Beautiful to See You

by Lygia Day Peñaflor

When a mysterious tunnel in Central Park allows a heartbroken college dropout to revisit her tragic past, will she ever move on and embrace the hope—and the love—in her present? This mind-bending coming-of-age romance is perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Dustin Thao.

ARE YOU READY TO GO BACK?

Tia is sleepwalking through life. Once an ambitious student and promising actor, now she’s an aimless college dropout dragging herself to her dog-walking job…until she follows the sound of a ringing bell to a mysterious tunnel in Central Park, a tunnel that can transport her back in time, back to the summer of Natty.

When MIT-bound Natty Poole delivered the valedictory speech of a lifetime, Tia finally noticed him, the awkward boy who’d always adored her. Despite their looming departures for college, they couldn’t help but fall in love. But their perfect summer came to a tragic end, separating Tia and Natty seemingly forever.

Although visiting the tunnel weakens her, Tia remains obsessed with seeing Natty and finding a way to change the past—so obsessed that she’s neglecting the present, which includes the handsome and persuasive film student Razor Ford, who is dead set on having Tia star in his short film.

Every moment spent with Razor feels like a betrayal of Natty, but there’s something about Razor that keeps pulling her in. Torn between then and now, how can Tia move on when her heart and the tunnel won’t let her?

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Magical Realism, Fiction, New York, High School, Audiobook

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2026

About the author

Lygia Day Peñaflor is the critically acclaimed author of BEAUTIFUL TO SEE YOU (AGAIN), CREEP: A LOVE STORY, ALL OF THIS IS TRUE, and UNSCRIPTED JOSS BYRD. Her novels have been published around the world in over a dozen languages.

She also teaches young Hollywood actors on TV and film sets. Her students have included cast members of GOSSIP GIRL, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY.

Lygia lives with her husband on Long Island. She rides horses and flies from a trapeze. Follow her on Instagram @lygiaday.

Reviews

[Eclipse Moonflower · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Core Themes: "Dying by Living Her Life" | Trauma, Loss & Healing | Staying Grounded in the Present

At its center, this novel represents the heartbreaking disconnect between living in the present and feeling hopelessly tethered to yesterday...

A fictional story featuring time travel and romance, Beautiful to See You (Again) by Lygia Day Peñaflor is a powerful read for anyone affected by personal loss. If you've ever wished for just one more moment with someone you can never get back, this exploration of the intertwined relationship between grief and love will move you deeply.

My eyes were rarely dry while reading. The story offers a touching, emotional realism that many will find deeply relatable, anchored by visceral and authentic characters. Beautiful to See You (Again) provides an accurate reflection of the pain one endures through haunting past memories, offering a bold - and at times, intimidatingly retraumatizing - narrative. Peñaflor’s poetic writing style seizes every opportunity to lean into emotional depth, utilizing a unique narrative structure that shifts fluidly between past and present.

Despite being a work of fiction, Tia's story and her memories of Natty offer an accurate, uncensored reflection of how trauma operates. With all spice scenes fading to black or remaining innocuous, I would recommend this read to young adults in search of comfort literature to soothe an aching heart.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for accepting my e-ARC request in exchange for this honest review.

[Margot Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grief works in strange, sneaky, insidious ways, changing us from the inside out. If someone offered us a way to revisit moments with a loved one we'd lost, how could we not jump at the opportunity—even if the false hope and renewed pain made it impossible for us to heal?

That's the premise of this heartbreaking love story with a speculative twist, in which we see how grief reshapes the whole existence of one young woman. When Tia discovers a mysterious way to re-experience her past in Central Park (I loved the whole use of the NYC setting!), it seems like the answer to her prayers—a chance to warn her younger, carefree self what's coming. But at what price?

Beautiful to See You (Again) is a weepie in the best sense. It made me cry, it made me think, and it made me chuckle with all its knowing indie cinema references. I felt for Tia and Natty in their magical Long Island summer, and I felt for Tia and Razor in their much more ambivalent Manhattan autumn. Lygia Day Peñaflor is an author who keeps on giving us new complex characters in daring stories, taking risks that (I think) pay off. If you love books soaked in atmosphere that make you cry, don't miss this one.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for review consideration.

[Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really nice book. I enjoyed the banter between Tia and Natty. The evolution of their relationship in the flashbacks was nostalgic and cute. However, I was not the target audience for this book. The pacing seemed fine in some places, and then dragged on in the later half of the book. Also, the Then, Now, Columbia, etc. chapters alternating was really confusing and detracted from the story in my opinion. All in all, this book was too much and not enough at the same time. I wish there had been longer flashbacks that really explained the past, but at the same time I wish the book had been shorter. It was a fun read, but I was ready to move on halfway through.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Louis (audiobookfanatic) · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

BLURB:
Grieving her first love, Tia discovers a time-traveling tunnel in Central Park and risks changing fate while navigating an unexpected new romance.

REVIEW:
This is my first read from Lygia Day Peñaflor, and the beautiful cover and intriguing title caught my attention. When I saw that Ferdelle Capistrano was narrating, whose narration I’ve enjoyed before, I had to grab a copy. Although this is a YA novel, it explores some compelling themes, including grief, trauma, and learning to move forward after loss, that will resonate with adult readers. The story is an original mix of contemporary fiction, romance, coming-of-age elements, and time travel fantasy. I love stories set in New York City, and with a goodportion of this one taking place in Central Park and the surrounding areas, I found it very immersive, fresh, and contemporary.

The story is told through alternating NOW and THEN timelines, following Tia before and after her boyfriend Natty’s death. We first meet Tia and Natty at their high school graduation, where he’s the valedictorian, and we’re introduced to key characters, including Tia’s friends Catherine and Kennedy and her cousin Wes. Tia and Natty already know each other, but their friendship soon develops into something more when she invites him to spend time with her and her friends. I loved their chemistry, and their relationship development felt organic as they build a deep connection in a short time. The past timeline chapters begin with a countdown of how many days are left before Natty’s death, which creates an underlying sense of dread. I became increasingly invested in their relationship and needed to know what happened to him! 😭

Meanwhile, the NOW timeline introduces us to a very different Tia in NYC, where she’s working as a dog walker. It’s clear that she’s still struggling with grief and is stuck in her life. When she meets Razor Ford, the son of a famous musician who’s making a student short film, she wants no involvement. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she’s drawn toward a mysterious tunnel in Central Park. I won’t give any more away other than to say that this introduces the time-travel element, and I was fascinated by how Tia's visits to moments from the summer when she and Natty were together—and her mission to change Natty’s fate. Tia becomes more acquainted with Razor and gets to know his friends and family, and there's a found-family element to her new relationships that temporarily pulls her out of her grief. She's a complex character, and I didn’t agree with all her decision-making and even found her stubborn at times, but I could understand why she wanted to hold on to moments from the past and wanted to change it.

The chapters are short, with frequent timeline switches that kept me engaged. There’s also an additional timeline showing Tia during her time at Columbia University after Natty’s death, and I found it so interesting that we essentially get to know different versions of her in the book. By the end, she’s changed by everything she’s experienced, and I found her character arc to be complex and multidimensional, moreso than a typical YA character.

The climax is compelling, with emotional scenes in the time-travel sequences and the present-day timeline. I was really captivated by the second-to-last chapter where Tia discovers some shocking revelations that change her perspective and finally allow her to begin letting go of the past and moving forward. The short film that Razor creates in the book is something I wanted to discuss with other readers, especially as its significance becomes clearer toward the end. For this reason, and many others, this book is a great option for a book club or a buddy read!

If you enjoy YA fiction, contemporary romance, coming-of-age themes, time travel, and stories about learning to let go of the past, this is definitely worth checking out. And if you’re an audiobook listener, you’re in for a treat! Ferdelle Capistrano does a fantastic job of bringing Tia and her many emotional layers to life. Her pacing worked really well for the short chapters and frequent timeline switches, keeping me engaged throughout!

[Arpad Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final year of high school is at hand; an awkward, anxiety-riddled, wallflower-nice guy is on stage giving his valedictorian speech. He’s brilliant, funny, nerdy, honest and good. His name is Natty (Nathaniel) Poole, and he’s spent his school years with his nose in the books and out of trouble. He doesn’t quite know it, but he is exceedingly cool and very likeable. He’s going to MIT; Natty is one who will change the world.

