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In What World
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26Two high school rivals begrudgingly reunite as adults to investigate the disappearance of their beloved former teacher, only to wind up traveling through a series of alternate realities together.
Total opposites, Marlowe Jenkins and Priscilla Covington-French hated each other in high school. Now in their thirties, Marlowe is barely scraping by while Priscilla is wildly successful. Their rivalry should be long dead, yet both women remain connected through their mutual mentor, drama teacher Dallas Winthrop. Their unending tension has nothing to do with the fact that they’ve kissed. More than once.
When Dallas goes missing, each woman believes she can figure out where he is. Except this is no ordinary disappearance. Dallas has found a way to explore alternate versions of reality. While trying to follow him, Marlowe and Priscilla find other versions of themselves instead, surprised to learn not all Marlowes and Priscillas are fueled by hate. In fact, some Marlowes and Priscillas have very different strong feelings for one another. . .
The more Marlowe and Priscilla are forced to rely on each other, the harder it becomes to ignore their simmering attraction. But with every alternate reality they search, they only get further from their real life and responsibilities. Do they play it safe and hide behind their rivalry, or take a chance on each other that could permanently change the world as they know it?
Total opposites, Marlowe Jenkins and Priscilla Covington-French hated each other in high school. Now in their thirties, Marlowe is barely scraping by while Priscilla is wildly successful. Their rivalry should be long dead, yet both women remain connected through their mutual mentor, drama teacher Dallas Winthrop. Their unending tension has nothing to do with the fact that they’ve kissed. More than once.
When Dallas goes missing, each woman believes she can figure out where he is. Except this is no ordinary disappearance. Dallas has found a way to explore alternate versions of reality. While trying to follow him, Marlowe and Priscilla find other versions of themselves instead, surprised to learn not all Marlowes and Priscillas are fueled by hate. In fact, some Marlowes and Priscillas have very different strong feelings for one another. . .
The more Marlowe and Priscilla are forced to rely on each other, the harder it becomes to ignore their simmering attraction. But with every alternate reality they search, they only get further from their real life and responsibilities. Do they play it safe and hide behind their rivalry, or take a chance on each other that could permanently change the world as they know it?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨🌌 In What World by Bridget Morrissey 🌌✨
This was a really cute sapphic romance with a magical twist and I honestly just had a really good time with it.
I liked how it handled the dual timelines and the alternate realities. It could have gotten confusing fast, but it didn’t. Everything felt pretty easy to follow.
I also ended up really liking the side characters. They added to the story without feeling like filler.
And while portions of the ending were sad, I still loved it all. Especially the epilogue!!
💫 What to Expect
• Sapphic romance
• Alternate realities
• Relunctant partnership
• Missing mentor
• Second chance
• Forced proximity
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was a really cute sapphic romance with a magical twist and I honestly just had a really good time with it.
I liked how it handled the dual timelines and the alternate realities. It could have gotten confusing fast, but it didn’t. Everything felt pretty easy to follow.
I also ended up really liking the side characters. They added to the story without feeling like filler.
And while portions of the ending were sad, I still loved it all. Especially the epilogue!!
💫 What to Expect
• Sapphic romance
• Alternate realities
• Relunctant partnership
• Missing mentor
• Second chance
• Forced proximity
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
March 12, 2026
This was SUCH a cool concept for a book. Going through multiple universes to find their beloved theater teacher? And seeing different versions of themself? What an amazing way to show the two MCs they could be whoever they want to be.
At first I thought there was no way Priscilla and Marlowe could ever be together, the hatred was just so extreme! Everything came together SO well.
There could’ve been a bit more added to the build up of them being together, but either way I couldn’t put this book down for the life of me. There was so many other details we get that made it all so worth it.
It wasn’t just a romance story, it was about finding yourself and pushing yourself to do the scary things. It was also about letting go and admitting to yourself and others.
This book had me giggling, my heart hurting, and my thoughts turning. I enjoyed watching the two MCs grow closer and really hear one another. This was all pulled together so well, wow.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
At first I thought there was no way Priscilla and Marlowe could ever be together, the hatred was just so extreme! Everything came together SO well.
There could’ve been a bit more added to the build up of them being together, but either way I couldn’t put this book down for the life of me. There was so many other details we get that made it all so worth it.
It wasn’t just a romance story, it was about finding yourself and pushing yourself to do the scary things. It was also about letting go and admitting to yourself and others.
