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 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 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 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, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Adult, Time Travel

Kindle Edition

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

[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!!!

[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.

[Natalia Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Ideal Life as an ARC from NetGalley (thank you!!) I really enjoyed this novel! It’s a fun read and really makes you think about what you might do with the power to turn back time and redo mistakes. The struggles with AI definitely hit close to what’s happening in our world right now. It almost felt like an episode of Black Mirror. Even though there were times where I struggled to agree with the main characters actions, I feel as though that’s the whole point of a good novel! It was gripping and engaging. I’ll definitely be recommending to family and friends when Ideal Life is released in the summer!

[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!!

[Amy · 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.

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a really neat premise but unfortunately the execution, combined with a main character I had a hard time routing for, just did not work for me.

Talia is the CEO of a tech startup that has just been purchased by a huge corporation for an astronomical sum of money. On the evening the paperwork is to be signed, Talia learns that her tech has inadvertently resulted in someone’s death. She is horrified, the deal falls through, and then, somehow, she finds herself in possession of a watch that lets her rewind the prior 24 hours to prevent the murder and preserve the acquisition. Crisis averted.

So what does Talia, who we are constantly reminded just wants to do good in the world and do what’s best “for humanity” do with this magical watch from that point on? Rewinds time repeatedly during breakfast with her parents so she can try different menu items. Rewinds time repeatedly so she can watch different movie choices with her coworkers. Rewinds time repeatedly so she can make it to a meeting on time using different modes of transportation which she has to master usage of - instead of just leaving a little bit earlier. She tells her best friend about the watch and he cautions her against using it and makes her promise to never use it to change his life with his knowledge - does she keep that promise? Of course not. Despite the obviously physical toll that the repeated manipulation of time takes on her, she continues to use the watch for the dumbest things - helping nobody but herself in the process.

The story is told in alternating points of view of Talia, her best friend, her sister and her company’s intern - but the most time is spend on Talia and the other POVs add little to the story. We are told repeatedly how brilliant Talia is but her actions led me to the exact opposite conclusion and by the end of the book I was actually annoyed that everything all wrapped up neatly for her.

Finally, the book relies heavily on parentheticals - sometimes to give explanation, sometimes for random asides, but completely jarring every single time. It felt like a combination of unnecessary information and/or information that the reader was not deemed able to infer ourselves.

Overall a disappointing read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Brainard]

Book Review: Ideal Life by Evelyn Skye
Evelyn Skye’s Ideal Life takes a familiar modern anxiety — the pressure to optimize every corner of your existence — and spins it into a warm, emotionally resonant story about what we lose when we chase perfection too hard. It’s a novel that feels both timely and timeless, blending gentle humor with heartfelt introspection.
What the Story Delivers
At the center is a woman who believes she’s doing everything “right”: the curated routines, the self‑improvement checklists, the relentless pursuit of the life she thinks she’s supposed to have. When her carefully constructed world begins to crack, she’s forced to confront the gap between the life she’s performing and the life she actually wants.
Skye handles this unraveling with a light touch. The book never slips into cynicism; instead, it leans into compassion. The protagonist’s journey is messy in the most relatable way — full of detours, small revelations, and the kind of emotional honesty that sneaks up on you.
Strengths
A deeply relatable theme. Skye taps into the cultural obsession with “ideal” living — productivity, aesthetics, self‑optimization — and shows how hollow it can feel from the inside.
Warm, accessible writing. Her prose is smooth and inviting, making the novel easy to sink into.
Characters with heart. Even the supporting cast feels lived‑in, offering moments of humor and grounding that balance the protagonist’s internal struggles.
A hopeful arc. The book ultimately champions authenticity over aspiration, and it does so without preaching.
Who Will Love This Book
Readers who enjoy introspective contemporary fiction — especially stories about identity, reinvention, and the quiet courage it takes to change your life — will find a lot to love here. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s gentler novels or Rebecca Serle’s emotional realism will feel right at home.
Final Takeaway
Ideal Life is a tender reminder that perfection is a moving target, and often an illusion. Evelyn Skye invites readers to step off the hamster wheel and consider what a meaningful life actually looks like. It’s a comforting, thoughtful read that lingers long after the last page.

[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.

[Zoe Betts · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Have you ever imagined what you could do if you could turn back time whenever you wanted? Well Talia Morgan can tell you. Ideal Life follows Talia Morgan, the CEO of technology company ideal life. As Talia prepares to sell her company, she find herself facing challenges she would never expect - until a watch shows up on her wrist. With this watch, Talia has the ability to turn back or push forward time 24hours. Through the story we see the decisions Talia makes for herself, but for the others she cares about to. This puts Talia in multiple sticky situations and leaves her feeling lost. This story is about hope, hard work and love - all surrounded by how the smallest decisions can leave the biggest impact.

