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You & Me and You & Me and You & Me
“If you read just one book this year, read this one—a time-bending love story full of nostalgia and ‘what-ifs.’”—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven’t Met You Yet
“A grown-up love story that captures the beauty of not only finding your person but holding on to them. Throw in some time travel, great music, and ’90s nostalgia, and you have an unforgettable read.”—Laurie Gilmore, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Meet Adam and Jules.
Married for nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut, their future looks, well, boring.
Then Adam stumbles across a box of old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love. He dusts off his vintage stereo, inserts one of the cassettes, presses “Play” …and the unbelievable happens.
With the power to travel back in time, Jules and Adam can recapture the headiness of falling in love. But they soon realize that visiting the past could be as dangerous as it is addictive, because the temptation to change just a few tiny things is irresistible.
As the consequences start to spiral out of control, can they find a way back to their messy and imperfect, yet glorious, real life? Or will they lose each other forever?
“A grown-up love story that captures the beauty of not only finding your person but holding on to them. Throw in some time travel, great music, and ’90s nostalgia, and you have an unforgettable read.”—Laurie Gilmore, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Meet Adam and Jules.
Married for nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut, their future looks, well, boring.
Then Adam stumbles across a box of old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love. He dusts off his vintage stereo, inserts one of the cassettes, presses “Play” …and the unbelievable happens.
With the power to travel back in time, Jules and Adam can recapture the headiness of falling in love. But they soon realize that visiting the past could be as dangerous as it is addictive, because the temptation to change just a few tiny things is irresistible.
As the consequences start to spiral out of control, can they find a way back to their messy and imperfect, yet glorious, real life? Or will they lose each other forever?
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2026
105 people are currently reading
14715 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
February 16, 2026
Quick audiobook with dual narrators (probably the best part!) and a predictable time travel story. It was fun but after a while, it became redundant. Repeating the same type of story on a loop is honestly how you lose me as a reader haha but the audio was really good and kept me listening to the end.
October 4, 2025
Jules & Adam have been married for 25 years, have raised 2 kids and now find themselves “stuck” in an unsatisfying marriage. In their early days of courting, they would make each other mix-tapes. When Adam finds them in a box of things that Jules has set aside for the trash, he is absolutely appalled. He takes them out to his man-cave and goes through them until he finds the very first one Jules made for him. He pops the cassette tape into his player and all of a sudden he has time traveled back to the day she gave it to him. Upon returning to the present, he tells Jules what he just experienced. She doesn’t quite believe what she is hearing, but she picks a mixtape and heads back to that time period. Once she returns, they set ground rules that they can’t change things that are going to affect others, but little by little, they begin breaking those rules until all of a sudden, their marriage is in worse shape than before. What have they done and how are they going to fix things?!? I was totally entertained by this story. I think everyone who has been married this long will totally relate to some of what they were going through.
Many thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an invitation to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Many thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an invitation to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
November 17, 2025
It was fine, if predictable. It goes the way you'd expect it to--people find a magic portal to the past, they go back and inadvertently screw something up, then work the rest of the novel to undo the havoc they've wrought.
I just want to know why the authors gave the central couple the surname "Hole."
I just want to know why the authors gave the central couple the surname "Hole."
January 29, 2026
You and Me and You and Me and You and Me is a quietly magical, deeply relatable listen that blends time slip magical realism with the emotional truths of long-term marriage. Narrated by Rory Kinnear and Sally Phillips—both new to me and both excellent—the performances are nuanced, tender, and emotionally grounded, which is especially impressive given how much of this story lives in memory, regret, and unspoken longing. The time loop element is intriguing without being gimmicky, and the way music (especially mixtapes) anchors Adam and Jules’ shared history adds a rich layer of nostalgia. As characters close to my own age, their flaws, frustrations, and deeply familiar marital patterns felt honest and painfully real. Quirky, thoughtful, and often heart warming, this is a story about love evolving rather than being rewritten, and why the messy, imperfect present might still be the most meaningful place to land.
February 17, 2026
ꕤ-giveaway-winner
“It dawns on me now that breathing in the same air as someone for twenty-five years, sleeping together in the same bed, eating together, drinking together, parenting together, losing loved ones together…bonds you emotionally and spiritually in a way that no amount of universes can ever tear apart”
As an almost 44 year old woman who’s been married for almost 20 years… I get this book. This was a soul searching reminder that love is a choice not just a feeling. It is hard work and there are no easy ways around it. I really enjoyed this book that I received as an E-arc. When I read the synopsis preview I knew it would be a story that resonated with me. I’m better for reading it and am now off to continue making that conscious effort to keep my own relationships fire burning bright!! #GoodreadsGiveaway
“It dawns on me now that breathing in the same air as someone for twenty-five years, sleeping together in the same bed, eating together, drinking together, parenting together, losing loved ones together…bonds you emotionally and spiritually in a way that no amount of universes can ever tear apart”
As an almost 44 year old woman who’s been married for almost 20 years… I get this book. This was a soul searching reminder that love is a choice not just a feeling. It is hard work and there are no easy ways around it. I really enjoyed this book that I received as an E-arc. When I read the synopsis preview I knew it would be a story that resonated with me. I’m better for reading it and am now off to continue making that conscious effort to keep my own relationships fire burning bright!! #GoodreadsGiveaway
December 1, 2025
I had never heard of either of the authors before, but I am a sucker for a time travel book, so I was intrigued. Whilst I enjoyed the story, I felt it could do with some more editing. There were a few errors, including one sentence being repeated, and a handful of places where things didn’t feel quite right. That said, overall, I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I picked it up.
