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I'll Stop the World
The end and the beginning become one in a heart-pounding coming-of-age mystery about the power of friendship, fate, and inexplicable second chances.
Is it the right place at the wrong time? Or the wrong place at the right time?
Trapped in a dead-end town, Justin Warren has had his life defined by the suspicious deaths of his grandparents. The unsolved crime happened long before Justin was born, but the ripple effects are still felt after thirty-eight years. Justin always knew he wouldn’t have much of a future. He just never imagined that his life might take him backward.
In a cosmic twist of fate, Justin’s choices send him crashing into the path of determined optimist Rose Yin. Justin and Rose live in the same town and attend the same school, but have never met―because Rose lives in 1985. Justin won’t be born for another twenty years. And his grandparents are still alive―for now.
In a series of events that reverberate through multiple lifetimes, Justin and Rose have a week to get Justin unstuck in time and put each of them in control of their futures―by solving a murder that hasn’t even happened yet.
CW: I’LL STOP THE WORLD contains depictions of emotional abuse, alcoholism and excessive drinking, underage drinking, smoking, racism, discussions of homophobia, and violent bullying.
Is it the right place at the wrong time? Or the wrong place at the right time?
Trapped in a dead-end town, Justin Warren has had his life defined by the suspicious deaths of his grandparents. The unsolved crime happened long before Justin was born, but the ripple effects are still felt after thirty-eight years. Justin always knew he wouldn’t have much of a future. He just never imagined that his life might take him backward.
In a cosmic twist of fate, Justin’s choices send him crashing into the path of determined optimist Rose Yin. Justin and Rose live in the same town and attend the same school, but have never met―because Rose lives in 1985. Justin won’t be born for another twenty years. And his grandparents are still alive―for now.
In a series of events that reverberate through multiple lifetimes, Justin and Rose have a week to get Justin unstuck in time and put each of them in control of their futures―by solving a murder that hasn’t even happened yet.
CW: I’LL STOP THE WORLD contains depictions of emotional abuse, alcoholism and excessive drinking, underage drinking, smoking, racism, discussions of homophobia, and violent bullying.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2023
6386 people are currently reading
34145 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Thoman
4 books346 followersLauren Thoman writes speculative fiction for teens and adults. Her debut novel, I'll Stop the World, was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy's Book Studio. Lauren's pop culture writing has also appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade and Vulture. Lauren lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children in a house full of dogs and fish. When she's not writing, she's probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,369 reviews
October 21, 2022
I wrote this book so I am a bit biased but I think it’s pretty good. 😊
March 9, 2023
Let's tackle the elephant in the room: this is YA and should be labeled as such. If you grab this, like I did, thinking you're getting an adult mystery with a time travel twist, you may be disappointed.
If you know me, you know I don't do YA. BUTTTTT, I confess, this was really good. Although it could've been great. It's a 5-star story wrapped in a big ball of eye-rolling teenage angst that weighs it down.
The premise is complex, so I recommend sticking to the synopsis instead of a rehashing here. I was intrigued by the time travel hook and thought it was executed very well. The beginning was a little rough as it was hard to tell what timeline we were in. Missed opportunity to add elements or situations that could only happen in 1985 to better immerse the reader. As it reads, the 1985 timeline could've happened in any generation.
Oversaturated with different POVs. It took me a while to connect the dots on who everyone was. Minor quibble: the names were so dry (Lisa, Bill, Justin, Shawn, etc.). Maybe that's why I struggled to separate them initially?
Behind the teenage drama is an endearing story of love, redemption, and sacrifice. Relevant themes like racism and sexual identity are included delicately. Author Lauren Thoman nailed the landing with a perfect 10! The ending was perfection. The intricacy of time travel plots can generate more holes than answers at times, but she beautifully weaved it all together in a satisfying conclusion.
Love the title. Love the many pop references sprinkled throughout. Love the ending. Hate all the teenage angst. 3.5 stars, rounding up. Cheers!
If you know me, you know I don't do YA. BUTTTTT, I confess, this was really good. Although it could've been great. It's a 5-star story wrapped in a big ball of eye-rolling teenage angst that weighs it down.
The premise is complex, so I recommend sticking to the synopsis instead of a rehashing here. I was intrigued by the time travel hook and thought it was executed very well. The beginning was a little rough as it was hard to tell what timeline we were in. Missed opportunity to add elements or situations that could only happen in 1985 to better immerse the reader. As it reads, the 1985 timeline could've happened in any generation.
Oversaturated with different POVs. It took me a while to connect the dots on who everyone was. Minor quibble: the names were so dry (Lisa, Bill, Justin, Shawn, etc.). Maybe that's why I struggled to separate them initially?
Behind the teenage drama is an endearing story of love, redemption, and sacrifice. Relevant themes like racism and sexual identity are included delicately. Author Lauren Thoman nailed the landing with a perfect 10! The ending was perfection. The intricacy of time travel plots can generate more holes than answers at times, but she beautifully weaved it all together in a satisfying conclusion.
Love the title. Love the many pop references sprinkled throughout. Love the ending. Hate all the teenage angst. 3.5 stars, rounding up. Cheers!
July 26, 2024
I am always amazed how a writer can sync a time travel and nail it…and she did! A lot of delicate issues are addressed and appropriate for the 80’s and now! It is a YA and although times have changed teenagers haven’t!