She’s Tia Cruz Aldon, not a wallflower in the least, but she’s good, grounded, funny and smart. She’s going to Columbia; Tia is one who brightens the colours of the world by being in it.

Tia and Natty belong to a friend group whose small pack is loyal, protective, inclusive and kind. A pack-member’s parents host a party at their beachfront home where energy and excitement ride the waves, misting the entourage with scenes of their futures. There’s a breakup-make-up-breakup with both Natty and Tia taking roles as diffusers, defenders and supporters in the melee; when the situation calms, sparks between Natty and Tia fly.

And then the countdown begins.

Author Lygia Day Peñaflor wastes no time at all in having the reader like and root for Tia and Natty. Her opening chapters are exceptionally winning, and whether you’re of high school age living the moment and vibing with Tia and Natty’s sweetly blossoming romance in this middle-grade read, or, like me, must reach back to fondly remember the glory days of youth, we connect with Peñaflor’s words.

Breaking the chapters under THEN and NOW headings, Peñaflor gives us two stories: yesterday’s tragedy and today’s hope. In Beautiful to See You (again), a portal connects those timelines.

Time travel remains a universal draw. Who wouldn’t like to step back in time for a redo? It’s my only real wish. Not to change the world, just for a chance to do better in certain, small but crucial moments. Tia, in the aftershock of past events, isn’t really living. Surviving, yes, but coping, no. Her existence is consumed by a heartsick wish to change what happened.

In keeping with my practice of ‘no-spoilers ’, I won’t reveal details about the device facilitating time travel or its limitations. I will say that it is clever and entirely plausible, if you believe that mysteries still exist.

In Tia’s “NOW” chapters, Peñaflor makes that most romantic New York promise of all come to life; Tia is “discovered.” Razor Ford, the (gorgeous, of course) son of a celebrity drummer of a legendary rock band, is shooting a short film for a prestigious shorty contest. He has everything he needs for the film except for the leading girl. Razor spots Tia walking a handful of hounds in Central Park. Tia isn’t merely a pretty face; to Razor, she’s the only girl for the film.

Peñaflor has a bead on personality types; from the sweet and charismatic Tia in her “THEN” timeframe, to her savvy, calculating, detached persona in her “NOW” period, to Natty, his warmth, charm and wit, to Razor and his mastery of casual but focused flirtatiousness. The author fills the background with well-rounded characters, including parents and sprinkles in common obstacles faced by many.

When I read, I use small sticky notes to mark pages for later referencing and quoting, but because I have an advanced reader copy of the book, I am not permitted to quote directly. That said, I have a handful of pages tabbed with phrasing that lands perfectly and makes one remember why fiction is so wonderful.

The dialogue flows, and the relationships present feel organic and believable. The sweetness of romance, the pain of heartbreak and the ache of misfortune permeate the pages, staining your soul and sweetening your heart.

Another mark of a great book is getting through it without a middle lag. Backgrounds grow as stories build. Conflicts and crises intersect and separate again. Illogical decisions torment as much as they make sense, and often, authors lose their way or momentum in the middle. Peñaflor suffers no such lag. Quite the opposite, she’s set the chapters in a sequence compelling the reader to turn the page so they can see the whole picture, answer the questions, and solve the puzzle. I can tell you that many times, I flipped the sheet asking aloud, “But what happened?!?” You become desperate to find out.

The story concludes with screenwriting. Most of the final chapter is the screenplay for Razor’s short film, “GO!” It’s a risky change of pace for Peñaflor, and as it began, I was worried that the author used the device to shore up the loose ends into a tidy knot. My anticipation of disappointment grew. And then I was wrong.

Peñaflor pulls a fast one. I didn’t jump the queue and never got ahead of the author; she slipped off the veil with precision and finesse.

I hope that Beautiful to See You (again) achieves critical and commercial success as it is well deserving. Fully entertaining with clever turns and a couple of shocking twists, a good and believable story, strong characters and a solid expression of suffering in the human experience, Peñaflor’s book should please readers across genres and ages. It was a delight to read, and I give it five out of five stars.

