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72 Hours of You
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26Sydney Hoffman can tell when someone has less than 72 hours to live, and it's left her sarcastic, cynical and alone. Until she meets Peter, who changes everything she believes about life—and death.
This swoony, emotional, and tragically romantic debut is perfect for fans of Dustin Thao's You've Reached Sam and Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End.
"Choke-on-your-drink funny, stomp-on-your heart tragic, and without a doubt one of the best debuts I've ever read." —Clare Edge
72 hours before someone dies, Sydney Hoffman sees a pink clock over their head, counting down their final minutes. Seeing death's status updates in real-time without being able to save anyone is . . . pretty much the worst. Which is why she never gets involved.
But then she meets Peter Beckett, her optimistic, book-obsessed, and (annoyingly) attractive new classmate. When he discovers what Sydney can do, he convinces her she doesn't have to handle the countdowns alone. Together they make a plan to wander NYC, looking for pink clocks and helping strangers live their best final hours.
The more people they secretly help, the more Sydney believes she can let go of the memories that haunt her and hold on to Peter instead. But then the universe deals a devastating blow, forcing her to reckon with what it truly means to live your last 72 hours with no regrets.
This swoony, emotional, and tragically romantic debut is perfect for fans of Dustin Thao's You've Reached Sam and Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End.
"Choke-on-your-drink funny, stomp-on-your heart tragic, and without a doubt one of the best debuts I've ever read." —Clare Edge
72 hours before someone dies, Sydney Hoffman sees a pink clock over their head, counting down their final minutes. Seeing death's status updates in real-time without being able to save anyone is . . . pretty much the worst. Which is why she never gets involved.
But then she meets Peter Beckett, her optimistic, book-obsessed, and (annoyingly) attractive new classmate. When he discovers what Sydney can do, he convinces her she doesn't have to handle the countdowns alone. Together they make a plan to wander NYC, looking for pink clocks and helping strangers live their best final hours.
The more people they secretly help, the more Sydney believes she can let go of the memories that haunt her and hold on to Peter instead. But then the universe deals a devastating blow, forcing her to reckon with what it truly means to live your last 72 hours with no regrets.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Want to Read
April 13, 2026❀° ┄───╮
pre-read
╰───┄ °❀
this sounds so good omw, so glad i got the arc!
pre-read
╰───┄ °❀
this sounds so good omw, so glad i got the arc!
June 2, 2026
I just spent the last two hours sobbing, at four AM no less; thanks for that.
But, also, there aren't enough stars in the world for this book.
I don't know that this is the book I needed to be reading at this point in my life, but what I do know is that every second I spent reading this book was beautiful. You kind of go in knowing exactly what's going to happen. There's enough in the synopsis that you can pretty easily clue in to the overall trajectory of the story. The important part here, I think, is that you don't know the journey. And even though there are aspects of Peter and Sydney's story that are predictable as hell, the truth is that 72 Hours of You still manages expertly to keep you on your toes.
I finished reading Darianne Schramm's debut novel at four in the morning, on a Sunday, when I very much had work in three and a half hours, which is hardly enough time to get a decent amount of sleep. But when you're reading a book like this, the sort you truly just can't put down for the sake of how much you care about the characters, staying up as long as you need to to complete it is a no-brainer. Work be damned.
There are stories out there that grab hold of you, make you feel so many things, teach you something—perhaps—or just reinforce a truth you'd already learned. I think 72 Hours of You is one such story. And you know, this is coming on the heels of the Stranger Things finale, which I've thought about a lot over the past few months. But it's a reminder to me, I think, that sometimes the ending you hope for works and sometimes it doesn't.
Even more, it's a reminder that there are some characters and some outlooks out there in the void that people simply need in their lives. Peter is one such character.
There's a real juxtaposition in the placement of Sydney and Peter, in the connection they build with one another and how it plays out through each page turn. I found myself frequently second-guessing the events I knew were coming, trying to weigh out how all of this could possibly be a misdirect, as I so desperately hoped. And even still, as I fell in love with these characters, laughing and adoring this journey of learning who they were and seeing their impact on each other, this certainty I felt that I knew how the story would end somehow did not take away at all from the exceptional emotional impact of its ending.
Schramm keeps just enough information from her readers to leave them sobbing in a puddle of tears by the end of the story, connecting each slow-dripped piece of information provided until finally we fully understand all this has been building toward. We're drenched in emotional turmoil, wondering how, exactly, the author managed to send us hurtling toward doom with every hope we could possibly have built up in ourselves for these characters despite the fact that she literally told us what would happen.
But that's the point, really. The point is to hope, to appreciate, to love despite knowing the end. The point is the emotional journey, and how it changes us along the way.
I lost my soul dog to brain cancer in May of 2025 and I've been reeling ever since. And in this regard, this review feels very personal for me. There's a right way to tell a story like this and there's a wrong way. I remember experiencing November and December with extreme excitement, a thrilling anticipatory expectation for what I would see once Stranger Things aired its finale. I rewatched both part one and part two several times as I waited for that last episode. To date, I still haven't rewatched the finale; because the journey did not point to the end we received, it in fact told us the exact opposite on so many different occasions so that when it came, so many of us sat back and wondered how that could even have been a possibility for the choice the Duffers would make. I still think it was one of the worst mistakes in a show in all of history; it's almost worse than Game of Thrones.
And I remember sitting on my couch, crying, not because I appreciated the journey but because I felt that the ending was not what I needed, spat in the face of every single character in the entire show and that's without even getting into how it did so to the actors and everyone who watched it. At the time, I truly thought the intensity of my emotional disappointment was centered around the idea that, after everything I had been through that year, I just needed a happy ending.
But after reading 72 Hours of You, I'm able to recontextualize that feeling. No, I didn't need a happy ending. I just needed an ending that made the journey worth it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
But, also, there aren't enough stars in the world for this book.
But what I do know is that he looks at the world in this (delusional) way that no one else does. Like it might actually be an okay place.
He sees beauty where I see booby traps. And like, I'm right, obviously, but damn, I wonder what it's like to live like that.
I don't know that this is the book I needed to be reading at this point in my life, but what I do know is that every second I spent reading this book was beautiful. You kind of go in knowing exactly what's going to happen. There's enough in the synopsis that you can pretty easily clue in to the overall trajectory of the story. The important part here, I think, is that you don't know the journey. And even though there are aspects of Peter and Sydney's story that are predictable as hell, the truth is that 72 Hours of You still manages expertly to keep you on your toes.
I finished reading Darianne Schramm's debut novel at four in the morning, on a Sunday, when I very much had work in three and a half hours, which is hardly enough time to get a decent amount of sleep. But when you're reading a book like this, the sort you truly just can't put down for the sake of how much you care about the characters, staying up as long as you need to to complete it is a no-brainer. Work be damned.
It is nothing. And it's also something. It's everything.
There are stories out there that grab hold of you, make you feel so many things, teach you something—perhaps—or just reinforce a truth you'd already learned. I think 72 Hours of You is one such story. And you know, this is coming on the heels of the Stranger Things finale, which I've thought about a lot over the past few months. But it's a reminder to me, I think, that sometimes the ending you hope for works and sometimes it doesn't.
Even more, it's a reminder that there are some characters and some outlooks out there in the void that people simply need in their lives. Peter is one such character.
"It's an honor, you know," he says into my neck, "to be the one you look for in a crowd."
There's a real juxtaposition in the placement of Sydney and Peter, in the connection they build with one another and how it plays out through each page turn. I found myself frequently second-guessing the events I knew were coming, trying to weigh out how all of this could possibly be a misdirect, as I so desperately hoped. And even still, as I fell in love with these characters, laughing and adoring this journey of learning who they were and seeing their impact on each other, this certainty I felt that I knew how the story would end somehow did not take away at all from the exceptional emotional impact of its ending.
Schramm keeps just enough information from her readers to leave them sobbing in a puddle of tears by the end of the story, connecting each slow-dripped piece of information provided until finally we fully understand all this has been building toward. We're drenched in emotional turmoil, wondering how, exactly, the author managed to send us hurtling toward doom with every hope we could possibly have built up in ourselves for these characters despite the fact that she literally told us what would happen.
But that's the point, really. The point is to hope, to appreciate, to love despite knowing the end. The point is the emotional journey, and how it changes us along the way.
Maybe that's how it always is, I thought—we all just go along, catching glimpses of one another, thinking we know everything.