This book had me giggling, my heart hurting, and my thoughts turning. I enjoyed watching the two MCs grow closer and really hear one another. This was all pulled together so well, wow.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
Did Not Finish
March 13, 2026Sadly DNF'd at about 30%. I was genuinely excited about the alternate realities idea, since it felt so fresh, and I was ready for some delicious enemies-to-lovers tension. But I never connected with the characters or the story. The back-and-forth between the MCs came off more childish and passive-aggressive than anything mature or charged, which surprised me given their ages. No chemistry, no spark. That said, the foundation is solid, and I can see why others would love it. Just wasn't the right read for me this time. Huge thank you to Berkley Publishing for the eARC opportunity anyway!
Want to Read
February 20, 2025I will read everything Bridget Morrissey writes from now until the end of time basically.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Actual Rating; 3.75 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out on August 11th.
In What World, Bridget Morrissey’s newest sapphic adult romance, follows high school rivals Marlowe and Priscilla who begrudgingly reunite as adults to investigate the disappearance of their beloved former drama teacher. The two end up traveling through a series of alternate realities together, forcing them to find the answer to a question they’d never admit to being curious about—in what world would the two of them ever be in love with each other?
This is a five star premise for me. I love stories that play with time and space in interesting ways and this being a sapphic romance is the icing on the cake. Ultimately, I liked the concept of the novel more than the actual novel itself. I didn’t think Bridget Morrissey did a good enough job of establishing why Marlowe and Priscilla hated each other so much in high school. The very first chapter of the book is a flashback to a high school cast party, which could have been a great opportunity to establish their rivalry but didn’t really add all that much to the book in my opinion. We eventually learn that both Marlowe and Priscilla always wanted to be the best in the drama department but it takes a long time to establish this. For the first fifty or so percent of the book I didn’t understand why they hated each other. Their pettiness towards one another - especially Priscilla’s - was frustrating and I considered DNFing the book because I wasn’t enjoying the characters or their relationship. I couldn’t imagine myself rooting for them, especially since it seemed like there was no real attraction between them.
Luckily, this changed in the second half of the book. Marlowe and Priscilla’s motives make more sense and their attraction to each other feels more real but they seemed to change all of a sudden, without any growth on the page. It felt a bit like Bridget Morrissey skipped over the character development and just changed their personalities.
I actually loved the last 30% of this (up until the final chapter. I’m a bit of an epilogue hater when it comes to romance but that’s more personal preference than an actual fault of the book) and it increased my rating. I could feel Marlowe and Priscilla’s chemistry. I loved their former theater teacher Dallas. I loved their journey back to their real lives. It was all so fun! I just wish that I felt that way about the rest of the book. I think with better characterization earlier on and more on-page development this could have been a better story and romance throughout instead of only near the end.
I will say, the sex scene felt very much like Bridget Morrissey was checking it off a list of requirements. It comes out of nowhere and interrupts the flow of the book.
Qualms aside, I think Bridget Morrissey is a talented writer and I’m definitely open to reading more queer romances from her in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out on August 11th.
In What World, Bridget Morrissey’s newest sapphic adult romance, follows high school rivals Marlowe and Priscilla who begrudgingly reunite as adults to investigate the disappearance of their beloved former drama teacher. The two end up traveling through a series of alternate realities together, forcing them to find the answer to a question they’d never admit to being curious about—in what world would the two of them ever be in love with each other?
This is a five star premise for me. I love stories that play with time and space in interesting ways and this being a sapphic romance is the icing on the cake. Ultimately, I liked the concept of the novel more than the actual novel itself. I didn’t think Bridget Morrissey did a good enough job of establishing why Marlowe and Priscilla hated each other so much in high school. The very first chapter of the book is a flashback to a high school cast party, which could have been a great opportunity to establish their rivalry but didn’t really add all that much to the book in my opinion. We eventually learn that both Marlowe and Priscilla always wanted to be the best in the drama department but it takes a long time to establish this. For the first fifty or so percent of the book I didn’t understand why they hated each other. Their pettiness towards one another - especially Priscilla’s - was frustrating and I considered DNFing the book because I wasn’t enjoying the characters or their relationship. I couldn’t imagine myself rooting for them, especially since it seemed like there was no real attraction between them.
Luckily, this changed in the second half of the book. Marlowe and Priscilla’s motives make more sense and their attraction to each other feels more real but they seemed to change all of a sudden, without any growth on the page. It felt a bit like Bridget Morrissey skipped over the character development and just changed their personalities.