Present: Justin Warren puts his feelings out there while handling relationships with family and friends. The story revolves around His grandparents’ suspicious deaths 38 years ago and considered unsolved. When he wrecks his vehicle one night, he wakes up in the 1980s meeting Rose Yin, who tries to help him solve this coming-of-age mystery.
It is intricately written with a lot of teenage drama, underage drinking, and bullying those due to sexual identity, race or groups. I thought the characters were typical teens trying to fit in and belong. Some will break your heart with their hopes and dreams crushed by others. It was heavy at times but the time travel snapped you back into adventure. Great job by this author for tying the ending in a perfect bow!
Perfect title that goes with one of my favorite 80’s song 🎶 “I’ll Stop the World to Melt with You” by Modern English. 🎶
Present: Justin Warren puts his feelings out there while handling relationships with family and friends. The story revolves around His grandparents’ suspicious deaths 38 years ago and considered unsolved. When he wrecks his vehicle one night, he wakes up in the 1980s meeting Rose Yin, who tries to help him solve this coming-of-age mystery.
It is intricately written with a lot of teenage drama, underage drinking, and bullying those due to sexual identity, race or groups. I thought the characters were typical teens trying to fit in and belong. Some will break your heart with their hopes and dreams crushed by others. It was heavy at times but the time travel snapped you back into adventure. Great job by this author for tying the ending in a perfect bow!
Perfect title that goes with one of my favorite 80’s song 🎶 “I’ll Stop the World to Melt with You” by Modern English. 🎶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
"Time-travelling" mystery
While I acknowledge the cleverness of this book, I must admit that its pacing is very slow, taking quite a while to reach the core of the story. I didn't find the characters particularly appealing, as they came across as overly sentimental for my taste. The plot felt far-fetched. The main characters' choices throughout the story seemed irrational, as there were numerous alternative approaches that would have made much more sense. The huge number of characters and frequent jumps in time made it very challenging to follow the story consistently.
I wouldn't categorize this as a mystery; rather a YA read.
While I acknowledge the cleverness of this book, I must admit that its pacing is very slow, taking quite a while to reach the core of the story. I didn't find the characters particularly appealing, as they came across as overly sentimental for my taste. The plot felt far-fetched. The main characters' choices throughout the story seemed irrational, as there were numerous alternative approaches that would have made much more sense. The huge number of characters and frequent jumps in time made it very challenging to follow the story consistently.
I wouldn't categorize this as a mystery; rather a YA read.
March 2, 2023
I thought this book was clever but, it is very drawn out and slow getting to the point. I didn’t like the characters much as they seemed to sweet for me. I thought this was going to be more exciting than it was.
August 22, 2023
If you’re seeking a time-travel tale involving teenagers, life in a relatively small town, and something of a mystery, then this very well may be a novel for you.
Unfortunately, it was not for me. Yes, the writing is professional. I never felt like I was in the hands of an amateur (which can sometimes be the case these days). And yes, some of the characters are engaging and face issues relevant to today, including racism, sexual identity, ADHD, bad parenting, feeling like an outsider, etc.
But “I’ll Stop the World” moves so very slowly. It takes over one hundred pages to get to the time travel part of the story. And there are so many characters it’s tough to keep them straight—especially since each chapter is told from a particular character’s point of view—meaning we’re left skipping from character to character. It doesn’t help that much of the interaction between characters never rises above the mundane.
When I got to the scene involving the toddler who smears himself with his breakfast eggs while his parents discuss a local election—about halfway through—I decided enough was enough. I found I’d stopped caring about the characters and that I was struggling mightily to remember what the mystery was all about.
Unfortunately, it was not for me. Yes, the writing is professional. I never felt like I was in the hands of an amateur (which can sometimes be the case these days). And yes, some of the characters are engaging and face issues relevant to today, including racism, sexual identity, ADHD, bad parenting, feeling like an outsider, etc.
But “I’ll Stop the World” moves so very slowly. It takes over one hundred pages to get to the time travel part of the story. And there are so many characters it’s tough to keep them straight—especially since each chapter is told from a particular character’s point of view—meaning we’re left skipping from character to character. It doesn’t help that much of the interaction between characters never rises above the mundane.
When I got to the scene involving the toddler who smears himself with his breakfast eggs while his parents discuss a local election—about halfway through—I decided enough was enough. I found I’d stopped caring about the characters and that I was struggling mightily to remember what the mystery was all about.
March 25, 2023
UM WOW.
Stop what you're doing and go read this book. Do yourself a favor and DONT READ ANY PLOT SUMMARY. Dont even read the book blurb. Just go in knowing as little as possible.
Knowing that.... here are a few vague thoughts on the book to be as spoiler-free as possible.
Stunning debut. Heartfelt, thrilling, captivating, page turning.... I devoured it. I've been in a fiction rut, not really loving a lot of what I was picking up. Not even bothering to read past 10% of many. But this one pulled me in from the beginning. I thought about it during the day, eager to go back to it that night. I finished it quickly, reading for long chunks of time (unusual for me these days). The whole time, I was imagining this playing out as a White Lotus-esque mini series. Part Dark, part Back to the Future, park Never Have I Ever, and part Knives Out, this genre-bending novel is un-put-down-able and Im kinda mad that I finished it so quickly because what will fill the "I cant wait to read this" hole in my heart now?!
What this book has: A diverse cast of multi-faceted characters; a setting that leaps off the page; a killer high-concept premise; dialogue that I can imagine actual people having (and a few conversations which I'm pretty sure were taken verbatim from the author's life LOL); some meaty philosophical questions that you may not be prepared to reckon with (and that's okay. the story may linger in your mind for some good reckoning after the fact); super fun plot reveals that make you want to revel in the details and the clues (which made me think of Knives Out); and an overall cinematic approach to the storytelling that really makes me want to see this on screen one day.
