The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that blends elements of nostalgia, self-discovery, and the complexities of change. When Darby, a trans man, returns to his small hometown of Oak Falls, Illinois, after a period of self-exploration in New York, he is faced with a town that no longer feels like home. The town may have changed, but one thing remains the same: In Between Books, the bookstore where he spent his youth. But when Darby steps inside, things take a surreal turn: the store is frozen in time, with newspapers still dated from 2009 and a teen who eerily resembles Darby at age sixteen.

The concept of time and identity is at the heart of this novel. Through his conversations with his past self—through a series of poignant and emotional dialogues with the bookstore’s young clerk—Darby is forced to confront the unresolved feelings about his past, particularly his relationship with Michael, and reflect on the choices he made. This mystical encounter offers Darby a chance to understand what went wrong, what he could have done differently, and what he still needs to resolve within himself to truly move on.

The narrative is incredibly well-written, with Underhill’s skillful prose painting Oak Falls and the bookstore as almost dreamlike, enhancing the sense of déjà vu that Darby feels. The novel skillfully combines elements of magical realism with deep emotional exploration, offering a rich reading experience that resonates far beyond its supernatural elements.

While The In-Between Bookstore isn’t a romance, it does touch on themes of love—both the romantic and platonic kinds—as well as self-acceptance. Darby’s journey isn’t about finding a perfect resolution or rekindling lost relationships. Rather, it’s about letting go of the past, learning to forgive both himself and others, and accepting that some things are simply out of our control.

The beauty of the novel lies in its message: sometimes, no matter how much we long to rewrite our histories, we must face the reality that we can’t go back and change the past. Instead, we must take the lessons it offers and move forward, forging a future based on the wisdom we've gained.

Underhill does an excellent job of capturing the intricacies of the trans experience, particularly in the context of small-town life, without sensationalizing Darby’s identity. The exploration of Darby’s internal conflicts and the process of reclaiming his sense of self is poignant and relatable for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from their past or uncertain about their future.

Overall, The In-Between Bookstore is a beautifully crafted narrative about love, loss, and the importance of finding peace within oneself. It will appeal to readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery, magical realism, and the complexities of personal transformation.

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill follows Darby, a trans man living in NYC.
I really enjoyed the writing. Darby is a really likable character. One of the mail tropes here is time travel. Main character travels back in time to the bookstore where he worked as a teen, and meets his old self. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

This was a 3.5 Star rating for me.

"The In-Between Bookstore" presents an intriguing premise about a magical bookstore that allows a trans man to confront his past self, but ultimately feels more melancholic than magical. While Underhill's writing is strong and the exploration of identity thoughtful, the time-travel element serves more as metaphor than plot device. The relationship between Darby and Michael shines, though Darby's chronic communication issues can frustrate. The audiobook narrator delivers a solid performance, bringing warmth to this bittersweet tale. While it may resonate deeply with some readers, others might find the pacing too slow and the story's heavy emotional weight overwhelming. A contemplative literary novel that happens to contain magical elements, rather than the sci-fi adventure some might expect.

A lovely read! What starts out as the classic 20-something life crisis evolves into a queer coming of age (but not the age you think!) with the ultimate small town vibes. The book goes by so quickly, you could have told me it was a week or a month, everyday we follow Darby was so easy to read. Even in the low stakes scenes, there will be a random line that just hits you in the feels summarizing a queer life.

My only drawback from the story was that it was slight fantasy and slight romance and slight friendship based story, and I wish it picked a bit more of a lane. About 70% through, I felt like maybe I didn’t like the main character because we get a little bit of a mess of everything, but I did think it ended wonderfully messy (compliment).

REVIEW: The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill 3.5

Darby is an almost 30-year-old transgender male living in New York City. When he loses his job and cannot afford rent, his mom offers to return to Illinois to help her move. Coming home means seeing his former best friend and the place where Darby doesn't feel like he belongs. When visiting his high job, The In-Between Bookstore, Darby is transported to 2009 and sees his teen self. Can he change the falling out with his best friend?

