Ideal Life: A Novel

by Evelyn Skye

In New York Times bestselling author Evelyn Skye’s warmhearted and lightly magical novel, an opportunity to turn back time gives a scientist the chance to pursue her ideal life, only to realize it might keep her from truly living. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle and Taylor Jenkins Reid.

What if you could rewind the last 24 hours and perfect your life?

Talia Morgan has built her dream: a neuroscience startup poised for a $100 million acquisition that will validate years of relentless work to make the world better through technology. But when a glitch in her app leads to catastrophe, everything she’s worked for crumbles in a single night.

Then Talia wakes up with a mysterious watch that lets her rewind the last twenty-four hours. Suddenly, she can prevent the glitch, ace that crucial meeting, and savor perfect Sunday afternoons with Sam, her brilliant best friend who’s quietly loved her for nearly two decades. The watch feels like the ultimate optimization tool, a way to debug her life until every moment is flawless.

But Talia’s addiction to rewriting her past comes at a devastating cost. Each rewind pulls her further from the people she loves most: Sam, who watches helplessly as she disappears into endless cycles of perfection; Libby, her globe-trotting sister who needs support that Talia is too distracted to give; and most dangerously, from her own true, authentic self.

When Talia discovers a conspiracy to turn her life’s work into a tool for mass manipulation, she faces an impossible choice: use the watch to cheat her way to stopping it, or accept that the messy, imperfect version of her life might be the only one worth living.

From New York Times bestselling author Evelyn Skye comes an incisive exploration of ambition, perfectionism, and the modern pressure to optimize our way to happiness—a story that asks whether our relentless pursuit of an ideal life might be keeping us from truly living at all.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Adult, Magical Realism, Time Travel

288 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 18, 2026

About the author

Evelyn Skye is the New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including The Incredible Kindness of Paper and The Hundred Loves of Juliet. She has also written for books for Netflix and Disney. Evelyn’s novels have been published worldwide and translated into sixteen languages.

Evelyn is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Law School. She lives in California with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Cait Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ — The Ideal Life by Evelyn Skye

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the honor in receiving this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book hooked me from the very beginning and never really let go!

I loved the minority representation, and the way the FMC and MMC’s relationship developed. The character building starts subtle but grows naturally, and I was invested early on.

I especially enjoyed the magical realism elements and the girl-in-STEM FMC. Smart, driven, and not defined by romance, which is always a win. I REALLY loved the gossip-style articles sprinkled throughout, which gave it a fun, Bridgerton-esque feel.

The characters’ love–hate relationship with AI felt realistic and timely, and the book balanced real-world issues in the tech and content-creator space without becoming overwhelming.

One of the parts I related to most was the theme of living in the past or the future; worrying about creating the “ideal” or “perfect” life instead of fully focusing on the present. That really stuck with me and made the story feel personal.

I really loved the ending. Overall, this was a very easy, engaging read for me—I finished it in about 24 hours.

Highly recommend if you like smart FMCs, light magical realism, emotional depth, and modern social themes.

[Kelsie Gilkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideal Life
Evelyn Skye
Publication date: August 18, 2026

Ideal Life is an artificial intelligence wearable device that helps people make better choices real time. The creator and CEO of the company, Talia, is a workaholic who spends late nights at work and barely has time for friends or dating. But Talia is looking forward to having some free time on her hands soon, as Ideal Life is being bought by a huge tech company, Omni. A tragedy that is sure to derail the Omni acquisition takes place and Talia is heartbroken and worried this event will tank her company’s reputation.
Talia falls asleep, completely exhausted in her Palo Alto office as she often does and awakes to find a mysterious watch on her arm. She soon realizes she can rewind time with this watch which she does to try and avoid the tragedy from ever occurring.
The watch seems great at first, but messing with time has some dark consequences. Her best friend Sam tries to convince Talia it’s not a good idea to use. But when Talia has been working on ways to improve the lives of others as well as her own life, it’s hard to give up.
I am rating Ideal Life a 2.75 rounded up to a 3. I really like how the author found a way to discuss AI and new tech under a more critical lens but still make the story interesting. The concept and plot for the book was very unique but it did feel repetitive several times throughout the book. I like Talia and Sam as characters but there were certainly times I was frustrated by Talia and her insistence to keep using the watch even when it was a detriment to her life. The book was told by 4 point of views Talia, Talia’s assistant Erin, Sam, and Talia’s sister Libby which I enjoyed because it helped to keep me more engaged with multiple story lines.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

