This was an interesting book and not what I expected. Darby, the MC, is an almost 30 trans man at loose ends and goes home to figure things out. He has a time travel experience, meeting his former self as a teen, repeatedly, and tries to understand and undo a ruptured relationship with his best friend. As a reader, the time travel aspect of the story worked for me because the emotional intensity of Darby trying to figure out what went wrong and repair it was raw and authentic. I'm not the best reader of new adult stories because I'm too old to really understand that generation, but I felt Darby's angst and sense of unresolved baggage very clearly. I would recommend this to readers of LGBTQIA/New Adult fiction. It leaves the reader with a lot to think about.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

A sweet story about finding yourself and about the paths not taken. I was expecting a little bit more of a fantasy element. Overall it was decent but didn't grab me the way I wanted it to.

3.5 rounded to 3 ☆ cause honestly I was bored for a big portion of the book despite it having things I thought were really good.

I loved the idea of this book and I loved the writing style and bits of humor. I loved the side characters... but I wanted more than what we got.

The ending left me sad more than hopeful or feeling like Darby had a true resolution to his story. While he makes many discoveries about himself and his past, I didn't see true character growth on his part. The time travel was interesting but I wanted more of it and thought it would have a bigger impact on Darby than it did.

The best part of this book was seeing Darby's struggle with the emotions that come with being a trans man and queer, but even that felt more melancholic than hopeful that things could change.

I'm not trans but I am queer, and while some points hit really close to home, I was just really disappointed in how Darby's story was executed and with the final resolutions, especially when it came to Michael.

One thing that I really loved though was the author is also a trans queer man. While I didn't enjoy the book as much as I wanted to, I think it's amazing when authors write stories close to their hearts.

Would I recommend this? Maybe. If you're also queer or trans I think you might get something from this book. The parts I loved most were related to these topics. But the overall book just wasn't my favorite.

My many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for a chance to read this as an ARC. While I did receive this book for free, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Kind of a weak read for me. Story had a lot of potential but the author did nothing with it. Felt unsatisfying in the end

"Because nobody else can tell you who you are."
I know this is a book for adults, and there's a brief sexual situation. The majority of this book feels geared toward young adults though. There is so much angst, fear, and confusion about life choices and regret. Main character, Darby, returns to his hometown in Illinois after becoming jaded with the harsh realities of surviving NYC living. There, he meets his younger self at the bookstore he used to work at while simultaneously navigating awkward social situations in his present, including reconnecting with his former best friend. There's a lot of positivity here. This story is very queer, encouraging inclusion and questions about identity, but it's hard to like Darby, who by his thirtieth birthday still struggles with who he is as a person, even though his gender has been a concrete part of him for years by the present time of the novel. He spends a lot of time complaining about being misunderstood when he is the primary culprit of misunderstanding himself. I'm not sure I found the ending as satisfying as I wish either; one more chapter would have provided a bit more closure. That is likely more of a me issue though, as the ending is rather poetic as is, which could be appealing to most.
Overall, this was a good, quick read. I think anyone struggling with fitting in and embracing who they are would easily empathize with Darby and enjoy it very much.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC!

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill is not a romance book, but that's okay. From the very first time our two character kiss one another, we get the sinking feeling that things won't be working out between them, or that our main character might lose something vital to himself if it does. This book is all about reflecting on our pasts and being true to ourselves in the present, and I thought it did an excellent job of exploring those themes from an adult queer perspective. I gave this book a four-star rating because I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to a friend, but I wouldn't read it again.

I have read all of Underhill's books now, and they just keep getting better. I love how he captured small town Illinois and how this setting really forced Darby to reflect on what he wanted - to go back to NYC or to stay in his hometown. The magical elements of the story were fresh and unique. They way that it was written had me thinking the story would go in a different direction than it did, and I love it when an author surprises me. I just loved Darby and how honest he is with himself about being unsure. It was just a beautiful story of turning 30 and still figuring things out.

When Darby finds himself unemployed and in need of a fresh start, he moves back to the small Illinois town he left behind. But Oak Falls has changed almost as much as he has since he left.

