? Chaotic, flawed, lovable, and occasionally exasperating. I wanted the absolute best for them, even when they were making me want to yell “STOP!!!” at the page. There were also flashes of humor and heart that hit perfectly, and the writing is easy and bingeable.
That said, I do wish we’d gotten a bit more depth and connection between the characters—there’s so much potential there. Still, this is a lighthearted, gossipy, sleepover-energy kind of read, full of crushes, drama, and magical little moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
October 24, 2025
I really like fiction. I was reading a lot of non-fiction. I was very excited about the premise of this book. I really liked the authors of this book.
The book started really strong for me. I liked the characters and the premise. It was light but it, also, had substance. It was a fairly easy read.
The middle of the book got too long for me. I liked the moral of the story and what the book was trying to show. In the middle of the book, I started to lose interest. The book could have been shorter.
I really liked the ending of the book. The moral was clear. I liked the characters again. It redeemed the middle of the book for me.
I am appreciative for Netgalley and the author's of the book for the opportunity for read this book. I will look at life a little different because of this book.
Come back to your Review on the pub date, Feb 10 2026, to post to retailers.
December 2, 2025
The concept of time traveling by mixtape obviously intrigued this music lover, and the story did not disappoint.
Jules and Adam’s marriage hits a rut after 25 years and instead of calling it quits or trying to fix it conventionally, they opt for creating multiverses and changing ”small” things each time they time travel to presumably make things better in the present. It doesn’t quite work as intended, which left me with quite a bit of anxiety mid-read, but also led me to keep reading to find out how much more they screwed up and/or actually made better. In my opinion, they made some poor decisions. This would be good for a book club to discuss further though.
It is also interesting that the two authors have been married for 25 years to each other. I wonder how their writing process worked to write the alternating POVs.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for this ARC!
Jules and Adam’s marriage hits a rut after 25 years and instead of calling it quits or trying to fix it conventionally, they opt for creating multiverses and changing ”small” things each time they time travel to presumably make things better in the present. It doesn’t quite work as intended, which left me with quite a bit of anxiety mid-read, but also led me to keep reading to find out how much more they screwed up and/or actually made better. In my opinion, they made some poor decisions. This would be good for a book club to discuss further though.
It is also interesting that the two authors have been married for 25 years to each other. I wonder how their writing process worked to write the alternating POVs.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for this ARC!
November 29, 2025
This is one of those books that comes to you when you really need it. I couldn't wait to finish to find out what happens, but also didn't want it to end.
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me
Adam & Jules married nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut. Then Adam comes across some old mix tapes that he and Jules used to make for each other. I loved all the music references and travelling back in time to visit moments in their past hoping to find the key to getting their marriage, and life back on track.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam, for the eARC of this book
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me
Adam & Jules married nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut. Then Adam comes across some old mix tapes that he and Jules used to make for each other. I loved all the music references and travelling back in time to visit moments in their past hoping to find the key to getting their marriage, and life back on track.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam, for the eARC of this book
September 15, 2025
Having grown up reading Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, I was thrilled to see a new release from them — it felt like slipping into a comfy old pair of trousers. Their familiar writing style instantly transported me back, and there’s something nostalgic and comforting about the tone they strike.
I really liked the concept of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me — it had so much potential, and the setup drew me in quickly. However, I found that the story dipped a bit in the middle, and I lost momentum for a while. It dragged enough that I found myself slightly bored, but thankfully, it picked back up again toward the end.
Despite the pacing issues, I enjoyed it overall. The attention to detail and the emotional undercurrents were lovely, and fans of Lloyd and Rees will likely appreciate the familiar rhythm of their storytelling.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House for ARC
I really liked the concept of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me — it had so much potential, and the setup drew me in quickly. However, I found that the story dipped a bit in the middle, and I lost momentum for a while. It dragged enough that I found myself slightly bored, but thankfully, it picked back up again toward the end.
Despite the pacing issues, I enjoyed it overall. The attention to detail and the emotional undercurrents were lovely, and fans of Lloyd and Rees will likely appreciate the familiar rhythm of their storytelling.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House for ARC
November 17, 2025
It was fine, if predictable. It goes the way you'd expect it to--people find a magic portal to the past, they go back and inadvertently screw something up, then work the rest of the novel to undo the havoc they've wrought.
I just want to know why the authors gave the central couple the surname "Hole."
I just want to know why the authors gave the central couple the surname "Hole."
October 7, 2025
I loved this book. 4.5 stars. A little bit Freaky Friday, Back to the Future, 13 going on 30, About Time, and What Alice Forgot all mashed together.
Want to read
September 29, 2025NetGalley widget (a maybe)
Pub Date Feb 10 2026
Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pub Date Feb 10 2026
Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons
December 24, 2025
Thank you so much NetGalley and Putnam for the early copy of this book.
This book was so good! Magical realism time travel that had me gripped from the very beginning.
It really captivated me with its unique plot. I felt so excited reading this book and I couldn’t wait to see where each time travel would lead. I loved the playlist idea and how it worked the time travel.
The characters were well developed and the writing was very good and easy to read and follow.
Overall, this book was about love. Unconditional love for each other and their family. It makes you think about and appreciate what you have and how it’s true what they say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
I loved the ending even though the events leading up to it made me mad and sad but it ended the best way it could. I really enjoyed this book!
This book was so good! Magical realism time travel that had me gripped from the very beginning.
It really captivated me with its unique plot. I felt so excited reading this book and I couldn’t wait to see where each time travel would lead. I loved the playlist idea and how it worked the time travel.
The characters were well developed and the writing was very good and easy to read and follow.
Overall, this book was about love. Unconditional love for each other and their family. It makes you think about and appreciate what you have and how it’s true what they say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
I loved the ending even though the events leading up to it made me mad and sad but it ended the best way it could. I really enjoyed this book!
