Review: The Seven Year Slip

Title: The Seven Year Slip

Author: Ashley Poston

Publisher: 30th June 2023 by Harlequin Australia, HQ

Pages: 352 pages

Genre: romance, contemporary, magical realism

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

My Thoughts

Oh.My.Gosh! I LOVED this book. Absolutely brilliant! There is so much to appreciate about this book … so much. Go read it. The End. 

Wait, should I tell you more? Well ….. 

"I want to tell you a story," I replied, "about a magical apartment. You might not believe me at first, but I promise it's true."

The apartment is like a character itself, it’s magical, it’s perceptive and it's clever. I loved the relationship between it and its occupants. I loved the relationship between Clementine and her Aunt. I loved the relationship between Clementine and her friends. The relationship between Clementine and her love interest - it’s beautiful. And I especially loved the relationship between Clementine and herself - what a journey. This is such clever and engaging writing. 

‘It felt nice to do something for me again. To just be.

No to-do lists to keep pushing myself through, no expectations.

Just me.’

The writing is exquisite and I was thoroughly invested with the storyline from the outset. I loved the short, sharp chapters and even the good old fashion chapter headings that give you clues as to what will be upcoming. I would flick back and give that knowing nod upon completion. Brilliant. Not to mention, the wonderful love of all things literature scattered throughout. 

‘I loved how a book, a story, a set of words in a sentence organized in the exact right order, made you miss places you've never visited, and people you’ve never met.’

This book is so complex and so smart, I used almost an entire packet of tabs with my underlining and note taking. It’s intelligent, moving, heartwarming and equally heartbreaking. The use of the magical realism was so ‘magical’ and ‘real’ that Ashley made the sequencing look so easy. This is an intricate and clever tale with themes ranging from grief and change, to friends and lovers. 

‘… she lived in the moment because she always figured it was her last …. I used to love the way she saw the world …. drinking in everything … she spent every moment making a memory, every second living life wide and full.’

The Seven Year Slip is absolutely delightful and will stay with me for a long, long time. Its layers and nuances, the relationships, the love of family and friends, the romance, the special relationship with Clementine and her aunt are all truly remarkable and memorable. However, the journey Clementine has with herself, the realisations and lessons she has to learn … well, mind blowing. 

Do yourself a favour. Go read this book.

‘If you do it right … once is all you need.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.