<b>3 stars</b>

that <i>ending</i> killed me... wow. o'donoghue always delivers.

<b>spoilers may follow, so be careful</b>

i REALLY liked the world building aspect of this. getting to see all the different universes, their cultures, the description of the people. the plot was also fast-paced and intriguing, and the romance? slow-burn chef's kiss. mwah.

moon and margo were adorable and i was rooting for them from page 1. but that ending? you're joking. (it's painful)

as a whole, i definitely would recommend this book. it takes place across different worlds, against the background of a growing revolution, and has a love story that feels like electricity through your veins 💗

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance digital copy of this book in exchange of a honest review.
4.75 ⭐️
I was fascinated by the worldbuilding when I started reading this, knowing absolutely nothing about this book except that it involved time travel and some romance between some people, and obviously in love with the stunning art on the cover by Jamie Hammond.
Yet here I am, seconds after having finished it, feeling eager to praise the book itself, with its parade of memorable characters, the intertwined worlds and cultures that enrich it, and the writer, who so carefully detailed its stable and reliable pace, who so masterfully crafted suspence when and where it needed to be, and who gave a breath of very much needed fresh air to the romantasy genre with a couple that I found myself rooting for even though I’m a kinda cynical adult who cringes most times when feelings are mentioned.
This book is not out yet and I’m alreadycraving for the sequel, especially after that cliffhanger at the end.
P.s. Lev, I love you

DNF @ 50%
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Now, this is one of those books that the saying “it’s not you, it’s me” rings true. There really wasn’t anything wrong with this book. The plot was unique and made me feel as if I was going through a fever dream at times (truly, kudos to the author because this book was one of those books that had you raising your brows in confusion, but in a good way). The characters were sympathetic (though I would’ve liked to know more about all of them). The writing was simple, but well structured according to the author’s style. In the end, I just didn’t connect with this book, which in turn made the reading experience feel like a drag.
I think one of my main snags is that the characters are teenagers and I just don’t like reading about teenagers much anymore and their lack of background, which made them feel a little hollow at times. Perhaps one day I’ll come back and finish this book when it is released to give it another chance.
Though, just because I didn’t fully love it, doesn’t mean that you won’t. Give it a read and judge for yourself. Once again, thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!!

Wow! What a wild ride we go on through multiple worlds. I really enjoyed the relationship between Margo and Moon. As she moves between worlds, her attachment to Moon intensifies! This is a beautifully written story! One I will never forget about.

Thank you NetGalley, Caroline and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for the E-ARC!


Publication Date: June 3rd 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

#NetGalley #shipshock

Skipshock was an original and entertaining fantasy tale focused mostly on action and adventure but with some romance along the way. I loved the premise of the book, with the train lines connecting worlds, but only verified salesmen being allowed to ride them. Both Moon and Margo were interesting characters who developed and grew as the story progressed. Their relationship was believable throughout, and I liked that the romance elements were not rushed into. The plot offered twists and turns along the way that kept things interesting, and while the calculations of age and the passage of time got a bit complex as the characters moved between the different worlds, the world building was mostly nicely handled. This first volume left me keen to read on to see how things will conclude in book two, so I am giving this one 4.5 stars. Recommended for fantasy fans looking for a fresh premise who don't mind a fantasy-sci-fi blend.

Margo is on the train to boarding school in Dublin, until suddenly she isn’t. And so begins the time bending adventure that has captured my heart and mind over the last few days.

Written in alternating points of view between Margo (third person perspective) and the mysterious Moon (first person perspective), the world building is lush and expansive as the reality of existence as Margo knows it is slowly shattered and a new way of life is illuminated.

Travel, romance, mystery and war this ambitious novel had me hooked from the prologue! Part one of a planned duology, I eagerly await part two!

With thanks to Walker Books for an early ARC, be sure to mark your calendar for June, I cannot wait to get my hands on a print copy of this one!

Thank you to NetGallery and the publishers for allowing me to read the eARC of Skipshock.

