I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio is a first person-POV contemporary speculative novel exploring a wide variety of one woman’s possible romantic futures. Lena is a businesswoman who is convinced she found someone to spend the rest of her life with…until he admits that he doesn’t see them getting married. To make matters worse, he states that Lena treats relationships like a business. She wakes up every day in a new bed, a new relationship, and a deeper understanding of herself.

One thing that I thought was interesting was that Lena very much doesn’t want children at the beginning of the book but when two of her potential lives involve a step-child or a biological one, she is a bit more open. She also mourned when she realized she’d had a miscarriage in a different life. Where she seems to struggle the most is the culture around motherhood and not feeling like a ‘natural’ mother instead of hating kids. I don’t necessarily think that the Lena we follow wants kids by the end of the book, but I do think she learned that there are some kids she likes. It’s tricky because we need to deconstruct motherhood as a culture and any idea of people being ‘born mothers’ so we don’t trap women into a cycle that they do not want to be part of, but I think it is realistic that some people know for a fact they don’t want to be mothers and will never change their minds and others are open to having a step-child or adopting but not with getting pregnant, which might be more where Lena is.

Many of the various romances that Lena experiences for a day have some pretty dramatic flaws, some of which reflect her own flaws. Her drive and ambition and not really seeing other people as people is shown in at least two different partners, though they are worse than Lena was. You do start to feel bad for the Lenas who that is their life but you also want them to wake up and run away, which Lena often does for them. Not all of them are bad, however, Lena’s relationship with Colm was fairly healthy in appearance and she could have been happy with him in a different life.

The pacing is on the slower end. We spend roughly two or three chapters with each partner, but there is only so much that can be done in a single day. Lena’s growth is gradual as a result and her examinations of herself and her relationships sometimes have payoffs and other times, it takes a bit more thought to see what she learned and what she didn’t.

Content warning for brief depictions of fatphobia

I would recommend this to fans of books exploring romantic relationships that are not romance genre and readers looking for something similar to Groundhog Day that is more internal

This was such a fun and whimsical story that had me completely swept up in its high-concept, romantic adventure. Lena’s journey takes her across Paris, Ireland, New York, and beyond, giving her a glimpse into the lives—and loves—she could have had. It’s an enchanting mix of Emily in Paris meets Groundhog Day, perfect for fans of second-chance love and thought-provoking “what ifs.”

While the ending fell a bit flat, it was still an enjoyable and unique read that kept me engaged until the last page!

Insignificant Others by Sarah Geo, in the book Lana experiences the romantic Groundhog Day but instead of every day being the same, every day she has a new husband. when the book starts Lana is living in San Francisco and engaged but unfortunately her engagement doesn’t last long and she retreats back to Washington to her aunt Rose’s house to lick her wounds but while there she decides to go investigate the place she was forbidden to go in as a child and that is the little summer house behind her aunts home. When she falls asleep she’ll only wish that’s where she woke up but instead wakes up in many different versions of her life with many different husbands and even a few children. I really enjoyed this book I just wish we would’ve known a more concrete origin story to the little summer house but that is the only negative I really loved the ending I only wish the ending would’ve been longer and I’m sure those who have read the book know what I mean. This is still a great book to Read and for those who love romance stories there is a lot to swoon over and many times you will wish she would stay with one of her groundhog husbands, I know I certainly did. I just want to say my favorite part was when she was married to Marcus and had Baby Sabrina and stopped to get her Starbucks and a chocolate doughnut for breakfast, a lot of things in this book made me laugh but nothing as hard as that I really did LMFAO! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer,#MyHonestReview, #SarahGeo, #InsignificantOthers,

This was such a fun read, with a creative premise! INSIGNIFICANT OTHERS follows Lena, who has always had a perfect plan for her life, down to even the smallest detail. After experiencing a devastating breakup, Lena escapes to her aunt's home on Seattle's beautiful Bainbridge Island to give herself some time to heal. She falls asleep in the guest house that night...but awakens in a glamorous Parisian apartment, with a sophisticated Frenchman who seems to think that Lena is his wife. Now, each time Lena wakes up, she's met with an exciting new destination and an exciting new partner. Stuck in a revolving door of suitors, she slowly begins to reflect on her past decisions, explore "the roads not taken" in her life, and question whether any of these significant others were really so significant after all. Will Lena finally master the secret to living in the present?