Such a fun work that I will be thinking about for a long time. I can not wait to read whatever comes next, Lauren :)
Stop what you're doing and go read this book. Do yourself a favor and DONT READ ANY PLOT SUMMARY. Dont even read the book blurb. Just go in knowing as little as possible.
Knowing that.... here are a few vague thoughts on the book to be as spoiler-free as possible.
Stunning debut. Heartfelt, thrilling, captivating, page turning.... I devoured it. I've been in a fiction rut, not really loving a lot of what I was picking up. Not even bothering to read past 10% of many. But this one pulled me in from the beginning. I thought about it during the day, eager to go back to it that night. I finished it quickly, reading for long chunks of time (unusual for me these days). The whole time, I was imagining this playing out as a White Lotus-esque mini series. Part Dark, part Back to the Future, park Never Have I Ever, and part Knives Out, this genre-bending novel is un-put-down-able and Im kinda mad that I finished it so quickly because what will fill the "I cant wait to read this" hole in my heart now?!
What this book has: A diverse cast of multi-faceted characters; a setting that leaps off the page; a killer high-concept premise; dialogue that I can imagine actual people having (and a few conversations which I'm pretty sure were taken verbatim from the author's life LOL); some meaty philosophical questions that you may not be prepared to reckon with (and that's okay. the story may linger in your mind for some good reckoning after the fact); super fun plot reveals that make you want to revel in the details and the clues (which made me think of Knives Out); and an overall cinematic approach to the storytelling that really makes me want to see this on screen one day.
Such a fun work that I will be thinking about for a long time. I can not wait to read whatever comes next, Lauren :)
October 11, 2023
DNF@ 50% I just didn't care about it.
November 19, 2022
I’m not a huge print format reader… I. Could. Not. Put. This. Down. I loved every bit! I was captivated by the characters, the setting, the plot… phew. I read it in two days and was enthralled. I couldn’t put it down. It enveloped my life for two days and I wish I could read it again for the first time!
March 9, 2023
YA Stephen King-lite
Review of the Amazon First Reads Kindle eBook edition (March 1, 2023), released in advance of the official publication by Mindy’s Book Studio in hardcover/eBook/audio (April 1, 2023)
There is nothing wrong with adults reading YA books, I’ve enjoyed many of them myself. I picked I’ll Stop The World from the Amazon First Reads selections on March 1, 2023 as it was the “Mystery” selection though (not a "YA" selection) while noting that it was also the first book to be published under writer/actor Mindy Kaling’s new imprint Mindy’s Book Studio. I assumed then that it would be an adult level mystery with a time travel element as promised in the synopsis.
This was definitely YA fiction though and the mystery & time-travel elements were very limited. Most of it revolves around teenage relationship problems and misunderstandings & school bullies (the bullies are way over the top exaggerated, and rather psychopathically murderous).
There was a clever twist at the front end when the ‘leap’ happens and then a few more towards the end when the resolution is not the one that you were expecting. It was well written and I was able to finish it easily. But it is definitely centered around teenage angst and that is what you should expect when you read it.
I did like the fact that author Lauren Thoman gave a credit nod to Stephen King’s 11/22/63 (2011) in the book though, as two characters discuss:
Trivia and Links
Amazon Prime First Reads advance reading copies (ARCs) are available to Amazon Prime subscribers. They offer advance reads of books in Kindle eBook format one month before the date of official release. The current month's selection is available here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
Review of the Amazon First Reads Kindle eBook edition (March 1, 2023), released in advance of the official publication by Mindy’s Book Studio in hardcover/eBook/audio (April 1, 2023)
There is nothing wrong with adults reading YA books, I’ve enjoyed many of them myself. I picked I’ll Stop The World from the Amazon First Reads selections on March 1, 2023 as it was the “Mystery” selection though (not a "YA" selection) while noting that it was also the first book to be published under writer/actor Mindy Kaling’s new imprint Mindy’s Book Studio. I assumed then that it would be an adult level mystery with a time travel element as promised in the synopsis.
This was definitely YA fiction though and the mystery & time-travel elements were very limited. Most of it revolves around teenage relationship problems and misunderstandings & school bullies (the bullies are way over the top exaggerated, and rather psychopathically murderous).
There was a clever twist at the front end when the ‘leap’ happens and then a few more towards the end when the resolution is not the one that you were expecting. It was well written and I was able to finish it easily. But it is definitely centered around teenage angst and that is what you should expect when you read it.
I did like the fact that author Lauren Thoman gave a credit nod to Stephen King’s 11/22/63 (2011) in the book though, as two characters discuss:
“You know, like you’re here to fix something that went wrong. Put the universe back on track or something.” “Like, what, prevent the JFK assassination? I read that book; it doesn’t work.”
Trivia and Links
Amazon Prime First Reads advance reading copies (ARCs) are available to Amazon Prime subscribers. They offer advance reads of books in Kindle eBook format one month before the date of official release. The current month's selection is available here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
December 14, 2022
I'LL STOP THE WORLD is an unputdownable, high-stakes mystery that had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. The mystery itself weaves through multiple POVs where the characters (and the reader) navigate teen friendships, small-town politics, family, and even a smidge of romance in authentic and absolutely relatable ways. Every single character leapt straight off the page and embedded themselves right in my very heart and soul, and honestly, I'm not even mad about it.
