5 stars!! I wish I could give it more. I absolutely fell in love with Marcus and Sydney day one and prayed they would remember each other and was happy to know they did! This book took me through grief and happiness and I appreciate how well written it is. This amazing story reminds me of me and my husband who crossed each others paths and we went our own ways. Here we are 10 years later and married.

You meet people in your life and never know how big of an impact they may have in your future.

When I tell you I am obsessed with this book, I mean it! Sydney and Marcus end up repeating the same day over and over again. They are the only two who know what's going on. Both characters are also dealing with grief. They have an instant connection which grows deeper as they spend each September 24th together (the dates they have are so cute 🥹❤️). I'm so sad about the ending though! I almost cried. 😭 This was a great book and I definitely can see this as a movie!

As I get older, I'm increasingly grateful for the influx of Black YA romance novels like this – the kind of stories I desperately needed as a teen and young adult! This book was a delightful blend of sweet moments and laugh-out-loud humor, all while subtly acknowledging the undercurrent of grief. This is absolutely for you if you're a fan of Justin A. Reynolds and Danielle Parker (like me!). That ending nearly sent me into a rage, but now I can happily sing the author's praises instead of demanding she mend my broken heart!

Title: It's You Every Time   
Author: Charlene Thomas     
Genre: YA    
Rating: 4.5  

In a twist of fate, Sydney Michaels bumps into cute boy stranger Marcus Burke in the heart of midtown NYC during an impromptu trip to Dunkin’. But what had initially been an effort to soften the blow of failing her impending pre-calc exam, turns into a day-long, unforgettable adventure—when Marcus asks her to have breakfast with him instead. In just a few hours, Sydney's already starting to fall, and there's just something about Marcus that makes it feel like she's known him forever.

As the night comes to an end, Sydney can’t believe that after all the loss she’s faced in the past two years, "the good part" is finally here and this perfect day gets to be hers—until an accident at the end of the night, quite literally, leaves her stuck in it.

This did not end like I expected it to—but that isn’t a bad thing. I loved how Sydney and Marcus both learn and grow during their time loop. They truly become themselves, and that was fun to watch amidst their missteps and wobbles. I like both of these characters equally and wanted things to work out for them, so it was fun to watch everything unfold—over and over again.

Charlene Thomas is also a marketer. It’s You Every Time is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Scholastic in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 5/10).

Music Vibe is giving: this is what falling in love feels like by JVKE

✨✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨✨

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

METHOD OF READING: Kindle (arc read)

THIS BOOK WILL HAVE YOU: Crying your eyes out! BRING ON THE KLEENEX!

✨REVIEW ✨:

Let’s play a game.
I bet you'll be hooked by the time you finish the first chapter. I bet this is one of those books you can’t put down until the very end. I bet you’ll experience an emotional rollercoaster 🎢 as you follow Syd and Marcus on their journey. When you hit the last 30% of the book, I bet you’ll feel this overwhelming urge to scream into the void right along with the characters—and then immediately reach for a Kleenex 🤧 because, yes, you WILL shed some tears 😭. And I bet you'll agree with me that, while this book is marketed as a YA romance, it’s SO MUCH MORE.

If I’m wrong, give me your worst book, and I’ll add it to my TBR.

But honestly? I don’t think that’ll happen.

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I WOULD RECOMMEND THE BOOK TO 📚: Ages 13+, Anyone struggling with grief, YA Readers.

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CRITERIA MARKS:

Plot- ⭐️

Storyline- ⭐️

World Building-✅

Conventions-✅

Organization/Fluency-✅

Character Dimension- ⭐️

#bookreview #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #naughtybookworm #arc #youngadultbooks #yabooks #yaromance #romance #booksbooksbooks #arcreview #indiebooks #indieromance

Now what in the world was that ending? It's a really cute ya romance and I had a good time. Marcus and Syd are adorable and I wanted to see the, actually together. The ending has actually upset me.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Wow! I read 73% straight through in 2 hours and the rest in an hour...I need to go back and read her previous 2 books.

Marcus and Sydney bump into each other one morning at Dunkin and decide to spend the day together and not go about their planned days. But then they get stuck in this day over and over again.

They eventually come to realize that they might need to lean on each other as both are grieving. I think this day helps them feel worthy of being able to grieve. It helps them help each other. It's sort of amazing what breaks the cycle but also understandable. The ending is a little interesting but felt perfect the way it happened even when I might have expected another outcome.

This book was so devastatingly good! I loved the vulnerability between Syd and Marcus. The build up was great such a sweet love story. But I must say my only grievance is I was a bit lost with the ending. Like they made it through all of that only to forget it start it all over again? Ugggggghhhhh…. Like I had to go back and reread to make sure I had it right! That’s my only complaint for real. This story is so well written.. it would make a great movie honestly. It’s loving heartfelt vulnerable devastating romantic funny. Yeah I definitely can’t wait to get a copy for my collection.

***4.5 stars

Big thanks to Hear Our Voices Tour and for the digital arc! All opinions are my own:

The older I get, the more and more I come across Black YA romance books that I needed and wanted as a teen and young(er) adult reader. This was such a sweet, funny story with the steady heartbeat of grief throughout, that is PERFECT for Justin A. Reynolds and Danielle Parker friends. Aka me. Hopefully you too, dear reader.

I will say, THAT ENDING ALMOST HAD ME THROWING HANDS!!! But now I can just say good things to the author and not demand her to unbreak my heart lol

This is my first YA book and let me just say, this book was beautifully written. I don’t normally cry when I read but this book pulled on my heart in more ways than one.

Sydney and Marcus was “stuck” in September 24th. They repeat the day over & over again. In these MANY days of spending almost every moment together they learned things about themselves, overcame so much & fell in love in the process 😭. The endinggggg😦 I had to read it a few times to make sure I read what I read.