I actually loved the last 30% of this (up until the final chapter. I’m a bit of an epilogue hater when it comes to romance but that’s more personal preference than an actual fault of the book) and it increased my rating. I could feel Marlowe and Priscilla’s chemistry. I loved their former theater teacher Dallas. I loved their journey back to their real lives. It was all so fun! I just wish that I felt that way about the rest of the book. I think with better characterization earlier on and more on-page development this could have been a better story and romance throughout instead of only near the end.
I will say, the sex scene felt very much like Bridget Morrissey was checking it off a list of requirements. It comes out of nowhere and interrupts the flow of the book.
Qualms aside, I think Bridget Morrissey is a talented writer and I’m definitely open to reading more queer romances from her in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
”it’s funny how obvious a lesson can be when someone else needs to learn it, and how hard it is to recognize when it’s you.”
Imagine being able to see yourself as everyone else perceives you. Physically observe all the subtle details of your daily life, your body language, and mannerisms. You are able to do this because you are looking and talking to you! This alternate version of yourself exists in a parallel dimension, and you’re just visiting. .
However, at this moment, the alternate version of you wants You to deal with the woman who is just now walking into the room … as the other you shuts herself in a coat closet. You know this new woman because in your reality, she was your girlfriend and you just broke up with her before starting your inter-dimensional journey. Oh, and you’re not exploring on your own; you’re accompanied by Priscilla, your high school nemesis who is across the room watching the whole scene play out with a smirk on her face.
Marlowe and Priscilla (who may have kissed once) have been at odds with each other all through their high school drama classes. Initially, they were both drawn to theater by their drama teacher Dallas. Now, 13 years later Marlowe teaches at the same high school they graduated from and Priscilla…now known professionally as Cilla Cove plays a Doctor on a television show and was recently nominated for a golden globe award.
When Dallas goes missing just before the dress rehearsal for his final production before retirement, Marlowe and Priscilla are forced to collaborate as they investigate his disappearance. Their journey will take them through multiple dimensions and reveal different versions of themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story by Bridget Morrissey. It was delightful to witness Marlowe and Priscilla’s interactions with all the other Marlowes and Priscillas inhabiting the multiverse they traverse. Throughout their journey, they gain insights into each other’s lives, discovering aspects of their personalities and personal histories that were previously unknown. The narrative was both clever and heartfelt. It’s amazing how much a couple can learn by watching themselves.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Romance for allowing me to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
Imagine being able to see yourself as everyone else perceives you. Physically observe all the subtle details of your daily life, your body language, and mannerisms. You are able to do this because you are looking and talking to you! This alternate version of yourself exists in a parallel dimension, and you’re just visiting. .
However, at this moment, the alternate version of you wants You to deal with the woman who is just now walking into the room … as the other you shuts herself in a coat closet. You know this new woman because in your reality, she was your girlfriend and you just broke up with her before starting your inter-dimensional journey. Oh, and you’re not exploring on your own; you’re accompanied by Priscilla, your high school nemesis who is across the room watching the whole scene play out with a smirk on her face.
Marlowe and Priscilla (who may have kissed once) have been at odds with each other all through their high school drama classes. Initially, they were both drawn to theater by their drama teacher Dallas. Now, 13 years later Marlowe teaches at the same high school they graduated from and Priscilla…now known professionally as Cilla Cove plays a Doctor on a television show and was recently nominated for a golden globe award.
When Dallas goes missing just before the dress rehearsal for his final production before retirement, Marlowe and Priscilla are forced to collaborate as they investigate his disappearance. Their journey will take them through multiple dimensions and reveal different versions of themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story by Bridget Morrissey. It was delightful to witness Marlowe and Priscilla’s interactions with all the other Marlowes and Priscillas inhabiting the multiverse they traverse. Throughout their journey, they gain insights into each other’s lives, discovering aspects of their personalities and personal histories that were previously unknown. The narrative was both clever and heartfelt. It’s amazing how much a couple can learn by watching themselves.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Romance for allowing me to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Marlowe and Priscilla, who were high school rivals and still dislike each other despite not seeing each other since they graduated, have to work together and travel through different realities to find their former drama teacher after he disappears.
I’m pretty much a sucker for any enemies to lovers story, so I happily requested the book. In What World wasn’t entirely what I thought it would be, though. I must have just skimmed the description; combine that and the cover and I thought it was going to be more sci-fi and they were going to go to entirely different worlds. Okay, my bad. My brain just quickly pivoted once I realized they were just going to different versions of their own world.
Seeing these different versions of the main characters was interesting, but I do wish there had been a little more variation to it. They were mostly confined to one area, which I felt limited the characters a bit. I found the most interesting version of them to be the one that was outside of the school, so I did wish there had been more versions in that vein. Because of this, I felt like it dragged a little when they entered the third (second? fourth? I don't know, I lost track) world, but it did eventually pick back up again.
