** Disclaimer: I would like to thank Atria Books/Simon and Schuster for providing me with a free ARC of this book. My opinion is, of course, my own. **

What could make a fun, flirty contemporary rom-com even more fun? Why, time travel, of course! Or at least, that seems to be the intention behind Jackie Lau’s newest book, "Time Loops and Meet Cutes". "Time Loops and Meet Cutes" finds our hapless heroine Noelle forced to repeat June 20th over and over again as she keeps encountering a handsome and charming man named Cam—who can never quite remember who she is. Can Noelle find a way out, or will she be forced to repeat June 20th forever?

In a genre currently over-saturated with a handful of tropes, "Time Loops and Meet Cutes" stands out as a rom-com that feels fresh, emotional, and above all, intriguing. I tend to find rom-coms easy to put down, but with this particular rom-com, I found myself invested in Noelle’s plight: the experiments she conducts to understand the rules that govern her time loop, her (many, many, many) attempts to break out of the time loop, and the emotional journey she goes on as she finds herself repeating the same day over, and over, and over again. The time loop gives her the chance to let go and take risks—but it also leads to heartbreak, because her relationship with Cam can never progress beyond a first date.

Like any book, "Time Loops and Meet Cutes" does have its weaknesses, the most prominent of which (at least for me) was the characterization. None of the characters in this book surprised me at any point, and Noelle and Cam in particular weren’t specific enough to feel like real people. Imagine two cookie-cutter rom-com leads, and you already know what Cam and Noelle are like: Noelle is sensible, smart, capable, and slightly uptight (she just needs to learn to let go and live a little!), and Cam is laid-back and charming and sensitive and has never had an interesting thought in his entire life (at one point he also feeds her cinnamon rolls… which feels a little on the nose).

But (again, at least for me) the book’s weakness were ultimately counterbalanced by its strengths; I was especially impressed by how well "Time Loop and Meet Cutes" managed to balance all of its different story elements—the time loop, the romance, Noelle’s emotional growth—to create a book that's well-paced, well-plotted, and consistently entertaining. If you want to pick up a beach-read-worthy rom-com that will keep you reading, make you laugh, and maybe even tear up a bit, you really can’t go wrong with "Time Loop and Meet Cutes".

4.5 stars – Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau is such a good book! I stayed up until 1:30 am to finish it. It was a fun take on two women in Toronto repeating the same day over and over. Their loops brought them to appreciate what they have in their lives and identify and focus on those things that are missing. This was a really good book! Do yourself a favor and read it when it comes out in May 2025.

Thank you, Atria and NetGalley, for this ARC. This independent, honest review is happily shared.

Thank you to NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was such a charming twist on the classic time loop story. After a trip to the night market and a plate of mysterious dumplings, Noelle suddenly finds herself reliving the same day—June 20th—again and again. She doesn’t know why or how to break the loop, but there’s a hint from the dumpling vendor that she’ll get “what she needs most.” Which, as it turns out, might not be what she originally thought.

While Noelle is stuck in this repeating day, she ends up doing a lot of self-reflection—thinking about her job, her relationships, and what she actually wants from life. She also meets two people who end up playing a big part in her journey: Avery, who’s also caught in the loop (which was a fun and unexpected twist), and Cam, the charming brewery owner she keeps randomly running into.

The daily meet cutes with Cam were adorable—I loved seeing how their connection shifted each time, especially those little moments where he almost recognized her. There’s also a sweet, grounded friendship between Noelle and Avery that brought a lot of warmth and humor to the story. Honestly, I would’ve happily read a whole spinoff just about the two of them navigating life together.

The repetition dragged a bit at times (kind of inevitable with this kind of plot), and I do wish the loop’s “why” had been explored a bit more clearly. Still, the emotional payoff worked for me. The story’s really about growth—learning to take chances, let go of fear, and make space for unexpected joy.

Overall, it’s quirky, thoughtful, and full of heart. A cozy little rom-com with just the right amount of magic.
4 Stars!
#NetGalley, #AtriaBooks, #TimeLoopsandMeetCutes, #JackieLau

For lovers of stories with a little infusion of magical realism in them. Noelle and Cam are destined to meet.. again, and again and again. The only problem? Noelle is stuck in a time loop.