[Juliette · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a unique premise that resonates with current events, Ideal Life had a good concept, but the storylines were underdeveloped, and there were far too many things happening at once. There was a wide range of fascinating characters, however it would have been better to focus on them individually rather than create and showcase romantic relationships to delve further into any of our characters' storylines as the author did. On that note, there was an excellent plotline about language that made the novel worth it to me if you are looking for a short, introspective read. Beautiful cover by the artist, and thank you, NetGalley and Atria, for the ARC!!!

[Amy Fetzer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I hate saying this, but I do think this book is written by AI or was ran through an AI program for a majority of it. I am not claiming this as fact, of course, but a lot of what I read just came off feeling like it was super robotic and emotionless. Huge use of the en dash as well, which I almost never see outside of AI text and I know that is sometimes a giveaway for AI usage.

The premise of this book was super appealing. Sounded like the perfect magical realism I’ve read in other authors, mixed with advanced technology. It sounded like something new and refreshing for the genre.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t really into this at all. The characters fell extremely flat for me. A lot of the dialogue in this book was lacking any emotion. I think a majority of the dialogue ended in “She said” with absolutely zero feeling.

When things were being described, it was either very generic or didn’t feel like it made sense. The book in general had a LOT of sentences that just didn’t make sense for the plot or even whatever random conversation was happening at any given point. The writing style really felt robotic to me, there wasn’t really any point in this where I could feel some kind of emotion that the characters were supposed to portray. It was just awkward and stiff writing.

I wish this had lived up to my expectations, but this was just not it for me.

[Lyndzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this novel!


Overall, I really enjoyed this book and its message. This is a unique and smart concept for a novel. Tons of time-loop and time-travel books exist, but this one's plot seems to be an interesting metaphor for the dangers of AI. It all seems like fun and games until it drains the literal life out of you (and the planet). Talia, our MC, wishes she could turn back time to save a life and her career, and wakes up with a watch that can turn back time up to 24 hours. She uses the watch to save said life and her job, but, against her friend's warning, she continues to use it for personal gain as it slowly wears away at her, stealing time from her own energy. With such an analytical, science-minded protagonist (who asks the questions the reader would also have), she seems to abuse this power in a way that doesn't seem very smart. She repeatedly disregards her own well-being to turn back time and fix things, hurting herself in the process.

Because we time-travel with Talia, the novel gets repetitive as scenes repeat multiple times. Contextually, it makes sense, but it dragged at times. I started to feel as worn out as Talia was becoming. Maybe that was the point? :D

This novel is structurally unique because it features multiple POVs (at least four) and switches between them randomly. It felt like watching a show with an ensemble cast, rather than your average rom-com with two main protagonist POVs. Though strange, I did like following the side characters occasionally because they shed light on different kinds of technology dependence. The side character Erin had a really interesting, addictive relationship with technology. Her dependence on it felt like a reflection of the modern tech user's addiction to AI and their phones, mirroring AI's control over people's lives nowadays. This shows the good and harm that come with depending on technology for support, guidance, and advice instead of learning your own lessons and getting support from the human beings around you.

However, there are points in the book where the technology does not harm the characters and actively helps them instead. The interaction with Sam and his parents, and their being able to speak fluidly for the first time in his life, was really heartwarming and showcased technology as a help, not a hindrance, to human connection.Technology is not the evil force in the book, nor is it a black-and-white issue of how much tech is good or how much using it is bad for us all. 