Adam and Jules have been married for nearly twenty five years, but their relationship is strained. Both are bored, resentful, and struggling to remember why they fell in love, with their grown children no longer holding them together. Adam retreats to his shed, where he discovers the old mix tapes, they once made for each other. When he plays one, he is transported back to the exact moment the tape was exchanged—half the time before and half after. In these time slips, Adam and Jules can either relive events as passengers in their younger selves or take control to alter the past, reshaping the present. As Jules eventually comes to believe Adam’s discovery, the couple take turns revisiting their history, promising not to interfere. But temptation is strong, and the question remains: can they resist changing what has already happened, and if they do, will it truly make things better?
Overall, You & Me and You & Me and You & Me is an enjoyable time travel story with a clever premise that lets Adam and Jules revisit the highs and lows of their marriage. Although I felt it could benefit from more editing, with a few errors and repeated sentences standing out, the concept and characters kept me engaged. Despite those flaws, I really enjoyed the book and would happily recommend it to anyone who, like me, is a sucker for time travel fiction.
Adam and Jules have been married for nearly twenty five years, but their relationship is strained. Both are bored, resentful, and struggling to remember why they fell in love, with their grown children no longer holding them together. Adam retreats to his shed, where he discovers the old mix tapes, they once made for each other. When he plays one, he is transported back to the exact moment the tape was exchanged—half the time before and half after. In these time slips, Adam and Jules can either relive events as passengers in their younger selves or take control to alter the past, reshaping the present. As Jules eventually comes to believe Adam’s discovery, the couple take turns revisiting their history, promising not to interfere. But temptation is strong, and the question remains: can they resist changing what has already happened, and if they do, will it truly make things better?
Overall, You & Me and You & Me and You & Me is an enjoyable time travel story with a clever premise that lets Adam and Jules revisit the highs and lows of their marriage. Although I felt it could benefit from more editing, with a few errors and repeated sentences standing out, the concept and characters kept me engaged. Despite those flaws, I really enjoyed the book and would happily recommend it to anyone who, like me, is a sucker for time travel fiction.
January 29, 2026
Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees have crafted a brilliantly sharp, emotionally resonant exploration of "what if" in their latest novel, You & Me and You & Me and You & Me. As a fan of spec-fiction that pushes boundaries in genres like this, I found this to be an absolute five-star read that balances simple-concept sci-fi with the messy realities of a long-term marriage.
Oh, and how messy it all becomes for MCs Adam and Jules! What struck me most was the gray nature of our protagonists. They aren’t your typical polished heroes; they are deeply flawed, relatable, and at times, delightfully selfish. I loved watching them succumb to the temptation of the time machine, making morally questionable choices to "fix" inconveniences or perceived slights from their past. This moral ambiguity makes the narrative feel grounded and honest.
The authors use the time-travel device masterfully to dissect the anatomy of a marriage. It serves as a lens through which we see their mutual disappointments, the stinging resentment Jules feels over Adam’s lack of support for her dreams, and the heavy weight of the professional risks Adam never took. It is a poignant study of how two people can drift apart while standing right next to each other.
The prose is an absolute joy—neatly structured and peppered with clever pop-culture references that make the dual-POV narrative feel incredibly vibrant. The distinct voices of Adam and Jules brought me close to their inner lives, making their journey feel personal. Ultimately, this is a cautionary tale about the "grass is greener" syndrome. It reminds us that while avoiding regret is a human instinct, true fulfillment comes from appreciating the joyful moments we already have. A witty, thought-provoking, and deeply moving triumph of a novel.
Thank you to the authors and the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to dive in and relive the past with Adam and Jules.
Oh, and how messy it all becomes for MCs Adam and Jules! What struck me most was the gray nature of our protagonists. They aren’t your typical polished heroes; they are deeply flawed, relatable, and at times, delightfully selfish. I loved watching them succumb to the temptation of the time machine, making morally questionable choices to "fix" inconveniences or perceived slights from their past. This moral ambiguity makes the narrative feel grounded and honest.
The authors use the time-travel device masterfully to dissect the anatomy of a marriage. It serves as a lens through which we see their mutual disappointments, the stinging resentment Jules feels over Adam’s lack of support for her dreams, and the heavy weight of the professional risks Adam never took. It is a poignant study of how two people can drift apart while standing right next to each other.
