Having read Cassandra in Reverse, I jumped at the chance to read Holly Smale’s newest novel. I love the rich, flawed feel of her characters, and I love the way that the story fits together like a puzzle, and you’re fed one engaging piece at a time.

⸻

Book Review: I Know How This Ends by Holly Smale
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“I Know How This Ends” is a novel that sneaks up on you. It starts with heartbreak and chaos, leans into magical realism, and ends somewhere that feels a little bit like home—unexpected, imperfect, and deeply earned.

Margot Wayward is a woman at a breaking point. Her ten-year relationship has crashed and burned in the most humiliating way, her once-steady career as a broadcast meteorologist is now derailed, and she’s back living in her childhood home, surrounded by half-unpacked boxes and regret. She’s sharp-tongued, emotionally shut down, and throwing herself headfirst into a series of terrible Tinder dates like a one-woman social experiment.

Then something odd happens. Margot has a vision—just a few seconds long—of herself living a future she hasn’t reached yet, standing beside a man she’s never seen before. When that man, Henry, walks into her life, the vision becomes real. And as more visions begin to flash before her eyes, Margot realizes she’s being shown glimpses of a life that hasn’t happened… yet.

The catch? She can’t change it.

What follows is not a rom-com (though it’s often very funny), and it’s not a sci-fi fantasy (though the time-slip elements are real). It’s a story about love, yes—but more importantly, it’s about healing, vulnerability, and the quiet bravery it takes to begin again when you’re not sure if you’ll ever trust the ground under your feet.

What makes this book so special is Margot herself. She’s angry. She’s messy. She pushes people away even as she aches for connection. And yet, you root for her because she’s trying. She’s raw in a way that’s rare to see in fiction—especially romantic fiction—and Holly Smale never tries to smooth out her rough edges to make her more “likable.” She just lets her be real.

Henry, the romantic lead, is a breath of fresh air. A single father with his own quiet grief, he’s not flashy or overly romanticized. He’s patient. He listens. He shows up. And his daughter, Winter, steals every scene she’s in. She’s clever and precocious without ever being annoying—a hard balance to strike, but Smale nails it.

The writing is sharp, emotional, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Smale has a gift for layering pain with humor, making you snort one minute and swallow back a lump in your throat the next. The pacing feels effortless, and the magical realism is handled with such subtlety that it never overpowers the emotional core of the book.

A favorite quote that captures the heart of the novel:
“If you already know how it ends, the only thing left to fight for is how it feels getting there.”

And that’s really what this story is about. We may not have visions of our future, but we all know, in one way or another, that nothing lasts forever. Love changes. People leave. Life surprises us. The question isn’t whether we can control it—it’s how we live with that knowledge, how we open ourselves to joy anyway.

If you loved books like The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore, or The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver, this is your next must-read. It blends speculative elements with emotional intimacy and doesn’t shy away from big, bittersweet questions.

Holly Smale has once again proven she’s one of the rare authors who can make you feel seen while also making you believe in second chances—not just in love, but in yourself.

A moving, warm, and wonderfully strange love story about grief, fate, and the beauty of living in the moment—even when you already know how it ends.

Recommended for:
• Fans of time slip & magical realism
• Anyone who’s been through heartbreak and come out stronger
• Readers who want romance with emotional depth
• Book clubs (so much to discuss about fate vs. free will!)
• Lovers of character-driven fiction with wit and heart

Often, when a book includes magical realism it can be awkward or self conscious. Holly Smale’s new book, “I Kniw How This Ends” teeters on the brink of your, but luckily never falls. Instead, Margot’s story is well-paced, funny, wry, thoughtful, and left me thinking about friendships, relationships, family-both chosen and biological- and the idea of fate.

If you liked “The Measure” AND “Bridget Jones’s Diary” then Margot’s story is for you!

I enjoyed Holly Smale's Cassandra in Reverse and was excited to read her newest release. I Know How this Ends has a unique preface. If you know how your life ends, what would you change now? I am typically not someone who enjoys magical realism but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Margot was a successful meteorologist who is engaged and is literally ready to walk down the isle the next day when she discovers one of her best friends in an intimate embrace with her fiance. Margot then goes on a path of self destruction.

