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Don't Let Me Go
From acclaimed author Kevin Christopher Snipes comes a moving romance about two star-crossed boys trapped in a millennium-spanning cycle of reincarnation whose only hope of escape may be a price that neither is willing to pay. Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Eliot Shrefer!
Out and proud, Riley Iverson knows there’s nothing more cringe than crushing on a straight boy. But from the moment that the handsome, sporty, and painfully heterosexual Jackson Haines walks into his life, Riley can’t help but feel an instant and undeniable connection. Mainly because, as impossible as it seems, Jackson is the spitting image of the boy who’s recently appeared in Riley’s dreams—dreams set in another time and another place where he and Jackson were desperately in love.
At first Riley tries to dismiss the coincidence as a product of his hormone-fueled, overactive imagination, but as his friendship with Jackson deepens into something more, the dreams prove harder to ignore. Especially when Jackson begins having them too. Plunged into increasingly vivid visions of the past, the boys find themselves in various eras scattered throughout history. No matter where or when their dreams take them, though, two things remain Riley and Jackson are always together, and they always die at the end.
As it becomes increasingly difficult to view their dreams as anything but warnings, the boys are forced to consider the possibility that their burgeoning relationship might be propelling them headfirst into their own tragic ending. But is it worth staying apart to save their lives if the price is forsaking a love that has defied not only time and space but even death itself?
Out and proud, Riley Iverson knows there’s nothing more cringe than crushing on a straight boy. But from the moment that the handsome, sporty, and painfully heterosexual Jackson Haines walks into his life, Riley can’t help but feel an instant and undeniable connection. Mainly because, as impossible as it seems, Jackson is the spitting image of the boy who’s recently appeared in Riley’s dreams—dreams set in another time and another place where he and Jackson were desperately in love.
At first Riley tries to dismiss the coincidence as a product of his hormone-fueled, overactive imagination, but as his friendship with Jackson deepens into something more, the dreams prove harder to ignore. Especially when Jackson begins having them too. Plunged into increasingly vivid visions of the past, the boys find themselves in various eras scattered throughout history. No matter where or when their dreams take them, though, two things remain Riley and Jackson are always together, and they always die at the end.
As it becomes increasingly difficult to view their dreams as anything but warnings, the boys are forced to consider the possibility that their burgeoning relationship might be propelling them headfirst into their own tragic ending. But is it worth staying apart to save their lives if the price is forsaking a love that has defied not only time and space but even death itself?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2025
48 people are currently reading
5908 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Christopher Snipes
5 books83 followersKevin Christopher Snipes is a New York-based writer who was born and raised in Florida. He spent his early career in the theater writing such plays as A Bitter Taste, The Chimes and Ashes, Ashes. Later, for Gimlet Media, he created the queer fantasy podcast The Two Princes. He can generally be found watching reruns of Doctor Who and The Golden Girls in his spare time. Milo and Marcos at the End of the World is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
May 12, 2025
Recipe: take 60% cuteness from Simon James Green, add 20% love that’s needed to survive from The Darkness Outside Us, and top off with 20% Death-Cast from They Both Die at the End.
Don’t Let Go is pitched as Adam Silvera meets Eliot Schrefer, but I need to tell you that this story is far from angsty. It’s sweet, vivid, and witty. At least, most of the time …
The book starts with Pompeii and the eruption of Vesuvius, and I immediately sat on the edge of my seat. Just like I did when I met the boys in the now. Even though Riley was five seconds hostile towards Jackson, this changed fast, and a strong bond grew between those guys who dared to be incredibly vulnerable to each other. So many smiles danced on my face, even in those ancient times when they were so in love and always died at the end (it’s in the blurb).
I adored the first part of this story and still loved the second half. I only wanted a bit more tension until I sat on the edge of my seat again and gasped for air! My heart was full of love and I cried big, ugly tears. That ending was perfect! I’m not sure, though, if everyone will feel the same way …
Actual rating: first half 5 stars, second half 3.5-4 stars, ending 5 stars.
Thank you, HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley, for this fantastic ARC!
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Don’t Let Go is pitched as Adam Silvera meets Eliot Schrefer, but I need to tell you that this story is far from angsty. It’s sweet, vivid, and witty. At least, most of the time …
The book starts with Pompeii and the eruption of Vesuvius, and I immediately sat on the edge of my seat. Just like I did when I met the boys in the now. Even though Riley was five seconds hostile towards Jackson, this changed fast, and a strong bond grew between those guys who dared to be incredibly vulnerable to each other. So many smiles danced on my face, even in those ancient times when they were so in love and always died at the end (it’s in the blurb).
I adored the first part of this story and still loved the second half. I only wanted a bit more tension until I sat on the edge of my seat again and gasped for air! My heart was full of love and I cried big, ugly tears. That ending was perfect! I’m not sure, though, if everyone will feel the same way …
Actual rating: first half 5 stars, second half 3.5-4 stars, ending 5 stars.
Thank you, HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley, for this fantastic ARC!
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July 22, 2025
✰ 2.25 stars ✰
I guess I missed the memo.... 🤦🏻♀️
It was cute - in a sad, predictable way; until it wasn't.
I can forgive how insta-love Riley and Jackson's meet and greet was; 'Honestly, Jackson? I feel like I’ve been waiting for this my entire life.' 🥺 Over the course of a millennia they have met multiple times, so the novelty definitely wears off, replaced with a feeling of certainty and just knowing that this is your soulmate - your better half.
I can even forgive Jackson's thirty-four year old aunt calling her eighteen-year-old nephew kiddo - more times than necessary - because it was so cringe! 😬
I can even ignore how cliché and stereotypical the friends were and the intimate blush and flush moments between the pair before they admitted how timeless their connection felt.
I can even forgive how overstuffed and cramped the dynamics were in each respective period, let alone the progression of present-day Florida, where we get little tidbits into Jackson and Riley's friendship blossoming through text messages and then, boom, chakalaka - they instinctively feel in their heart that they're the one. 💞
“If I had a thousand lives, I would spend them all with you... Our hearts are bound—forever.”
What I cannot forgive is how love is supposed to be about defying odds and expectations. To prove that the bond you share is stronger than what fate has planned in store for you. To rewrite the stars, not lay down and die, Bob!
I can't understand why the author felt to leave it like that - to just give up and accept that as 'an aberration to the natural order. You’re chaos. It can’t permit you to exist, it's more than enough to meet in time - time and time again that makes the difference to them. ⌛ It didn't sit right with me; what's the conflict, then? 🙎🏻♀️ The realization of it??? The fact that it's okay to meet time and time again, but any time without them is not worth living?? It felt so absurd at that moment that I wanted to unleash my range of Urdu curse words, because boy, that's not how I expected it to play out. 🤬
“How does a person live with only half a soul?”
I suppose, you can't really. 😢 If your souls are locked in a bond so powerful that it has overcome death itself, by repeating itself infinitely so, it's not really my place to argue with the decision they made; they're the ones being reincarnated time and time again, cursed for an action that was not at all their fault. But, I think I expected more out of the curse itself.
We get glimpses into Riley's frustration with how the U.S. still is a far cry from accepting queer people and transforming into a progressive, twenty-first-century country where everyone is safe to love who they want; for all the moments that their past lives faced their tragic end, I figured that there might have a hidden meaning to it. Like, it was what they represented as a queer couple that made them the target of doom. 🤔
“Love is one of the few things that make life worth living.”