The prose is an absolute joy—neatly structured and peppered with clever pop-culture references that make the dual-POV narrative feel incredibly vibrant. The distinct voices of Adam and Jules brought me close to their inner lives, making their journey feel personal. Ultimately, this is a cautionary tale about the "grass is greener" syndrome. It reminds us that while avoiding regret is a human instinct, true fulfillment comes from appreciating the joyful moments we already have. A witty, thought-provoking, and deeply moving triumph of a novel.
Thank you to the authors and the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to dive in and relive the past with Adam and Jules.
August 28, 2025
3.5 🌟
Jules and Adam have been stuck in a rut in their marriage, until Adam rediscovers the old mixtapes they used to make for each other. When he decides to play one, he’s unexpectedly transported back in time. Together, Jules and Adam start reliving the “good times” of their relationship in hopes of fixing what’s broken. But as they make small changes, they find themselves slipping into an alternate timeline.
The story does a great job of portraying just how flawed both characters are, which makes them feel very real, even if they aren’t particularly likeable. Personally, that did lower my rating a bit, especially since infidelity is a theme I don’t enjoy. That said, the book was still highly entertaining. I loved the Back to the Future vibes and the reminder that there’s beauty in being authentically ourselves.
Overall, a solid read if you enjoy flawed main characters and a story that leans into realism rather than perfection.
🎶✨📼🩵
Jules and Adam have been stuck in a rut in their marriage, until Adam rediscovers the old mixtapes they used to make for each other. When he decides to play one, he’s unexpectedly transported back in time. Together, Jules and Adam start reliving the “good times” of their relationship in hopes of fixing what’s broken. But as they make small changes, they find themselves slipping into an alternate timeline.
The story does a great job of portraying just how flawed both characters are, which makes them feel very real, even if they aren’t particularly likeable. Personally, that did lower my rating a bit, especially since infidelity is a theme I don’t enjoy. That said, the book was still highly entertaining. I loved the Back to the Future vibes and the reminder that there’s beauty in being authentically ourselves.
Overall, a solid read if you enjoy flawed main characters and a story that leans into realism rather than perfection.
🎶✨📼🩵
February 10, 2026
3.5 stars. Way back at the turn of the 21st century, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees published several well-received novels such as Come Together that used their alternating points of view to portray the romance arc for 20-something MMCs and FMCs. Somewhere along the line, fiction became fact; Lloyd and Rees got together, married, and had kids. I lost track of them for a few decades, but here they are again, older and wiser, with a clever if somewhat confusing time- loop variation on Can This Marriage Be Saved?
Jules and Adam are a typical couple approaching their 25 year anniversary. Although they still love each other, the stresses of jobs, money, and kids combined with several traumatic losses have left them far from the two young adults who used mixtapes* to convey their feelings. After a particularly bad fight, Adam retreats to his workshop and pops one of the tapes into their old cassette player. Suddenly he finds himself back in 1989, crushing on Jules and shyly handing her his first mixtape offering.
Adam returns to the present and tells Jules about the magical cassette player. They start taking turns going back in time, just to relive the experiences and feelings. They pledge to not interfere with anything that happened when they travel back. But surely a few little changes wouldn't be bad? Like Adam warning Jules not to get the name of her soon-to-be-ex boyfriend tattooed on her shoulder. Or Jules casually commenting to Adam that she doesn't care for men with facial hair. But the temptation becomes too great, and soon Adam and Jules are taking more significant actions while visiting the past that will have lasting and unforeseen repercussions beyond their control.
I liked the fact that both Jules and Adam were willing, knowing participants in the time-loop. In most books of this genre, one character does the traveling while the other is either blissfully ignorant or a passive beneficiary of the process. Both MCs, and their college-aged kids, are relatable and sympathetically flawed. I did find myself a little lost in the time-loop mechanics, TBH. I'll buy the outlandish premise that Adam and Jules figure out the rules of the magical cassette player almost immediately. And at first, it's easy to track the effects of their journeys (Jules doesn't have a tattoo now! Adam is clean-shaven!). But as the story progresses, it becomes harder to recall how the numerous changes have built on each other to create the new reality. The fact that Adam and Jules immediately "remember" everything that comprises their new reality felt too convenient. Also, the resolution tidies up things cleanly, which felt like a cop out given the messy premise.
I'm happy to see that Lloyd and Rees are still professional and personal partners. Can we expect another book in 20 years that catches up with their literary doppelgangers as they share the joys of aching joints, failing memories, and weekly doctor appointments?
*If you're younger than 40, ask your parents.
ARC received from publisher and Net Galley.
Jules and Adam are a typical couple approaching their 25 year anniversary. Although they still love each other, the stresses of jobs, money, and kids combined with several traumatic losses have left them far from the two young adults who used mixtapes* to convey their feelings. After a particularly bad fight, Adam retreats to his workshop and pops one of the tapes into their old cassette player. Suddenly he finds himself back in 1989, crushing on Jules and shyly handing her his first mixtape offering.
