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A Stitch in Time
A magical tale of mystery and self-discovery, set in the 90s in an old missionary school in Penang, where ghosts of the past intertwine with the present.
Clare is alone in her school’s tunnel walkway when a famous teenage stage actor strides into sight – and promptly disappears! Caught in an avalanche of supernatural incidents, she soon discovers that the actor, Gavin Lai, has become invisible – and she is the only one who is able to see him.
Despite her reluctance and distaste for the handsome but self-absorbed actor, Clare teams up with him to get to the bottom of this strange predicament.
In Gavin’s absence, his rival has taken over his breakout role on stage. Does he have anything to do with Gavin’s disappearance? Or is there something supernatural about this former missionary school, with its hauntingly old colonial structures and its sinisterly omniscient clock tower?
The investigation now takes centre stage as Clare slowly breaks out of her shell, while Gavin’s past catches up with him. Has he been cursed into this nightmare because of what he has done?
In the midst of discovering the truth, they also discover themselves and each other. But is that enough to mend the rift in space and time?
Clare is alone in her school’s tunnel walkway when a famous teenage stage actor strides into sight – and promptly disappears! Caught in an avalanche of supernatural incidents, she soon discovers that the actor, Gavin Lai, has become invisible – and she is the only one who is able to see him.
Despite her reluctance and distaste for the handsome but self-absorbed actor, Clare teams up with him to get to the bottom of this strange predicament.
In Gavin’s absence, his rival has taken over his breakout role on stage. Does he have anything to do with Gavin’s disappearance? Or is there something supernatural about this former missionary school, with its hauntingly old colonial structures and its sinisterly omniscient clock tower?
The investigation now takes centre stage as Clare slowly breaks out of her shell, while Gavin’s past catches up with him. Has he been cursed into this nightmare because of what he has done?
In the midst of discovering the truth, they also discover themselves and each other. But is that enough to mend the rift in space and time?
- GenresFantasy
284 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2024
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 17, 2025
A Stitch in Time is a pretty lighthearted read.
Gavin Lai presents as something of a ghost through most of the book, but he's not a scary ghost - just a self-absorbed young actor trying to get back into the real world.
Clare Chong, a super quiet, introverted girl, is the only one in the school who can see him. Which means she's the only one who can help him. She has to confront her fears and inadequacies in order to solve the mystery of his disappearance... while he has to face himself and what has brought him to this place.
90s pop culture references abound, which makes it fun (and maybe a little nostalgic) to read as one who grew up in those times. I'm not sure if present day YA (ie the real target readers) would find that as exciting, or just incomprehensible. I mean, they're still using FAXES and DIAL-UP internet, and there are no smartphones! Only old-fashioned, large, bulky mobile phones that only business men use...
Gavin Lai presents as something of a ghost through most of the book, but he's not a scary ghost - just a self-absorbed young actor trying to get back into the real world.
Clare Chong, a super quiet, introverted girl, is the only one in the school who can see him. Which means she's the only one who can help him. She has to confront her fears and inadequacies in order to solve the mystery of his disappearance... while he has to face himself and what has brought him to this place.
90s pop culture references abound, which makes it fun (and maybe a little nostalgic) to read as one who grew up in those times. I'm not sure if present day YA (ie the real target readers) would find that as exciting, or just incomprehensible. I mean, they're still using FAXES and DIAL-UP internet, and there are no smartphones! Only old-fashioned, large, bulky mobile phones that only business men use...
July 1, 2024
I love this book so much! It's so gooooood! Could not stop reading it. Now I am sad it's over. Definitely one of the top three books I've ever read.
I enjoyed the mystery and I really love the characters Clare and Gavin, and their journey of self-discovery. The story made me cry and laugh and cheer for joy for them.
I highly recommend this book!
I enjoyed the mystery and I really love the characters Clare and Gavin, and their journey of self-discovery. The story made me cry and laugh and cheer for joy for them.
I highly recommend this book!
August 1, 2024
Lee Su Ann's A Stitch in Time intertwines the themes of memory, of finding a path of self-realization, and of the ghosts in our lives we do not recognize. In its heart, A Stitch in Time is a tale of mystery set in 1990s Penang, Malaysia.