But, it wasn't really of any purpose; which I found odd. 😒 The fact that it was not fleshed upon more - that it kind of just simmered as an expression of lingering resentment against society felt ill-placed - much like Jackson's backstory. I couldn't feel a cohesion in the narrative; even the brief historical settings we got to see our horny teenagers in were just footnotes really.
And yes, this story does not skimp on showing how passionately devoted they were to each other... which, okay, yes, it's good to show! 🥰 YA books have changed since my time, so have the teens, so good for you! Let them kiss and make out in all their royal splendor! 💏
*ahem*
“My heart that will never be anything but his.”
My point is - these visions or nightmares of death didn't serve as anything more to Riley or Jackson except as a confession of their undying love. that no matter what happens they'd always meet again and and again... it's a never-ending cycle... But, is that really the end right?? 🤨 That decision is just not sitting right with me; it's like the author just gave up in even attempting to show them find a fighting chance or a loophole, almost as saying that if there's no one, it's okay, it's not the end for us...
Sorry, I can't... 🙅🏻♀️
Not to mention, the writing was just not my cuppa. 🙁 The confession, which I thought should be more of a firework moment, felt stifled and stale! No life to it. Instead, all the other instances where any one of their lives poured their hearts out was with so much --- not corny, but so rich with emotional devotion, that it almost felt unbelievable. 🙄 It made me roll my eyes, too, cuz, wow, that's a lot of undying dedication of love at eighteen. And yes, it's not unheard of, it's possible, I just --- 🙂↔️
I guess, it's all about perception, and one's own choice. Either you fight or embrace it. So, another missed opportunity of a first-time author; I guess, I should have expected it, since I haven't read most of the books Don't Let Me Go alludes to, so maybe my final reaction was already doomed from the start. 😔
“From the first time that our hearts marked each other as our own, we’ve known there is only one way for our story to end.”
I guess I missed the memo.... 🤦🏻♀️
It was cute - in a sad, predictable way; until it wasn't.
I can forgive how insta-love Riley and Jackson's meet and greet was; 'Honestly, Jackson? I feel like I’ve been waiting for this my entire life.' 🥺 Over the course of a millennia they have met multiple times, so the novelty definitely wears off, replaced with a feeling of certainty and just knowing that this is your soulmate - your better half.
I can even forgive Jackson's thirty-four year old aunt calling her eighteen-year-old nephew kiddo - more times than necessary - because it was so cringe! 😬
I can even ignore how cliché and stereotypical the friends were and the intimate blush and flush moments between the pair before they admitted how timeless their connection felt.
I can even forgive how overstuffed and cramped the dynamics were in each respective period, let alone the progression of present-day Florida, where we get little tidbits into Jackson and Riley's friendship blossoming through text messages and then, boom, chakalaka - they instinctively feel in their heart that they're the one. 💞
“If I had a thousand lives, I would spend them all with you... Our hearts are bound—forever.”
What I cannot forgive is how love is supposed to be about defying odds and expectations. To prove that the bond you share is stronger than what fate has planned in store for you. To rewrite the stars, not lay down and die, Bob!
I can't understand why the author felt to leave it like that - to just give up and accept that as 'an aberration to the natural order. You’re chaos. It can’t permit you to exist, it's more than enough to meet in time - time and time again that makes the difference to them. ⌛ It didn't sit right with me; what's the conflict, then? 🙎🏻♀️ The realization of it??? The fact that it's okay to meet time and time again, but any time without them is not worth living?? It felt so absurd at that moment that I wanted to unleash my range of Urdu curse words, because boy, that's not how I expected it to play out. 🤬
“How does a person live with only half a soul?”
I suppose, you can't really. 😢 If your souls are locked in a bond so powerful that it has overcome death itself, by repeating itself infinitely so, it's not really my place to argue with the decision they made; they're the ones being reincarnated time and time again, cursed for an action that was not at all their fault. But, I think I expected more out of the curse itself.
We get glimpses into Riley's frustration with how the U.S. still is a far cry from accepting queer people and transforming into a progressive, twenty-first-century country where everyone is safe to love who they want; for all the moments that their past lives faced their tragic end, I figured that there might have a hidden meaning to it. Like, it was what they represented as a queer couple that made them the target of doom. 🤔
“Love is one of the few things that make life worth living.”
But, it wasn't really of any purpose; which I found odd. 😒 The fact that it was not fleshed upon more - that it kind of just simmered as an expression of lingering resentment against society felt ill-placed - much like Jackson's backstory. I couldn't feel a cohesion in the narrative; even the brief historical settings we got to see our horny teenagers in were just footnotes really.
And yes, this story does not skimp on showing how passionately devoted they were to each other... which, okay, yes, it's good to show! 🥰 YA books have changed since my time, so have the teens, so good for you! Let them kiss and make out in all their royal splendor! 💏
*ahem*
“My heart that will never be anything but his.”
My point is - these visions or nightmares of death didn't serve as anything more to Riley or Jackson except as a confession of their undying love. that no matter what happens they'd always meet again and and again... it's a never-ending cycle... But, is that really the end right?? 🤨 That decision is just not sitting right with me; it's like the author just gave up in even attempting to show them find a fighting chance or a loophole, almost as saying that if there's no one, it's okay, it's not the end for us...
Sorry, I can't... 🙅🏻♀️
Not to mention, the writing was just not my cuppa. 🙁 The confession, which I thought should be more of a firework moment, felt stifled and stale! No life to it. Instead, all the other instances where any one of their lives poured their hearts out was with so much --- not corny, but so rich with emotional devotion, that it almost felt unbelievable. 🙄 It made me roll my eyes, too, cuz, wow, that's a lot of undying dedication of love at eighteen. And yes, it's not unheard of, it's possible, I just --- 🙂↔️
I guess, it's all about perception, and one's own choice. Either you fight or embrace it. So, another missed opportunity of a first-time author; I guess, I should have expected it, since I haven't read most of the books Don't Let Me Go alludes to, so maybe my final reaction was already doomed from the start. 😔
June 8, 2025
2025: 4.5
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May 5, 2025
I knew pretty much from the first chapter this book wasn't for me. I knew from the second that it was going to be a bit of a struggle, But I wanted to believe in some capacity that I was being too harsh. Unfortunately, I was the wrong audience, but more than that I wasn't sure who the actual audience was for this book. Before broader tone issues I had with it, there were some specific annoyances I had with the historic sections of the book that took me out repetitively because it did seem to keep framing cultural norms as our own while also placing higher social expectations on teenagers than was necessarily true of multiple eras. But that goes back into I was not the audience for this book pretty explicitly. Which is too bad because I do love a reincarnation story. Then again, I love a reincarnation story in which I actually believe the characters care for each other based on more than their repetitive words that that is the case.
Bigger though was the tone of the novel continuously puzzled me. Parts were also preachy towards queer acceptance. Not educational, not welcoming into the community, Almost shaming for not knowing better. As one of the narrators professes to not knowing anyone in the queer community and is (for all intents and purposes) an actual child, no real grace is offered. And yet grace is extended and demanded of the adults who reject that child. While again oddly sanctimonious at times, the book is unkind to queer characters repetitively on a structural level that ended up feeling weirder the longer it continued. But from the start the only non-binary character is misgendered by their friend in a moment of disorientation that does nothing more than inform the audience what flavor a queer this person is. This dynamic in tone does not shift through the book as characters grow. This tone is why I say I don't know who the book is for. It does not feel welcoming to someone who may be trying to expand their reading into more queer stories. But at the same time it does not feel, to me, kind to queer youth who presumably are the target for this book.