[Amy Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful, heartbreaking novel hits all the right notes (again!). Lygia Day Peñaflor artfully depicts Tia's grief and how she eventually navigates her way through it with the help of Razor and a touch of magical realism. The writing is achingly haunting with glimmers of light interspersed. I loved every word, every second of it.

The author provided an ARC.

[Caitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review

I really wanted to like this book. It had all the makings of a book I might like, with a contrasting past and present, magical realism, and grief. However, it just fell flat for me, and I ended up not really enjoying it the way I had envisioned.

To start with the positives, I did like the magical realism aspect to the story, and it was actually the main draw for me. I thought the concept of a tunnel in Central Park that allows you to go back in time was so cool. I also thought the rules of the ability to visit the past, like needing the recover and the potential to change things, were well thought out. Another positive is that the book is incredibly readable, and I basically flew through this. The chapters are pretty short, so it’s easy to finish one and then decide to read another and another and another. I also found the multiple timelines to be an interesting way to tell the story. I didn’t find them confusing at all. For the most part, they were in chronological order, just interspersed within each other, so it wasn’t difficult to follow what was happening in the “Then,” “Columbia,” and “Now” timelines.

One of my biggest issues with the book was because of the character perspectives. The main perspective was from Tia, but we did get some chapters or scenes from Natty’s and Razor’s perspectives. However, these perspectives weren’t distinct from each other, which often left me confused as to which character we were viewing the story from. The novel is written in third-person perspective, but it is still possible to make each character have a distinct when writing this way.

The romance between Razor and Tia didn’t feel very believable to me, so when things did or didn’t develop there, I didn’t find myself able to care. I think this was mainly because Razor didn’t feel much like a character that could stand on his own. He instead felt like a device to be used to get Tia to move on from her grief. Similarly, with Natty, I found it hard to believe that Tia liked him. I obviously knew she did because it was written down, but I couldn’t feel it.

One of my main gripes was that I kept constantly thinking while reading the story that the main lesson would be about how it’s healthy to heal from grief and move on, rather than trying to dwell on the past. I was often thinking that that was obvious, and it made me irritated while reading the story that it was taking so long to get there. This feels like a very petty or stupid thing to point out, but it is much of what I was thinking while reading. Obviously, that is the main takeaway from the story, but the journey to getting there was painful.

I expected to feel moved by this book, and I honestly expected to cry at some point. I wasn’t, though. There was only one moment, late in the book when Tia is speaking to Natty’s mother on the day of the tragedy, that got me to feel something. Otherwise, due to a sort of wall I felt between me and the story, I hardly felt any emotion.

In short, this book had a lot of potential due to its interesting premise, but the execution fell flat and left me with a disappointing read.

[Loreina Klevenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you could visit a person you loved who died, but every moment you spent with them cost you a little more of yourself?

Tia has spent the last two years grieving Natty, her first love, and avoiding pretty much anything that might require her to move forward. Instead of attending Columbia, she works as a dog walker and drifts through New York City without much direction.

Then she discovers a hidden tunnel in Central Park that can take her back to the summer she spent with Natty, her high school’s valedictorian and the boy everyone thought had his whole life ahead of him.

At first, it feels like an impossible gift. She gets to see him again and return to the happiest time in her life. But the more she goes back, the more it takes from her. She becomes weaker and sicker, and returning to the present becomes harder every time.

Meanwhile, in the present, Razor, an ambitious film student, wants Tia to appear in his short film. He also gives her a reason to start participating in her own life again. She becomes caught between the past, where Natty is still alive, and a present that might still have something waiting for her if she is willing to let herself live it.

Tia isn’t simply choosing between the past and the present. She is choosing between a past that is slowly killing her and a future she isn’t sure she wants.

I thought this was a very well-written and unique YA story. The characters move between their late teens and early twenties, and the book deals heavily with grief. One of the side characters is also dealing with an abusive ex-boyfriend. There is some cussing and insinuated spice, but nothing graphic.

