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Last updated on October 26th, 2024
What if you met the right person at the wrong time? In this review of The Seven Year Slip, we’ll take a look at Ashley Poston’s heartbreaking story about meeting your true love too early.
I was intrigued by the premise when I read it on Amazon, even though I’m not a fan of time-travel romances. However, this book took me by surprise. It was emotional, inspiring, and an absolute delight to read. And I wish I could read it again for the first time.
This was my introduction to Ashley Poston. After falling in love with her writing, I had to check out her debut novel, The Dead Romantics, and it did not disappoint either.
Trope: time travel romance
TWs: death of loved one, grief, suicide
What if you met the right person at the wrong time? An emotional and heartwarming romance from the author of ‘The Dead Romantics.’
Synopsis
Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.
So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going.
And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.
And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.
Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.
Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.
After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.
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Characters
I liked reading about how Clementine and Iwan’s relationship grew over time. They had such a genuine and sweet bond, with many tender moments that made it enjoyable to see them become more than strangers.
The male MC reminded me of Atlas from “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover, as they are both chefs, and the connection between Iwan and Clementine is similar to that of Lily and Atlas.
So if you loved that book, definitely give this one a try.
Iwan
The male MC was charmingly vulnerable and adorably sexy at the same time. He dreams of making his grandpa proud and sets out to open his own restaurant in NYC, where he meets Clementine.
I liked reading about his passion for cooking and his desire to create the perfect meal for someone. His enthusiasm was palpable and made me want to become a chef myself.
Clementine
We meet our female MC as she navigates the ups and downs of the publishing world, all while dealing with the grief of losing her beloved aunt – the person she has always looked up to.
She has an eccentric and witty personality but can also be a bit immature at times. Despite this, her decisions were relatable.
I liked reading about her journey as she learned to move forward with her life and the obstacles she had to overcome along the way.
Side Characters
The best friends of both characters were hilarious. I appreciated the diversity inclusion, with Clementine’s best friends being a married lesbian couple expecting their first child.
And the way Iwan’s best friends teased him in front of Clementine was adorably funny.
I also enjoyed getting to know Clementine’s aunt through her eyes. It was easy to understand why she looked up to her. Her aunt is a free spirit who seizes life by the horns and always has a bag packed for a spontaneous trip.
“If you don’t fit in, fool everyone until you do.”
Plot
I liked how the author intertwined the timelines in the story, with both versions of the characters existing in the same place at different times. It made me curious to see how it would all play out.
Despite tackling serious issues like grief and suicide, Poston still infused the story with funny and tender moments. The book does a good job of exploring the ripple effect of suicide and reminding readers to cherish the moments they have with their loved ones.
The story was quite emotional for me, and while I saw the plot twist between the main characters coming, I was still curious to see how the author would construct the rest of the story.
The pacing was great, and the yearning between the characters kept me up past my bedtime.
Writing
The dialogues in the book were easy to follow, witty, and engaging. Although I did find a few typos in the Kindle version, they were not numerous enough to dampen my reading experience.
The clever titles at the beginning of each chapter provided a nice preview of what to expect without feeling like spoilers.
Best Quotes
“You are you, and that’s a lovely person to be.”
Conclusion
The Seven Year Slip is a powerful reminder to live life to the fullest and embrace the unexpected moments that come our way.
Through its authentic characters, emotional plot lines, and tenderhearted moments, Ashley Poston has crafted an intimate novel that explores the themes of grief and accepting change as a natural part of the human experience.
It’s been one of my favorite reads of 2023, and I recommend it to anyone seeking an uplifting and emotional story.
Enjoyed this review of The Seven Year Slip? Then, add this book to your TBR. And if you have already read this book and have some thoughts to share, drop them in the comments below. I would love to hear them!
FAQs
How spicy is The Seven Year Slip?
There are a few kissing scenes, but they’re not explicitly described, and the scenes are more fade-to-black, so they are great for fans of closed-door romances.
Does The Seven Year Slip have a happy ending?
Yes, it does! I was definitely put through the emotional rollercoaster on this one because the grief theme was so heartbreaking, but I was glad for the happy ending.
Is The Seven Year Slip a standalone?
It is, but there are some easter eggs and cameos from characters in Poston’s first book, The Dead Romantics. So, if you’re someone who likes finding easter eggs, then I would recommend reading it after her debut novel.