September 21, 2025
I love a good time travel story, getting to see how the smallest of changes to the past has a huge and unforeseeable impact on the present, as effects ripple out and compound—which is precisely what I thought I’d be getting in ‘You & Me and You & Me and You & Me’, both due to long-established genre expectations and due to the promise in the summary that after changing “just a few tiny things” the “consequences start to spiral out of control”. However, this book does something different. Changes made to the past don’t have consequences beyond the thing that was changed… Which was not only a huge disappointment (and felt like a major cheat) but was also jarringly implausible for a science fiction fan. (Warning: this is a story that soon falls apart if you engage your brain cells at all, and it can’t even stick to its own rules, so if you too are here for the sci-fi element, leave now.)
This alone was enough to set this book firmly in the “not for me” category; however, there were plenty of other elements to cement this verdict. Let’s start with the two main characters, whose voices sound so identical that I constantly found myself forgetting whose perspective I was reading from and having to flip back to the character name at the beginning of the chapter just to check. Aside from their bland indistinguishability, they have zero willpower. I mean, ZERO. One second they’re all, “We absolutely cannot change the past due to its potential wide-reaching and catastrophic repercussions,” (no need to worry there) and the next they’re changing things anyway. Which, obviously, had to happen for the story to progress, but also could have been handled in a much more convincing and less repetitive (and annoying) way. Then there are their nonsensical actions—who the hell takes apart a time machine and risks breaking it when they plan to use it??? And what about the realisations they come to, for example where one quick trip to the past is enough to erase a lifetime’s worth of body image issues? Talk about unearned. Character change is meant to build up slowly and inevitably across the story, not happen out of nowhere in an instant.
Next: the humour. Not only does it feel forced, but it is incredibly immature. I love a humorous book, but as someone aged over ten, I don’t find jokes about bodily functions funny. Naming the main character A Hole, isn’t funny. Talking about farts and erections—sorry, stiffies—isn’t funny. It’s hard to believe this was written by adults.
And as for all the name drops and brand mentions and pop culture references. If this was meant to make the book seem cool and relevant, it didn’t. It just felt tacky. And like it should have come with a product placement warning.
Finally: the romance element. This book presents a very idealised, unrealistic and saccharine view of love. Personally, I don’t buy it. It feels unnuanced and inauthentic, and these characters need a lot more than a metaphysical nudge in order to fix their relationship. This makes the ending feels super cheesy, unsatisfying, and—once again—unearned.
All that said, I know some readers are going to absolutely love this book. So, if you’re looking for a Hallmark-movie of a story, with lots of predictability, sentimentality over true feeling, an abundance of juvenile humour and a glut of references, plus you’re wiling to disengage your brain entirely, then this book is a great pick. However, if you’re into sci-fi or are looking something with even a modicum of depth, steer well clear of it, otherwise you might find yourself wishing for a time machine of your own.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, and Random House UK for the ARC.
⚠️ Infidelity, disordered eating, body shaming, detail of injury
This alone was enough to set this book firmly in the “not for me” category; however, there were plenty of other elements to cement this verdict. Let’s start with the two main characters, whose voices sound so identical that I constantly found myself forgetting whose perspective I was reading from and having to flip back to the character name at the beginning of the chapter just to check. Aside from their bland indistinguishability, they have zero willpower. I mean, ZERO. One second they’re all, “We absolutely cannot change the past due to its potential wide-reaching and catastrophic repercussions,” (no need to worry there) and the next they’re changing things anyway. Which, obviously, had to happen for the story to progress, but also could have been handled in a much more convincing and less repetitive (and annoying) way. Then there are their nonsensical actions—who the hell takes apart a time machine and risks breaking it when they plan to use it??? And what about the realisations they come to, for example where one quick trip to the past is enough to erase a lifetime’s worth of body image issues? Talk about unearned. Character change is meant to build up slowly and inevitably across the story, not happen out of nowhere in an instant.
Next: the humour. Not only does it feel forced, but it is incredibly immature. I love a humorous book, but as someone aged over ten, I don’t find jokes about bodily functions funny. Naming the main character A Hole, isn’t funny. Talking about farts and erections—sorry, stiffies—isn’t funny. It’s hard to believe this was written by adults.
And as for all the name drops and brand mentions and pop culture references. If this was meant to make the book seem cool and relevant, it didn’t. It just felt tacky. And like it should have come with a product placement warning.
Finally: the romance element. This book presents a very idealised, unrealistic and saccharine view of love. Personally, I don’t buy it. It feels unnuanced and inauthentic, and these characters need a lot more than a metaphysical nudge in order to fix their relationship. This makes the ending feels super cheesy, unsatisfying, and—once again—unearned.
All that said, I know some readers are going to absolutely love this book. So, if you’re looking for a Hallmark-movie of a story, with lots of predictability, sentimentality over true feeling, an abundance of juvenile humour and a glut of references, plus you’re wiling to disengage your brain entirely, then this book is a great pick. However, if you’re into sci-fi or are looking something with even a modicum of depth, steer well clear of it, otherwise you might find yourself wishing for a time machine of your own.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, and Random House UK for the ARC.
⚠️ Infidelity, disordered eating, body shaming, detail of injury
November 24, 2025
What if the key to fixing a broken marriage wasn’t therapy or a grand romantic gesture—but a mixtape that sends you hurtling back in time?
This novel takes that irresistible premise and spins it into a heartfelt, messy, and wildly entertaining story about love, regret, and the complicated beauty of long-term commitment.
Jules and Adam, approaching their twenty-fifth anniversary, are stuck in the kind of emotional rut that feels painfully relatable. Years of stress, loss, and the everyday grind have worn down what once made their relationship vibrant. But when Adam rediscovers their old mixtapes—the ones they made for each other in the early days of their relationship—he unknowingly unlocks a literal door to the past. One song, one cassette, and suddenly he’s back in 1989, reliving the moment young Jules handed him her first tape.
Once Jules reluctantly joins in, the couple sets “ground rules” about not altering the past… but temptation is a powerful thing. A tiny warning here, a small comment there, and soon they’re nudging their younger selves toward seemingly harmless changes. But each tweak ripples outward, building into a tangle of altered memories, shifting realities, and consequences they never saw coming. As their timelines—and their marriage—grow increasingly unrecognizable, the question becomes not just how to fix things, but whether they’re willing to face the truth about who they’ve become.
