I really enjoyed Insignificant Others! It is a Groundhog Day-esque magical realism story, where Lena explores all of her "what if"s and missed connections in love.

This is definitely more of a relationship fiction story than a romance! I love women's fiction/chick lit so I enjoyed it a lot, and I was pleased by the ending.

My only criticism is that I wished that it was clearer earlier in the book what Lena was experiencing and why. It was a bit jarring to go from a contemporary opening to new timelines without it clicking what was going on until mid-way through the book. This wasn't a dealbreaker, but it did make it harder for me to fully invest in the story right away.

This one is great on audio, for the audiobook fans!

Thank you to William Morrow for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 stars

This was a touching and heartwarming magical realism book! I really enjoyed the growth the Lena went through and each day she woke up I was excited to see who she would be with now and how her life has changed.

I enjoyed this format and zoomed through this book. My only complaint is I wish some of the “lives” she had were longer! This is a sweet twist on the butterfly effect and I had a fun time with this book

Pub date: 4/1 (out now!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review

INSIGNIFICANT OTHERS
BY: SARAH JIO

I actually went into this delightful, and charming story totally blind. I'm so glad that I did because of the fact of not knowing what it was about, I was surprised how much I loved it despite that I'm not particularly a fan of 'groundhog day', or time loops that repeat, but I really loved this and I was sad to finish it. It was very well written and I could tell by the above quote that Sarah Jio is the kind of Author who must have depth and wisdom to impart to her readers. I'm definitely not a fan of romantic comedy novels since I tend to want to read about characters who explore later life lessons that are relatable to an older audience with insights that are more in line with examining choices that I have made, and how if given the chance to rectify mistakes or regrets if possible. I also like to read about novels that move me emotionally and this one definitely did have that aspect even though it first seemed like this would be for a younger audience given the main female protagonist named Lena is thirty three years old and looking to get married which I thought would not be a character that would teach me anything new as I am well past that stage in my life. I was totally wrong since this ended up being a novel that I loved so much that I bought other previous novels written by Sarah Jio.

It was an entertaining, heartfelt story that captivated me even though the premise on the surface seemed lighter at first, as I usually want more substance this definitely touched my heart, and I think it has a lot to offer readers of all ages. I was immersed and loved how the protagonist Lena evolved in self growth as each new version of her life in an alternate universe changed she learned something that we all have from youth to no matter how old we are that is universal in terms of delivering self reflection. It is so much more than a younger person looking for a husband as implied by the synopsis. I found that if that was the subject matter that describes the content of this novel, I wouldn't have chosen to read it. I'm so happy that serendipity played a part in my decision to pick this. I had read one other book by this author back approximately in 2016, or 2017 that I loved, which perplexes me why I it took me so long to pick another one of her novels between then and now. I saw that Sarah Jio had this excellent novel that was published on April 1, 2025 and based on remembering how her other novel made me feel is why I read this without knowing what it was about. My tastes about what I read have changed since then to be a wider variation that can't be categorized. I am more open to reading more than just thrillers, which I find that it is rare that I enjoy them unless they are spectacular and not many of them are. If I love the author already I will read them, but I'm reluctant to be drawn to that genre unless I already have had a good experience with the favorite authors I trust. Sarah Jio is very talented, and I must emphasize that you have to be a reader who enjoys magic realism that is done well, which in this case it was, that determines whether this is one you decide to read or pass. I can't understand why the ratings are mixed when this book is written with so much heart and exceeded my high expectations that makes it one I'll never forget which there are so few that meet that criteria. Like I said I don't usually pick up a novel geared for younger people since I'm more interested in Authors that have more life experience gained by wisdom of learning through lessons that resonate with maturity, or a great education, or sometimes both. I'm very picky in most cases about what I decide to read, and I either want to learn something new or feel something that is powerful, which this book is nostalgic, and in my opinion it is one that will appeal to readers of all ages. This author understands how to capture a wide range of audiences and accomplished to infuse meaningful themes that make this so rewarding that is unforgettable, and I admire how gifted she is to have made this a favorite among the thousands of novels I've read. If I only went by the synopsis I wouldn't have read this. My impression of its description is that this is so much deeper, and maybe it depends on the timing of the mindset each individual is at that explains the lower ratings. I don't usually read other reviews to have noticed, but I did this time when I wrote my review and can't explain why I did regarding this particular novel, all I can say that I was shocked to discover the lower ones that failed to enjoy this one as much as I did. I decided not to summarize this since it's already been done, and everybody has a right to their opinion so I'll just be grateful that I saw them after I read this, since I only read reviews if I'm buying something expensive, and I sometimes do if I'm not sure about a book I want to buy, but in most cases when it comes to books I already know that I will choose a book based on my own criteria. Certain reviewers on Good Reads that are friends have helped me discover something I wasn't aware of that I trust is a wonderful feature of this website that makes it fun. I mostly pick whether to read a book based on if it interests me, and I have found that for the most part I have good luck. I never check reviews beforehand like some do if I like the author I never read the synopsis I automatically will read it preferring to not read the synopsis which elevates my reading experience because I like to be surprised. I have discovered outstanding books just by my instinct of whether It sounds interesting. When I'm totally unfamiliar with a book I read the synopsis and if I'm buying it I check ratings, and if they aren't high I still buy it, which has lead me to positive experiences. On some that are loved I have bought and been disappointed. On some that are mixed reviews I've taken a chance and I have good luck. Sometimes if I go by reviews it's confusing if I'm on the fence. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if I went by the synopsis and read the mixed reviews I would have missed out on this highly enjoyable and a top read, but I knew I loved this author so I'm really looking forward to her previous books regardless of the synopsis or reviews. There were so many profound thoughts in her prose that I highlighted, but for me I LOVED IT! I was sad when it ended, and I couldn't put it down having read it in one sitting. I hope that it reaches as wide of an audience as possible and it's one I'll be recommending. Five Plus Stars!