I enjoyed this read! All of the characters were enjoyable and there were moments where you truly felt like you had to make the decisions that our main character Talia was facing. The storyline was interesting- I liked how it felt like something you would face in the world today with ever growing technology challenges, and it was refreshing to read a story about a technology giant who put customers first.

As for the characters, they were all quite likeable. I felt like something characters didn’t have enough detail however. The one character I would I have liked to feel more presence and detail from was Sam. For someone so big in Talia’s life, I feel like there could have been more. However I really liked to see his evolution with technology and how it can be helpful and not always hurtful.

Overall, this was a really fun and good read. The reality of the storyline and how it fits with today’s world felt refreshing. Definitely would recommend this read for readers who like magical realism with a small plot of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kassie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should not be classified as romance, it’s targeting the wrong set of readers. You don’t get even a semblance of “interest” until 35% of the way in where Sam internally has a though and Talia doesn’t even notice. Over halfway through the story, you get a tiny glimpse of jealousy. You get a dabbling of curiosity about whether the other feels the same. While the main characters do get a HEA in the end, this is not written as a romance.

It’s a new adult, contemporary piece with a minor romantic subplot AT BEST.
Now that I got that off my chest… this story was just okay.

As a woman in tech, I was drawn in to the concept of a woman in charge of this advanced tech company. Seeing woman in STEM romance made me think I’d be walking into something very reminiscent of Ali Hazelwood, and maybe that was where it fell short for me as AH is one of my all-time fav authors.

I do still think the bones of this story are good and really interesting but there mechanics of the writing didn’t do the story justice. You have 3rd person, past tense with multiple POVs that don’t actually feel like they matter. 1st POV would have better suited a story of this nature as we’d get the interiority and experience first-hand.

What I will say as a positive, I love that the different characters work as commentary on how people accept or reject advances in technology. Talia is someone who has good intention but gets caught up in the power of being able to change things rapidly and efficiently. Sam is reluctant, he doesn’t optimize at all, which makes his life harder than necessary. Erin is totally dependent, to the point she cannot function on her own. Libby is all about influencer culture and boundary-setting in that industry.

That part is smart and super well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Altria Books, and Evelyn Skye for allowing me to read a copy of this book early.

[Cozystephaniereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Evelyn Skye, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Ideal Life. All thoughts are my own.

Ideal Life was a speculative, emotional, and thought-provoking story with a unique premise that kept me thinking throughout. The story follows Talia, a startup CEO whose app is designed to help people live their “ideal life” by offering guidance and direction. When a major deal is on the line, one moment threatens everything, and suddenly she’s given the ability to rewind time and fix it. What starts as a second chance quickly turns into something much bigger, as she becomes more focused on perfecting the past than actually living in the present.
Talia was incredibly relatable. I think we all have moments we wish we could redo, and watching her chase perfection over and over again really highlights that desire to always be better than who we were yesterday. Sam was such a strong presence in the story. Supportive, grounding, and willing to call her out when needed. Their dynamic, along with the side characters like Libby and Erin, added so much depth and heart.
The pacing was fast, making this a quick read, but it still carried a lot of emotional weight. I especially loved the quieter moments, like the Sunday Taco Bell lunches between Talia and Sam. The lunches felt real and grounding amidst everything else. And the date between Erin and Georgia added a fun, slightly chaotic contrast.
My only critiques are that I wish the timeline had been clear, and I had lingering questions about the physical toll that rewinding time was taking on Talia. It felt important but not fully explored. Overall, this is a brilliant concept that explores perfection, regret, and what it really means to live a fulfilling life. I would definitely recommend it.

[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.

[Jasmine Krull · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if you could live your ideal life?

On the brink of a life-changing deal, Talia is given the ability to rewind the past 24 hours. She uses this power to try to perfect her life, but in her quest for flawlessness, she begins to realize that an “ideal life” may not be as perfect as it seems.

This story takes readers on a thoughtful journey, exploring what it really means to get life “right.” Talia erases every embarrassing, shocking, or uncomfortable moment, attempting to smooth over life’s messier parts. But she ultimately discovers that those very moments—the sticky, imperfect ones—are what make life meaningful and lead to a more honest, fulfilling existence.

There was a lot I enjoyed about this book. The premise is engaging (think Click starring Adam Sandler), and the overall message really resonated. I also appreciated the cast of characters: Talia, a whip-smart perfectionist; Sam, kind and steadfast; Libby and Jake, adventurous and fun; and Erin, anxious yet eager to please. I’m also always a fan of a STEM-focused female main character.