I lost my soul dog to brain cancer in May of 2025 and I've been reeling ever since. And in this regard, this review feels very personal for me. There's a right way to tell a story like this and there's a wrong way. I remember experiencing November and December with extreme excitement, a thrilling anticipatory expectation for what I would see once Stranger Things aired its finale. I rewatched both part one and part two several times as I waited for that last episode. To date, I still haven't rewatched the finale; because the journey did not point to the end we received, it in fact told us the exact opposite on so many different occasions so that when it came, so many of us sat back and wondered how that could even have been a possibility for the choice the Duffers would make. I still think it was one of the worst mistakes in a show in all of history; it's almost worse than Game of Thrones.
And I remember sitting on my couch, crying, not because I appreciated the journey but because I felt that the ending was not what I needed, spat in the face of every single character in the entire show and that's without even getting into how it did so to the actors and everyone who watched it. At the time, I truly thought the intensity of my emotional disappointment was centered around the idea that, after everything I had been through that year, I just needed a happy ending.
But after reading 72 Hours of You, I'm able to recontextualize that feeling. No, I didn't need a happy ending. I just needed an ending that made the journey worth it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2026
I’m in pain
Want to Read
February 6, 2026this looks so tragic and beautiful ;)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I laughed. I cried. I hoped. I grieved. I stared at the wall for hours, wondering how I'd ever move on from this book, which I let emotionally mug me in broad daylight.
72 Hours of You is one of those books that feels almost impossible to explain without sounding slightly unhinged, because yes, it’s about a girl who can see pink neon countdown clocks over people’s heads when they only have 72 hours left to live…but it’s also about grief, love, loneliness, being seen, letting people in, and the terrifying beauty of living when you know life is fragile.
Sydney Hoffman has spent years building walls around herself. She’s sarcastic, cynical, closed-off and fully committed to her people-repelling era (real!), but the more you understand her, the more she absolutely breaks your heart. She’s not cold because she doesn’t care; she’s cold because she cares too much, has lost too much, and she knows too much. Watching her slowly, painfully, and reluctantly open herself up again was genuinely gorgeous.
And then there’s Peter Beckett.
Peter. Freaking. Beckett.
This boy is sunshine with a book in his hand and emotional devastation in his pockets. He’s optimistic without being shallow, philosophical without being pretentious, and somehow manages to look at Sydney like she’s a person, not a tragedy. He sees the beauty in the world where Syd sees danger signs, and the two of them together? The contrast? The banter? The aching softness underneath all the sarcasm? I was gone.
Their dynamic is everything. Syd is sharp edges and dark humour. Peter is warmth and wonder. She thinks she’s too much darkness; he sees the light around it. He doesn’t try to fix her or run from the ugly parts. He just stays, and that ruined me more than anything.
The whole story of the “Clockers” was both genius and brutal. It was such a beautiful concept to have Syd and Peter wandering around New York City, finding people with clocks and trying to brighten their last hours. These tiny acts of kindness, whether they resulted in a hot dog, a bottle of water, or a used book, seemed insignificant until you realised that, sometimes, being noticed, even for a brief moment, is everything.
That’s exactly who Peter Beckett is. He sees people; he really notices them; he makes them feel like they matter, even if it’s only for a minute. Then he does the same thing for Syd in all these tiny, quiet ways that absolutely ruined me.
And yes, I spent most of the book knowing this was probably going to hurt me. The vibes were absolutely giving The Fault in Our Stars levels of “Oh God, I’m about to be emotionally destroyed, aren't I?” but I still hoped, against all evidence, like a fool...and then Darianne Schramm came for my soul anyway.
There’s also a mystery woven through the story that I really appreciated. I thought I had things figured out in some ways, but there was a twist that crept up on me right at the end and made me look back at the whole book like, "Wait... WAIT!" That was so cleverly done.
I also loved the family dynamics, especially how grief affected Syd, her dad, and Jules in their own ways. Jules brought wild little-sister energy but had so much heart. Watching Syd’s view of her change by the end was full of pain, growth, and great character development, which I really enjoyed.
The way this book talks about life and death doesn’t let you hide from the fact that life is temporary, yet somehow it still makes that feel beautiful rather than simply terrifying.
The love story between the characters is so touching because it’s not about forever in the usual sense. Instead, it’s about making the most of the time you have and being brave enough to love, even when you know it could cost you everything.
The last part of the book completely gutted me. I knew it would hurt, but I wasn’t ready for the mix of desperation, hope, and grief that came together in a scene with the Empire State Building and a tiny piece of physics. I was sobbing because it showed such a devastatingly human kind of hope: the kind where you know it probably won’t change anything, but you have to try anyway.
The way grief is written in this book is beautiful. Not just the big, obvious grief, but also the quiet kind that changes how you see everyday things. It helps you understand why people leave flowers, books, notes, and little pieces of themselves behind at “altars”: sometimes love after loss needs a place to go for those who remain.
The book was honestly infinitely quotable and said everything I feel about grief and the people we lose. The people we love don’t just disappear from our story. We carry them, writing them into everything we do. We keep turning the page, even when it hurts.
Just as a heads up, this is YA, but there is quite a lot of swearing and sexual innuendo throughout. Personally, I didn’t mind it at all, and some of it genuinely made me laugh out loud, but if you prefer your YA very clean, it’s worth knowing. On the page, though, we only really see kissing.
This book is tragic, romantic, funny, devastating, and weirdly life-affirming all at once. It made me think about death, but more than that, it made me think about what it means to actually live: To stay. To love. To let someone see you. To keep turning the page after someone else’s story ends.
This is an easy 5-star read for me. My heart is in pieces, but somehow, they feel beautifully arranged.
I will absolutely be reading whatever Darianne Schramm writes next, preferably with tissues, emotional support chocolate, and a therapy session at the ready.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for sending me a proof copy of this book, which I shall treasure always, and to Darianne Schramm for allowing me to read this hauntingly beautiful story early.
72 Hours of You is one of those books that feels almost impossible to explain without sounding slightly unhinged, because yes, it’s about a girl who can see pink neon countdown clocks over people’s heads when they only have 72 hours left to live…but it’s also about grief, love, loneliness, being seen, letting people in, and the terrifying beauty of living when you know life is fragile.
Sydney Hoffman has spent years building walls around herself. She’s sarcastic, cynical, closed-off and fully committed to her people-repelling era (real!), but the more you understand her, the more she absolutely breaks your heart. She’s not cold because she doesn’t care; she’s cold because she cares too much, has lost too much, and she knows too much. Watching her slowly, painfully, and reluctantly open herself up again was genuinely gorgeous.
And then there’s Peter Beckett.
Peter. Freaking. Beckett.
This boy is sunshine with a book in his hand and emotional devastation in his pockets. He’s optimistic without being shallow, philosophical without being pretentious, and somehow manages to look at Sydney like she’s a person, not a tragedy. He sees the beauty in the world where Syd sees danger signs, and the two of them together? The contrast? The banter? The aching softness underneath all the sarcasm? I was gone.
Their dynamic is everything. Syd is sharp edges and dark humour. Peter is warmth and wonder. She thinks she’s too much darkness; he sees the light around it. He doesn’t try to fix her or run from the ugly parts. He just stays, and that ruined me more than anything.
The whole story of the “Clockers” was both genius and brutal. It was such a beautiful concept to have Syd and Peter wandering around New York City, finding people with clocks and trying to brighten their last hours. These tiny acts of kindness, whether they resulted in a hot dog, a bottle of water, or a used book, seemed insignificant until you realised that, sometimes, being noticed, even for a brief moment, is everything.
That’s exactly who Peter Beckett is. He sees people; he really notices them; he makes them feel like they matter, even if it’s only for a minute. Then he does the same thing for Syd in all these tiny, quiet ways that absolutely ruined me.
And yes, I spent most of the book knowing this was probably going to hurt me. The vibes were absolutely giving The Fault in Our Stars levels of “Oh God, I’m about to be emotionally destroyed, aren't I?” but I still hoped, against all evidence, like a fool...and then Darianne Schramm came for my soul anyway.
There’s also a mystery woven through the story that I really appreciated. I thought I had things figured out in some ways, but there was a twist that crept up on me right at the end and made me look back at the whole book like, "Wait... WAIT!" That was so cleverly done.
I also loved the family dynamics, especially how grief affected Syd, her dad, and Jules in their own ways. Jules brought wild little-sister energy but had so much heart. Watching Syd’s view of her change by the end was full of pain, growth, and great character development, which I really enjoyed.
The way this book talks about life and death doesn’t let you hide from the fact that life is temporary, yet somehow it still makes that feel beautiful rather than simply terrifying.
The love story between the characters is so touching because it’s not about forever in the usual sense. Instead, it’s about making the most of the time you have and being brave enough to love, even when you know it could cost you everything.
