One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit. If you give the power of time travel to a woman who eats banana muffins ever day, for three decades, you can’t go expecting her to be someone else with it” I've read more novels with this premise last year than the year before and I know I'll see more novels with this narrative this year. Her debut children’s book, Geek Girl, became a sensation, selling 3.4 million copies in 30 languages and winning the Waterstones YA Book Prize. It’s now in development with Netflix. Diagnosed with autism and dyspraxia at 39, Holly advocates for neurodiversity.

Holly has a BA in English Literature, an MA in Shakespeare, and currently lives in London or at @holsmale. As other readers have mentioned, what is intended to be a late-in-the-game plot twist was something that I assumed from the first couple chapters: that the main character is autistic. I also assumed she knew and simply didn't say it outright. Ronald has worn the same thing—a navy cashmere jumper—every day since he started working here a few months ago. It smells really lovely, so I’m guessing there must be plural.But, part of liking a book, is liking its main character, and well, that wasn’t likely to happen for me.

Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker rule the town of Salcombe, Fire Island every summer. They hold sway on the beach and the tennis court, and are adept at manipulating people to get what they want. Their husbands, Sam and Jason, have summered together on the island since childhood, despite lifelong grudges and numerous secrets. Their one single friend, Rachel Woolf, is looking to meet her match, whether he’s the tennis pro—or someone else’s husband. But even with plenty to gossip about, this season starts out as quietly as any other. Discuss the role of Greek mythology in the narrative. How does Cassandra’s knowledge of mythology shape her perception of the world and her own experiences? For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements—books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect. A glorious testament to the transformative power of being our own true selves. It’s a brilliantly clever, twisty story that dazzles with its wit whilst touching our hearts. Cassie is a wonderfully nuanced character, whose often bungled endeavors to redirect the path of her life will resonate with any of us who have felt that happiness and success would be assured if only we could behave/speak/act differently. A hugely entertaining book with an important message, [Cassandra in Reverse] is a triumph!” —Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of THE CACTUSI am a fan of magical realism. I was so ready for the magic. But this magic was pushing me in directions that just didn’t feel fun. It's a very readable book. There's quite a lot of Greek myth references but they're interesting rather than distracting. Its not a re-telling by any stretch of the imagination. Its simply the story of a woman who has struggled to be heard, to fit in, to be accepted her whole life.

She also tries to do her job better but I like that her view of the job doesn't change. She still hates it but learns to deal with her boss and also fix her workplace relationships. She's resilient but also learns where to be flexible. She just grows SO MUCH and I was supporting her the whole way through. I loved Sophie and how we misread her at the start. She ended up being by favourite character in the end (along with Art and Sal). After she’s dealt a one-two punch of losing her boyfriend and her job in the span of a single morning, her fervent desire for a redo bizarrely comes true. Hoping to change the outcomes, Cassandra tries to do it all “right,” over and over. But what she discovers, and so do we, is that maybe we don’t need fixing. Full of heart, humor, and Greek mythology, Cassandra In Reverse made me laugh out loud and touched my heart in unexpected ways. — Seira Wilson One minute you’re twelve, standing in the middle of a play­ground while people fight over who doesn’t get you as a team­mate. The next you’re in your thirties, single and standing by the lifts of an office you’ve just been fired from because no­body wants you as a teammate. Same sensations, different body. Literally: my cells have cunningly replaced themselves at least twice in the interim.

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Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale is what you get when you mix a contemporary romance and a time travel fantasy. The story is told from the point of view of the lead character who is neurodivergent as she bounces around in time trying to fix her own life after it has fallen apart.

So, make yourself comfortable, grab your favorite reading beverage, and join me as we embark on this time-traveling adventure with Cassandra. I hope you will enjoy my discussion questions, and let me know what your thoughts are on this amazing novel! ✨ About the story Cassandra Penelope Dankworth is not having a good day when she gets to work only to find the cherry on the rotten cake of the day is she’s being fired. Cassie doesn’t know what to think after starting the day off with a break up before it all spiraled out of control and being a creature of habit this is all just too much for her to handle. I’d tell you my boss’s name and give him a brief description, but judging by this conversation, he isn’t going to be a promi­nent character for much longer. Harriet Manners is a geek. She always has been, and she thought she always would be—but when she’s discovered by a modeling agent, she leaps at the chance to reinvent herself.Well that was a surprise. I really thought after the first chapter or so that I was really going to get irritated or Cassandra was going to get on my nerves but instead I quit trying to read it a bit at a time and read the last half in one go. A thoroughly enjoyable read.