The In-Between Bookstore is a magical, realistic book in which the main character, Darby, realizes he can visit his past self when entering the bookstore. The mystical elements were done well; they are still fantastical but believable. Edward Underhill describes everything throughout the book, so you feel right there with Darby. I liked the general message of your identity and discovering who you are, especially in a small-town setting. The audiobook's narrator was great, making you relate to the characters. Shaan Dasani narrates the story of a transgender award-winning actor, writer, and producer.

I didn't quite like some things. Much of the book moved very slowly, and it never felt like much happened. I also questioned some of Darby's choices when visiting his past self. Things could have been handled better, especially since he is 30. Lastly, the ending didn't do it for me. It was very bittersweet, and it felt like it could have shown more growth from the character.

Overall, I enjoyed The In-Between Bookstore, but it didn't quite hit me as I hoped.

Thank you, Netgalley, Avon & Harper Voyager, and HarperAudio Adult, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

The premise of this book drew me in and the story did not disappoint. Darby's return to the small town he left after feeling like he would never belong did not go exactly as I anticipated. His interactions with his younger self did not seem as pivotal to the plot as I thought they would. However, his journey of self-exploration and rekindled friendship with Michael kept me enagaged. While found family is an important part of the novel, Darby's relationship with his mom rang true to me and I enjoyed her character. After reading Underhill's adult debut, I am looking forward to reading his YA titles.

I'm so glad this was my first read of the year! Edward Underhill nails it again - this time with his adult debut! I was a big fan of his YA debut Always the Almost so I couldn't wait to hop into this one.

The In-Between Bookstore follows Darby on the eve of his thirtieth birthday (or his Saturn Return, as his best friend keeps calling it). Darby is feeling the pressure of living in the city and when he's laid off from his job he takes the opportunity to visit his small hometown. By a twist of time travel or birthday-induced hallucination, Darby is sent back in time to meet his teenage self.

Underhill perfectly captures what it's like to turn 30. At 30, you're almost forced to reflect on how far you have (or haven't) "made it" as an adult and how life may be different if you had taken a different path. Darby's visits both home and to the past perfectly highlight this feeling.

It reminded me a lot of one of my favorite movies of 2024, My Old Ass. Highly recommend for fellow fans of heartwarming queer stories with a speculative twist!

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Non-spoiler synopsis:
Have you ever wished you could go back in time and tell your younger self something that would make the rest of your life easier? The In-Between Bookstore is a whimsical, heartfelt queer story about self-discovery, friendship, (found) family, romance, and second chances. Darby is a trans man who grew up in rural Illinois and couldn’t wait to move away from home as a teenager, find a community who understands him and people who accept and affirm his authentic self. And so he does – he moves to NYC for college, finds a job and a solid group of friends, and plants himself there. As he nears his 30th birthday, he finds himself out of a job and unable to afford his absurd NYC rent, so he goes back home – a place he never envisioned moving back to – to figure out his next steps. While home, he discovers the Bookstore he worked at as a teenager is a portal to the past.

Review:
I really enjoyed the premise of this story, but there are a few things I found myself longing for that made this bump down from a 5- to a 4-star read. For one, I wish there was a bit more description to help visualize the setting, especially of the bookstore. There was some, but I just found myself wanting more. I felt like I really wanted to imagine myself there and be able to transport myself back in time with Darby, but it was difficult for me to do. I also felt like the ending fell a bit flat. Maybe I was just hoping for more and that clouded my judgement?
But, nevertheless, I found the story very sweet and cozy and enjoyed it the whole way through. I really enjoyed how dynamic Darby and all of his relationships were – there was a lot of growth across all of the focal characters. I loved the way younger Darby and current Darby were able to learn and grow from each other, the increasing self-awareness and the repairing of relationships throughout.

Please read The In-Between Bookstore if you like magical realism, The Butterfly Effect, and heartfelt stories that center queerness; it publishes on January 14, 2025!! I’m interested to hear what you think of it if you do!
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TW: gender dysphoria

Darcy travels back to his hometown after suddenly losing his job in NYC. In theory it is to help his mother move to a new condo but, in reality, Darcy is feeling a little lost in his life. When he visits the old bookstore where he used to work, he is transported back in time and meets his younger, pretransition, self. Is the time traveling a chance to undo the mistakes of the past or are there other lessons to learn?