Bigger though was the tone of the novel continuously puzzled me. Parts were also preachy towards queer acceptance. Not educational, not welcoming into the community, Almost shaming for not knowing better. As one of the narrators professes to not knowing anyone in the queer community and is (for all intents and purposes) an actual child, no real grace is offered. And yet grace is extended and demanded of the adults who reject that child. While again oddly sanctimonious at times, the book is unkind to queer characters repetitively on a structural level that ended up feeling weirder the longer it continued. But from the start the only non-binary character is misgendered by their friend in a moment of disorientation that does nothing more than inform the audience what flavor a queer this person is. This dynamic in tone does not shift through the book as characters grow. This tone is why I say I don't know who the book is for. It does not feel welcoming to someone who may be trying to expand their reading into more queer stories. But at the same time it does not feel, to me, kind to queer youth who presumably are the target for this book.
August 10, 2025
I dnfed it 7% in unfortunately. A nonbinary character has been misgendered twice by the two mcs, the dialogue is all over the place, and the book is preachy/judgy about its queerness in a sense. idk who this is written for but it sure doesn't feel like it's for queer people!
March 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Despite my three stars, I would still recommend it to people if they are interested in reading it! There were just some things I would have changed.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with reincarnation and I thought it was a good twist on that trope. I really enjoy the thought of being reunited with your soulmate over and over again.
It definitely reads as YA at parts, but not in a bad way where it was cringey or bad, just a little young. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was in high school. But it makes sense it is that way because the characters are in high school.
The romance got a little too sweet and romantic for me, but they were still super cute together so I wasn’t totally mad at it.
I did have some issues with the book, which is why I couldn’t give it four or five stars.
It started off very strong. It sent us right into the action and I fell in love with the two of them together very quickly. The humor started off very strong as well. It was as the book went on that I started to not enjoy it as much.
The biggest thing that bothered me was there was way too much miscommunication. I know that was part of the conflict, but if they just had ONE conversation with each other and said how they felt, they could have worked things out within the first half of the book. Instead they kept hiding how they felt and avoiding each other, and that frustrated me. I cannot stand that trope and I didn’t expect it to be that heavy in this book.
It was painful to wait for Jackson to figure out that he liked Riley more than just being friends. Especially because we saw them so in love with to start the book while they were in Italy, so it was hard to go back to reading about how Jackson thought he was straight.
Despite how long it took him to figure out his feelings, Jackson went really fast from thinking he was completely straight to accepting his feelings for Riley and being with him right away. The change was a little too fast for me. It makes sense because of the reincarnation he felt a super strong connection to Riley, but I would think it would take some more time to realize he wasn’t straight. I didn’t mind them kissing, but it went from one kiss to madly in love in two seconds flat.
I personally think this book would’ve been a little bit better if they removed the plotline that Jackson was straight and focused more on the reincarnation part of it. We could’ve spent more time in each timeline, instead of just seeing them together for a little bit and then dying shortly after. It would make more sense why they were so quickly infatuated with each other. There could have been other drama between them other than “no I can’t be with him because he is straight.”
Another issue I had with it, was it felt like two or three different stories put into one. First it was Jackson finding out he wasn’t straight, then the reincarnation, to them trying to figure out how they can stay together. It wasn’t like it didn’t fit at all, but it still felt like different stories. I wish it was a smoother transition between the plots.
There were a lot of fade to black scenes, so nothing explicit, which was good because they are teenagers.
I personally liked how it ended. I was worried it would go a different way and I’m glad it didn’t!
Out of context spoiler warning for the rest of this review:
I almost wish we had one more chapter set in the future, where we saw them meeting again. Even if it was just a page or two, I think that would’ve been a fun little way to see that the cycle was not broken. Even though I did like the last line and thought that it was a fitting end.
Despite my three stars, I would still recommend it to people if they are interested in reading it! There were just some things I would have changed.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with reincarnation and I thought it was a good twist on that trope. I really enjoy the thought of being reunited with your soulmate over and over again.
It definitely reads as YA at parts, but not in a bad way where it was cringey or bad, just a little young. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was in high school. But it makes sense it is that way because the characters are in high school.
The romance got a little too sweet and romantic for me, but they were still super cute together so I wasn’t totally mad at it.
I did have some issues with the book, which is why I couldn’t give it four or five stars.
It started off very strong. It sent us right into the action and I fell in love with the two of them together very quickly. The humor started off very strong as well. It was as the book went on that I started to not enjoy it as much.
The biggest thing that bothered me was there was way too much miscommunication. I know that was part of the conflict, but if they just had ONE conversation with each other and said how they felt, they could have worked things out within the first half of the book. Instead they kept hiding how they felt and avoiding each other, and that frustrated me. I cannot stand that trope and I didn’t expect it to be that heavy in this book.
It was painful to wait for Jackson to figure out that he liked Riley more than just being friends. Especially because we saw them so in love with to start the book while they were in Italy, so it was hard to go back to reading about how Jackson thought he was straight.
Despite how long it took him to figure out his feelings, Jackson went really fast from thinking he was completely straight to accepting his feelings for Riley and being with him right away. The change was a little too fast for me. It makes sense because of the reincarnation he felt a super strong connection to Riley, but I would think it would take some more time to realize he wasn’t straight. I didn’t mind them kissing, but it went from one kiss to madly in love in two seconds flat.
I personally think this book would’ve been a little bit better if they removed the plotline that Jackson was straight and focused more on the reincarnation part of it. We could’ve spent more time in each timeline, instead of just seeing them together for a little bit and then dying shortly after. It would make more sense why they were so quickly infatuated with each other. There could have been other drama between them other than “no I can’t be with him because he is straight.”
Another issue I had with it, was it felt like two or three different stories put into one. First it was Jackson finding out he wasn’t straight, then the reincarnation, to them trying to figure out how they can stay together. It wasn’t like it didn’t fit at all, but it still felt like different stories. I wish it was a smoother transition between the plots.
There were a lot of fade to black scenes, so nothing explicit, which was good because they are teenagers.
I personally liked how it ended. I was worried it would go a different way and I’m glad it didn’t!
Out of context spoiler warning for the rest of this review:
I almost wish we had one more chapter set in the future, where we saw them meeting again. Even if it was just a page or two, I think that would’ve been a fun little way to see that the cycle was not broken. Even though I did like the last line and thought that it was a fitting end.
May 27, 2025
This book had potential, but it tried to do way too much and ended up doing none of it well. There were so many sideplots (Jackson’s backstory, Riley’s internship, too many exes, the eating disorder, the relationship to their respective parents) that were introduced and then dropped almost immediately. It felt like filler.
The characters didn’t feel real or likeable—Jackson gets berated for not being knowledgeable about queer topics, and scenes meant to be “empowering” often came off as preachy. Also, the dialogue was full of cliché one-liners, and the romance had serious insta-love vibes (Riley goes from hating Jackson to being besties in like five pages).
We’re told the gang faces bullying but never actually see it (aside from one minor little scene near the end), and the reincarnation angle doesn’t hold any weight until the last fifty pages.
