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One Day You'll Leave Me
What would you be willing to give up for the person you love? Your life? Your memories? Everybody and everything you've ever known?
Karen Stephens is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life in the year 2010. Until the day she hears something. A song, an unfamiliar one that moves her in a way she cannot understand or explain.
Judy Paige was also an ordinary woman, who lived an ordinary life, up until the day she sang a song at a concert in the year 1964.
When Karen's curiosity about the song she heard turns into an obsession about the woman who sang it, she's drawn to the town of Leyfant, Texas. The town Judy Paige was born and raised in, and it's there that Karen is approached by a man who calls himself Mr. Smith. A man who asks Karen a simple question. "Would you like to meet her?"
The question is simple, but the answer is not.
Because Judy Paige has been dead for almost twenty years.
Karen Stephens is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life in the year 2010. Until the day she hears something. A song, an unfamiliar one that moves her in a way she cannot understand or explain.
Judy Paige was also an ordinary woman, who lived an ordinary life, up until the day she sang a song at a concert in the year 1964.
When Karen's curiosity about the song she heard turns into an obsession about the woman who sang it, she's drawn to the town of Leyfant, Texas. The town Judy Paige was born and raised in, and it's there that Karen is approached by a man who calls himself Mr. Smith. A man who asks Karen a simple question. "Would you like to meet her?"
The question is simple, but the answer is not.
Because Judy Paige has been dead for almost twenty years.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2018
107 people are currently reading
4277 people want to read
About the author
Debra Flores
6 books123 followersBluesky account for anyone interested:
Debbie2222.bsky.social
Debra Flores lives in Texas with a big beast of a cat - but she has no delusions about him. She knows full well if her life were in danger he would not be coming to her rescue like that fabulous cat on that viral video. But she loves him anyway, especially when he's nice enough to sleep on something besides her laptop so she can write.
Debbie2222.bsky.social
Debra Flores lives in Texas with a big beast of a cat - but she has no delusions about him. She knows full well if her life were in danger he would not be coming to her rescue like that fabulous cat on that viral video. But she loves him anyway, especially when he's nice enough to sleep on something besides her laptop so she can write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
November 24, 2018
If you are intrigued by time travel you need to read One Day You'll Leave Me.
Debra Flores did an absolute splendid job weaving this very intricate story that will keep you guessing until the end. You think you know at some point… but then you don’t! This is one of those plots you can’t spill, so you will have to take my word for it. It’s clever, it’s tragic, it's sweet and I just loved it. A truly captivating read!
f/f
Themes: time travel done right!, the 60ies, elements of the matrix and groundhog day, peppermint stick ice cream, I loved how almost every chapter ended in a little jolt, I want to read more of this author.
5 stars
Debra Flores did an absolute splendid job weaving this very intricate story that will keep you guessing until the end. You think you know at some point… but then you don’t! This is one of those plots you can’t spill, so you will have to take my word for it. It’s clever, it’s tragic, it's sweet and I just loved it. A truly captivating read!
f/f
Themes: time travel done right!, the 60ies, elements of the matrix and groundhog day, peppermint stick ice cream, I loved how almost every chapter ended in a little jolt, I want to read more of this author.
5 stars
April 7, 2022
WOW!! Beautiful and captivating...read 3x
November 20, 2018
Now that’s a very interesting book :) I actually couldn’t put it down! A very solid 5 for me!
February 27, 2022
Wow, I'm in awe about this book. I had this novel on my TBR list as many of my friends recommended it but kept it there because I'm not a fan of time travel. Now I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read it as I absolutely loved it.
Texas, 2010. When Karen Stephens listens to a song in a TV commercial, she is inexplicably drawn to the singer. Judy Paige was a teen star whose song One Day You'll Leave Me topped the music charts in 1964. As Karen becomes obsessed with the singer, a strange man approaches Karen offering to arrange a meeting. Only that Judy Paige has been dead for twenty years...
This is a heartfelt love story disguised as a time travel novel. Don't take me wrong, the time travel parts of the plot are essential to the story but, in a way, it's an excuse to tell a love story that transcends time and overcomes the impossible. The plot is extremely clever and it tricks the reader into thinking that it's going in one direction just to suddenly veer in the opposite one. It's intelligent, it's poignant, it's heartbreaking and it's hopeful. A textbook example of a roller-coaster of emotions.
In direct contrast to this collection of powerful feelings, the narrative style is sprinkled with wit, social criticism and a sardonic sense of humour. Karen's direct experiences in the 1960s as a traveller from the future feel authentic as they cover in detail different sensory aspects: what people used to eat, drink, smoke, the music they listen to, courtship rules, sexual behaviour and much more. These experiences aren't tinted by a nostalgic view. Neither for the 1960s nor for the 2010s. The author picks up the good and the bad for each era, not without a sense of humour:
"Why don’t you just text him?"
"Do what? Test him? Test him for what?"
“No. No...telephone. I meant...phone him, you know telephone him. There’s a booth right outside.”
“And how am I supposed to phone him when I don’t know where he is?”
Darn the past is hard.
These bits of humour balance the angst and makes the reading experience very enjoyable. I personally would have preferred more page time spent in the romance itself but I get that this isn't that type of book. This is a novel about love transcending the boundaries of time, a story about soul mates and strong bonds, so I understand that it couldn't get fluffy. It's more about the love that remains after the throes of passion.
This is a truly underrated book by an underrated author. If you are looking for a romance story that travels through time and keeps you guessing until the end, I cannot recommend it more. Besides, who can resist that title? 5 stars.
Texas, 2010. When Karen Stephens listens to a song in a TV commercial, she is inexplicably drawn to the singer. Judy Paige was a teen star whose song One Day You'll Leave Me topped the music charts in 1964. As Karen becomes obsessed with the singer, a strange man approaches Karen offering to arrange a meeting. Only that Judy Paige has been dead for twenty years...
This is a heartfelt love story disguised as a time travel novel. Don't take me wrong, the time travel parts of the plot are essential to the story but, in a way, it's an excuse to tell a love story that transcends time and overcomes the impossible. The plot is extremely clever and it tricks the reader into thinking that it's going in one direction just to suddenly veer in the opposite one. It's intelligent, it's poignant, it's heartbreaking and it's hopeful. A textbook example of a roller-coaster of emotions.
