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A review by _onemorechapter_
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
𝑻.𝑾: Dealing with the Death of a loved one, Grief
“That was love, wasn't it? It wasn't just a quick drop -- it was falling, over and over again, for your person. It was falling as they became new people. It was learning how to exist with every new breath. It was uncertain and it was undeniably hard, and it wasn't something you could plan for.”
💭This is my first book by Poston and it was a total gem of a read. This book is like a warm hug wrapped in a quirky, time-travel bow.
It is way more than just a charming romance; it’s a profound exploration of grief, self-discovery, and the complexities of moving forward. The story kicks off with Clementine, who works in publishing and deals with the tough loss of her aunt Analea. She moves into her aunt’s old apartment, but the place has a quirky surprise: it’s got a time slip that sends her seven years into the past where she meets Iwan for the first time, a tattooed, inspiring chef with big dreams. He’s subletting the apartment from her aunt but from seven years ago. They fall for each other in this magical setting.
What makes this book stand out is how deeply it delves into Clementine’s journey. It’s not just about her relationship with Iwan (though their chemistry is undeniable), but it’s also about her personal growth and how she deals with her grief. The way Clementine navigates her emotions, friendships, and mistakes feels incredibly real. You get to feel the weight of her loss and the impact it has on her life.
The bond between Clementine and her aunt is a central, powerful element of the story. Their relationship is portrayed with such depth and authenticity that you can’t help but feel like you’re grieving alongside Clementine. The magical apartment—Analea’s legacy—serves as a beautiful reminder of her aunt’s presence and wisdom. It’s like a comforting bridge between the past and the present, keeping Analea’s spirit alive in a meaningful way.
Furthermore, I have nothing but positive things to say about Iwan; he truly is the sweetest. Incredibly charming and irresistible, he has a golden retriever-like magnetism that makes him impossible not to fall for. From the start, I was captivated by his endearing, fun, and kind nature, along with his joyful and charming personality. Loving him felt effortless. As a chef, his passion for cooking is absolutely adorable. Even though I’m not as passionate about cooking as he is, I could listen to him talk about it for hours without ever getting bored. His struggle with losing sight of his dreams and motivations felt deeply authentic. Seeing him through Clementine’s eyes was captivating—her profound love for him was touching and endearing, and I can’t help but admire her for it. I really wish we’d had his perspective; I’m sure it would have deepened my appreciation for his character even more.
Also, The romance between Clementine and Iwan was undeniably adorable, and their chemistry was off the charts with so many sweet moments that made my heart flutter. Still, I felt it leaned a bit too much into insta-love territory. There wasn’t quite enough build-up for my taste, which was a bit of a letdown. A slower development would’ve made their connection feel more real. I found myself craving more romance. This story leans more toward women’s fiction, focusing a lot on Clementine’s relationship with her aunt and her quest to figure out her life goals, career, and friendships. As a result, there wasn’t enough Clementine and Iwan content to satisfy my romance cravings. It’s such a letdown because their storyline is *Chef's Kiss.*
Overall, The time slip and the romance are just the surface of what The Seven Year Slip offers. The real heart of the story is Clementine’s emotional journey and how she finds herself through her experiences. It’s a poignant reminder of how we can carry the essence of loved ones with us and how their lessons and love continue to shape our lives. The characters are delightful, and the writing is so engaging—definitely kept me hooked from start to finish.
The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is that some parts felt a bit predictable, but the unique concept and emotional depth more than makeup for it.
𝐏.𝐒 I am a sucker for nicknames, and I loved "Lemon".
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.22 (262098)
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆:Contemporary Romance, Time Travel, & Magical Realism
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚:🔥
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:Yes, Yes, and Yes!
If you’re into a feel-good, magical romance with a touch of nostalgia, this book is totally worth your time.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“I loved how a book, a story, a set of words in a sentence organized in the exact right order, made you miss places you’ve never visited, and people you’ve never met.”
“Nothing lasts forever. Not the good things, not the bad. So just find what makes you happy, and do it for as long as you can.”