The last part of the book completely gutted me. I knew it would hurt, but I wasn’t ready for the mix of desperation, hope, and grief that came together in a scene with the Empire State Building and a tiny piece of physics. I was sobbing because it showed such a devastatingly human kind of hope: the kind where you know it probably won’t change anything, but you have to try anyway.
The way grief is written in this book is beautiful. Not just the big, obvious grief, but also the quiet kind that changes how you see everyday things. It helps you understand why people leave flowers, books, notes, and little pieces of themselves behind at “altars”: sometimes love after loss needs a place to go for those who remain.
The book was honestly infinitely quotable and said everything I feel about grief and the people we lose. The people we love don’t just disappear from our story. We carry them, writing them into everything we do. We keep turning the page, even when it hurts.
Just as a heads up, this is YA, but there is quite a lot of swearing and sexual innuendo throughout. Personally, I didn’t mind it at all, and some of it genuinely made me laugh out loud, but if you prefer your YA very clean, it’s worth knowing. On the page, though, we only really see kissing.
This book is tragic, romantic, funny, devastating, and weirdly life-affirming all at once. It made me think about death, but more than that, it made me think about what it means to actually live: To stay. To love. To let someone see you. To keep turning the page after someone else’s story ends.
This is an easy 5-star read for me. My heart is in pieces, but somehow, they feel beautifully arranged.
I will absolutely be reading whatever Darianne Schramm writes next, preferably with tissues, emotional support chocolate, and a therapy session at the ready.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for sending me a proof copy of this book, which I shall treasure always, and to Darianne Schramm for allowing me to read this hauntingly beautiful story early.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Unfortunately another one of those books that started off strong with a really interesting premise but ultimately failed to stay interesting and high-stakes til the end. I think the premise itself isn’t too creative (I swear there are probably kdramas out there that have done something similar), but that’s fine as long as the execution is original… which it was… somewhat.
I will say, the plot was interesting ENOUGH to keep my attention (I think I read this in like a day and a half). Pacing was pretty good for the most part too. And the cover was pretty.
(I’m trying to stay nice and positive at least for the first part).
And now… for the many things I disliked 🙂
-The subplot with Charles was veryyyyy underdeveloped. I feel like he’s only there to bait the readers into wondering what other trauma Sydney has going on and make sure we don’t feel completely at ease after she meets Peter but before we know of his 72 hours. I guess his existence itself is fine, but it felt sooo anticlimactic when she actually revealed what his whole deal was. It feels like his only purpose was to give Sydney more trauma, show up randomly, take out Peter, and call it a day. For all the tension that this subplot was trying to build, I really could not care less for Charles. Also, I lowk think it’s hilarious that the way Charles found Sydney was by logging in to his dead daughter’s Instagram account to find Peter’s account tagging her… it feels so unserious that such a big plot point relies on INSTAGRAM STALKING.
-Sydney’s character can be a bit annoying at times. I can forgive her to an extent because a) she is traumatized, whether she likes it or not, and rightfully so and b) I do enjoy her quips and inner monologues at times. But she does have a tendency to be overly negative and sooo “not like the other girls,” which kinda comes across as irritating and insufferable.
-There’s SO MANY unnecessary curses and dirty one liners. Normally, I don’t care too much, but there were so many to the point where I was just getting irritated. They didn’t add anything other than make Jules an annoying, immature, childish character (which could be because I’m older than her and to be fair, sixteen is a child). But it felt like the author was just inserting this stuff to make it appealing to younger readers, and I don’t think that’s the case. It felt like it was being shoved down my throat.
-I didn’t like all the references to Sabrina Carpenter and TikTok and scrolling Insta reels and all that. I get it’s to make the characters “relatable” and “modern” and whatnot, but I feel like it just dates the book?? Might just be a pet peeve of mine idk
-And lastly but most importantly… Peter was unfortunately a very one-dimensional character. He was supposed to be the PERFECT male lead, and that’s all he felt like. He was always so sweet and so understanding to the point where I don’t think he ever had a flaw. You could argue it was when he ran away from Sydney at first, but I feel like the whole Huntington’s plot is more than enough of an explanation?? The only bit of depth I felt was when he was talking about his relationship with his family, but even so, he always felt a little too perfect, like he was crafted only to support Sydney. I guess that lowkey is his purpose, but it takes away any stakes in their relationship.
I’d give this like a 3.5/5, give or take half stars. It was alright, but it was also just alright.
I will say, the plot was interesting ENOUGH to keep my attention (I think I read this in like a day and a half). Pacing was pretty good for the most part too. And the cover was pretty.
(I’m trying to stay nice and positive at least for the first part).
And now… for the many things I disliked 🙂
-The subplot with Charles was veryyyyy underdeveloped. I feel like he’s only there to bait the readers into wondering what other trauma Sydney has going on and make sure we don’t feel completely at ease after she meets Peter but before we know of his 72 hours. I guess his existence itself is fine, but it felt sooo anticlimactic when she actually revealed what his whole deal was. It feels like his only purpose was to give Sydney more trauma, show up randomly, take out Peter, and call it a day. For all the tension that this subplot was trying to build, I really could not care less for Charles. Also, I lowk think it’s hilarious that the way Charles found Sydney was by logging in to his dead daughter’s Instagram account to find Peter’s account tagging her… it feels so unserious that such a big plot point relies on INSTAGRAM STALKING.
-Sydney’s character can be a bit annoying at times. I can forgive her to an extent because a) she is traumatized, whether she likes it or not, and rightfully so and b) I do enjoy her quips and inner monologues at times. But she does have a tendency to be overly negative and sooo “not like the other girls,” which kinda comes across as irritating and insufferable.
-There’s SO MANY unnecessary curses and dirty one liners. Normally, I don’t care too much, but there were so many to the point where I was just getting irritated. They didn’t add anything other than make Jules an annoying, immature, childish character (which could be because I’m older than her and to be fair, sixteen is a child). But it felt like the author was just inserting this stuff to make it appealing to younger readers, and I don’t think that’s the case. It felt like it was being shoved down my throat.
-I didn’t like all the references to Sabrina Carpenter and TikTok and scrolling Insta reels and all that. I get it’s to make the characters “relatable” and “modern” and whatnot, but I feel like it just dates the book?? Might just be a pet peeve of mine idk
-And lastly but most importantly… Peter was unfortunately a very one-dimensional character. He was supposed to be the PERFECT male lead, and that’s all he felt like. He was always so sweet and so understanding to the point where I don’t think he ever had a flaw. You could argue it was when he ran away from Sydney at first, but I feel like the whole Huntington’s plot is more than enough of an explanation?? The only bit of depth I felt was when he was talking about his relationship with his family, but even so, he always felt a little too perfect, like he was crafted only to support Sydney. I guess that lowkey is his purpose, but it takes away any stakes in their relationship.
I’d give this like a 3.5/5, give or take half stars. It was alright, but it was also just alright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Thank you to Disney Hyperion for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!**
I'm a little torn on what to rate this book.
I had a good time with the plot, and I didn't want to stop reading.
However. I had issues with a few things, like the cursing, character development, and worldbuilding. First off, the cursing. Holy cow, there were so many curse words. I'm talking 3 or 4 per page. For 200+ pages. I almost DNF'd around 17% because it was so bad. They were so useless and just really annoying to read.
Second, the characters. Sydney really got on my nerves. She was so "not like other girls" that I wanted to rip my hair out. I think I only continued the book because I loved Peter, because if it was only about Sydney, I would have lost my mind. I just found her to be so annoying. She cursed and complained incessantly for probably 85% of the book. She was also incredibly one-dimensional. I don't think I could tell you a single character trait about her except that she's sarcastic. Peter, however, was an amazing character. 10/10.
Third, the world. I think the author had some great ideas for the plot, and the 72-hours thing is a great idea. However, I feel like it was just glossed over a bit too much. I understand its usefulness as a setup for the whole "we never know when we'll die, so might as well live every moment" idea, but it just felt like a convenient part of the story rather than a key driver of the plot. Also, I wish we got a little more background on it. I felt like some of the logistics/reasoning behind it was lacking.
Side note, but this book is the weirdest combo of explicit and clean in a sexual sense that I have ever seen. The cursing was awful, and Sydney's sister says a LOT of one-liners about sexual stuff, but Sydney and Peter barely even kiss on-page, and it's not described much. I really appreciated that, honestly (although there are mentions of sexual stuff in pretty much every scene that mentions alcohol).
Overall, the book was a kind of fun read, but it tried so hard to be deep that I honestly was laughing a little at the cliche-ness of the ending (although the pre-ending scenes really tugged on my heart). Combined with all of the other issues I outlined above, I think three stars is the best I can give.
I'm a little torn on what to rate this book.