Clare, our female protagonist, who is a voracious reader, is a student at an old, conservative missionary school whose grounds were suddenly haunted by the charming theater actor Gavin Lai, whose disappearance has caused an uproar amongst his fans. Interestingly, Clare is the only one who's properly able to see and converse with him. Their interactions are full of banter, and the sparks of innocent teenage love are simply a delight to read.
The actor and the girl, who seemed like the only one able to save him from his miserable state of oblivion, embark on a detective journey in order to find the roots of his mysterious disappearance. As they uncover the truth behind his fate, they grow closer and find comfort in each other. The characters grow despite their limitations, and the sparks of young love bind them together.
A hint of magical realism, a hint of mystery, and a hint of young adult romance have been perfectly put together by Lee Su Ann's beautiful storytelling. I'd highly recommend this to young readers who enjoy fantasy or are looking for books to get into the habit of reading.
Clare, our female protagonist, who is a voracious reader, is a student at an old, conservative missionary school whose grounds were suddenly haunted by the charming theater actor Gavin Lai, whose disappearance has caused an uproar amongst his fans. Interestingly, Clare is the only one who's properly able to see and converse with him. Their interactions are full of banter, and the sparks of innocent teenage love are simply a delight to read.
The actor and the girl, who seemed like the only one able to save him from his miserable state of oblivion, embark on a detective journey in order to find the roots of his mysterious disappearance. As they uncover the truth behind his fate, they grow closer and find comfort in each other. The characters grow despite their limitations, and the sparks of young love bind them together.
A hint of magical realism, a hint of mystery, and a hint of young adult romance have been perfectly put together by Lee Su Ann's beautiful storytelling. I'd highly recommend this to young readers who enjoy fantasy or are looking for books to get into the habit of reading.
October 2, 2024
This is a good combination of pre-teen and fantasy, i love the flow of the story and the friendship that Clare and Gavin developed along the way. The character development is worth pointing too, such a fun and light read.
August 7, 2024
𝐴𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙, ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑.
Probing at the vastness of nothingness, hearing one’s voice may either outturn into one’s salvation or downfall. What degree it may bring, no one knows except the prison itself. “A Stitch In Time” by Lee Su Ann is a novel that centers on finding escape from the unknown. The story starts with Gavin Lai, an actor who is supposed to act in the play that will happen in a former missionary school yet suddenly experiences an unexplainable phantom that makes his own time stand still and be invisible to everybody, except to the student he encountered in the old tunnel walkway of the school. Her name is Clare and will soon be forever imprinted in him.
A feeling of paralyzation, helplessness, and vulnerability surfaced as he realized that not only his presence is invisible in real time but his dimension had twisted too where he was stuck in the school, the sun, sky, and time froze, and no people at present other than Clare. As desperation arises, though not inharmonious with each other and while there are still voids to fill for all the questions in mind, Gavin feels that Clare is the only way to help him unchain the supernatural upside-down dimension he is stuck with for days. Clare on the other hand as confused as Gavin, cannot hesitate to not help someone in need and so the quest to find escape from all the incongruencies started.
I leave the rest of the threads for the readers to stitch with pondered ruminations from some of my favorite parts above and the contemplations that live rent-free in me:
🕰 Sometimes, it’s not about the person who makes your time stay still but the person who makes you count every living second you have.
🕰 To be understood when all else fails is to be revived in CPR.
🕰 Fame does not always mean success and a normal life in exchange does not mean a degrade.
🕰 Oh, to be lost and find yourself once more with the person you least expect to be is a freeing feeling of redemption.
🕰️Home is not a place but more often a person and sometimes, it is there all along with you, waiting to be found.
🕰️ Never take advantage of people around you. In a blink, they may be one of your regrets.
It is more than a stitch in time but a stitch to all that rips apart in life.
