Authors: Sarah J. Harris
Genre: Coming of Age
Published: 2024
Rating: 4 Stars
Summary
What would you change if you could turn back time and do it all over again?
Turning 25 has been a disaster for Julia. While she loves working in the news industry, her career has stalled beneath an intense and unrealistic boss. Her inability to meet his ever-changing expectations has left her banished to a room filled with dusty historic archives.
An attractive, successful boyfriend would make anyone happy, right? Still, Julia feels like something is missing. As her narcolepsy worsens, his frustrations grow. Was it her fault she fell asleep on his birthday? Late-night texts convince her he might have someone else in his life.
While Julia has always struggled with her inherited narcolepsy, turning 25 has only made it worse. Multiple visits to her doctor and a few different drug choices later have failed to resolve the issue. She succeeds at falling asleep during the most inopportune times and often dreams of a handsome and mysterious stranger.
A timely gift from her grandma and a shocking encounter with the man from her dreams push Julia to discover a rare skill. Now, she’s left with that critical question: how much of the past would she change if she could?
Themes
Family
There are few things more complicated in life than family. Julia’s mom disappears at an early age leaving her with a strong sense of abandonment. Her beloved grandmother took over the caretaking responsibilities but now she struggles with memory loss. As Julia struggles through the challenges ahead, she feels completely alone. Her complicated relationship with the two women she loves has a significant impact on Julia and her actions.
Love
How far will you go to be with the one you love? Julia meets the love of her life, but this budding relationship comes with significant consequences. Julia is left to decide how far she would go to be with the love of her life.
Consequences
As hinted at above, every action has a consequence. Julia takes what she thinks are small steps to change the course of her life. While she succeeds in some areas, she awakes to a much different world. When these consequences cost others their lives, Julia has to find a way to fix it or let go of the love of her life.
Memorable Quotes
“We can find a pocket of happiness despite what’s happened to us and all the horrible things going on in the world.”
“If anything, it shows us that life is precious. We have to make the most of everything while we can.”
“When you meet that person, everything falls into place. They feel like home. It’s like returning to your favorite painting and loving each brush stroke all over again.”
Final Thoughts
A Kindle First read and one of my recent favorites! I easily related to Julia, and her story captured my attention early on. I have had seasons of feeling stuck. It was often associated with dating, my career, or even my writing. Julia’s passion to change her life captured my heart. And, when everything does go wrong, I respect her choice to fix what she can rather than accept what has changed.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming story about the complications of love and family with a little magic thrown in, check this one out!
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About the Author
Hello, fellow bibliophiles! I’m Aubrey, the current voice behind A Novel Philosophy.
Since the day I could first string letters into words, I’ve been captivated by the written word. I love the power and emotion a single phrase can elicit, and don’t get me started on the incredible characters I’ve met along the way. There’s something so unique about watching a story unfold page after page.
novel philosophy 