For the most part, I liked the book. Thankfully, Marlowe and Priscilla had pretty good chemistry, which is a huge make or break for me for a book like this. I could definitely feel the tension there beyond just their anger and hurt with each other. They did make me roll my eyes sometimes, though. They're in their mid thirties and still bickering like high schoolers. I'm all for banter, even when they're being petty and passive aggressive, but these two could be pretty immature at times given their age. I would have been more inclined to believe they were in their mid twenties and often forgot they were in their thirties.
Overall, it's a relatively fun book about second chances and finding yourself and not getting stuck. It wasn't a perfect book, but I did enjoy it. Somewhere between three and four stars for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I’m pretty much a sucker for any enemies to lovers story, so I happily requested the book. In What World wasn’t entirely what I thought it would be, though. I must have just skimmed the description; combine that and the cover and I thought it was going to be more sci-fi and they were going to go to entirely different worlds. Okay, my bad. My brain just quickly pivoted once I realized they were just going to different versions of their own world.
Seeing these different versions of the main characters was interesting, but I do wish there had been a little more variation to it. They were mostly confined to one area, which I felt limited the characters a bit. I found the most interesting version of them to be the one that was outside of the school, so I did wish there had been more versions in that vein. Because of this, I felt like it dragged a little when they entered the third (second? fourth? I don't know, I lost track) world, but it did eventually pick back up again.
For the most part, I liked the book. Thankfully, Marlowe and Priscilla had pretty good chemistry, which is a huge make or break for me for a book like this. I could definitely feel the tension there beyond just their anger and hurt with each other. They did make me roll my eyes sometimes, though. They're in their mid thirties and still bickering like high schoolers. I'm all for banter, even when they're being petty and passive aggressive, but these two could be pretty immature at times given their age. I would have been more inclined to believe they were in their mid twenties and often forgot they were in their thirties.
Overall, it's a relatively fun book about second chances and finding yourself and not getting stuck. It wasn't a perfect book, but I did enjoy it. Somewhere between three and four stars for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 6, 2026
I had such a fun time with this one! Thank you to Bridget Morrissey, Berkley, and NetGalley for the ARC.
I went into this book completely blind because I wanted to be surprised—and I absolutely was. I loved the pacing and the way the story builds before the time travel element really takes off. Since I’ve never read a time travel romance before, it took me a little while to settle into that aspect of the story, but once I did, I found myself completely invested.
Cilla and Marlowe are wonderfully complex characters. It took me a bit to fully understand their dynamic at first, but getting to watch their relationship unfold—from rivals to friends to something much deeper—was such a rewarding journey. Their chemistry builds in a way that feels earned, and the emotional connection between them really shines.
Dallas’ storyline completely captured me. As his story slowly unfolded, it added such an emotional depth to the book that I wasn’t expecting. Watching those pieces come together was incredibly moving, and by the time everything was revealed I genuinely had tears in my eyes. His arc added another layer to the story that made the whole experience feel even more powerful.
As someone who usually gravitates toward very spicy romances, you might think Morrissey’s books wouldn’t necessarily be my go-to. But I actually love the way she approaches it. The spice is subtle and placed at exactly the right moments—just enough to make the relationship feel real and meaningful without overshadowing the story.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. I’ve already caught myself recommending it to people because the mix of adventure, time travel, and romance makes it stand out in such a fun way.
I went into this book completely blind because I wanted to be surprised—and I absolutely was. I loved the pacing and the way the story builds before the time travel element really takes off. Since I’ve never read a time travel romance before, it took me a little while to settle into that aspect of the story, but once I did, I found myself completely invested.
Cilla and Marlowe are wonderfully complex characters. It took me a bit to fully understand their dynamic at first, but getting to watch their relationship unfold—from rivals to friends to something much deeper—was such a rewarding journey. Their chemistry builds in a way that feels earned, and the emotional connection between them really shines.
Dallas’ storyline completely captured me. As his story slowly unfolded, it added such an emotional depth to the book that I wasn’t expecting. Watching those pieces come together was incredibly moving, and by the time everything was revealed I genuinely had tears in my eyes. His arc added another layer to the story that made the whole experience feel even more powerful.
As someone who usually gravitates toward very spicy romances, you might think Morrissey’s books wouldn’t necessarily be my go-to. But I actually love the way she approaches it. The spice is subtle and placed at exactly the right moments—just enough to make the relationship feel real and meaningful without overshadowing the story.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. I’ve already caught myself recommending it to people because the mix of adventure, time travel, and romance makes it stand out in such a fun way.