I don’t know who the target audience for this is. I'd have guessed that it’s aimed at young, queer people -- which would be a shame because this book paints an impossibly bleak and hopeless picture of queer lives.
Overall, not terrible writing, but there was no emotional depth and a lot of missed opportunities.
The characters didn’t feel real or likeable—Jackson gets berated for not being knowledgeable about queer topics, and scenes meant to be “empowering” often came off as preachy. Also, the dialogue was full of cliché one-liners, and the romance had serious insta-love vibes (Riley goes from hating Jackson to being besties in like five pages).
We’re told the gang faces bullying but never actually see it (aside from one minor little scene near the end), and the reincarnation angle doesn’t hold any weight until the last fifty pages.
I don’t know who the target audience for this is. I'd have guessed that it’s aimed at young, queer people -- which would be a shame because this book paints an impossibly bleak and hopeless picture of queer lives.
Overall, not terrible writing, but there was no emotional depth and a lot of missed opportunities.
June 8, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
I saw that ending coming, but I still hated it when it happened. The story was good, but I just want queer love to always have a happily ever after.
I guess it comforts me a little to know that these two boys have had, and will continue to have, each other in every lifetime. Not even death can part them or their love.
I saw that ending coming, but I still hated it when it happened. The story was good, but I just want queer love to always have a happily ever after.
I guess it comforts me a little to know that these two boys have had, and will continue to have, each other in every lifetime. Not even death can part them or their love.
May 29, 2025
eARC received from Netgalley.
I've have not read many reincarnation stories in novel format, and I'm beginning to think that I might love them. Don't Let Me Go was devastating and wholesome and encapsulated teenage desperation perfectly. Seriously, the dramatics from these characters were so over-the-top, granted, they were warranted considering their situation, especially towards the end of the book. The amount of angsty yearning that was fit into this relatively short book was giving me second-hand embarrassment and giggle fits. That ending too...ugh (and I mean that in a good way).
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I've have not read many reincarnation stories in novel format, and I'm beginning to think that I might love them. Don't Let Me Go was devastating and wholesome and encapsulated teenage desperation perfectly. Seriously, the dramatics from these characters were so over-the-top, granted, they were warranted considering their situation, especially towards the end of the book. The amount of angsty yearning that was fit into this relatively short book was giving me second-hand embarrassment and giggle fits. That ending too...ugh (and I mean that in a good way).
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
June 27, 2025
So im editing my review.
I was still charmed by the writing of this book when first reviewing.
Now i can see it has made me quite distresssed.
Trigger warning!
Suicidal acts.
I was still charmed by the writing of this book when first reviewing.
Now i can see it has made me quite distresssed.
Trigger warning!
Suicidal acts.
June 11, 2025
what the fuck.
had its cute moments, but the relationship progressed fast without substance. They went from strangers to crazy and obsessive in far too little time with nothing to show for it; it didn't feel organic or sensical, but then again... teenagers.
Many topics were introduced at a surface level before being dropped. I have a similar gripe with the flashbacks to past lives; we spend so little time getting to know those characters before their arc comes to an end that it's sad in an abstract way rather than having any lasting impact.
It was refreshing to have teenage characters who properly communicated, and miscommunication that didn't go on longer than necessary. However, the ending ruined the entire experience.
had its cute moments, but the relationship progressed fast without substance. They went from strangers to crazy and obsessive in far too little time with nothing to show for it; it didn't feel organic or sensical, but then again... teenagers.
Many topics were introduced at a surface level before being dropped. I have a similar gripe with the flashbacks to past lives; we spend so little time getting to know those characters before their arc comes to an end that it's sad in an abstract way rather than having any lasting impact.
It was refreshing to have teenage characters who properly communicated, and miscommunication that didn't go on longer than necessary. However, the ending ruined the entire experience.
June 3, 2025
3.5
Okay, so I liked this book but I also have some problems with it. I don’t read soulmate stories either so I’m not sure if this is just how they possibly go.
The first being the pacing. I felt it moved way too fast in the relationship between Riley and Jackson ONLY BECAUSE Jackson is figuring himself out. For an eighteen year old boy discovering this part of him, I don’t know, for me it just was like a switch and he was way to “yeah I’m in love with him,” which hey maybe it is for some, but it felt a little too fast and neat.
My second was the whole dreams and reincarnation thing. The way the book is presented, the summary laid out in the jacket flap, made it feel like they would spend the story figuring out what the dreams meant. I was even surprised to see that the POV changed because it makes it feel like it’s Riley’s story, not a shared one, (POV regarding) and I was surprised Jackson had the dreams too honestly. (I did enjoy Jackson’s chapters more)
Third, I was disappointed to see that the whole dream thing quite frankly disappears for large chunks of the book and the whole meaning of them isn’t revealed until about the last 3rd of the book where they’re just like WELP, THAT’S THAT HUH?
Lastly, I think the book would’ve been stronger if Riley and Jackson figured out they were having these same dreams sooner, worked together to figure them out, Jackson discovering his feelings as they do and them growing closer through this mystery they’re trying to solve together, and ultimately breaking the cycle and finally getting their chance at a happy ending this time.
So yeah, wasn’t crazy about that ending.
It’s definitely a mesh of Heartstoppers and They Both Die at the End, so anyone a fan of that might enjoy this read.
Okay, so I liked this book but I also have some problems with it. I don’t read soulmate stories either so I’m not sure if this is just how they possibly go.
The first being the pacing. I felt it moved way too fast in the relationship between Riley and Jackson ONLY BECAUSE Jackson is figuring himself out. For an eighteen year old boy discovering this part of him, I don’t know, for me it just was like a switch and he was way to “yeah I’m in love with him,” which hey maybe it is for some, but it felt a little too fast and neat.
My second was the whole dreams and reincarnation thing. The way the book is presented, the summary laid out in the jacket flap, made it feel like they would spend the story figuring out what the dreams meant. I was even surprised to see that the POV changed because it makes it feel like it’s Riley’s story, not a shared one, (POV regarding) and I was surprised Jackson had the dreams too honestly. (I did enjoy Jackson’s chapters more)
Third, I was disappointed to see that the whole dream thing quite frankly disappears for large chunks of the book and the whole meaning of them isn’t revealed until about the last 3rd of the book where they’re just like WELP, THAT’S THAT HUH?
Lastly, I think the book would’ve been stronger if Riley and Jackson figured out they were having these same dreams sooner, worked together to figure them out, Jackson discovering his feelings as they do and them growing closer through this mystery they’re trying to solve together, and ultimately breaking the cycle and finally getting their chance at a happy ending this time.
So yeah, wasn’t crazy about that ending.
It’s definitely a mesh of Heartstoppers and They Both Die at the End, so anyone a fan of that might enjoy this read.
June 8, 2025
I had high hopes for this and wish I’d vibed more with it.
It just felt like it’s been done before. I hate comparing books too often, but a solid portion of this concept just felt like They Both Die at the End meets a Final Destination movie. There were some glimpses of originality, but not enough.
I liked Riley, although he was portrayed as needlessly hostile up front, with some of the writing being absolutely cringeworthy. I liked Jackson. But their relationship in the present felt very much like we were just supposed to believe that they were in love because the author told us they were.
Let the record reflect that Audrey was insufferable.
Really, I can’t stand the “meddling friends” element of stories.
