A struggling Cambridge poet’s life is upended when a time-traveling woman from the future enlists his help to change a tragic event, all while coaching him to win the heart of his supposed muse—only for both to question whether fate is truly set in stone. Blending romantic comedy with light sci-fi, the story explores destiny, free will, and the paradoxes of love as the characters confront whether they can rewrite their futures or must accept the paths already laid out for them.

Reader Review Summary

Set at Cambridge University in 2005, the novel follows Joe Greene, a struggling student and aspiring poet who is unexpectedly thrust into a complex web of fate, time travel, and romance. Joe’s life changes when he meets Esi, a visitor from the future who is part of a time-traveling tour group there to witness the early days of a poet who, in their time, is as famous as Shakespeare. Esi, however, is not a fan of Joe’s poetry and has her own agenda: she wants to prevent a tragedy that will affect her family by altering a key event in the past. As Esi goes rogue from her tour, she becomes Joe’s dating coach, helping him pursue Diana, the woman who is supposed to become his muse and future wife. The story explores questions of destiny, free will, and the butterfly effect, as Joe and Esi’s actions threaten to disrupt the timeline, and Joe finds himself developing feelings for Esi instead of Diana. The narrative is told in third person, almost entirely from Joe’s perspective, and incorporates elements of romance, science fiction, magical realism, and contemporary fiction, with a focus on character development and philosophical questions about fate and self-determination.

Readers appreciated the book’s blend of romance and speculative fiction, particularly its exploration of time travel as a backdrop for emotional and philosophical themes. Many found the Cambridge setting immersive and relatable, especially in its depiction of student life and the pressures of finding one’s path. The dynamic between Joe and Esi, including Esi’s role as a Cyrano-like figure coaching Joe in his pursuit of Diana, was highlighted as engaging and often humorous. The supporting characters, such as Joe’s roommate Rob and the time-traveling tourists, added levity and texture to the story. Several reviewers noted the book’s clever use of foreshadowing and plot twists, with details introduced early on paying off in the conclusion. The male point of view in a romance novel was also cited as a refreshing change, and the book’s handling of themes like determinism, free will, and the ethics of changing the past prompted thoughtful engagement from readers.

Some readers found the pacing uneven, with abrupt time skips and choppy scene transitions that made the development of the central romance feel underdeveloped or rushed. The time travel mechanics were described as underexplored or treated too casually, with little sense of wonder or detailed explanation, which left some readers with unanswered questions about the rules and consequences of time travel in the story. The emotional arcs of the main characters, particularly Esi, were sometimes seen as lacking depth, with several wishing for chapters from her point of view to better understand her motivations and feelings. Joe’s character was described by some as difficult to root for, especially in the early parts of the book, and the love triangle aspect did not resonate with all readers. A few reviewers felt that the story did not deliver the emotional impact or complexity promised by the premise or by comparisons to works like 'About Time.'

The book has an average reader rating of 3.74 out of 5, based on 238 ratings and 116 full reviews, indicating a range of responses. The narrative is primarily plot-driven with a focus on character growth, and the romance is described as low on explicit content ('no spice'). The story incorporates elements of humor, philosophical debate, and literary references, with Joe’s poetry and the concept of time travel tourism serving as recurring motifs. The book is scheduled for publication on March 11, 2025, and is positioned for readers who enjoy romance with speculative or science fiction elements, as well as those interested in questions of fate, creativity, and the impact of personal choices.