One thing about me is that I will always jump at the chance to read a new Robbie Couch book. So it should come at no surprise that I fell head over heels into his upcoming novel If I See You Again Tomorrow.
Clark feels trapped…and he is - in a time loop. After his admission to his therapist on Day 309 that he is lonely, Clark goes through the motions on Day 310, expecting everything to go as it normally does. But then, Beau barges into his last period class. The problem is…this has never happened before. As Clark joins Beau on a chaotic journey around Chicago to run errands, he starts to wonder if Beau is exactly what he needs to cure his loneliness and get him to tomorrow.
Let’s get it out of the way at the top. Anyone who has read this book is absolutely dying to try the blue velvet brownies and I am absolutely no different. In fact, while I was reading, I was so enamored by Ben’s Everything Blue Bakery that I had to order some sweets for myself. They may not have been blue, but they were an excellent addition to my reading. I would highly recommend getting yourself some brownies and cinnamon rolls to snack on while you read this book (it’ll make you feel better when you get to the end and there isn’t a recipe for the blue velvet brownies!)
On to the actual review…
Time loop stories have been done and done again, but Robbie is able to present a fresh new take on it. Though Clark is reliving the same day, his journey from when we meet him to when the book ends is surprisingly unpredictable at times. Even when Clark goes through the same motions, the reader never feels like things become repetitive or boring, a feat that not all time loop stories can achieve and that Robbie has done expertly.
While there is romance as a side plot, the story at its heart is about being lonely and finding a way to pull yourself out of the depths of that loneliness. This is the story that we all need right as now as we battle increasing isolation due to the rise of social media and technology. Even when you are surrounded by people, it’s easy to feel alone in the world. Clark’s journey to find his way to tomorrow feels universal because, while we may not be stuck in an actual time loop, the day to day monotony of running through the same routine can lead to the same feelings of loneliness that we see in Clark. We could all use a Beau and Ms. Hazel to shake things up and remind us we have the ability to feel better, regardless of how hopeless it feels at times.
Through Clark’s journey, he engages with a few different characters. Each of them is complex is their own way and I wouldn’t mind if they each got their own book (hint hint nudge nudge Robbie). Even as they forget Clark on every new reset of the day, they become a kind of found family for him that makes your heart feel happy. It’s an excellent reminder that every person you run into has the potential to be a bigger part of your life - they could even be the person that helps you to heal yourself.
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch is available to preorder here and hits shelves April 18, 2023. Signed copies are available through Book Soup and ShopQueer.co and don’t forget to submit your receipt for some preorder goodies (WITH THE BLUE VELVET BROWNIE RECIPE Y'ALL!!!)
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review. If you purchase a copy using my Bookshop affiliate link above, not only will I receive a small commission (which will fuel my coffee and tea addiction and help to keep me up all night reading more books to recommend to you), but you will be supporting indie bookstores as well!