Publication Date: April 1, 2025! AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE NOW! A STUNNING NOVEL IF YOU LOOK DEEPER IT IS AS MEANINGFUL AS IT IS ENJOYABLE!

Thank you to Net Galley, Sarah Jio, and William Morrow for generously providing me with my Fantastic ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. As always, all opinions are completely my own.

#InsignificantOthers #SarahJio #WilliamMorrow #NetGalley

Who hasn’t pondered “What if” about past dates and romance that never really took off? Lena Westbrook, a hard-driven career person, finds herself in a loop where upon waking up each day she is married to a different guy! The hodgepodge of guys are actual people she met or once dated but decided not to pull the romance trigger. The hook is she now has a snapshot of what her life could have been if she married each guy. Sometimes good, sometimes meh and other times horrible, these guys frustrate Lena as she knows things will change the next day. Lena desperately wants to make it back to her real life and try to make good by finding the perfect relationship. More of a lesson-learned tale than romance this novel is an enjoyable read

Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio was a very odd and yet endearing romance in which a young woman is led to her true love through a series of dreams(?) placing her in different situations (relationships) with men she had met in her past, some fleetingly. It was if she was trying on each of the lives to see it it fit. The reality was, she had just been dumped by her boyfriend, the night she thought he was proposing. She fled to her aunt, where they had planned to go for the weekend, anyway. Her aunt was full of good sense and told her to rest. She couldn’t sleep, though, and ended up in the unused guest cottage at the back of the property, where, when she awoke, she had begun her “time travel.” At first it was one night stands, but quickly moved on to committed relationships, some with children, hers or not, and all good in their own way. She was befuddled (ya think?) at first, but adjusted to a new life each morning. But she wasn’t sure of the purpose and how long this state of affairs would continue. Sometimes she called her aunt and her aunt was with the delusion; once her aunt was dead.