I had a good time with the plot, and I didn't want to stop reading.
However. I had issues with a few things, like the cursing, character development, and worldbuilding. First off, the cursing. Holy cow, there were so many curse words. I'm talking 3 or 4 per page. For 200+ pages. I almost DNF'd around 17% because it was so bad. They were so useless and just really annoying to read.
Second, the characters. Sydney really got on my nerves. She was so "not like other girls" that I wanted to rip my hair out. I think I only continued the book because I loved Peter, because if it was only about Sydney, I would have lost my mind. I just found her to be so annoying. She cursed and complained incessantly for probably 85% of the book. She was also incredibly one-dimensional. I don't think I could tell you a single character trait about her except that she's sarcastic. Peter, however, was an amazing character. 10/10.
Third, the world. I think the author had some great ideas for the plot, and the 72-hours thing is a great idea. However, I feel like it was just glossed over a bit too much. I understand its usefulness as a setup for the whole "we never know when we'll die, so might as well live every moment" idea, but it just felt like a convenient part of the story rather than a key driver of the plot. Also, I wish we got a little more background on it. I felt like some of the logistics/reasoning behind it was lacking.
Side note, but this book is the weirdest combo of explicit and clean in a sexual sense that I have ever seen. The cursing was awful, and Sydney's sister says a LOT of one-liners about sexual stuff, but Sydney and Peter barely even kiss on-page, and it's not described much. I really appreciated that, honestly (although there are mentions of sexual stuff in pretty much every scene that mentions alcohol).
Overall, the book was a kind of fun read, but it tried so hard to be deep that I honestly was laughing a little at the cliche-ness of the ending (although the pre-ending scenes really tugged on my heart). Combined with all of the other issues I outlined above, I think three stars is the best I can give.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i am sobbing. uncontrollably.
at first, this book was not what i thought it was going to be like. i mostly hated it until like the last 40%-ish. some things that (sadly) made me lower my rating: the amount of swearing in this book. it was just unnecessary sometimes. also some VERY questionable lines 😭. the mentions of pop culture kept appearing and i was about to throw my laptop across the room because i was getting tired of them. i read to escape reality, why are you forcing me to read about it 😔 but really, that's just me and maybe other's don't care about that. there was also an overuse of the word 'like', and it was getting pretty annoying. also the mean comments towards Christians :(. the unnecessary hate toward peter in the beginning was so annoying and i was getting tired of syd often criticizing him. girl, he's just trying to make sure you're okay and he is such a golden retriever I love him so much. which brings me to my next point.
i loved Peter. oh gosh where can i find myself a man like HIM omg. he is so sweet, gentle, kind, etc. the way he tries to see the good things in life, and still accepts syd for who she is. This book is set in autumn, i think? but lowk i was getting major winter vibes and i was definitely eating that up 🙂↕️. syd and peter wanting to make people who didn't have much time left a better day was so heartwarming.
i really liked the dynamic between Jules and Syd!! it kind of reminds me of the relationship between my own sister and i, telling each other about our days. Jules was also VERY unhinged but i was giggling hehe.
that ending broke me. even though i predicted it because of the description it didn't fail to bring me to tears. sobbing actually. i love books like this omg. thank you to the author and netgalley for giving me the experience to read this book!
some quotes and my thoughts:
"God, why do boys think that if they call you by your last name you're contractually obligated to swoon?" i love this
"the one thing that's giving me peace is that Liam at least got to eat some of his burger before he died" help what
"like, we get it. you're two teenage girl besties!!!" GIRLLL
"I can't wait to see what you two cook up together" 😭
"my jokes come from my real actual brain" what?
"she giggled and looked at me I was a superhero" (chapter 8 20% might be an error)
chapter 14 may be an error "your red-eye because take off your shoes"
"what the actual fucking fuck was i thinking?" girl why are you talking like that i'm sorry
"I have this thing where I don't insult girls that are cooler and smarter and prettier than me. I guess THAT'S my kink." gtfo 😭😭😭
"My passenger princess demanded we hit Starbs so she could document the first PSL of basic szn on her insta,"
wth did i just read 😭🙏🏻"
s: 194
f: 230
b: 18
a: 25
date started: feb 19 2026
date finished: feb 19 2026
at first, this book was not what i thought it was going to be like. i mostly hated it until like the last 40%-ish. some things that (sadly) made me lower my rating: the amount of swearing in this book. it was just unnecessary sometimes. also some VERY questionable lines 😭. the mentions of pop culture kept appearing and i was about to throw my laptop across the room because i was getting tired of them. i read to escape reality, why are you forcing me to read about it 😔 but really, that's just me and maybe other's don't care about that. there was also an overuse of the word 'like', and it was getting pretty annoying. also the mean comments towards Christians :(. the unnecessary hate toward peter in the beginning was so annoying and i was getting tired of syd often criticizing him. girl, he's just trying to make sure you're okay and he is such a golden retriever I love him so much. which brings me to my next point.
i loved Peter. oh gosh where can i find myself a man like HIM omg. he is so sweet, gentle, kind, etc. the way he tries to see the good things in life, and still accepts syd for who she is. This book is set in autumn, i think? but lowk i was getting major winter vibes and i was definitely eating that up 🙂↕️. syd and peter wanting to make people who didn't have much time left a better day was so heartwarming.
i really liked the dynamic between Jules and Syd!! it kind of reminds me of the relationship between my own sister and i, telling each other about our days. Jules was also VERY unhinged but i was giggling hehe.
that ending broke me. even though i predicted it because of the description it didn't fail to bring me to tears. sobbing actually. i love books like this omg. thank you to the author and netgalley for giving me the experience to read this book!
some quotes and my thoughts:
"God, why do boys think that if they call you by your last name you're contractually obligated to swoon?" i love this
"the one thing that's giving me peace is that Liam at least got to eat some of his burger before he died" help what
"like, we get it. you're two teenage girl besties!!!" GIRLLL
"I can't wait to see what you two cook up together" 😭
"my jokes come from my real actual brain" what?
"she giggled and looked at me I was a superhero" (chapter 8 20% might be an error)
chapter 14 may be an error "your red-eye because take off your shoes"
"what the actual fucking fuck was i thinking?" girl why are you talking like that i'm sorry
"I have this thing where I don't insult girls that are cooler and smarter and prettier than me. I guess THAT'S my kink." gtfo 😭😭😭
"My passenger princess demanded we hit Starbs so she could document the first PSL of basic szn on her insta,"
wth did i just read 😭🙏🏻"
s: 194
f: 230
b: 18
a: 25
date started: feb 19 2026
date finished: feb 19 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕.”
Sometimes you stumble upon books that leave an imprint on your heart, maybe even a little crack, but wow… this week I tripped and fell hard because 72 Hours With You took me completely by surprise. I devoured it in one sitting and was left in a puddle of my own tears at 2am on a Tuesday morning.
I’m a really big fan of books that tackle grief and loss by blending real-life emotion with magical realism, so I was drawn to the premise of this book immediately. The connection forged between Syd, a sarcastic and cynical teenage girl who can see when someone around her has 72 hours or less to live, and Peter, the new kid in town, was absolutely beautiful.
Yes, this book is filled with profanity and sexual innuendos, but honestly, as a mom who has navigated the teenage years both myself and now with my own kids, the dialogue felt authentic and believable. It strengthened the emotional weight of the story and really highlighted the emotional burden Syd carries every single day.
Never, ever did I imagine the emotional roller-coaster I would experience from a YA novel. While the author gives readers enough pieces to slowly start putting things together, there’s also a helplessness that comes from sensing where the story may be headed while being completely unable to stop it. I actually really appreciated how that mirrored the overall themes of the book itself.
Even if you think you know where the story is taking you, it’s the journey from point A to point B that makes this one feel so special. Grief touches everyone differently, and because of that, I think so many readers will connect with this story and take something meaningful away from it.
Also… keep tissues nearby.
This is a great choice for fans of Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics and A Novel Love Story.
Thank you to author @DarianneSchramm and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Sometimes you stumble upon books that leave an imprint on your heart, maybe even a little crack, but wow… this week I tripped and fell hard because 72 Hours With You took me completely by surprise. I devoured it in one sitting and was left in a puddle of my own tears at 2am on a Tuesday morning.
I’m a really big fan of books that tackle grief and loss by blending real-life emotion with magical realism, so I was drawn to the premise of this book immediately. The connection forged between Syd, a sarcastic and cynical teenage girl who can see when someone around her has 72 hours or less to live, and Peter, the new kid in town, was absolutely beautiful.
