SUper cute YA that had a charming plot and characters. I think I would have liked a little more develppment with the FMC but otherwise a decent story

3.75⭐️s
Thank you to NetGallery and Scholastic for letting me read this eARC in exchange for an honest review! Current thoughts are that I was originally going to give this a 3 star but I added some because I couldn’t see through my tears at the end. I highly and already recommend this for its target audience or for those who don’t mind YA books! This was an emotional greif ride. My reasoning for the rating is that the repetition of everyday was a bit boring for me and I was hoping for something to push the plot other than a new same day. Though I understand why it was set up that way. As well as I didn’t feel as much chemistry for lovers from the mcs. Like they had excellent banter and it was totally believable that they developed such a deep connection but I did have a hard time caring. Individually I wanted to see their journeys but I guess the reasoning for having essentially a Groundhog Day just didn’t hit for me. Even though for me this wasn’t perfect, it was pretty good and I do see many people loving these characters and this story!

4 stars I wanted so much for this to be 5 stars but the ending lost me a little I was a bit confused by it.

Other than that this was a very interesting YA story about a boy and a girl who keep repeating the same day over and over and try to figure out how to get to the next day all while falling in love in the process.

The chapters were very short which made this such a fast paced easy read. This was also Dual POV. I loved how every chapter is time stamped with the date they are stuck in and how many times they've been in that day.

There were so many wonderful quotes in this book the writer did a phenomenal job. Some social themes that are touched on throughout the book are death and grief. Overall I enjoyed this and would recommend I just wish the ending was a little better.

This book is so cute!! Loved how the met, the premise was wonderful. However, it’s truly the writing style that kept me wanting more. The author is so vivid with the details and the banter. It had me kicking my feet and giggling!

This was an amazing book! I love cute and happy it was, the light feel made me smile while I was reading it. Absolutely adorable and I love the happy ending!

“In fairy tales, the kiss always fixes it. I'm not trying to say I'm some princess or anything, but maybe there's an ounce it truth in that. Maybe we grow up loving those stories because there's this survival instinct deep inside us that says we're gonna need them one day.”

“One day” is now and while ITS YOU EVERY TIME is not be a fairy tale, Charlene Thomas has written a magical novel with emotionally raw themes and characters; so much so, that readers will want to re- read this incredible book in order to build their own survival instincts as they navigate through life’s worst moments. ITS YOU EVERY TIME balances grief, regret, and heartache with the hopefulness of fresh starts, first loves, and destiny. Where these dichotomies meet happens to be a small space in time that has stopped completely, and the two main characters, Sydney and Marcus, are forced to repeat the same day, over and over again. As the love between them begins to grow and their own individual self discovery takes place, so does the opportunity for life to move forward. Charlene Thomas may not have written a fairy tale “happily every after” ending, the readers however will turn to the last page and they will believe in the power of fate, especially when that power is harnessed by fully embracing and living the life you were always meant to live.

Charlene’s dive into the nuances of navigating through grief was emotional to read. Without giving anything away, I appreciated the realistic angle things took - with it being a YA story, I thought certain things would be a “cookie cutter”, tied up in a bow type of thing, and I truly appreciated that it wasn’t. Easy read, and good storyline.

This book was everything. A beautifully written novel exploring grief, healing, and young love. I absolutely adored Sydney and Marcus and all the side characters. Every twist and turn in their story and healing journey was captivating, I felt like I was right there with them. Seeing each character heal on their own, but with the support of their loved ones, was wonderful especially for the age group. Having teenagers explore grief and healing is so powerful. This was a 6 star book and I can't wait to share it with everyone I know!

Time loop stories are such a gamble. They can feel repetitive, they can get sort of boring, or worse they can predictable. Syd and Marcus end up being many things, but predictable isn't one of them.

Sydney gets stuck in a time loop on her way to school, and every day she meets this cute boy, Marcus on day 1 they kiss, and he tells her about his famous mom, and every day after she tries to pretend she doesn't know anything about him while falling for him today after today. Without giving anything else away, their story was adorable, unexpected, sad and also heartwarming.

This book WRECKED me! Like are we sure these are high school students because Sydney and Marcus profound words, chemistry, and personalities were phenomenal!!! I can’t wait to get my physical copy! I was intrigued by the beautiful cover but this store was so much more than a fluffy YA romance. The writing was amazing and the story had so much depth. Amazing quotes. Definitely have plans to check out Streetlight People by the author. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early.

REVIEW!

Pub date: 5/6/2025

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Audience recommend: YA

Thoughts: This book!!!! OH my this book! Had me laughing, smiling, and crying at the same time! I do not think I’ve enjoyed a book so relatable to me. The definition of grief is not linear and boy did I feel this through Sydney. Having lost my father at a young age, and not know how life would turn out, is exactly all the feelings Sydney seem to express. From the trips to Dunkin’ to trips to breakfast with the most handsome Marcus.

Recommended to/troupes:
YA
Grief
Self-discovery
Friendship
Romance
Contemporary romance

Thank you Netgalley & scholastic press for holding space to request this book. Thank you for wiring this great book Charlene Thomas!!

The formatting of the kindle book was very hard to read. The sentences were broken up mid way through. Overall, a good story. I enjoyed it but wasn't able to finish because of the formatting.