What makes this book so engaging is how human it feels. Jules and Adam are deeply flawed—sometimes lovable, sometimes infuriating, always real. Their choices don’t always make them easy to root for, but they make them fascinating, and their emotional journey is sincere and resonant. The time-travel mechanics are fun, nostalgic, and pleasantly “Back to the Future”-esque, even when they get a little chaotic. The magic here isn’t in the sci-fi logic; it’s in the feelings the past stirs up and the uncomfortable honesty it forces the characters to confront.
The story moves briskly, though the middle stretch can feel a bit long as the increasingly complex timeline twists pile up. Still, the narrative sticks its landing with an ending that feels both earned and emotionally satisfying. It’s a reminder that love isn’t perfect, people aren’t perfect, and sometimes the real work of a relationship is choosing each other again—despite everything.
At its core, this book is about unconditional love, nostalgia, second chances, and the courage it takes to look at your life—past and present—and decide what truly matters. Warm, funny, frustrating, heartfelt, and wonderfully nostalgic, it’s a perfect read for anyone who loves magical realism with emotional depth, flawed characters, and the bittersweet magic of revisiting the moments that shaped us.
Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Books for the ARC
This novel takes that irresistible premise and spins it into a heartfelt, messy, and wildly entertaining story about love, regret, and the complicated beauty of long-term commitment.
Jules and Adam, approaching their twenty-fifth anniversary, are stuck in the kind of emotional rut that feels painfully relatable. Years of stress, loss, and the everyday grind have worn down what once made their relationship vibrant. But when Adam rediscovers their old mixtapes—the ones they made for each other in the early days of their relationship—he unknowingly unlocks a literal door to the past. One song, one cassette, and suddenly he’s back in 1989, reliving the moment young Jules handed him her first tape.
Once Jules reluctantly joins in, the couple sets “ground rules” about not altering the past… but temptation is a powerful thing. A tiny warning here, a small comment there, and soon they’re nudging their younger selves toward seemingly harmless changes. But each tweak ripples outward, building into a tangle of altered memories, shifting realities, and consequences they never saw coming. As their timelines—and their marriage—grow increasingly unrecognizable, the question becomes not just how to fix things, but whether they’re willing to face the truth about who they’ve become.
What makes this book so engaging is how human it feels. Jules and Adam are deeply flawed—sometimes lovable, sometimes infuriating, always real. Their choices don’t always make them easy to root for, but they make them fascinating, and their emotional journey is sincere and resonant. The time-travel mechanics are fun, nostalgic, and pleasantly “Back to the Future”-esque, even when they get a little chaotic. The magic here isn’t in the sci-fi logic; it’s in the feelings the past stirs up and the uncomfortable honesty it forces the characters to confront.
The story moves briskly, though the middle stretch can feel a bit long as the increasingly complex timeline twists pile up. Still, the narrative sticks its landing with an ending that feels both earned and emotionally satisfying. It’s a reminder that love isn’t perfect, people aren’t perfect, and sometimes the real work of a relationship is choosing each other again—despite everything.
At its core, this book is about unconditional love, nostalgia, second chances, and the courage it takes to look at your life—past and present—and decide what truly matters. Warm, funny, frustrating, heartfelt, and wonderfully nostalgic, it’s a perfect read for anyone who loves magical realism with emotional depth, flawed characters, and the bittersweet magic of revisiting the moments that shaped us.
Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Books for the ARC
August 31, 2025
If you loved the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once, then you will definitely love You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees. This book is what happens when you take the emotional core of the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once (the messy, imperfect beauty of love and family) and swap googly eyed bagels for mixtapes and vintage stereos.
Adam and Jules are twenty five years into marriage, deep in that comfortable but slightly stale rut, when an old box of mixtapes cracks open not just nostalgia, but literal time travel. And here’s where the book hits that EEAAO sweet spot: the idea that there are infinite versions of us, infinite paths we could have taken, but the real question is... what version of us do we choose to fight for?
Like EEAAO, this story balances absurdity (yep, rewinding life with cassette tapes) with emotional depth. On the surface, it’s fun and quirky, like mixtapes as wormholes! Flashes back to the dizzy high of first love! But beneath the clever conceit is something raw and real: the terrifying temptation to rewrite your past, to fix mistakes, to make things smoother, easier, less… human. Just like Evelyn in the film, Adam and Jules have to face the chaos and mess of their actual lives, and decide whether the “what ifs” are worth more than the “what is.”
And the brilliance of it is that it doesn’t shy away from showing how addictive regret and nostalgia can be. There’s a universality in that tug of war, like how often do we think, “If I had just done one thing differently”? But the book, much like the movie, gently nudges us toward the radical idea that love is choosing someone again and again, even when it’s hard, even when it’s flawed, even when laundry piles up and conversations stall and taxes are due.
Where EEAAO gave us martial arts and multiversal chaos to deliver its message, You & Me and You & Me and You & Me uses humor, music, and time travel romance to land in the same place: that the most extraordinary choice is to stay, to see your partner as they are, and to embrace the messy, glorious now.
It’s heartfelt, funny, and unexpectedly profound. If Everything Everywhere All at Once left you clutching tissues and whispering “I would’ve chosen you in every universe,” then this book is its quieter, more romantic cousin, the one that will have you dusting off your old playlists and hugging your person a little tighter. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Josie Lloyd, Emlyn Rees, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
Adam and Jules are twenty five years into marriage, deep in that comfortable but slightly stale rut, when an old box of mixtapes cracks open not just nostalgia, but literal time travel. And here’s where the book hits that EEAAO sweet spot: the idea that there are infinite versions of us, infinite paths we could have taken, but the real question is... what version of us do we choose to fight for?
Like EEAAO, this story balances absurdity (yep, rewinding life with cassette tapes) with emotional depth. On the surface, it’s fun and quirky, like mixtapes as wormholes! Flashes back to the dizzy high of first love! But beneath the clever conceit is something raw and real: the terrifying temptation to rewrite your past, to fix mistakes, to make things smoother, easier, less… human. Just like Evelyn in the film, Adam and Jules have to face the chaos and mess of their actual lives, and decide whether the “what ifs” are worth more than the “what is.”