I normally don’t like comparing authors because every author brings something different to their stories, but the tragedy and grief in this one reminded me a little of You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao. Then I got on Goodreads and saw that comparison in the excerpt. 😆

This was emotional, thoughtful and very well done. I definitely recommend it for YA readers who enjoy stories about grief, first love and the struggle to choose a future when the past is still calling you back.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Kailee · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Okay I am struggling a bit to formulate my thoughts into a readable review. I really did enjoy the plot of this story. A grieving girl in NYC finds a tunnel to the past in Central Park and uses it to see her deceased boyfriend? Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, I’m here for an emotionally impactful story. Unfortunately, I think the structure of this novel really stole some of the effect.

The story is told through three timelines: the present, two years ago, and one year ago. I did feel like these timelines were a bit too close together to really require three separate stories. The present day chapters that included the tunnel also flashed back to the two years ago timeline, so it felt like an odd choice not to condense it and just tell the past story through the tunnel visions. I think it would have had a lot more impact on readers if we had to wait for details until the tunnel flashbacks. I don’t want to elaborate too much on that, as it would push into spoiler boundaries. Overall, I do think having chapters for three timelines was a bit of a disservice to the story.

I also had a hard time connecting with the main characters here. The character I found myself the most invested in was the character with a clear demise date. I’m sure that was for emotional reasons but it unfortunately spent so much time on him, we didn’t get a chance to really KNOW Tia.

Now, for the ending. It was so abrupt and I felt like so many things were left unexplained and even entirely untouched. I want to know what happened to all the people involved that led to the conclusion, or at least the major players. Nothing at all said about consequences? Left me feeling like an entire chapter was skipped.

A friend of mine actually recommended this and gave it five stars so I did go in with high hopes and expectations, and maybe that is part of my problem. I really really wanted to love this, but as it stands, I just liked it.

I would recommend this to readers that enjoy stories about being lost in grief and finding your way back out with a little help.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the chance to read this early!

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up. I was so excited to get this book on NetGalley. I had participated in the cover reveal and I really enjoyed Lygia Day Penaflor's previous books. This story sounded so intriguing and different from what I'd read of hers, so I was looking forward to reading it.

One thing I've noticed about Penaflor's writing is that she is a master at teasing out the story and plot elements that leave you curious and wanting more. She writes with a cinematic flair and style. That was definitely true here. Without spoiling too much, I'll say that the time shifts could definitely be a little confusing and certain developments felt a little fast. But having read some of her books before, I had a good sense that there was a reason behind the way things were written and presented. I didn't know what that was, but I trusted her enough to believe the payout would be worth it. And it was.

Tia was such a heartbreaking character. It's not a spoiler to say that she's experiencing incredible grief, made worse by how she did (or did not) deal with it initially. She's adrift and to make matters worse, she knows it. But she can't seem to move on. What she was going through felt so real that even as she's making questionable choices, you understand why and you sympathize with her.

Razor was a surprise with how tender and sweet he was. I wasn't expecting that, given how he and Tia met. But again, without spoiling the story, it made sense with how things turned out.

One of the best things, to me, about this story is how it dealt with closure and what closure means. Tia desperately wants a do-over. Razor wants to tell the story of his heartbreak. Both want closure in their past relationships and what it eventually turns out to be is something so simple, yet unexpected. Penaflor writes it so well and it makes you hopeful for the future for both characters.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Allison Smith · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

What if you had the chance to go back in time? Would you try to change the past?

Beautiful to See You (Again) is a tender, bittersweet story about first love, grief, nostalgia, and the complicated process of learning to let go. When Tia discovers a mysterious tunnel in Central Park that allows her to revisit a summer that changed her life, she finds herself caught between the comfort of the past and the uncertainty of what comes next. Blending romance, magical realism, and a dual timeline, the story explores just how difficult it can be to accept that some things can't be undone.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. There's something so heartbreaking about the idea of being able to revisit the people and moments you miss most, knowing that you can't necessarily change how things end. The story does a beautiful job exploring the relationship between grief and nostalgia, and how easy it is to become so consumed by what we've lost that we forget there's still a life waiting for us.

I especially loved the emotional layers of this one. It isn't just a love story; it's a story about timing, memory, second chances, and the uncomfortable reality of moving forward when a part of you would rather stay exactly where you were happiest. The magical realism adds such an interesting element without taking away from the very human emotions at the heart of the story.