April 6, 2026
I was given this ARC by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I loooooove love loved Morrissey’s “That Summer Feeling” so when I saw an ARC by her I jumped at the chance. I loved the premise of this and I’d describe it as Romance meets the multiverse. My took different book favorites are queer romance and suspense/thriller, especially if it’s got that twisted black mirror vibe like Dark Matter. And this definitely marries the two. Sapphic time travel? I was racing to sign up.
I liked our two characters and I liked that the multiverse angle allowed us to meet these characters having chosen multiple different paths and directions so we got to see different variants of them as themselves and with each other. It’s rare for characters to be able to go back into the past and see things from each others’ point of view and learn to empathize. I hate miscommunication tropes because I want to scream “you love each other” at everyone, but this avoids that by giving each character’s side, how they understood it and then learning how the other one understood it as well. They were willing to grow and change for themselves and for each other.
The growth and willingness to grow and understand each other was a strong theme throughout. I loved Dallas and his mysteriousness and how it unfolded. The time traveling was fun, if not slightly ridiculous, but it was easy to walk away and jump to another book. I wanted to not be able to put it down, which didn’t happen. I really appreciate Marlowe’s sexual and gender identity exploration and Priscilla’s relationship with fame and the idea of not being wanted/not feeling good enough.
I liked our two characters and I liked that the multiverse angle allowed us to meet these characters having chosen multiple different paths and directions so we got to see different variants of them as themselves and with each other. It’s rare for characters to be able to go back into the past and see things from each others’ point of view and learn to empathize. I hate miscommunication tropes because I want to scream “you love each other” at everyone, but this avoids that by giving each character’s side, how they understood it and then learning how the other one understood it as well. They were willing to grow and change for themselves and for each other.
The growth and willingness to grow and understand each other was a strong theme throughout. I loved Dallas and his mysteriousness and how it unfolded. The time traveling was fun, if not slightly ridiculous, but it was easy to walk away and jump to another book. I wanted to not be able to put it down, which didn’t happen. I really appreciate Marlowe’s sexual and gender identity exploration and Priscilla’s relationship with fame and the idea of not being wanted/not feeling good enough.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In What World by Bridget Morrissey is a book about two high school rivals coming together to find their beloved drama teacher, who has mysteriously gone missing right before his final performance and retirement. In their efforts to track him down, the two women go on a journey through parallel dimensions, meeting alternate versions of themselves and unpacking their feelings about themselves and each other along the way.
This book is sweet and funny, with the banter between our protagonists being a highlight. They’re catty and playful, picking at each other just like they did in high school. Their chemistry is delicious, and I loved seeing their feelings grow and change. Billy Larsen gets the award for funniest quips, and every High School Musical reference had me screaming. I loved the search for Dallas, and slowly learning more about their mysterious mentor’s backstory.
I had personally hoped for some weirder inter-dimensional time travel shenanigans, but this story is surprisingly grounded considering the subject matter. There is also a LOT of therapy-speak, culminating in long, drawn-out speeches about feelings that made me feel a little like I was sitting in on the characters’ counseling session.
Overall, I really liked this book! I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, and a good, lighthearted Sapphic story is always a rare gem. The premise is fun, and I had a great time reading it!
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book is sweet and funny, with the banter between our protagonists being a highlight. They’re catty and playful, picking at each other just like they did in high school. Their chemistry is delicious, and I loved seeing their feelings grow and change. Billy Larsen gets the award for funniest quips, and every High School Musical reference had me screaming. I loved the search for Dallas, and slowly learning more about their mysterious mentor’s backstory.
I had personally hoped for some weirder inter-dimensional time travel shenanigans, but this story is surprisingly grounded considering the subject matter. There is also a LOT of therapy-speak, culminating in long, drawn-out speeches about feelings that made me feel a little like I was sitting in on the characters’ counseling session.
Overall, I really liked this book! I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, and a good, lighthearted Sapphic story is always a rare gem. The premise is fun, and I had a great time reading it!
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
This was a fun, sweet ride of a book! I'm not usually a big romance person, but the idea of traveling through alternate universes and meeting different version of themselves was too tempting to pass up. I ended up really enjoying all the characters, especially our main ones, Marlowe and Priscilla. It was great to see their relationship transform as they visited all these different universes and saw the possibilities, both good and bad.