And the brilliance of it is that it doesn’t shy away from showing how addictive regret and nostalgia can be. There’s a universality in that tug of war, like how often do we think, “If I had just done one thing differently”? But the book, much like the movie, gently nudges us toward the radical idea that love is choosing someone again and again, even when it’s hard, even when it’s flawed, even when laundry piles up and conversations stall and taxes are due.
Where EEAAO gave us martial arts and multiversal chaos to deliver its message, You & Me and You & Me and You & Me uses humor, music, and time travel romance to land in the same place: that the most extraordinary choice is to stay, to see your partner as they are, and to embrace the messy, glorious now.
It’s heartfelt, funny, and unexpectedly profound. If Everything Everywhere All at Once left you clutching tissues and whispering “I would’ve chosen you in every universe,” then this book is its quieter, more romantic cousin, the one that will have you dusting off your old playlists and hugging your person a little tighter. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Josie Lloyd, Emlyn Rees, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
October 9, 2025
Everyone loves a feel good read, right? Well, this is that book.
This is one of them books that land in your lap just when you need it. A book that you can't wait to finish and find out what happens but also don't want it to end.
It was a unique storyline that had me feeling ALL the emotions.
Married for 25 years, Adam and Jules are stuck in a rut. Work, housework, kids blah blah blah... just general life. When Adam's oldest friend Darius returns from the USA , flashing his wealth, it makes the couple question what could have been. Adam was meant to go into business with Darius but pulled out at the last minute. Now, while he's still stuck in his childhood home, working a job, he doesn't particularly like, Darius is swanning around in a sports car and living in a mansion.
After attending Darius's 'welcome home' party, Jules finally admits some truths to Adam during a blazing row. Jules takes herself to bed, and Adam goes to his 'man shed'. Deciding to listen to some old mix tapes on his battered cassette player, ones they made each other throughout their relationship, he is transported back in time, a time when things were, to him, perfect.
It's here that the journey begins, not just back in time but also travelling through mistakes that were made and moments they had bypassed and wish they'd taken in every second.
The one moment that got me and kicked me in the gut, as a mother, was the bath time *no spoilers* and I'm pretty sure any Mum reading this book will get exactly what I mean!
I adored the playlists throughout the plot. They felt so nostalgic and really helped set the scene. Many of the songs conjured up my own memories, which was a really strange but pleasant feeling (most of the time 😅), and I was even adding songs to my own playlist as I was reading.
Not only the characters but the relationships were all so relatable. They were so easy to picture and able to stand in their shoes. We all know how lofe can sometimes grind us down, make us unappreciate what we have, and wonder what would have happened if we'd made one small change in decision along the way.
This was written so brilliantly in every aspect. The original plot, the music, the locations, and the characters were all just perfect.
Would you turn back time and change the narrative?
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for the ARC.
This is one of them books that land in your lap just when you need it. A book that you can't wait to finish and find out what happens but also don't want it to end.
It was a unique storyline that had me feeling ALL the emotions.
Married for 25 years, Adam and Jules are stuck in a rut. Work, housework, kids blah blah blah... just general life. When Adam's oldest friend Darius returns from the USA , flashing his wealth, it makes the couple question what could have been. Adam was meant to go into business with Darius but pulled out at the last minute. Now, while he's still stuck in his childhood home, working a job, he doesn't particularly like, Darius is swanning around in a sports car and living in a mansion.
After attending Darius's 'welcome home' party, Jules finally admits some truths to Adam during a blazing row. Jules takes herself to bed, and Adam goes to his 'man shed'. Deciding to listen to some old mix tapes on his battered cassette player, ones they made each other throughout their relationship, he is transported back in time, a time when things were, to him, perfect.
It's here that the journey begins, not just back in time but also travelling through mistakes that were made and moments they had bypassed and wish they'd taken in every second.
The one moment that got me and kicked me in the gut, as a mother, was the bath time *no spoilers* and I'm pretty sure any Mum reading this book will get exactly what I mean!
I adored the playlists throughout the plot. They felt so nostalgic and really helped set the scene. Many of the songs conjured up my own memories, which was a really strange but pleasant feeling (most of the time 😅), and I was even adding songs to my own playlist as I was reading.
Not only the characters but the relationships were all so relatable. They were so easy to picture and able to stand in their shoes. We all know how lofe can sometimes grind us down, make us unappreciate what we have, and wonder what would have happened if we'd made one small change in decision along the way.
This was written so brilliantly in every aspect. The original plot, the music, the locations, and the characters were all just perfect.
Would you turn back time and change the narrative?
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for the ARC.
October 29, 2025
A time-travel romance about a couple who are stuck in a rut but find that they can travel back to their past through a time machine in a stereo. It's an interesting concept and I was curious to see how it was dealt with. As an avid reader of sci fi and time travel, it was not at all what I was expecting or hoping for. I was very disappointed in that the science fiction aspect is pretty much ignored. There's several time travel standards that are ignored here, mainly that changing something in the past has effects in the future far beyond the initial change. They ripple out. In addition, changing something such as the way a person looks doesn't suddenly erase all the years of regret and whatever issues that person has acquired. I found it frustrating that even a slight change didn't make any difference to the resulting tapes and CDs or the events that took place when they were given.
The opening of the book is quite annoying, which I think may have been on purpose to show how frustrating their life is but it really didn't endear me to the couple so that may have been counter-intuitive. The couple, Adam and Jules are both so incredibly bland and yet somehow really irritating. They're both shallow and have zero willpower. They also have an amazing ability to not communicate anything at all to each other. The chapters alternate between their viewpoints but I found it quite difficult to distinguish between the two of them which made it a little confusing at times. Their children are maybe slightly more interesting although they have each been given one defining characteristic. The best friend Darius has been written as a sort of cross between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, he's actually described as such at one point, and probably is about as good a character as either of them. There's a few other background characters but as I can't really remember any names or specifics, it's safe to say that they made no impression at all.