In direct contrast to this collection of powerful feelings, the narrative style is sprinkled with wit, social criticism and a sardonic sense of humour. Karen's direct experiences in the 1960s as a traveller from the future feel authentic as they cover in detail different sensory aspects: what people used to eat, drink, smoke, the music they listen to, courtship rules, sexual behaviour and much more. These experiences aren't tinted by a nostalgic view. Neither for the 1960s nor for the 2010s. The author picks up the good and the bad for each era, not without a sense of humour:
"Why don’t you just text him?"
"Do what? Test him? Test him for what?"
“No. No...telephone. I meant...phone him, you know telephone him. There’s a booth right outside.”
“And how am I supposed to phone him when I don’t know where he is?”
Darn the past is hard.
These bits of humour balance the angst and makes the reading experience very enjoyable. I personally would have preferred more page time spent in the romance itself but I get that this isn't that type of book. This is a novel about love transcending the boundaries of time, a story about soul mates and strong bonds, so I understand that it couldn't get fluffy. It's more about the love that remains after the throes of passion.
This is a truly underrated book by an underrated author. If you are looking for a romance story that travels through time and keeps you guessing until the end, I cannot recommend it more. Besides, who can resist that title? 5 stars.
May 31, 2022
I’m wrecked. Happily, joyously wrecked. Finished this book and felt the perfect rush of having read a story that touched on every aspect of being alive. The sadness, the hope, the tragedy of some things being out of your control, and the wonder of loving someone and having them love you in return.
Karen Stephens is living in 2010, an executive at a marketing company, comfortable in her life, maybe even content. She happens to hear an old song from the 60’s that triggers something powerful in her. Her journey begins there. Time travel is the vehicle but the love story is everything.
Now I get it, the gushing reviews, and I’m adding my mine as well.
Karen Stephens is living in 2010, an executive at a marketing company, comfortable in her life, maybe even content. She happens to hear an old song from the 60’s that triggers something powerful in her. Her journey begins there. Time travel is the vehicle but the love story is everything.
Now I get it, the gushing reviews, and I’m adding my mine as well.
January 10, 2019
I don’t really know how to review One Day You’ll Leave Me because it’s difficult to do so without leaving spoilers. Trust me, I’ve tried…or maybe I’m just not that creative.
One thing I can say is that this is definitely a unique experience. Through the first 50-60% I was completely enthralled. Flores is a great storyteller. Somewhere around the 60% mark, however, this became more of tell than show. I get the feeling this was intentional, but still, I would have liked a little more detail.
Don’t get me wrong, however. I enjoyed this book very much, hence the 4*. I had to keep reading because I just had to know what happened next and how it all ended…but I still think the middle could have been more…it should have been more. There are about 6 years of happenings that we are breezed through, while in the beginning, weeks (even days) were well written and plotted out. I wanted to know more details about those 6 years in the middle. I needed to feel the building of something that is the meaning for everything that happens in this book.
One Day You’ll Leave Me is a time traveling journey…a small bit of romance…I mean, it’s all romance, but it’s…different. Just read it…because now that I have, I want to read everyone else’s thoughts on it, as well.
Available on KU.
One thing I can say is that this is definitely a unique experience. Through the first 50-60% I was completely enthralled. Flores is a great storyteller. Somewhere around the 60% mark, however, this became more of tell than show. I get the feeling this was intentional, but still, I would have liked a little more detail.
Don’t get me wrong, however. I enjoyed this book very much, hence the 4*. I had to keep reading because I just had to know what happened next and how it all ended…but I still think the middle could have been more…it should have been more. There are about 6 years of happenings that we are breezed through, while in the beginning, weeks (even days) were well written and plotted out. I wanted to know more details about those 6 years in the middle. I needed to feel the building of something that is the meaning for everything that happens in this book.
One Day You’ll Leave Me is a time traveling journey…a small bit of romance…I mean, it’s all romance, but it’s…different. Just read it…because now that I have, I want to read everyone else’s thoughts on it, as well.
Available on KU.
October 13, 2018
Well shit.. this left me scratching my head a few times..
This was a damn good book... and different to what I've ever read. Everything worked, the story, and characters worked well.
All the reviews have pretty much said the same, I agree.... what a beautiful story.
This was a damn good book... and different to what I've ever read. Everything worked, the story, and characters worked well.
All the reviews have pretty much said the same, I agree.... what a beautiful story.
December 21, 2022
Wow! This story is simply a must for time travel fans as it is definitely one of the most original time travel stories I have ever read.
December 1, 2018
Wow! o_o thats all I came out of my mouth after I finished the book. This is the kind of time-travel I’m always looking for. That kept me intriqued, kept me to keep reading and see what was going to happened. I couldn’t put the book down at all. And ended up finished it at 6am. Thankfully this is sunday morning. 😑
Just like Corrie’s review said, you thought you know what was going to happened but you were wrong. Completely wrong! Thats what happened to me. I love this book. I love everyone in this book! And i love the author for making such a great book T.T thank you very much.
No hesitation at all, fully 5 stars from me!
Just like Corrie’s review said, you thought you know what was going to happened but you were wrong. Completely wrong! Thats what happened to me. I love this book. I love everyone in this book! And i love the author for making such a great book T.T thank you very much.
No hesitation at all, fully 5 stars from me!
January 8, 2019
Most KU books fall into the “meh” or “oh jeez that’s bad” category for me. Very few do I really take the time to rate. But this one definitely lives up to the hype and all the great reviews. Take a gander, you won’t be disappointed.
June 3, 2019
"The only feature that looked like mine, her eyes. Not because of the shape or color.... no, it was something else.... there was something there that I recognized. That corny 'the eyes are the windows to the soul' line came to me. Was that it? I still held on to what made me, me. My sense of self. My consciousness. My memories. If that was my soul, then perhaps the line is true, sappy as it is."