Adam returns to the present and tells Jules about the magical cassette player. They start taking turns going back in time, just to relive the experiences and feelings. They pledge to not interfere with anything that happened when they travel back. But surely a few little changes wouldn't be bad? Like Adam warning Jules not to get the name of her soon-to-be-ex boyfriend tattooed on her shoulder. Or Jules casually commenting to Adam that she doesn't care for men with facial hair. But the temptation becomes too great, and soon Adam and Jules are taking more significant actions while visiting the past that will have lasting and unforeseen repercussions beyond their control.
I liked the fact that both Jules and Adam were willing, knowing participants in the time-loop. In most books of this genre, one character does the traveling while the other is either blissfully ignorant or a passive beneficiary of the process. Both MCs, and their college-aged kids, are relatable and sympathetically flawed. I did find myself a little lost in the time-loop mechanics, TBH. I'll buy the outlandish premise that Adam and Jules figure out the rules of the magical cassette player almost immediately. And at first, it's easy to track the effects of their journeys (Jules doesn't have a tattoo now! Adam is clean-shaven!). But as the story progresses, it becomes harder to recall how the numerous changes have built on each other to create the new reality. The fact that Adam and Jules immediately "remember" everything that comprises their new reality felt too convenient. Also, the resolution tidies up things cleanly, which felt like a cop out given the messy premise.
I'm happy to see that Lloyd and Rees are still professional and personal partners. Can we expect another book in 20 years that catches up with their literary doppelgangers as they share the joys of aching joints, failing memories, and weekly doctor appointments?
*If you're younger than 40, ask your parents.
ARC received from publisher and Net Galley.
February 15, 2026
My Rating: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded down from 3.5 it was an intriguing story that did pretty well for the most part!!
One couple. One past. A million tomorrows. Adam and Jules have been married for 25 years when they discover a time machine in their shed - can it bring back their romantic spark? Or will it unravel everything?
Meet Adam and Jules. Married for nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut, their future looks, well, boring.
Then Adam stumbles across a pile of old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love. He dusts off his vintage stereo, inserts one of the cassettes, presses play…and the unbelievable happens.
With the power to travel back in time, he and Jules can revisit pivotal moments in their pasts. Is this the key to getting their sparkle back? They embark on an epic hunt through the multiverse for their perfect love story. But as they visit the past, they realise that time travel could be as dangerous as it is addictive, because the temptation to change just a few tiny things is irresistible.
As the consequences start to spiral out of control, can they find a way back to their messy, imperfect, glorious real life? Or will they lose each other forever?
So this is absolutely not my kind of story, normally… however I was intrigued and I requested it and then promptly forgot about it for months, until I was suddenly approved.
I was a little bit nervous about the time travelling portion, to me that would usually be a huge turn off of a book…but it was upfront, in the first line and I requested it anyway so I went with it.
The story is told in two POVs one from Jules and one from Adam, and this book has a huge focus on music from the 80s onwards and the characters love of it, their memory connection to various songs and their love of it passed onto their children. So each POV swap is labelled a different song title.
The time travelling element (which I suspected) was mostly a way of telling a story from the past and throwing in a little lesson about the grass being not much greener on the other-side and careful what you wish for .. and all those cliches. But its true… being grateful for what you have when what you have isn’t bad is something to remember.
This isn’t particularly a romance or a comedy there are elements of both…but mostly its a story about a couple who have lost their way and then stumble on a time travel machine and then all hell breaks loose… kind of.
Its a bit predictable, which is fine and there are times when I liked both of them and hated both of them. You can see why they did some of the things they did… but uh uh you can’t change the past without consequences in the future..
I enjoyed it and its only fairly short but it did get pretty repetitive, the time travelling went a bit too long and a few too many times but it was still good. Liked it most in the middle of the book but i started to get a bit bored with it by the end… so hence my three stars… its not bad my any stretch but me not being in love with the genre by that stage was wearing my patience thin… I wanted a happy ending and I didn’t know how we were going to get it (if we do… who knows no spoilers).
Overall, if you like the sound of this then read it.. if you recoil from the synopsis then this will absolutely not be for you.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
One couple. One past. A million tomorrows. Adam and Jules have been married for 25 years when they discover a time machine in their shed - can it bring back their romantic spark? Or will it unravel everything?
Meet Adam and Jules. Married for nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut, their future looks, well, boring.
Then Adam stumbles across a pile of old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love. He dusts off his vintage stereo, inserts one of the cassettes, presses play…and the unbelievable happens.
With the power to travel back in time, he and Jules can revisit pivotal moments in their pasts. Is this the key to getting their sparkle back? They embark on an epic hunt through the multiverse for their perfect love story. But as they visit the past, they realise that time travel could be as dangerous as it is addictive, because the temptation to change just a few tiny things is irresistible.
