Holly James did it again! I love this mix of rom-com classics and a little magic. Freaky Friday, 13 Going on 30, 50 First Dates- all work so well on film, it’s no surprise they’re so fun in book form. It had a sense of levity without sacrificing plot or humanity, and was a really fun summer escape.

I’ve only read one time loop book before so I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I snagged The Deja Glitch!

I ended up struggling with the first 30% or so and had to take a break but once I came back to it, I started to find the book to be pretty cute. I liked that everyone around Gemma pushed her to do things she didn’t want to do and seeing her growth was great!

I really appreciate that we didn’t have to relive the same day over and over but I didn’t love that Gemma had to fall in love with Jack in a day to try and break the loop. I think it would’ve been helpful to have this be a minor dual POV because then the author could’ve added in breaks like “Day 45 of the time loop” and then we could use those to see Jack actually fall in love. I think this would’ve been a unique way to do the time loop without having Gemma restart her day over and over.

I will say I did end up skimming through a lot of the book because the descriptions of everything were miles long but overall, The Deja Glitch was still a cute read and I really enjoyed the ending/Jack’s grand gesture!

Thank you NetGalley and the Penguin Group Dutton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Deja Glitch by Holly James

Gemma wakes up one morning and has a eerie feeling that she experienced this day before. Then, she runs into Jack who explains to her that he has been stuck in a 24 hour time-loop and she is the only constant. So he needs her help to break out of the time loop. As they try to survive the day, they both run into own inner demons, face challenging conversations, and overcome their struggles.

What a unique rom-com premise! This one was anything but boring! The real-star of this book has to be Lily (Gemma’s best friend) and could use a sequel with Lily! I didn’t think I would enjoy the concept of time-loop but James made it very interesting. I loved Jack, he seemed so sweet and it took me sometime to like Gemma. This was such a cute, nerdy, romantic, hilarious novel! Hope you enjoy!

This was sweet! It’s not the heaviest little book but I will say it packs a soft punch with some familial problems and finding yourself. It’s very cute and I think the perfect summer read for your beach tote. I wish we had gotten a little deeper and had a slower build to the realization that the day was repeating, and a little more intentionality in how to solve that/more trial and error, but overall I enjoyed.

3.75 🌟

"Gemma Peters did not like parties.
Her idea of a good time consisted of a book and a blanket, perhaps a cup of tea."

... Gemma is my spirit animal. 😆

I always get nervous about time glitch books because what if I have to read the same thing... over and over and over?!
That was not the case with the Deja Glitch (phew). I thought that telling the story from Gemma's perspective (who was not fully aware of the glitch) was a fresh take on this troupe.
The romance between Gemma and Jack was believable and the relationship growth she had with her dad and brother only added to this story. Also, if you are drawn to closed door romances, you'll enjoy this book.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

RECEIVED AS AN ARC THROUGH NETGALLEY

Loved how the time loop played into the romance setting up a nice and easy romcom. It reminded me a lot of 50 first dates and groundhog day. A nice easy read

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of THE DEJA GLITCH by Holly James. I thought this was a unique take on the Groundhog Day story, since it was from the perspective of the person who didn't realize she was repeating the same day over and over again. It did present the challenge of the reader being able to experience the falling in love process when we actually missed most of it since it happened in another character's POV. Still, the concept definitely hooked me right away. Overall, it was a cute and fun story, if it leaned a little too far into cheesy rom-com cliches one time too many. I was also a little disappointed in the lack of spice, but that's just me. I did fly through it in just a couple days, and for the most part would say I enjoyed myself.

I think A LOT of people are going to like this one. I did overall enjoy it, but it didn’t really pull me in. I will say, I think having one character not be aware of the time loop was a really great idea and also having the majority of the novel be set during the course of one day avoided the problem of it feeling repetitive so both of those things worked to its advantage. Character wise, I didn’t really feel connected to Jack at all. He was attractive, a writer and in love with Gemma. That was about it. Gemma, I connected with a bit more since it was her POV and also I thought she was much more developed than Jack. I liked her family dynamics with her father and brother, especially when she examined her own contributions to the dysfunction. As far as the romance goes, there were absolutely some really cute moments, but it didn’t really grab me like I want a romance to. Overall, a cute time loop romance, but nothing that knocked my socks off.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

It's been a while since I read a time loop story! The last one was annoying because the same details were shared over and over again almost word for word. This book is different, in a good way, because we readers are dropped right into the last two days of the loop.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and easy read that follows Gemma as she encounters Jack throughout the day and has to sort through her feelings of deja vu. She's got development throughout and was a reasonably relatable character. Jack didn't get as much development. I do wish this could have been dual pov so we could get more insight into him. Together, they are adorable and have great chemistry. There's some solid banter in here!

