The nitty-gritty: A feel-good romance with substance and just a touch of the speculative, The Seven Year Slip was a delight from start to finish.

Color me surprised. This horror, sci-fi lovin’ girl just fell for a contemporary romance, and I’m totally OK with that! I’ve enjoyed Ashley Poston’s YA series Once Upon a Con, so when I heard about The Seven Year Slip, I decided to request it. Sometimes a book hits you just right and all the elements work perfectly, and this is one of those happy instances. Romance fans are going to want to grab this, and even if you aren’t a fan of the genre, Poston’s story has a lot more than just romance to offer readers.

The story takes place in New York City and revolves around a senior publicist named Clementine. Clementine’s beloved Aunt Analea died six months ago, and she’s still mourning her loss. She’s inherited her aunt’s old apartment on the Upper East Side and is still trying to make it her own. Memories of her aunt are everywhere, including two important rules she instilled in her niece years ago: always take your shoes off by the door, and never fall in love. Clementine is too busy with her job at Strauss & Adder to worry about that second rule anyway. She’s next in line for a big promotion, and she pours her heart and soul into the authors and books she works with.

But one day she comes home after work, only to discover a strange man in the apartment. He claims his mother knows Aunt Analea, who offered to sublet him the apartment for the summer. Wait, what? The man—a young, aspiring chef named Iwan—acts as if Aunt Analea is still alive. As it turns out, she is, since Clementine has just stepped back in time. Her aunt told Clementine that the apartment was magical, but back then she didn’t understand. Now it hits her: the apartment appears to be a time portal of sorts that randomly takes you back seven years into the past. 

As Clementine and Iwan get to know each other, she begins to realize Iwan is exactly the type of man she could fall for. And when an up-and-coming chef approaches Strauss & Adder with a book proposal, she knows she’s in trouble. The chef, James Ashton, just happens to be Iwan—seven years older than when she met him in the apartment. And now her company is bidding on his memoir/cook book, and Clementine doesn’t know what to do. James (middle name Iwan!) is colder and more business-like than the Iwan she fell for, and she’s having trouble reconciling the two different men.

As the bidding process for his book heats up, Clementine and James realize they still have a lot of chemistry. If only the past weren’t trying to come between them.

This story is actually very hard to sum up, and a lot more happens than what I’ve described above. The time travel/time slip storyline is pretty cool, and there’s just enough of it to make things interesting without turning it into hard-core speculative fiction. I loved the idea of an apartment that can take the person who lives there back in time seven years. But it’s a random event, so Clementine never knows when she opens the front door whether Iwan will be there or not. It’s a fun concept that keeps the romance fresh and unpredictable.

Aside from that element, there is so much about this story that I loved. Clementine is surrounded by wonderful friends, each one with a fully developed personality. Drew is the rock star editor at Strauss & Adder, and Fiona works in the design department. The three friends are extremely close and do everything together. It reminded me a bit of the friendship between Carrie and her friends in Sex in the City. We get to know Aunt Analea through flashbacks and see glimpses of her and Clementine and their summer trips together. There's also a love story between Analea and a woman named Vera, and even though it didn't end well, Clementine wants nothing more than to experience the kind of love Analea and Vera had. 

Then of course, there is Iwan/James, the man who upends Clementine's carefully controlled world. When Clementine meets him for the first time, he’s about to interview for a dishwasher position at a trendy restaurant, hoping to get his foot in the door and then move up the ranks. I loved his earnest personality and the way he calls Clementine “Lemon.” The dialog between the two is both sweet and hysterically funny. Ashley Poston is simply a genius when it comes to dialog! Of course there are lots of stumbling blocks along the way with their relationship, and Poston comes up with some great scenarios surrounding the seven year time jumps.