Probing at the vastness of nothingness, hearing one’s voice may either outturn into one’s salvation or downfall. What degree it may bring, no one knows except the prison itself. “A Stitch In Time” by Lee Su Ann is a novel that centers on finding escape from the unknown. The story starts with Gavin Lai, an actor who is supposed to act in the play that will happen in a former missionary school yet suddenly experiences an unexplainable phantom that makes his own time stand still and be invisible to everybody, except to the student he encountered in the old tunnel walkway of the school. Her name is Clare and will soon be forever imprinted in him.
A feeling of paralyzation, helplessness, and vulnerability surfaced as he realized that not only his presence is invisible in real time but his dimension had twisted too where he was stuck in the school, the sun, sky, and time froze, and no people at present other than Clare. As desperation arises, though not inharmonious with each other and while there are still voids to fill for all the questions in mind, Gavin feels that Clare is the only way to help him unchain the supernatural upside-down dimension he is stuck with for days. Clare on the other hand as confused as Gavin, cannot hesitate to not help someone in need and so the quest to find escape from all the incongruencies started.
I leave the rest of the threads for the readers to stitch with pondered ruminations from some of my favorite parts above and the contemplations that live rent-free in me:
🕰 Sometimes, it’s not about the person who makes your time stay still but the person who makes you count every living second you have.
🕰 To be understood when all else fails is to be revived in CPR.
🕰 Fame does not always mean success and a normal life in exchange does not mean a degrade.
🕰 Oh, to be lost and find yourself once more with the person you least expect to be is a freeing feeling of redemption.
🕰️Home is not a place but more often a person and sometimes, it is there all along with you, waiting to be found.
🕰️ Never take advantage of people around you. In a blink, they may be one of your regrets.
It is more than a stitch in time but a stitch to all that rips apart in life.
July 11, 2024
ੈ𑁍༘⋆
“We must not let the bad memories of the past take over our present.”
𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦, released in 2024 by Penguin Random House SEA, is a delightful book penned by the talented Lee Su Ann. This enchanting novel weaves a charming tale of teenage romance infused with a dash of mystery and rich Malaysian elements, making it a must-read for fans of young adult fiction.
In this fascinating novel, Clare, an ordinary girl with an avid passion for whodunits, encounters Gavin Lai, a gifted yet enigmatic actor who mysteriously disappears, visible only to her. Together, they embark on a journey to unravel clues surrounding Gavin’s disappearance while navigating the complexities of their budding romance. As they delve deeper into their investigation, their connection grows, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural in a captivating tale of love and intrigue.
𝘐𝘴 𝘎𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘪’𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳?
I found ‘𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦’ to be a delightful teenage romance novel. Every interaction between Clare and Gavin is captivating, filled with wholesome banter and engaging conversations. The character development, particularly for Gavin, adds significant depth to the story. While the theme may not be entirely original, the seamless intertwining of romance and mystery in the narrative is brilliantly executed.
Overall, ‘𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦’ offers a very enjoyable reading journey and is a novel that I enthusiastically recommend!
“We must not let the bad memories of the past take over our present.”
𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦, released in 2024 by Penguin Random House SEA, is a delightful book penned by the talented Lee Su Ann. This enchanting novel weaves a charming tale of teenage romance infused with a dash of mystery and rich Malaysian elements, making it a must-read for fans of young adult fiction.
In this fascinating novel, Clare, an ordinary girl with an avid passion for whodunits, encounters Gavin Lai, a gifted yet enigmatic actor who mysteriously disappears, visible only to her. Together, they embark on a journey to unravel clues surrounding Gavin’s disappearance while navigating the complexities of their budding romance. As they delve deeper into their investigation, their connection grows, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural in a captivating tale of love and intrigue.
𝘐𝘴 𝘎𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘪’𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳?
I found ‘𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦’ to be a delightful teenage romance novel. Every interaction between Clare and Gavin is captivating, filled with wholesome banter and engaging conversations. The character development, particularly for Gavin, adds significant depth to the story. While the theme may not be entirely original, the seamless intertwining of romance and mystery in the narrative is brilliantly executed.
Overall, ‘𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦’ offers a very enjoyable reading journey and is a novel that I enthusiastically recommend!