One thing is familiar: In Between Books, Darby’s refuge growing up and eventual high school job. When he walks into the bookstore now, Darby feels an eerie sense of déjà vu—everything is exactly the same. Even the newspapers are dated 2009. And behind the register is a teen who looks a lot like Darby did at sixteen. . . who just might give Darby the opportunity to change his own present for the better—if he can figure out how before his connection to the past vanishes forever.

Fascinating premise, execution was not too bad. I think this book will be a hit with queer people or anyone else who feels other'd, whatever their reasons. I really enjoyed this, but I don't see it being as well received by general readers. It deals too much with emotion, and I don't feel like there's enough external plot going on to balance it. That said, I enjoyed the book a lot, and I'm grateful for the chance to have read it. 3.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long time.

As a fan of Edward Underhill's other books, I requested for an ARC knowing that I would enjoy anything he publishes, but what I didn't know was that I would be getting teary eyed and emotional over Darby's story in The In-Between Bookstore. The book starts with him getting let go from his job in New York City, rent being raised, and feeling stuck in life. Darby makes a last minute decision to go home and help his Mom move out of his childhood home, giving him time to rethink his life and figure out of NYC is really for him. If that wasn't enough, his ex-best friend is still in town and his pre-transitioned teenage self is stuck in time at the bookstore he worked at in high school.

This novel highlights a lot of self discovery and the different choices you make in life. It makes me think a lot of myself. While I'm not close to entering my thirties like Darby, I had the same idea to run away from my hometown to start a "new life". I didn't think I could be myself as a trans-man surrounded by people I've known all my life, so I went to an out-of-state college and started my own transition there. It's never easy thinking about the choices I made to be where I am today, but I am happy with those decisions. I hope Darby can be happy with those decisions too.

Unfortunately, this book was mostly forgettable. It had an interesting plot, with a promising trans character, but the magical realism left a LOT to be desired, and I felt no chemistry between the two main characters. Plus all they needed to do was talk about their feelings and there would have been no book at all lol. Good audiobook narration though, and a quick read. 3.75 rounded up!

🌈Queer rep: Main trans guy, gay male love interest, MM main couple. Secondary, FF couple, MM couple, and F/NB couple.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Edward Underhill always puts out such raw and beautiful masterpieces of fiction and I always appreciate it. This book feels like a hug and I always look forward to seeing more and more about the trans experience. I look forward to more adult novels by Edward!

I really enjoyed how much LGBTQIA+ representation was in this book. I’m still trying to figure out how and why the bookstore was going between the past and present and which theory Darby and Michael had is the correct one.
Overall it was a cozy and quick read and I enjoyed it.

*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*

This is the adult debut for Edward Underhill. I have read and enjoyed his previously published YA books.

This book takes a good look at how we view our younger selves. And the main character, Darby, has a chance to talk to their younger self, before they have fully understood that they were trans.

This book is based mostly in a small town in Illinois, and I found it very relatable. I especially loved that it centers around the bookstore Darby worked at as a teenager.

I really enjoy this authors writing style, it draws me in every time.

I mostly read romance, and this book is definitely not a romance, but it does give this hope in the unknown, in the what if’s, and it may take a detour, but finding where we belong, and finding where home truly is.

Such an interesting read, wasn't really sure what to expect going in, but I ended up being absolutely captivated, The writing was beautiful, and the ending was just so bittersweet...

Darby, a young trans man in NYC isn't sure where to go next in his life - he's lost his job, his apartment rent is raising, and he really isn't sure on if he even wants to stay in NYC any longer. He has an amazing friends group there, but is that enough? So he gives away all his furniture, packs his things into his rental car and heads back to his hometown. He was so quick to get away from there, but under the pretense of returning home in order to help his mom pack - he heads back and bumps into his former best friend, Michael.

He basically enters the bookstore he worked at while in high school and is transported back to that year - he sees it all again, and sees all of the struggles he went through from a different perspective. Michael is a really compelling and enjoyable love interest. Darby is an absolutely incredible main characters, and I loved all of the other characters as well.

The writing is melancholic and wistful all at once. The struggles easily feel real and I just truly loved the prospect of finding oneself by returning to where you came from.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review..

This book just wasn't really for me. I requested the book because I have enjoyed Underhill's previous works, but I did not realize this was not a romance. That is my bad for not doing the proper research. The book was well written, but it just wasn't what I expected or wanted it to be. Again, this was more an issue of my personal preferences then the actual book itself.