There is so much about this book that I loved. The characters were so well written and developed. They had flaws and as the book went they grew and worked on their issues. Winter. Oh what a precocious and fun little girl. Her human and quick whit was lovely and such a breath of fresh air.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because I adored Winter. This is a fun solid story that is unique.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much! I am a huge fan of magical realism that plays with time travel or examines the question of fate vs. free will, so I was excited to stumble upon this book. The concept reminded me of Rebecca Serle's Expiration Dates. But where Expiration Dates missed the mark for me, I Know How This Ends delivered!

There was so much in this book that I loved. I loved Margot as a main character. Smale didn't hold back when it came to Margot's complete unraveling on the heels of her breakup, and I appreciated that. I loved seeing Margot grow and change as the book progressed. I also loved Henry and the sweet, gentle way he swept Margot off her feet. So many romance books out there are "instalove," so I really appreciated the fact that this wasn't that. I loved Margot's friend group, her neighbor, her parents, and especially ger Granddad. What a great cast of characters!

It can be challenging for authors to successfully execute magical realism, especially when it involves some version of time travel. Smale does it so well! The way she interspersed the visions throughout the plot was so cleverly done.

I will definitely be recommending this one to my customers!!

A witty, emotional novel about heartbreak, fate and finding your way forward. When Margot starts seeing glimpses of her future, she must decide how to live in the now, even when she knows what’s coming. Clever, heartfelt, and quietly devastating.

𝓘 𝓚𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓔𝓷𝓭𝓼 exceeded my expectations in every way. It started out for me as a typical romance/contemporary read. Margot is down on her luck, having gone through a traumatic breakup and she's self sabotaging her way through life, and dating all the wrong men.

She's the kind of character that is a hot mess and you are super frustrated with...and then...she actually starts to make changes. After meeting Henry, she starts to have visions of her future with him - completely out of her control, but she sees little snippets of her future life, some good, some beautiful, some sad, etc.

I won't spend any more time on the plot, but this was such a sweet, heartwarming story in every way and Henry is a top notch MMC -so sweet, a little dorky, genuine, heart on his sleeve, supportive, and I could go on. The magical realism elements are just the right amount of giving a certain extra something to the story while not going too off the rails.

The novel gives such a powerful job of showing that the moments in life are what matter, not always the destination.

Margot's life has been turned upside down - she's processing heartache and betrayal, and has turned quite sour on love.
She keeps going on dates, with the attempt at 20 days - picking apart the qualities and red flags of the men she meets. Until #17 and Henry is an unexpected surprise.
There are points when Margot has flashes of her future with Henry and she is trying to learn to live with what will be.
At times I felt pity for Margot as she was clearly heartbroken and dealing with a host of issues. But she had supportive friends and family had needed to open her heart to the unexpected possibilities.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I had such a fantastic experience reading Holly Smale's previous book Cassandra In Reverse back in 2023, and I knew I wanted to read I Know How This Ends as soon as I read the blurb and saw it had once again a sci-fi/magical realism element. I also have a weak spot for quirky characters, and I couldn't wait to get to know Margot... And I'm happy to announce that this story ended up being everything I hoped it would be and more! Say hello to another book that will be hanging out on my list of 2025 favorites.

So, I Know How This Ends. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, as the story just hits better when you get to experience all the emotions along with the main character... But what I can say that if you love a story with a time slip/magical realism element, you will be in for a treat with this one. And even if it isn't your favorite trope, I can still recommend this story as the magical realism itself isn't overpowering at all and there is plenty of focus on other elements as well. That said, I loved what the time slip moments added to the story and how present and future were connected.

One of the main reasons this story works so well has everything to do with its main characters. Like I said before, I love a good quirky character, and Margot makes for a wonderful lead. Sure, she could be frustrating at times, but in the end her flaws only made me like her even more. I loved the fact that she is a meteorologist, and I loved the fact that the author incorporated many weather-related facts into the plot. The rest of the cast is mainly great as well, although my favorites are without doubt little Winter, Henry, her neighbor Polly and Margot's grandfather.

While I Know How This Ends is a romance, there is also plenty of focus on family and friendships as well as self discovery and trying to move on. The humor used throughout the book was spot on for me, and really helped balancing out some of those heavier moments... The cheating element wasn't my favorite and I'm not sure if I would have forgiven certain characters if I would have been in Margot's place, but this was only a minor blip in what is otherwise a fantastic reading experience.