If you love a good mystery, can't get enough of time travel, and are captivated by watching a story unfold from multiple POVs (a la Knives Out), I cannot recommend this book enough. Odds are good that you'll want to read it in one sitting, so make sure you stock up on enough snacks!
If you love a good mystery, can't get enough of time travel, and are captivated by watching a story unfold from multiple POVs (a la Knives Out), I cannot recommend this book enough. Odds are good that you'll want to read it in one sitting, so make sure you stock up on enough snacks!
March 10, 2025
Люблю троп подорожей в часі)
І хоч тут немає нічого кардинального нового в жанрі, а читалось приємно і захопливо. Можна радити підліткам років з 14, там нема нічого такого, що не можна було б їм) головні герої - старшокласники.
Шрифт гігантський)) хоч і майже 600 сторінок книга, але проковтнула її за два вечори 👌🏻
І хоч тут немає нічого кардинального нового в жанрі, а читалось приємно і захопливо. Можна радити підліткам років з 14, там нема нічого такого, що не можна було б їм) головні герої - старшокласники.
Шрифт гігантський)) хоч і майже 600 сторінок книга, але проковтнула її за два вечори 👌🏻
January 28, 2023
Tore through this in a single sitting. Thoman's done something unique here — it's a coming-of-age story (sort of), a time-travel adventure (kinda), and a race against time to undo a tragedy (albeit not in the way you expect). It's also blessed with a ping-ponging narrative that, while it takes some getting used to, helps the author repeatedly wrongfoot the reader in a variety of ways. You'll feel for these characters, you'll be surprised by some twists, and you'll have your heartstrings tugged in the end. What else could a reader ask for?
April 27, 2023
*Read for free with Kindle Unlimited *
*review after thinking on it for a couple days *
Full.cast narration: excellent!
Story and characters : 3-3.5 stars 🌟
One book really messed with me and I don't know if it was because I'm an empath or the depression but I was really absorbing the emotions of everyone.. and it scared me a little (compliment in a weird way).
The twists in the story:
A couple I figured out but it didn't alter my enjoyment. Two others made me sad and a bit angry.. wondering how the person in question lived with themselves.
Trigger warnings ⚠️ for bullying in some chapters relating to Karl/Carl (audiobook so not sure how he spelled it).. I wanted to hug him and kick the bullies in the balls.
The ending of the story had me smiling at one part:).
I loved the idea of the story but I can't read this one again.
*review after thinking on it for a couple days *
Full.cast narration: excellent!
Story and characters : 3-3.5 stars 🌟
One book really messed with me and I don't know if it was because I'm an empath or the depression but I was really absorbing the emotions of everyone.. and it scared me a little (compliment in a weird way).
The twists in the story:
A couple I figured out but it didn't alter my enjoyment. Two others made me sad and a bit angry.. wondering how the person in question lived with themselves.
Trigger warnings ⚠️ for bullying in some chapters relating to Karl/Carl (audiobook so not sure how he spelled it).. I wanted to hug him and kick the bullies in the balls.
The ending of the story had me smiling at one part:).
I loved the idea of the story but I can't read this one again.
April 24, 2023
Three and a half rounded down because it didn't surpass a three until the very end.
Plot was... a stretch. There are about a thousand other ways the main characters could have approached the situation that would have made way more sense.
There absolutely did not need to be that many POVs. I also don't love that one POV was first person, present tense, while the rest were third person past tense.
Slow to start. It took about 120 pages before I was even sure who the main character was, even with the POV being first person. And in the end, it could be argued that they weren't even the main character after all.
The characters were likable enough but not overly developed or unique. The writing overall was fine. The ending was the strong point, but as that's only about ten percent of the story, it wasn't enough to fully redeem the middling experience.
Plot was... a stretch. There are about a thousand other ways the main characters could have approached the situation that would have made way more sense.
There absolutely did not need to be that many POVs. I also don't love that one POV was first person, present tense, while the rest were third person past tense.
Slow to start. It took about 120 pages before I was even sure who the main character was, even with the POV being first person. And in the end, it could be argued that they weren't even the main character after all.
The characters were likable enough but not overly developed or unique. The writing overall was fine. The ending was the strong point, but as that's only about ten percent of the story, it wasn't enough to fully redeem the middling experience.
March 28, 2023
Have you ever read a book that utterly consumed you? One that drew you in from the first page and hooked you with its mystery, it’s characters and it’s whole being? Then reeled you in with the promise of a good time and a broken heart? I have. And it’s was this book.
There’s no easy way to tell you about this book without ruining the whole thing, but I’ll try. Firstly, go in without preconceived ideas of what this book is. Don’t read the blurb, or others opinions. Go in blind. Because that’s what I did when I found this on Amazon’s First Reads and I’m so glad I didn’t know anything beforehand.
Secondly, know that this isn’t a romance (That’s right I do other genres, my mind is not just a smorgasbord of smut 🙄). There is romance involved in the plot, but it’s not at the forefront.
And lastly, embrace every freaking character like they’re your only way of surviving. Breathe them in, feel their words and listen to what they tell you.
Justin & Rose’s story is a coming of age mystery. There’s love and hate, learning, understanding and tragedy. But it’s so much more than that. It’s heartbreak, and learning to accept yourself and those first loves, the ones that get away and the ones that stay. Ahhh there’s so much I want to say about this book!!
