This Time Tomorrow, by Emma Straub

If you’re ready to travel back in time to 1996, pick up a copy of This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. Such an unexpectedly delightful read! I love a story that incorporates magical realism & when time travel is involved, consider me sold.

Alice Stern is about to celebrate her 40th and contemplating life as one does on the precipice of a milestone birthday. Her dad’s health is failing and she knows she could lose him at any time & Alice wonders if she could have done anything different in the past to change his current situation. Alice visits her favorite little bar on her birthday, drunkenly stumbles out returning to her childhood home, and wakes up on her 16th birthday in 1996.

This was such a charming story. Very reminiscent of The Midnight Library, but the late 90’s references in this one took me on a trip through time right along with Alice! While I loved the story as a whole, the 90’s nostalgia was a personal favorite element. Endearing, charming, and witty. Overall such a sweet and poignant read. Beautifully written.

4 out of 5 stars

TW: death of a loved one