There is just something about the writing and plot that makes you feel fully invested in what is going to happen to Margot, Henry and little Winter, who all won over my heart almost immediately. Especially the second half had me racing through the pages, and I loved every single minute I spent with them along the way. Both the meteorology and time slip elements where without doubt highlights of this book, and I could also really appreciate how the glimpses at the future returned later in the plot so that everything is properly connected in the end.

There is so much to love in I Know How This Ends, and I had an absolute blast reading this story. Margot is without doubt a character that will stay with me for a long time, and I already know it will be appearing on my list of 2025 favorites. I cannot recommend it enough!

At a low point in her life, Margot begins experiencing visions of her future self—mysterious glimpses that she can’t explain, yet somehow feel essential. As the story unfolds, these visions become a quiet catalyst for her growth and healing.

Margot’s journey is a thoughtful exploration of self-trust and presence, offering the reader a gentle, resonant message: that life has a way of unfolding as it should. It’s a quietly powerful novel that leaves you with a sense of hope and quiet inspiration.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I… loved this book and I’m unsure I have adequate words to do it justice. This might be one of my favorite books of all time? I read the last 200 pages in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down.

Smale’s writing style really worked for me. She’s an author who can just pull you into a story with a few sentences. There were serious moments and funny ones, the characters were quirky and lovable, and this book covered a lot of topics in a delicate and balanced way that made this story so incredibly enjoyable.

I loved the romance! It was done beautifully with just the right amount of pining and connection. The pacing was perfect and I fell in love with Henry and Margot and how deep their relationship was.

… but I’ll tell you, it was everything else made this story REALLY great. I’m always looking for a book that’s a little out of the box and this one checked everything on my list. Family, connections, friendship, loss, hope, grief, love, career, finding yourself, and so much more.

And I loved the premise of how would you live now if you already knew the future? This book had me sobbing for a full day and the last 100ish pages. I love books that ask big life questions and really make you think about LIFE and this one sure did that for me. It had everything I’ve ever wanted in a story.

TRUST ME you don’t want to miss this one! A top tier read that’ll live in my head rent free for years to come.

Thank you beyond words to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing (MIRA), and the Hive for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I Know How This Ends by Holly Smale

I loved Cassandra in Reverse but I am obsessed with this one. I picked it up knowing I’d enjoy it, but Holly Smale’s writing immediately hooked me and it was impossible to put down. This entire book is ridiculously charming.

Margot is still reeling after an incredible heart break, her life is a mess. But then she starts getting 3 second views into her future, and suddenly she finds reason to hope and reason to dust herself off and truly put herself out there.

I love this kind of magical realism, just a touch of fantasy that makes a book unique and fun. But Margot really just stole the show (with the grandpa in a close second place). She was so loveable and messy. There were some ridiculous reactions and some scenes that were really cheesy. But I ate it all up. It was just lovely and entertaining and fun.

One scene in particular towards the end I will remember forever. One of the sweetest moments I’ve ever read.

Can’t recommend this enough.

Thank you to @readmirabooks for my copy! This one is out on August 12th.

Holly Smale takes a leap into the complexities of destiny and self-acceptance with her newest novel, I Know How This Ends. This isn't your typical light-hearted romp; instead, it's a nuanced and emotionally rich exploration of what it means to live, love, and grow when you think you know exactly what's coming next.

We're introduced to Margot Wayward, a woman who is unravelling after a decade-long relationship implosion. Her method of coping? Gleeful self-destruction. Margot is derailing her successful career, joyfully taking down men on dating apps, and living in a state of defiant chaos. It's a relatable, albeit heightened, portrayal of post-breakup purgatory that many readers will find both amusing and poignant.

Then, an inexplicable vision shifts her chaotic world on its axis. Margot, a staunch non-believer in fate, finds herself face-to-face with a man she's never met – a man from her premonition. When that vision comes true, exactly as she'd foreseen it, with the single-dad Henry, her carefully constructed cynicism begins to crack. As her future continues to reveal itself, glimpse by uncanny glimpse, Margot is forced to confront an impossible reality: she knows exactly what's going to happen, and when. And there's nothing she can do to change any of it.

What follows is a compelling exploration of what it means to live when your future is, quite literally, laid out before you. If every significant moment, every love, every turning point is already written, how does one find agency? How do you genuinely feel the present moment when you know its eventual outcome? Smale uses this speculative premise to dive deep into Margot's internal world. This is not a fast-paced book; instead, it allows for plenty of self-reflection, inviting the reader to truly inhabit Margot's perplexing journey.