I think Morrissey did a great job of revealing the depths in each character, and alternating points of view was really nice to get a deeper look into their feelings and their history, even before they shared things with each other. You know with a romance it's going to be a happy ending, but I think the way they got there was really genuine and real. OK, sure hopping through alternate universes isn't a thing in real life, but the development of them together and working their way toward each other was well done and I think more true than a romance where everything is rosy and perfect.
Aside from that Dallas' story was incredibly moving and heartbreaking as we find out why he's traveling through all these different universes. I don't want to spoil anything, but learning about him was a great addition to the overall story.
Also, the cover art is great and I think really captures how Morrissey had described Priscilla and Marlowe!
This was a fun, sweet ride of a book! I'm not usually a big romance person, but the idea of traveling through alternate universes and meeting different version of themselves was too tempting to pass up. I ended up really enjoying all the characters, especially our main ones, Marlowe and Priscilla. It was great to see their relationship transform as they visited all these different universes and saw the possibilities, both good and bad.
I think Morrissey did a great job of revealing the depths in each character, and alternating points of view was really nice to get a deeper look into their feelings and their history, even before they shared things with each other. You know with a romance it's going to be a happy ending, but I think the way they got there was really genuine and real. OK, sure hopping through alternate universes isn't a thing in real life, but the development of them together and working their way toward each other was well done and I think more true than a romance where everything is rosy and perfect.
Aside from that Dallas' story was incredibly moving and heartbreaking as we find out why he's traveling through all these different universes. I don't want to spoil anything, but learning about him was a great addition to the overall story.
Also, the cover art is great and I think really captures how Morrissey had described Priscilla and Marlowe!
April 22, 2026
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re a theatre kid with a love of High School Musical and a yearning to fix the mistakes of your younger self, then you’ll find an uncanny reflection in Bridget Morrissey’s newest book. If you’re only some or maybe none of those things, you’ll still enjoy watching two hopeless sapphics stumble through time and space on a quest to find their missing director. In What World is a touching examination of what can cause two people to drift so far apart and still find their way back together. Priscilla and Marlowe are utter disasters who are completely unable to open up to each other without extreme outside forces (like getting lost mid-multiverse jump), and it’s both frustrating and endearing to watch them struggle. Still, it only makes the reader root harder for their success.
Dallas’ story had me teary-eyed. I understood where he was coming from completely, but at the same time, you can’t let your life stall out because of grief. You find people to support you through it. You don’t have to bury it or forget the reason behind it, but it’s never the right answer to sink into the quagmire of it and stop looking forward to the life you still have the privilege to live. The scene with Marlowe and Priscilla showing Dallas everything they’ve learned on their journey made me feel all kinds of emotions. In What World shows the good, the bad, and the ugly of queer love, and the reader still comes out of it with an overwhelming hope.
If you’re a theatre kid with a love of High School Musical and a yearning to fix the mistakes of your younger self, then you’ll find an uncanny reflection in Bridget Morrissey’s newest book. If you’re only some or maybe none of those things, you’ll still enjoy watching two hopeless sapphics stumble through time and space on a quest to find their missing director. In What World is a touching examination of what can cause two people to drift so far apart and still find their way back together. Priscilla and Marlowe are utter disasters who are completely unable to open up to each other without extreme outside forces (like getting lost mid-multiverse jump), and it’s both frustrating and endearing to watch them struggle. Still, it only makes the reader root harder for their success.
Dallas’ story had me teary-eyed. I understood where he was coming from completely, but at the same time, you can’t let your life stall out because of grief. You find people to support you through it. You don’t have to bury it or forget the reason behind it, but it’s never the right answer to sink into the quagmire of it and stop looking forward to the life you still have the privilege to live. The scene with Marlowe and Priscilla showing Dallas everything they’ve learned on their journey made me feel all kinds of emotions. In What World shows the good, the bad, and the ugly of queer love, and the reader still comes out of it with an overwhelming hope.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Bridget Morrissey. ❤️
Marlowe and Priscilla's rivalry begins in school, and truly spans timelines. Both theater nerds, they spent their high school years in competition for everything. As adults, Marlowe stayed behind to teach at her high school and help run the theater department with their mentor Dallas. Priscilla is the famous actress rebranded as Cilla Cove. When Dallas suddenly goes missing, they must hop into his Memory Machine ( essentially a time machine ) and find him.
Oh yall im absolutely feral for these two! The banter. The growth they both experience in the span of one book! You literally want to knock their heads together by the middle of the book and scream JUST BANG ALREADY! 😂 But that would be the easy way, and our girlies must learn about themselves and meet who they are in alternate timelines first. And yall the journey is so worth it! This is a romance/sci fi kinda mashup and I'm here for it! You obviously have to suspend belief but it's written so well you can see it happening! And Dallas. Dallas is honestly my fave! Spending his life trying to get back to his one love.