As the consequences start to spiral out of control, can they find a way back to their messy, imperfect, glorious real life? Or will they lose each other forever?
So this is absolutely not my kind of story, normally… however I was intrigued and I requested it and then promptly forgot about it for months, until I was suddenly approved.
I was a little bit nervous about the time travelling portion, to me that would usually be a huge turn off of a book…but it was upfront, in the first line and I requested it anyway so I went with it.
The story is told in two POVs one from Jules and one from Adam, and this book has a huge focus on music from the 80s onwards and the characters love of it, their memory connection to various songs and their love of it passed onto their children. So each POV swap is labelled a different song title.
The time travelling element (which I suspected) was mostly a way of telling a story from the past and throwing in a little lesson about the grass being not much greener on the other-side and careful what you wish for .. and all those cliches. But its true… being grateful for what you have when what you have isn’t bad is something to remember.
This isn’t particularly a romance or a comedy there are elements of both…but mostly its a story about a couple who have lost their way and then stumble on a time travel machine and then all hell breaks loose… kind of.
Its a bit predictable, which is fine and there are times when I liked both of them and hated both of them. You can see why they did some of the things they did… but uh uh you can’t change the past without consequences in the future..
I enjoyed it and its only fairly short but it did get pretty repetitive, the time travelling went a bit too long and a few too many times but it was still good. Liked it most in the middle of the book but i started to get a bit bored with it by the end… so hence my three stars… its not bad my any stretch but me not being in love with the genre by that stage was wearing my patience thin… I wanted a happy ending and I didn’t know how we were going to get it (if we do… who knows no spoilers).
Overall, if you like the sound of this then read it.. if you recoil from the synopsis then this will absolutely not be for you.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2026
Everything happens for a reason. I say this often. You may not see it immediately, in a day, in a week, a month, or even the year, but at some point you can look back on that disappointment and know you are better off. You are exactly where you are meant to be.
This book embodies that motto and brings it to life.
I am a sucker for a time travel story. Make it a romance, and I'm ecstatic.
This story follows a couple, navigating middle age, parenting young adults and dealing with a stale marriage. They are given a magical opportunity to travel back in time, but their glimpes and minor adjustments result in surprising results.
I loved this story. I loved the focus on a mature real relationship, it was so relatable. I loved the reflections on their relationship, but the reflections in parenthood really packed a punch.
I connected with this story in so many ways, so deeply. It's so special.
As an added bonus, music takes center stage, as it's the mixtapes that give them the portal to the past. Everything is better with music. And love.
The audiobook production was so well done, and I loved the dual narration!
This book embodies that motto and brings it to life.
I am a sucker for a time travel story. Make it a romance, and I'm ecstatic.
This story follows a couple, navigating middle age, parenting young adults and dealing with a stale marriage. They are given a magical opportunity to travel back in time, but their glimpes and minor adjustments result in surprising results.
I loved this story. I loved the focus on a mature real relationship, it was so relatable. I loved the reflections on their relationship, but the reflections in parenthood really packed a punch.
I connected with this story in so many ways, so deeply. It's so special.
As an added bonus, music takes center stage, as it's the mixtapes that give them the portal to the past. Everything is better with music. And love.
The audiobook production was so well done, and I loved the dual narration!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
No notes. This tickled my absurd bone (I am adept at suspending reality), and took me for a ride I thoroughly enjoyed. Think "The Husbands" paired with "Dark Matter" and a side of "Deep Cuts". Easily a book I can see recommending to everyone, and a story that not only entertains, but helps put our own relationships into perspective.
February 19, 2026
I LOVED this book. If a book was ever to be written for me, this would be the closest thing to it. At points funny, heartwarming and endearing. Love the music aspect, and of course the time travel. Absolutely a joy from start to finish.
November 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Star Review for You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees
Whew—what an absolute rollercoaster! This book took me on a loop-de-loop of messy human choices, questionable decisions, and moments where I genuinely wanted to shake the MCs… but also, would I have made better choices in their shoes? Honestly, maybe not. 😅
The premise is so much fun—super messy, full of drama, and sprinkled with just enough sci-fi/time-travel magic to keep things fresh. The time-travel elements are inventive and new, and I was all in on the wild ride. I’m basically the exact target-audience reader for this book, and it delivered.
The characters? Chaotic, flawed, lovable, and occasionally exasperating. I wanted the absolute best for them, even when they were making me want to yell “STOP!!!” at the page. There were also flashes of humor and heart that hit perfectly, and the writing is easy and bingeable.
That said, I do wish we’d gotten a bit more depth and connection between the characters—there’s so much potential there. Still, this is a lighthearted, gossipy, sleepover-energy kind of read, full of crushes, drama, and magical little moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
Whew—what an absolute rollercoaster! This book took me on a loop-de-loop of messy human choices, questionable decisions, and moments where I genuinely wanted to shake the MCs… but also, would I have made better choices in their shoes? Honestly, maybe not. 😅
The premise is so much fun—super messy, full of drama, and sprinkled with just enough sci-fi/time-travel magic to keep things fresh. The time-travel elements are inventive and new, and I was all in on the wild ride. I’m basically the exact target-audience reader for this book, and it delivered.