The ending, which I assumed was going for being profound felt pretty unceremonious.
Overall, it was a decent read that falls somewhere between a 3 and a 3.5.
Begin rant — One thing I could not look past was how an eating disorder was used as a very passive plot point and kind of minimized?
“Jesus Christ, you go through one tiny anorexia phase, and for the rest of your life everyone’s the Food Police.”
Excuse me? “Tiny anorexia phase”? Anorexia is a serious condition, one that was not given nearly enough proper attention and definitely not the correct level of sensitivity. There were no content warnings about it, nor were there any resources about it listed — which, for a YA book, felt irresponsible.
There were other tone-deaf comments in the book as well. Also, the political discourse felt ham-fisted and inorganic.
It just felt like it’s been done before. I hate comparing books too often, but a solid portion of this concept just felt like They Both Die at the End meets a Final Destination movie. There were some glimpses of originality, but not enough.
I liked Riley, although he was portrayed as needlessly hostile up front, with some of the writing being absolutely cringeworthy. I liked Jackson. But their relationship in the present felt very much like we were just supposed to believe that they were in love because the author told us they were.
Let the record reflect that Audrey was insufferable.
Really, I can’t stand the “meddling friends” element of stories.
The ending, which I assumed was going for being profound felt pretty unceremonious.
Overall, it was a decent read that falls somewhere between a 3 and a 3.5.
Begin rant — One thing I could not look past was how an eating disorder was used as a very passive plot point and kind of minimized?
“Jesus Christ, you go through one tiny anorexia phase, and for the rest of your life everyone’s the Food Police.”
Excuse me? “Tiny anorexia phase”? Anorexia is a serious condition, one that was not given nearly enough proper attention and definitely not the correct level of sensitivity. There were no content warnings about it, nor were there any resources about it listed — which, for a YA book, felt irresponsible.
There were other tone-deaf comments in the book as well. Also, the political discourse felt ham-fisted and inorganic.
June 5, 2025
It started of as a Song of Achilles/RWRB hybrid but took an Adam Silvera turn for the second half of it. I really adored the shifts of tone and language depending on the different eras we were in, the voice acting did a really good job with that, even though I found the british accent to be a little over the top. Kinda sad that most of the story was in this Young Adult setting, that felt comparetevely boring to the other settings, it kinda lacked intensity. I was ready to fall head over heals with the characters a couple of pages in and surprisingly I did get a connection to all the versions with time, but the high expecations I gathered from the first chapter weren't totally met. Still I was very intrigued by the plot and was eager to see how everything would be resolved. I kinda binge-read the whole second half in a day. I don't know yet how I feel about the ending, it surely made me emotional.
June 30, 2025
a strong novel. i can excuse a bit of insta-love when it’s a soulmate type situation, and all the characters were very likeable.
it was always going to be a tragic one, and i know that was the point, but i can’t help but wish it had a different ending. and not like, it was sad and i wish it was happy , but it had real potential for either a really happy ending or a really sad one, and somehow it wasn’t really either. it was like a sneeze that really works itself up and then your body decides not to at the last moment.
3.75 i think
it was always going to be a tragic one, and i know that was the point, but i can’t help but wish it had a different ending. and not like, it was sad and i wish it was happy , but it had real potential for either a really happy ending or a really sad one, and somehow it wasn’t really either. it was like a sneeze that really works itself up and then your body decides not to at the last moment.
3.75 i think
July 4, 2025
There were plenty of surprises in this swoon-worthy YA tale of coming into one's queerness and insta-love. It checked so many of my boxes--a sort of Adam Silvera story meets *Heartstopper*. Silvera was actually the one who posted about this book online, and I endorse his endorsement. Sweet, tragic, funny, and romantic.
August 25, 2025
Um guys... where was my happy ending? I was this close 🤏 to bawling like a baby on an airplane. Kevin Christopher snipes, how dare you. You can't write a book this good, get me attached to the characters, and then not give them a happy ending. That's just cruel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
Oh I didn’t fucking need this right now. A bitch is wrecked. YOU ARE HALF OF MY SOUL. bye fucking bye. I hate life so much.
Read
July 25, 2025DNF
February 1, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc of this novel!
I absolutely loved this book. It had me in a chokehold from page one and I could not put it down. I loved both Riley and Jackson. Riley could be a bit much, but in a "that's how teenagers are" kind of way. Yes he was quick to lash out and tended to have a pretty black or white viewpoint on a lot of topics, but these are quite common traits of teenagers, so I didn't mind.
I loved Riley and Jackson's relationship. We actually get to see them interact and slowly develop feelings as they get to know each other. Well, I guess it "technically" wasn't that slow, as the story takes place within a pretty short timeline, but the relationship still felt well developed. The conversations felt organic and balanced deep conversations and silly banter. I would regularly find myself either smiling at a cute interaction or feeling my heart tug at a particularly emotional conversation. Riley and Jackson also make each other better. They both help each other gain confidence and learn to accept themselves (and more). Riley and Jackson are meant to be soulmates and this was clear in the present timeline and all the past ones.
I do wish there could have been more interactions with some of the side characters, but I still liked what we got. And the story likely would have been bogged down had there been more focus on other relationships.
I absolutely loved this book and have been thinking about it since I finished it. Just writing this review is making me want to cry all over again. I can't wait for it to come out in May so I can buy myself a copy and read it again.
I absolutely loved this book. It had me in a chokehold from page one and I could not put it down. I loved both Riley and Jackson. Riley could be a bit much, but in a "that's how teenagers are" kind of way. Yes he was quick to lash out and tended to have a pretty black or white viewpoint on a lot of topics, but these are quite common traits of teenagers, so I didn't mind.
I loved Riley and Jackson's relationship. We actually get to see them interact and slowly develop feelings as they get to know each other. Well, I guess it "technically" wasn't that slow, as the story takes place within a pretty short timeline, but the relationship still felt well developed. The conversations felt organic and balanced deep conversations and silly banter. I would regularly find myself either smiling at a cute interaction or feeling my heart tug at a particularly emotional conversation. Riley and Jackson also make each other better. They both help each other gain confidence and learn to accept themselves (and more). Riley and Jackson are meant to be soulmates and this was clear in the present timeline and all the past ones.
I do wish there could have been more interactions with some of the side characters, but I still liked what we got. And the story likely would have been bogged down had there been more focus on other relationships.
I absolutely loved this book and have been thinking about it since I finished it. Just writing this review is making me want to cry all over again. I can't wait for it to come out in May so I can buy myself a copy and read it again.
June 13, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ (Rounded Up)
September 4, 2025
[3.5 estrellas]
“You are half my soul, Jackson. You are the person that I am meant to spend my life with. Not just this life. Every life. And I don’t care if that pisses off the universe or if we’re breaking its precious rules. I don’t care if it keeps swatting us like flies. I can take the swatting. I can die a million times if it means I get the chance to live a million more lives with you. Because I’m not afraid of dying. The only thing I’m afraid of is having to live one minute of my life without you.”
Esta historia fue algo refrescante de leer ya que contiene uno de los temas que mas AMO en la literatura, la reencarnación y soulmates. Verdaderamente fuera de ciertos aspectos que más adelante mencionaré me gustó mucho este libro, sepan que el romance de los protagonistas fue algo muy bonito de leer y conocer sus tantas historias pasadas fue super interesante y a la vez tan triste porque podemos intuir que no será una historia con un final feliz.