This one left me thinking about how much of ourselves we sometimes leave behind in the moments we wish we could relive. A beautiful, heart-tugging read that I would absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys emotional coming-of-age stories with a little bit of magic.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

[Jennifer Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. It was a beautiful combination of love and grief. Natty and Tia’s summer romance was sweet. Reading their storyline made my heart so happy. You never truly forget your first love or the impact they had on your life. The bracelet he gave her for her birthday. I’m so sad that she took that off and forgot about it. But my favorite part of the story was Razor. His character was sweet, compassionate, patient, kind, and determined. Everything that Tia needed. I ate up every single Razor and Tia moment. I love how patient he was with her. How he kept reaching out a hand even when she kept pushing him away. Honestly, there were times when I felt that maybe Razor was too good for Tia, but I know she was quietly drowning in her grief, not being able to accept and work through what happened with Natty. The idea of the tunnel was interesting, and I absolutely loved the plot twist in the end! I honestly didn’t see that coming. I love that Tia finally went to see the film and just how everything tied together in the end.

I wasn’t a fan of what happened with Fisher. I didn’t think that scene was necessary. It left me heartbroken. How could Tia do that, especially after everything Razor has done to make her feel safe? And after Tia finished the film, I was hoping for a reunion between her and Razor. It was missing that great “I love you too” moment. I’m also wondering why we didn’t get more on where her friends and Wes are in the present timeline. After such a big emphasis in the past timeline, I was hoping they would come up again in the story.

[kglibrarian (Karin Greenberg) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My School Library Journal starred review August 1, 2026:

In the fall, Natty Poole will leave his East End, Long Island, town for MIT. During the two months of summer, Natty falls for Tia Cruz Adlon, who's preparing to attend Columbia University. They become inseparable as they count the days until they must part. When tragedy strikes, Tia copes by detaching from her emotions. Eventually, she drops out of college and finds work in a dog kennel and as an actress in a short student film. Her trauma comes to a head when she visits the Huddlestone Arch, a structure in Central Park that Natty once recreated in miniature with rocks. Through supernatural experiences inside the tunnel, Tia confronts her past and attempts to change the events that ruined her life. Ultimately, she must decide which world she wants to inhabit: the past or the present.

This visceral, heartfelt story explores the ways teens navigate unexpected trauma. From the beaches of eastern Long Island to the historical landscapes of Manhattan and Central Park, the story unfolds amid a vivid backdrop, infusing magical realism into the plot. The author writes beautifully about grief, longing, and love. Tia is Filipina American. VERDICT A page-turner sure to engage readers who enjoy romantic realistic fiction with touches of fantasy

[Gladys · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Beautiful to See You explores grief through a magical realism plot, which was the main draw of this novel for me. I really loved how this was executed and thought that the time loop aspect of it was also very compelling. Tia and Natty fall in love right before the start of college, at which point tragedy strikes, changing Tia's life completely. There are multiple POVs, although most are from Tia, and there are also time jumps, between the past and the present. I thought that these were fine, but some felt unnecessary and can at times be confusing. For instance, the ending felt a bit rushed and abrupt, with Tia basically doing a 180 within a couple of pages, which I think would've hit more if it was explored more in depth rather than ending where it did. Also, while Razor while likeable, he seemed more of a device to help Tia move on and deal with her grief. His character was not really fleshed out much and he really is only defined by his ex and his current love interest (Tia). Tia, due to her grief, acts in super destructive ways and pushes everyone away. Obviously, everyone deals with grief differently, but I found myself unable to connect with her, when she hurts people who are only trying to help her. The ending does indicate that she might be heading in a different and better direction, but the ending is so abrupt that it did not really convey that satisfactorily.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful to See You (Again) by Lygia Day Peñaflor was such an emotional and thought-provoking read. The premise of Tia discovering a tunnel in Central Park that allows her to revisit the happiest summer of her life—and the person she lost—was both fascinating and heartbreaking. I was especially drawn to the way the story explores grief, regret, first love, and the difficult process of learning how to move forward when part of you is still living in the past. The magical realism adds an intriguing layer to what is ultimately a very human story about loss and second chances. I also enjoyed how the different timelines gradually reveal more of Tia’s experiences and bring the larger story together. That said, I did find the shifting timelines a little uneven at times, and I wanted a bit more clarity and resolution by the end. Still, the emotional weight of the story and its exploration of how grief can shape our lives made this a memorable read. This is a beautiful, bittersweet novel that reminds us that holding on to the past can sometimes keep us from fully embracing the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Maeve Dempsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tia, a college dropout whose life with her boyfriend had been tragically upended shortly after her senior year, now only lives to star in Razor Ford's short film, a breakup story destined to win a student short film contest. That is, until she discovers Huddlestone Arch, a tunnel with strange supernatural powers that give her a chance to see her boyfriend again.