Yes, this book is filled with profanity and sexual innuendos, but honestly, as a mom who has navigated the teenage years both myself and now with my own kids, the dialogue felt authentic and believable. It strengthened the emotional weight of the story and really highlighted the emotional burden Syd carries every single day.
Never, ever did I imagine the emotional roller-coaster I would experience from a YA novel. While the author gives readers enough pieces to slowly start putting things together, there’s also a helplessness that comes from sensing where the story may be headed while being completely unable to stop it. I actually really appreciated how that mirrored the overall themes of the book itself.
Even if you think you know where the story is taking you, it’s the journey from point A to point B that makes this one feel so special. Grief touches everyone differently, and because of that, I think so many readers will connect with this story and take something meaningful away from it.
Also… keep tissues nearby.
This is a great choice for fans of Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics and A Novel Love Story.
Thank you to author @DarianneSchramm and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Seventy-two hours of you is worth an entire lifetime."
Five. 😭 Beautiful. 😭 Stars. 😭
God my heart. I don't think I can come up with a review to do this justice. It's one of those where I'm just silently crying and nodding saying read it now because words are failing me, but I'm gonna try, so here goes.
I knew going in that it would make me laugh, and sob, and dang. It certainly did that. This was so unlike anything I have read, and I never wanted it to end. I guessed pretty early on what was going to happen, but it didn't hurt any less. I quickly fell for the characters and they'll stay with me, always. The best ya I have read to date, and I truly don't know that it will be replaced. It's not even really about it being ya, it's about grief and love and how it's explored in this. How Syd learns to navigate life after all the loss she sees.
"What I'm trying to say is... we don't need to turn on the light. I can sit with you in the dark."
I feel like maybe if you have lost someone close to you, you might appreciate this more. Or it could be the total opposite and you'll hate it because of that. Idk, I just loved it personally because of the grief talk, outlook on life & death, Syd opening up and getting a better view on life, Peter and his beautiful character, etc.
"Death isn't about the people who die. It's about the people who have to live through it. It's about the ones who are left behind." 💔
I also know some will likely have an issue with some of the sexual innuendos & cursing since this is marketed as teens and ya, but they're in their late teens and let's be real. I was out in a field in the middle of nowhere at that age doing things I had no business doing, so this is very mild. 😂 I think it's pretty accurate for how teens are acting and talking at that age. It just felt right, and I was cracking up big time.
"You seek like the kind of person who has a turns-in-assignments-early kink."
"You seem like the kind of guy who has a look-me-in-the-eyes-and-tell-me-you-love-me-in-missionary kink."
A big shout out to @Kaylagetsbookish on IG and TT. It's because of her I ran to request this and I'm so glad I did. Her recommendations never disappoint.
Thank you to Darianna for writing this beautiful story. & a thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide for accepting my Netgalley request so I didn't have to wait until September to read this. ❤️🥹
Five. 😭 Beautiful. 😭 Stars. 😭
God my heart. I don't think I can come up with a review to do this justice. It's one of those where I'm just silently crying and nodding saying read it now because words are failing me, but I'm gonna try, so here goes.
I knew going in that it would make me laugh, and sob, and dang. It certainly did that. This was so unlike anything I have read, and I never wanted it to end. I guessed pretty early on what was going to happen, but it didn't hurt any less. I quickly fell for the characters and they'll stay with me, always. The best ya I have read to date, and I truly don't know that it will be replaced. It's not even really about it being ya, it's about grief and love and how it's explored in this. How Syd learns to navigate life after all the loss she sees.
"What I'm trying to say is... we don't need to turn on the light. I can sit with you in the dark."
I feel like maybe if you have lost someone close to you, you might appreciate this more. Or it could be the total opposite and you'll hate it because of that. Idk, I just loved it personally because of the grief talk, outlook on life & death, Syd opening up and getting a better view on life, Peter and his beautiful character, etc.
"Death isn't about the people who die. It's about the people who have to live through it. It's about the ones who are left behind." 💔
I also know some will likely have an issue with some of the sexual innuendos & cursing since this is marketed as teens and ya, but they're in their late teens and let's be real. I was out in a field in the middle of nowhere at that age doing things I had no business doing, so this is very mild. 😂 I think it's pretty accurate for how teens are acting and talking at that age. It just felt right, and I was cracking up big time.
"You seek like the kind of person who has a turns-in-assignments-early kink."
"You seem like the kind of guy who has a look-me-in-the-eyes-and-tell-me-you-love-me-in-missionary kink."
A big shout out to @Kaylagetsbookish on IG and TT. It's because of her I ran to request this and I'm so glad I did. Her recommendations never disappoint.
Thank you to Darianna for writing this beautiful story. & a thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide for accepting my Netgalley request so I didn't have to wait until September to read this. ❤️🥹
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Darianne Schramm’s 72 Hours of You is an absolute triumph—an emotional, fast-paced, and deeply satisfying read that stayed with me long after I turned the final page. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you in with its compelling premise and refuses to let go, unfolding over a tightly structured timeline that keeps the tension high and the stakes even higher.
What truly sets this book apart is its character work. The protagonists feel incredibly real—flawed, layered, and relatable in ways that make their journey hit hard emotionally. Schramm has a gift for writing authentic dialogue and capturing the quiet, complicated moments between people just as powerfully as the dramatic ones. The chemistry between the leads is electric, building naturally and making every interaction feel meaningful.
The pacing is another standout element. The 72-hour framework gives the story a sense of urgency that propels everything forward without ever feeling rushed. Each hour reveals new layers, secrets, and emotional depth, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.
Beyond the romance and tension, the novel also explores themes of timing, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to truly open up to someone. It strikes a beautiful balance between heartache and hope, delivering moments that will make you both ache and smile.
In short, 72 Hours of You is a captivating, heartfelt story that perfectly blends romance, drama, and emotional growth. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to reread—and recommend to everyone you know. A well-deserved five stars.
What truly sets this book apart is its character work. The protagonists feel incredibly real—flawed, layered, and relatable in ways that make their journey hit hard emotionally. Schramm has a gift for writing authentic dialogue and capturing the quiet, complicated moments between people just as powerfully as the dramatic ones. The chemistry between the leads is electric, building naturally and making every interaction feel meaningful.
The pacing is another standout element. The 72-hour framework gives the story a sense of urgency that propels everything forward without ever feeling rushed. Each hour reveals new layers, secrets, and emotional depth, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.
Beyond the romance and tension, the novel also explores themes of timing, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to truly open up to someone. It strikes a beautiful balance between heartache and hope, delivering moments that will make you both ache and smile.
In short, 72 Hours of You is a captivating, heartfelt story that perfectly blends romance, drama, and emotional growth. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to reread—and recommend to everyone you know. A well-deserved five stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
I don't even think I can do justice to how good 72 Hours of You was. From the summary, it is obvious that this is a more emotional read, but it was also incredibly funny.
Sydney Hoffman is a high school senior with the ability to see a pink clock counting down the last seventy-two hours of someone's life. Right from the start we're dropped into how this magical realism works and find out that Sydney has been dealing with this since she was five. This curse has caused her to guard her heart and isolate herself from other people and opportunities.
Then she meets the new kid, Peter Beckett, and they start going to New York City every day to make a little difference in people's lives before they pass away. Peter is the wholesome and outgoing book-lover counterpart to Sydney's sarcastic self. Their romance was so beautiful and held a lot of depth. Sydney had convinced herself that nobody could know her secret and stay, yet that is exactly what Peter does.
I can see why the language and sexual innuendos would be a bit much for some, but I found them and the writing humorous. Especially Jules's character; I was laughing to myself at several of her one-liners throughout.
The predictability of the ending doesn't soften the blow whatsoever. Even though you kind of know what will happen, the journey to get there is worth it and done exquisitely. There is good balance of emotional and heartwarming moments until the very end, when it absolutely wrecked me. A truly amazing read.
I don't even think I can do justice to how good 72 Hours of You was. From the summary, it is obvious that this is a more emotional read, but it was also incredibly funny.
Sydney Hoffman is a high school senior with the ability to see a pink clock counting down the last seventy-two hours of someone's life. Right from the start we're dropped into how this magical realism works and find out that Sydney has been dealing with this since she was five. This curse has caused her to guard her heart and isolate herself from other people and opportunities.
Then she meets the new kid, Peter Beckett, and they start going to New York City every day to make a little difference in people's lives before they pass away. Peter is the wholesome and outgoing book-lover counterpart to Sydney's sarcastic self. Their romance was so beautiful and held a lot of depth. Sydney had convinced herself that nobody could know her secret and stay, yet that is exactly what Peter does.
I can see why the language and sexual innuendos would be a bit much for some, but I found them and the writing humorous. Especially Jules's character; I was laughing to myself at several of her one-liners throughout.