I can honestly say this is one of the best books I’ve read, ever. And I’ve read a shed load. I’ve read fantasy, romance, crime, thriller and non fiction. And this will now sit in my favourite reads forever and a day!
There’s no easy way to tell you about this book without ruining the whole thing, but I’ll try. Firstly, go in without preconceived ideas of what this book is. Don’t read the blurb, or others opinions. Go in blind. Because that’s what I did when I found this on Amazon’s First Reads and I’m so glad I didn’t know anything beforehand.
Secondly, know that this isn’t a romance (That’s right I do other genres, my mind is not just a smorgasbord of smut 🙄). There is romance involved in the plot, but it’s not at the forefront.
And lastly, embrace every freaking character like they’re your only way of surviving. Breathe them in, feel their words and listen to what they tell you.
Justin & Rose’s story is a coming of age mystery. There’s love and hate, learning, understanding and tragedy. But it’s so much more than that. It’s heartbreak, and learning to accept yourself and those first loves, the ones that get away and the ones that stay. Ahhh there’s so much I want to say about this book!!
I can honestly say this is one of the best books I’ve read, ever. And I’ve read a shed load. I’ve read fantasy, romance, crime, thriller and non fiction. And this will now sit in my favourite reads forever and a day!
March 3, 2023
Could not stop reading
Why did I enjoy this book? Oh let's see:
Time travel
If for some reason that isn't enough,let me follow with:
B) Multiple POVs, done with craftsmanship.
Still on the fence?
C) An anxiety inducing race against time that will result in you putting your phone on silent, slapping on a diaper ,and buckling in for the whole ride!!
Why did I enjoy this book? Oh let's see:
Time travel
If for some reason that isn't enough,let me follow with:
B) Multiple POVs, done with craftsmanship.
Still on the fence?
C) An anxiety inducing race against time that will result in you putting your phone on silent, slapping on a diaper ,and buckling in for the whole ride!!
April 12, 2023
I'll Stop the World made me capslock directly to the author multiple times as I stayed up far too late telling myself I'd only read ONE MORE CHAPTER, and if that's not an endorsement, what is? Look, is Lauren Thoman a good friend I would say very nice things about? Yes. Is her debut novel objectively good enough to say very nice things about? Also yes.
Is this novel impossible to review properly without spoiling the basic premise that doesn't officially reveal itself for over a hundred pages? ALSO YES but I will try my damndest to preserve the experience I had going in knowing so very little, which is how it is best read, so before I try to tiptoe around the moment that had me messaging "LAUREN WHAT THE FUCK" (for the first time), here are some basic questions to ask yourself:
Do you like novels told through multiple perspectives, where you retroactively retrofit your understanding of each character from how they came off in someone else's scene? Do you like novels with predominantly teenage characters experiencing a lot of teenage angst and romantic longing and wondering what they're going to do with their life but ALSO some adult characters experiencing adult issues and romantic contentment and wondering what they've done with their lives? Do you like novels that establish plot-related goals for characters but concern themselves more with what the characters are feeling about themselves and each other so it feels like plot is mostly happening around them until it suddenly all slams together like an intricately constructed piece of emotional machinery that leaves you in awe of the author for pulling it all off? Do you like novels that explore our search for a sense of purpose, the importance of self-forgiveness, and the explicit and implicit effects we have on each other's lives? Do you like [element of book that doesn't officially reveal itself for over a hundred pages]?!?! Then this is the book for you.
Okay, so meet Justin, our only first-person point-of-view character because our mental and emotional journey through the book will largely mirror his, though we may be a few steps ahead of him at times because we have access to other POVs and understand that we are reading fiction that can utilize certain storytelling tropes. He's just a kid in high school with a crush on a girl and a crushing lack of self-worth. Justin is a cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs. Also, by the way, hang this in the Hall of Fame for First Chapter Exposition Drops: "Plus, I guess the optics of having a massive inferno on the front lawn of a school that's named after a couple who burned to death in that school—making me, their grandson, a morbidly twisted version of Buford County royalty—are not great." That's right, Thoman just casually reveals that the protagonist's grandparents died in a fire, as you do. Of course, if you've glanced at any sort of marketing for the book, you understand the significance of this exposition drop, and if you keep reading this review, you will understand the significance of this exposition drop because it's setting up the secret premise of this book: Justin is going to try to save his grandparents from dying in that fire. When, uh, he ends up in 1985.
THIS IS A TIME TRAVEL BOOK oh God it feels good to just fucking say it, but I have to warn you that time travel does not occur for a while, and I was impatient for it to occur, but when it finally did happen, I understood why Thoman did what she did. This is a brilliantly structured novel, and the structure is the point, as Thoman is deliberately weaving together a tapestry of interconnected characters whose lives affect each other, and there's a reason it had be told this way. In addition to jumping around multiple POVs, we occasionally get interludes from a different perspective or a different time, a couple cryptic and a couple not so much, and they come when needed to provide information that can't be provided through regular means. It's very hard to stop reading, as the chapters are very short and there's always something new around the corner because of all the subplots going on at once.
Because, well, life goes on. Justin naturally applies some cosmic import to his time displacement and his grandparents' deaths—I especially liked that despite never knowing them, he felt a moral obligation to save them because not acting on the knowledge he had would make him complicit in their deaths—but one relatively minor tragedy (no disrespect to those lovely characters) doesn't mean teenagers aren't going to pine for their friends or explore how comfortable they are expressing their true queer self to others or wrestle with their parents' expectations for them. Whether it's 1985 or 2023, some elements of the teenage experience remain universally relatable. Some of these being quite unfortunate, as Thoman knows that while society may have progressed somewhat with regards to attitudes toward POC and queer folk, we still have a way to go, and Justin offers some insight into the differences in the two time periods. I also appreciated his observations of life before we were always online and attached to our phones and how that affected the way people interacted and formed relationships.