The characters? Chaotic, flawed, lovable, and occasionally exasperating. I wanted the absolute best for them, even when they were making me want to yell “STOP!!!” at the page. There were also flashes of humor and heart that hit perfectly, and the writing is easy and bingeable.
That said, I do wish we’d gotten a bit more depth and connection between the characters—there’s so much potential there. Still, this is a lighthearted, gossipy, sleepover-energy kind of read, full of crushes, drama, and magical little moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
February 5, 2026
This was a fabulous read, especially for the 40/50 year olds as it’s full of nostalgia and the music of the era. Such a fun read that has you wishing you had a Time Machine too.
Adam and Jules are having a few marriage issues when Adam discovers he can travel back in time to when they exchanged mix tapes. They can only venture back for the length of the tape/CD and promise each other they won’t change a thing while there. Well you can imagine how that goes…
I loved this book and it’s a definite 5⭐️from me
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
Adam and Jules are having a few marriage issues when Adam discovers he can travel back in time to when they exchanged mix tapes. They can only venture back for the length of the tape/CD and promise each other they won’t change a thing while there. Well you can imagine how that goes…
I loved this book and it’s a definite 5⭐️from me
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
January 31, 2026
3.5 stars.
It wasn’t bad at all, but with two (!) authors, I expected a more thought-through narrative, stronger development of ideas and greater depth to the characters. The plot is perhaps a little predictable (the synopsis more or less spoils it for the reader), but there were moments when I simply couldn’t put the book down. I can easily imagine “You & Me and You & Me and You & Me” (also not a fan of the title - got tired typing it up!) being adapted into a romantic comedy.
As with most time-travel novels, the story follows a very familiar route: characters discover a time machine, change the past, and (just as we’ve been taught!) realise that even the smallest alteration can unravel the future, which then needs to be fixed. “You & Me x 3” sticks closely to this classic formula.
Some of the naming choices genuinely made me pause. Nelly and Liam (those names give me the ick, though that’s entirely personal), the truly awful dog name Groucho Barx and, cherry on the cake, the surname of the central couple - Hole. This opens the door to a whole range of “jokes” worthy of a giggling preschooler. Honestly… why?
That said, it was a fun read, and I’d recommend it as a light, quick holiday book. I’d also be curious to see a film adaptation. Still, if I’m being honest, it could have been written - and done - much better.
With many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
It wasn’t bad at all, but with two (!) authors, I expected a more thought-through narrative, stronger development of ideas and greater depth to the characters. The plot is perhaps a little predictable (the synopsis more or less spoils it for the reader), but there were moments when I simply couldn’t put the book down. I can easily imagine “You & Me and You & Me and You & Me” (also not a fan of the title - got tired typing it up!) being adapted into a romantic comedy.
As with most time-travel novels, the story follows a very familiar route: characters discover a time machine, change the past, and (just as we’ve been taught!) realise that even the smallest alteration can unravel the future, which then needs to be fixed. “You & Me x 3” sticks closely to this classic formula.
Some of the naming choices genuinely made me pause. Nelly and Liam (those names give me the ick, though that’s entirely personal), the truly awful dog name Groucho Barx and, cherry on the cake, the surname of the central couple - Hole. This opens the door to a whole range of “jokes” worthy of a giggling preschooler. Honestly… why?
That said, it was a fun read, and I’d recommend it as a light, quick holiday book. I’d also be curious to see a film adaptation. Still, if I’m being honest, it could have been written - and done - much better.
With many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
January 30, 2026
Thank you to G.P. Putnam & Sons and partner PRH Audio for the gifted advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Combine an interesting premise with excellent writing; toss in some realistically flawed characters and stir it all together to create a fresh and engaging romance. This is not a glossy, starry eyed love story. It’s a tale that shows what love looks like after it’s been tested by time and trials.
Adam and Jules are 25 years into marriage. They’ve raised two kids and are now looking ahead to the future which, frankly, doesn’t look too hot. They are in a rut made deeper by spinning their wheels over the same tired territory. When Adam finds a box of old mix tapes and discovers that playing them can transport him to the past, he shares this exciting news with Jules. They embrace this magic and agree to simply look, but not touch their past.
The allure of making tiny little tweaks is too great for either of them. Suddenly those minuscule adjustments are changing the very fabric of the life they’ve built.
Both Adam and Jules were frustratingly human; making unwise decision after unwise decision. And, still, I found them to be sympathetic. Annoying, but sympathetic. I absolutely loved the musical references as they captured the transformative moments in their relationship. This is a book that paints an accurate portrait of love through the years; from infatuation to the complete blending of two lives.