There's supposed to be humour in the book but I couldn't find any. I found it all rather meh but it probably didn't help that I was hoping for a lot more science fiction from it. I think it's been written with the hope or intention of being turned into a cheesy romcom film and that would probably suit the plot.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy to review.
The opening of the book is quite annoying, which I think may have been on purpose to show how frustrating their life is but it really didn't endear me to the couple so that may have been counter-intuitive. The couple, Adam and Jules are both so incredibly bland and yet somehow really irritating. They're both shallow and have zero willpower. They also have an amazing ability to not communicate anything at all to each other. The chapters alternate between their viewpoints but I found it quite difficult to distinguish between the two of them which made it a little confusing at times. Their children are maybe slightly more interesting although they have each been given one defining characteristic. The best friend Darius has been written as a sort of cross between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, he's actually described as such at one point, and probably is about as good a character as either of them. There's a few other background characters but as I can't really remember any names or specifics, it's safe to say that they made no impression at all.
There's supposed to be humour in the book but I couldn't find any. I found it all rather meh but it probably didn't help that I was hoping for a lot more science fiction from it. I think it's been written with the hope or intention of being turned into a cheesy romcom film and that would probably suit the plot.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy to review.
December 1, 2025
3.25 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
Marriage in crisis + time traveling??? Sold. The magical twist on one of my favorite tropes gave this story a refreshing take and allowed our couple to reconnect in the most unique way.
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me was almost like a time-machine in itself. The nostalgia seeped into each page and I loved how music was used as a vehicle to transport us (and Adam and Jules) into a different time. Each year that they traveled to was entirely representative of that point in time and it was fun to be reminded of things I'd forgotten about throughout the decades. Probably my favorite part about this.
Adam and Jules were experiencing a ton of tension in their marriage. At 50 years old, it was evident in a ton of ways that they'd been through a lot and that their marriage suffered from unresolved resentment, but even so, still some love, as well. Then comes a magical stereo and their old mixtapes that allowed them to travel back to the time when they gave the other that mix tape.
The time-traveling stereo was a novel concept that really made you question what you'd do in their place. I think it's easy to speculate that you wouldn't change a thing from the past, but if you had the chance to go back and learn a new skill, get in shape, etc, without having to do the actual work, wouldn't you??? I can't blame them for the decisions they made, but it did frustrate me to no end that through it all, they didn't seem to confide in each other about any of it. On the one hand, they were reconnecting as they reminisced during their travels, but on the other, they were only distancing themselves more.
It was hard to root for them at times because they continuously were kind of awful, both to each other and as individuals. I personally think their growth was a constant battle of one step forward, 5 steps back. I wanted more from them. The ending was very touching though and I did like where they ended up, but the path to get there was not the emotional, moving journey I expected.
All that being said, I did enjoy this and would recommend. I think this story poses a lot of questions through nostalgia and sentimentality through such a unique way. This was my first book by these authors but I'd certainly read more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
Marriage in crisis + time traveling??? Sold. The magical twist on one of my favorite tropes gave this story a refreshing take and allowed our couple to reconnect in the most unique way.
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me was almost like a time-machine in itself. The nostalgia seeped into each page and I loved how music was used as a vehicle to transport us (and Adam and Jules) into a different time. Each year that they traveled to was entirely representative of that point in time and it was fun to be reminded of things I'd forgotten about throughout the decades. Probably my favorite part about this.
Adam and Jules were experiencing a ton of tension in their marriage. At 50 years old, it was evident in a ton of ways that they'd been through a lot and that their marriage suffered from unresolved resentment, but even so, still some love, as well. Then comes a magical stereo and their old mixtapes that allowed them to travel back to the time when they gave the other that mix tape.
The time-traveling stereo was a novel concept that really made you question what you'd do in their place. I think it's easy to speculate that you wouldn't change a thing from the past, but if you had the chance to go back and learn a new skill, get in shape, etc, without having to do the actual work, wouldn't you??? I can't blame them for the decisions they made, but it did frustrate me to no end that through it all, they didn't seem to confide in each other about any of it. On the one hand, they were reconnecting as they reminisced during their travels, but on the other, they were only distancing themselves more.
It was hard to root for them at times because they continuously were kind of awful, both to each other and as individuals. I personally think their growth was a constant battle of one step forward, 5 steps back. I wanted more from them. The ending was very touching though and I did like where they ended up, but the path to get there was not the emotional, moving journey I expected.
All that being said, I did enjoy this and would recommend. I think this story poses a lot of questions through nostalgia and sentimentality through such a unique way. This was my first book by these authors but I'd certainly read more.
October 25, 2025
I admit, I don’t usually go for a couple of tropes in this book (marriage in trouble, for example). And the last couple of time travel stories left me disappointed. But Netgalley suggested I may like
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me, so here I am. And, while I was slightly disappointed the ending was more moralistic than fantasy, I found this to be overall intriguing and well-written.
I appreciated that the two main characters shared this experience (to an extent). It was a nice change of pace from the usual Protag playing God and no one's the wiser found in these types of books.
I also appreciated that this wasn’t a dual timeline. But at the same time found the random time hops to be extremely frustrating. Like, if I suddenly had the ability to go back in time, I would sit down and plot out every major fork in the road that was my life. And then figure out what changes could and should be made, along with any potential outcomes. But Adam and Jules just wing it! Well, first they agree not to make any changes. Which…what?! That decision () truly boggled my mind ().
Speaking of which, I kept thinking while reading that this would make for some excellent book club material. Lots of controversial character decisions and existential questions offered here.
The ending was sweet, and the moral was encouraging (especially for readers of a certain age). But, like, ?!
I did also like the writing, especially Adams' chapters (don't know how the authors split the writing, but there it is). I would also love a peek into how they kept everything organized. Because the logistics of all the time hops and butterfly effects seemed like quite a feat that could not have been easy. So, I will definitely be checking out the authors’ back catalogues.
All in all, I’d recommend this. If only to be able to talk about what I would have done with other readers (but also because it’s a good book).
I appreciated that the two main characters shared this experience (to an extent). It was a nice change of pace from the usual Protag playing God and no one's the wiser found in these types of books.