The In-Between Bookstore is an intriguing book. Edward Underhill tells a poignant queer story that blends reality and magical realism. It focuses on identity, time travel, and what you would do if you could give your younger self advice.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Darby moved to New York for college and never looked back to the small Midwest town where he grew up. But when he’s laid off from his job, he impulsively decides to return to his hometown, even though as a trans man, he’s never felt comfortable there. One of his first stops is the bookstore where he worked as a teen. There he meets his unhappy teenage self…but that can’t be right. Soon he’s working in daily bookstore visits to the past, along with helping his mom move and restarting a friendship with his former bestie Michael. Can he stay? And what sage advice can he offer his younger self?

There’s a lot to like about Darby’s story. The set up is great, and the idea of being able to tell your teenage self that things get better is tough to pass up. Darby’s mom Phyllis is a treasure. No matter what happens, or how often (or not) Darby stays in touch, she always supports him unconditionally, and him being trans is a nonissue for her.

Although there are romantic elements, this story isn’t a romance. As the story goes along and characters are revealed, it becomes tougher for the reader to support Darby’s stances. Darby’s frustration with his hometown is evident, along with his frustration with Michael. Later in the story, I felt awful for Michael, who was stuck making decisions with only a fraction of the facts.

The In-Between Bookstore is an interesting LGBTQ story with some magical realism thrown in. I liked spending time with Darby, even when his actions frustrated me. If you like a small town story with great trans rep and some time travel thrown in, you’ll enjoy this story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The In-Between Bookstore begins feeling alone and needing a jolt to the system. Sometimes something happens in our life that makes us have to re-evaluate where we're going. And sometimes to do that, we have to look backwards. We have to be reminded of why we left and what we were running towards. I deeply connected to Darby at the beginning. He's feeling adrift, unsure if he wants to stay in NYC, and feeling like he doesn't belong anywhere. The In-Between Bookstore forces Darby to confront the past. The memories haunting us.

Thank you to Avon books for the free ARC and book.

I think it must be said that this is not considered a romance. I’d categorize it as a coming of age story (with a hint of a paranormal twist) despite Darby being 30 years old.

Darby has lost his job, his rent is going up, and he’s feeling misplaced in his adopted home, NYC, so he goes back to his Midwestern home town to re-evaluate life. It’s there where he discovers the bookstore he worked at as a teenager (AFAB teenager, that is) is stuck in the past, the summer before his friendship with his BFF Michael imploded. It’s like Darby has purposeful amnesia, as he cannot remember why their friendship fell apart the way it did.

And weirdly, instead of just talking to grown-up real life Michael, Darby perseverates on talking to his teenage self to attempt to figure it out. You know, they always say that some lessons have to be learned twice, and Darby is an extreme case of this.

Darby seeing his past self struggle with gender identity mimics his current struggles on where to fit in. That no matter how many people are there supporting you (shout out to his mom!) that your perception of life may be vastly different from an outsider’s looking in.

The end of this story was equally sad and sorrowful and hopeful. I wouldn’t say there is a HEA here, as Darby is just continuing on his journey to self-acceptance, but it feels like it’s a step in the right direction. And really, isn’t that all we can ask for in life? To continue to learn and grow?

So, The In-between Bookstore is an insightful and emotional story regarding the what-ifs we all have in life.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

I had to set with this book before I reviewed it. Not because it is bad, but because the themes within it hit too close to home.

I know what it is like to grow up queer in a small town, move to a larger town, and have people judge you for your background and your love for your hometown. I loved the exploration of themes of not belonging that this book explored, and how our refusal to have difficult conversations. Also appreciated the way the author made it clear that however one is Queer is okay.

I really loved the bulk of this book but the ending left me wanting but I won't spoil totally why. the overall arc of the story is Darby learning through the connection with his past self about how his life and relationships got to the point they were before his 30th birthday. I related a lot to relocating because of finances (literally doing that right now) and I also related to coming back to a hometown after being gone for years. I liked the discoveries he made but a lot of things were extended only due to one or the other just not using their words and talking about things like the adults they are. And then the ending happened and I was upset that we built up this relationship only for it to end up like it did. I'm the type of person that thinks when you find that connection you should do everything in your power to keep it, even if it means some sacrifice on your part but neither character does that and it upset me enough to take away a star.