Read
September 4, 2024This was definitely a book for a single sitting, perfect for when you're in a reading slump. The story will pique your curiosity; you might love Clare, get frustrated with Gavin, but one thing's for sure — you won’t notice the time flying by (pun intended).
As mentioned previously, this book took me back to the days when I used to watch local fantasy series about mysterious mishaps and adventures. It was whimsical, light-hearted, and family-oriented. I liked it!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from Penguin Books South East Asia in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own and have not been influenced by the author or publisher.
Note: I don't do numerical ratings on non-Filipino books.
Here's my tier ranking instead - B (MID)
As mentioned previously, this book took me back to the days when I used to watch local fantasy series about mysterious mishaps and adventures. It was whimsical, light-hearted, and family-oriented. I liked it!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from Penguin Books South East Asia in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own and have not been influenced by the author or publisher.
Note: I don't do numerical ratings on non-Filipino books.
Here's my tier ranking instead - B (MID)
November 24, 2025
4/5
🚨TW: accused for lying, jealousy
🚨CW: mild cursing
There is a mysterious clock tower that can cause people to disappear (can't spoil it you need to find out. ) Clare saw the actor Gavin entertaining his fans and then he disappeared when he went through the tunnel. It puzzled her and then the next day, she went to his show only to find out it wasn't him playing his part. Her sister who was a fan of his was disappointed. However, one day, Gavin appeared in front of her and she decided to help him to find out what really happen to him and also find the culprit.
They both worked together and then they at first kept on bickering with each other but then they became closer as they get to know each other. Can't spoil to much of it. You will need to read to find out.
🚨TW: accused for lying, jealousy
🚨CW: mild cursing
There is a mysterious clock tower that can cause people to disappear (can't spoil it you need to find out. ) Clare saw the actor Gavin entertaining his fans and then he disappeared when he went through the tunnel. It puzzled her and then the next day, she went to his show only to find out it wasn't him playing his part. Her sister who was a fan of his was disappointed. However, one day, Gavin appeared in front of her and she decided to help him to find out what really happen to him and also find the culprit.
They both worked together and then they at first kept on bickering with each other but then they became closer as they get to know each other. Can't spoil to much of it. You will need to read to find out.
December 8, 2024
Been awhile since I read middle grade lit.
Follows Clare, a reserved girl who encounters the invisible Gavin Lai, a self-absorbed teenage actor. Together, they unravel the mystery of his disappearance in a story that blends supernatural elements with self-discovery.
You will like this book if you are into mysteries with a touch of magic, coming-of-age stories, or exploring themes of identity and redemption.
Overall, entertaining.
Follows Clare, a reserved girl who encounters the invisible Gavin Lai, a self-absorbed teenage actor. Together, they unravel the mystery of his disappearance in a story that blends supernatural elements with self-discovery.
You will like this book if you are into mysteries with a touch of magic, coming-of-age stories, or exploring themes of identity and redemption.
Overall, entertaining.
August 14, 2024
This book was given by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. The plot was intriguing and enjoyable but I almost could not get past the male main character because he was written as an annoying, entitled, famous theater actor. Nevertheless, I thought Lee Su Ann did a marvelous job adding the elements of Malaysian culture and food in her book, which added to the nostalgic feeling.
June 27, 2024
such a cute story!! 3.5⭐️
August 2, 2024
This is such a compelling read. Eloquently and evocatively written, A Stitch in Time aptly captured the complicated terrain of young adulthood; its whirlwind of highs, lows, and even the impetuosity of emotions that are almost always only possible in our youth.
Unabashed and full of heart, intriguing and with lots of twists, the story also made for a very comforting read—and a wonderful reminder of what it means to 'belong', to find 'home', and to seek out 'yourself' fearlessly amidst life's trials and tribulations.
Needless to say, I enjoyed reading this very much.
Unabashed and full of heart, intriguing and with lots of twists, the story also made for a very comforting read—and a wonderful reminder of what it means to 'belong', to find 'home', and to seek out 'yourself' fearlessly amidst life's trials and tribulations.
Needless to say, I enjoyed reading this very much.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews