Review of Not You Again by Erin La Rosa
I’ve always had a soft spot for time-loop stories. There’s something endlessly fascinating about the idea of reliving the same day and pondering how different choices could lead to completely new outcomes. When I heard that Erin La Rosa was back with a new release featuring this very concept, I couldn’t resist. Last year, I was utterly charmed by her book The Backtrack, so my anticipation for Not You Again was palpable. And let me tell you, the premise had me intrigued right away: a town caught in a time loop the day of a solar eclipse, with two clashing characters forced to confront their differences. What could go wrong?
At its core, Not You Again explores themes of acceptance, choice, and the messy nature of relationships. The dual perspectives of Carly and Adam allow readers to dive into their contrasting personalities and approaches to the time loop. Carly is reluctant, while Adam is more of a scientific skeptic, which creates an interesting culinary mix of banter and tension, especially when they first clash. I love when characters push each other’s buttons, and their interactions had me chuckling more than once. It’s fascinating how both grapple with the time loop, pondering whether to revel in the absurdity or seek a logical escape.
However, while La Rosa’s writing remains delightfully witty, I found the narrative’s structure faltering as the story progressed. The initial setup was engaging and had enough steam to keep me hooked. Yet, as the story wore on, the charm gradually faded. Unfortunately, I was left with an undeniable sense of dissatisfaction by the time I reached the end. While I appreciate how time loops often necessitate a break from reality, the abrupt conclusion felt unresolved—a lazy exit rather than a satisfying conclusion.
I also have to mention my ambivalence towards certain plot elements, especially the incorporation of a cheating storyline. Given my personal reading biases, this subplot did not resonate well with me. While it created additional drama, it felt more like an unnecessary addition rather than an essential thread of the story. This, coupled with some steamy scenes that ventured a bit too far for my taste, fostered a disconnect between my expectations and the story’s development.
Despite these bumps in the narrative, I did appreciate La Rosa’s exploration of how the characters evolve amid the chaos. Watching Carly and Adam’s relationship morph as they revisit the same day was an emotional highlight for me. Their character development gave depth to the story and allowed for reflections on how easily we can misread situations based on our biases and fears.
In conclusion, I found myself with mixed feelings about Not You Again. For those who love romantic escapism and can overlook a few narrative flaws, it may be a delightful read. However, if you’re drawn more towards well-tied time loops with profound resolutions, you might find yourself feeling similarly underwhelmed, as I did. Personally, I relished the premise and the banter, but the execution fell short for me. If you find yourself leaning more towards the romantic angle rather than the fantastical one, this book may resonate beautifully with you. I’m grateful to Netgalley and Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read it, but alas, it just didn’t come together as I had hoped.