I finished this book feeling like I wanted to delete all my social media accounts and set all AI data centers ablaze, yet I was also in awe of how far we have come, because technology allows us to communicate with one another more easily, quickly, and better all around. This was a really fun thought-experiment of a book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

[Ambika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book asks a fun question: if you could rewind time after making a mistake, would you and what would you do differently? Here it’s framed through a bit of magical realism that is packaged more like a romcom vibes rather than whimsical fantasy.I don’t think that’s a bad thing, it’s lighthearted and enjoyable for the most part, very much in line with Ali Hazelwood–style storytelling.
It reminds me of Ali Hazelwood-style storytelling also because the main character,Talia, is a successful woman in STEM, and her “poison” is an AI app. I appreciated how real, contemporary concerns, such as, AI accountability, ethics, and even addiction, are subtly woven into the narrative. It’s done in a way that makes these topics feel accessible and everyday, which is engaging even for readers who don’t usually interact with these ideas.
That being said, there’s a lot going on in this book. Some of the side storylines, particularly those involving Libby and Erin, didn’t fully land for me. I understand they served a purpose but it just wasn’t that deep. I did enjoy Sam’s character and the exploration of Otherness, immigration, and the tension between embracing technology and resisting it. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the poker subplot, I wasn’t sure what it ultimately added to the entire story. Could we have spent more time delving into Sam’s psyche in another way? Probably. Would that have been “fun”? Maybe not.
I’d say how you enjoy this book comes down to your personal preferences more than anything. Personally, I would have preferred a more literary analysis of themes such as, AI accountability, the pressures of being a woman in tech, and the familial pressures Sam faced. There were so many interesting themes in this book that even a more focused deep dive into just a few of them would have strengthened the novel for me. But with that being said, if you’re looking for a light, quick, relaxing read, this book might be just right for you.

[Mel (thebookishmel) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Man, I'm really disappointed to give this one such a low rating! I was really intrigued by the premise of a Silicon Valley tech CEO with a true message of living in the moment.

At the beginning, I was having so much fun as someone who works in tech (and video games), feeling quite seen in how that life is depicted. I loved how Talia's characteristics and CEO-bosslady energy served as an inspiration to those younger than her, to her intern, Erin (who acts more like a PA than intern), and is loved by so many in the novel. Midway through the book though is where this fell flat. Talia simply became SO unlikeable that it became unbearable to witness.

This silly little watch had completely upended her life, and she simply could not be held accountable for any of her actions. If you read this and go "well that's the point" - sure. BUT, when her being unbearable and acting all willy nilly for 85% of the book, and the "lesson" she learns happens at 90%, then everything is wrapped into a neat little bow by 95%, that's an issue with pacing, and actual conflict resolution.

I was disappointed to see our side characters feel like toss-ins. Erin's storyline and her learning from her mistakes of "just needing to communicate" to Sam's preachy tones, to Libby and Jacob's constant back and forth about their relationship and baby just felt like devices, and not actual characters. Reading the acknowledgements killed me the most because Sam's entire character arc / behavior / etc. was simply inspired by a NYT piece about "New Year, New You."

Thankful for the arc, but unfortunate to see this as the outcome.

[RavenReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Ideal Life by Evelyn Skye to be such a genuinely sweet and comforting read. Going in, I noticed it was marketed as “new adult,” so I expected a lighter touch when it came to character development. To some extent that proved true but I was surprised, since the protagonists are in their early thirties and already well established in their careers. The label didn’t quite fit for me.

That said, the story itself was far more thought provoking than I anticipated. Skye explores the quiet, universal question of “what if?”. What if we could step backward or forward in time to fix mistakes, rewrite choices, or see how a different path might have unfolded? It’s such an irresistible premise. Who wouldn’t want that option? I only wish the sci-fi/magical realism elements had been explored in a bit more depth, because the concept is so rich with possibility.

