Time After Time by Clare Swatman

 

Robyn will be glad to see the back of 2025, the year her mother died very unexpectedly. Unfortunately, on New Year's Eve, she sets in motion a curse that forces her to relive the year over again. Robyn hopes that this time around, she can save her mother.

Time After Time by Clare Swatman is a very emotional read, possibly because I lost my own mother very unexpectedly, so I empathised with all of the heartache the main character felt. Having struggled with grief for half a year, Robyn doesn't initially see having to repeat the year as a curse; she thinks it is more of a blessing, a chance to do something to save her mother. The only problem is that it's difficult to convince other people; they think she's either mad or cruel. When things don't go to plan, Robyn has to deal with the grief all over again; she realises she really has been cursed.

The 'Groundhog Day' scenario means that Robyn is compelled to continue reliving the year until she works out how she can lift the curse. Having realised that some events are inevitable, she is determined to make the most of the time she has with her mother. The moments leading up to the fateful day really do tug at the heartstrings. Robyn learns to accept what is happening, but it doesn't make things any easier.

While I thought the method for lifting the curse was fairly obvious, the author managed to maintain the suspense by introducing a variety of scenarios, all with similar outcomes, but just different enough to pique my interest and make me wonder where the narrative was heading. One in particular, the first one after her friend's fortieth birthday, had me laughing. The description was so vivid that I felt every cringeworthy moment.

The conclusion felt as if it was signposted a mile away, although at one point I did think that Robyn was going to waste yet another opportunity to lift the curse. Overall, this felt like a huge, warm hug, even with the emotional elements.

Time After Time by Clare Swatman will be published on 27th October 2026 in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a review copy.

Author Details

Clare Swatman is the author of bestselling women’s fiction novels, which have been translated into over 20 languages. She has been a journalist for over twenty years, writing for Bella and Woman & Home amongst many other magazines. She lives in Hertfordshire.