There was a small miscommunication that seemed highly unnecessary, but I've never been a fan of that trope, so no surprises there.

Her brother was great, too. I loved the hidden SpongeBob joke. I understand why he wasn't really in the picture for this story, but I do wish we had gotten more of him.

Fans of grand gestures will love the ending!

Okay this was cute!!! The premise of being stuck in a time Ioop means you have to suspend disbelief a bit, but once you’re settled in the plot the writing takes over and whisks you on this sweet adventure. It reads like one of those perfectly enjoyable early 2000s romcom movies where everything wraps up with a concert and good music at the end. Perfect summer read.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

A refreshing and fun twist on the time loop trope, THE DEJA GLITCH is a perfect mix of Groundhog Day and 50 First Dates (shout out to fellow reviewer Nilufer Ozmekik for that perfect comparison). I loved that the story is from the point of view of the person who can't remember rather than the person that is stuck-- it was such a good twist on a classic idea. I also personally loved how imperfect Gemma was; she was frustrating and a little selfish, but it made her feel real and her reactions seem genuine.

GLITCH was a super quick and charming read, perfect for anyone looking to satisfy their rom-com needs!

As a sucker for Groundhog Day esque books (I LOVED See You Yesterday and The Do-Over), I knew I had to give The Deja Glitch a read. Unlike other time loop books, The Deja Glitch is primarily told in one day. Unfortunately, when the story is told in one day, it feels rushed and less authentic. I found it hard to root for Gemma and Jack, especially with Gemma not remembering all of her previous days with Jack. I just couldn’t buy into the “insta love” when we saw so little of what made Jack and Gemma feel that way. Due to the story taking place in one day, I felt like Jack was not developed at all. It was hard to root for him when I barely knew anything about until 60% in. I wish the story took place over multiple days and we got to see more interactions between Gemma and Jack. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the arc.

Gemma and Jack are stuck in 5 month long time loop. Thursday keeps repeating itself, and Jack has determined the only way to break free from the infinite time loop is to get Gemma to fall in love with him. And so he does practically everyone in his power to do so.

This book was enjoyable. It is a quick and easy read. I rarely read books set in California, so I did enjoy that because I very vividly picture all the places they go to. I was not crazy about the influencer best friend story line, because we're not all influencers out here dang it, lol.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Holly James for providing me with physical copy of this ARC and to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Gemma is a radio producer recently separated from her boyfriend that used her to get a record deal. One day she crashes into Jake, but the meeting is odd because he is staring at her deeply and longingly and already knows her name. In fact, Gemma has déjà vu when interacting with Jake, yet cannot seem to place him. What Gemma doesn’t realize is that the two of them have been living this same day and interaction on a loop for many months; Jake, however, does know what is going on and thinks he may have figured out a way to stop it - he just needs Gemma’s help. I liked that we got to see the story unfold from Gemma’s viewpoint rather than Jake’s - so we were able to react to Jake’s proclamations just as Gemma would, which sound crazy. This was a fun and different read, and there was true chemistry between the leads and it made you excited to learn what Jake ultimately had to do to get out of the loop.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🦇 The Déjà Glitch Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

❝ "A couple's egocentrism is the hallmark of love." ❞

❝ "It's you, Gemma. You're the center of everything. My whole universe has shifted to revolve around you. I'm literally stuck on you and only you." ❞

❓ #QOTD If you could repeat one day of your life and make a change, big or small, what moment would you alter? ❓

🦇 When Gemma Peters wakes up Thursday morning, she has no recollection of the 147 days that came before it; 147 attempts of that same Thursday, the Thursday she (literally) crashes into Jack and her world tilts on its axis. She has the strangest sense of déjà vu, yet has never met the man who knows her name...and how the rest of her day will follow. Jack tries to convince her that they're in a time loop, and that Gemma is the key to breaking the cycle. She only has to do one thing: fall in love with him.