Well what in the world just happened? This was a very unexpected yet incredibly enjoyable read. Don't tell anyone, but I *may* have taken a 3 hour lunch in my office with the door closed to finish it....ssshhhh....
This was reminiscent of Stephen King's 11/22/63, but with a lesbian story line and no shot presidents. There isn't heavy romance, but rather a deep, entangled love story that transcends time, and very difficult decisions have to be made in order to both save and change lives. Or can this be done? There is heartache no matter what direction MC Karen takes. We as readers are privvy to her decision making, and while I admit I could not always follow her train of thought or how much Mr. Smith tries to explain, it didn't take away the the uniqueness of the story. I liked the references to the 1960s and the innocence/manners of that decade, though also had enough negative emotions about the politics and narrow views of the time to get me fired up.
Not only did I gradually gain huge amounts of empathy for Karen and her difficult past/current disjointed life, but I completely fell for Judith as well. Ms. Flores also writes excellent secondary characters in both Fran and Janice. The scene where Janice thinks Karen is being held captive in her own house? I laughed out loud at her dry delivery.
I feel there could have been some tightening up of some of the editing, as in the first few chapters I was just not gripped, as Karen had so many meandering thoughts as to why she reacted so strongly to the song and her obsession went on just a tad too long. I almost put the book down, because I had no idea what was happening. I also hadn't fully read the synopsis (that would have helped!) but was just pumped to read a new author. I am sure thankful I didn't give up. Now that I know what happens though, I kind of want to start those first chapters over again with fresh eyes. This is a really interesting story here, thank you for starting my week out right, Ms. Flores.
Well what in the world just happened? This was a very unexpected yet incredibly enjoyable read. Don't tell anyone, but I *may* have taken a 3 hour lunch in my office with the door closed to finish it....ssshhhh....
This was reminiscent of Stephen King's 11/22/63, but with a lesbian story line and no shot presidents. There isn't heavy romance, but rather a deep, entangled love story that transcends time, and very difficult decisions have to be made in order to both save and change lives. Or can this be done? There is heartache no matter what direction MC Karen takes. We as readers are privvy to her decision making, and while I admit I could not always follow her train of thought or how much Mr. Smith tries to explain, it didn't take away the the uniqueness of the story. I liked the references to the 1960s and the innocence/manners of that decade, though also had enough negative emotions about the politics and narrow views of the time to get me fired up.
Not only did I gradually gain huge amounts of empathy for Karen and her difficult past/current disjointed life, but I completely fell for Judith as well. Ms. Flores also writes excellent secondary characters in both Fran and Janice. The scene where Janice thinks Karen is being held captive in her own house? I laughed out loud at her dry delivery.
I feel there could have been some tightening up of some of the editing, as in the first few chapters I was just not gripped, as Karen had so many meandering thoughts as to why she reacted so strongly to the song and her obsession went on just a tad too long. I almost put the book down, because I had no idea what was happening. I also hadn't fully read the synopsis (that would have helped!) but was just pumped to read a new author. I am sure thankful I didn't give up. Now that I know what happens though, I kind of want to start those first chapters over again with fresh eyes. This is a really interesting story here, thank you for starting my week out right, Ms. Flores.
January 16, 2019
A bit of Twilight Zone, Somewhere in Time and Back to the Future, and doesn't Mr Smith feel a bit like Agent Smith? This time travel tale draws inspiration from other stories and very effectively intersperses time travel, paradoxes and time-loops with a timeless romance, tragedy and trying to fix things in the past. (oops I think I said too much 😊)
The writing is more workmanlike than artful (feels like more telling than showing) but the mind-blowing plot more than makes up for it. It takes a while to get going but once the time travelling kicks in, the tension really ratchets up and I couldn't put down the book till the end. Aside from the time travel stuff, there are a couple of intriguing mysteries to uncover. Interestingly, this didn't have as much romance as I initially thought, at least, not in the traditional sense. It was quite enough for me though.
Time travel timelines are always a b*tch to sort out. I loved how the author didn't simplify or over complicate it. It was thorough yet understandable.
And last but not the least, this was a great way to go back to the sixties. I don't think I'll ever consciously pick up a book set in the sixties (too dated but not historical enough, go figure🙄) but I loved every bit of the past the author brought us back to.
5 for the plot
3.8 for the writing
The writing is more workmanlike than artful (feels like more telling than showing) but the mind-blowing plot more than makes up for it. It takes a while to get going but once the time travelling kicks in, the tension really ratchets up and I couldn't put down the book till the end. Aside from the time travel stuff, there are a couple of intriguing mysteries to uncover. Interestingly, this didn't have as much romance as I initially thought, at least, not in the traditional sense. It was quite enough for me though.
Time travel timelines are always a b*tch to sort out. I loved how the author didn't simplify or over complicate it. It was thorough yet understandable.
And last but not the least, this was a great way to go back to the sixties. I don't think I'll ever consciously pick up a book set in the sixties (too dated but not historical enough, go figure🙄) but I loved every bit of the past the author brought us back to.
5 for the plot
3.8 for the writing
May 3, 2024
So early last year I read The Library by the River by Flores and it hit me like a truck, and I was left thinking about it for days. And it simultaneously made me want to read other books Flores has written but knew I would definitely have to emotionally prepare for the journey you are going to be taken on. So that's what I did before reading One Day You'll Leave Me.
And it was so worth it. This story is incredibly emotional as well as touching. I'm not super into supernatural elements in books as a personal preference but it worked well here. It was a really interesting way to tell a love story that in many ways heightened the emotional journey as well as left a bit of mystery to the story.
Flores did a wonderful job as well of describing the world of the 1960s so you could put yourself there really effectively, and that's so crucial in a period piece.
I really enjoyed this book. It doesn't look like Flores has published anything in a couple years but I'm definitely looking forward to anything that comes in the future. 5/5
cw: racial slurs
And it was so worth it. This story is incredibly emotional as well as touching. I'm not super into supernatural elements in books as a personal preference but it worked well here. It was a really interesting way to tell a love story that in many ways heightened the emotional journey as well as left a bit of mystery to the story.
Flores did a wonderful job as well of describing the world of the 1960s so you could put yourself there really effectively, and that's so crucial in a period piece.