There’s also a lot of heart in this story. James introduces Clementine to the best fajitas in New York, courtesy of two culinary school friends who own a successful food truck. The relationship between Clementine and Analea was wonderful, and I loved the way Analea loved to travel the world with her niece. The publishing company, Strauss & Adder, specializes in travel guides, and I thought that was a nice touch, as it creates a connection to Clementine’s past exploits with her aunt. Poston adds some thoughtful moments to the story by exploring the idea of creating a life that you love, and learning how to recognize when you’ve strayed off that path. Both Clementine and Iwan do a lot of soul searching about their jobs during the story, and this more serious element was a nice contrast to the lighter moments.

If you’re a fan of movies like When Harry Met Sally or You’ve Got Mail—both set in New York, by the way—I think you’ll absolutely love The Seven Year Slip. I swear, if someone doesn’t make this into a movie, I’ll be very surprised, it practically screams “film adaptation”! I’m so glad I picked up this book, and now I need to go back and read Poston’s The Dead Romantics, which I hear is great. Highly recommended!

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved The Dead Romantics, but I think I loved this book more! The chemistry between Clementine and Iwan was perfectly written, their love story unfolding in two timelines. I loved the plot, I loved the romance, and I loved the little crossover with Benji and Florence.

If you loved this authors debut, you’ll adore her newest book. They both have the same spooky/sci-fi factor, while still being an ooey gooey romance that has you giggling and kicking your feet in the air! I highly recommend this book.

Another magical story from Poston! The Seven Year Slip follows Clementine through a transitional part of her life. Her beloved aunt has died and left her her apartment. Clementine was always told this apartment was “magical” and now she gets to experience it herself. She meets chef-in-training Iwan who she loves as a young aspiring chef. But will she meet him in the present? Will she love that version? This story is a slow burn and swoon worthy while covering deeper topics of grief, regret and following one’s dreams. Highly recommend for all readers

Quick Stats
Age Rating: 18+
Spice Level: 1/5
Over All: 4.5 stars

Special thanks to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.

TW: loss of family member, suicide, grief, sexual content

Ashley Poston is simply phenomenal—and I adore her in this adult romance space. There’s something about her writing—the narration, the emotion—that feels slightly reminiscent of Emily Henry, to me. I find it kind of funny, that EH went from writing YA paranormal romance to adult contemporary, while AP went from writing YA contemporary romance to adult paranormal romance.
Though I think if I had to describe this book and The Dead Romantics, I’d say theyre kind of a soft paranormal romance. Because they’re magical—ghosts, apartments lost in time—but they’re much closer to what you’d think of as contemporary romances than what you’d think of in paranormal romances, or at least how I think of those genres.
All of that is to say, I love what Ashley Poston is doing with her latest books, and I want more of it.
As for this book specifically—I really enjoyed it! I didn’t find it quite to the level of The Dead Romantics, but it was a solid book. Fun and swoony and heartfelt. There were a few instances where I felt like the writing was trying a little too hard to be deep and emotional and introspective, but those instances were greatly outnumbered by moments where those emotions felt genuine and sweeping.
I loved Clementine. Her voice was distinct and easy to get swept up in. I loved watching her grow as a character, and I was sad to part with her at the end.
Iwan, too, was easy to love and easy to fall for. I loved seeing the differences between him in the past vs the present, while Clementine stayed the same. It’s a very interesting juxtaposition to explore, and one that doesn’t often get explored.
The two of them together was just perfection. The chemistry was tangible and their little banter had me kicking my feet. I love nicknames in theory, but in reality they tend to be very hit or miss for me, but this one was definitely a hit! It was a little overused (he referred to her by name [or by nickname, I suppose] at least 5 times as often as she did, sometimes multiple times in a page) but there were so many layers behind him calling her that, that I couldn’t help but love it.
This is, like The Dead Romantics, more of an emotional romance than a romcom, despite the voicy narration and some comedic scenes and aspects. There is a very centralized theme of grief and loss that could easily be triggering to some, especially if you go in unprepared. I really enjoyed the way it was addressed, though. Despite the fact that it was more distanced in timing than the loss explored in TDR, it felt heavier at times in its exploration. I didn’t cry as much as I did reading TDR, yet I felt more depressed while reading the scenes as they occurred—not in a bad way, at all, just in a way that was notable. There is so much love in this book, in many forms, and one of those forms is explored through grief.
All in all, this was a really good book, and I look forward to whatever Ashley Poston releases next, whether its another adult romance or back to the YA sphere.