That said, there were a few aspects that didn’t fully work for me. The repeated rewinding of certain moments began to feel a bit tiresome, as many of them conveyed the same idea. I also found the number of points of view overwhelming at times; fewer POVs with deeper character development would have, in my opinion, strengthened the story. Lastly, while I appreciated the neatly tied-up ending (who doesn’t love a happily ever after?), the conclusion felt somewhat underdeveloped. I would have liked more buildup and conflict before everything was resolved.

Overall, I’d give this book 3 stars. It’s a solid, thought-provoking read—just not quite the right fit for me.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[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.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talia is a tech start-up CEO obsessed with optimizing her time and hacking her productivity with as many tools as she can. When she wishes to go back in time to redo a huge problem with her AI brain tech, a watch magically appears that gives her the ability to rewind (up to 24hrs) and redo. But Talia’s life hacking becomes too addicting as she relies on the watch to fix many trivial things and ends up exhausting herself trying to fix everything for everybody, and alienating her best friend who things she has gone off the deep end.

This book is an interesting framework on the use of productivity hacking tools (earbuds that translate language realtime, “temple dots” that read your brainwaves, glasses that connect to your temple dots to monitor your emotional reactions and provides advice on how to stabilize. While Talia’s AI tech really leaned in to “what if we accidentally allowed big companies to use this for nefarious reasons like selling product”, the other uses of tech weren’t as explicitly bad or even directly good (eg, Sam communicating with his parents for the first time in years in a way that helps them understand each other more), and the discourse around AI was limited to Talia’s company instead. I also think Talia’s insistence on using the tech over and over, even after she’s clearly been negatively affected, was furiously annoying for someone who for all other intents is a well-loved, levelheaded leader.

Overall I enjoyed this read. 3.5 stars rounded down on Goodreads. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy, all opinions are my own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read every Evelyn Skye book. Not only do I love her writing style but I love her as a human being I get to call a friend. How lucky am I?

This was both a departure from her other stories and not really. As someone who works in tech, I really enjoyed the setting of this book. And even though as a reader, I could totally see that Talia was making poor choices and getting addicted to the ability to undo even the smallest of mistakes, I completely believe that if any of us actually had this power, we would have a really hard time not using it both for ourselves and for the people we love.

Especially if it seemed like it didn't have adverse reactions, who wouldn't want to tinker and make things just right. Or to give others (or themselves) an opportunity to correct things. The thing is, throughout this whole story Talia never uses the power to truly take advantage of anyone else or in a purely selfish way. In her own way, she's always trying to do it for the "right" reasons (ok maybe not when she's eating several breakfasts but it's also ok to have a little fun if it comes at no expense, no?)

As in all her other books, the creativity and visual storytelling are one of a kind. I loved the idea of Talia's company and the details that went with it. I loved the bookstore in the lighthouse. I loved imagining the fancy Taco Bell. So many beautiful and visual details.

Reading a Skye book is always such a gift and this one is no exception.

with gratitude to netgalley and Atria books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[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!

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️

A nice weekend read that hits different if you work in tech.

Here’s the premise: Talia, founder of a startup, gets her hands on a mystical watch that lets her rewind time for up to 24 hours and redo the day. Modern-day magical realism meets Silicon Valley ambition. At first, I was intrigued. The concept alone had me hooked.

But then came the execution. The book is written in third person across four different POVs, and I got pulled in all directions. This was my first time reading a book with that many perspectives, and it was honestly overwhelming. I couldn’t quite find my footing with all those voices.

That said, what did work? The premise itself, especially as someone in tech and design. Getting that glimpse into what probably goes down at Silicon Valley startups? That always catches my curiosity. Evelyn clearly did her homework on the industry, and it shows.

The story also weaves in romance and family relationships, which felt like a nice bonus layer. But here’s what really got me: the aggressive AI stuff. It hit too close to home. Companies are so pushy with AI right now, and reading it fictionalized in a way that felt realistic was uncomfortable in the best way.

It’s a solid weekend read, especially if you work in tech and want to see your world reflected back at you. Just maybe go in knowing the multiple POVs might feel a bit scattered.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC! ❤️​​​​​​​​​​​

[Marissa F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute story. The premise is basically: what if you had the power to Groundhog Day yourself?

I agree with other reviewers that the beginning was kind of repetitive, when we had to sit through the same scenes and conversations multiple times as proof that the magical watch actually worked. There was also a lot of expository dialogue in the first few chapters, which I understand serves a purpose, but it's a personal pet peeve of mine. I'm a big fan of a show, not tell.

