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A review by camisado
Repeat After Me by Jessica Warman
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I had high hopes for Repeat After Me by Jessica Warman, but unfortunately, it fell short in several areas. The premise of reliving the same day over and over again had potential, but the execution left much to be desired.
Emma receives a mysterious call before her senior class trip, warning her not to go and using her family’s code word, “Gizmo.” Despite her curiosity, she proceeds with the trip to a remote island, where she and her friends get stuck in a confusing and repetitive time loop.
I usually enjoy stories about time, but this one left me wishing I hadn’t read it. The idea of a time loop where each iteration is an alternate dimension of the same day was interesting, but the execution was confusing and hard to follow.
One aspect I did enjoy was the slow development of the relationship between Louis and Emma. Their stubborn refusal to acknowledge their feelings was endearing, and their dynamic was one of the few highlights.
However, the rest of the book was a letdown. The humor was crass and vulgar, failing to make me laugh and instead leaving me feeling uncomfortable. The characters were largely unlikable, with the possible exception of Louis, and their supposed growth felt forced and unconvincing. The story was filled with gross-out moments that detracted from any potential enjoyment.
The ending was
Overall, while the book had some interesting ideas, the execution was messy and unsatisfying. Ultimately, it just didn’t work for me.