This was a really interesting story. Probably not too different from daydreams many women have had about the what-ifs, but surely more real. Some she regretted leaving, some not. Lena is a career woman and she loves her life. But is this all her subconscious, or is it a trick? She doesn’t know and we never really find out. Her aunt makes an allusion to the cottage and magic, but? Good character. Good story. Just fast enough. Just interesting enough. Certainly not a typical romance. Clever. I am happy I read it.

I was invited to read Insignificant Others by William Morrow. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #WilliamMorrow # Sarah Jio #InsignificantOthers

I had a hard time with this one, I wasn’t immediately drawn to the main character.
But if you’re in the mood for a little magical realism and a love story, look no further! :)

The premise of this was very interesting to me! I personally enjoy magical realism and the “time-loop”, “Groundhog Day” type of storylines. Sadly, this one had a very weak start and it was obvious to me that it wasn’t going to get better. Our main character felt very flat. I almost seemed like a caricature. Dialogue between characters never felt natural and everything feels overly explained. This reads like dated early 2000s woman’s fiction my mom would read. I don’t normally mind this but also there were too many pop culture references that went over my head. The book was strongest when she connected for two seconds which each new guy she met. But unfortunately at 35% I couldn’t see the point of our story and didn’t think it would get better so I did not finish this one. Thanks to William Morrow for my copy!

4.5 🌟
I have loved Sarah Jio's books since I first read The Violets of March, so I was very excited to receive the ARC of this book from the publisher.

What would you do if you woke up every day, married or in a relationship with a different person from your past? If you loved The Midnight Library by Matt Haig then you may love this book too!

Lena visits her favorite aunt on Bainbridge Island after a disastrous ending to her curvy relationship. She falls asleep in the guest house, only to wake up next to her husband, a husband she never married in her real life!

This continues, day after day, with Lena walking up in a relationship with someone she left behind long ago. Some were boyfriends, some were casual acquaintances or friends. During this journey of self discovery, she becomes more self aware and realized she will find the love of her life and she grows along the way. She strengthens her current relationships too.

I loved the pacing of this story and the variety of relationships and experiences she had during her journey. I was so happy when Lena found the person of her dreams!

Thank you to William Morrow Group and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC.

Lena, reeling from a breakup that she thought was going to be a proposal, goes back home to her aunts house to lick her wounds. When she falls asleep in the guest house, she isn't prepared for what will happen. Lena is transported to a new life every time she goes to sleep. Back with her exes and could have beens, to see if she somehow along the way missed out on what was right in front of her.
She feels love, she feels betrayal and she feels pain through these 24 hour experiences. She goes on journeys not just physically, but mentally. Understanding what love is and what it feels like so that she isn't just going through the motions.
I wasn't prepared for how much I loved this story. The premise sounded fun, so I decided to grab it, but I wasn't prepared for how this story would touch my heart and remind me of my own journey through life. Looking back on what could have been and finding love and comfort in places that weren't given a second glance before. Finding a HEA in something that was so unsuspected. Lena touched my heart and I love that fate played a hand in helping her see what had been in front of her before and bring it back to her.
Thanks to WIlliam Morrow, Netgalley and Sarah Jio for an early copy.

This story follows a young woman in a time loop of one-day relationships with partners from her past. I really enjoyed this book which had such a fun concept of the FMC figuring out what she wants in her relationship. At first, I was confused where this book was going at but then I realized it showcased the what if if Lena ended up with a certain guy. She got to figure out what she wants in her life and get to experience it. This book is told in multiple sections through Lena’s pov.

Lena is the FMC of the story who breaks up with her boyfriend and when going to her aunt’s house, she wakes up to a time loop. I loved seeing her grow throughout the book and seeing her different lives. There are many side characters but the main ones that stayed throughout the book were Lena’s best friend and her aunt. There is romance in this book but the book mainly focuses on Lena’s coming of age as an adult. The romance is more of Lena experiencing what could have happened if she was with a certain guy. She does end up with someone and there are no explicit scenes. Just a few kisses here and there.

The ending was well done and overall I enjoyed this book. It was a great read and showcases what one thinks of after being in a logn relationship. It really showcased Lena’s question of if she wasn’t with her ex, what would have happened with ___? I recommend checking this book out if you love To All the Boys Ive Loved Before, Emily in Pairs, and Groundhog Day.