I also appreciated that this wasn’t a dual timeline. But at the same time found the random time hops to be extremely frustrating. Like, if I suddenly had the ability to go back in time, I would sit down and plot out every major fork in the road that was my life. And then figure out what changes could and should be made, along with any potential outcomes. But Adam and Jules just wing it! Well, first they agree not to make any changes. Which…what?! That decision () truly boggled my mind ().
Speaking of which, I kept thinking while reading that this would make for some excellent book club material. Lots of controversial character decisions and existential questions offered here.
The ending was sweet, and the moral was encouraging (especially for readers of a certain age). But, like, ?!
I did also like the writing, especially Adams' chapters (don't know how the authors split the writing, but there it is). I would also love a peek into how they kept everything organized. Because the logistics of all the time hops and butterfly effects seemed like quite a feat that could not have been easy. So, I will definitely be checking out the authors’ back catalogues.
All in all, I’d recommend this. If only to be able to talk about what I would have done with other readers (but also because it’s a good book).
October 21, 2025
This book was thought-provoking! Jules and Adam have been married for 25 years and have two grown children living at home with them. In the beginning of their relationship, Jules and Adam made mixtapes for each other to celebrate moments together and to express their love. Over the years, though, their marriage has lost its spark, and they are finding themselves wondering how they even got to this point. After a particularly nasty argument, Adam plays one of the mixtapes and is unexpectedly transported back in time to the time of the tape. Soon, Jules and he are both travelling into the past, reliving some of their most memorable love story moments together. They each make one little change here and there, nothing major, but they soon they find their life together is drastically different than what it had been.
The story is a very creative and heartfelt time-travel rom-com. Throughout the book, I found myself pondering the butterfly effect – how one small, innocuous change can lead to drastic differences over time. The story made me step back and think about the various things I have wished I could change throughout my life. The characters were relatable, and I found myself laughing throughout the book and thinking, “YES!” as Jules was making a little tweak here and there to old Adam. Then later, I would find out the consequences of that change – some positive, some not. Hmmm… was the change really worth it? I enjoyed the references of songs through the book within the mixtapes and as the chapter titles. It was so creative and well thought out! The songs brought back a lot of great memories for me and wove so well into the chapter themes. I'll be reading this book again!
This would be an excellent book club read!! Thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an invitation to read an advanced ARC of this book.
The story is a very creative and heartfelt time-travel rom-com. Throughout the book, I found myself pondering the butterfly effect – how one small, innocuous change can lead to drastic differences over time. The story made me step back and think about the various things I have wished I could change throughout my life. The characters were relatable, and I found myself laughing throughout the book and thinking, “YES!” as Jules was making a little tweak here and there to old Adam. Then later, I would find out the consequences of that change – some positive, some not. Hmmm… was the change really worth it? I enjoyed the references of songs through the book within the mixtapes and as the chapter titles. It was so creative and well thought out! The songs brought back a lot of great memories for me and wove so well into the chapter themes. I'll be reading this book again!
This would be an excellent book club read!! Thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an invitation to read an advanced ARC of this book.
August 25, 2025
3.5 stars
The premise seemed really promising to me. A couple who has been married for 25years is in a rut, each harboring resentment against the other. But when they stumble upon a way to travel back in time, they realize getting to change decisions they regret might not lead to better outcomes.
I loved the idea of looking at an established relationship. How after the wedding, the marriage still needs work to keep things going well and staying healthy. I like The intricacies of how changing a small detail can have a large impact on things. And I really appreciate how the authors capture all the messy emotions (like the struggles and feelings Jules has as a mother both real-time and in retrospect).
However, the story doesn’t fully come together for me. While it goes in-depth into all the unhealthy relationship habits Jules and Adam display (e.g., resentment, thoughts of infidelity, lies and lies of omission, not taking accountability for their actions, etc) there is never a healthy relationship I want to cheer for. Even in their final big argument, Jules tries to argue these behaviors aren’t who they are, but the story itself clearly depicts them that way. Ultimately, I don’t want these two together without significant therapy both individually and as a couple. I feel like the story glorifies these bad behaviors, that everything is okay in the end because they are ultimately honest with each other but even that is based on a line (that Jules doesn’t like mixed tapes).
Thank you to Josie Lloyd, Emlyn Rees, Putnam, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The premise seemed really promising to me. A couple who has been married for 25years is in a rut, each harboring resentment against the other. But when they stumble upon a way to travel back in time, they realize getting to change decisions they regret might not lead to better outcomes.
I loved the idea of looking at an established relationship. How after the wedding, the marriage still needs work to keep things going well and staying healthy. I like The intricacies of how changing a small detail can have a large impact on things. And I really appreciate how the authors capture all the messy emotions (like the struggles and feelings Jules has as a mother both real-time and in retrospect).
However, the story doesn’t fully come together for me. While it goes in-depth into all the unhealthy relationship habits Jules and Adam display (e.g., resentment, thoughts of infidelity, lies and lies of omission, not taking accountability for their actions, etc) there is never a healthy relationship I want to cheer for. Even in their final big argument, Jules tries to argue these behaviors aren’t who they are, but the story itself clearly depicts them that way. Ultimately, I don’t want these two together without significant therapy both individually and as a couple. I feel like the story glorifies these bad behaviors, that everything is okay in the end because they are ultimately honest with each other but even that is based on a line (that Jules doesn’t like mixed tapes).
Thank you to Josie Lloyd, Emlyn Rees, Putnam, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2025
Out February 10th, 2026
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, longtime married couple Adam and Jules find themselves stuck in a rut after nearly twenty-five years together. Their relationship, once vibrant and full of promise, now feels stale and predictable. But everything changes when Adam discovers a box of old mixtapes they made for each other during their early days of romance. When he plays one on a vintage stereo, something extraordinary happens—they unlock the ability to travel back in time.
This unexpected twist sends Adam and Jules on a whirlwind journey through the multiverse, revisiting pivotal moments in their shared history. As they relive the highs and lows of their relationship, they begin to question whether they can rekindle the spark they once had—or whether they should tweak the past to create a better present. But with each trip through time, the temptation to make small changes grows stronger, and the consequences begin to spiral beyond their control.