Which is what you should pay attention to in this book! Justin does make a friend who helps him investigate, but the results of their investigation matter less than how they feel about each other. While there are some traditional moments of following clues and falling for red herrings, there is no greater mystery than the human heart, am I right. Yes, you will want to know who was responsible for the fire that killed Justin's grandparents, but the real satisfaction comes from watching these characters discover truths about themselves or learning truths about these characters. I was rooting for all of them.
I didn't understand how much I cared until the end, though. I generally do respond more positively to plot-heavier novels, and so I was prepared to declare my assessment of this book as a strong Like, but in the last couple pages, Thoman pays off her No It's Really About the Characters approach. I literally started tearing up during the last couple pages, and it was harder to read because all the text was blurry. Suddenly the weight of everything these characters had been through, the significance and consequences of their actions, it hit me with a force equivalent to the climax of Everything Everywhere All at Once, and I appreciated how beautifully Thoman had found a balance between plot and character so that they both mattered and worked together as one. And that was when I knew in my heart, I lettuce this book.
Is this novel impossible to review properly without spoiling the basic premise that doesn't officially reveal itself for over a hundred pages? ALSO YES but I will try my damndest to preserve the experience I had going in knowing so very little, which is how it is best read, so before I try to tiptoe around the moment that had me messaging "LAUREN WHAT THE FUCK" (for the first time), here are some basic questions to ask yourself:
Do you like novels told through multiple perspectives, where you retroactively retrofit your understanding of each character from how they came off in someone else's scene? Do you like novels with predominantly teenage characters experiencing a lot of teenage angst and romantic longing and wondering what they're going to do with their life but ALSO some adult characters experiencing adult issues and romantic contentment and wondering what they've done with their lives? Do you like novels that establish plot-related goals for characters but concern themselves more with what the characters are feeling about themselves and each other so it feels like plot is mostly happening around them until it suddenly all slams together like an intricately constructed piece of emotional machinery that leaves you in awe of the author for pulling it all off? Do you like novels that explore our search for a sense of purpose, the importance of self-forgiveness, and the explicit and implicit effects we have on each other's lives? Do you like [element of book that doesn't officially reveal itself for over a hundred pages]?!?! Then this is the book for you.
Okay, so meet Justin, our only first-person point-of-view character because our mental and emotional journey through the book will largely mirror his, though we may be a few steps ahead of him at times because we have access to other POVs and understand that we are reading fiction that can utilize certain storytelling tropes. He's just a kid in high school with a crush on a girl and a crushing lack of self-worth. Justin is a cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs. Also, by the way, hang this in the Hall of Fame for First Chapter Exposition Drops: "Plus, I guess the optics of having a massive inferno on the front lawn of a school that's named after a couple who burned to death in that school—making me, their grandson, a morbidly twisted version of Buford County royalty—are not great." That's right, Thoman just casually reveals that the protagonist's grandparents died in a fire, as you do. Of course, if you've glanced at any sort of marketing for the book, you understand the significance of this exposition drop, and if you keep reading this review, you will understand the significance of this exposition drop because it's setting up the secret premise of this book: Justin is going to try to save his grandparents from dying in that fire. When, uh, he ends up in 1985.
THIS IS A TIME TRAVEL BOOK oh God it feels good to just fucking say it, but I have to warn you that time travel does not occur for a while, and I was impatient for it to occur, but when it finally did happen, I understood why Thoman did what she did. This is a brilliantly structured novel, and the structure is the point, as Thoman is deliberately weaving together a tapestry of interconnected characters whose lives affect each other, and there's a reason it had be told this way. In addition to jumping around multiple POVs, we occasionally get interludes from a different perspective or a different time, a couple cryptic and a couple not so much, and they come when needed to provide information that can't be provided through regular means. It's very hard to stop reading, as the chapters are very short and there's always something new around the corner because of all the subplots going on at once.
Because, well, life goes on. Justin naturally applies some cosmic import to his time displacement and his grandparents' deaths—I especially liked that despite never knowing them, he felt a moral obligation to save them because not acting on the knowledge he had would make him complicit in their deaths—but one relatively minor tragedy (no disrespect to those lovely characters) doesn't mean teenagers aren't going to pine for their friends or explore how comfortable they are expressing their true queer self to others or wrestle with their parents' expectations for them. Whether it's 1985 or 2023, some elements of the teenage experience remain universally relatable. Some of these being quite unfortunate, as Thoman knows that while society may have progressed somewhat with regards to attitudes toward POC and queer folk, we still have a way to go, and Justin offers some insight into the differences in the two time periods. I also appreciated his observations of life before we were always online and attached to our phones and how that affected the way people interacted and formed relationships.
Which is what you should pay attention to in this book! Justin does make a friend who helps him investigate, but the results of their investigation matter less than how they feel about each other. While there are some traditional moments of following clues and falling for red herrings, there is no greater mystery than the human heart, am I right. Yes, you will want to know who was responsible for the fire that killed Justin's grandparents, but the real satisfaction comes from watching these characters discover truths about themselves or learning truths about these characters. I was rooting for all of them.