What really made the book shine for me, though, were the characters. They’re fundamentally good, wholesome people trying their best, and there’s something deeply satisfying about spending time with characters you can root for without reservation. The romance was especially lovely. I’m always a sucker for a well done friends to lovers arc, and this one felt tender, believable, and emotionally grounded.

Overall, Ideal Life is a warm, reflective story about love, second chances, and the paths we choose. It may not dive as deeply as its premise allows, but it offers a heartfelt and uplifting reading experience.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Evelyn Skye for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Valorie Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideal Life is a thoughtful, low-spice romance that blends a touch of magical realism with big questions about choice, regret, and what it truly means to be happy. Talia, a driven woman running a tech startup, is constantly striving for control and perfection—so when she makes a wish and receives a watch that allows her to rewind time up to 24 hours, it feels like the ultimate solution to life’s mistakes.

Her best friend Sam, the steady and warm-hearted owner of a bookstore, serves as the perfect counterbalance to Talia’s ambition and anxiety. He warns her that using the watch is a mistake, but Talia can’t resist the temptation to fix awkward conversations, missed opportunities, and professional missteps. Watching her repeatedly rewrite her days was both fascinating and quietly heartbreaking, especially as the consequences of using the watch begin to surface.

I loved how the story explored the idea that perfection often comes at a cost. The romance is gentle and emotional rather than steamy, focusing on connection, trust, and the comfort of truly being seen. Sam’s grounded perspective adds depth to the story and highlights how imperfection is often where real love and growth live.

Ideal Life is a sweet, reflective read that will appeal to fans of soft romance and character-driven stories. It left me thinking about how often we wish we could go back—and whether doing so would actually make our lives better.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was an unexpected gem! I had just finished a “made-my-head-spin” suspense thriller and needed something lighter and totally different. This book did the trick and had me hooked from the first page.

Talia Morgan is the CEO of Ideal Life, a neuroscience startup tech company designed to improve people’s lives. She comes into the possession of a wristwatch that allows her to rewind time up to the previous 24 hours. This begs the question…would you go back in time for a do-over or to fix a mistake if you could, without anyone knowing?

This was a fun story with a bit of magical realism. It was just the right balance without going over the top. It’s written from several POV’s: Talia, her best male friend since college, Sam, and her sister, Libby. I appreciated the “friends to lovers” plotline because of how believable and realistic it was. They were truly best friends for over a decade that gradually developed into something more. There’s no spice and actually, no real romance, except for Talia and Sam grappling with the feelings they have for each other.

I ripped through this book and really had fun with it. I particularly loved the way the parts of rewinding time with the watch were described- I could easily visualize it happening.

Check this out when it publishes this summer!

*Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for this advanced reader copy. This lovely gem of a book hits shelves in August!

[Shatia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the honor of reading an ARC copy of Ideal Life by Evelyn Skye in exchange for an honest review. Let me start by saying I enjoyed this because I can relate a lot to the quest to improve myself.
Talia is the creator of Ideal Life. Based on a combination of customers’ personal histories, habits and brain activity readings Ideal Life creates an AI profile that will give you suggestions based on what’s best for you. It works through voice or a customized avatar that you can create that appears on Omni glasses or phone notifications. Talia’s dream is to make the world a better place. Through her hard work and dedication as well as an amazing product in the tech world Ideal Life is all set to be sold to Omni which is a large company. As this is happening Talia makes an 11:11 wish that impossibly comes true. Her best friend same started the habit of making a wish at 11:11 and Talia soon followed. She wakes up with a watch the somehow can rewind time for up to 24 hours. She must make hard choices. Throughout the book she questions if she is still in alignment with her dream of improving things. And she also starts to question Omni’s real reason for wanting to acquire Ideal Life and its technology. Is being perfect really possible? Ofcourse not we all have flaws it’s apart of being human. Talia learns this and more. I really enjoyed this and look forward to more from this author.