While there were some issues for me personally with this book (why is a time loop the FIRST thing Noelle guesses after she gets stuck?) overall it was a fun read that I finished in a day.

Cute dual point of view rom-com. Noel and Cam meet after eating the same food cart dumplings, but do they actually meet? This time loop story shows how deep heartfelt memories can live and the power it takes to remember them. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

OMG! This book was so freaking good! I loved everything about it and it was a fun, emotional, steamy read. I love time loop movies and this book was just like watching one of them. What I liked the most is that we got to see Noelle and Cam’s life after the time loop ended. How long Noelle and Avery was in that time loop is a bit heartbreaking but I am so glad they had each other. I do not think either of them could’ve survived if that hadn’t been the case. I really enjoyed Cam and Noelle’s relationship and all the supporting cast. This book kept me enthralled and I read it in one sitting. Once I started, I couldn’t stop! I cannot wait to read more books by Jackie Lau!

Thank you NetGalley, Atria books, and this author for the chance to read this e arc of this book. I loved the premise of this book. The time loop got a little long and I was ready for them to get back to real life. I thought it was a little crazy how they got out and would have loved to know what really could have gotten them out. I love Cam and Noelle and the 50 first date vibes. The lessons in the book about taking risks and learning to live life again were enjoyable. A cute read but I was left wanting more.

Review times loops and meet cutes

The premise of this book is intriguing, but its execution falls short. The basic plot revolves around Noelle, who consumes some dumplings at a market and finds herself trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day repeatedly. She befriends Avery, another woman stuck in the loop, and together they embark on a journey to break free. While the rest of the world progresses in time, the two ladies take risks and make attempts to escape their temporal confinement.

During her time in the loop, Noelle encounters Cam and experiences a series of first dates reminiscent of the movie 50 First Dates. The premise itself is not bad, but the execution suffers from timing issues. The ending feels rushed and lacks the excitement it could have potentially achieved. At best, this book is a library rental.

Thank you, Atria Books, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Thank you, Atria Books, for an advanced digital copy of this book!

Time Loops & Meet Cutes is a delightful, heartwarming read that gently reminds us to appreciate the little things, nurture our friendships, and find balance beyond work. If you enjoy Ashley Poston’s novels, this one will be right up your alley.

Noelle wakes up on a Friday—and keeps reliving the same day. What sounds like a nightmare turns into something unexpectedly sweet when she discovers she’s stuck in the loop with Cam: charming, funny, emotionally open... and he bakes. Basically, the rom-com dream guy.

Each loop becomes its own quirky romantic adventure, filled with awkward moments, swoony banter, and meaningful growth. Noelle’s relationships—with both Cam and her best friend Avery—shine, and her personal development is a joy to watch.

While the dialogue occasionally felt a bit stiff and the time loop mechanics could’ve used more depth, the emotional arc more than made up for it. One late-story conflict didn’t fully land for me, feeling somewhat unnecessary given all Noelle had already learned. Still, this didn’t take away from the overall charm.

Engaging, fun, and full of heart, this book was an absolute treat. Highly recommend!

Noelle is stuck in life, at a job where she puts in more effort than what she’s paid for, where she’s too fearful of being hurt to put herself out there, and where everyone else in her life is kept at a distance. That is, until she’s actually stuck. In the same day over and over.

Cam has a feeling that he’s missing someone special in his every day life. But when he meets Noelle on a random February afternoon, he feels he knew her in another lifetime. But he can tell she’s keeping something from him and he fears he may have scared her away with his honesty.


This was a cute little romance! For a book where the character relives the same day over and over for 60% of the book, the actual days and how Noelle spent her time didn’t feel repetitive. I loved watching Cam fall for Noelle over and over again.


Some issues I had:
The pacing was a little weird to me.
Some of the sentiments of the main character felt repetitive. It felt like Noelle rehashed the same three character flaws she possessed every other chapter.
Cam’s character didn’t feel fully developed.