I didn't understand how much I cared until the end, though. I generally do respond more positively to plot-heavier novels, and so I was prepared to declare my assessment of this book as a strong Like, but in the last couple pages, Thoman pays off her No It's Really About the Characters approach. I literally started tearing up during the last couple pages, and it was harder to read because all the text was blurry. Suddenly the weight of everything these characters had been through, the significance and consequences of their actions, it hit me with a force equivalent to the climax of Everything Everywhere All at Once, and I appreciated how beautifully Thoman had found a balance between plot and character so that they both mattered and worked together as one. And that was when I knew in my heart, I lettuce this book.
February 3, 2023
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Mindy's Book Studio, in exchange for a fair review.
There are so many compelling parts of this book: on a superficial level, the cover art, a brilliant design by Jerrod Taylor. The premise, which is very "Back to the Future," only discloses that Rose Yin, a girl from 1985, meets Justin Warren, a boy from 2023, after a twist of fate pulls them both together to solve a mystery that connects the past to the future. I love a mystery and I think the time travel component was interesting, which is why I was eager to dive into the story in the first place.
I will say that getting into the book isn't the easiest, because quickly, readers are thrown more POVs in the story than just Rose or Justin. There's Justin's best friend, Alyssa, Rose's stepsister, Lisa, Lisa's (secret) girlfriend, Charlene, Lisa's boyfriend Shawn, and several other characters who get brief chapters. There's also no hints at all that the two times are different except for a few context clues littered here and there, like the use of AirPods in the 2023 chapters or the lack of cellphones in the 1985 chapters.
Once the reader passes page 115 or so, however, the plot finally kicks into gear, and the rest of the book takes off once the two characters finally meet. While the inclusion of chapters in POV that aren't entirely relevant initially annoyed me, such as Bill's chapter or the Karl chapters, it was clearly building to something bigger in the story (and boy oh boy did it).
Something else I could appreciate about this book is the different conversations many of the characters had amongst each other about race, class, and sexuality. The majority of the characters in this book are nonwhite, with one of the lead couples being queer in 1985 when the AIDS epidemic was at its peak and the discussions of privilege were nuanced rather than hit-you-over-the-head.
Ultimately, while I was able to put the pieces of the plot together relatively early on, I didn't find that took away from the story at all and it's clear both the author and potentially the readers will experience some serious '80s nostalgia picking up this book.
There are so many compelling parts of this book: on a superficial level, the cover art, a brilliant design by Jerrod Taylor. The premise, which is very "Back to the Future," only discloses that Rose Yin, a girl from 1985, meets Justin Warren, a boy from 2023, after a twist of fate pulls them both together to solve a mystery that connects the past to the future. I love a mystery and I think the time travel component was interesting, which is why I was eager to dive into the story in the first place.
I will say that getting into the book isn't the easiest, because quickly, readers are thrown more POVs in the story than just Rose or Justin. There's Justin's best friend, Alyssa, Rose's stepsister, Lisa, Lisa's (secret) girlfriend, Charlene, Lisa's boyfriend Shawn, and several other characters who get brief chapters. There's also no hints at all that the two times are different except for a few context clues littered here and there, like the use of AirPods in the 2023 chapters or the lack of cellphones in the 1985 chapters.
Once the reader passes page 115 or so, however, the plot finally kicks into gear, and the rest of the book takes off once the two characters finally meet. While the inclusion of chapters in POV that aren't entirely relevant initially annoyed me, such as Bill's chapter or the Karl chapters, it was clearly building to something bigger in the story (and boy oh boy did it).
Something else I could appreciate about this book is the different conversations many of the characters had amongst each other about race, class, and sexuality. The majority of the characters in this book are nonwhite, with one of the lead couples being queer in 1985 when the AIDS epidemic was at its peak and the discussions of privilege were nuanced rather than hit-you-over-the-head.
Ultimately, while I was able to put the pieces of the plot together relatively early on, I didn't find that took away from the story at all and it's clear both the author and potentially the readers will experience some serious '80s nostalgia picking up this book.
June 4, 2024
I really liked the idea of this book! I thought the plot line was really interesting, the execution was not as great. I felt like there were too many characters, too many side quests that I found hard to track. Would still recommend as an interesting read!
March 24, 2023
I tried hard to finish this book. I realize we all have different reading tastes and that is fine with me. However, this book just takes forever and goes nowhere. People are always questioning their motives and that of others but not about anything major. 3/4 of the way through I had to quit. I realized I was struggling hard to read something not very good when a lot of other really good writing was out there to spend my time with. Sorry if you disagree but this book just was not a good one for me.
March 3, 2023
Sorry, no.
Sadly, couldn't get through the first chapter. Too many high school kids talking at once. Felt like I was back in the ninth grade, waiting for the pep rally. Gotta go wash my dog....
Sadly, couldn't get through the first chapter. Too many high school kids talking at once. Felt like I was back in the ninth grade, waiting for the pep rally. Gotta go wash my dog....
Read
September 3, 2025I’m not going to rate this because I got so far I didn’t want to dnf it, but I skimmed to the end. I just couldn’t get into the characters with so many different points of view. It was pretty depressing, too :/
September 26, 2023
While I enjoyed the overall premise of this book I couldn't get past what seemed like cookie cutter characters and not enough plot driving the novel.
My first major complaint is that there were too many POV characters. It felt half of the characters could be cut out and the parts that needed plot could have been moved to interludes. We would meander with characters who are not essential to the plot because I think the author was trying to build red herrings. The characters didn't seem to talk or act like real people and instead do or say things to cause drama or try and spark some empathy with those characters.