[Harshini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideal Life was such a fast, engaging read. The concept itself is fascinating, especially the way it blends AI, ethics, and the idea of having a moral compass in a world where technology can rewrite your choices. I loved watching Talia and Sam’s relationship develop; it felt natural and warm, and I honestly wanted a little more from them at the end. The character building starts subtle but grows in a way that made me invested early on.

One of the themes that stuck with me most was the tension between living in the past or future versus actually being present. The pressure to create an “ideal” life (whatever that even means) felt personal and relatable. I also enjoyed the four POV structure (Talia, Erin, Sam, and Libby). Hearing from different angles kept the story moving and made the emotional beats land more strongly.

I do wish the consequences of rewinding were explored more deeply. Talia’s side effects were interesting, but I wanted to see the ripple effects pushed further. The poker element didn’t fully convince me, and a few parts of the story felt underdeveloped or not fully thought through. There were moments where the writing fell a bit flat, but the core idea and emotional threads carried it.

Overall, a compelling premise with strong character moments and themes that linger.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Kate Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

There is no such thing as perfection and all actions have their consequences, both are things that Talia needs to learn. I enjoyed this book overall but some parts of it felt rushed or underdeveloped. Some parts were very much telling instead of showing and they tried so hard to push Talia as 'not like the other girls' in their description, calling her generic and average. Also, the problems were resolved way too quickly to be realistic.

Talia Morgan has built her neuroscience startup from the ground up and is its biggest believer. So, the $100 million acquisition around the corner feels like validation of everything she has worked for. When the app leads to a tragedy the night the acquisition is meant to be official, Talia feels lost, until she wakes to a watch allowing her to rewind time. She prevents the tragedy, excels at her meetings, and spends time with her best friend Sam (who of course, is in love with her).

Talia tells Sam about the watch and promises not to use it on him but soon everyone in her life is falling victim to her drive for perfection, Sam, her sister, her parents, her assistant, and her bank account. The watch she thinks she is using to optimize her life has her so focused on herself, her relationships are crumbling around her. When Talia learns more about the approaching acquisition, she wonders if the watch can be used for good, or if she must face her life herself.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Ideal Life: A Novel, courtesy of Evelyn Skye, Atria Books, and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This was a nice, easy, entertaining read that I enjoyed. Imagine waking up one morning with a watch on your wrist that can rewind up to 24 hours ago, but at a cost to your friendships and to your overall wellbeing. Talia uses the watch to make her already near-perfect life even more spot-on perfect, including the litigation processes throughout the acquisition of her technological start-up company, Ideal Life. Each rewind leaves her understandably nauseated, dizzy, and overtired and places a strain on her relationships with her friends and coworkers.

I will admit that some of the situations are a bit outlandish and obviously improbable, but it was a fun, quirky story that I read through quickly. All of the characters are likeable and some of the concepts the story explores, like perfectionism and renewed familial relationships, are relatable. Sam's story with his Taiwanese parents is especially endearing.

Evelyn Skye's writing is well done and the story flows smoothly from multiple different character perspectives. Fun! Definitely a recommended read.

[Jenae Gilchrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ideal Life – Evelyn Skye

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ideal Life is a quietly unsettling and thoughtful novel that explores identity, choice, and the pressure of perfection. Evelyn Skye does an excellent job creating an atmosphere that feels glossy on the surface but increasingly uneasy as the story unfolds.

I really enjoyed how this book examines the idea of “having it all” and what that actually costs. The concept is compelling, and the moral questions woven throughout kept me reflecting long after I put it down. Skye’s writing is accessible yet layered, making it easy to sink into while still offering depth and commentary.

The pacing is more measured than fast, but it works well for the story being told. This is less about big twists and more about the slow realization that something isn’t quite right. Fans of speculative fiction that leans into emotional and ethical complexity will especially appreciate this one.