This story is at times both tender and brutally honest. This is what true love looks like once you remove the rose colored glasses.
Combine an interesting premise with excellent writing; toss in some realistically flawed characters and stir it all together to create a fresh and engaging romance. This is not a glossy, starry eyed love story. It’s a tale that shows what love looks like after it’s been tested by time and trials.
Adam and Jules are 25 years into marriage. They’ve raised two kids and are now looking ahead to the future which, frankly, doesn’t look too hot. They are in a rut made deeper by spinning their wheels over the same tired territory. When Adam finds a box of old mix tapes and discovers that playing them can transport him to the past, he shares this exciting news with Jules. They embrace this magic and agree to simply look, but not touch their past.
The allure of making tiny little tweaks is too great for either of them. Suddenly those minuscule adjustments are changing the very fabric of the life they’ve built.
Both Adam and Jules were frustratingly human; making unwise decision after unwise decision. And, still, I found them to be sympathetic. Annoying, but sympathetic. I absolutely loved the musical references as they captured the transformative moments in their relationship. This is a book that paints an accurate portrait of love through the years; from infatuation to the complete blending of two lives.
This story is at times both tender and brutally honest. This is what true love looks like once you remove the rose colored glasses.
October 24, 2025
I really like fiction. I was reading a lot of non-fiction. I was very excited about the premise of this book. I really liked the authors of this book.
The book started really strong for me. I liked the characters and the premise. It was light but it, also, had substance. It was a fairly easy read.
The middle of the book got too long for me. I liked the moral of the story and what the book was trying to show. In the middle of the book, I started to lose interest. The book could have been shorter.
I really liked the ending of the book. The moral was clear. I liked the characters again. It redeemed the middle of the book for me.
I am appreciative for Netgalley and the author's of the book for the opportunity for read this book. I will look at life a little different because of this book.
Come back to your Review on the pub date, Feb 10 2026, to post to retailers.
February 8, 2026
Time travel/changing the timeline stories are tricky and I think that this book has some slow pacing issues due to the different timelines. It was definitely interesting and I think anyone who’s been married for a while will enjoy it. I’m never a huge fan of marriage in crisis trope, but I was intrigued by the concept.
The anxiety of it all going wrong and their timelines kept getting worse every time they went back! I did like the fact that the music moved the plot and that they got new memories every time it changed. I don’t think anything crazy new happened in this story in terms of the “Back to the Future” of it all. I just didn’t find the character development was strong enough, nor the depth anything but predictable in the end. It might be a better tv series than book.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The anxiety of it all going wrong and their timelines kept getting worse every time they went back! I did like the fact that the music moved the plot and that they got new memories every time it changed. I don’t think anything crazy new happened in this story in terms of the “Back to the Future” of it all. I just didn’t find the character development was strong enough, nor the depth anything but predictable in the end. It might be a better tv series than book.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
February 13, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own!
🎧 Book Review 🎧On this Valentine’s Day, I want to take a moment and reflect on the reality that relationships are hard work. It’s not necessarily about the two people who decide to make the commitment, it’s the life stuff that really pushes the envelope and can wreak some havoc. For Adam and Jules, it’s been twenty five years of wedded ups and downs and when they discover a Time Machine in their shed, it’s a slippery slope to revive the spark in their marriage. Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees unpack a really raw look at the reality of the silver years of matrimony, and yes…it’s not always chocolate and flowers. Rory Kinnear and Sally Phillips breathe refreshingly honest life into this novel with their narration of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me.
🎧 Book Review 🎧On this Valentine’s Day, I want to take a moment and reflect on the reality that relationships are hard work. It’s not necessarily about the two people who decide to make the commitment, it’s the life stuff that really pushes the envelope and can wreak some havoc. For Adam and Jules, it’s been twenty five years of wedded ups and downs and when they discover a Time Machine in their shed, it’s a slippery slope to revive the spark in their marriage. Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees unpack a really raw look at the reality of the silver years of matrimony, and yes…it’s not always chocolate and flowers. Rory Kinnear and Sally Phillips breathe refreshingly honest life into this novel with their narration of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me.
February 19, 2026
Sometimes you read a book and it's just what you need at that stage in your life, this was definitely true for this book. This book made me realise that happiness isn't in living a perfect life or a life without regrets. Life is about being there to face the consequences of decisions made with the person you chose as your life partner. Life is messy and children aren't perfect! But that's what makes life beautiful ❤️.
This starts off as a light hearted time travel story where a couple reconnect with their own past lives but turns into something so much more profound! Maybe I read too much into it but I definitely feel like this one left its mark on me and made me grateful and appreciate the life I have ❤️🙈.
This starts off as a light hearted time travel story where a couple reconnect with their own past lives but turns into something so much more profound! Maybe I read too much into it but I definitely feel like this one left its mark on me and made me grateful and appreciate the life I have ❤️🙈.
December 2, 2025
The concept of time traveling by mixtape obviously intrigued this music lover, and the story did not disappoint.