I really enjoyed this book. It doesn't look like Flores has published anything in a couple years but I'm definitely looking forward to anything that comes in the future. 5/5
cw: racial slurs
December 10, 2018
This is a romantic, intriguing tale of time-travel with all the feels. It's also a very, very authentic, fun flashback to the past. I plan to read this again. It's got so many layers, it may even wind-up being a different book for me the second time around. Kudos to Debra Flores!
September 15, 2022
This is a weird one for me to review because I enjoyed some parts but didn't like others.
What I liked:
The whole time travel aspect. I won't go into detail because of spoilers, but I thought it was really well thought out.
Fran. She was great. Ahead of her time and not afraid to speak her mind.
Judith. She was super sweet, if underdeveloped.
What I didn't like:
The way the author romanticised the sixties. I'm pretty sure they were only great if you were a straight white man. It was bizarre to read in a sapphic novel.
The way modern society/technology/social media is demonised. Apparently everyone is lovely and polite in the sixties and rude and addicted to technology in modern times. Evelyn came across as sanctimonious in this regard. Yeah, there's a lot about technology and social media that is negative, but people can't deny it's changed the world for the better too.
The text was quite dry. There wasn't a lot of emotion conveyed. For example Karen hears a song and becomes obsessed with the singer, Judith, but when she goes back in time and meets her it's just... OK, that happened. I expected more emotion. Their relationship was pretty surface level.
What I liked:
The whole time travel aspect. I won't go into detail because of spoilers, but I thought it was really well thought out.
Fran. She was great. Ahead of her time and not afraid to speak her mind.
Judith. She was super sweet, if underdeveloped.
What I didn't like:
The way the author romanticised the sixties. I'm pretty sure they were only great if you were a straight white man. It was bizarre to read in a sapphic novel.
The way modern society/technology/social media is demonised. Apparently everyone is lovely and polite in the sixties and rude and addicted to technology in modern times. Evelyn came across as sanctimonious in this regard. Yeah, there's a lot about technology and social media that is negative, but people can't deny it's changed the world for the better too.
The text was quite dry. There wasn't a lot of emotion conveyed. For example Karen hears a song and becomes obsessed with the singer, Judith, but when she goes back in time and meets her it's just... OK, that happened. I expected more emotion. Their relationship was pretty surface level.
December 18, 2022
I have no idea why this book wasn't on my radar before now, but I'm so grateful to a dear friend who said it was one of her favorite reads this year so I made a point of picking it up. Once I started, I absolutely could not put it down. Just an incredible reading experience!
There's so much here. The time travel aspect is fascinating - especially the questions regarding whether or not time is linear. Many believe it is not. Can it be manipulated? It explores fate, reincarnation... But first and foremost, this is a story of a love so great that it speaks to a soul in another time. Be still my romantic heart.
I loved everything about this book. If you haven't read it, I urge you to. What a wonderful movie this would make! Oh, the feels!
There's so much here. The time travel aspect is fascinating - especially the questions regarding whether or not time is linear. Many believe it is not. Can it be manipulated? It explores fate, reincarnation... But first and foremost, this is a story of a love so great that it speaks to a soul in another time. Be still my romantic heart.
I loved everything about this book. If you haven't read it, I urge you to. What a wonderful movie this would make! Oh, the feels!
November 30, 2018
This story is told in first person and completely from the heroines, point-of-view. Forgotten her name already. Being in her head the entire time became labourious - for me.
The story was interesting at times, but overall I found it rather flat.
I'm bucking the trend here, what with all the other 5 star reviews. Perhaps I expected more due to all the hype. **shrugs**
Dear Author - please don't comment on my review as you have with all the others. Thank you :)
The story was interesting at times, but overall I found it rather flat.
I'm bucking the trend here, what with all the other 5 star reviews. Perhaps I expected more due to all the hype. **shrugs**
Dear Author - please don't comment on my review as you have with all the others. Thank you :)
July 5, 2025
I was hesitant to read this at first, given the ominous title. Also, a review I read mentioned this was tragic. I'm happy to discover that no, this story isn't tragic, it's tender and gripping, and fortunately ends well. If you're an anxious reader like me, who isn't in the mental and emotional state to handle sad endings, then this book is for you. Happy reading. 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
Another first book read by an author, another time travel book. I didn't even realize that two of the last three books I've read involved time travel until I wandered over to this book to write a review (after writing the review for that other time travel book I just read).
One of those hard charging, top tier business women is the main character in this one. Karen Stephens being that woman. On July 9th 2010, while eating in the cafeteria in San Antonio Texas, Karen hears a song from a commercial. Which is odd because the tv is in another room and hard to hear. But she hears it, is drawn to it, can't stop listening to it and wants to know, immediately, everything about that song. The person she's eating with thinks Karen is having a breakdown. She reassures him.
Later, in her office, she can't stop herself from exploring more into that song. So does. Eventually goes home early (she never goes home early), then proceeds to skip work for something like a week. Obsessed with the singer of that song, Judy Paige.
Eventually a stranger appears in a graveyard and offers Judy the opportunity to actually visit Judy. Since Karen has become so obsessed with her. But . . . Karen is in the graveyard because she wanted to visit Judy's grave. Which is in front of her. Judy is dead. Died roughly 20 or more years before the start of this book. But that man, the stranger, again offers Karen the opportunity to meet Judy. At a concert she's giving. Or, not giving, at one she's going to be at and perform at. It's raining. Karen has spent the last week or more obsessing over Judy. Is standing over her grave. Can't figure out what this stranger is implying, well, believe him when he mentions traveling through time. Like that can happen. Can't figure out what scam the guy is trying to pull. She finally snaps and one thing leads to another and she's back in time. In 1960s.
Karen is now back in time. In 1964. She is 34. At least she was in 2010. But she doesn't appear to be in her own body now, and she isn't 100% certain of her age. Is she now a teenager? In her early 20s? Whose body is this? Where are they now? Did a 20 year old suddenly find themselves 50 some years in the future in Karen's body? In a graveyard?