💜 We've all read 24-hour time loop stories before, but Holly James has taken a unique approach to this Groundhog Day-esque rom-com. The beauty of this story isn't in the time loop itself, but the character growth. Gemma and Jack before realize their lives are somewhat stagnant. Gemma has fallen into the shadow of her rock legend father she barely speaks to, which is keeping her from taking strides in her career as a radio producer. Jack helps her realize it's time to make a change, and even that realization is enough to cause a domino effect. The story spans across 24 hours (outside of the prologue, we don't actually experience the loop the way Jack has), which keeps the story from becoming too repetitive (a major issue with this plot trope). The writing is fun and upbeat, Jack is instantly loveable (likely because we don't see his faults), and there are layers to Gemma, making it a cute rom-com.

🦇 With the story spanning only 24 hours, I really hoped for better pacing. Jack never stresses the urgency that, with Gemma finally becoming aware of the loop, the clock is ticking for them to get this time right. Unfortunately, that causes the story to drag. A few of the secondary characters felt one-dimensional, too; from Gemma's father to both Jack and Gemma's ex's, who come off as cliche villains. I will say that Gemma's best friend Lila (who comes off as a cliche party girl in the prologue but functions as Gemma's rock in the story) is a hoot; I'm glad she defied the first impression we get of her. However, the idea of Gemma, who seems fairly pragmatic, falling in love with a man in 24 hours doesn't seem realistic.

🦇 Recommended for fans of any time loop romance!

✨ The Vibes ✨
⌛ Time Loop
⌛ He Falls First
⌛ Insta-Love
⌛ Grumpy vs Sunshine
⌛ Rom-Com

🦇 Major thanks to the author @hellohollyjames and publisher @duttonbooks for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #TheDejaGlitch #TheDéjàGlitch #NetGalley

Almost DNF'd.
While occasionally I sympathized with the main character, most of the time I couldn't stand her. She's annoying, entitled, sometimes downright stupid and just not likeable. It felt a bit insta-lovey. The most annoying thing, is that despite this being a time loop book, we only see one day! What's even the point?? I'm not giving it one star because the overall plot was half okay.

I so enjoy Holly James’s writing. Her stories take common tropes and make them unique. I love the ingenuity in her worlds and the fun magical elements. This book is like a dessert - good to the last page.

I liked the characters and I overall thought the book was fun. I didn't really need the explanation about why the timeloop happened. Some of it was a little much like the video going viral and her not caring about it all. Seems out of character. Overall, solid.

This is not, actually, a time loop romance. The whole point of a time loop romance is that the main character experiences the same day (or other period) many times, realizing gradually how they need to change and whose love they need to win in order to break the loop. Readers go along for the ride, and part of the fun (or, for some, frustration) is watching the same events play out repeatedly in slightly different ways.

In The Deja Glitch, Gemma is only aware of experiencing the day in question one time, and aside from a brief prologue the reader sees only one iteration of the day. It is, however, quite an eventful day, and the best thing about the novel is how it ties together the main character's professional, family, and romantic interests into a cohesive story. Although I was sometimes annoyed by Gemma's neediness and avoidant behavior, her problems were relatable and their resolution believably flawed.

The romance was really the weak point of the story. In standard time-loop romances, the main character falls in love gradually over many iterations, or - perhaps more commonly - the central couple have a pre-existing relationship that needs to be resurrected or evolved. In The Deja Glitch, Gemma must fall in love on the day she meets Jack - and there's too much going on that day, including multiple discussions of the time-loop conceit, for them to engage in the kind of deep conversation or intense bonding experience that would make this plausible (at least in Romance Novel Land). By the end, I was rooting for Gemma to succeed in her career and evolve her relationships with her father and brother, but I didn't really care about what happened between her and Jack.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of this book! I liked it.

This was a fun, cute, quick read. I enjoyed the plot and the characters, and I'm always down a little magical realism in a book. I love this book as a palate cleanser read!

That being said, I didn't fall in love with it. It's an okay story, and while I'm glad I read it, I won't be purchasing it for my shelves or rereading it.

I recommend this one if you want something fun and easy.

Rating: 3⭐️