Time-loop stories are always really fascinating and entertaining to read, and this one was no different! I so enjoyed Sarah Jio's take on the classic trope, and while this was my first book of hers, I could definitely see myself reading more in the future. The story was imaginative and sweet, while also being thought-provoking, encouraging readers to reflect on the "what-ifs" surrounding love and life. With so many characters and settings, the story runs the risk of feeling surface-level, with not enough time to get into all the details, but overall, I felt like that wasn't the case here—readers truly get to know all of these different lives Lena finds herself in, and the people and places who make them unique. If you love magical realism in a romance (think: Ashley Poston's or Lauren Kate's books) combined with a compelling journey of self-discovery, INSIGNIFICANT OTHERS is the book for you! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

With a nod to both Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Groundhog Day, Jio has spun a delightful, emotional, illuminating timeslip novel about a woman who, in the process of living a day with each of the choices she could have made with various men from her past, is also given the opportunity to reflect on her dissatisfaction with her current life. The day after her latest relationship ends with Coldplay tickets instead of a proposal, Lena runs to the comfort of her Aunt Rosie’s arms, the woman who raised her after her mentally ill mother died when she was just 12, following a life of instability, lack of plans, and occasional abandonment. Before falling asleep, she comes to the realization that, due to her chaotic childhood, she fears the unknown and clings to her rigid life and career plans as a result.

The following morning, she wakes up in Paris, married to a sophisticated Frenchman she’d met years before at a mutual friend's wedding. Over the next nine days, she finds herself waking to 9 other ghosts from her past (including a farmer, past boyfriends and crushes, near-strangers, etc.). In the process, she is forced to reevaluate her views on motherhood, infidelity, desirable qualities in a romantic partner and more. When she finally breaks free from this time loop, will she have discovered enough about herself to be open to a true love relationship? You’ll have to read it and see. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from William Morrow through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

This book was quite the ride. I didn't know what to expect from chapter to chapter, and that thrilled me.

The story was so unique. Totally original, which was a breath of fresh air.

The author, Sarah Jio, managed to make a complicated plot easy to understand and embrace. She wrote with honesty and heart. I loved it!!!

I worlds definitely recommend this book!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

***MINOR SPOILER***

DNF at 22% . This one just wasn’t for me. I stopped being invested and was put off when it came to light Lena was attracted to her best friend’s husband, and was tempted at one point and came close to hooking up with him. Frankie is such a great friend and deserves a better friend and husband.

E-ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars

This was my first book by Sarah Jio and it won’t be my last. This book had me so captivated that I was constantly thinking about it & wondering what was going to happen.

Lena is a 35 year-old unlucky in love perfectionist who retreats home after a bad break up to see her beloved aunt & recoup. She ends up falling asleep that night in the guest house and then over the next few days wakes up every morning with a new husband & a new life.

I’ve been really loving a bit of magical realism as of late & I found the premise of Insignificant Others so addicting. There was such a myriad of different scenarios & a few really stole my heart. Along with the different husbands & lives I loved Lena’s relationship with her best friend Frankie and her Aunt Rosie.

I probably would have rated this five stars if it hadn’t been tied up so quickly in the end. It’s hard to explain without spoilers but I wanted more introspection and depth from Lena about all her different lives, adventures & loves. I was satisfied with the ending but I was still reeling a bit for the lost connections and lack of closure!? I also feel like I would have liked to know more about Lena in general & had a better feel for her personality and character.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of Insignificant Others in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Sarah Jio book and definitely won't be my list! You follow a protagonist in a very meh relationship who finds herself waking up every day in a new life with a past boyfriend, to see what her life could have looked like. It had great messages about self-love and friendship - I particularly LOVED her best friend.

A few lines made me teary, and overall, I was really invested!!

A sweet Sliding Doors-style novel of paths not taken, this book shares a series of day-in-the-life might've-beens for Lena. Different partners mean wholly different lives for Lena, from a yacht chef in the Aegean to a stepmom in small-town Ireland. This was a breezy, though not unsubstantial, read, and I could see it being great for book club discussions!

Wow this was soooo good! Lena was such a charming character and reading all the different lifes she could've lived was so entertaining. I could not get enough of this book! This writing was great, the characters were amazing and the story line was engaging and so addicting. Bravo! Highly recommend!

This book was a surprisingly fun read! I absolutely thought I’d enjoy it, but I did not anticipate it being so difficult to put down! I got sucked into this story and I finished this book in 2 days ( had I had more free time I absolute would’ve finished it faster).

I loved the character growth in this story of the FMC as she is forced to reflect on her current life as she’s sucked into a loop of all of the “what if” paths she could’ve taken. I also loved that the focus was on her own self discovery and not necessarily on her building relationships with all of her “insignificant others.” The ending left off on such a hopeful note as she reexamines her life.

I am honestly not sure why I am rating this 4 stars and not 5, but something (minor) was lacking I just can’t pinpoint what. But I would absolutely recommend picking this book up!