Back to Karen. In 1964, in some stranger's body. When she sees a car in her driveway, she knows that is her 1962 Dodge Dart convertible. How does she know? She pulls up the memory from the body she is in. Somehow. She can tap into the memory of whoever's body she is occupying.
She finds a boy mowing her lawn, who calls her Ms. Bryant. So she has her last name now, or the body's last name. The boy helps Ms. Bryant get her paper, whereupon she learns that days date. June 13, 1964. Two weeks before the concert she went back in time to attend. Judy's concert. She has two weeks to find Judy. She does not have her iPhone. Or a computer. Or a tv that gets more than three channels. She does have a rotary phone, but that doesn't come with access to the internet to look up where someone not famous might be located. This isn't the 21st century, not 2010.
Eventually, it takes time, "recalls" her own first name. Evelyn. Well the name of the body. Which is a twist, in it's way, because, by the end of the book, I think of the main character as Evelyn and have forgotten who Karen might be.
Right, so, eventually Evelyn (or Karen in Evelyn's body) meets up with Judy Paige. In 1964 Texas. She knew, going back, that Judy had married a woman in 1981, so knew she wasn't some straight woman she had been obsessing over. Did Judy know she liked women in 1964? Well, both will find out in this book, eh?
A great book, loved it. And that's with Evelyn/Karen being kind of unlikable. But still, great book. One of my favorite books of the year, the year of 2018, though I read it in 2022. I have two favorite shelves: one based on book publication date, and one based on year read. This book joins the 11 other books from 2018 that I've favorited. Of the 12 books, I rated 7 of them 5+ stars, the others rated 5 stars. I only have 1 book on my 2022 year read favorite shelf. This book. Of the 32 works I've read so far this year. 7 of the 32 works read in 2022 rated 5 stars on Goodreads, but all but this book are marked "5 Stars" for being my actually rating them something at or north of 4.75 stars.
So, yes, yet another book by an author I hadn't read before that I'd recommend others read.
Rating: 5+
March 7 2022
One of those hard charging, top tier business women is the main character in this one. Karen Stephens being that woman. On July 9th 2010, while eating in the cafeteria in San Antonio Texas, Karen hears a song from a commercial. Which is odd because the tv is in another room and hard to hear. But she hears it, is drawn to it, can't stop listening to it and wants to know, immediately, everything about that song. The person she's eating with thinks Karen is having a breakdown. She reassures him.
Later, in her office, she can't stop herself from exploring more into that song. So does. Eventually goes home early (she never goes home early), then proceeds to skip work for something like a week. Obsessed with the singer of that song, Judy Paige.
Eventually a stranger appears in a graveyard and offers Judy the opportunity to actually visit Judy. Since Karen has become so obsessed with her. But . . . Karen is in the graveyard because she wanted to visit Judy's grave. Which is in front of her. Judy is dead. Died roughly 20 or more years before the start of this book. But that man, the stranger, again offers Karen the opportunity to meet Judy. At a concert she's giving. Or, not giving, at one she's going to be at and perform at. It's raining. Karen has spent the last week or more obsessing over Judy. Is standing over her grave. Can't figure out what this stranger is implying, well, believe him when he mentions traveling through time. Like that can happen. Can't figure out what scam the guy is trying to pull. She finally snaps and one thing leads to another and she's back in time. In 1960s.
Karen is now back in time. In 1964. She is 34. At least she was in 2010. But she doesn't appear to be in her own body now, and she isn't 100% certain of her age. Is she now a teenager? In her early 20s? Whose body is this? Where are they now? Did a 20 year old suddenly find themselves 50 some years in the future in Karen's body? In a graveyard?
Back to Karen. In 1964, in some stranger's body. When she sees a car in her driveway, she knows that is her 1962 Dodge Dart convertible. How does she know? She pulls up the memory from the body she is in. Somehow. She can tap into the memory of whoever's body she is occupying.
She finds a boy mowing her lawn, who calls her Ms. Bryant. So she has her last name now, or the body's last name. The boy helps Ms. Bryant get her paper, whereupon she learns that days date. June 13, 1964. Two weeks before the concert she went back in time to attend. Judy's concert. She has two weeks to find Judy. She does not have her iPhone. Or a computer. Or a tv that gets more than three channels. She does have a rotary phone, but that doesn't come with access to the internet to look up where someone not famous might be located. This isn't the 21st century, not 2010.
Eventually, it takes time, "recalls" her own first name. Evelyn. Well the name of the body. Which is a twist, in it's way, because, by the end of the book, I think of the main character as Evelyn and have forgotten who Karen might be.
Right, so, eventually Evelyn (or Karen in Evelyn's body) meets up with Judy Paige. In 1964 Texas. She knew, going back, that Judy had married a woman in 1981, so knew she wasn't some straight woman she had been obsessing over. Did Judy know she liked women in 1964? Well, both will find out in this book, eh?
A great book, loved it. And that's with Evelyn/Karen being kind of unlikable. But still, great book. One of my favorite books of the year, the year of 2018, though I read it in 2022. I have two favorite shelves: one based on book publication date, and one based on year read. This book joins the 11 other books from 2018 that I've favorited. Of the 12 books, I rated 7 of them 5+ stars, the others rated 5 stars. I only have 1 book on my 2022 year read favorite shelf. This book. Of the 32 works I've read so far this year. 7 of the 32 works read in 2022 rated 5 stars on Goodreads, but all but this book are marked "5 Stars" for being my actually rating them something at or north of 4.75 stars.
So, yes, yet another book by an author I hadn't read before that I'd recommend others read.
Rating: 5+
March 7 2022
August 7, 2024
What a beautiful read. My only regret is that it took this long to finally pick this off my TBR pile.
October 19, 2018
Wow. First book from this author. So not disappointed. Couldn't put it down, it's a must read. I think the reviews says it all.
November 24, 2019
Wow this book was really, really great..... It was unpredictable and it kept me on the edge of my sit. I honestly couldn't put it down.
December 15, 2018
You know when you’re deeply affected by something and all you can say, through tears, is “I’m going to need a few moments”? Well, that’s how I feel here. One Day You’ll Leave Me is a superb, deeply emotional read, yet I find myself speechless to say anything more...which is probably a good thing, because the less you know going into this book, the more special it’s going to be.