Funny, heartfelt, and brimming with nostalgia, this time-travel rom-com explores the complexities of love after the honeymoon phase. Adam and Jules must confront not only who they were, but who they’ve become—and whether their imperfect, messy, real-life love is worth fighting for. With echoes of Back to the Future and a Gen X sensibility, the novel is a celebration of enduring romance, second chances, and the music that binds us across time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC!
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, longtime married couple Adam and Jules find themselves stuck in a rut after nearly twenty-five years together. Their relationship, once vibrant and full of promise, now feels stale and predictable. But everything changes when Adam discovers a box of old mixtapes they made for each other during their early days of romance. When he plays one on a vintage stereo, something extraordinary happens—they unlock the ability to travel back in time.
This unexpected twist sends Adam and Jules on a whirlwind journey through the multiverse, revisiting pivotal moments in their shared history. As they relive the highs and lows of their relationship, they begin to question whether they can rekindle the spark they once had—or whether they should tweak the past to create a better present. But with each trip through time, the temptation to make small changes grows stronger, and the consequences begin to spiral beyond their control.
Funny, heartfelt, and brimming with nostalgia, this time-travel rom-com explores the complexities of love after the honeymoon phase. Adam and Jules must confront not only who they were, but who they’ve become—and whether their imperfect, messy, real-life love is worth fighting for. With echoes of Back to the Future and a Gen X sensibility, the novel is a celebration of enduring romance, second chances, and the music that binds us across time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC!
September 21, 2025
Adam and Jules have been together since they were teenagers and are now in their 50’s. Life has become boring and they are in a rut. They live in his parents old house with their grown up children who have moved back in and their dog Groucho Barx (love that name).
Their friend has recently returned from America where he has been hugely successful and made a lot of money in a venture that Adam was involved with at the start but didn’t risk making the leap and moving with him. Was that a mistake? Could he also have been a millionaire rather than in debt. He unexpectedly gets to find out what an alternative life could be like when he finds that he and Jules can time travel with the use of mix tapes they used to give each other.
As expected this is not a straightforward process and even tiny changes can affect so much.
As a person of a similar age to the main characters the events in the past are a trip down memory lane and I enjoyed them. There was one particular scene with Jules and the kids at bath time that particularly resonated and made me remember how difficult it can be to appreciate what you have at the time when life is full on.
I have read all of the previous books by this author couple and have enjoyed them all so I was delighted to read this one and it didn’t disappoint.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. This is an honest review in return.
Their friend has recently returned from America where he has been hugely successful and made a lot of money in a venture that Adam was involved with at the start but didn’t risk making the leap and moving with him. Was that a mistake? Could he also have been a millionaire rather than in debt. He unexpectedly gets to find out what an alternative life could be like when he finds that he and Jules can time travel with the use of mix tapes they used to give each other.
As expected this is not a straightforward process and even tiny changes can affect so much.
As a person of a similar age to the main characters the events in the past are a trip down memory lane and I enjoyed them. There was one particular scene with Jules and the kids at bath time that particularly resonated and made me remember how difficult it can be to appreciate what you have at the time when life is full on.
I have read all of the previous books by this author couple and have enjoyed them all so I was delighted to read this one and it didn’t disappoint.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. This is an honest review in return.
August 27, 2025
Jules and Adam are feeling ”stuck” in their relationship, full of regrets for missed opportunities and blaming each other for things that have gone wrong in their lives. Despite years together and two almost-adult children, they are both unhappy and no longer seem to connect. When they discover that playing mix tapes they once made for each other on an old player in Adam’s tape can take them back into their past, it seems that they can rediscover their old chemistry and improve their lives in the present- but they are unable to resist tweaking things in a way which triggers changes in their current lives in a way that could destroy everything. This is a light and enjoyable story featuring engagingly flawed characters, and is a real nostalgia feast for those of us of similar vintage to Jules and Adam. The two narrators/authors device adds an authentic touch which worked well. There are serious themes about the importance of appreciating what you have, the need to put in the effort to stay happily married and the pointlessness of dwelling on past mistakes and grievances, but there are also some funny moments, especially when the previous versions of the characters talk about things that won’t catch on, such as Aperol Spritz and online shopping. A realistic love story with a bit of depth.
December 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My review: What if a mix tape could take you back to the time when you made it? First off, does anyone younger than 50 even know what a mix tape is? Second, going back to the 80's and 90's? I mean....maybe that sounds fun and dangerous.
Adam's old Sony tape deck seems to send them back in time. Is this loop? A Time Machine? A multiverse?
Adam and Jules are married and kind of in the normal rut. The kind that happens after a lifetime together. Could things be better? Sure. Are they awful? Not really. But going back to the young times is fun. They promise to not change anything, but it's just too tempting. Little things don't matter and make the present more bearable and even more. exciting. Where should they draw the line? The idea of changing the past and how it affects the present is fascinating and things start to snowball. Adam and Jules are scared but also intrigued. The butterfly effect of "one small thing" having massive ramifications is definitely something to think about as you read this book.
I love a time travel/loop story. And all the travel back to the 80's and 90's and the music that got them there was so nostalgic. Some of the book was a bit slow (and the timelines got confusing lol) but overall it was a fun trip.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Publishers for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.
Adam's old Sony tape deck seems to send them back in time. Is this loop? A Time Machine? A multiverse?
Adam and Jules are married and kind of in the normal rut. The kind that happens after a lifetime together. Could things be better? Sure. Are they awful? Not really. But going back to the young times is fun. They promise to not change anything, but it's just too tempting. Little things don't matter and make the present more bearable and even more. exciting. Where should they draw the line? The idea of changing the past and how it affects the present is fascinating and things start to snowball. Adam and Jules are scared but also intrigued. The butterfly effect of "one small thing" having massive ramifications is definitely something to think about as you read this book.
I love a time travel/loop story. And all the travel back to the 80's and 90's and the music that got them there was so nostalgic. Some of the book was a bit slow (and the timelines got confusing lol) but overall it was a fun trip.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Publishers for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.