I regret to inform that this was a DNF for me. I DNFed at 55% or a little over 200 pages. I don’t see myself finishing this book at this time due to a few life factors and I don’t believe reading the rest of this book will change my opinion from this point forward. I had a fairy difficult time getting into the book and then sticking with it until deciding to officially put it down. First to state that I actually loved the premise and the fantasy sci fi type of theme to it. It was catching and that part kept me hanging on. My biggest problem was that I did not connect with the characters in the story. I did not feel like I had enough information to care about them and the math involved for trying to figure out the actual age of Moon in comparison to Margo was a lot for my little brain. I do associate the ages compared to my own as being 21 is very different from a 16 year old. And not to mention the confusion on the age gap between Margo and Moon and even with them maybe being the same age mathematically, that age difference with life experience wasn’t working for me. Flat out if she’s 16 and he’s 19 that’s not legal in the real world and I couldn’t get past it unfortunately. I wasn’t feeling the chemistry between them either and it might have just been me being me and getting in my head. But I do enjoy the writing of this author and I hope others enjoy the book even if I didn’t. Thank you again NetGallery and the publishers!

Thank you to Caroline O’Donoghue, Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink | Walker Books US, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this! The world-building and magic system was so immersive and inventive. The characterisation also worked very well and all the characters seemed believable but also identifiable and unique. i saw quite a few of the plot twists coming but they were still enjoyable and made sense for the plot. The dual POV between first person and third person annoyed me a little but flowed well overall.

really enjoyed this! immediately brilliant central concept where a girl, margo, falls out of our world and into a web of others - poorer, northern worlds with less hours in a day, and richer southern worlds with more. she travels through them with a salesman, moon, and very quickly gets embroiled in world-saving schemes

it's so much fun to read something with a hooky and interesting world and far-reaching internal logic that impacts story and character far beyond an initial 'imagine if...'. a thriller, romance and a fantasy with good twists and turns and kinda mission impossible style action setpieces. cool!

*netgalley arc received for review, out in june 25!*

OMFG!!!
This is an absolute masterpiece! From the very start I was completely engrossed in this imaginative, deeply compelling world. The level of detail and originality in this story is unmatched—it’s terrifying yet mesmerizing, filled with elements that feel fresh and unlike anything I’ve read before. The trains, the traveling between worlds, the boardinghouses, the markets... every little aspect of this world (these worlds...) adds to the tension and intrigue, making it impossible to put down. It's also thought provoking in a way that makes you reflect on time and what little -or a lot- we have of it.

The character development is also amazing. These characters... they feel so real, so vivid, that you can’t help but grow attached to them. Their emotions, flaws, and personal journeys are written with such depth that it feels like you’re right there with them, living through every moment. I became so invested that they started to feel like my own friends.

And then there’s the romance… slow-burning, tender, and so beautifully done. The relationship between the main characters developed at the perfect pace, making it all the more satisfying. I loved watching them grow as individuals while also finding their way to each other. It was sweet, heartfelt, and incredibly rewarding.

And that ending. That. Ending!! I both loved and hated it, and I honestly don’t know how I’ll survive the wait for the sequel. I NEED it immediately!!

If you’re looking for a book that’s fresh, thrilling, so freaking unique, and brilliantly written, Skipshock is an absolute must-read. I can’t recommend it enough!

“And there we are. A salesman, a smuggler, and a schoolgirl, standing at the edge of history, our backs to the sea.”

I devoured this YA fantasy book in a couple of days! I’m already a big fan of the fantasy genre especially more science fiction leaning fantasy but this was something unique. A story of inter-dimensional salesmen, time slipping trains, 6 hour days, moving cities, and skipshock!

Every character, even the side characters, are so distinct, but even when you know their motivations it’s hard to predict exactly what they’ll do which makes them feel human despite the fact that this is a fantasy world. Moon and Margo’s story (because this is a romance) is a beautiful slow burn as they learn more about each other’s pasts.

Mark your calendars for June! Read this as soon as you can! It’s the first in a planned duology that I’m sure will become one of my favorites.

This book absolutely rules. The world that O'Donoghue is able to create here is fresh, fascinating, well thought out, creative, and enticing in all of the right ways. I want a million more books in this world, and I'd have a million more about Lev and Mars, too. I've never been so surprised by a book in my life. This is fantasy as its finest!!!

What if time isn't on your side?

Margo's seemingly ordinary train ride details quickly when she finds herself, with seemingly no explanation on a different train, with a strange boy who bears a mysterious moon tattoo. His quick thinking pulls them from immediate danger, but the deeper she delves into the mystery of her new reality, the more she realizes that her presence in this alternate world is tied to a much darker, more dangerous political web—one where power, corruption, and control go to extreme lengths to squash dissent.