“Sometimes the people you loved left you halfway through a story. Sometimes they left you without a goodbye. And, sometimes, they stayed around in little ways. In the memory of a musical. In the smell of their perfume. In the sound of the rain, and the itch for adventure, and the yearning for that liminal space between one airport terminal and the next. I hated her for leaving, and I loved her for staying as long as she could. And I would never wish this pain on anyone.”
“Isn't it strange how the world works sometimes? It's never a matter of time, but a matter of timing.”
“You only live once. And if you do it right, once is all you need.”
“There was something just so reassuring about books. They had beginnings and middles and ends, and if you didn't like a part, you could skip to the next chapter. If someone died, you could stop on the last page before, and they'd live on forever. Happy endings were definite, evils defeated, and the good lasted forever.”
“Because the things that mattered most never really left. The love stays. The love always stays, and so do we.”
“I didn't need to be fixed. I just needed...to be reminded that I was human.”
“You never commit a mundane moment to memory, thinking it'll be the last time you'll hear their voice, or see their smile, or smell their perfume. Your head never remembers the things your heart wants to in hindsight.”
“My aunt used to say, if you don't fit in, fool everyone until you do.
She also said to keep your passport renewed, to pair red wines with meat and whites with everything else, to find work that is fulfilling to your heart as well as your head, to never forget to fall in love whenever you can find it because love is nothing if not a matter of timing, and to chase the moon. Always, always chase the moon.”
“You are who you are, and you like what you like. You are you, and that's a lovely person to be.”
“He was an adventure.
One I suddenly knew I wanted to take.”
“Your life changed because of
some French fries?"
"The things you least expect usually do.”
“There was a gap between early twenties and late twenties that only people existing in bodies in their late twenties understood. You could still fight god, but you'd have to ice your knees afterward.”
“Universal truths in butter. Secrets folded into the dough. Poetry in the spices. Romance in a chocolate. Love in a lemon pie.”
“I didn't find out who I wanted to be until I was almost 40. You have to try on a lot of shoes until you find some you like walking in. Never apologize for that.”
“And I knew I was falling. The kind of falling that would hurt when I hit the ground. The kind of falling that would shatter me into pieces.”
“That was love, wasn't it? It wasn't just a quick drop -- it was falling, over and over again, for your person. It was falling as they became new people. It was learning how to exist with every new breath. It was uncertain and it was undeniably hard, and it wasn't something you could plan for.”
💭This is my first book by Poston and it was a total gem of a read. This book is like a warm hug wrapped in a quirky, time-travel bow.
It is way more than just a charming romance; it’s a profound exploration of grief, self-discovery, and the complexities of moving forward. The story kicks off with Clementine, who works in publishing and deals with the tough loss of her aunt Analea. She moves into her aunt’s old apartment, but the place has a quirky surprise: it’s got a time slip that sends her seven years into the past where she meets Iwan for the first time, a tattooed, inspiring chef with big dreams. He’s subletting the apartment from her aunt but from seven years ago. They fall for each other in this magical setting.
What makes this book stand out is how deeply it delves into Clementine’s journey. It’s not just about her relationship with Iwan (though their chemistry is undeniable), but it’s also about her personal growth and how she deals with her grief. The way Clementine navigates her emotions, friendships, and mistakes feels incredibly real. You get to feel the weight of her loss and the impact it has on her life.
The bond between Clementine and her aunt is a central, powerful element of the story. Their relationship is portrayed with such depth and authenticity that you can’t help but feel like you’re grieving alongside Clementine. The magical apartment—Analea’s legacy—serves as a beautiful reminder of her aunt’s presence and wisdom. It’s like a comforting bridge between the past and the present, keeping Analea’s spirit alive in a meaningful way.
Furthermore, I have nothing but positive things to say about Iwan; he truly is the sweetest. Incredibly charming and irresistible, he has a golden retriever-like magnetism that makes him impossible not to fall for. From the start, I was captivated by his endearing, fun, and kind nature, along with his joyful and charming personality. Loving him felt effortless. As a chef, his passion for cooking is absolutely adorable. Even though I’m not as passionate about cooking as he is, I could listen to him talk about it for hours without ever getting bored. His struggle with losing sight of his dreams and motivations felt deeply authentic. Seeing him through Clementine’s eyes was captivating—her profound love for him was touching and endearing, and I can’t help but admire her for it. I really wish we’d had his perspective; I’m sure it would have deepened my appreciation for his character even more.