Jules and Adam’s marriage hits a rut after 25 years and instead of calling it quits or trying to fix it conventionally, they opt for creating multiverses and changing ”small” things each time they time travel to presumably make things better in the present. It doesn’t quite work as intended, which left me with quite a bit of anxiety mid-read, but also led me to keep reading to find out how much more they screwed up and/or actually made better. In my opinion, they made some poor decisions. This would be good for a book club to discuss further though.
It is also interesting that the two authors have been married for 25 years to each other. I wonder how their writing process worked to write the alternating POVs.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for this ARC!
Jules and Adam’s marriage hits a rut after 25 years and instead of calling it quits or trying to fix it conventionally, they opt for creating multiverses and changing ”small” things each time they time travel to presumably make things better in the present. It doesn’t quite work as intended, which left me with quite a bit of anxiety mid-read, but also led me to keep reading to find out how much more they screwed up and/or actually made better. In my opinion, they made some poor decisions. This would be good for a book club to discuss further though.
It is also interesting that the two authors have been married for 25 years to each other. I wonder how their writing process worked to write the alternating POVs.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for this ARC!
November 29, 2025
This is one of those books that comes to you when you really need it. I couldn't wait to finish to find out what happens, but also didn't want it to end.
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me
Adam & Jules married nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut. Then Adam comes across some old mix tapes that he and Jules used to make for each other. I loved all the music references and travelling back in time to visit moments in their past hoping to find the key to getting their marriage, and life back on track.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam, for the eARC of this book
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me
Adam & Jules married nearly twenty-five years and stuck in a rut. Then Adam comes across some old mix tapes that he and Jules used to make for each other. I loved all the music references and travelling back in time to visit moments in their past hoping to find the key to getting their marriage, and life back on track.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam, for the eARC of this book
September 15, 2025
Having grown up reading Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, I was thrilled to see a new release from them — it felt like slipping into a comfy old pair of trousers. Their familiar writing style instantly transported me back, and there’s something nostalgic and comforting about the tone they strike.
I really liked the concept of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me — it had so much potential, and the setup drew me in quickly. However, I found that the story dipped a bit in the middle, and I lost momentum for a while. It dragged enough that I found myself slightly bored, but thankfully, it picked back up again toward the end.
Despite the pacing issues, I enjoyed it overall. The attention to detail and the emotional undercurrents were lovely, and fans of Lloyd and Rees will likely appreciate the familiar rhythm of their storytelling.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House for ARC
I really liked the concept of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me — it had so much potential, and the setup drew me in quickly. However, I found that the story dipped a bit in the middle, and I lost momentum for a while. It dragged enough that I found myself slightly bored, but thankfully, it picked back up again toward the end.
Despite the pacing issues, I enjoyed it overall. The attention to detail and the emotional undercurrents were lovely, and fans of Lloyd and Rees will likely appreciate the familiar rhythm of their storytelling.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House for ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Adam & Jules are a middle aged couple that feels stuck. Their adult kids live at home, neither have their dream job, and they've lost some of their spark. One day after a fight, Adam discovers he can travel back in time via mixtapes they'd exchanged over the years. They take turns goings back but even the smallest change can have a ripple effect on their lives. So many different possibilities but they don't necessarily lead where you'd expect. This was a heartwarming tale about a couple finding their way back to each other. Some Butterfly Effect vibes. 4.5 stars. It was a little hard to get into at first, a lot of British slang/terminology (not a problem for me, just went in blind and wasn't expecting it lol!)
February 14, 2026
Overall this was fine. Some parts had me absolutely flying through but other moments felt a bit predictable. I also struggled to really connect with the characters as I felt they lacked a bit of depth. It was still an easy, bingeable read & I did enjoy it more than I didn’t.
Not amazing, not terrible just one of those middle road reads.
⭐️⭐️½ rounded up.
Not amazing, not terrible just one of those middle road reads.
⭐️⭐️½ rounded up.
October 7, 2025
I loved this book. 4.5 stars. A little bit Freaky Friday, Back to the Future, 13 going on 30, About Time, and What Alice Forgot all mashed together.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a beautiful story! A reminder about life and love, and cherishing the ups and downs that come with it all. Thoughtful and emotional, this book explores relationships, memories, and the “what ifs” of life in a way that feels honest and relatable.
Thank you to Putnam for the eARC!
Thank you to Putnam for the eARC!
February 18, 2026
3.75 🌟
⏲️⏳️🎵📼🕳
-Libby 🎧
⏲️⏳️🎵📼🕳
-Libby 🎧
February 19, 2026
Amei esta viagem ao passado. Adorei as referências musicais ao longo dos anos. A história é um cliché obviamente, mas a maneira como foi contada conquistou-me. É muito sobre o amor ao longo da vida de um casal, filhos, sonhos perdidos, erros... Sobre como ser feliz e amar o com o que temos. Mas contado de uma forma mais leve e divertida, até.
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