When Laurel, uncertain about marrying her longtime boyfriend Ollie, uses a quantum tech project at work to explore an alternate reality where she chose her work crush Drew instead, she finds herself slipping uncontrollably between two versions of her life. As she navigates the complexities of love, identity, and the consequences of her choices, she must decide which path—and which version of herself—she truly wants, all while racing to avoid being lost in the quantum glitch forever.

Reader Review Summary

The novel centers on Laurel Everett, a marketer at a tech company called Pixel, who finds herself at a crossroads when she discovers an engagement ring hidden by her longtime boyfriend, Ollie. Instead of feeling joy, Laurel is plagued by doubts and begins to wonder about the path not taken—specifically, what her life would have been like if she had accepted a date from her work crush, Drew, five years earlier. Thanks to her involvement in the AltR project, a quantum-computer-powered alternate reality simulator, Laurel is able to experience a version of her life where she chose Drew instead. The story follows her as she slips unpredictably between her original reality and this alternate one, forcing her to confront not only her romantic choices but also her own identity, desires, and the consequences of her decisions. The narrative blends elements of romance, science fiction, and contemporary fiction, with a strong focus on quantum physics, time travel, and the psychological impact of exploring 'what if' scenarios.

Readers appreciated the book's exploration of the 'what if' concept, with many finding the premise engaging and relatable. The integration of quantum computing and alternate realities was noted as a compelling way to frame Laurel's journey of self-discovery. Several reviewers highlighted the emotional depth of Laurel's internal struggles, her relatable anxiety, and the realistic portrayal of long-term relationships, particularly the nuanced dynamic between Laurel and Ollie. The pacing and structure, especially the dual timelines and the way the story built toward a resolution, were praised by some. The epilogue received frequent positive mentions for its emotional impact and for providing closure. Some readers also enjoyed the blend of science fiction and romance, the inclusion of explicit but not overwhelming romantic scenes, and the book's appeal to fans of 'smart' romance or those interested in the intersection of technology and personal relationships.

A significant portion of readers found the book's heavy focus on quantum physics and scientific explanations to be overwhelming or distracting, with multiple reviews mentioning that the science 'info dumps' caused confusion or disengagement. Some felt that the romance aspect was underdeveloped, with insufficient on-page relationship development and a lack of chemistry between Laurel and either male lead. Laurel herself was a polarizing character; several readers described her as unlikable, selfish, or lacking in self-awareness, and struggled to empathize with her indecisiveness. The supporting characters, particularly Drew and some side characters, were seen as underdeveloped or inconsistent. Pacing issues were noted, especially in the middle of the book, where the narrative was described as repetitive or slow. Some readers also criticized the resolution of the plot, finding the ending rushed or the mechanics of the alternate realities inadequately explained. A few mentioned that the book straddled the line between romance and women's fiction without fully committing to either, leaving them wanting more from both genres.

The book is scheduled for publication on May 13, 2025, and is categorized under romance, science fiction, contemporary fiction, time travel, and magical realism. It has received an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 from 388 ratings and 272 full reviews. The narrative is primarily single POV and contains some explicit scenes, though the level of 'spice' is generally considered moderate. The story references popular culture and other works with similar themes, such as 'Sliding Doors' and certain K-dramas. While some readers compared it to other recent novels with alternate reality or time travel premises, others noted that the book's approach to explaining the science behind the plot was more detailed than is typical for the genre. The book was provided to many reviewers as an advance reader copy by Random House Publishing Group and Dell via NetGalley.