With this book, Underhill masterfully displays a 'quarter-life crisis' (kind of, Darcy is turning 30) and all of the painful feelings that come with said crisis. Regardless of life experience, I believe that any reader would identify with unmoored Darcy feels in his life and the hard lessons that one learns trying to find oneself. I certainly did! Underhill's prose puts you in Darcy's head, for better or for worse, to the point where I had knots in my stomach the more anxious Darcy became. This is definitely a book that will make you feel a lot of emotions.

Without delving into spoiler territory, I appreciate that Underhill subverted several time travel and coming of age tropes. Subverting these tropes makes for a more realistic and meaningful story. Darcy cannot undo the mistakes that he made in the past, but that doesn't mean he can't go on to have a perfectly content life. Underhill also acknowledges that sometimes we do have to leave people we love behind in order to grow and yet that fact doesn't change how impactful the relationship was. There is a happy ending but not in the way you expect. In my opinion, that made the overall book much more fulfilling.

Overall, a beautiful and emotional book that hit all the right notes, especially the conclusion.

Reviews going live on Goodreads, Storygraph, Fable and Tik tok on 1/5.

** SPOILERS AHEAD **

Edward Underhill has written a powerful and evocative novel about identity and love and closure. He is a great writer and has produced a wonderful tale, based in the time travel trope, where the main character, a trans man, has the opportunity to interact with his younger self. He also makes peace with his mother and his former best friend, for whom he harbors both wistful and romantic feelings. While I tend to prefer a more typical happily-ever-after, I also appreciate a realistic and true happy ending that includes love and hope and found family. I also truly appreciate a book about a trans character written by a trans writer. The own-voice aspect of a novel like this is so very important. And it features a perfectly, aptly named bookstore, In-Between Books.

Thanks to NetGalley for access to the eARC.

It's like if The Midnight Library and The People We Meet on Vacation had a very queer child. One of those books where you playfully tear your hair out thinking, "Why can't you just talk to this guy about your feelings?" And I say that with love! I've felt this frustration while reading huge bestsellers featuring straight, cis romances, (cough cough PWMOV,) but gosh darn it, queer readers deserve these stories, too.

The In-Between Bookstore is a sweet, cozy book featuring a trans guy turning 30, coming back to his hometown, and discovering that the indie bookstore in town allows him to travel back in time. I actually had the flu while I was reading this and it was the perfect comfort read. I don't typically read YA, but I will consider reading Underhill's other books because The In-Between Bookstore was just so gosh darn sweet.

Rating:

Review: On goodreads, you'll see this book described as "The In-Between Bookstore is a stunning novel of love, self-discovery, and the choices that come with both, for anyone who has ever wondered what their life might be like if they had the chance to go back and take a bigger, braver risk." And that is exactly what it is. There were so many moments while I was reading and listening to this book that I was like "oh, it would be so cool if the message or lesson here is this," and then it was. This book is a book that reminds you that love doesn't have to be romantic, and it doesn't have to external. Figuring out your place in the world doesn't have to mean you feel nothing for another place too. Just because a scenario could work out doesn't mean it should. Something ending differently that you expect doesn't mean it was a failure. Some time success comes from what we learn about ourselves along the way. I absolutely loved this book. This was my first book by Edward, and I'm so glad I have another one in my personal library to immediately pick up.

Synopsis: 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.

The In-Between Library is a heartfelt and bittersweet story about self-discovery and second chances. I especially enjoyed Darby’s opportunity to connect with his younger self and how it created a dynamic where both versions of Darby learn and grow from each other.

The In-Between Library is a sweet story that will continue to stay with you even after you've finished reading. It is a perfect read for those who appreciate emotional storytelling with just a touch of magic.✨️

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager, for the ARC of this book!