Overall, Ideal Life is a thought-provoking read that asks important questions about control, happiness, and who gets to decide what an “ideal” life really is. I’m glad I picked it up and would recommend it to readers who enjoy reflective, slightly eerie, near-future stories.

[Emily Westerwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ambitious tech startup CEO finds herself with a magical watch that can turn back time giving her a chance to perfect her day-to-day decisions.
The Silicon Valley setting and techy vibe was fun.
Characters were decently developed but not super rich. They had just enough diversity to avoid homogeneity. Talia, the main character, is supposedly an overall good person but repeatedly does horrible things-- I was not rooting for her.
The storytelling happens via multiple third-person narrated POVs, but mostly Talia's POV. Some of the characters we barely spend any time with. I found dialogue to be quite clunky and unnatural. There were a couple times things were over-explained. I also thought some of the side-plots were unnecessary, like Sam's parents and Erin's date.
The ending was pretty heavy-handed and read like a list of lessons the characters all learned along the way.
Overall this was an interesting story idea but I feel like it fell short of its potential. But it was still an entertaining read that I didn't mind picking up.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author and the publisher for the ARC.

[LaLa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are somethings about this book that kept me interested but I feel like the story overall was just okay.
I think if the focus was more on Talia and Sam instead of having chapters where we hear from Libby, Talia’s younger sister and Erin who is Talia’s intern, it would of been a slightly more interesting story.

Talia has a start up tech company called Ideal Life. The company is meant to help users improve their lives. She then gets an opportunity with Omni to be bought out, which is the gist over the story.

One night after a wish Talia wakes up with this watch on. And it’s gives her the ability to turn back time. Just the past 24 hours though. I think it was interesting how we have a setting where Talia works in tech and we didn’t get more about the watch. If that makes sense. It randomly appears and you would think that she would want to dissect this and want to know all about this.. but it’s not the case. Maybe it’s a missed opportunity. Maybe not. But anyways…

I do feel like this book goes down roads that don’t add much to the story.

Thanks to Net Galley for this Arc!

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

I flew through Ideal Life, which surprised me in the best way. I requested it for the cute cover, the magical realism, and the AI and tech angle, but I did not expect it to feel this personal. If I had the power to go back and fix my mistakes, I would absolutely abuse it, and this book understands that urge a little too well. It captures rumination, perfection, and the quiet misery of living in the past or the imagined future instead of the moment you are actually in.

I loved the Black Mirror energy and the moral tension around AI and embodiment because it feels less like science fiction and more like an early warning.

The Taiwan representation genuinely made my heart jump. The culture, the food, the parental sacrifice, and an actual Taiwanese MMC, not a token detail, felt rare and meaningful.

The influencer storyline was also unexpectedly sharp and reflective. The author packs in a lot, and romance is not even the main plot, yet it all works. I could not put it down. A pleasant surprise. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tech founder Talia has built a product that helps users “optimize” their lives and her company is on the verge of being acquired by a Meta-like giant called Omni. Then the technology is linked to a tragedy. Desperate to undo what happened, Talia makes a wish and wakes up with a watch that can turn back time up to 24 hours.

Talia starts using the watch to fix mistakes and prevent mishaps, first in small ways and then in bigger, higher-stakes ones. Her best friend Sam (who’s been quietly in love with her since college) tries to warn her, but Talia can’t stop chasing the “perfect” outcome — at work, in relationships, in everything. The question becomes less can she fix things and more what does it cost to keep trying?