[A partir de aquí habrá spoilers]
La historia comienza cuando Riley conoce a Jackson, un chico nuevo en el vecindario con el cual siente una extraña sensación de familiaridad que no sabe como explicar. A partir de aquí comienzan a pasar cada vez más tiempo juntos hasta llegar al punto en el que Jackson empieza a aparecer en los sueños de Riley, y aunque esto es raro lo que más desconcierta a Riley son los sueños en si, ya que en su sueño ambos tienen una relación pero ambientados en la antigua Pompeya.
Por más raro que la situación le parezca a Riley lo que no sabe es que Jackson también tiene sueños en los que ambos están en una relación, sin embargo en vez de ser el la antigua Pompeya los sueños de Jackson se desarrollan en la antigua Francia.
A medida que ambos se van conociendo y se van enamorando cada vez es más difícil ignorar estos sueños que ambos tienen ya que son super detallados y específicos. Buscando una respuesta conocen a una tipo "medium" o algo así que resulta que de alguna manera conoce a Riley y Jackson y les explica que sus sueños en realidad son memorias de todas las vidas pasadas que compartieron y también les advierte que tienen una "maldición" que dicta que si deciden estar juntos ambos morirán. Obviamente escuchar todo esto les afecta demasiado, ya que además de que confirmaron que todo lo que creían que soñaban en realidad pasó hace muchos años, también enfrentan el hecho de que si se quedan juntos terminarán muriendo como ha pasado en todas sus vidas anteriores.
A raiz de este encuentro ambos tienen que tomar una decisión, separarse y seguir vivos o hacer caso a sus sentimientos de profundo amor el uno por el otro y continuar juntos, y aunque como ya he dicho anteriormente el libro realmente me gustó pero hubo cositas que no me gustaron y por las cuales no le puse más estrellas a esta obra. El principal de ellos fue que no me gustó PARA NADA el final abierto que nos dio el autor, fuera de que no sabemos que fue lo que le pasó a Riley y Jackson en el accidente, tampoco se nos explica más de la tal maldición que los impide estar juntos, de si hay alguna manera de romperla o de hacer algo para que no les afecte. Para mi hubiera sido increíble que nos hubieran dado una explicación.
Fuera de esto la verdad es un libro super bonito, romántico y que nos hace reflexionar a cerca de temas como el tiempo, amor, futuro, etc. Ampliamente recomendado
"But the sin I wanted from Thierry was different. I knew it would damn me. Not because it would send me to hell but because I was there already from the sheer want of it."
“You are half my soul, Jackson. You are the person that I am meant to spend my life with. Not just this life. Every life. And I don’t care if that pisses off the universe or if we’re breaking its precious rules. I don’t care if it keeps swatting us like flies. I can take the swatting. I can die a million times if it means I get the chance to live a million more lives with you. Because I’m not afraid of dying. The only thing I’m afraid of is having to live one minute of my life without you.”
Esta historia fue algo refrescante de leer ya que contiene uno de los temas que mas AMO en la literatura, la reencarnación y soulmates. Verdaderamente fuera de ciertos aspectos que más adelante mencionaré me gustó mucho este libro, sepan que el romance de los protagonistas fue algo muy bonito de leer y conocer sus tantas historias pasadas fue super interesante y a la vez tan triste porque podemos intuir que no será una historia con un final feliz.
[A partir de aquí habrá spoilers]
La historia comienza cuando Riley conoce a Jackson, un chico nuevo en el vecindario con el cual siente una extraña sensación de familiaridad que no sabe como explicar. A partir de aquí comienzan a pasar cada vez más tiempo juntos hasta llegar al punto en el que Jackson empieza a aparecer en los sueños de Riley, y aunque esto es raro lo que más desconcierta a Riley son los sueños en si, ya que en su sueño ambos tienen una relación pero ambientados en la antigua Pompeya.
Por más raro que la situación le parezca a Riley lo que no sabe es que Jackson también tiene sueños en los que ambos están en una relación, sin embargo en vez de ser el la antigua Pompeya los sueños de Jackson se desarrollan en la antigua Francia.
A medida que ambos se van conociendo y se van enamorando cada vez es más difícil ignorar estos sueños que ambos tienen ya que son super detallados y específicos. Buscando una respuesta conocen a una tipo "medium" o algo así que resulta que de alguna manera conoce a Riley y Jackson y les explica que sus sueños en realidad son memorias de todas las vidas pasadas que compartieron y también les advierte que tienen una "maldición" que dicta que si deciden estar juntos ambos morirán. Obviamente escuchar todo esto les afecta demasiado, ya que además de que confirmaron que todo lo que creían que soñaban en realidad pasó hace muchos años, también enfrentan el hecho de que si se quedan juntos terminarán muriendo como ha pasado en todas sus vidas anteriores.
A raiz de este encuentro ambos tienen que tomar una decisión, separarse y seguir vivos o hacer caso a sus sentimientos de profundo amor el uno por el otro y continuar juntos, y aunque como ya he dicho anteriormente el libro realmente me gustó pero hubo cositas que no me gustaron y por las cuales no le puse más estrellas a esta obra. El principal de ellos fue que no me gustó PARA NADA el final abierto que nos dio el autor, fuera de que no sabemos que fue lo que le pasó a Riley y Jackson en el accidente, tampoco se nos explica más de la tal maldición que los impide estar juntos, de si hay alguna manera de romperla o de hacer algo para que no les afecte. Para mi hubiera sido increíble que nos hubieran dado una explicación.
Fuera de esto la verdad es un libro super bonito, romántico y que nos hace reflexionar a cerca de temas como el tiempo, amor, futuro, etc. Ampliamente recomendado
"But the sin I wanted from Thierry was different. I knew it would damn me. Not because it would send me to hell but because I was there already from the sheer want of it."
February 3, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Have you ever read the first line of a book and known you're going to devour it? That it's going to devour YOU?
"If there was ever a time when I didn't love Marcus, I don't remember. From the moment I could speak, I saved all my words for him. From the moment I could walk, my legs carried me in his direction."
My aching heart! Riley and Jackson have only just met in present day Orlando, but something draws them together, made even more poignant by vivid dreams they both have of the past. In these dreams, they are in love and die young and together (Pompeii, WWII London, etc).
As they figure out why their lives are fated together, they are on a deadline to break the curse so they don't suffer the same fate as their past lives.
This multi POV book absolutely ripped my heart out! Golden retriever Jackson was my favorite. His growth and dedication to Riley was unmatched. And Riley, the prickly little hedgehog, learned to let down his defenses and allow love in.
This book was everything I needed. I was sobbing. I was clinging to hope. I couldn't put it down!
I received this ARC from @netgalley and publisher @harperkids. The opinions are my own.
Don't Let Me Go will be released on May 20, 2025.
Have you ever read the first line of a book and known you're going to devour it? That it's going to devour YOU?
"If there was ever a time when I didn't love Marcus, I don't remember. From the moment I could speak, I saved all my words for him. From the moment I could walk, my legs carried me in his direction."
My aching heart! Riley and Jackson have only just met in present day Orlando, but something draws them together, made even more poignant by vivid dreams they both have of the past. In these dreams, they are in love and die young and together (Pompeii, WWII London, etc).