Also, The romance between Clementine and Iwan was undeniably adorable, and their chemistry was off the charts with so many sweet moments that made my heart flutter. Still, I felt it leaned a bit too much into insta-love territory. There wasn’t quite enough build-up for my taste, which was a bit of a letdown. A slower development would’ve made their connection feel more real. I found myself craving more romance. This story leans more toward women’s fiction, focusing a lot on Clementine’s relationship with her aunt and her quest to figure out her life goals, career, and friendships. As a result, there wasn’t enough Clementine and Iwan content to satisfy my romance cravings. It’s such a letdown because their storyline is *Chef's Kiss.*
Overall, The time slip and the romance are just the surface of what The Seven Year Slip offers. The real heart of the story is Clementine’s emotional journey and how she finds herself through her experiences. It’s a poignant reminder of how we can carry the essence of loved ones with us and how their lessons and love continue to shape our lives. The characters are delightful, and the writing is so engaging—definitely kept me hooked from start to finish.
The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is that some parts felt a bit predictable, but the unique concept and emotional depth more than makeup for it.
𝐏.𝐒 I am a sucker for nicknames, and I loved "Lemon".
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.22 (262098)
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆:Contemporary Romance, Time Travel, & Magical Realism
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚:🔥
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:Yes, Yes, and Yes!
If you’re into a feel-good, magical romance with a touch of nostalgia, this book is totally worth your time.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“I loved how a book, a story, a set of words in a sentence organized in the exact right order, made you miss places you’ve never visited, and people you’ve never met.”
“Nothing lasts forever. Not the good things, not the bad. So just find what makes you happy, and do it for as long as you can.”
“Sometimes the people you loved left you halfway through a story. Sometimes they left you without a goodbye. And, sometimes, they stayed around in little ways. In the memory of a musical. In the smell of their perfume. In the sound of the rain, and the itch for adventure, and the yearning for that liminal space between one airport terminal and the next. I hated her for leaving, and I loved her for staying as long as she could. And I would never wish this pain on anyone.”
“Isn't it strange how the world works sometimes? It's never a matter of time, but a matter of timing.”
“You only live once. And if you do it right, once is all you need.”
“There was something just so reassuring about books. They had beginnings and middles and ends, and if you didn't like a part, you could skip to the next chapter. If someone died, you could stop on the last page before, and they'd live on forever. Happy endings were definite, evils defeated, and the good lasted forever.”
“Because the things that mattered most never really left. The love stays. The love always stays, and so do we.”
“I didn't need to be fixed. I just needed...to be reminded that I was human.”
“You never commit a mundane moment to memory, thinking it'll be the last time you'll hear their voice, or see their smile, or smell their perfume. Your head never remembers the things your heart wants to in hindsight.”
“My aunt used to say, if you don't fit in, fool everyone until you do.
She also said to keep your passport renewed, to pair red wines with meat and whites with everything else, to find work that is fulfilling to your heart as well as your head, to never forget to fall in love whenever you can find it because love is nothing if not a matter of timing, and to chase the moon. Always, always chase the moon.”
“You are who you are, and you like what you like. You are you, and that's a lovely person to be.”
“He was an adventure.
One I suddenly knew I wanted to take.”
“Your life changed because of
some French fries?"
"The things you least expect usually do.”
“There was a gap between early twenties and late twenties that only people existing in bodies in their late twenties understood. You could still fight god, but you'd have to ice your knees afterward.”
“Universal truths in butter. Secrets folded into the dough. Poetry in the spices. Romance in a chocolate. Love in a lemon pie.”
“I didn't find out who I wanted to be until I was almost 40. You have to try on a lot of shoes until you find some you like walking in. Never apologize for that.”
“And I knew I was falling. The kind of falling that would hurt when I hit the ground. The kind of falling that would shatter me into pieces.”