I really enjoyed The Dead Romantics; so I was very excited to read this one! I loved the "magical realism" side of this book so much. The time "slipping" apartment was genius. Sadly, I didn't connect with the characters the way I hoped to. I liked the "7 years ago" narrative but the present day fell flat for me. I didn't feel chemistry between them. Additionally, it was hard to keep track of when in the timeline they were because there weren't clear transitions between the time shifts.

This book took my breath away. This book made me feel sad, and happy, and loved, and reminded me of how beautiful all of those feelings are.

Iwan and Clementine will make you fall in love. They will remind you of how special love is. Not only romantic love but love between friends and between family.

This book also talks about suicide and someone committing suicide so please be gentle with yourself as you read it.

As someone who lost someone dear to her to suicide this book gave me a sense of healing I didn’t even know I needed.

The way magical realism blends into contemporary is done seamlessly.

I hope you love this book as much as I did because it might be my favorite this year!

oh my gosh I loved everything about this book! The concept of an apartment that transports to the past was so unique and genius. this book gives series The Lake House vibes and I loved it. The banter and chemistry in this book was on another level. This story was magical and heartwarming all at the same time.

Ashley Poston always comes up with interesting premises for her novels; and THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP was no exception. I really liked a lot about this one — the magical apartment, the New York setting, the inclusion of food and book publishing and art. It felt really cozy to read, which was just what I needed at the time I picked this one up.

That being said, the one aspect that didn’t quite stick the landing completely for me was the romance. I could believe the attraction and connection between the characters, sure, but the depth of the devotion didn’t necessarily feel 100% believable all the time. Still, I got emotional at the end and I also appreciated how Poston wrapped things up for Clementine (and not just when it comes to the romance).

I have fallen in love with Ashley Poston's writing style and was so happy to get an early galley of this book! I really enjoyed the premise of this one. Clementine is an overworked publicist who has been a bit lost since the death of her aunt. Clementine's aunt has always told her to chase the moon but Clementine has been finding that hard to do lately and just feels stuck, that is until she finds a strange man in her aunt's apartment. He's attractive, has a southern drawl and is just the kind of man that could steal her heart. The trouble is, he exists 7 years in the past. Clementine's aunt always told her the apartment was magic and now she is experiencing that magic first hand. The stronger the connection between Clementine and Iwan grows the more certain Clementine is that the relationship is doomed especially since she has no control over when the apartment will bring her to him. Things get even more complicated when Clementine crosses paths with Iwan, now going by James in her present.

The Seven Year Slip has such an interesting premise, but it just fell a little flat for me. I loved the setting and the food, but the romance and the predictability made my rating go down a little. There were some loose ends that will annoy me. That being said, this was an enjoyable read and I think many romance readers will love it.

Have you ever been so interested in a story that if you wake up in the middle of the night you look over at the clock to calculate how many hours until you can get up and continue reading? Well this book did that to me. A beautifully written story of what could be. The publicist described it to me as a rom-com and I don't agree with that at all. More of a story of chance meetings and finally realizing what you want out of life. This will be out for sale June 27th and I highly recommend it.

Written by the author of The Dead Romantics. While that was an entertaining book, I enjoyed these characters much more.
#berkley #netgalley #ashleyposton #thesevenyearslip

Also posted on various book groups on Facebook that I belong to.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think Ashley Poston admirably and poignantly writes about grief and change so damn well -- I'd argue that this book is a mix of coming-of-age and romance, rather than strictly a romance so that people's expectations can be adjusted. Regardless, I thought this was a lovely, tender beach read.