As they figure out why their lives are fated together, they are on a deadline to break the curse so they don't suffer the same fate as their past lives.
This multi POV book absolutely ripped my heart out! Golden retriever Jackson was my favorite. His growth and dedication to Riley was unmatched. And Riley, the prickly little hedgehog, learned to let down his defenses and allow love in.
This book was everything I needed. I was sobbing. I was clinging to hope. I couldn't put it down!
I received this ARC from @netgalley and publisher @harperkids. The opinions are my own.
Don't Let Me Go will be released on May 20, 2025.
February 10, 2025
4.5 rounded up to 5 Stars
Wow!! The way I could not put this book down! I had to keep reading. It captured me from the first page to the last! Absolutely recommend. This was a thought-provoking read that begs the question of what would you choose?
Riley meets Jackson after he moves to town for a refresh and restart. While there is an initial clash between these characters, mostly on Riley's side the ice quickly melts away developing first into an intense friendship and then into something more. Riley and Jackson begin to have dreams of the past, in each of their dreams they are together, in the past, and at the end they both die. Soon enough they are both having the same dreams or maybe memories? Riley and Jackson have to decide what they want to do with the information and how they proceed. And let me tell you it's beautiful, devastating, and I could not look away.
This novel beautifully captured what supportive friends, and parents can look like and explored themes of love, and finding yourself. It was beautifully written and unputdownable. If you've loved anything by Eliot Schrefer or Adam Silvera I'd pick this up. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow!! The way I could not put this book down! I had to keep reading. It captured me from the first page to the last! Absolutely recommend. This was a thought-provoking read that begs the question of what would you choose?
Riley meets Jackson after he moves to town for a refresh and restart. While there is an initial clash between these characters, mostly on Riley's side the ice quickly melts away developing first into an intense friendship and then into something more. Riley and Jackson begin to have dreams of the past, in each of their dreams they are together, in the past, and at the end they both die. Soon enough they are both having the same dreams or maybe memories? Riley and Jackson have to decide what they want to do with the information and how they proceed. And let me tell you it's beautiful, devastating, and I could not look away.
This novel beautifully captured what supportive friends, and parents can look like and explored themes of love, and finding yourself. It was beautifully written and unputdownable. If you've loved anything by Eliot Schrefer or Adam Silvera I'd pick this up. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2025
RESPECTFULLY - MY HEART? 😭😭😭😭
(Full review to come)
Thank you @epicreads for a digital copy to review!
A moving romance about two star-crossed boys trapped in a millennium-spanning cycle of reincarnation whose only hope of escape may be a price that neither is willing to pay.
^from the publisher!
This was the very definition of romance. Swooning. Yearning. Coming of age. Sex positive. Bi-awakening. Supportive parental figures (minus 2).
My god I was giggling and squealing so much during this book. Riley and Jackson are SO freaking romantic in every single timeline!!!
Also truly LOVED Aunt Rach and Riley’s dad and the entire friend group. Little meddlers. Love them all!!!! Duy was a special fave.
I refuse to give anything away but let’s just say I had tears for the last 25% of this book and I LOVED the ending. @kevinchristophersnipes took my heart and smashed it and said “here you go” with a sweet lil forehead kiss.
(Full review to come)
Thank you @epicreads for a digital copy to review!
A moving romance about two star-crossed boys trapped in a millennium-spanning cycle of reincarnation whose only hope of escape may be a price that neither is willing to pay.
^from the publisher!
This was the very definition of romance. Swooning. Yearning. Coming of age. Sex positive. Bi-awakening. Supportive parental figures (minus 2).
My god I was giggling and squealing so much during this book. Riley and Jackson are SO freaking romantic in every single timeline!!!
Also truly LOVED Aunt Rach and Riley’s dad and the entire friend group. Little meddlers. Love them all!!!! Duy was a special fave.
I refuse to give anything away but let’s just say I had tears for the last 25% of this book and I LOVED the ending. @kevinchristophersnipes took my heart and smashed it and said “here you go” with a sweet lil forehead kiss.
June 16, 2025
You know guys, it’s getting harder and harder to come up with quippy one-liner opening sentences to the tune of “this book disappointed me.”
I’m a sucker for reincarnation stories and the way they both delve into historical (or otherwise unfamiliar, if the book takes place in a secondary world) settings, and the way they show different facets of a character all revolving around the same core soul. Unfortunately, this book’s treatment of its supposedly central reincarnation themes felt weirdly like an afterthought. The past-life characters were shallowly drawn and since they all started already in love with each other, Snipes left himself without a way to show why they loved each other. Because the author said so, I guess.
To his credit, Riley and Jackson’s relationship development was a lot better. Sure, it was pretty tropey, but he honestly did a good job portraying that teenage yearning. I wanted them to get together.
But then, Snipes oversold it. That first blush of horny teenage love is relatable and likable, sure, but don’t try to convince me it’s true, undying soulmate love, worth dying for repeatedly. Other characters are right when they tell our protags the end of this one relationship won’t be the end of the world.
At first I was glad to see Snipes tackling darker, more realistic themes of queer teenage life, like parental disapproval and exes who would rather ditch you than leave the closet. Unfortunately, those segments often felt like they were dealing with capital-I Issues, like an afterschool special or a helpful Tumblr post. Every so often, it really felt like a character would just turn around to give the audience a heartfelt monologue, when all the audience wanted was a shred of subtlety.
In general, when the story actually started seriously dealing with its supernatural elements, instead of intriguing, it went straight for schlock. So many cliches and poorly-explained metaphysics, so little time. And look, I know these are not the best-educated teenagers ever seen in YA, but I sort of expected one of them to know that reincarnation is an element of actual religions followed by millions of real people in the modern world. (Albeit nothing like how it’s portrayed here.) And soulmate tropes are just that—tropes for romance novels and fanfic. But no, both characters and writer seem to have that reversed.
And then, the ending Thelma-and-Louised it all right off a cliff. Apparently a love which never lasted beyond age eighteen, no matter how many times it iterated is worth dying for. In a way which feels a little too close to romanticized suicide for my taste. At this point, I’d lost every shred of investment I had built up, rolled my eyes, and checked out.
I will say, for a four-hundred page book, Don’t Let Me Go did read pretty quickly. The writing style was basic, but voicey/immersive enough it carried me along. There was, in fact, a chance of me enjoying it. By the end? More like a snowball’s chance in hell.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.
I’m a sucker for reincarnation stories and the way they both delve into historical (or otherwise unfamiliar, if the book takes place in a secondary world) settings, and the way they show different facets of a character all revolving around the same core soul. Unfortunately, this book’s treatment of its supposedly central reincarnation themes felt weirdly like an afterthought. The past-life characters were shallowly drawn and since they all started already in love with each other, Snipes left himself without a way to show why they loved each other. Because the author said so, I guess.
To his credit, Riley and Jackson’s relationship development was a lot better. Sure, it was pretty tropey, but he honestly did a good job portraying that teenage yearning. I wanted them to get together.
But then, Snipes oversold it. That first blush of horny teenage love is relatable and likable, sure, but don’t try to convince me it’s true, undying soulmate love, worth dying for repeatedly. Other characters are right when they tell our protags the end of this one relationship won’t be the end of the world.