The predictability of the ending doesn't soften the blow whatsoever. Even though you kind of know what will happen, the journey to get there is worth it and done exquisitely. There is good balance of emotional and heartwarming moments until the very end, when it absolutely wrecked me. A truly amazing read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a book that I am going to be thinking about for a very long time. It grabbed hold of me from the first chapter and did not let go.
After reading the synopsis, you pretty much go into this book with a good idea of how it is going to end, but what you do not know is the impact that the journey is going to have on you😭.
I fell in love with Darianne's writing because it was so easy to read, but it was also so incredibly moving and thought-provoking. I devoured this book in two sittings, it was basically impossible to put down. Every chapter was so beautiful, I got shivers so many times whilst reading.
Sydney is a pessimist for a perfectly good reason; 72 hours before someone dies, she can see a clock above their heads that counts down to their death. And Peter is an optimist that just wants to live life to the fullest.
Sydney and Peter's relationship development was absolutely beautiful. I adored their journey and the lessons that they learned from eachother. He sees the light around her darkness and it was absolutely everything.
This book reminds us of how short and fragile life is; we may not have control over how long we have on this earth, but we do have control over what we do while we are here.
And let's just say that the tissues that Electric Monkey provided me were absolutely needed🥺. I finished this book in the car and genuinely just sat starring out of the window contemplating life for an hour after...it was heartbreakingly beautiful.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for the proof copy!
After reading the synopsis, you pretty much go into this book with a good idea of how it is going to end, but what you do not know is the impact that the journey is going to have on you😭.
I fell in love with Darianne's writing because it was so easy to read, but it was also so incredibly moving and thought-provoking. I devoured this book in two sittings, it was basically impossible to put down. Every chapter was so beautiful, I got shivers so many times whilst reading.
Sydney is a pessimist for a perfectly good reason; 72 hours before someone dies, she can see a clock above their heads that counts down to their death. And Peter is an optimist that just wants to live life to the fullest.
Sydney and Peter's relationship development was absolutely beautiful. I adored their journey and the lessons that they learned from eachother. He sees the light around her darkness and it was absolutely everything.
This book reminds us of how short and fragile life is; we may not have control over how long we have on this earth, but we do have control over what we do while we are here.
And let's just say that the tissues that Electric Monkey provided me were absolutely needed🥺. I finished this book in the car and genuinely just sat starring out of the window contemplating life for an hour after...it was heartbreakingly beautiful.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for the proof copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you author and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm rolling this one up to 5-stars because of the excellent Jewish rep, but I have to say the coincidental reading of two speculative YA books back to back in which a grumpy girl is reminded life is worth living by an adorable golden retriever manic pixie dream boy while they bumble around NYC (Tashie Bhuiyan's Right as Rain) was definitely a mind-screw.
Unfortunately, Sydney was a bit too mean-spirited for my taste. The kind of girl who judges and puts down other girls and has prejudiced opinions about certain folk, has horrible things to say about the city I love, and that whole portion about school shootings left a bad taste in my mouth. And the author did the one thing I hate the most in books like these. She created a mystery in the beginning of the book (the thing that happened 11 months ago) and then dragged it out all the way to the end like she wasn't confident we'd keep reading otherwise. And I just have to tell you, I did not care about that mystery at all. I was just reading because I wanted to see the romance between the two characters. Like trust your story sis, you don't need cheap gimmicks!
Like I said, solid 4-stars, rolled up to 5 for the good Jewish rep.👍🏼
Non-spoiler TW - It should be evident from the blurb that characters we meet on-page will be dying in this one. There is also violence.
I'm rolling this one up to 5-stars because of the excellent Jewish rep, but I have to say the coincidental reading of two speculative YA books back to back in which a grumpy girl is reminded life is worth living by an adorable golden retriever manic pixie dream boy while they bumble around NYC (Tashie Bhuiyan's Right as Rain) was definitely a mind-screw.
Unfortunately, Sydney was a bit too mean-spirited for my taste. The kind of girl who judges and puts down other girls and has prejudiced opinions about certain folk, has horrible things to say about the city I love, and that whole portion about school shootings left a bad taste in my mouth. And the author did the one thing I hate the most in books like these. She created a mystery in the beginning of the book (the thing that happened 11 months ago) and then dragged it out all the way to the end like she wasn't confident we'd keep reading otherwise. And I just have to tell you, I did not care about that mystery at all. I was just reading because I wanted to see the romance between the two characters. Like trust your story sis, you don't need cheap gimmicks!
Like I said, solid 4-stars, rolled up to 5 for the good Jewish rep.👍🏼
Non-spoiler TW - It should be evident from the blurb that characters we meet on-page will be dying in this one. There is also violence.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This book completely exceeded my expectations.
From the very beginning, I found myself invested in both the story and the characters. Darianne Schramm did such a great job developing the relationship between the main characters, and I loved watching it evolve naturally over the course of the book. Every interaction felt meaningful, and I found myself rooting for them more and more with each chapter.
What really stood out to me was how well the emotional moments landed. The story never felt rushed, and because I had become so attached to the characters, every high and low carried that much more weight.
Then came the ending.
The last 15% absolutely wrecked me. I was full-on crying by the time I finished, and that’s always a sign that a book has done its job. The ending was emotional, heartfelt, and left me thinking about these characters long after I turned the final page.
Overall, this was an easy 5-star read for me. It’s the kind of story that reminds me why I love reading in the first place, and I’ll definitely be recommending it.
Read this book if you enjoy: emotional romances, character-driven stories, relationships that develop naturally, books that make you laugh and cry, and endings that leave you reaching for the tissues.
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This book completely exceeded my expectations.
From the very beginning, I found myself invested in both the story and the characters. Darianne Schramm did such a great job developing the relationship between the main characters, and I loved watching it evolve naturally over the course of the book. Every interaction felt meaningful, and I found myself rooting for them more and more with each chapter.
What really stood out to me was how well the emotional moments landed. The story never felt rushed, and because I had become so attached to the characters, every high and low carried that much more weight.
Then came the ending.
The last 15% absolutely wrecked me. I was full-on crying by the time I finished, and that’s always a sign that a book has done its job. The ending was emotional, heartfelt, and left me thinking about these characters long after I turned the final page.
Overall, this was an easy 5-star read for me. It’s the kind of story that reminds me why I love reading in the first place, and I’ll definitely be recommending it.
Read this book if you enjoy: emotional romances, character-driven stories, relationships that develop naturally, books that make you laugh and cry, and endings that leave you reaching for the tissues.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how it balances heavy themes with tenderness and humor. The idea of helping strangers make the most of their final hours could have become overwhelmingly tragic, yet the story finds beauty in small acts of compassion. Every encounter reminds readers that a meaningful life is not measured by its length, but by connection, courage, and presence.
Schramm’s writing is emotional without feeling manipulative. The romance develops organically, and the heartbreak lands because the characters feel real. The novel captures the intensity of young love while also exploring grief, survivor’s guilt, and the fear of letting people in when loss feels inevitable.
By the final chapters, The Last 72 Hours becomes more than just a love story—it transforms into a meditation on how people choose to live when time is uncertain. It’s devastating in places, uplifting in others, and ultimately unforgettable.
Perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally rich YA romances with a speculative twist, this is the kind of book that leaves you staring at the ceiling after the final page, thinking about the people you love and the moments that truly matter.
Schramm’s writing is emotional without feeling manipulative. The romance develops organically, and the heartbreak lands because the characters feel real. The novel captures the intensity of young love while also exploring grief, survivor’s guilt, and the fear of letting people in when loss feels inevitable.
By the final chapters, The Last 72 Hours becomes more than just a love story—it transforms into a meditation on how people choose to live when time is uncertain. It’s devastating in places, uplifting in others, and ultimately unforgettable.
Perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally rich YA romances with a speculative twist, this is the kind of book that leaves you staring at the ceiling after the final page, thinking about the people you love and the moments that truly matter.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It’s hard to write anything right now. When they compared 72 Hours of You to Tillie Cole’s A Thousand Boy Kisses, I knew my heart would break.
But the book had intrigued me long before that.
The author created such flesh-and-blood characters on paper that I felt like I knew them myself. What was a bit much for me was the swearing.
Sydney has known since she was a little girl when people around her were dying. This has made her withdrawn and cynical over the years. It’s no wonder she’s built an imaginary wall around herself. Only her sister, Jules, can sometimes penetrate that wall, but she knows nothing about her ability.