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

Lena is a professional workaholic who has her life all mapped out. When things don’t go as planned, she ends up in a time loop that shows her many different lives, as in the path not taken. Entertaining with some good lessons. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. Published in the US 4/2/2025.

“Insignificant Others” by Sara Jim is a unique ‘Groundhog Day’ story about a woman, Lena, who, awakens each day in a different version of her life, married to various men from her past. The story formatting reminded me of “The Winter Goddess” and was very interesting. Although the story was funny, there was some emotional depth there too. This was a delightful surprise. This would make an excellent selection for a Book Club and one I’ll be recommending.
Thank you to NetGallery and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I have been a huge fan of Sarah's since I stumbled across The Bungelow in 2012 or 2013. I will read anything she writes! But Insignificant Others might be one of my favorites. While this one felt different from the others, with no historical fiction aspect, I loved the time travel/moving between partners within different cities and countries. I enjoyed following Lena on her journey of self-love and being ok with herself, her independence, and not needing to rely on anyone else.

I thought this was a great concept for a book. I mean who wouldn't want to wake up everyday to another man in your bed. Especially one you have crushed on or had thoughts about. Lena is that lucky girl. She was out to dinner with the love of her life and she thought she was going to get engaged. Instead, they broke up! She was devastated and went to visit her Aunt. When she wakes up the next day she is somewhere else and with another guy. At first I was confused. I didn't realize the book was going to be about that. Once I figured it out, I went on the wild ride with Lena. The book was light and fun and flirty. I don't think I really liked the character of Lena but I did enjoy her adventures. I did like her BFF Frankie and Frankie's husband Chris. There were also some good laughs in the book. I mean who gives a baby a Frappuccino!!! If you are lookin for a light, fun read, I highly recommend this one.
Thanks to #netgalley, #williammorrow and @sarahjio for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Lena is expecting her boyfriend to propose and ends up breaking up with him instead. She returns home to the comfort of her beloved aunt, but after she falls asleep in the guesthouse, she wakes up…in Paris, with a husband and a different life. After stumbling through the day, thinking she's going crazy, she wakes the next morning in yet another home with a different husband. Each day she wakes up in a different version of her life that could have been if she'd continued or begun relationships with men she's known in different ways. With each new life, Lena sees what could have been and begins to realize more and more what she really wants. Obviously, this bears some similarity to The Husbands, which I read earlier this year. I enjoyed it for the most part. I think it had the right ending. 3.5 stars rounded to 3.

3.5⭐️- This was a cute read. I loved the idea of seeing what your life could be like if you chose a different path. I enjoyed the characters but to me, there was no really big moment in the story that caught me. I felt like it was lacking something. I wish we would have gotten a perspective from Kevin & Lena. Overall, this was a cute read. Nothing spectacular, but a good read.

I liked this one, but I was expecting more of a romance. It was primarily a women’s fiction about finding yourself and the journey of self discovery, which is not my usual genre. It was funny and touching and I enjoyed it, but my biggest issue was with the romance, or lack thereof. I wanted more romance and the man she ended up with wasn’t one of the men from her past, so her feelings for him felt like they came out of nowhere and I didn’t feel a connection between them. Again, it was well written, I just didn’t love it.
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Read if you like:
▫️magical realism
▫️timeslip/timeloop
▫️past relationships
▫️the one who got away
▫️journey of self discovery
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Thank you to William Morrow, Sarah Jio, and NetGalley for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am a huge fan of Sarah Jio's books and this one might just be my favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved reading about Lena's insignificant other adventures and wondering who she'll end up with. This is by far an amazing story and you will enjoy it just as much as I did.

I loved this book so much! It was a quick read and so light and wonderful. It was a perfect romance. I love how Lena time hopped and woke up each day with another husband, learning lessons in love and what she really wants for her life. Such a happy, feel-good read!

I enjoyed reading Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!