This overall was a great book, I highly recommend. I preordered a physical copy as soon as the book was over 😭

Time loop stories are my favorite tropes! I’m a huge sucker for the “soulmates who will always find each other” time loops. This one is one of the best I’ve ever read—and the surprise twist at the end absolutely floored me!

Both main characters are dealing with grief and trying to cope with the loss of someone close to them. And during the course of their repeated days, they help each other through in multiple little ways. But it’s not done in a heavy “this is a sad book about grief” kind of way. The biggest emotional arc that runs through the whole book is Hope.

The cute start-each-day moment of the time loop is that they both go to the same Dunkin’ and order croissant breakfast sandwiches. Hers: a sausage, egg and cheese croissant without the sausage and egg. His: a sausage, egg and croissant sandwich without the cheese. So between them, they make a complete sandwich. And they have the same order number (#2), which is how they have their little meet cute. I really love this detail and especially how it fits in to that twist at the end that I did *not* see coming!!

This was a cute love story. I don’t usually read y.a. But this author came across my timeline and she convinced me that I should read this one. It was a nice change from what I’m used to. But it kept my heart light made me think about when I was younger. I definitely want to read more from this author. Check this book out. It was a great love story. I think people of all ages will enjoy.

I didn’t necessarily know what to expect of this YA romance novel, but this was not it (and I say that in the best way).

Sydney and Marcus are both dealing with real world issues around grief and loss when they bump into each other at Dunkin’ on morning. After skipping their responsibilities for the day and hanging out together, they find themselves repeating the same day over and over and over…

I thought the characters were so relatable and I adored their relationship! My jaw was on the floor for the twist at the end and I think I’m still processing all the feelings it made me feel.

Honestly, I was so confused by the beginning. You have to see it through & keep reading. There’s a repetitive time loop.
I had my heart ready for a love story but this is about loss and grief. I felt this one in my gut . Overall it’s a really good book and will get you in your feelings

Charlene Thomas delivers a captivating and unique story in It’s You Every Time, one that stands out from typical time-loop narratives. Going in, I expected the repetition of the same day, but actually experiencing it in the opening pages felt a bit repetitive at times. However, as the layers of the day unfolded and the anticipation built, I found myself completely engrossed, eager to uncover the deeper meaning behind it all.

One of the book’s strongest elements is its exploration of grief from two different yet interconnected perspectives. It beautifully captures how grief can be isolating yet shared, and I appreciated the acceptance of confronting the fears that come with loss. Thomas handles these themes with a gentleness that makes the story both soothing and thought-provoking.

What I didn’t expect—and what genuinely shocked me—was that after finally breaking free of the loop, the characters lost all memory of what had happened. That twist hit hard, considering the profound connection they had formed in the midst of their grief. To see such a love, forged through pain and healing, simply erased was heartbreaking. But the ending ultimately redeemed itself, leaving a lasting impact.

Overall, It’s You Every Time is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel. It challenges the reader to sit with grief, love, and the uncertainty of life while offering a story that lingers well after the final page. ❤️❤️❤️

4.75

Um, okay, so this book should definitely be made into a movie! No kidding. It was an amazing read (Syd and Marcus both have my heart!!!) It's giving Rainbow by Sia vibess.

Though, seriously, just by looking at the cover I knew this was going to be a good read (don't judge a book by it's cover), and I was impressed. The dialogue and the writing style is everything I need and want in a book. The pacing was smooth, and I couldn't get enough after reading through each day the two of them had.

Closing:

My eyebrows went passed my forehead while I was reading the ending!!! Because what do you mean they ended up forgetting everything they did with each other???! Said to each other???😭 And I feel like I needed closure: what's with the screeching and the sirens, I don't think that was made clear.

The deeper themes of grief and loss is something I never thought could feel so real to me until I read this book. I could literally feel how the characters were feeling (all thanks to Ms. Thomas).

Overall, I'm excited and grateful for being able to read this copy! Thank you Net gallery and Scholastic for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. 💕

Charlene Thomas knocked it out of the park with this one!

Sydney bumps into Marcus at a Dunkin’, and the two bond over their completely opposite breakfast orders. Both embark on a day of fun, but the two get stuck in a time warp, repeating the same day over and over again. The two begin their journey of experiencing their lives without the consequences of what tomorrow brings. While they enjoy living in the moment, Syd starts to yearn for tomorrow. 

First and foremost, I absolutely loved Sydney and Marcus and their journeys. It's You Every Time has so much more depth than most YA novels. I thought I was getting into a comfy YA romance, but it's so much more than that. I love the way grief was examined throughout the novel. It had so many quotable moments that capture the unspoken elements that everyone goes through after loss. I had a lump in my throat for most of the novel. I wasn’t just rooting for their relationship but also for their individual journeys. OMG, and that ending threw me for a loop!

While there is a cute love story between Marcus and Syd, their journey through grief was the star of the show. Thomas captured a touching look into how grief surrounds us all, even though it isn’t discussed much. It took me a little longer than usual to get interested in the book, hence the four stars, but once I did, I blew through it! It’s definitely going to stick with me. I highly recommend it!

A very special thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This was a really good, sad ass book.

The first 60% in, I was torn between being happy for Marcus & Syd and feeling so sorry for them.

Some parts ended up dragging after a while. But it could be because I just wanted to know WHY they were stuck.

But boyyyyy, the ending was just as damn sad but still so good

Thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy! I absolutely adored Marcus and Syd—their meet-cute and daily adventures made this such a fun read. This was my first time-loop novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found myself rooting for them to break free, and I loved seeing them finally confront the “hard stuff” to create a better tomorrow. 🩷