This book had many emotional and poignant moments, and brought to the table a different form of a grief and loss narrative than we are used to seeing. However, the timeline was messy and dragged on, the flashback chapters lacked the suspense I was hoping for, and the plot overall was slow and made me wish the book was shorter. Overall, the emotional narrative, heartfelt writing style, and strong character development was enough to cancel out the sedated plot and lack of suspense. I would recommend this book to realistic fiction readers that enjoy emotional reads and are already reading fans.

Note: Due to some mature themes, I would keep this book for ages 12 and up, although some mature 11-year-olds could read this.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful to See You (Again) completely got me with the idea of Tia being so stuck in the past that she literally finds a way to go back to it. I loved the setup of the mysterious Central Park tunnel and how Tia becomes obsessed with returning to that summer with Natty—the awkward boy who adored her and the person she fell completely in love with before everything ended tragically. There’s something especially heartbreaking about watching her keep choosing the past even as every trip through the tunnel takes something out of her.

I also really liked the contrast between Natty and Razor. Tia feels so guilty about being drawn to Razor and getting involved in his short film, as if allowing herself to enjoy anything in the present means she’s betraying Natty. That made her struggle to move forward feel much more real than a typical time-travel romance. The tunnel is the fantastical part, but at its heart this is really about grief, first love, and finally realizing that moving on doesn’t mean forgetting someone.

[Gillian French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I literally just finished reading my advance pdf of this book . . . the scope of the plot, interwoven timelines, and nesting doll-esque connections between the characters are something I respect and admire, and which may have rerouted my neural pathways—but in a good way! Following Tia’s healing journey from damaged, grief-stricken victim—who’s barely doing more than surviving in NYC as a near recluse and dog walker—through the temptation of being able to go back in time to correct the tragedy that derailed her life, to her final state of clear-eyed survivor who can finally reach out and grab onto what will give her true happiness is rewarding and thought provoking. I’d recommend this one to romance lovers, because it has a deeply romantic heart—and anyone who enjoys flipping timelines or pondering all of the moral quandaries that time travel and second chances suggest.

Thank you to Lygia for the chance to read early!

[Stefany Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great way to explore loss and grief. The tunnel was such an interesting idea. I absolutely loved the parallel storylines. I totally see why Tia was so determined to change the past but it was so hard to read how she was self-destructing for it.
Tia and Natty's summer romance was so sweet and pure, there's just nothing like falling in love for the first time, it really captured that so well.
I also loved how patient and kind Razor was with Tia, he saw that she was grieving and just kept being there for her. There were times that I lost patience for Tia, but Razor never did and that's exactly what she needed. I get that this was more about Tia's journey through grief, but I do wish there had been a reunion with Razor after she found her way out of it. I did not expect that ending though, that was a fun twist!

[Eliza's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful to See You (Again) by Lygia Day Penaflor is a beautifully told story that grabbed at my heart within the first few chapters. Tia’s life has been upended after the loss of Natty. For two years she has grieved, she has stopped acting or going to school and instead lives a life of alone lying to her parents so they don’t worry. One day she comes across a tunnel in Central Park that has the power to take her back to the best time of her life. So Tia can go back to when Natty is alive but the more she goes back the weaker she becomes.

This YA fantasy novel is well written for the audience and especially for those going through grief. Thank you, Lygia Day Penaflor and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing this e-ARC via NetGalley for review.

[Erikka Powell · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley and Simon and Schuster/ Sarah barley books

“When a mysterious tunnel in Central Park allows a heartbroken college dropout to revisit her tragic past, will she ever move on and embrace the hope--and the love--in her present?”

