This book was beautiful. The first chapter left me shattered and with so many questions. Then as I kept reading I was astonished by their lives going through time but still somehow connected whether it was a teacher and student or two young adults randomly meeting in a different country. There are a lot of existential questions and the twist at the end was completely unexpected for me. Overall, a thought provoking story that I would describe as science fiction and magic realism.

I requested this book in a whim after seeing someone raving about it on Twitter, and I’m so happy I did because I loved it. It’s got magic and mystery, romance and angst, and yet it defies categorization. I find that some of my favorite books are a mishmash of elements from various genres, and this one is no exception. I don’t want to say too much because the mystery of what the hell is going on is so much of the fun of this book, but basically two people keep meeting in life after life — always in different roles — and slowly start to realize that they’re the only ones aware that they’re repeating their lives. They alternate between working to figure out why, and just living with the mystery. It’s really a fun, sad, profound, cool ride, and I highly recommend it. Oh and it’s casually queer, which I also loved.

The book begins with strangers Thora and Santi meeting in Cologne. Each chapter finds the two meeting in different lives and at different ages -
as parent and child, husband and wife, brother and sister, enemies, friends, lovers. As time passes they remember more elements of their past lives. Some of the lives are more interesting than others, and some are a bit repetitious. The mystery of why they keep repeating their lives is solved at the end of the story in a manner verging on science fiction. There are clues scattered throughout leading to the heartbreaking ending. I am not a fan of science fiction, but this mysterious search for meaning held my attention.

Do we make our choices, or do our choices make us? That is a central question of this book, and one I will be thinking about for a long time.

I will have a hard time reviewing "Meet Me In Another Life" because it is quite honestly my new favorite book of all time. Catriona Silvey's debut novel has so many of my "wheelhouse" items (time loops, space stuff, other things I can't mention because they would be a spoiler) that I was half expecting to be disappointed, but I'm thrilled to say my nerves were unfounded. Yes my expectations were through the roof, but Silvey took them higher than the stars.

This book. You guys. THIS BOOK. It will make you think about your life—your relationships, your career, your childhood, your religion, your best friend, EVERYTHING—in so many different ways. It's beautiful and thoughtful and depressing and, well, I had all of the feelings. I can't really compare this book to anything else out there, but I will say it sort of gave me the same feelings that "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell did.

I think people who are expecting one type of book (fans of "Life after Life" by Kate Atkinson perhaps) will be thrilled with the first 1/3 of the book, but the book really goes in directions you will not be expecting after that. For me, the slow reveal of What Is Going On was a journey that I would like to relive again and again. Over thousands of lifetimes even.

Highly, HIGHLY recommend. Pre-order this book now!

I went into this expecting a bit of The Time Traveler's Wife. The first few chapters caught my attention. The premise was unique, and I was interested in the question that the book presented: do our choices matter? But after a while, the different timelines started getting tedious, and I couldn't find the motivation to finish it. Personally it just wasn't for me, but I can imagine how this would appeal to a lot of other readers.

An interesting, unique story. How many ways can two lives be entwined? ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow Publishing for a gifted physical/digital copy of Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey in exchange for an honest review. This story follows the different realities that two characters, Santiago and Thora find themselves in. In one reality they are brother and sister, but once they die in that reality they find themselves in a new reality where they are husband and wife. Initially, the two characters are unaware of these simulations, but it eventually makes them ponder how they keep returning to each other and why they are stuck in this predicament.

This book ended up not being what I was expecting in a good way. I loved the concept of each chapter being a new story starring Santi and Thora as different characters that somehow know each other, it gave a fresh story line every few pages that kept me as a reader entertained and remaining engulfed within the pages. Initially this story reminded me a bit of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Oona Out of Order, but then it took a turn way out in left field and felt more like the Interstellar movie on the back end of the novel. I will avoid further discussion on what made me draw comparisons to one of my favorite movies, but as a science nerd, this was an unexpected and fantastic surprise. The only thing holding me back from going to 5 stars with this review was how abrupt the final 100 pages of the book were and how this took away from the overall premise advertised for this story. You really had to focus on all the details the author provided in order to comprehend how epic this all ties together. This was a fantastic debut novel and I will be intrigued to see what Catriona writes in the future!