September 29, 2025
This is a Sliding Doors, Back to the Future style romcom- if you could go back and change something from the past, what would it be?
Adam and Jules have been married for 25 years, but the spark has long gone and resentment is setting in. Adam’s former business partner Darius has made millions in a business that they once shared, and Adam and Jules can’t help thinking what might have happened if they had made different choices, rather than settling for what they already had.
Luckily, for them, they’ve found a time machine in the form of the mix tapes that they used to make for one another as a sign of their love and adoration. The tapes take them back to their early romance, reminding them why they fell in love.
Adam and Jules can’t help making small adjustments to seemingly insignificant decisions made in the 1990s, then coming back to present day to see the difference that has been made. The ripples across the years have had a huge impact, with one decision having a knock on on others, again and again.
The songs on the mixtapes were perfectly chosen and brought my 1990s memories. It’s a lovely tale, with some brilliant moments and insights. Plus I’m always a sucker for any story set in Brighton!
Adam and Jules have been married for 25 years, but the spark has long gone and resentment is setting in. Adam’s former business partner Darius has made millions in a business that they once shared, and Adam and Jules can’t help thinking what might have happened if they had made different choices, rather than settling for what they already had.
Luckily, for them, they’ve found a time machine in the form of the mix tapes that they used to make for one another as a sign of their love and adoration. The tapes take them back to their early romance, reminding them why they fell in love.
Adam and Jules can’t help making small adjustments to seemingly insignificant decisions made in the 1990s, then coming back to present day to see the difference that has been made. The ripples across the years have had a huge impact, with one decision having a knock on on others, again and again.
The songs on the mixtapes were perfectly chosen and brought my 1990s memories. It’s a lovely tale, with some brilliant moments and insights. Plus I’m always a sucker for any story set in Brighton!
October 18, 2025
This book is about a couple, Adam and Jules, who are in a rut in their marriage and find out that the old mix tapes that they made each other can allow them to travel back in time to the moment they shared it with the other. However, any changes made in the past can have repercussions to their current selves. Will reliving the past help them figure out how to move forward in the present?
Told in dual POV, the story helps us explore the "what might have been" and "what if" fantasies that are so easy to fall into and how even our mistakes and failures can be part of the stepping stones to a meaningful life. You will enjoy this book if you like:
🕰️ Time travel
👥 Dual POV
💘 Second chance romance for a married couple
🎶 Loads of music and pop culture references
🇬🇧 British humor & references (it takes place in Brighton)
It was a fun and quick read for me! Both Adam and Jules have their own flaws, and the book reminds us that "the good old days" may be happening right now before our very eyes.
Note that it does have some exploration of infidelity, which I normally don't like, but in this case, it was more of the temptation of it, rather than working out problems and the negative consequences for everyone.
Told in dual POV, the story helps us explore the "what might have been" and "what if" fantasies that are so easy to fall into and how even our mistakes and failures can be part of the stepping stones to a meaningful life. You will enjoy this book if you like:
🕰️ Time travel
👥 Dual POV
💘 Second chance romance for a married couple
🎶 Loads of music and pop culture references
🇬🇧 British humor & references (it takes place in Brighton)
It was a fun and quick read for me! Both Adam and Jules have their own flaws, and the book reminds us that "the good old days" may be happening right now before our very eyes.
Note that it does have some exploration of infidelity, which I normally don't like, but in this case, it was more of the temptation of it, rather than working out problems and the negative consequences for everyone.
October 9, 2025
I don’t like time travel, but I really liked this book! When Adam discovers an old tape machine in his shed that can him back in time, he and his wife of 25 years, Jules, promise to use it only to observe. Each mix tape takes them back to when it was made and they can see their younger selves and their kids growing up. Quickly, the temptation to make small changes, and then bigger ones, wreaks havoc on their current life and they have to see if they can fix things before it’s too late.
Like I said before, I typically have a huge problem with time travel. My brain does not work when it comes to this topic. This particular time travel worked in a way that didn’t hurt my brain. It was easy to get on board with how this was working and the possible repercussions.
The best part of the book though? Jules and Adam’s relationship. We don’t get a lot of books with a normal middle aged couple navigating a normal, beautiful life and the ups and downs that come with being married for years. It was lovely and relatable.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.
Like I said before, I typically have a huge problem with time travel. My brain does not work when it comes to this topic. This particular time travel worked in a way that didn’t hurt my brain. It was easy to get on board with how this was working and the possible repercussions.
The best part of the book though? Jules and Adam’s relationship. We don’t get a lot of books with a normal middle aged couple navigating a normal, beautiful life and the ups and downs that come with being married for years. It was lovely and relatable.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.
November 10, 2025
A couple approaching their 25th wedding anniversary stumble across a time machine that lets them access their past through the format of the mixtapes they made for each other.
Juggling the chaos of adult children still at home, jobs, failed career dreams, debts and an incontinent dog, Jules & Adam are feeling the pressure. This story does realistically portray life in a long-standing marriage and charts the unconventional paths they take to recapture their youth, but will it bring them closer together or will it drive them apart?
I enjoyed the quirky premise of the time travel plot, the multiverse consequences and especially the music they enjoyed through the decades! At times it was a little slow for me and if you aren't a fan of flawed, imperfect characters and romances then you may struggle to like both main characters, but I felt this added realism to me in an otherwise bonkers plot. Fun, quirky and ultimately feel good, this is a great book for those in midlife feeling like you're still trying to figure things out.
Juggling the chaos of adult children still at home, jobs, failed career dreams, debts and an incontinent dog, Jules & Adam are feeling the pressure. This story does realistically portray life in a long-standing marriage and charts the unconventional paths they take to recapture their youth, but will it bring them closer together or will it drive them apart?
I enjoyed the quirky premise of the time travel plot, the multiverse consequences and especially the music they enjoyed through the decades! At times it was a little slow for me and if you aren't a fan of flawed, imperfect characters and romances then you may struggle to like both main characters, but I felt this added realism to me in an otherwise bonkers plot. Fun, quirky and ultimately feel good, this is a great book for those in midlife feeling like you're still trying to figure things out.
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