I loved this book so much! I laughed and cried and highlighted so much. I love how it talks about grief and moving on but also how we all carry grief with us for different things, people... at different times. How aren't alone in life and the things we struggle with. I loved Syd and Marcus together but I loved how they had time to reflect on their own. 10/10 definitely recommend. I want to get the paperback just so I can highlight and annotate all over again.

I went into this book completely blind. Instagram had shown me ads about it and the ability to request to be an ARC reader directly from the author. I decided to reach out to the Charlene and I’m so happy I did. This book had me in my feelings and by the end I was in tears. Syd and Marcus are both stuck in life due to the grief of losing a loved one and the fear of change. Watching Syd grow and learn to believe in herself as the story progresses is so beautiful and Marcus understanding that he doesn’t have to do grieve alone and he deserves a tomorrow just about broke me. I absolutely love their connection with each other and while I should’ve saw the ending coming I still felt blindsided but also undestood why it had to end the way it did. Most definitely a top YA read for me this year. Thank you to Charlene Thomas and her team for picking me to be an ARC reader. I greatly appreciate it!

“It’s You Every Time” is set in New York City where Sydney “Syd” Michaels & Marcus Burke, two 18 year old high seniors are destined to deal with their grief eventually. This story was deeply touching and emotional, and heartfelt as well. I found the protagonist’s of this book to be lovable, raw, and sincere in a way that had me feeling all the feels. It is obvious to me that author, Charlene Thomas, put all her heart into penning this story and wrote about grief in a thoughtful way that will make it hurt less for anyone reading it. I loved this story and would highly recommend it because point blank, it’s a keeper!

It's You Every Time by Charlene Thomas is an unforgettable read that effortlessly blends romance, emotional depth, and authentic storytelling. From the very first page, Thomas draws the reader into a world of compelling characters and heartfelt connections.

The story revolves around two protagonists whose chemistry leaps off the pages, and their journey toward love is both touching and realistic. Thomas has a remarkable gift for creating relatable characters who feel like old friends, and their growth throughout the book is beautifully executed. The pacing is just right, ensuring that the romantic tension keeps you hooked without feeling rushed.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its emotional honesty. Thomas tackles love, vulnerability, and self-discovery in such a way that you can’t help but feel deeply connected to the characters. The dialogue is sharp and filled with warmth, providing moments of humor, heartache, and joy that make it impossible to put the book down.

The book is more than just a love story—it’s about understanding oneself, healing, and embracing vulnerability. Thomas captures these themes with grace, allowing readers to find pieces of themselves in the story. It’s a perfect blend of romance and self-reflection, leaving you with a sense of fulfillment long after you finish reading.

It's You Every Time is an absolute gem, and Charlene Thomas has solidified her place as a master storyteller. If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile, cry, and think about love in a deeper way, this is it.

Thank you to Charlene Thomas, Scholastic, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This book was such a beautifully written book on grief and how it can make you feel like you’re stuck in an endless loop with no way on how to get out. Watching Marcus and Sydney fall in love as the days kept restarting was so beautiful and at the same time so hard to witness because you weren’t sure if they would ever get out. The grief in this book is like a bull dozer at times knocking you when you least expect it but it was written so beautifully as well. Reading Sydney desperately try to escape being stuck while Marcus found comfort in was heartbreaking. This wasn’t just a cute Black YA romance but something much greater. It’s a story on loss, grief but most importantly healing. Deeply moved by Marcus and Sydney

Wow - that was a beautifully written YA romance! It tackled big topics, specifically grief, and in such a wonderful and different way.

The main characters are both perfectly imperfect. I like that their less perfect qualities are discussed and delved into. Their insecurities, their fears, I think it made them feel very 3 dimensional.

Something I think the author did phenomenally was that when Syd and Marcus finally break the cycle, they don’t remember each other. And while I was super devastated, the author brings it back quick and ties it neatly with the bow at the end.

5⭐️ all the way.

This was such a sweet love story 💗 and at the same time it also taught lessons about life after loss. Facing the grief and trying to heal so that you're able to move on. It was very touching and also different/very unique from alot of books I've read. Am I a fan of the "ground hog day" trope? Not really, but this book was special.

Thank you, Charlene Thomas, Scholastic, and NetGalley for the early preview of this YA book.

Title: It’s You Every Time
Author: Charlene Thomas
Format: e-book

Review:

Within the first few pages I knew I was going to enjoy this book. It gives you the cute, fun, feel good vibes that draw you right in. But this book deals you all the feelings. With an interesting take on Groundhogs Day, you are constantly wanting to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

This beautiful story really makes us reflect on grief. How it can weigh on you from days to weeks to years later. Even when you think you’ve shoved it into that nice little box in the back of your mind, grief is there. When I reflect on the grief I’ve carried in my life, it would have been nice to read something that so thoroughly explained how it’s normal to bubble up when you least expect it. Although on the surface, this book can seem like “just another YA” book, I think it gives you more than that. I giggled and CRIED throughout the story.

This was easy to read, but was so descriptive in all the right ways. This was my first Charlene Thomas book, and I know I could pick up another one of her books right now and thoroughly enjoy it just because of her writing style.