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish.

I went into this book with throwback memories of The Timetraveler’s Wife and how it drew me in with a cosmic connection between the main characters. The premise of Meet Me in Another Life intrigued me and I was very excited when I was able to get an ARC from NetGalley.

Part I sucked me and and made me crave knowing what it was that kept Thora and Santi together life after life. I stormed into Part II and something seemed to stagger me. It’s like I was pushed off a train and couldn’t find my way back on. Could it be that this genre is not my usual go to? Yes. I still wanted to know what was causing the reconnection and answer all the questions that Thora and Santi were asking themselves. I just couldn’t quite get myself right as the story evolved. I appreciated when they started to piece together each life past and bring what they learned into their new lives. My favorite chapters were early on when they fell in love, got married, and had a child before (once again) tragedy struck and when Thora came into Santi and his wife, Heloise, life as a foster child.

Each chapter is another reconnection of Thora and Santi. They are never connected in the same way. Teacher-student, husband-wife, police partners, supervisor-colleague, and the list goes on. The supporting cast of characters are also a constant in the different lives. Again, the premise held promise in my mind, but I found there was a misstep somewhere and I struggled to get back on the ride. Ultimately I finished the book because I was too far into it and still wanted my questions resolved. If you are a sci-if, fantasy, supernatural suspense reader, you will dig this book. If you are a fiction, historical fiction, or other genres, you might find the same struggle I had.

#netgalley #meetmeinanotherlife

Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey is a unique and interesting fictional novel that I enjoyed investigating.

This is part of a different genre for me. While I read a fair amount of general fiction, this has a different twist that I found intriguing.

This narrative focusses on two destined partners: Santi and Thora. They meet and connect not only in the current life, but also in additional lives and existences. Each time their paths cross, they have the knowledge that they have known one another, but they are different individuals outwardly each time. Their relationship and persons are different, yet their souls are the same. But is it all as it seems to be? An element of mystery and suspense is added by the author to add complexity and finitely to the story.

Very unique and left a lasting impression.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and William Morrow and Custom House for this arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

The title made me want to read this book. I'm always interested in time travel.

It's about a handful of characters that keep coming back life after life with different roles: teacher/student, brother/sister, husband/wife, father/daughter, and so forth. There's no mention of the dates for the different lives. The main characters, Thora and Santi, just happen to meet in the same city of Cologne where there's a tower clock.

For someone interested in past lives and science fiction, this may be a good choice. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy to be released on April 27, 2021.

This was a different sort of book for me. Its filled with wonder, love, and yes, even magic. Two people, (soulmates) who constantly meet every single life time. And they know that they knew each other in previous lives.

This was just a mixture of so much and I totally adored it!

I binge-read this story, Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey. From the start, I just had to know what was going on with the timeline. Once I reached the point where things came together, I was hooked. The story pulls no punches when it comes to the flaws of Thora and Santi. Their different ideologies and approaches to life cause endless struggles. But in the end, without spoiling anything, they come to an understanding of each that is beautiful. The ending was just a shocker.
Great Book and a unique plot.
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced read.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I found it too difficult to follow and it wasn't able to keep my interest. I hope others find it truly enjoyable!

I loved this book more than words can describe. It's definitely one to take your time with. It's composed of many short parts that reveal the characters and how they grow and change with each life they live, each life brought to the reader in an intimate and devastating way that will leave you desperate to see a happy ending for Thora and Santi. Meet Me in Another Life is truly genre-defying, and absolutely a book that you should not miss.

