A delightful blend of romance and magical realism. Holly James crafts a sweet, Groundhog Day-style love story filled with humor and heart. The premise is fun, though some emotional moments feel a bit underdeveloped.

If Holly James writes a book, I am going to want to read it. I was delighted to have a chance to read an early copy of The Deja Glitch, and it did not disappoint.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Maybe romances on the science fiction end of the spectrum are just not for me. I thought the book was okay, but nothing super memorable.

The Déjà Glitch by Holly James was super cute like romance Groundhog Day but better and cuter! I really enjoyed this one and the loops didn't seem respective!

I loved this book! The pace was perfect, characters were likeable and easy to follow. The change to the male POV at the end threw me for a second, but he was written just as well. Such a cute book!

The Deja Glitch by Holly James sounded just like a novel I would love but the structure/plot did not flow for me. I will try this author again in the future.

This was such a delightful read! It is the prefect book to lift your mood and get you out of a reading slump. Thank you netgalley!

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || THE DEJA GLITCH [thank you to @duttonbooks and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: The Deja Glitch
Author: Holly James
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
Gemma Peters has sworn off dating—especially musicians—since her rock star ex used her to land a deal with her famous dad. Now, as a rising L.A. radio producer, she’s focused on her career, her best friend Lila, and her loyal Labrador, Rex. But when Gemma literally crashes into Jack one Thursday morning, something feels... different.

Jack seems to know more about Gemma than he should, and there’s an undeniable sense of déjà vu between them. Turns out, this isn’t just any Thursday—it’s one they’ve lived countless times before. Jack’s been stuck in a time loop for months, reliving the same day over and over, and the only way to break the cycle? Get Gemma to fall in love with him before the day ends.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This was a really cute read! I think my favorite thing was that the MMC was the one stuck in a time-loop, so he was the one who had to convince HER that they were meant to be together! Which was a nice twist, in my opinion! Plus, I enjoyed that we entered the story WELL into Jack’s time-loop (he’s stuck for months already at the start of the book), so we’re just as clueless as Gemma as to what’s going on.

James does a great job writing banter, tension, and chaos!

I would finish this review with “I can’t wait to see what she writes next,” but I already read it and I LOVED IT TOO.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Time Travel Romance
50 First Dates
Second Chance Romance
Time Traveller’s Wife
Magical Realism

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 3.58 ⭐️
# of Pages: 336
Pub Date: August 1, 2023

This was so much fun! It was one of my favorite plot devices but the characters are what really made it. I love when theres realistic character growth and when people actually communicate. All around great plot and some fun twists.

I should preface by saying that I love time loop/magical realism books SO much...but this one fell very flat for me.

I didn't find anything special about it. This one didn't grasp my attention like other time loop romances have.

This read unfortunately won't be memorable for me.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to review!
Loved this! I think this might be the first time loop book I’ve read but with the POV of the person *not* aware of the loop. I loved that perspective so much. A clean rom too!

The Déjà Glitch by Holly James is a delightful read for anyone who adores lighthearted, humorous, and hopeful romance stories with a touch of magical realism, perfect for fans of Groundhog Day-inspired tales and grand romantic gestures.

In The Déjà Glitch by Holly James, Gemma Peters’s life takes an unexpected turn when she crashes into Jack, a man who seems eerily familiar. The plot unfolds through the "Groundhog Day" loop trope, where Jack is stuck reliving the same Thursday repeatedly, each day hoping to win Gemma’s love and break free from the loop. This twist on the time-loop concept adds a layer of magical realism to their burgeoning romance.

The novel explores classic romantic tropes such as "enemies-to-lovers" and "fated encounters," as Gemma and Jack's initial meeting is fraught with confusion and tension. Their connection deepens as Jack’s time-loop predicament forces him to win her affection, despite her rule against dating musicians and her own romantic hesitations. James skillfully combines these tropes with a unique, enchanting premise, offering a delightful and engaging read that keeps the romance fresh and exciting.

A fun romcom that uses the time loop mechanic well. I just have a hard time with buying into the whole insta-love thing that is kind of required when the loop is only a day long. Overall, it’s a good bit of fluff.

🔄 As with most time travel/time loop stories I read, I’m not sure the science of it all makes total sense to me. However, I’ve learned to stop analyzing the technical issues (well, not entirely, but I am learning to stop analyzing so much) and just enjoy the story.

🔄 This story has a Hallmark-esque quality to it – cutesy plot, snarky female protag, sweet male protag, happily ever after. Just switch the location to a small town and pop in a few holiday decorations and snow and you’ve definitely got a Hallmark holiday movie.

🔄 I liked the side plot regarding Gemma’s relationship with her father. It added some depth to the story and reinforced how important it is to take chances in life.

🔄 I did have some nitpicks… like how much stuff occurred in a single day, all characters felt a tad one-dimensional/cliché, Gemma was a bit entitled IMO, Jack wasn’t fleshed out enough, and that airport scene was just ridiculous.

🔄 I appreciated that the story was clean and quirky. This was a decent read for a lazy afternoon, but I don’t think it will be very memorable for me overall.

Thank you @netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

At this point I have accepted that I will not finish this b book. I love a time loop novel. I love a romance novel. This book did both of those things very… fine. Just fine. I think if I hadn’t read other time glitch books that I LOVED I would have liked this much better.

There was too much time spent describing random things. Like the morning routine of one of the mains. Gemma in general wasn’t a pleasant character. The romance wasn’t romantic. It seemed like they didn’t have chemistry.

Loved the concept but lacked the execution to make it great

This was an incredibly cute story. It went on a little long for my taste, but that’s only because I wanted Gemma and Jack to work it out already!

(3.5 stars)

This was a cute Hallmark-Movie type book. It was also an interesting take on the time-loop trope. The ending was a little underwhelming however.

This book was not for me. I appreciate the publishers and netgalley giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.