I found certain parts of the storyline to feel rushed and thrown in, as to operate as a quick plot or character development device so that Clementine could be steered towards a new epiphany, such as the <spoiler> conversation with Juliette about being told that she was deserving of something better. It's not that I don't believe that messaging or that I don't want Juliette to leave her shitty situationship; it's just that I didn't really get to know Juliette or learn enough about her to invest in caring about her. I feel like that moment could have landed stronger if it was instead about Drew or her wife, who we interact with way more. </spoiler> That's just one example of the writing/pacing/plot choices feelings a bit wonky or out of place to me. Did it take me out of the book and ruin my experience? No, but it just didn't particularly fit, that's all.

There was also a moment where Clementine <spoiler> tries to place her hands on James' face after shitting all over his new restaurant (which granted, was clearly not *his* actual dream, so she was right in her constructive feedback), and it just did not ring true. Just told someone their brand new investment is inauthentic and you're not impressed, then proceed to cup their face in your hands as a sympathetic gesture, especially after not seeing them for seven years? Ummmmmm, couldn't be me girly pop lol.</spoiler> That actually did take me out for a second and I annotated, "Girl, whyyyyyy? So cringe" hahaha.

The one sub-plot that I adored was that of Analea & Vera's romance from decades prior - that was fun & I loved the tie-in with the present timeline! I will say that I guessed the grand gesture at the very beginning of this book & I fully recognize I sound like such a "pick me" pointing that out but I'm just really proud of my romance reader comprehension at this point so let me have my moment hahaha.

Here's what stood out to me as the strongest part of this book: the exploration of Clementine's grief with losing her aunt Analea. This truly hit a chord, and I think it's something that universally can feel relatable to any audience that this is marketed to. We're all human & we are all going to lose our loved ones, so that's a morbid but well-known guarantee of this short time we have on Earth. I appreciated the way Ashley explores grief and nuance within our loved ones this way. She did it well with The Dead Romantics and she did it beautifully again with this novel.

Lastly, I cried reading the author's note about change, and how only this book will remain stagnant, and that every time we read it, we will be different too (even how we feel about the book, which SLAYYYY - that's me hahaha). I am all for growth, change & evolving & it seems Ashley's own journey with grief has led her to this road of acceptance of whatever's to come, including all future versions of her. I think that's a beautiful meditation to sit with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC of this title for review.

After losing her beloved aunt, workaholic book publicist Clementine finds herself going through the motions, working towards a promotion that she is increasingly less sure that she wants and unable to grieve her aunt’s untimely passing. One night, she returns home to her late aunt’s apartment, only to find that she has stepped back in time seven years and that she is not the apartment’s only occupant– as her aunt subleased the apartment that summer seven years ago to an aspiring chef, Iwan. As time passes, Clementine adjusts to the twin timelines in her life (living in the current era outside the apartment and slipping back seven years in time when she enters the apartment). Clementine and Iwan fall in love, but Clementine is sure their romance will never make it in the real world, living seven years apart and knowing that her aunt’s own time-slip romance ended in a rupture. When Clementine meets the current version of Iwan, a slick, established restaurateur, the two timelines of her life converge, and she must learn how to grieve her aunt’s death and decide whether she can take a chance on a current romance with Iwan and follow her dreams.

The Seven Year Time Slip is an ambitious, high-concept novel, and I was so impressed by Poston’s ability to balance an intricate plot alongside a moving portrait of a woman dealing with unexpected grief and a poignant romance. I found myself slowing down in the final chapters of this book, never wanting to leave these characters or this story. We’ve added this book to our collection in physical and digital formats, and I will definitely recommend this book to patrons looking for a tender contemporary romance with depth and warmth. 4.5 stars.

(In accordance with Berkley’s approval preferences, this review will not be posted publicly until one week prior to publication.)

What a delight this book was!