Syd has made a list of things she must (should) do when the counter appears above someone's head:
1. Don't tell anyone about it.
2. Don't witness the last hour.
3. Don't get involved.
Jules is Syd's polar opposite, but maybe that's what makes everyday life bearable for her sister. She distracts her with the petty worries of 16-year-olds. And with her extremely vivid imagination... hmmm...
Then comes Peter, the PERFECT bookworm guy! ❤ He always has a book in his hand, he always has some witty comment to make about things, and he can get on Sydney's nerves with it. He's a true gentleman, always patient, and always sees the good in others. But I could go on for hours.
One day, the boy finds out Syd's secret. But instead of running away from her or thinking she's crazy, Peter stays with her and supports her. ❤ Aw! Did I mention he's the perfect bookworm boyfriend??? But Syd can only talk to him in a jerky style for a long time -.-"
You could guess what the ending would be based on the book's synopsis, but it still broke my heart. :(
Thank you so much for this ARC to Electric Monkey Books! ❤
But the book had intrigued me long before that.
The author created such flesh-and-blood characters on paper that I felt like I knew them myself. What was a bit much for me was the swearing.
Sydney has known since she was a little girl when people around her were dying. This has made her withdrawn and cynical over the years. It’s no wonder she’s built an imaginary wall around herself. Only her sister, Jules, can sometimes penetrate that wall, but she knows nothing about her ability.
Syd has made a list of things she must (should) do when the counter appears above someone's head:
1. Don't tell anyone about it.
2. Don't witness the last hour.
3. Don't get involved.
Jules is Syd's polar opposite, but maybe that's what makes everyday life bearable for her sister. She distracts her with the petty worries of 16-year-olds. And with her extremely vivid imagination... hmmm...
Then comes Peter, the PERFECT bookworm guy! ❤ He always has a book in his hand, he always has some witty comment to make about things, and he can get on Sydney's nerves with it. He's a true gentleman, always patient, and always sees the good in others. But I could go on for hours.
One day, the boy finds out Syd's secret. But instead of running away from her or thinking she's crazy, Peter stays with her and supports her. ❤ Aw! Did I mention he's the perfect bookworm boyfriend??? But Syd can only talk to him in a jerky style for a long time -.-"
You could guess what the ending would be based on the book's synopsis, but it still broke my heart. :(
Thank you so much for this ARC to Electric Monkey Books! ❤
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was beautifully crafted. Throughout the book, I dreaded the ending- not only because I wanted to read it forever but because I knew what was coming. It definitely had some twists I did not see coming, and everything really came together in one heartbreaking moment.
Peter is the definition of the perfect book boyfriend. He is just one of the best characters I've read in a long time, and I caught myself smiling until my cheeks hurt during some parts, mostly because of him. Sydney is great too, although she lives a hard life with a gift she doesn't want.
I love books that deal with the concept of knowing when someone is going to die- it really forces you to get a bit existential and think about what you would do in that scenario. This is no exception, with Sydney facing her "gift" {or curse, in her eyes} but trying to make the most of it with Peter's help. It really makes you think long after you've turned the last page.
5/5 Stars, one of my favorite books of the year so far. Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!
Peter is the definition of the perfect book boyfriend. He is just one of the best characters I've read in a long time, and I caught myself smiling until my cheeks hurt during some parts, mostly because of him. Sydney is great too, although she lives a hard life with a gift she doesn't want.
I love books that deal with the concept of knowing when someone is going to die- it really forces you to get a bit existential and think about what you would do in that scenario. This is no exception, with Sydney facing her "gift" {or curse, in her eyes} but trying to make the most of it with Peter's help. It really makes you think long after you've turned the last page.
5/5 Stars, one of my favorite books of the year so far. Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!
July 4, 2026
4.5 stars. Thank you Electric Monkey and Darianne Schramm for the proof!
This broke my heart in every way imaginable. Even though I guessed what would happen, it did not make it hurt any less.
It’s such an interesting take on death and people’s differing perceptions of death; how we understand it, whether we fear it, how we cope with it.
Peter is the ultimate optimist, whereas Sydney is a pessimist through and through. However, knowing how long (within 72 hours) someone has left to live would do that to you. She has stopped herself from living and making friends because she doesn’t want to hurt more when she sees the clock appear.
72 Hours of You was such a beautiful read, I never would have thought it was the authors debut given how good the writing is. I was concerned that with the main characters being teenagers, they would be immature and come across as whiney, but I didn’t get any of that. Sometimes I forgot they were teenagers because of how they conversed with one another and how intelligent they seemed.
This broke my heart in every way imaginable. Even though I guessed what would happen, it did not make it hurt any less.
It’s such an interesting take on death and people’s differing perceptions of death; how we understand it, whether we fear it, how we cope with it.
Peter is the ultimate optimist, whereas Sydney is a pessimist through and through. However, knowing how long (within 72 hours) someone has left to live would do that to you. She has stopped herself from living and making friends because she doesn’t want to hurt more when she sees the clock appear.
72 Hours of You was such a beautiful read, I never would have thought it was the authors debut given how good the writing is. I was concerned that with the main characters being teenagers, they would be immature and come across as whiney, but I didn’t get any of that. Sometimes I forgot they were teenagers because of how they conversed with one another and how intelligent they seemed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
if you can only read one book this year (or in your lifetime) choose this one.
The whole thing is just a perfect storm of emotion, and angst, and the tragedy of finding your perfect person in a life that refuses to let you have nice things.
Sydney's voice is mesmerising and unrelenting, and you can't help but stand in her shoes and just... get it. I kind of feel like I've lived her life too?
And Peter. Oh my god Peter. If you don't fall in love with Peter then you are evil and irredeemable sorry I don't make the rules.
It's rare that a book hits you so hard that it becomes somehow a permanent part of your psyche, but hey, that's where we are now, and I will never forget my 72 hours with Syd and Peter. I suggest you experience the same.
I will read anything Darianne Schramm ever writes from this moment onward. and, like, rabidly. frothing at the mouth.
okay go read your new fav book already, bye
The whole thing is just a perfect storm of emotion, and angst, and the tragedy of finding your perfect person in a life that refuses to let you have nice things.
Sydney's voice is mesmerising and unrelenting, and you can't help but stand in her shoes and just... get it. I kind of feel like I've lived her life too?
And Peter. Oh my god Peter. If you don't fall in love with Peter then you are evil and irredeemable sorry I don't make the rules.
It's rare that a book hits you so hard that it becomes somehow a permanent part of your psyche, but hey, that's where we are now, and I will never forget my 72 hours with Syd and Peter. I suggest you experience the same.
I will read anything Darianne Schramm ever writes from this moment onward. and, like, rabidly. frothing at the mouth.
okay go read your new fav book already, bye
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a tragically romantic older YA debut with a hint of magical realism, that certainly pulls at your heartstrings, even knowing what to expect it didn't make the journey getting there any easier.
It is a beautifully told story and also so heartbreaking with two characters who even though they are teenangers have such a depth to them that makes you wish for a different ending, the banter is quick, funny and smart and even though their love story is short it still holds such meaning.
I feel like this is is a book best experienced going into blind to get the full impact and with the knowledge that they some moments and plot points that will leave you stressed and not clicking at first but by the end they will make so much more sense. I would have liked just a little bit more character development but that is a personal opinion, it is a very strong debut and one that will stay with you. It certainly did for me as I couldn't put it down once I started.
It is a beautifully told story and also so heartbreaking with two characters who even though they are teenangers have such a depth to them that makes you wish for a different ending, the banter is quick, funny and smart and even though their love story is short it still holds such meaning.
I feel like this is is a book best experienced going into blind to get the full impact and with the knowledge that they some moments and plot points that will leave you stressed and not clicking at first but by the end they will make so much more sense. I would have liked just a little bit more character development but that is a personal opinion, it is a very strong debut and one that will stay with you. It certainly did for me as I couldn't put it down once I started.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read this ARC via Netgalley.
When Sydney's grandmother died, she passed along a strange ability to see pink clocks over the heads of people who would die in the next 72 hours. And ever since Sydney's mother died, she's put up a giant wall of sarcasm to keep those people away. Enter Peter, a new kid at school, whose charms somehow begin to crumble those walls. As Sydney, with Peter's help, begins to learn to deal with her ability, the absolutely worst thing happens.
Sydney as narrator was a lot of fun, because she absolutely did not want to be charmed by Peter. Her sarcastic and jaded attitude kept this from being any kind of saccharine sweet romance, but also lightened up a lot of serious life-or-death discussions. Even though I knew exactly where this story was going, it was an interesting ride to get there.
Content advisory: Strong language throughout, sexual situations which mostly happened off-stage.