I Know How This Ends shines as an emotionally layered story, propelled less by external events and more by Margot's profound internal evolution. The characters are complex, flawed, and ihuman, making their struggles and triumphs feel authentic. It's a tale of growth that navigates themes of free will versus destiny, healing from heartbreak, and the courage it takes to open oneself up to love again, even when the path is eerily clear.

For readers who appreciate character-driven narratives that delve into the human psyche, question free will, and offer a heartfelt journey of healing and self-discovery, I Know How This Ends promises a truly singular reading experience. It's a book that asks big questions and encourages you to ponder them long after the final page.

Have you ever had a book that was so good, whose plot and main characters resonated with you so much that you wanted to immediately read it again? I Know How This Ends is one of those books. I was first introduced to author Holly Smale in 2023 through her first novel for adults, Cassandra in Reverse. Just when I thought I couldn't love another of Smale's books even more, her latest novel proved me wrong. This book follows a former network meteorologist, now an 'Instagram-famous' meteorologist. We soon learn that there is more to Margot than meets the eye. She can see snippets of her future, and it isn't until she meets single-dad Henry that she starts to see her 'visions' coming true.

This book is an absolute must-read for your summer reading list, so I'd preorder your copy before it releases on August 12th.

This is the first book I have ever read from Holly Smale, and WOW I absolutely loved it! It is one of the best books that I have read recently! A refreshing mix of fantasy, romance, and fiction, Smale finds a good balance between seriousness and absolute comedy. There were moments in the book that made me laugh out loud and others that made me cry. It would be an excellent choice for a book club book because it will definitely spark some great discussion and conversation about the choices we make in life and what we would do if we had the knowledge of our futures.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Thank you HTP Books for the e-ARC!

I adored this book. I loved Holly Smale's Cassandra in Reverse, and I loved that this book included the same quirky elements. There was a "time travel" aspect to this one in the form of visions that main character Margot has about the future. It was so interesting to see how Margot handled that realization and really makes you beg the question of what would you do if you knew how your story ended?
The characters in this book were so well written. I loved the side characters in Cassandra, so I was thrilled that the side characters in I Know How This Ends were just as charming as our main characters. Margot and Henry are wonderful, and I was rooting for them the whole time.
This story is one about discovering yourself, found family, and love. I was captivated by the whole thing. I am so happy with how this story played out. Margot's visions were executed perfectly and were not confusing to me, the reader, at all. They added a nice whimsical touch to the story.
I am very excited to see what Holly Smale will put out next!

Holly Smale has done it again. This book has such a unique premise and absolutely brilliant characters that made me keep putting the book down because I didn’t want their story to be over. The whole time, I was questioning whether I’d want to be able to see my future like Margot or if I’d rather be oblivious to it all. It raised some philosophical questions like Cassandra in Reverse, which I loved. I also just ADORED Henry and Winter. I think I fell in love with them too through Margot’s visions.
This didn’t quite change my life like Cassandra in Reverse, so it’s only getting 4 stars. I think I struggled with connecting with Jules, Eve, Polly, and Lily and the whole social media aspect. I have been so excited to read this since Holly announced it, and I will continue to read anything she writes!

"I Know How This Ends" is by Holly Smale. After 16 horrible dates, Margot doesn’t believe she’ll find a man worth dating again … let alone love. She has a vision of happiness with someone (who turns out to be date number 17). Margot is freaked out a bit by this vision - and subsequent ones - which hit at random times but do seem to hint about something that will be true in her future. This book started out as a great read - disastrous dates are things to laugh about and Margot’s were so bad! But there were a number of side stories that I think took away from the sweetness of Margot’s search for someone to spend time with - along with her visions. Yes, there’s magical realism and that’s not always my favorite trope, but I think if this book had cut out a few of the side stories, it would’ve been tighter and, for me, a more enjoyable read. This was a sweet book but at times it seemed too long. I’d recommend this book to those who like love stories with magical realism and kids actually portrayed as, ya know, kids.

loved this romance and finding love. she has visions of the future and finds love with henry and creates her own family with friends and their kids. loved polly . loved winter too.

This is a sweet and heartwarming tale of Margot the Meteorologist who goes on a string of very bad dates. I am not a huge fan of magical realism, but this story was adorable and heartwarming. Read it in one sitting.