What I loved:
The unpredictability of what Noelle and Avery would do next to break the loop
The concept in general was interesting



Overall, this was a 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars. I’d recommend it if you like a romance with a little magic in it!

This book was super interesting. Noelle gets stuck in a time loop, living June 20 over and over again. Luckily, she finds someone else stuck too, Avery, so she isn’t entirely alone. Unfortunately, she has several run-ins with a cute guy named Cam who forgets her every time the day resets. On one hand, it was cool to see how the girls explored each day - trying new food, new hair styles, new travels - and worked to live life to the fullest. On the other hand, the repetitiveness of the first chunk of the book was a little boring. But by the time everything with Cam worked out and was revealed, I was very happy with their HEA.

If you’ve ever fantasized about reliving a day until you get it right—complete with magical dumplings, a charming brewery owner, and the chance to finally ask for that raise—this book is your jam. Jackie Lau takes the time loop trope and gives it a fresh, heartfelt spin.

Noelle, a Toronto-based engineer, finds herself stuck on June 20th after eating some mysterious dumplings at a night market. Each reset offers her a new opportunity to step out of her comfort zone, confront her workaholic tendencies, and connect with Cam, the sweet and slightly nerdy brewery owner who doesn’t remember her from one loop to the next. Their repeated encounters are both endearing and bittersweet, as Noelle tries to forge a connection that resets every morning.

What sets this story apart is its focus on personal growth and the importance of community. Noelle’s friendship with fellow time-looper Avery adds depth and warmth to the narrative, highlighting the significance of support systems in our lives. While the romance is central, the story also delves into themes of self-discovery, family dynamics, and the courage it takes to change.

This book was written for you if:
- You enjoy stories that blend romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism.
- You appreciate narratives that focus on personal growth and the value of community.
- You’re looking for a feel-good read that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

I actually really enjoyed this book. I get that the point is to show how she has relived the day many many times but the first half felt very repetitive. Just like how she was tired of living it, I was tired of reading it. I feel like most time loop books go right to the next day so it's interesting that this one didn't. I thought the two of them were really cute and I love that he always vaguely remembered her.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Time Loops & Meet Cutes is a charming time loop romcom. With engaging characters and amazing food descriptions, Jackie Lau creates a world where it makes sense that a time loop could actually happen.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Noelle’s had a rough day at work and heads to the night market to grab dinner on Friday June 20. The dumplings from the mysterious older woman are delicious, but when she wakes up the next day, it’s June 20 all over again. And again. She goes through the day again and again and again but never sees the same dumpling stand. Soon she meets Avery, another woman who is trapped in the loop and together they try to figure out how to escape to June 21. No matter what they change, certain events are always the same. And when Noelle meets hottie Cam first at the market, then while getting bubble tea, and finally at his brewery, she’s convinced he and their connection are the key to escaping the loop.

This book is such a cute one! It’s great the way Noelle’s story covers the pluses and minuses of living the same day over and over again, along with the idea of living without the consequences of tomorrow. It also avoids a lot of things that annoy me about time loop books; for example, I like that Noelle figures out it’s a time loop right away instead of being in the dark for a long time. And getting Cam’s point of view, especially when he is outside of June 20, is a nice touch.

And, because this is a Jackie Lau romance, the food descriptions are amazing. I was hungry the entire time I was reading!

If you are a fan of romcoms with a bit of magical realism, you’ll enjoy Time Loops & Meet Cutes. Not only are Noelle and Cam interesting characters to spend time with, but the creative way the story handles the time loop is worth exploring.

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

This was a book that I was excited about because of the plotline but I guess that is what didn't stick with me= the plot.

Yes its a time loop book so things will be repetitive but I didn't except repetition to be in this sense that I just wanted to put the book away and not in a good way.

Kudos to the author for writing such a unique concept as it was a first for me, but maybe this book wasnt for me.