This is such a beautiful queer romance and I cant speak highly enough of it! All the stars and then some!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Marlowe and Priscilla's rivalry begins in school, and truly spans timelines. Both theater nerds, they spent their high school years in competition for everything. As adults, Marlowe stayed behind to teach at her high school and help run the theater department with their mentor Dallas. Priscilla is the famous actress rebranded as Cilla Cove. When Dallas suddenly goes missing, they must hop into his Memory Machine ( essentially a time machine ) and find him.
Oh yall im absolutely feral for these two! The banter. The growth they both experience in the span of one book! You literally want to knock their heads together by the middle of the book and scream JUST BANG ALREADY! 😂 But that would be the easy way, and our girlies must learn about themselves and meet who they are in alternate timelines first. And yall the journey is so worth it! This is a romance/sci fi kinda mashup and I'm here for it! You obviously have to suspend belief but it's written so well you can see it happening! And Dallas. Dallas is honestly my fave! Spending his life trying to get back to his one love.
This is such a beautiful queer romance and I cant speak highly enough of it! All the stars and then some!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
May 6, 2026
I was fortunate to receive an ARC from NetGalley, so thank you NetGalley and Berkley! I'm still learning how to write a good review so please be patient with me.
In all honesty, the science fiction elements of this book nearly kept me from reading it, as I'm usually not much of a sci-fi fan. However, the enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes convinced me to give it a try anyways.
I'm very glad I did! The rivalry got old fast for my taste, but the wait was worth it. The sweet moments in this book made the more frustrating scenes worth it. Some of the lines in this book really got me, too. My personal favorite is, "I would rearrange the stars for her. I would find her in any life." I think it also does a good job of summing up their love. Additionally, I love Dallas, their mentor. He was a great side character and I wanted way more of him!
Overall I'm rating this book 4.5 stars but rounding it up to five. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sapphic romance novel.
In all honesty, the science fiction elements of this book nearly kept me from reading it, as I'm usually not much of a sci-fi fan. However, the enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes convinced me to give it a try anyways.
I'm very glad I did! The rivalry got old fast for my taste, but the wait was worth it. The sweet moments in this book made the more frustrating scenes worth it. Some of the lines in this book really got me, too. My personal favorite is, "I would rearrange the stars for her. I would find her in any life." I think it also does a good job of summing up their love. Additionally, I love Dallas, their mentor. He was a great side character and I wanted way more of him!
Overall I'm rating this book 4.5 stars but rounding it up to five. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sapphic romance novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
All in all, I enjoyed this book! I don’t think I loved it, and felt the writing was a bit cringe at times, but I also think that the back half compensated for the front half and by the end came out with a positive experience. I was really put off by Priscilla to start but eventually came around to her and actually found her hysterical 💀 There were a lot of really lovely sentiments in this book too - about personal growth and letting go of the past to take control of your future. I’m also a sucker for a painful history between characters from their younger years so that aspect of this book was really enjoyable to me, and the multiverse of it all was really fun!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advance copy to review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advance copy to review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what a book!
I really really loved this one. A multiverse hopping romp with your former rival, as a pitch, has the potential to be really gimmicky but I think Morrissey absolutely nailed it. Each new universe just serves to deepen the narrative and prompt the characters to re-examine the ways their choices have shaped them.
I enjoyed how the long the book went the clearer it became that all the tension between the main characters was just misplaced attraction. The internalitity of the characters was excellent. I liked that the book didn't get bogged down trying to explain how the multiversal travel worked.
This book is for anyone who likes a dash of Sci-fi with their romance, was a theater kid or just likes a well written romance.
Wow, what a book!
I really really loved this one. A multiverse hopping romp with your former rival, as a pitch, has the potential to be really gimmicky but I think Morrissey absolutely nailed it. Each new universe just serves to deepen the narrative and prompt the characters to re-examine the ways their choices have shaped them.
I enjoyed how the long the book went the clearer it became that all the tension between the main characters was just misplaced attraction. The internalitity of the characters was excellent. I liked that the book didn't get bogged down trying to explain how the multiversal travel worked.
This book is for anyone who likes a dash of Sci-fi with their romance, was a theater kid or just likes a well written romance.