This book offers a not so unrealistic commentary on government overreach, the isolation of those who resist, and the harsh realities of living under oppressive regimes. What stands out most is how the story balances its intense political themes with a touch of hope: Margo and her new allies show that, even in the most hopeless of circumstances, solidarity can spark change and embracing what makes you different can be the key to opening doors and rebuilding connections.

The world-building is both fascinating and terrifying, particularly the concept that your geographical location directly impacts how you age. The exploration of this idea is captivating, especially as Margo and others undergo physical transformations after spending too much time in the disorienting "two-hour day" world. I also give so much credit for tackling real-world issues often skipped in fantasy—specifically the impact of a fluctuating biological cycle on women, which would be the absolute worst in some of the places we visit over the course of the book.

Margo is very relatable and you can’t help but root for her to find her way back home. Her cautious approach to the strange world she’s thrust into makes her an instantly sympathetic and completely believable as I too would trust no one while attempting to learn how to navigate this unfamiliar reality. The dynamic between her and Moon is one of the highlights of the book. Though Moon's past is shrouded in secrecy, his knowledge of the strange new world they both inhabit makes their partnership intriguing, even as their relationship evolves into something more complex. The alternating perspectives between Margo and Moon offer a deep exploration of their personal struggles, making the stakes of their journey feel all the more personal as they move from a business agreement to something a bit more.

The novel builds tension leaving plenty of unanswered questions by the end. With its strong character development, intricate world-building, and thought-provoking social commentary, this book is a must-read and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel to see where we will end up next!


**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Wow! This was definitely a great premise for a story & loved the POV’s that felt so real and interesting.

I absolutely felt so much love for both Margo and Moon, their struggles including grief & work hardships were familiar. I never got to know my dad, and wished I had, so this was something I could connect with. The vivid imagery and writing style was beautiful as well, I could imagine each scene so well captured.

However, I felt it was missing something, and the multiple callbacks of “nobody could do a job like this” felt a bit redundant for me personally as a small peeve.

Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for this arc in exchange for a review. I definitely enjoyed it.

I read this book in as an ARC in exchange for a review and it's a banger! Caroline O'Donoghue is one of my favorite writers and this is very different than her other books, but I really enjoyed it. It's YA Sci-Fi which might feel like an odd genre for Caroline for any Sentimental Garbage listeners but after reading I really appreciated the unique world, fascinating relationships, and exciting implications. I think it lost a star for me because I really didn't realize it was a part 1 of a duology (or trilogy?) - it ended on a cliffhanger which was a bit of a shock (no pun intended). But I so enjoyed the adventures of Margot and Moon and I can't wait to see where the next installment will take us.

This is a masterpiece. This is my favorite NetGalley ARC I’ve read. I…. simultaneously have no words and too many. I innocently got pulled in by the stunning cover and thought I’d give it a try.

Caroline O’Donoghue takes you on a wild ride through multiple worlds. The plot had serious potential - it had me wondering if the writing would deliver, and it ABSOLUTELY did. If you choose to follow Margo and Moon be prepared to fall in love with them both. There are so many secrets left to unravel here!

I loved the multiple POVs, but steady writing style. Nothing was flowery, but it had beautiful prose, well-placed. Meaningful language. I immediately need the physical book so I can put all my color coded notes on my favorite quotes.

I’m so thrilled to say the ending undoubtedly means there will be a book two.

(Side note to NetGalley that this book did not transfer well to the kindle. I don’t believe there were actual typos, but rather an error. Mostly words with the letter F were affected and half of each word would be missing. Each page had between two and six of these words.
ie: “find” would be “nd”, “flitting” was “tting”, “fire” was “re”. This did make it quite difficult, as I had the deduce what word it was, but I did eventually realized the NetGalley reader did not have this error and read it on the website instead. My rating did not take this into account!)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book x

It is the story of Margo who is on train to go to Dublin, but at some point during the trip she finds that she is no longer on the same train. There are new few people on this train and one of them is Moon. He is a salesman and travels between several world as a job so he sees that Margo does not belong in his world.

I quite liked this book! The concept was interesting and nice to read. I figured out a lot of the twists before the end, but I’m not really bothered by that.

I feel like the love story wasn’t really needed as I wasn’t particularly attached to them as a couple, but I liked their dynamic!

I don’t know if I would read the second one but it was a well-written and enjoyable read!