At first I was glad to see Snipes tackling darker, more realistic themes of queer teenage life, like parental disapproval and exes who would rather ditch you than leave the closet. Unfortunately, those segments often felt like they were dealing with capital-I Issues, like an afterschool special or a helpful Tumblr post. Every so often, it really felt like a character would just turn around to give the audience a heartfelt monologue, when all the audience wanted was a shred of subtlety.
In general, when the story actually started seriously dealing with its supernatural elements, instead of intriguing, it went straight for schlock. So many cliches and poorly-explained metaphysics, so little time. And look, I know these are not the best-educated teenagers ever seen in YA, but I sort of expected one of them to know that reincarnation is an element of actual religions followed by millions of real people in the modern world. (Albeit nothing like how it’s portrayed here.) And soulmate tropes are just that—tropes for romance novels and fanfic. But no, both characters and writer seem to have that reversed.
And then, the ending Thelma-and-Louised it all right off a cliff. Apparently a love which never lasted beyond age eighteen, no matter how many times it iterated is worth dying for. In a way which feels a little too close to romanticized suicide for my taste. At this point, I’d lost every shred of investment I had built up, rolled my eyes, and checked out.
I will say, for a four-hundred page book, Don’t Let Me Go did read pretty quickly. The writing style was basic, but voicey/immersive enough it carried me along. There was, in fact, a chance of me enjoying it. By the end? More like a snowball’s chance in hell.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.
June 4, 2025
I was really looking forward to this novel, because I loved the first one, Milo and Marcos, as well. The way the author blends everyday life, the present, with fantastic elements always amazes me. I enjoyed that aspect a lot with Milo’s story, and here too.
Unfortunately, I read the blurb — which I really shouldn’t have. The journey would have been so much more fantastic and magical if I had started reading without knowing anything, and the chapter just opened with "79 BC, Pompeii", and I had no idea why. I’d like to ban blurbs altogether!
I really loved the historical parts, and even though historical fiction doesn’t usually impress me much, here I found it exciting to glimpse into all those different times. Mostly because the narration was so uniquely different in each one. My favorite was Brattahlid — I felt like I wanted to read an entire novel set there, not just flashbacks. I wanted every word and sentence of the boys’ story told from that narration, from the very beginning.
I was a little worried that the hinted future/past would make the story feel heavy — and I live for happy endings — but the information was revealed nicely and gradually, and it didn’t feel overwhelming. Riley’s humor helped a lot with that, too.
What I liked less was that it sometimes felt like a Heartstopper rewrite — so many character and plot similarities that it made me cringe a bit at times. And I do love Heartstopper! Honestly, if there were a list of who has watched season one the most times, I might be in the top ten. Luckily, the fantasy aspect helped to ease that similarity feeling.
I really loved Jackson. If I had to pick a friend from book characters, I’d choose him!
The ending… I loved the ending. I sobbed on the bus while reading it — and I truly loved it.
Unfortunately, I read the blurb — which I really shouldn’t have. The journey would have been so much more fantastic and magical if I had started reading without knowing anything, and the chapter just opened with "79 BC, Pompeii", and I had no idea why. I’d like to ban blurbs altogether!
I really loved the historical parts, and even though historical fiction doesn’t usually impress me much, here I found it exciting to glimpse into all those different times. Mostly because the narration was so uniquely different in each one. My favorite was Brattahlid — I felt like I wanted to read an entire novel set there, not just flashbacks. I wanted every word and sentence of the boys’ story told from that narration, from the very beginning.
I was a little worried that the hinted future/past would make the story feel heavy — and I live for happy endings — but the information was revealed nicely and gradually, and it didn’t feel overwhelming. Riley’s humor helped a lot with that, too.
What I liked less was that it sometimes felt like a Heartstopper rewrite — so many character and plot similarities that it made me cringe a bit at times. And I do love Heartstopper! Honestly, if there were a list of who has watched season one the most times, I might be in the top ten. Luckily, the fantasy aspect helped to ease that similarity feeling.
I really loved Jackson. If I had to pick a friend from book characters, I’d choose him!
The ending… I loved the ending. I sobbed on the bus while reading it — and I truly loved it.
June 18, 2025
Riley has vowed never to date a closeted guy again. And yet when straight boy Jackson enters his life, Riley swoons - literally passes out and has a vision of a life in Pompeii with Jackson in a past life. He tries to resist, he really does. But Jackson also starts having dreams. Soon the two realize their visions of past lives have something in common: they die in the end of each one, tragically.
Ummm, so I read this book because I basically wrote a book with the same premise (you can read it here: The Last Time We Met). My version involved plagues and took place during the time of COVID, and I liked that this story was a little more timeless. I did, however, find the voices of Riley and Jackson sounded too similar, and I would forget who was who, especially during the flashbacks. I enjoyed the relationship and thought it progressed realistically - especially for two people who are soulmates - although I would have thought Jackson might have had more angst about this new discovery in his sexual orientation. I wanted to throw this book across the room at the end... this could have been titled . I was highly disappointed. If you also read this and hated the ending, please feel free to check out my book!
Ummm, so I read this book because I basically wrote a book with the same premise (you can read it here: The Last Time We Met). My version involved plagues and took place during the time of COVID, and I liked that this story was a little more timeless. I did, however, find the voices of Riley and Jackson sounded too similar, and I would forget who was who, especially during the flashbacks. I enjoyed the relationship and thought it progressed realistically - especially for two people who are soulmates - although I would have thought Jackson might have had more angst about this new discovery in his sexual orientation. I wanted to throw this book across the room at the end... this could have been titled . I was highly disappointed. If you also read this and hated the ending, please feel free to check out my book!
July 1, 2025
I have GOT to listen to myself and stop reading contemporary romances!! Unfortunately I am a huge sucker for reincarnation and soulmate tropes, so here I am again. Sadly this one just didn't work for me. The reincarnation stuff barely featured until the last 30%-ish of the book, the majority of the characters were all written like stereotypical chronically online queer kids who are constantly lecturing people, and I feel like this being a YA book was an overall hindrance. Maybe I'm just old but them only being 18 and being like 'ohhh we're so in love even though we met 2 weeks ago we're soulmates' is mostly just eyeroll worthy even though if the exact same premise was used for a fanfic AU of my middle aged blorbos I would be eating it up.
Also. Major spoilers for the very end but
Also. Major spoilers for the very end but
September 9, 2025
Ang sakit mo! Sobrang sakit mo. After multiple reincarnations, I was hoping their current lives would be written with a kinder light. But no—the author robbed us of that in the lamest way possible. A theme park freak accident? Really? And dragging their friends along as accessories to the crime of a selfish universe? Their ending could have taken a better twist. Still, respecting the author’s decision, I can somewhat understand the reason behind their cycle of reincarnation in the first place. Yet, I wish it had been concluded better.
Nevertheless, it’s a 5/5 for the writing style, which showcased the author’s genius in highlighting voices from different timelines. The concept was also unique enough to hook me right from the beginning. The use of dreams to narrate past events was especially clever.
In the end, this book will make you swoon in love during the first few chapters, only to leave you feeling like you’re floating in nothingness by the time it ends.
Nevertheless, it’s a 5/5 for the writing style, which showcased the author’s genius in highlighting voices from different timelines. The concept was also unique enough to hook me right from the beginning. The use of dreams to narrate past events was especially clever.
In the end, this book will make you swoon in love during the first few chapters, only to leave you feeling like you’re floating in nothingness by the time it ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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