April 24, 2026
The concept is interesting and reading it was fun. SEeing different versions of Marlowe and Priscilla added a nice “what if” layer. Their enemies to lovers chemistry definitely carried, petty, tense, and sometimes a little too immature for people in their 30s, but still entertaining.
It drags a bit in the middle (and I fully lost track of realities at one point), but it picks up again. Messy, a little chaotic, but ultimately a fun second chance story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
It drags a bit in the middle (and I fully lost track of realities at one point), but it picks up again. Messy, a little chaotic, but ultimately a fun second chance story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Want to Read
March 20, 2025i'm so sold
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you and your high school nemesis could travel through the multiverse to find your old drama teacher, this book by Bridgette Morrissey is for you!!
Soft sapphic vibes with top tier banter and an imaginative magic system that proves that in every universe some people are meant to be together.
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this arc.
Soft sapphic vibes with top tier banter and an imaginative magic system that proves that in every universe some people are meant to be together.
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of my favorite types of stories - seeing the alternatives for you life's choices. What if I had gone to a different college? What if I never dated the person I married? So many options and possible outcomes. Loved the characters and the giant tribute to theater kids everywhere.
Want to Read
March 19, 20263/19/26
thank you for the e-arc! will be posting my review shortly :)
thank you for the e-arc! will be posting my review shortly :)
March 27, 2026
4.5 rounded up, but also any book that makes me laugh this hard is gonna get a high rating.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
review upcoming
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!
If you can get over the outlandish premise, this is super fun! Marlowe and Priscilla have a lovely dynamic, rivals with a sort of begrudging respect for each other. I loved learning more and more about their shared history and how they come to see it from the other person’s perspective. I felt Priscilla’s home life was dealt with gracefully. Dallas was a somewhat frustrating character, but Marlowe’s and his growth because of it was wonderful. I kind of wish you got to see more of their school friends in the alternate dimensions and perhaps that they had a couple more friends in general, but overall, this was a great speculative romance book! Highly recommend it!
If you can get over the outlandish premise, this is super fun! Marlowe and Priscilla have a lovely dynamic, rivals with a sort of begrudging respect for each other. I loved learning more and more about their shared history and how they come to see it from the other person’s perspective. I felt Priscilla’s home life was dealt with gracefully. Dallas was a somewhat frustrating character, but Marlowe’s and his growth because of it was wonderful. I kind of wish you got to see more of their school friends in the alternate dimensions and perhaps that they had a couple more friends in general, but overall, this was a great speculative romance book! Highly recommend it!
April 17, 2026
If you’re looking for a sapphic enemies-to-lovers reality-jumping romance…do I have the book for you!
Honestly, this book could have been one I really liked but I never really fell in love with the characters myself. For one, they’re two grown women who are still obsessed with their high school drama teacher (although one of them does now work with him). I think most of the book felt like I was following two adults who had never really progressed out of high school, and that limited my own emotional investment in them. I did find some of the later reveals in the book compelling, though they came a bit *too* late to factor into my connections with the characters. Definitely not the book for me but could be for others, especially if you identify as a former theater kid yourself.
Overall, a 3 star read.
Thanks to Berkley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review! “In What World” will be out on August 11 ⭐️
Honestly, this book could have been one I really liked but I never really fell in love with the characters myself. For one, they’re two grown women who are still obsessed with their high school drama teacher (although one of them does now work with him). I think most of the book felt like I was following two adults who had never really progressed out of high school, and that limited my own emotional investment in them. I did find some of the later reveals in the book compelling, though they came a bit *too* late to factor into my connections with the characters. Definitely not the book for me but could be for others, especially if you identify as a former theater kid yourself.
Overall, a 3 star read.
Thanks to Berkley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review! “In What World” will be out on August 11 ⭐️
April 5, 2026
Allow me to be One Direction about this when I say, when it comes to romcoms, Bridget Morrissey’s got that one thing.
My fav romcom author did it again!!!!! I am so obsessed with Marlowe ah!!!!!! This was really so fun. I loved the banter between Marlowe and Priscilla, I loved how we saw their relationship develop, and I absolutely loved every version of them (even Diva Marlowe). I wanted to be a theater kid so bad tbh. Ms Morrissey please write a hundred more books for me to read now.
Thank you for an ARC <3
My fav romcom author did it again!!!!! I am so obsessed with Marlowe ah!!!!!! This was really so fun. I loved the banter between Marlowe and Priscilla, I loved how we saw their relationship develop, and I absolutely loved every version of them (even Diva Marlowe). I wanted to be a theater kid so bad tbh. Ms Morrissey please write a hundred more books for me to read now.
Thank you for an ARC <3
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