Alternate reality romance with a “what if “scenario which poses the question of whether or not true love transcends space and time.
Can a moment in time (or a missed opportunity) profoundly change your life’s trajectory? If you had the chance to live your life in two different dimensions but had to sacrifice one or more loving relationships, which life would you choose? Equipped with this knowledge, would you be able to make the necessary changes and take the risk of rejection to have an epic love in either dimension? These are the questions Olivia Dusk faces when she suddenly finds herself in an alternate reality. In her Real Life, she’s a recently furloughed middle school drama teacher in Los Angeles, busy planning her best friend Masha’s wedding, hosting a fledging podcast with her mother, and dreading the arrival of best man Jake Glasswell, former high school crush and nemesis who wouldn’t kiss her at prom, but went on to New York City for college and a very successful career as a talk show host. In high school, they competed in sports, on stage, and in the classroom, both being voted Most Likely to Succeed, However, when Olivia’s father died right after prom, she gave up her dreams of attending Juilliard and becoming a successful actress to support her grieving mother. When Jake arrives for the wedding, their sniping picks up right where they left off 10 years before, but there’s a fine line between love and hate. When Olivia finds herself in the other dimension (her High Life), she experiences the life she would have had if the prom kiss had actually happened. With no memory of the intervening years, however, she can’t live genuinely and honestly, nor can she repair the relationships she damaged along the way.
This is the first book I’ve read of Lauren Kate’s, but it definitely won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this fantastical romance reminiscent of the movie 13 Going on 30. Whatever dimension, the chemistry between Jake and Olivia is palpable and the love they have for each other in the High Life is relationship goals! The friendship between Liv and Masha and her relationship with her mother in her Real Life are a wonderful depiction of female empowerment. Living in LA, it was also fun for me to read about places I enjoy just like the characters. If you’re looking for a fun summer read, check this one out. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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