On the eve of her fortieth birthday, Alice is content yet feels a quiet sense of something missing, a sentiment amplified by her beloved father's declining health. A successful job, a comfortable apartment, and a cherished best friend define her present, but a lingering wistfulness persists. The morning after her milestone birthday, Alice awakens to an astonishing reality: she's back in 1996, reliving her sixteenth birthday. Suddenly thrust into her adolescent body, she confronts the awkwardness of high school crushes and the unfamiliarity of her younger self. Most profoundly, she is reunited with her father, not as the ailing man she knows, but as the vibrant, charming forty-something he once was. This unexpected journey into the past offers Alice a profound new perspective on her own life and her father's. Armed with hindsight, she begins to re-evaluate past events, contemplating what she might change, and more importantly, what she truly appreciates about the life she has lived and the people who shaped it. It's a poignant exploration of family, time, and the enduring power of love.
Critical Reception
"Praised by literary luminaries like Ann Patchett and Emily Henry, this novel is hailed as a profoundly moving and intelligent take on time travel, brimming with tenderness, humor, and a deep appreciation for human connection."