I loved the concept and idea of this book. Something about the pacing and organization/narrative felt disjointed. I think we should have seen more sections of each time frame across chapters rather than broken up. It took me a few Columbia chapters to understand what the story was trying to relay to me in those moments. I also feel we didn’t get to learn too much about our characters. Additionally I felt that how some of the characters spoke didn’t align with how teenagers would actually talk. Not sad I read it but could’ve done more.

[Denise Paulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the concept of Tia stumbling upon a hidden tunnel that could take her back to the happiest summer of her life—the summer she thought she had lost forever. ❤️

The idea of being given the chance to revisit a time, a place, and a person you desperately miss is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I really enjoyed watching Tia grapple with the temptation to hold onto the past while trying to figure out what her future could look like.

A heartfelt and emotional story about love, loss, grief, and finding the courage to move forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing me with a digital advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if you could revisit the past? This story follows Tia and the aftermath of a tragic summer.

I really enjoyed this book. I was invested in the characters, and they were well-developed. The plot was super interesting as well, and I sped through the last half of the book in basically one day. There were some minor pacing issues, but they didn't bother me that much. The ending also confused me a little bit and didn't feel totally resolved, but I still enjoyed the overall story.

This book made me think and feel, and I had a great time reading it.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster's for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley! These thoughts are my own.

[Merkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be one of my favorite reads of the year. It's so beautiful and heartbreaking. I know I cried off and on the last 100 pages. There is a lot here than can be identified with. Who hasn't wanted to change a moment from their past? The moments of grief were so deep and visceral you felt like you were in it. The moments of hope kept the story going. When I got to the end I was disappointed. I wanted more - more time with these characters and more time in their lives. I think that is a hallmark of a great book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as we would like to change the past, if we are even able to, something else will go wrong. This title felt like a horror. Feels like it’s serving as a warning to continuing moving forward but acknowledge the past. I’m also in my feelings, tearing up a little because I understand Tia. I’m interested to see how it ends.
Update, I did not expect any of that! (The ending) I’m still crying, and gasping. Stayed up til 8:17a to finish.

[Candy Sue Truskowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great first book by this author. I got to start it early as an ARC. I would have finished earlier but I was camping. Once I started I couldn't put it down, I had to know what happened. I loved the characters, the timeline, the love story, the heartbreak and the healing. It was such an awesomely written book, it just sucked me in. I will have to check out other books written by this author. 🙌🏼

[Dahlia (ofpagesandprint) · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Beautiful to See You (Again) is a poignant, enchanting YA magical realism novel.

This one was beautiful. From the first page, Lygia Day Peñaflor swept me away with her tender, lyrical, and evocative prose. The characters were vivid and compelling, and Tia was an excellent main character. Her relationship with Razor was beautiful and touching, and the portrayal of her relationship with Natty was equally heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Tia’s relationships with her family, friends, and the rest of the cast were thoughtfully explored alongside themes of grief, trauma, memory, and mental health. The settings were immersive and vibrant, featuring cinematic depictions of New York and woven with grounded fantastical elements. The plot was propulsive, and the pacing fit the story well, although a few parts felt rushed. Peñaflor deftly developed the time travel element, and the ending was satisfying. I highly recommend this one!

Ferdelle Capistrano was a fantastic narrator. Her voice captured the characters, emotion, and energy beautifully. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

[Libriar · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Tia fell in love the summer after high school graduation, but tragedy struck just before she left for Columbia. Now, two years later, she has dropped out of college and works as a dog walker in New York City. This book has multiple timelines and a bit of a fantasy/science fiction twist I wasn't a fan of, but teen readers who like grief mixed with romance should like it.

[Treva Sasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a YA book that releases late fall 2026. Told in two timelines, it follows the events of the summer after senior year and the summer following the first year of college. As the story unfolds, you are drawn in by the characters. I did not see the ending coming. Great book- would recommend.

[Lauren Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared for this book. This is one of the most immersive, unexpected, achingly beautiful things I’ve read all year. This is billed as YA but handles themes of grief and memory with more depth and heart than most adult books I’ve read recently. A transformative story that will linger.