A Unique Take On Time Loops

⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
🌶️🌶️ out of 5

Time Loops & Meet Cutes was such an interesting, fast-paced read for me! I read it in two sittings and spent most of the book eagerly turning the pages, curious to know what would happen next. This story could have been boring and predictable, but multiple unexpected twists made the well-worn time loop trope feel fresh and exciting. The writing is so vivid that it was easy to imagine myself in the time loop with Noelle and experience all the mixed emotions about it that she did. I loved the friendship between Noelle and Avery, as well as Noelle's character arc as she learns and grows from her time in the loop. I also really appreciated how the book touched on themes like mental health, grief, and the immigrant experience.

However, the romance aspect of the book fell somewhat flat for me. While I enjoyed watching Cam and Noelle's relationship develop, that part of the story didn't feel quite as strong as the rest. I was never fully convinced that they were each other's soulmates or one true loves. It seemed more like they were thrown together by (highly) unusual circumstances and became a couple. As a result, I didn't have that swoony, giggling and kicking my feet feeling that I usually get from a good romance.

But I still really enjoyed this one and would definitely read more by the author!

4.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

Noelle wakes up one morning after visiting a night market and eating strange dumplings that she has woken up in a time loop, repeating the same June 20th over and over again.

A rom-com Groundhog's Day is exactly what I needed this week and I fell in love with Noelle and Cam and Avery and everyone! I really loved that Noelle was able to grow as a person outside of work and her rigid control on life and learn to just let go of things, even after the time loop ended.

Spoiler, I guess, but god I'm so glad there was no 3rd act breakup. I'm so tired of that trope and it was so refreshing to see two adults actually talk through the issue together. Thank you, Ms. Lau.

Anyone who knows me knows I looooove any sort of “magical realism” aspect, so when I saw that there was a time loop?? Immediately intrigued.

The first few chapters had me soooo hooked and the main character’s internal monologue was so relatable (shoutout to my fellow anxiety girlies), and the writing had that smooth, bingeable quality I liiiiive for.

BUT… and this is a big but… after, like, the 100th repeat of the same day, I started to feel the drag. I get it—that’s literally the point—but whew, even the characters were like, “maybe this is too much?” around loop 110, and I was like “yes bestie, I agree.”

The saving grace? The romance. That emotional tension?? DELICIOUS. I kept rooting for them despite the very real possibility they were going to be stuck in eternal June 20th hell.

The ending was where things got a little wobbly for me. I’m not sure all the motivations behind the time loop made sense to me, and I wanted just a bit more clarity or emotional payoff.

Still, the vibes were there. The feelings were real. The tears? Slightly present. Would recommend if you like a good mix of heartbreak, humor, and a little timey-wimey confusion.

Thank you endlessly to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

In Times Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau, Noelle finds hersef stuck after eating dumplings at a night market, waking up every morning on June 20th. Of course, being this Jackie Lau you’ll get very hungry reading this book, I’d love some dumplings right now 🥟 Our heroine, Noelle, meets another woman stuck in the time loop with her and her friendship is as significant as the romance is. Poor Avery kept waking up with her period and her musty boyfriend! Noelle goes on a hundred first dates with Cam and the angst was so delicious! She knew he would forget her every day but he also had this sense of familiarity with her despite not remembering their past dates.

“His gaze drops to my mouth, and for a moment, I forget to breathe. It’s just the two of us, and a connection that seems to defy the rules of my world.”

This book was delightful and it left me in my feelings. I really liked how Noelle learned to let go a bit, to not sacrifice her life on the altar of financial security and the fear to open up. I cried like a baby at the reveal that her sister, which we had seen struggling with keeping a job and her mental health, had endometriosis. I loved the grandma and the part on grief.

One of the things I love about Jackie Lau’s self-published books is how dry her prose is, there are no unnecessary frills. This book is traditionally published and I feel the editing made the book flow less smoothly. This is why I’m giving this four stars. The ending was predictable but cute.

If you liked the movie Palm Springs, you should try Times Loops and Meet Cutes.

Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for the ARC.

LOVE!! I loved this so much!! As soon as I started reading it, I could not put it down. Noelle is so lovely, but she is definitely stuck in a rut....even if she can't see it. But when she starts reliving the same day over and over again, she is finally willing to start taking chances and making changes! I also loved Cam, hes such a cinnamon roll, so sweet!! Every moment of this book was wonderful!!!