I am not the biggest rom-com fan, but I’ve heard such great things about Ashley Poston, so I really wanted to read this one. I love a good magical realism/time travel storyline, but it has to be done in a believable way, and I think this one is.

I also loved that the romance aspect of this book wasn’t the only purpose: there are stories of friendship, family, career growth, self discovery, grief and so much more, all of which is done with care and nuance.

Definitely recommend this one to rom-com fans and those who want something a little extra from their romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: death of a loved one (by suicidal overdose, past), grief, dementia (past)

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f time slip romance
-forbidden romance elements
-insta attraction
-multiple timelines
-it has always been you
-food is my love language

Gosh this book hurt my heart in the best way. This was such a beautifully written story about grief, about time, and about love. Clementine is reeling after the death of one of her favorite people - her aunt - who left her apartment. Clementine is at a crossroads in her life without even fully realizing it walks into her apartment and finds herself seven years in the past and with a stranger. If you loved The Lake House this book is for you.

I adored Iwan and their relationship together. The yearning of this man and gosh his patience, may we all find a Iwan. Every time he called her LEMON my gosh. A hot chef who just wants to feed you good food and encourage your dreams. How they pushed each other, checked in, both of them at transition points. I don't want to say too much and give too much away but the ways these two continued in and out of each other's lives, the time slips in and out of the apartment that will have you screaming, wondering how these two are ever going to make it work.

What this book says about time, how we change, how what we want can change, but also at our core we're the same person. About timing when you meet someone whether you're in the right place to be with them or maybe it would be better if you met, say seven years later. The whole third act had me screaming, putting my book down for a moment and then diving back in because I had to know how these two will work it out. This book ends just so perfectly and just so well done of the many threads just effortless in the storytelling.

And oof the portions about her aunt, about grief, about her memories and just what her aunt meant to her. It was a beautiful thread throughout the book that would just knock you over with the power of it. This was a beautiful romance, a great book just about having the guts to make changes no matter how old you are, and of trusting yourself and trusting in love.

Steam: 2.5

This is a book I didn't realize I absolutely needed to read! I love when a romance book can make me get into my feels but also keep me hopeful. I loved the characters and thought the concept of traveling back in time because of a magical apartment was so fun!

I mean, what a magical romance. This book was so sweet and had me crying good by the end of it. CW: grief and mentions of suicide.

Ok, I liked this but there were elements that confused me. I am not sure if it was the book or the fact that I didn’t read it consistently for a bit.

I liked the premise - of two people - Clementine and Iwan - meeting from different years. But I felt like the meeting in present day was odd. It felt like I was missing something.

There were other questions I had about the story. I wasn’t quite sure why Clementine had rules for herself about not falling in love. I also wanted to know why there were certain elements that weren’t discussed in present day. And how did Clementine and Iwan fall in love so fast?

Perhaps I needed to suspend more disbelief. But I think some of the plot hole had me not being able to hold onto that.

I still enjoyed this one, and think it will work for people. (3.5)

[cw - suicide, death of relative]

4.5 stars, rounded up. Sometimes sophomore novels that follow a smashing debut can fall flat. However, I didn't find that to be the case with The Seven Year Slip! Utterly enjoyable, charming, and emotional. I adored every single character and the whole concept of timing was such a unique way to bring the main characters together. I really enjoyed this one!!

TW: mentions of suicide, depression
Content: strong language including f words, two open door scenes

Thank you so much to the publisher for my complimentary e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

I don't know what it is about Ashley Poston's writing that makes me sob like crazy, but I am here for it.

In a book that is reminiscent of all other time traveling romance stories, Clementine and Iwan manage to find each other 7 years apart in an apartment that bends the boundaries between time and space. Their story is heartfelt, poignant, and just a bit sad as we see them both come to the realization of what it means to be together across a 7 year span.

This book was beautifully written. I loved the cast of characters and their growth, but especially Clementine. Her emotions leapt off the page - a credit to Poston's literary skill. This book was unputdownable and I read it all in one sitting.

What an absolute treat.