Thora and Santi keep meeting and living different lives over and over again in Cologne. This novel ins't so much about the characters - each is more of a sketch - than it is about big questions embodied by the characters. Santi believes in God and fate. Thora believes that she can make infinite choices and try different paths. Eventually, over lifetimes they come to appreciate each other's view of life. The denouement is both unexpected and at the same time you think "of course!" The ending is lovely and perfect. I don't want to say much more for fear of spoiling the book.

"Two people. Infinite lifetimes. One impossible choice.

Thora and Santi are strangers in a foreign city when a chance encounter intertwines their fates. At once, they recognize in each other a kindred spirit—someone who shares their insatiable curiosity, who is longing for more in life than the cards they’ve been dealt. Only days later, though, a tragic accident cuts their story short.

But this is only one of the many connections they share. Like satellites trapped in orbit around each other, Thora and Santi are destined to meet again: as a teacher and prodigy student; a caretaker and dying patient; a cynic and a believer. In numerous lives they become friends, colleagues, lovers, and enemies. But as blurred memories and strange patterns compound, Thora and Santi come to a shocking revelation—they must discover the truth of their mysterious attachment before their many lives come to one, final end."

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Meet Me in Another Life is an interesting concept, each chapter telling a new iteration of main characters Thora and Santi meeting each other in the same place, with a rotating cast of similar characters. As the story goes on the pair become increasingly aware of these different lives and how they’ve played out, which impacts not just their relationship with each other, but their personalities and their interactions with the other people making regular appearances in their lives. Thora reflects the practical side of the pairing with Santi being the more spiritual, and this plays out regularly in their level of interest in understanding the shared experiences. On one side of this, I really enjoy the unique approach to storytelling – almost like short stories that can stand on their own at the beginning but grow more interconnected as the whole story goes on. The downside to this, especially if you are reading more than one “chapter” in a single sitting is the feeling that you’re reading without getting anywhere – reading the same story over and over again with only gradual awareness in each chapter to the overarching connecting storyline. Eventually as you reach the conclusion you understand why Thora and Santi keep reliving their lives in the same place, which leaves me both satisfied and unsatisfied at the same time. I like the concept and the main characters are interesting, but there’s a part of me that wishes that each chapter felt more unique to keep me better engaged in the book and less likely to feel like I can skim or skip.

****This ARC was provided by NetGalley for a free and honest review.**** Well, one thing I can say about this book is it’s unique. This is a hard review to write because I don’t want to give anything away. The timeline bounces back and forth and is a bit hard to follow. I was about 3/4 through and then it just got weird and too sci-fi for my tastes. Santi and Thora keep meeting in different lifetimes and have different relationships in each meeting. If you like twisty, turny books that will keep you guessing, this one may be for you. It discusses alternate lives and makes you question every deja vu feeling you’ve ever had.

This book isn't something I would normally pick up and I still fill conflicted about it while I'm writing this review. The different lives and constant hopping grew a bit tedious before we fully understood where the book was going. I was confused as the relationship between Santi and Thora constantly shifted, however looking back after having finished the book I can understand it. A different premise and one that ultimately left me thinking; an interesting fantasy/sci-fi read.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

In “Meet Me in Another Life,” Thora and Santi continually meet each other in different lives, with different relationships in each one—parent/child, teacher/student, brother/sister, husband/wife, etc. Their lives are centered around a version of Cologne, Germany, where a clock tower with a broken clock plays a central role. They are surrounded in each life by a supporting role of recurring characters, including a black cat named Felicette. Part way through the novel, Thora and Santi remember the previous lives, but the supporting characters do not. Throughout the rest of the book, the two characters try to discern a pattern to the disparate lives they’ve led and find a way out of the town.

In deft prose, the author paints touching vignettes of these distinct lives and the different types of love Thora and Santi experience in each. The reader is drawn in by the luminous prose and the mystery surrounding the repetitive lives until the surprising and poignant ending. This book defies categorization, but instead stands alone as a unique work of literature. I highly recommend this novel for those who like books with a hint of mystery, beautiful prose and well drawn characters.