I liked the characters and the magical realism vibe. The story raises questions about constant self-improvement, the pressure to optimize and what we hand over to technology when it promises to make life better. There are also themes of friendship, family and some romance. It’s an easy, quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Tina The LITerary Book Club · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was initially drawn to Ideal Life because of the bright cover and the premise. I loved the idea of a female tech CEO using her app to better people's lives, and learning to live in the moment. I could relate to Talia (FMC) in her battle with anxiety. But unfortunately, that's about all that I liked about this book. I didn't enjoy the writing style, and the pacing was off. The side characters seemed like afterthoughts, and I found most of the characters unlikable. I'm giving this 1.5 stars, rounded up to 2.

The Premise: Talia Morgan is the CEO of Ideal Life, a neuroscience startup tech company designed to improve people’s lives. She comes into the possession of a wristwatch that allows her to rewind time up to the previous 24 hours. This begs the question…would you go back in time for a do-over or to fix a mistake if you could, without anyone knowing?

The expected publish date for Ideal Life is August 18, 2026.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jaclyn Wingfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt freaky to read because it’s almost something that could actually happen soon, so it felt too real? The TLDR of it is that in the story, AI & body sensors are used to help everyone live their “Ideal Life” by reviewing body signals and trends to help people make decisions, better their health, etc. The main character Talia is your typical workaholic, millennial startup founder. I found her selfish and not great to the people who truly cared about her.

I wish this book had more explored how Talia could have even got the magic Watch, or had unpacked the consequences of going back in time to redo things. A lot of times, it seemed like nothing changed / the timeline wasn’t altered so honestly.. who cares if Talia wanted to keep going back and forth?

This book was *almost* there but needed a little more depth and exploration of the concept. Would I recommend this book for everyone? No. But if you like magical realism and futuristic concepts, you’d find this interesting.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an hoe st review.

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

If you’re looking for a relatively low stakes book that includes women in STEM, conversation on AI + social media, a slowburn yet wholesome romance subplot - you may enjoy this!

Unfortunately this one lands in the middle for me, leaning towards only a 2 ⭐️ but I had to give it a little bonus because I can be a sucker for a cutie-little end sentence. My criticisms fall mainly on the fact that there were so many character POV’s and ‘side stories’ that felt surface-level or thrown in, it ended up feeling like there was either no resolve or point to certain portions of the book. The main POV story also felt like there was zero conflict or consequence, and when there finally was ‘consequence’ at the end of the book, it was resolved within a few pages and didn’t really give the climactic effect it could have. I personally loathe conflicts within books that are resolved immediately and wrapped with a bow.

Maybe it was the pacing, maybe it was the story itself - but this one didn’t land as well for me sadly!

[Angie Miale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightly magical, this is a romcom tech industry with a wristwatch that works exactly like the time turners from the Harry Potter universe. A few different POV, ideal life is a company owned by Talia Morgan, a Stanford grad with the ability to quickly rewind time. Her lifelong best friend Sam is in love with her. He makes Talia promise to only use it in case of an emergency. As time goes on, she finds herself becoming perfectionists and controlling.

A blend of magical realism, romance and tech boom culture, I would have liked a bit more character development and a
Deeper dive into the Ideal Life products and how they work. I saw infinite possibilities and I wish it had been explored a bit more. A clever premise! For me, this one was a like, not necessarily a “love.”

Recommend? Sure. It was harmless and cute.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC. Book to be published August 18, 2026.

[☆Laura☆]

Talia Morgan ha construido una vida guiada por la ambición y el deseo de mejorar el mundo a través de la tecnología. Cuando su empresa está a punto de alcanzar el éxito absoluto, un suceso inesperado hace que todo se derrumbe en cuestión de horas. Justo cuando cree haberlo perdido todo, aparece un objeto misterioso que le permite retroceder veinticuatro horas y rehacer el día una y otra vez. Con cada intento, Talia busca corregir errores, salvar su proyecto y proteger a quienes ama, convencida de que la versión perfecta de su vida está a solo un ajuste de distancia. Sin embargo, modificar el pasado comienza a tener consecuencias profundas, obligándola a cuestionarse si controlar cada decisión realmente la acerca a la felicidad o la aleja de vivir de verdad.



