Holly Smale started off writing young adult novels that were recently adapted as a Netflix series, but she breaks out in Cassandra in Reverse, her first adult novel that was chosen as Reese's Book Club pick for June 2023 and on Amazon's "Best Books of 2023" list. This book deals with panic attacks, grief, a car accident, the death of parents, and basic misogyny.
We start on one of the worst day's of Cassandra Dankworth's life. It's certainly not the worst, but it's top five considering she was just dumped by her boyfriend, fired from her job, is about to get kicked out of her apartment, and her local coffee shop is out of her favorite banana muffins which leads her to have a panic attack on the streets of London. But a very strange thing happens that night, her boyfriend shows up to take her to dinner. A dinner that they have already had, followed by a tense night, a break up in the morning, a phone call from her boss asking why she's not at work, and her boss telling her not to bother coming in at all because she's fired. Cassandra realizes that something has happened, that she, Cassandra Dankworth, managed to turn back time. And she does so again, intent that this time everything will turn out the way it's supposed to.
I have been raving about this book since before I even finished it. It is so funny, there were several times that I laughed out loud or caught myself smiling. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was phenomenal, she had wonderful delivery. I really loved this novel. You get to watch Cassandra realize that she does not need to change herself in order for people to love her, that perhaps she's been a bit self-critical as well as overly critical of others, and nurture relationships so that's she's not going through life completely alone. The book does not end the way that Cassandra, or the way that I, wanted it to, but the journey to the end was delightful. And although I didn't like it, I know why the ending had to happen the way that it did.
I'm giving Cassandra in Reverse 4.5 stars out of 5. Holly Smale is releasing a new adult novel next year and I can't wait to read it. Check this book out, it's clever, it's funny, and it's self-deprecating in a very realistic way.
For more from Holly Smale, check out her website at https://www.hollysmale.com/
Pairs well with banana muffins and a super cute outfit.
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