3.5 stars rounded up.
i thought this book was adorable.
lena thinks she’s about to become a fiancee and instead ends up single before dinner even starts. she goes home to her aunt rosie’s where she feels the most safe and tucks herself into bed in the guesthouse. for the next two weeks, she wakes up in a different place, next to a different man, living a different life. she experiences life with all of her “insignificant others” - men she’s had a history with, whether short or long - and learns many lessons along the way.
similar concept to sliding doors. what would life look like if you made just one different decision?!

thank you to william morrow for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

⏳🤍Insignificant Others 🤍⏳
By: Sarah Jio
Format: Digital Arc
Thank you : @netgalley @harpercollins
🤍Out 4/1/2025 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⌛️Insignificant Others is a novel that explores the relatable and resonant “what ifs” of life, especially love. The story follows a young woman stuck in a “time loop” of one-day relationships with romantic partners from her past, allowing her a second chance to say “yes” to the one who got away

Marrying the wish-fulfilling romance of Emily in Paris with the high-concept premise of Groundhog Day, Insignificant Others is a lively, surprising, and enchanting novel that explores the relatable and resonant “what ifs” of life, but most especially, love.

QUOTABLES:
🤍“Remember, the heart is a muscle you must flex”

💭Time Travel is my favorite “micro trope” and Jio did a big one with this one! It was such a fun ride watching the FMC realize that all her decisions throughout her life have added up to become her life. It’s a story full of life lessons like: “stop and smell the roses”, “focus on what really matters”, and “don’t get too caught up in things that you live life on autopilot”. This is going to be such a cute read for Spring, you wont want to miss this one!

⚠️TWs: miscarriage, absentee mother

What a fun sweet read! After a breakup, Lena falls asleep and each day she wakes up in a different location with a different spouse. Some of these men are wonderful and others, well, not so much, but Lena learns more about herself through the process. The author avoids the plot being moved forward by chaos, as Lena easily slips into each life and makes do as she unravels the mystery and tries to get home. The interactions with the new spouses is PG, so very light on the 'mushy' stuff. I loved seeing Lena explore and learn about herself and grow and find happiness. I feel the need to compare it to The Husbands, as it was recently popular and there is some overlap in the premise. The Husbands is about a woman who stays in her apartment and she gets a new husband only when one goes to the attic, so some relationships are long, some short, a fair amount of sex involved, and she doesn't know most of the men before they come down from the attic. In Insignificant Others, Lena moves to the new spouse in a new space and only for a day. She also knows all of the men, as she met them in the past and for whatever reason never followed through on a relationship - so this is her second chance to see how life would have turned out if she had pursued that option. I really enjoy reading these types of books where people get to try out different versions of themselves. I particularly liked this one since the characters were lovely people and the author kept the story to interpersonal stuff and not bedroom antics.

A beautifully written book about what are choices can mean, and looking at life as the gift it is. I finishes this in 24 hours and wish I could go back and read it again.

First off, if you have never read a Sarah Jio book you have been seriously missing out! Her books are written so beautifully and always leave you with profound advice to put towards your own life.
In Insignificant Others, Lena thought she knew what her future looked like, but after breaking up with her boyfriend who she thought was the one, she now feels lost and returns to her childhood home. She ends falling asleep and is put into a “time loop” and visiting every guy she had a relationship with in the past to see what their future would have looked like. Each “adventure” shows her how valuable each day is in her life and what a true connection means & what she really wants for her future.
This book was very enjoyable & I truly would recommend it to anyone. I also love the message Sarah left me with, “We’re writing our stories every minute of every day, and all of it counts.”
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I love Sarah Jio books- they often have a touch of magical realism. I love this little sliding doors-esque novel. I've seen a few other reviewers comment that the end seemed a little rushed, and I do agree- the person that she ends up with at the end didn't necessarily stick out to me more than some of the others as THE ONE she was supposed to be with throughout this whole ordeal.

This was an easy, quick, very enjoyable little read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all thank you to NetGalley, William Marrow and Sarah Jio.

I loved this book! I liked that the main character was older and more established. With each place she ends up and with each person the story feels so real and personal. I wasn’t expecting how emotional it would be. I thought it would be sort of superficial with each man but it touched on some deep topics and feelings.
I liked Lena’s growth as she moves through the story. I wish the ending was a bit more detailed but it does leave things open for your imagination and where she goes from there.
I also enjoyed the side characters and what they brought to each story.

Definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishers for an early copy of the book!

I love Sarah Jio books, especially her earlier ones. I enjoyed this one too. I could not wait to find out what “Insignificant other” she ended up with…. But I wanted it to end a different way! She didn’t end up with the one I wanted…. But I commit that I will keep this spoiler free. I really did enjoy my time with this book but felt it could have been fleshed out a bit more. Very hasty ending tied up with a bow!

I do think this is a fun book to add to your TBR!