Talia's early efforts with the time-turner watch were expectedly silly, like redoing breakfast over and over again so she could eat everything she wanted to try on the menu, or resetting her entrance at a singles event so she could avoid all the duds. But once the time turning started to have explicit physical and mental consequences, it was a bit absurd that she kept using it for such unimportant moments.

Then all of a sudden, we are barreling through a poker tournament and trying to save the world from an evil tech conspiracy. (One that, TBH, doesn't seem terribly far-fetched.)

The ending is pretty anticlimactic… The problem sort of resolved itself so quickly that it seemed to come out of nowhere. Then the story is over.

Sidenote… This book made me think more about Taco Bell than I have in the past 20 years combined.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.

[Jori Broad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal Life by Evelyn Skye is such a clever mix of romance, science fiction, and emotional self discovery. If you are a fan of Josie Silver and love stories with heart, depth, and a little magic woven in, this one is definitely worth picking up.

The story follows a STEM driven perfectionist who discovers a mysterious watch that allows her to rewind time by 24 hours. At first, it feels like the ultimate gift. The chance to fix mistakes, perfect conversations, avoid embarrassment, and shape life exactly the way she wants it. But when every choice can be rewritten, perfection starts to come with a price.

I loved the concept of this book because it asks such a relatable question. If you could go back and make everything perfect, would you? Or would chasing perfection make you lose the beauty of the life you already have?

The romance was layered beautifully into the story and never felt like it overpowered the bigger emotional journey. It was thoughtful, smart, and had that quiet emotional pull that keeps you thinking long after you finish.

This is not just a romance. It is about ambition, control, vulnerability, and learning that sometimes the imperfect moments are the ones that matter most.

A really engaging read with heart, emotion, and just enough sci fi to make it feel fresh and different. Perfect for readers who love romance with substance and a little bit of magic.

[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.

[Kelly Figg · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy. Although the copy was free, all opinions are my own.

I rated Ideal Life 4.25 stars and found it to be engaging and easy read with a unique premise that feels relevant in today's world. The story delves into our current relationship with technology and the idea of optimizing our lives in a way that feels both timely and thought-provoking while still keeping a light air to the story overall.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the main character. As a recovering type A personality, I found her incredibly relatable. Her mindset, motivations, and internal struggles felt very real, and I appreciated how her character developed over the course of the story.

I really enjoyed the magical realism woven into the story. It added an extra layer of intrigue and made the concept feel fresh and slightly surreal in the best way. Readers who enjoy a blend of contemporary fiction with a hint of fantasy, especially fans of The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston or The Book of Doors, will likely enjoy this book.

My only real criticism is that the ending felt a bit rushed and left a few elements not fully explained. That said, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment, and I can see how that ambiguity may have been intentional on the author’s part.

[Karsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really missed the mark for me. I enjoyed the magical realism aspect and thought that this was a very cool concept as it is an interesting way to integrate AI into a person’s life, however the overall plot was just not entertaining whatsoever.
Talia’s character was stubborn, driven but to a fault. While I understand that that was the point with the watch, it just seemed like everyone just forgave her for what she had done. The two stars are for Sam and his parents. Sam’s character was the only one I was rooting for. For him to be someone that was shipped off to another country by his parents to give him more opportunities, this was such an important moment in the book that truly showcases the sacrifices that families make for their children. I love that Sam was able to use new tech to better speak to his parents and grow their relationship. His story was heartfelt and inspiring.

Overall, I wanted to feel more connected to Talia and have her struggle about more morally with her decisions. She really faced zero consequences because of her decisions to rewind her past and therefore did not push me to feel any empathy towards her. I also feel as though Erin and Libby’s perspectives were not wholly essential to the story. Because this is told in third person, it would have made more sense to me to just have Tali found out about their new information organically.

[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.

[Melissa DeLong-Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I was reading this while home with a sick kiddo, and back to back off another book that I really enjoyed, so perhaps that was clouding my judgment but Ideal Life had the premise and simply couldn't execute. AI is going to continue to grow (sadly), and I thought it was an interesting concept to come at AI, new technology, and how tech often works to our detriment, even when well-intentioned. I love magical realism, so the idea of being able to rewind for 24 hours was super intriguing.

Unfortunately, that's pretty much all the positive I have to say. I found myself SO frustrated by the FMC Talia, who was allegedly so intelligent and wanted only the best for the world, but continued to use the watch to rewind even when it was clearly at the cost of her health, her relationships, and so on. Instead of feeling invested in her journey, I felt annoyed at her and frustrated at the way that she continued on, heeding none of the advice coming from others around her and being generally insufferable acting as though she knows best.

Overall, this isn't going to be a recommendation for me, but sticking with two stars because I did like the concept, I just wish it had been executed better.

*Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*