For fans of Jenny Han and Christine Riccio comes a romantic dramedy about a teen girl who stumbles upon a mysterious website that tells her everything she doesn’t want to know about her future.

There’s something about Truman Alexander that Skyler Finch finds incredibly annoying. Actually, several things: his voice (grating), his arrogance (total know-it-all), his debate-team obsession (eyeroll), and his preppy vibe (does he iron his shorts?). She does her best to avoid him and focus on the important stuff: friends, school, and her boyfriend, Eli. His promposal was perfect–just like he is–and the future is looking bright. Or is it?

For some unexplainable reason, Skylar’s phone is sending her notifications from the future . . . a future in which, to her horror, she appears to be with Truman. As in, romantically. As in, Skyler cannot let that happen.

But trying to change the future means messing up the present, and what Skyler sees keeps shifting. Classmates disappear and reappear, swap partners and futures. Turns out there are no actions without reactions, and life doesn’t come with a road map. But sometimes the wandering leads you exactly where you need to be, and people–like glitchy phones–are full of surprises.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the eARC of this engrossing YA romance with a bit of a sci-fi twist! When I read the synopsis, I was immediately put in mind of some of my favorite stories using a more modern form of time travel. We probably use our phones now more than we ever have, but the idea of a future-telling communication device has been used even back in our landline days; like one of Stephen King’s best short stories and a holiday-based novel by Rainbow Rowell. Sara, however, gave me something I have never seen before. She gives Skyler a cell phone on its last legs that somehow has a link to her future. Whereas other narratives might weave in calls or texts messages to get this point across, but what our protagonist ends up having access to is Future Skyler’s Instagram page, in which is sent a link to her high school’s ten year reunion. This discovery leaves her reeling as is she discovers she may wind up married to her nemesis.

When we meet Skyler, she seems to have everything going for her. A popular boyfriend, two good friends, a mostly stable family, and a future that feels too far off to worry too much about. The only thing, before the phone, that causes her any distress is Truman. He ruffles her feathers, and as the story goes on it becomes more and more apparent that this torture may be on purpose, and against all odds, she finds herself drawn to him as they work together to save a landmark that has a special place in their hearts and appears to be crucial to the happy lives of those around her. Skyler becomes obsessed with trying to keep up her distaste for Truman, checking in on the mental health of her quietest friend, but above all, making decisions based on the changes the reunion site makes. Her present plummets as she allows herself to get lost in the future, and she sees the same focus on the yet-to-come from Truman, and they end up teaching each other a lot about living in the now.

I think this is a really sweet romance that not only reminds you to be kind to those around you, but also to remember to experience each day as fully as you can, even as you look toward whatever endgame we’re all searching for. It’s a double-edged sword in that you want to have a healthy mix of both; Skyler struggles with not planning for the days ahead as Truman can’t seem to do anything but, and the two of them harbor animosity for each other because they’re unable to see eye to eye. This enemies to lovers story is one full of heart and honesty, and I love how well it played out. In addition to the romance, however, there were intertwining themes of depression, loss, parental pressure, sibling rivalry, and most of all, that feeling of weightlessness that hits right as high school ends. Although this novel ends with us not knowing exactly what the future holds for these characters, they don’t either, and for once– they’re happy about it. It’s a very uplifting and heartwarming read that the hopeless romantic in me can’t help but recommend!

5/5 stars