Because we were jumping to all of these characters POVs the plot was slow to move along. It took 100 pages to get to the inciting incident. I was honestly ready to give the book up, and probably would have had I not been reading it for a bookclub.
I gave it two stars because although I did not enjoy it I could see that perhaps other people would. It just wasn't for me.
My first major complaint is that there were too many POV characters. It felt half of the characters could be cut out and the parts that needed plot could have been moved to interludes. We would meander with characters who are not essential to the plot because I think the author was trying to build red herrings. The characters didn't seem to talk or act like real people and instead do or say things to cause drama or try and spark some empathy with those characters.
Because we were jumping to all of these characters POVs the plot was slow to move along. It took 100 pages to get to the inciting incident. I was honestly ready to give the book up, and probably would have had I not been reading it for a bookclub.
I gave it two stars because although I did not enjoy it I could see that perhaps other people would. It just wasn't for me.
November 15, 2022
I was given an ARC from the author of this book and blazed through it so quickly.
This is a "read it twice" book. You're going to get to some points in the plot and your jaw will drop and you'll scream and you'll want to go back and look for the breadcrumbs Thoman left leading you to this point. You're going to call your friends and beg them to read this so you can discuss it with them.
I don't usually like stories that contain time travel, but this is different.
My only critique is that it took me a while to figure out who all the characters were. But that's on me because I haven't been reading enough fiction with ensemble casts.
I loved the dialogue and the relationships between the characters. There is a diversity that doesn't feel contrived. It was a great read and I highly recommend it.
This is a "read it twice" book. You're going to get to some points in the plot and your jaw will drop and you'll scream and you'll want to go back and look for the breadcrumbs Thoman left leading you to this point. You're going to call your friends and beg them to read this so you can discuss it with them.
I don't usually like stories that contain time travel, but this is different.
My only critique is that it took me a while to figure out who all the characters were. But that's on me because I haven't been reading enough fiction with ensemble casts.
I loved the dialogue and the relationships between the characters. There is a diversity that doesn't feel contrived. It was a great read and I highly recommend it.
April 6, 2023
This is a super fun book but it is very much YA in my opinion (but not marketed that way as of yet). We meet a variety of lovely seniors in high school on the precipice of graduation. All have complex stories and obstacles to overcome no matter what their upbringing has been to date.
Add some time travel, twists and a murder and you have more than a decent book. Ya is YA though - and there is some overwrought emotion that I try to avoid in my time away from my job at a high school.
If you like the 80's, if you like multiple POVS and YA I'll Stop the World for you (ha ha get it). #LaurenThoman #AmazongReads #mindykalling #Mindysbookstudio
Add some time travel, twists and a murder and you have more than a decent book. Ya is YA though - and there is some overwrought emotion that I try to avoid in my time away from my job at a high school.
If you like the 80's, if you like multiple POVS and YA I'll Stop the World for you (ha ha get it). #LaurenThoman #AmazongReads #mindykalling #Mindysbookstudio
April 1, 2023
So many characters and time jumping made it super difficult to follow. I definitely wouldn’t call this a mystery… maybe a YA read. Had I known this prior I would not have chosen it for my Amazon First Read. I was going to DNF this multiple times throughout because it was so slow, but I stuck it out. I wish I would have DNF early on and chose something else. This book is this author’s debut novel so I want to note that I do think this author has potential.
February 19, 2023
Wowza! What ride this book is. I felt like I needed to build out my own murder board as I anticipated each revelation. Amazing cast of diverse characters with intriguing story development. Loved every minute of it! Bravo to an amazing debut novel, Lauren Thoman!
March 28, 2023
Phenomenal book. Read it as soon as you can
I read this book over the course of one day. The reviews were spot on, it's unputdownable. I'm going to stop here though. You really must read it for yourself.
I read this book over the course of one day. The reviews were spot on, it's unputdownable. I'm going to stop here though. You really must read it for yourself.
March 19, 2023
Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of YA. Can't really get behind high schoolers and the lack of maturity in their problems and lives. I'm also not a huge fan of stories told from more than two POVs as it's hard to keep track of each character. This book has SEVEN, and everyone's name is pretty bland and should be difficult to remember, but for some reason it was easy enough to keep track. Possibly because every character's storyline is so intertwined.
With the whole YA thing aside (that is mostly why I'm docking stars, along with the slow start and confusion along the way, and not having enough difference in the settings of each time period), Thoman executed the time travel aspect really well. I would have preferred knowing in advance at the beginning of the book which time period was which, but once things start picking up, I was so hooked. The suspense, the high-stakes mystery behind who caused the event that puts everything in fast motion, the themes of race, sexual orientation, life's purpose–it was all done exceptionally in my eyes.
This was my March Amazon's First Reads pick, and it's a Mindy Kaling Book Club pick as well, and honestly I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book!
With the whole YA thing aside (that is mostly why I'm docking stars, along with the slow start and confusion along the way, and not having enough difference in the settings of each time period), Thoman executed the time travel aspect really well. I would have preferred knowing in advance at the beginning of the book which time period was which, but once things start picking up, I was so hooked. The suspense, the high-stakes mystery behind who caused the event that puts everything in fast motion, the themes of race, sexual orientation, life's purpose–it was all done exceptionally in my eyes.
This was my March Amazon's First Reads pick, and it's a Mindy Kaling Book Club pick as well, and honestly I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book!
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