May 12, 2021
Took me a while to finish this one, just because the previous book from Ms. Flores left me emotionally deadish, and I took my cautious time to finish another book from the author. Nevertheless, The Library by the River was great. One day You Will Leave Me is more than great.
Funny enough, I caught up with the second season of The Umbrella Academy during the prolonged reading. There are few similarities, but I will just point out the lesbian plot. In the tv show, meh.
In the One day You Will Leave Me I could not stop rooting for main characters. The book revolves around Judy’s and Karen's relationship from Karen's perspective, but it is not just that. In a way, it is subtle criticism and subtle praise of today's society.
The whole book is a emotionally bumpy ride, but it is worth it. It is beautifully written, the angst is placed perfectly, it was frustrating but yet, I will say it again, beautiful. It is a book about impossible choices, and while the rational part of me understand that I will never experience something similar, it just got me thinking, what would Cookie do?
The the story is phenomenal, which is strange for me, since I am usually not prone to spiritual thingies, but, I liked idea of resolving the fate’s glitch via existing by proxy.
I did not expect a happy ending - that was the frustrating part. Actually, I expected the Groundhog Day scenario. So, thank you Ms. Flores for not breaking our hearts.
All around, perfect 5 (it would be all the same if the end was not that happy).
Funny enough, I caught up with the second season of The Umbrella Academy during the prolonged reading. There are few similarities, but I will just point out the lesbian plot. In the tv show, meh.
In the One day You Will Leave Me I could not stop rooting for main characters. The book revolves around Judy’s and Karen's relationship from Karen's perspective, but it is not just that. In a way, it is subtle criticism and subtle praise of today's society.
The whole book is a emotionally bumpy ride, but it is worth it. It is beautifully written, the angst is placed perfectly, it was frustrating but yet, I will say it again, beautiful. It is a book about impossible choices, and while the rational part of me understand that I will never experience something similar, it just got me thinking, what would Cookie do?
The the story is phenomenal, which is strange for me, since I am usually not prone to spiritual thingies, but, I liked idea of resolving the fate’s glitch via existing by proxy.
I did not expect a happy ending - that was the frustrating part. Actually, I expected the Groundhog Day scenario. So, thank you Ms. Flores for not breaking our hearts.
All around, perfect 5 (it would be all the same if the end was not that happy).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2022
Again, I’ve not read the blurb thoroughly. All I know is something about time travel to the 60s, and the title seems a little sad. I put it on my to-be-read list for a while and only picked to read it until now, and wow! I’m so glad I have because this will be one of my favorites this year.
I’m always a little afraid of reading time travel; there’s always going to be a loophole yes because there are just too many theories. But Debra Flores is doing an excellent job here, I could tell she puts lots of effort into the timeline, and I’m convinced by it. It’s so very well-written, it’s beautiful and sweet, and I genuinely have no clue what’s the story was going to be. What a trip!
Read this beautiful book.
I’m always a little afraid of reading time travel; there’s always going to be a loophole yes because there are just too many theories. But Debra Flores is doing an excellent job here, I could tell she puts lots of effort into the timeline, and I’m convinced by it. It’s so very well-written, it’s beautiful and sweet, and I genuinely have no clue what’s the story was going to be. What a trip!
Read this beautiful book.
December 27, 2022
Loved it! Its a love story, but also a time travel novel. I can’t recommend it enough. Only wished there would have been a bit more of the love story and moments btw the MC. 4.5⭐️
November 23, 2018
Changing course
Karen is suddenly drawn to a deceased singer from the past. Obsessed, really. She doesn't understand why. She gets an unusual opportunity to find out.
I absolutely loved the concept. Apart from the first person POV (which was necessary for this story) and the incessantly long monologues (often less necessary), I still was compelled to keep reading. Thinking 'What next?' Toward the end, I thought it was going to go one way. I was upset and thought I had a better idea. Then it made you think it was going an entirely different way. I truly didn't know and that made this book extremely satisfyingly overall.
Karen is suddenly drawn to a deceased singer from the past. Obsessed, really. She doesn't understand why. She gets an unusual opportunity to find out.
I absolutely loved the concept. Apart from the first person POV (which was necessary for this story) and the incessantly long monologues (often less necessary), I still was compelled to keep reading. Thinking 'What next?' Toward the end, I thought it was going to go one way. I was upset and thought I had a better idea. Then it made you think it was going an entirely different way. I truly didn't know and that made this book extremely satisfyingly overall.
December 9, 2021
When I first discover this book, I want to read it right away. The title alone are very appealing, not to mention the cover. I kinda have a thing for retro thingy. Plus, the description of the book are intriguing.
Of course whenever I feel overexcited for anything, I started to worry I will be disappointed but I tell you, this book didn't disappoint me. It's that kind of book that I find it hard to put it down.
I feel a lot of emotions while reading. Most of the time I laugh and sometimes I cries. I find Karen's first experience of 60s are so damn funny and her best friend, Fran are funny too. And then of course with 'One Day You'll Leave Me' as a choosen title, this book is a sad one too. Things between Karen and her mother, Karen and Judith, both break my heart at some point.
Like everybody else said, there are time travel involved. Again, like sci-fi stuff, I am not a fan of it. As a realist, I am having hard time to agree with certain things that doesn't seem possible to me. This book has a lot of that. But ofc, my first reason for picking up this book is to enjoy it and feeling something out of it and I did for both, so no harm in it.
Totally recommended.
Of course whenever I feel overexcited for anything, I started to worry I will be disappointed but I tell you, this book didn't disappoint me. It's that kind of book that I find it hard to put it down.
I feel a lot of emotions while reading. Most of the time I laugh and sometimes I cries. I find Karen's first experience of 60s are so damn funny and her best friend, Fran are funny too. And then of course with 'One Day You'll Leave Me' as a choosen title, this book is a sad one too. Things between Karen and her mother, Karen and Judith, both break my heart at some point.