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Entretenido, pero siento que al final no pasa nada.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Sasha Skog · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a huge fan of medical realism but every once in a while I’ll really enjoy one (ie Ashley Poston and even this author’s other books).

But unfortunately this was not one I enjoyed. I don’t always expect rational explanations in books like this, but there was zero explanation about this watch; it just appeared and I’m supposed to just accept that?

And apart from the nonsense of the watch, there was absolutely zero chemistry between Talia and Sam. The characters were all so shallow, and even uninteresting. And every time Talia used her watch to rewind time, it actually made me angry! What was the purpose to rewind time just to eat three different breakfasts? She did it because she couldn’t decide what to eat, but not so she could have three different conversations with her parents!

Maybe you’ll enjoy this more than I did. Let me know if you did!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute rom-com style story that unfortunately got derailed by side characters and lack of exploration of its main characters depth and backgrounds. Talia wants to make the world a better place because her parents were neglectful. Sam wants to reconnect with his parents after they sent him away from Taiwan to live with family in the United States after a natural disaster. I could have done without the random Libby (her sister) and Erin (her intern) chapters as I felt their stories slowed down the pacing of the book overall.

As a self-proclaimed hater of AI, the businesses central to the plot gave me the ick. I don't feel good at all about the potential for companies to develop tech like the book describes in the future.

The real unsung hero of this book is, of course, Taco Bell.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 rounded down)

I really loved this book, though I’ll admit I’m a total sucker for a good time-travel / “what if” story, and this one absolutely delivered! I liked how the book brought in multiple character perspectives, which helped build a richer world and a deeper understanding of the ripple effects. It also went beyond the usual butterfly effect by exploring the physical toll of “rewinding,” which added an interesting layer of stakes.

Coming from the tech world and with my own curiosity around AI, I appreciated how the story touched on the ethical responsibilities of both companies and individuals, all while keeping the tone light and accessible. Sweet, cozy, and exactly the kind of book I needed at the time.

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book)

[Ashley Parrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Evelyn Skye, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC of Ideal Life.

If you could rewind time to make sure you were living life perfectly would you do it? This book explores the idea of being able to rewind time for a redo. The concept of this book is very interesting and resonates with the technological advances and fast living of life today. Life will never be perfect, it is about the lessons we make along the way and Evelyn Skye does such a great job of this with her characters.

The storyline is slow which is to be expected when the characters are "reliving" parts of their lives but the characters are likeable in their love-hate situationship. I feel like their could have been more world building especially in the tech world, they talk a lot about the tech companies but not enough about the technology that they are working with.

3.5/5 stars!

[Rachael Misluck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for access to this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

Some spoilers ahead:
I genuinely enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. I read it in less than 24 hours. I was very interested in the premise of turning back time and how that could make someone’s relationships strained. I also enjoyed that the characters felt real and well-developed. My only negatives were that some of the side character POVs felt unnecessary as well as the romance storyline. Specifically Erin’s storyline. I feel as though the book could have totally succeeded with the characters remaining friends/leaving the romance out entirely. HOWEVER, this was a great read, and I feel lucky to have received access early! I would recommend reading this book when it publishes August 18th, 2026!

[Marie Knox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideal Life has a really strong, compelling concept and I enjoyed reading it, even though the execution didn’t fully land for me. I absolutely loved Talia and Sam. Their connection was the heart of the story, and I found myself wishing we got more of them and less focus on their careers. Their relationship felt like it had so much more depth to explore.

I also felt that the additional POVs from other characters weren’t entirely necessary and sometimes pulled me out of the main story instead of adding to it. That said, the book does offer a lot of meaningful life lessons, which I genuinely appreciated and think many readers will connect with.

Overall, I enjoyed the idea behind Ideal Life and think it had a lot of potential. With a few tweaks including more focus on Talia and Sam and a tighter narrative, it could have been even stronger.