An absolutely incredible book!!! A combination of TJ Klune, The Midnight Library, Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore, and The Book of Doors!! I fell in love with the characters and was cheering for them the whole way. I cried and laughed at the same time, and now I want to read this book again!! Maybe in another universe...

The In-Between Bookstore is a solid, whimsical, queer story with a magic realism lens. The book explores coming of age themes mirrored with romance. Altogether I thought this was a very solid novel with likable characters who I found myself rooting for. The writing was vivid, but not overly flourished, and the storyline was digestible and relatable. A super solid story that I would recommend to queer fiction, fantasy, and even romance fans!

4.5 stars rounded up
Time travel queer romance- although Darby the main character is turning 30, this reads like more of a YA romance, which is sweet and follows along with the main theme. And all of us can relate to this concept-- what would you say to your younger self if you could? Would your younger self recognize you? How would it change you now to be reunited with your younger self?

Darby is a trans man living in NYC with a vibrant community of friends, although he worked for a start up that has gone belly up. Darby is originally from a small town in the midwest, and his mom called to let him know she is moving, so Darby is going to visit.... and maybe stay... in the same small town he grew up in. His one time friend and crush Michael still lives there and goes to all the football games, in fact, a lot of the people Darby grew up with are still there. And can you go home again? The age old question?

I don't want to give away any spoilers here, but Darby does experience a split in the space time continuum to be able to visit the bookstore where he worked as a teen, and is able to access the bookstore and his younger self in 2009, when he still thought he was a girl, albeit a broken one. Darby didn't change his name when he transitioned, which eliminates any literary issues of how to address his younger self without deadnaming him.

Has anyone given this book to Hollywood producers yet, and obviously Elliot Page can please play Darby?

Darby is insecure and a realistic and likable lead. Michael is a compelling love interest. But Olivia and all of Darby's friends (as his mom says, "your gay friends" and Darby says "all my friends are gay, mom.) (lol) are fantastic minor characters.

I like time travel and time slip romances quite a bit, it was nice to have a trans character, nice to see a "back in my hometown" romance and I don't want to give away the ending, but it ends differently than it usually does at Hallmark. The ending was not what I expected and I had to sit with it for a few days to realize that I loved it.

Highly recommend for fans of Casey McQuiston and Ashley Poston. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Harper Vorager for the ARC. Book to be released January 14, 2025.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. The premise was SO intriguing and sounded so good! The execution was not done well. Darby was an interesting enough character, but he was also incredibly frustrating.

The In-Between Bookstore is a story about facing a past that you’ve been avoiding, maybe even running away from. Going home for Darby doesn’t exactly feel like “home”, sure the house is the same, the high school still there, but the town has changed and so has Darby. While I wouldn’t call this a story of self-discovery, Darby already knows who they are, it is a story about making peace with your life choices and maybe giving yourself some grace. Being at a crossroads, at any point of your life is never easy and as Darby is helping his mom slowly empty their childhood home there is a bit of a metaphor for resolving past trauma and history of another life. I liked this book, the sci-fi aspect is more about talking to your past self than anything really supernatural, it was an enjoyable read.

What if you could go back in time to your teen years? Darby returns home and to the bookstore he worked at in high school, only to realize it is once again 2009.

I received an ARC of The In-Between Bookstore from the publisher, and it was the perfect read to kick off 2025. This novel blends magical realism (one of my favorite genres!) with heartfelt self-reflection and second chances, making it both entertaining and thoughtful.

Darby’s story felt incredibly real—sometimes uncomfortably so—and I appreciated how the author captured both the beauty and struggles of his journey. Darby’s experience mirrors so many trans stories I’ve heard—the need to leave your hometown to grow into yourself, and then the complicated emotions that come with returning years later to confront your past.

The magical bookstore at the heart of this novel is such a clever, nostalgic setting, and it adds just the right touch of whimsy without overpowering the emotional depth of Darby’s story. I found myself completely absorbed as he navigated the blurry lines between past and present, questioning what it means to take risks and start over.

If you’re looking for a short, thoughtful read with a little magic and a lot of heart, I highly recommend checking this one out!