Like everybody else said, there are time travel involved. Again, like sci-fi stuff, I am not a fan of it. As a realist, I am having hard time to agree with certain things that doesn't seem possible to me. This book has a lot of that. But ofc, my first reason for picking up this book is to enjoy it and feeling something out of it and I did for both, so no harm in it.
Totally recommended.
April 9, 2022
Brilliant. Philosophical. A fight between free will and fate to find love.
If you had one chance to choose your Destiny, would you take it? If somehow you feel like belonging somewhere else. If all around you, life doesn’t seem to be what you hoped for and then, one day, something happens and you are awaken from your “sleeping”, would you want to stay awake or submit to a path you were never supposed to take? Would you renounce to all you ever known for a chance to love and be loved?
Karen Stephen, Chief Marketing Officer of a growing company seems to have it all, a good job, all the commodities of the new world, as it is in 2010: Internet, the latest tech devices, air-conditioning, you name it. What she doesn’t have and has never had is unconditional love, especially her mother’s. Karen grew up not repressing all kind of emotions (happiness, sorrow, grief, love), because these were considered sign of weakness by her mother. All her life she has suppressed any thoughts of letting go. But what if, all her bottled up emotions were just waiting to be awaken? What if something could trigger Karen to remember that life can’t always be just in “black and white”, but that there are colors in it. Karen concluded that something in her was broken. She was broken. What if the first color she sees is “green”, “green eyes”. Would this be enough to stir her up, to bring her hope? Bring her home? How do you know? How do you trust what the universe is trying to tell you? Could hearing a song bring back memories that you didn’t even know of having?
There are books that are made to entertain, to let you forget the stress and the anxiety most of all deal with our never-stopping modern life, and then there are books that, while still entertaining you, let you stop, take a pause while you’re reading, and reflect on everything. This type of books challenges your mind, your beliefs and pushes you to question yourself, your existence and if there’s something we can call free will.
If you believe in Determinism, you’ll think that everything has a reason for existing: cause and effect. Where does that leave us as humans? If everything has been already decided for us, how can we influence our paths. Is our supposed “will” programmed since we are born? Are we all but programs just waiting to be reprogrammed? All memories erased to live other experiences. If everything is programmed, can there be errors in the programming? Can we escape this “illusion” of life? Can we break the code or are we still going to be trapped in it?
We all wondered about that. We all, at one point in our life, questioned ourselves about the “Ifs”. If I didn’t send that e-mail, maybe this would have never happened. If I said those words, maybe something would have changed. If I didn’t meet, didn’t talk, didn’t stop to say hello to someone, would they still be part of my life? If you have the feeling of being “broken”, can you do something about it or will you always feel that sorrow of not being a whole, but just pieces of yourself, scattered through your life cycle?
One Day You’ll Leave Me by Debra Flores makes you question all of this and more.
It’s an epic adventure that takes inspiration from what we still don’t know about the laws of physics. Our mind can only grasp certain aspects of our lives and especially the aspect of Time and Coincidences.
Time is linear, it can only go forward. What has been, has been and it never can come back, and we never can go back to a certain time in our past. What if instead this wasn’t true? What if we just don’t understand it now, because we don’t have the knowledge of it? The book quotes the experiments of Young and light, and believe it or not, my brother, who studies physics had told me about this experiment just 2 days before I was going to read this book. And my reaction to him was: “Time travel is possible”. Coincidence? The book talks about coincidences and how sometimes, if we notice something that we hadn’t noticed before, all of suddenly that “something” is everywhere. Does it mean the universe is trying to tell us something?
Have you ever experienced a sense of déjà vu? I have, so many times.
Do you believe that people are meant to be in each other’s lives? That just by looking at someone’s eyes, you know. You just know that they will be part of your life. You can’t understand it, but there’s something that links you to them.
I simply adored this book.
In the beginning, the atmosphere is unsettling, because so much happens on an emotional level, that as a reader, your mind starts wondering and trying to make sense of it all, using logic.
Once logic is out of the window and you just allow yourself to believe that anything can be possible, you will enjoy this so much.
A chance to relive the past? The 60s?
Debra Flores has done a great job in depicting what life was in 1964, in the small town of Leyfant, Dallas.
I was born in 1977, so what I know of the 60’s is only through what my family has told me, what I’ve studied and what I’ve seen online.
You name it, and this book has it: costumes, lifestyle, commodities and non-commodities, music, dance, fashion, hairstyle, attitudes, political fights, apartheid, racism, gay rights.
It’s a piece of history and a romance at once, with a satire of both past and modern worlds, that will make you laugh and reflect at the same time.
It’s the memory of who we were as humans and who we have become. We were not perfect, and we will never be.
We might have lost the ability of being entertained, due to all the choices we have at our disposal, but some things have stayed the same. Emotions are still emotions. The search of love is still the same. The need of belonging to someone is still the same. The need to communicate to have meaningful connections is still the same.
We all want to build “memories” to remember, to be awaken from the “silent crying” of our existence.
Can we still hear the music? Can we still let ourselves appreciate it and be grateful for it? Are we willing to fight for our happiness? What happens when we die? Is there an afterlife? Do we reincarnate?
Shakespeare said: “If music be the food of love, play on”, even if “One day you’ll Leave Me”, because once you have heard that special music, you can’t erase that memory. You’ll want to live that memory forever. You’ll want the love to last forever.
So, when you read this book, think well, and pay attention to all the signs… is there really a free will? Can we break the rules? Can you choose your Fate or no matter what you do, your Fate will find its way?
I noticed a little hint to this, and I wonder if the other readers did too.
Are Evelyn and Judith meant to be together no matter what?
Two lovely characters.
Judith only seems to be wanting to sing. Was she just meant to be a singer and sing “One Day You’ll Leave Me”? A rising star with only one dream: be home with her loved ones.
Evelyn/Karen: a broken and lost soul in search of a home, someone to belong to.
If love is meant to be, it will be.
Such a well written, entertaining, exciting, dreamy and yet realistic novel. Beautiful. It leaves you wondering about finding yourself a pair of “green eyes”, the windows to the soul.
ps. absolutely loved Fran! So funny!