When Sydney's grandmother died, she passed along a strange ability to see pink clocks over the heads of people who would die in the next 72 hours. And ever since Sydney's mother died, she's put up a giant wall of sarcasm to keep those people away. Enter Peter, a new kid at school, whose charms somehow begin to crumble those walls. As Sydney, with Peter's help, begins to learn to deal with her ability, the absolutely worst thing happens.
Sydney as narrator was a lot of fun, because she absolutely did not want to be charmed by Peter. Her sarcastic and jaded attitude kept this from being any kind of saccharine sweet romance, but also lightened up a lot of serious life-or-death discussions. Even though I knew exactly where this story was going, it was an interesting ride to get there.
Content advisory: Strong language throughout, sexual situations which mostly happened off-stage.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of this book was very intriguing, but overall it didn’t deliver quite as well as I had hoped. I enjoyed certain scenes, but the book as a whole felt quite slow, especially throughout the first half. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the author’s writing style—it felt a bit choppy and inconsistent at times. There were quips here and there that I assumed were meant to be funny, but they didn’t always land for me. That being said, I did really love the ending. I can absolutely see why this is (and will be) a favorite for many readers—it truly emphasizes how precious life really is. Overall, this was an okay read for me—3 stars.
Thank you to Darianne Schramm, Disney Publishing Worldwide | Disney Hyperion, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
#72HoursofYou #NetGalley
Thank you to Darianne Schramm, Disney Publishing Worldwide | Disney Hyperion, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
#72HoursofYou #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC to review.
The prose in this one was so funny. Death is such a tough topic and yet there were beautiful moments of hilarity in it. I guess that’s life - a metaphor if ever I heard one. Although I didn’t find myself sobbing with this one, it did pull at my heartstrings. It got me thinking about my own life. How life is so beautiful and we all have no control, really, over how things end. We can only live now. Love now. And appreciate that while we can.
The reason it wasn’t a 5 star book for me was that pacing felt off at times. There were moments that were meant to be serious in character impact, but then resolved a few pages later. Also, Peter (for all his golden retriever energy) didn’t have a single character flaw. C’mon. No one can compete with that.
But worth the read? Definitely. Absolutely.
The prose in this one was so funny. Death is such a tough topic and yet there were beautiful moments of hilarity in it. I guess that’s life - a metaphor if ever I heard one. Although I didn’t find myself sobbing with this one, it did pull at my heartstrings. It got me thinking about my own life. How life is so beautiful and we all have no control, really, over how things end. We can only live now. Love now. And appreciate that while we can.
The reason it wasn’t a 5 star book for me was that pacing felt off at times. There were moments that were meant to be serious in character impact, but then resolved a few pages later. Also, Peter (for all his golden retriever energy) didn’t have a single character flaw. C’mon. No one can compete with that.
But worth the read? Definitely. Absolutely.
May 14, 2026
72 Hours of You by Darianne Schramm was such an emotional read. The idea of being able to see when someone only has 72 hours left immediately pulled me in and I really liked the mix of grief, hope, and romance throughout the story.
Sydney is guarded and carrying so much loneliness while Peter brings warmth and heart to the book. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow while helping people through their final days. Their connection felt genuine and was what kept me turning the pages.
Some parts dragged a little for me, but the emotional moments were done really well and the ending definitely leaves an impact. Peter and Sydney stayed with me after I finished.
A good pick for readers who enjoy emotional YA romances with heavier themes and bittersweet relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion for the ARC.
May 20, 2026
Written in First Person
Single POV
Teen Romance
Death/Dying
What can I say about this book? Once I started reading I did not want to stop. I had to find out if what I expected the ending to be was going to be the ending. It was. There were tears.
Sydney inherited the ability to see a 72 hour death countdown clock that appears over a person’s head when her Grandmother passed away. After trying to tell some people when she was younger she keeps this secret to herself until Peter.
This is the story about Sydney and Peter. Peter finds out Sydney’s secret and helps her come to terms with it. He sees her and accepts her in ways no one else does.
I don’t want to say anything else because I don’t want to give anything away.
I can say read the book. Share it with your friends. It’s a good one.
Single POV
Teen Romance
Death/Dying
What can I say about this book? Once I started reading I did not want to stop. I had to find out if what I expected the ending to be was going to be the ending. It was. There were tears.
Sydney inherited the ability to see a 72 hour death countdown clock that appears over a person’s head when her Grandmother passed away. After trying to tell some people when she was younger she keeps this secret to herself until Peter.
This is the story about Sydney and Peter. Peter finds out Sydney’s secret and helps her come to terms with it. He sees her and accepts her in ways no one else does.
I don’t want to say anything else because I don’t want to give anything away.
I can say read the book. Share it with your friends. It’s a good one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sydney has always been able to see the last 72 hours of someone's life. She sees the floating clock above their head and learns to keep away and not engage. Then she meets Peter and all that changes.
This book was a different take on romance. It's not the light, bubbly story you expect from a teen romance. It has hard truths and real moments that would make a reader think. It was definitely a suspenseful book with indicators that there was going to be a huge climax through anticipatory story elements that made it hard to put down.
There was no sex on the page; however the part that some readers may find difficult is the use of language. It's on every page and sometimes it was distracting from the story.
There are definitely unanswered questions at the end, but a reader would have to search themselves for the answers.
This book was a different take on romance. It's not the light, bubbly story you expect from a teen romance. It has hard truths and real moments that would make a reader think. It was definitely a suspenseful book with indicators that there was going to be a huge climax through anticipatory story elements that made it hard to put down.
There was no sex on the page; however the part that some readers may find difficult is the use of language. It's on every page and sometimes it was distracting from the story.
There are definitely unanswered questions at the end, but a reader would have to search themselves for the answers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
72 Hours of You was heartbreakingly beautiful and had me absolutely hooked from start to finish. I think I’m going to need 72 hours to recover from this book 🥹 I went into it knowing what to expect but damn, I did not expect THAT. It was an emotional journey and the countdowns just made it 10x more painful 😖
Sydney and Peter were perfect for one another - both their quiet and eventful moments together brought back the light in their lives. Can I just mention that HE MADE HER AN ORIGAMI BIRD (after 8 tries) 😖🥹 ‘𝐼’𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦’ and ‘𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢’ ?!?! STOPPP my heart 🫠
Some of the plot points added up by the end (I did wonder where things were going) and it made it even more heartbreaking. I held on to every moment for Sydney and Peter, still hoping for a different outcome 😖 but the ending was always waiting for us.
Sydney and Peter were perfect for one another - both their quiet and eventful moments together brought back the light in their lives. Can I just mention that HE MADE HER AN ORIGAMI BIRD (after 8 tries) 😖🥹 ‘𝐼’𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦’ and ‘𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢’ ?!?! STOPPP my heart 🫠
Some of the plot points added up by the end (I did wonder where things were going) and it made it even more heartbreaking. I held on to every moment for Sydney and Peter, still hoping for a different outcome 😖 but the ending was always waiting for us.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What would you do if you could see exactly when someone had only 72 hours left to live?
It hooked me immediately. This was an emotional read that explores grief, hope, love and loss in a way that really makes you stop and think.
Sydney carries so much loneliness throughout the story, and then enters Peter who brings warmth and light into her life. I loved watching their connection grow, and their interactions was what kept me turning the pages.
The pacing didn't always work for me and I wasn't sold on the ending, but this is a story that will stay with me. It shines a light on loneliness, friendship and how easy it can be to take life for granted.
A quick note that there is quite a bit of strong language throughout.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for sending me a copy of 72 Hours of You.
It hooked me immediately. This was an emotional read that explores grief, hope, love and loss in a way that really makes you stop and think.
Sydney carries so much loneliness throughout the story, and then enters Peter who brings warmth and light into her life. I loved watching their connection grow, and their interactions was what kept me turning the pages.
The pacing didn't always work for me and I wasn't sold on the ending, but this is a story that will stay with me. It shines a light on loneliness, friendship and how easy it can be to take life for granted.
A quick note that there is quite a bit of strong language throughout.
Thank you so much to Electric Monkey for sending me a copy of 72 Hours of You.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I haven't been able to stop thinking about Darianne’s gorgeous book since I turned the final page. The pacing is on point, I mean there is a literarily a ticking clock involved, but it’s the raw and heartfelt character growth that will stay with me. Peter was such a lovable book boyfriend and his relentless positivity helped pull Sydney out of her cave. Plus, Darianne has an extraordinary ear for dialogue. This story is sharp, witty and oh-so-voice-y, in the best way. And as a New Yorker, I really appreciated that this book didn’t hit up all the usual suspects as Sydney and Peter explored the city. Who knows how long we get here. Life, just like the best books, is fleeting. I was so sad to see this one end.
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