If you had one chance to choose your Destiny, would you take it? If somehow you feel like belonging somewhere else. If all around you, life doesn’t seem to be what you hoped for and then, one day, something happens and you are awaken from your “sleeping”, would you want to stay awake or submit to a path you were never supposed to take? Would you renounce to all you ever known for a chance to love and be loved?
Karen Stephen, Chief Marketing Officer of a growing company seems to have it all, a good job, all the commodities of the new world, as it is in 2010: Internet, the latest tech devices, air-conditioning, you name it. What she doesn’t have and has never had is unconditional love, especially her mother’s. Karen grew up not repressing all kind of emotions (happiness, sorrow, grief, love), because these were considered sign of weakness by her mother. All her life she has suppressed any thoughts of letting go. But what if, all her bottled up emotions were just waiting to be awaken? What if something could trigger Karen to remember that life can’t always be just in “black and white”, but that there are colors in it. Karen concluded that something in her was broken. She was broken. What if the first color she sees is “green”, “green eyes”. Would this be enough to stir her up, to bring her hope? Bring her home? How do you know? How do you trust what the universe is trying to tell you? Could hearing a song bring back memories that you didn’t even know of having?
There are books that are made to entertain, to let you forget the stress and the anxiety most of all deal with our never-stopping modern life, and then there are books that, while still entertaining you, let you stop, take a pause while you’re reading, and reflect on everything. This type of books challenges your mind, your beliefs and pushes you to question yourself, your existence and if there’s something we can call free will.
If you believe in Determinism, you’ll think that everything has a reason for existing: cause and effect. Where does that leave us as humans? If everything has been already decided for us, how can we influence our paths. Is our supposed “will” programmed since we are born? Are we all but programs just waiting to be reprogrammed? All memories erased to live other experiences. If everything is programmed, can there be errors in the programming? Can we escape this “illusion” of life? Can we break the code or are we still going to be trapped in it?
We all wondered about that. We all, at one point in our life, questioned ourselves about the “Ifs”. If I didn’t send that e-mail, maybe this would have never happened. If I said those words, maybe something would have changed. If I didn’t meet, didn’t talk, didn’t stop to say hello to someone, would they still be part of my life? If you have the feeling of being “broken”, can you do something about it or will you always feel that sorrow of not being a whole, but just pieces of yourself, scattered through your life cycle?
One Day You’ll Leave Me by Debra Flores makes you question all of this and more.
It’s an epic adventure that takes inspiration from what we still don’t know about the laws of physics. Our mind can only grasp certain aspects of our lives and especially the aspect of Time and Coincidences.
Time is linear, it can only go forward. What has been, has been and it never can come back, and we never can go back to a certain time in our past. What if instead this wasn’t true? What if we just don’t understand it now, because we don’t have the knowledge of it? The book quotes the experiments of Young and light, and believe it or not, my brother, who studies physics had told me about this experiment just 2 days before I was going to read this book. And my reaction to him was: “Time travel is possible”. Coincidence? The book talks about coincidences and how sometimes, if we notice something that we hadn’t noticed before, all of suddenly that “something” is everywhere. Does it mean the universe is trying to tell us something?
Have you ever experienced a sense of déjà vu? I have, so many times.
Do you believe that people are meant to be in each other’s lives? That just by looking at someone’s eyes, you know. You just know that they will be part of your life. You can’t understand it, but there’s something that links you to them.
I simply adored this book.
In the beginning, the atmosphere is unsettling, because so much happens on an emotional level, that as a reader, your mind starts wondering and trying to make sense of it all, using logic.
Once logic is out of the window and you just allow yourself to believe that anything can be possible, you will enjoy this so much.
A chance to relive the past? The 60s?
Debra Flores has done a great job in depicting what life was in 1964, in the small town of Leyfant, Dallas.
I was born in 1977, so what I know of the 60’s is only through what my family has told me, what I’ve studied and what I’ve seen online.
You name it, and this book has it: costumes, lifestyle, commodities and non-commodities, music, dance, fashion, hairstyle, attitudes, political fights, apartheid, racism, gay rights.
It’s a piece of history and a romance at once, with a satire of both past and modern worlds, that will make you laugh and reflect at the same time.
It’s the memory of who we were as humans and who we have become. We were not perfect, and we will never be.
We might have lost the ability of being entertained, due to all the choices we have at our disposal, but some things have stayed the same. Emotions are still emotions. The search of love is still the same. The need of belonging to someone is still the same. The need to communicate to have meaningful connections is still the same.
We all want to build “memories” to remember, to be awaken from the “silent crying” of our existence.
Can we still hear the music? Can we still let ourselves appreciate it and be grateful for it? Are we willing to fight for our happiness? What happens when we die? Is there an afterlife? Do we reincarnate?
Shakespeare said: “If music be the food of love, play on”, even if “One day you’ll Leave Me”, because once you have heard that special music, you can’t erase that memory. You’ll want to live that memory forever. You’ll want the love to last forever.
So, when you read this book, think well, and pay attention to all the signs… is there really a free will? Can we break the rules? Can you choose your Fate or no matter what you do, your Fate will find its way?
I noticed a little hint to this, and I wonder if the other readers did too.
Are Evelyn and Judith meant to be together no matter what?
Two lovely characters.
Judith only seems to be wanting to sing. Was she just meant to be a singer and sing “One Day You’ll Leave Me”? A rising star with only one dream: be home with her loved ones.
Evelyn/Karen: a broken and lost soul in search of a home, someone to belong to.
If love is meant to be, it will be.
Such a well written, entertaining, exciting, dreamy and yet realistic novel. Beautiful. It leaves you wondering about finding yourself a pair of “green eyes”, the windows to the soul.
ps. absolutely loved Fran! So funny!
April 2, 2025
"Time travel is weird." Yes, it is. Have you ever heard something, and it made you long for something but you're not sure what. An oldies song sent Karen into that deja vu tailspin. I'm not giving out any plot secrets, but I know that twists, history and love have left me breathless. It's a short book that left me feeling all the emotions and a big ole sigh of relief. I recommend this trip through the 60s with all the peace, love, time travel and happiness I can give.
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